Chapter 6: A Hostile Takeover

Cailin's POV

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the fashion industry, it’s that people treat you based on your packaging. Right now, my look was screaming "struggling artist," and honestly? Hindi pwede ’yun. If I wanted Ellezar and the vultures surrounding him to take me seriously, I had to make my presence scream importance.

The move to BGC was swift. Iniwan ko na ang karamihan sa mga luma kong gamit—they didn’t fit my new life. I only kept my sewing machine and my most precious fabric bolts. Everything else? I replaced them using the "Ice King’s" money. Consider it an initial investment.

I was standing in the middle of my new living room, staring out of the floor-to-ceiling windows. The unit was still bare, but the air already smelled like Diptyque candles and success.

"Cailin, are you sure about this?" untag ni Emarie habang dala ang box ng favorite takeout ko.

"Ang mahal ng rent dito, girl. Isang buwang sweldo ko na yata ang isang square meter dito."

"Emarie, don't be so middle-class," biro ko sa kanya habang nilalapag ang tablet ko sa quartz countertop. "Think of this as the Grand Palais in Paris. I’m the model practicing her catwalk before the big show. Hindi ako pwedeng mag-negotiate ng milyones kung nakatira ako sa lugar na may tumutulong bubong. Low-budget vibes are bad for business."

I swiped through my OPLAN: YAMAN folder. Next on the list: The Nursery.

"Tingnan mo 'to, dali." I showed her the furniture I’d picked. Minimalist, sculptural, and offensively pricey. "I want the nursery ready before the results come out. Para kapag dinalaw ito ng 'spy' ni Ellezar, he’ll see that I’m building a kingdom, not just waiting for a handout."

"Kingdom talaga? Ang OA mo magpanggap! Baby room lang ’yan, Cailin," natatawang sabi ni Emarie.

"It’s psychological warfare, Lorque. Kapag nakita niya na hindi ako 'tipid' na nanay, he’ll realize he can’t afford to be a 'kuripot' na tatay."

My phone buzzed mid-laugh. It was an email from Mirano Holdings - Legal Dept. Subject: Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity (NIPP) Test. This was the official invitation to the battlefield. Martes, 9:00 AM, sa isang private facility sa Forbes Park. Very exclusive, huh?

"Martes na ang test," sabi ko, my voice dropping its playful edge.

"Kinakabahan ka ba?" Emarie asked, stopping mid-bite.

"Hindi. I’m super duper excited!" I replied, though a spark of adrenaline shot through me. This was the moment I’d been tailoring for weeks.

I spent the weekend preparing my 'battle outfit.' Hindi pwedeng mukhang kawawa. I’m done with the 'pity' card dahil sa mga teleserye lang uso 'yun. Power is the only currency that matters, and today, I’ll let my clothes do the talking.

I decided on a cream-colored silk midi dress and a tailored blazer. Isa itong getup na bumubulong ng, 'I am the mother of your heir, at ibang klase ang taste ko.' Pinili ko rin ang isang sleek center-parted hairstyle, neatly tucked behind my ears to show off my minimalist jewelry. Tipong hindi ako mukhang hihingi ng sustento, kundi mukhang may-ari ng kumpanya.

But looking the part is only the beginning. Gusto kong saktan ang pride niya sa pamamagitan ng paglustay ng pera niya sa harap niya. He’ll watch me buy everything he ignores while he’s busy 'investing.' Sayang naman kung nakatambak lang ang pera niya, 'di ba? I want him to witness that his wealth isn't just vanishing—it’s fueling a lifestyle he can no longer control.

However, even the best-laid plans have their weaknesses. Habang naghahanda ako nung Tuesday morning, the morning sickness finally caught up. I rushed to the bathroom, clutching the marble sink as I emptied my stomach.

"Ano ba 'yan!" Nayamot ako habang nagpupunas ng bibig. Muntik na akong maging maasim. "Kahit ang katawan ko, pine-pressure ako."

I looked at my reflection. My skin was still glowing thanks to high-end skincare, pero may kaunting pagod sa mga mata ko. I touched my stomach. "You better be worth all this stress, little one. Kailangang makuha natin ang pirma ng tatay mo."

9:00 AM. I arrived at the facility fifteen minutes early. The place looked more like a five-star hotel than a clinic. I was led to a private waiting lounge, and five minutes later, the door opened.

And there he was.

Ellezar Mirano walked in like he owned the oxygen in the room. He was wearing a charcoal grey suit that looked like it was molded onto his body. No tie, top button open. He looked exhausted, but still dangerously handsome.

His eyes scanned me, lingering for a split second on the cream silk dress. I gave him a small, polite nod—the kind of nod you give to a business partner you don't particularly like but have to tolerate.

"You're early," he said, his voice deep and gravelly.

"I value time, Mr. Mirano. Especially yours. Alam kong bawat minuto mo ay may katumbas na salapi," I replied, keeping my tone neutral.

He sat on the opposite chair, crossing his long legs. "The condo in BGC. You moved in yesterday."

So, the spy was working fast. "Yes. My old place wasn't suitable for... our current situation. I assumed you’d want the mother of your child to live in a secure environment."

One side of his mouth hitched up in a short, dry grin. It was a skeptical slant that made it clear he saw right through me. "Secure? Or luxurious?"

Gusto ko siyang gawing pin cushion kung may aspile lang ako sa tabi ko! Ang sarap niyang tusukin ng paulit-ulit hanggang sa mawala ang nakaka-irita niyang ngisi.

"Both. They usually go hand in hand, don't they?" He clearly wanted to bait me with sarcasm, but I wasn't having it. He might be the Ice King, but I was the one holding the crown.

The procedure was quick. A nurse drew a few vials of blood from my arm to isolate the baby's DNA, while Ellezar simply underwent a quick cheek swab. Habang tinitingnan ko ang karayom na bumabaon sa balat ko, hindi ko inalis ang tingin ko sa kanya.

I wanted him to feel my confidence. I wanted him to see that I wasn't afraid of the truth. When the nurse left, the silence in the room became heavy.

"Ten days," Ellezar said, standing up. "In ten days, we'll have the results. And then, we’ll talk about the long-term contract."

"Looking forward to it," I replied, standing up as well.

He stopped at the door and turned back, his gaze intense. "Ms. Relova."

"Yes?"

"If this test comes back negative... I will make sure you disappear from this city so fast, even your sewing machine won't find you."

'Yun na 'yun? Hindi man lang ako pinagpawisan! Dahil sinungaling ang tingin niya sa akin, a fleeting, sardonic twitch played on my lips. I gave him a slow, teasing smile that I knew would grate on his nerves.

"And when it comes back positive, Mr. Mirano... I'm afraid your company will go bankrupt because of my expenditures. See you in ten days."

I walked past him, my heels clicking confidently on the polished floor. I didn't look back, but I could feel his stare, probably wondering if I was the bravest woman he’d ever met or the most delusional.

When I got into my car, my hands were shaking. Ang tagal maglabas ng resulta! I was already itching to see him annoyed by the bills.

Hinawakan ko nang mahigpit ang manibela ng luma kong sasakyan. Ito ang huling piraso ng lumang buhay ko na malapit ko nang palitan. Nag-rerental cars lang naman ako minsan kapag hindi ko nadadala ang sarili kong sasakyan, gaya nung isang araw. But today, I wasn't just driving. I was navigating a takeover.

The game was no longer just about the first stitch. It was about the whole pattern. And I was about to cut him down to size.

Ten days. Sampung araw na lang, and I will officially be the most expensive mistake Ellezar Mirano has ever made.