THE MAN THAT WAS NEVER MINE

13

"Everybody has gone through something that has changed them in a way that they could never go back to the person they once were. Never judge a book by its cover." Naglakad ang ama niya patungo sa upuan.

"I'm a married person."

Umupo ang ama niya at tumawa ng kaunti. "Money can almost buy everything."

"Dad, I won't marry a woman like her, not in a million lifetimes."

Bumukas ang pinto at pumakos ang ina niya. "Marry who?"

"Mom, he wanted me to marry Samantha." Sagot niya sa tanong ng ina.

Nagulat ang ina niya kaya hindi ito nakapagsalita. "Don't you really want to marry her?"

"Marrying her is still over the line. Don't force me on something that I don't want to."

"Stop! Stop! Stop everything!" Hysterical na saad ng kanyang ina at tumingin ito sa kanya. "Gawin mo ang nais mong gawin."

Sumingit ang ama niya. "Don't spoil your son to the rotten, Nathalie!"

"I don't want a daughter-in-law like Bree."

"Why?" Tanong ng ama niya.

Nag-smirked ang ina niya. "Kailangan pa bang itanong ang bagay na iyan? Hindi ko siya gusto kasi naiinis ako sa babaeng iyon."

"You don't want Carmina as our daughter-in-law because she's not sophisticated enough and you don't want Bree as our daughter-in-law because you don't like her. Tell me, where I can find a daughter-in-law that suits your taste?" Sarkastikong saad at tanong ng ama niya.

"Shit! I hate you, old man!" Ang salita na iyon ang nagpatunay na galit ang ina niya. Lumabas ito na sobrang ingay ng mga paa nito.

"Dad, Carmina is already your daughter-in-law so consider her one and there's no need to find one." Saad niya pag-alis ng ina niya sa opisina.

"I've never consider her in the first place!"

"I ended up marrying her despite of your disapproval."

Dumilim ang mukha ng ama niya. "You married her but always remember that Vinogradev will never accept her."

"Pay her some respect, Dad!" Iyon ang huling salita na binitawan niya bago siya umalis.

Gusto niya ang mga desinyo sa hotel kung saan may kakausapin siya. Everything is perfect. She loves the beautiful chandeliers. She likes the motif of the hotel because it suits her taste well. Umupo agad siya sa upuan nang nakita niya si Carmina doon. "I'm late, medyo busy kasi ako."

Makikita sa mukha ni Carmina ang takot. "Ano po ba ang kailangan mo?"

"Marami akong gustong pag-usapan tungkol sayo." Simple niyang sagot.

"Ano po?"

"Tell me something about yourself."

Lumaki ang mga mata nito. "Bakit ho?"

"Do I need to repeat and explain everything what I've said and did?"

"Hindi po, hindi. Well, I'm Carmina Macario. I'm thirty two years old. Medyo matagal na po akong kasal kay Nate." Mahina nitong saad.

"Nice introduction! Carmina, I want you to know that I'm here to get what I want. Kung ayaw mong masaktan ay gawin mo ang gusto ko."

"Ano po ba ang gusto mo?"

"Hindi na ako magpaligoyligoy pa. Leave Sebastian alone." Prangka niyang saad.

"I can't do that."

"I'm not asking you if you can or can't. If that's your answer so don't blame me if I'll let you taste a living hell."