The Opposite of Hate (Upper Crust #1)

Chapter 31

Chapter 31
"Revenge"

Hinawakan ko ang braso ni Aris. He turned to me. Nagtatanong ang mga mata niya.

"Can I just stay in a hotel?" I was hesitant to ask him that. 

"Why?"

I bite my lip. Nagtitigan kami. I sighed after a while. Tumingin ako sa unahan. Andoon na ang susundo sa amin. We are here now in Los Angeles. We just landed, diretso agad sa bahay ng grandparents niya.

"I should just stay sa hotel," ulit ko, mas kombinsidong mas magandang ideya iyon.

Kinunutan niya ako ng noo. "You don't like overspending, right? Bakit magho-hotel kung may bahay naman?"

"It's your grandparents' house."

"Magiging apo ka rin naman nila."

I glared at him. He just laughs it off. Tinanguan niya ang driver. The man immediately moved6 to put our things in the back of the car. Gamit ko lang pala.

They exchanged greetings. Nakatayo naman ako sa tabi, pinapanuod sila.

Aris put his hand on the small of my back habang pinapakilala ako. "This is Laviña, William."

Tipid akong ngumiti.

"Absolutely beautiful," ani William at tumango sa akin. Pinagbuksan niya kami ng pinto ng backseat.

I went in first tapos si Aris. I shivered a bit. It's really cold. It's a bit hard adjusting to winter gayung mas sanay ang katawan ko sa init sa Pilipinas. And I am still not calming down from the bad turbulence we experienced. Hindi naman ako matatakutin. I just hate the unsteady movement kapag ganoon.

"Your grandma couldn't sit still when she learned you're coming, Aris."

"I should have kept it a secret then."

"Yeah, right."

Binalingan ako ni Aris. I pouted at him. He fixed my beret and a few strands of my hair. He got my hand and put it in the huge pocket of his coat along with his.

"Ang taray-taray mo tapos takot ka sa Lolo at Lola ko," he teased.

"I am not scared," depensa ko.

"Kinakabahan then?"

Mas umangat ang sulok ng labi niya nang pinukol ko siya ng matalas na tingin. He pulled me closer. Napasulyap ako kay William. He just whistled.

Hindi ko pa nami-meet ang grandparents niya. I am not even familiar sa itsura nila. Huli na para magbago ng isip. Andito na kami. Kusa naman akong sumama sa kanya.

"If you want the hotel, then we'll book one," aniya pagdaan ng katahimikan sa pagitan naming dalawa. William is all eyes on the road habang sumasabay sa mahinang tugtog niya.

I groaned. He just knows how to play me.

Nakatira sa isang exclusive community ang grandparents niya, enjoying their retirement. Mga katulong at tauhan lang daw ang kasama nila.

All houses here are definitely huge. Mansyon na nga. This is a gated community. Halu halo ang desensyo. Pero mas marami pa rin ang typical american houses. They have pretty landscapes here as well. Hindi naman nagkakalayo sa village namin ang dating. Ang pinagkaiba lang siguro ay hindi ito patag. Some are built on a hilly side.

The tall black gate was opened, and the car gets inside. Tinahak namin ang pataas na bahagi.  Trees lined up on each side of the road. Then when we finally reached the top. Nakatayo ang malaking bahay na halong moderno at tradisyunal. It has huge glass windows. Kita ang malalaking chandelier sa loob.