Our Real Love by A.B.Castueras (3RD BOOK OF SMITH TRILOGY)

Our Real Love (Step 22)

Our Real Love

Chapter 22: Come Home...

By A.B.Castueras

WENDY

"I don't like to assume, but I want to guess..." Tito Prince started. At first, kinabahan ako that he might actually learned the truth. I can feel Adeline tensed at my right as she eats her pancake. "Trace was here last night because of..." He turned his head to me. "You, Wendy?"

Though gusto kong itanggi bago pa mag-isip sina Tito at Titan a nag-iimbita ako sa bahay nila like I own this place, naisip ko si Adeline na siguradong tatanungin kasunod ni Tito kung sakaling sabihin kong hindi.

"Uhmm... Yes. We're talking about our Austine project."

I saw Tita Rhian looked at her husband. "Tanda mo na si Wendy ang magpe-painting ng canvass wall sa Austine, 'di ba?"

He remained silent for a while as if he's recalling that fact, then he finally voiced out.

"Ah, right. Nga pala, women's month. I'll be there in the inauguration of that new building, actually." He looked at me again. "Si Trace ang social media influencer na kinuha nila, tama?"

"Yes po."

I'll keep the truth to myself for now na nag-quit na 'ko sa project na'yun.

"Nako, Wendy, pagpasensyahan mo na 'tong Tito Prince mo at nagpapaka-Tatay. Tinanong niya 'ko kung nililigawan ka ni Trace."

"Shi—." I cleared my throat bago pa kung ano'ng masabi ko. "No. I mean, there's no like that, Tito."

"It's okay if it's true. I like Trace. He's a good man."

Tumingin sa 'kin Tita Rhian. "Nararamdaman mo na bang boto siya kay Trace?" she teased.

"I'm having that thought right now."

He cleared his throat. "I'm just being cautious of those men who will mess up with the women of this house." Tumingin siya sa 'kin. "You know you're a family, right?"

I nodded. "Thanks. But...don't be too kind to me, or else, I might stay here forever."

"Nako, it's okay, Wendy," Tita replied. "Parang may kapatid lang si Adeline."

"At least, if Adeline decided to settle down, we still have another daughter to guard up with."

Though I feel touched with what Tito Prince have just said, I know na 'yung sinabi niya tungkol kay Adeline ang mas importante. They must know the truth about what's happening to this girl first.

"Adeline, nga pala. Tinatanong ako ng Dean ng Communications ng Austine kung pwede ka ring um-attend that day for their small talk. They need your expertise in that area."

I was about to drink my coffee when I didn't hear any response from Adeline. Nakita kong tumigin sa kaniya ang parents niya kaya lumingon rin ako sa kaniya. She's still looking at hear half eaten pancake habang pinapadulas nito doon 'yung hawak niyang fork.

"Adeline?" Tinawag siya ulit ni Tito.

I hit his foot with mine saka lang siya dahan-dahang tumingin sa 'ki. As if she's saying... What...? I widen my eyes a little bit, but she still didn't get it.