DATE THY ENEMY | ES:1

38

Ngumiti at bumati na lamang ako sa kanila, isa't-isa. The last one I greeted is Senyora who has been waiting for me with open arms. Lumapit ako at nakipag-beso.

''Magandang gabi, Senyora.''

''You look gorgeous tonight, iha.'' she praised, smiling. ''I can't help not to stare at you even from afar.''

''Thank you, Senyora.''

''Vernaise!'' a warm voice called, Apollo's mother. ''I hope you still remember me. We had a brunch before at a Polo match.''

''Yes, Tita! I remember.''

''Lagi kitang kinuwento kay Apollo nang makilala kita noon.'' she glance in a glaring at his son's way. ''He doesn't listens... or maybe he's only acting like he doesn't. Mukhang magkakilala naman pala na kayo.''

Ngumisi ako nang makitang hindi makatingin si Apollo sa ina, mukha rin itong seryoso o parang galit. I chuckled mentally.

''I hope they were good stories about me, Tita.'' nakangiting sabi ko na lamang.

''Of course!''

We laughed when a few jokes were thrown. I don't get offended easily by things like this. And their family is nothing but full of warm and kind-hearted people so I didn't have to worry about anything. Nawala lamang ang aking ngiti nang may iilang De Leon na lumapit.

''Good evening, Senyora Amanda. I hope the party is to your liking.'' a woman with foreign features appeared in front of us with a big smile. ''I give my welcome to the other Montecarlos and to Attorney Sarmiento.''

I got agitated when Javier's parents joined the crowd as well. Agad na nagtama ang mga mata namin ng kanyang ina. She eyed me intently with a bit of curiosity. I tried to smile but it wasn't returned.

''Kumusta, Carolina? Mukhang nagtatagal kayo lagi sa ibang bansa.'' rinig kong sabi ni Lolo.

''Well, both my son and I don't like the humidity in this country.'' The woman shrugged her shoulders expensively. ''We'd rather live abroad.''

Carolina de Leon, if I am correct this is Jakob's mother. She smiled mischievously at me when caught me staring. The smile was very familiar. It's the same smile as her son, dangerous and playful.

''Who is this fine young lady here?'' she asked.

''This is my granddaughter, Vernaise Sven.'' pakilala ni Lolo. He then gestured to me. ''Vernaise, they are the De Leons. Carolina, Jean, and Alejandro de Leon.''

No one offered a hand, thus, I only offered my practiced smile. I have always known that their family isn't that friendly and welcoming to their enemies. Kung kanino nagmana si Rhys at Solenn ay hindi ko alam.

My mind seems to fly elsewhere, kung hindi ko lamang napapansin ang mga titig at sulyap ng ina ni Javier, na mas nagpapakaba sa'kin ay mas marami pa akong maiisip. Madalas din akong napapalingon sa gawi nila dahil doon. Naabutan ko pa isang beses na mukhang may ibinulong ito sa asawa.

''Hmm, a Sarmiento, huh? Ganito ang mga tipo ng anak mo, Jean. If I were you, I'd be very much worried.'' Carolina eyed me from head to toe, before she tilted her head to the couple beside her. ''Once a love blooms between two people who are not meant to be together, it always ends up in something that isn't really good. A misfortune, catastrophe, or a tragedy.''

Her vulgar and somehow meaningful words shocked me to the core. She did not even tone down her voice. At mukhang pinarinig iyon sa lahat ng nakapalibot. Even the Montecarlos got tensed by that. Lalo na si Lolo, mukhang hindi niya nagustuhan ang narinig.

''And what do you mean by that, Carolina?'' My grandfather asked in a hard tone.

She smirked. ''Nothing. I was just-''