“I NEED to buy fabrics when I go to Divisoria for the kids’ uniforms so I could start sewing. There’s not a good fabric here,” Esmeralda said as she checked through the textiles sold in the market. She could not find the cloth for her sewing. And they’re expensive.
She and Cynthia Lyn went to the market by dawn because the market day only happened once a week. Unlike in big cities where the market was available every day, the vendors from other towns only came in small towns once a week.
“Why would you still sew? Your life could get better already,” Cynthia Lyn asked when she pulled her into the store of Avon products.
“What are you talking about?”
“Do you really think I don’t notice Richard’s stolen glances on you?” Cynthia Lyn nudged her. “He likes you.”
“I didn’t notice anything,” she said in denial.
"You're so slow. If you think Aiden would come back to you, don't even think about it. I could sense that you're not even happy with him. Your face looks different when you're with Richard. I feel thrilled whenever you gaze at him when he's not looking. If you move on, there's someone like Richard waiting for you. You're going to live like a princess."
“First of all, I’m not looking for a boyfriend. Just because my wedding with Aiden was canceled, it does not mean that I’m in a hurry to find a rebound. Second, I don’t like Richard. He reminds me of Aiden’s brother who was unfriendly and arrogant.”
“Hey! Richard is not like that. At first, maybe he was. But you saw how he cared about our neighbors. I also how he was kind to Jeremy. He did not have to do that, but he did, anyway. And he was a gentleman when it comes to you even though I could feel that he likes you."
Esmeralda forgot that everyone thought of Amadeus as a hero. That he could not do anything wrong. And Cynthia Lyn was his number one fan. She did not stand a chance.
“Do you know that feeling that you don’t like someone even though he was showing only good things to you? Like that,” she said as an alibi.
“Maybe you became a man-hater, or you're just simply mad at rich, handsome men because your wedding got canceled. You don't have to generalize every handsome and rich people like Richard," Cynthia Lyn scolded.
She did not have a problem with handsome, rich men. Amadeus was just an exception. She could not just simply reveal his true identity to her neighbors. That was their personal issue, and she did not have to involve other people. Since he was not after her, maybe he could leave San Luis now. He could just leave his projects here to his staff. He would never last in their place that had no decent hotels. He only slept on a wooden bed with a thin mattress back at Topher's house the other day. He would never last. He could have gone back to Manila this morning. Her life would be in peace now.
When they finally reached home by tricycle, Esmeralda was surprised to find a delivery van in front of her house. A huge box was already unloaded at her door, and Mrs. Ising and Jeremy were anticipating. “Sister, you have a package!”
“Is that from Aiden? Maybe he was returning your stuff,” Cynthia Lyn guessed sadly.
“Wrapped as a gift?” she asked.
“Maybe he was not that bitter.”
She shrugged and went to the delivery crew to sign the receipt. When she checked the box, the sender was a woman. Marjayrie Sison. It was not Lexie or anyone from Aiden’s staff. Who was she?
When she opened the box, she saw the brand SINGER. Her hands were trembling when she unboxed it. A high-tech sewing machine.
"Why does it look like that? There are too many things that are happening on the machine," Cynthia Lyn said as she checked the chewing machine.
“I have no idea.”
“Ma’am, aside from sewing, you can also use this for embroidery. You can also attach it to a computer,” the delivery crew said and tested the machine to see if it was really working.
"Sister, you can now make my uniform for school," Jeremy said, who was amazed at her new sewing machine.
“Well, I want a dress with embroidery. You do not have to use your hands anymore,” Mrs. Ising said. “You’ll get your sewing easier and faster.”
“That sure looks expensive. It could eat a fool,” Cynthia Lyn said and rubbed her palms. “Aiden is the sweetest. He never forgot about you.”
Esmeralda could not smile. She was sure that the sewing machine was not from Aiden. She had only mentioned her sewing to one person.
When the delivery crew left, Amadeus came carrying a few bunches of bananas. "Good morning. Topher sent this from their field. I brought it myself." He put the bananas in the kitchen, and when he returned, he stood in front of the machine. "Is this Esmeralda's new sewing machine? Looks good. Maybe I should ask you to sew my clothes while I'm here."
“I’ll get your measurements,” Cynthia Lyn volunteered and pinched Amadeus’s muscles. “But I really don’t mind if you don’t put any clothes on.”
“You can take my measurement some other time. I have to go right away because we’ll have to repair Ising’s house. The materials are already coming,” he said.
“I’ll walk you to the gate,” Esmeralda said. When they were already outside the house, she told him about her suspicion. “You sent the sewing machine, didn’t you?”
“Yes. Do you like it? I told them to get you their latest model.”
“It’s good, but I don’t think I can accept it.”
“I thought you want to go back sewing?” he asked and stopped right at the gate. “You can’t do that if your sewing machine is broken.”
She arched an eyebrow. “And what would you ask in return?”
“Nothing,” he said.
“I don’t believe you. You’re a businessman. You don’t give without taking anything in return. What do you still want from me?”
“Seriously?” He pinched her chin and drew his face closer. “I’m easy to talk to and easy to please. I’m sure you can give it.”
“W-what?” she asked, trembling. His breath smelled of mint and a little coffee. She licked her lip. Was he going to kiss her in front of her gate? Or was he going to ask for more than that?
She grabbed the front of his shirt. She felt the excitement to feel his kisses and his touch once again. She wanted to hate herself because she knew what she felt was wrong.
“Teach sewing to your neighbors,” he whispered above her lips.
She sucked a breath. “W-what?”
He pulled away a little, and she met his sparkling gaze. "I am planning to put a livelihood program here. You know how to sew and create designs. It would be better if you could help your neighbors. I found out that the harvest from the field is not always abundant and is sometimes affected by drought or typhoon. You need an alternative livelihood. RTWs would be great. What do you think?”
Esmeralda could only nod because she could not fully comprehend. This man was already on strike two to her. He bought her a sewing machine, but he was not asking something physical from her. Even a kiss?
She was really confused with Amadeus. Did she think of him wrong? Maybe he had a heart. Or he could be just playing with her.
Who are you really, Amadeus dela Merced?