The Real Score
Sunday
Gulong-gulo si Maki sa lahat ng nangyayari. Hindi lang siya biglang nagising na may amnesia—dagdag mo pa na nasa harapan niya ngayon ang pitong babae, lahat maganda in their own right. Atty. Valerio asked if the girls can just wait outside while he talks to Maki.
When Atty. Valerio returned in the room she handed something to Maki.
“Here.” Atty. Valerio handed her a thick folder. “These are their profiles.”
Maki took it hesitantly. “Atty… ano nga ulit pangalan mo?”
Atty. Valerio sighed, clearly used to her antics. “Atty. Mickey Valerio, Maki.”
She groaned and rubbed her temples. “Atty. Mickey, need ko ba talaga gawin ‘to? Ano bang nangyari?”
Mickey’s face turned serious. “You and your dad were on the way to a business meeting when a truck hit your car. Unfortunately… he didn’t make it.”
Maki felt a lump in her throat. Wala siyang maalala, pero bakit parang may biglang kirot sa puso niya?
“Your brother, Stephen, came home from Las Vegas after hearing the news,” Mickey continued. “Matagal na siyang wala sa buhay niyo because he lost a lot sa gambling. Mabait siya, PR-friendly, pero wala talaga siyang financial expertise. Kaya rin siya umuwi—baon siya sa utang, at ang tanging paraan niya para makabangon ay makuha ang mana.”
Mickey leaned back. “The Lim empire needs you. But your dad had one condition—you have to be married. Alam niya kasi na pag nagtatrabaho ka, nakakalimutan mo ang sarili mo. He wanted someone to take care of you while you take care of the company.”
Maki crossed her arms. “what do you mean?”
Mickey gave her a knowing look. “Let’s just say… nasharpen ka ng panahon. Bata ka pa lang, seryoso ka na sa negosyo, kasi kayo lang ng dad mo.”
Maki sighed and looked through the folder. “San niyo naman nakuha ‘tong mga ‘to? Nag-audition ba sila?”
Mickey shook his head. “Hindi, Maki. Girlfriends mo silang lahat. You even told your dad that you were planning to introduce someone to marry, pero nangyari ang aksidente.”
Maki’s heart pounded. “So paano ko malalaman kung sino ‘yon, eh di ko nga maalala?”
Mickey exhaled. “I know mahirap, pero you have seven days. The doctor already cleared you. We were just waiting for you to wake up kanina.”
Maki swallowed hard. “Seven days…”
Mickey nodded. “The Board decides the fate of the company next Monday. And Stephen? He’s been attending meetings and winning votes as we speak.”
Mickey went back outside then turned to the seven girls, who were still anxiously waiting. “Ladies, I appreciate you all coming here today, but I think it’s best if you all go home for now. We’ll contact you when Maki is ready to see you.”
There were a few protests, but eventually, they agreed. One by one, they left, some giving Maki hopeful glances through the open door before walking away.
Maki clenched her fists. This was insane, pero may instinct siyang nagsasabing kailangan niyang gawin ‘to.
“Uwi na tayo,” she finally said.
Pagkarating niya sa bahay, parang pamilyar pero hindi rin niya lubos na maalala.
Her room was filled with pictures of her and her dad. Napansin niyang halos hindi siya nakangiti sa kahit isa.
She must have had a tough life.
She glanced at the folder again and flipped through the profiles. Her eyes landed on one name—
Gwyneth.
“Hmmm…” she murmured, staring at the picture. Something about this girl felt… familiar.