Yours to Hold (Louisiana Series #4)

Kabanata 23

"If I love him, then I should've trusted him." 

Malungkot akong ngumiti. Ysmael held my chin and lifted it. Nanatili ang kaniyang mga mata sa akin habang pinakikinggan ang mga sinasabi ko. 

"He gave me every reason to trust him, Ysmael. I trust myself to him but I can't seem to tell the truth. I couldn't even talk to him about what I feel for him." 

He looked around to see if there is anyone who can see us before opening his arms. I immediately hugged him and closed my eyes. Niyakap niya ako at marahang hinimas ang aking likod. 

"You'd be ready once you get back." he said. 

I nodded. Ysmael is the brother I never had. Nang bumitiw ako ay marahan niyang tinapik ang magkabilang pisngi ko upang lalong palakasin ang loob ko. Tumango ulit ako at ngumiti. 

"Ysmael." 

Agad akong napalingon sa baritonong boses na iyon. Tito Gordon looked cold and serious as he stare at us. Bahagyang yumuko si Ysmael bago naglakad palayo. I faced tito as he walked towards me. 

"Why does he have to leave?" I asked. 

Hindi siya sumagot at mariin lamang akong tinignan. Mula sa kaniyang bulsa ay inilabas niya ang cellphone ko at pinaglaruan sa kaniyang mga daliri. 

"Where did you find that?" 

"I intentionally took it so you wouldn't be distracted while you're here." he smiled without humor. 

"I won't be distracted so give it back." 

Akmang kukunin ko na iyon ngunit agad niyang iniiwas. I gritted my teeth and tried to compose myself. I am not even surprised that he has it. 

"The way you shamed your family in front of the Almazans.." pagak siyang natawa. "Do you think I'll give this to you?" 

"I said what is true–" 

"You disappointed your father with what you did!" 

His voice echoed inside the mansion. Malakas man ang kabog ng dibdib ko dahil sa kaba ay hindi ako nagpadaig sa takot ko. Kailangan kong manindigan para sa gusto ko. 

"I won't marry that Almazan. Kahit anong gawin ninyo, hindi ako magpapakasal." mariin kong sabi. 

"Ysabella–" 

"Sige at magmamatigasan tayo rito. Alam na alam ninyong hindi ako magpapatalo. You know how competitive I am, right? You basically raised me." 

He clenched his jaw as I darkly stare at him. Hindi nawala ang tapang sa boses ko kahit na nagwawala ang puso ko. I might break Calum's heart because of my identity, but I won't break his heart with the news that I am married when I come back. 

"I won't marry and that's final." 

Hinayaan ko na ang cellphone na hawak niya at tinalikuran siya. I walked towards my room and locked the door. Kung ang ama ko ay hindi ako mapipilit, lalo na siya. I am not a young girl anymore. I am not scared of him. 

Kahapon ay napag-usapan na ang pagdating ng dalawang kapatid ni dad. Aunt Marie and Tito Carlito, together with his family is coming here for lunch. I doubt that they're coming here for that. Kaya naman inihanda ko na ang sarili ko matapos makipag-usap kay Tito Gordon. 

"Señorita? They are here." 

I nodded and dismissed the maid. Tuluyan akong lumabas sa kuwarto habang si Ysmael ay nakasunod sa akin. Mula sa second floor ng mansiyon ay rinig ko na ang tawanan nila. 

"How are you, kuya?" Aunt Marie asked. "Oh my gosh, you look like you're dying!" 

"I am dying, Marie."