Aeipathy

Extras

Tris

"Hey, best wishes."

My eyes averted to meet the one who just congratulated us. A small smile pasted on my lips after seeing Elle's passive face.

Hindi pa din ito nagbabago. Cold. Distant. Someone who's just nice if she needs something from you.

"Thanks, Elle." I replied sincerely.

Dumako yung tingin nito sa katabi kong si Eris. Pagkatapos ay napailing na lang. Eris just gave her cousin a simple nod which made Elle to roll her eyes.

"Have you seen Eli and Kaylee?" untag ko kay Elle para mawala yung atensyon nito kay Eris. "Kanina ko pa hinahanap yung dalawang iyon pero hindi ko pa nakikita."

Elle shrugged her shoulders while pointing to the rest of our mothers that are obviously having a serious discussion in the corner table.

"Elise got in a trouble. Masyado kasing nagpabida. Nakahanap tuloy ng katapat." malditang sagot pa nito.

That made me raise my brow. Elise, of all people, isn't a troublemaker. Maingay lang iyon pero hindi iyon nagsisimula ng gulo.

"What trouble?"

"Haven't read the daily newspaper? She was challenged to live like a commoner and see what it's like to be one. Her write ups against the Oligarchs, where she's undeniably a part of, if I must say, should be put into a halt. Sobra na sya. Wala na din sa punto minsan yung ipinaglalaban nya."

Napakunot yung noo ko. "What?"

Oo, alam ko na gawain talaga ni Elise na ilabas lahat ng baho ng mayayamang angkan at yung pagpapahirap niyon sa mga mahihirap.

But no one in their right mind would dare stop Elise. She's a Calvry, for goddamn sake. Sinong babangga sa kanila? Unless, it's a Silva or a Montello, that will surely made it more interesting. Kaso they have a strong ties with those families.

"Binangga ba naman kasi yung bagong girlfriend ng ex ni Kaylee. Akala yata di sya papatulan." Harrice supplied.

Lalo akong naguluhan. "May bagong girlfriend na si Payne!?"

The couple nods their heads.

"A Montiel." dugtong ni Harrice.

Napanganga ako ng tuluyan. Ilang beses nagbukas at sara yung bibig ko pero wala akong mahanap na tamang salita para isatinig yung pagkagulat ko.

"Payne got a new girlfriend and that person is a fuckin' Montiel?" I clarified, baffled and aghast at the idea.

"You heard it right, Tris." Ikinumpas pa ni Elle yung daliri nito sa ere.

Kumunot yung noo ko. "Akala ko yung politikong kasama nya noon yung ipinalit nya kay Kaylee?"

"Well, that's what we thought too. Until the rumors spread like fire that she's already dating that Montiel woman. Elise couldn't shut her mouth lalo pa at walang ginagawang aksyon si Kaylee."

"No, that can't be.." Sinalubong ko yung mga tingin nito. Alam ko na malaki ang alitan ng mga Calvry sa pamilyang iyon.

Yu-Montiel. The couple that's well-known to be the only ones to had a privilege to be tangled with the Calvry sisters.

Kiel Montiel was Tita Aria's ex while Demi Yu was rumored to be Tita Louella's ex.

Buti sana kung doon lang iyon natapos. Pero alam ng lahat kung paano kinamkam ni Tita Louella lahat ng shares sa kumpanya ng mga Yu, giving them no other option but to be under the Calvry's mercy. Ang bali-balita na lang ay nakipag-areglo ang mga Montiel sa mga Calvry para sagipin ang mga Yu.