Monasterio Series #3: One More Night

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Isa pang tipid na ngiti ang pinakawalan ni Adrianna Monasterio bago bumaling sa gawi ni Mommy. Mommy on the other hand looks so deadpan as she fixed her penetrating gaze at me. Kung sa ibang pagkakataon lang na wala pa siyang ideya sa kuneksyon naming dalawa ni Zadriel, siguradong simpleng dahilan lang ang iisipin niya kung bakit ito napadalaw.

"Sit here beside me, Tate." she ordered sternly.

Hesitated, I ambled towards her direction and sat beside her. Agad na pumako ang mga mata ko kay Adrianna na titig na titig sa akin, wala na ang kaninang ngiti sa kanyang labi.

Pero ano nga ba ang dahilan kung bakit siya narito? Is this just a plain visit? Or does it have something to do with Zadriel? Siguradong iyong panghuli ang dahilan. All throughout my life, I have never seen any of the Monasterio's visiting our home even though our families are friends. Kaya nga hindi ko alam na isang Monasterio rin si Zadriel.

If she's really here because of Zadriel? What about him? The last time I checked, she obviously doesn't like me. Hindi ba at bihira niya akong ngitian noong minsang isama ako ni Zadriel sa puntod ng kapatid niya?

"You should have informed me that you'll be visiting our home today, Adrianna. Sana ay nakapagpahanda ako ng maagang hapunan. Where's your husband, by the way?" si Mommy.

She smiled humorlessly.

"It's fine. Hindi rin naman ako magtatagal," aniya. "And Zion is probably on his way home right now."

"I see. So what brings you here?"

She straightened her back and placed her slender hands just right above her legs. Her false red acrylic nails intensified her fair like dove complexion. She's surely a gorgeous woman when she's just my age. Halata iyon at kahit ngayong medyo may edad na ay bakas pa rin kung gaano siya kaganda.

Fair and flawless skin, long brown hair that's a bit curly at the tip of it, natural thick but perfectly shaved eyebrows, tiger-like eyes and plump lips —  kung sa pagiging matapang lang ng mukha ay hindi siya paapahuli kay Mommy. But Mom looks more aristocratic and unpermissive than her.

"Hindi na ako magpapaligoy-ligoy pa, Trinity. I am here because I want to talk with your daughter regarding my son."

My heart suddenly made a rigodon at the mention of Zadriel.

"Your son? What about him? Anong kinalaman niya sa anak ko?" si Mommy, umaastang walang alam sa nangyayari.

Nanatili akong titig kay Adrianna na ngayon ay nababalutan na ng pagkaseryoso ang ekpresyon ng mukha.

She made a quick glance at Mommy before anchoring it on mine.

"Tate, I'm not sure if I should tell you this in front of your mother but I guess it's the right thing to do. Mas mabuti ng alam ng mga magulang mo, baka sakaling mapigilan ka pa."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "What are you trying to say, Mrs. Monasterio?"

She once again breathed a sigh as if she's trying to hold her composure.

"Leave my son alone, Tate."

"Wait, out of respect, Mrs. Monasterio, but I am not in a relationship with your son-"

"Then stop seeing him. Stop the communications between the two of you. Unang kita ko pa lang sa inyo na magkasama ay alam kong may espesyal na pagtingin na sa'yo ang anak ko. But you're also informed that he has a girlfriend, right?" she asked, her facial expression became even more deadly.

Itinuwid ko ang aking likod at diretso siyang tinitigan sa mga mata. Sa hindi malamang dahilan ay nakaramdam ako ng pagkainsulto sa mga salita niya. She doesn't like me for her son, I got that. But why do I feel like I am just some random woman who tries to get on Zadriel's way? Na para bang isa lang ako ordinaryong babae, walang sinasabi sa lipunan at nagpapakita lang ng motibo sa anak niya para makuha ang yaman nito?