Monasterio Series 8: Nights in Casa Vallejo

Chapter 15

"You've got to be kidding me!" natatarantang sabi ko saka napatayo.

Tiningnan ko ang dalawa at napansin ang gulat sa mga mata nila. Mukhang hindi rin nila alam ang planong ito ni Mommy at biglaan lang.

"I don't think Monasterio would want us to hang around Priscilla all the time, Tita Eula-"

"As a person who belongs to a family with multi-billion worth of properties and given that he's very handsome, he should be careful mostly with the people around him. Hindi ninyo masasabi ang utak ng isang tao, Matteo," giit pa rin ni Mommy. "Terrence's father, Zadriel Monasterio, had a girlfriend who was a psycho. She blackmailed him that she would kill herself if he continued seeing with Tatiana Follosco, the wife..."

Really? May ganoong history ang mga magulang ni Terrence? I thought those kind of scenes only happened in novels.

"Even spread the sex scandal they got involved in but it's settled quickly by both parties. My point here is that I need to protect you from danger, Priscilla. Mga kababata mo naman ang magbabantay sa'yo," sambit ni Mommy. "Just tell Terrence that you've got this order from your father."

Hindi ako nakasagot. I understand her point but I don't think having personal security guards around me is still needed. Kaya ko naman protektahan ang sarili ko.

"You know your mother, Priscilla. You can't bend her rules. Kahit si Tito Delfin ay wala rin nagagawa sa kaniya." si Zoren habang nasa patio kaming tatlo.

My eyes rolled skyward. "Ano naman ang babantayan n'yo sa akin? Paano kung sabihin na lang natin na ginagawa n'yo naman ang gusto niya pero ang totoo ay hindi naman?"

Humithit si Matteo ng sigarilyo at ibinuga ito sa gilid niya. Tumingin siya sa akin pagkatapos.

"That's complicated, Pris. Once Tita Eula found out that we are just fooling her, she might get angry with us. I don't want that to happen. She's already a mother to me."

At siyempre, sa mga ganitong sagutan nila, wala akong magagawa kung hindi ang sumunod na rin sa gusto ni Mommy. Nasisiguro ko na magagalit siya oras na suwayin ko siya.

"Why are they here?"

Bumuntonghininga ako sa naging bungad ni Terrence sa akin pagpasok ng office ko. Hapon na at tapos na rin parehas sa trabaho. He decided to come with me as I was planning to go to the mall.

I need to buy a new formal dress for his parents' anniversary tomorrow. Kailangan ko maging presentable.

"They are my personal security guards." simpleng sagot ko.

Bahagyang kumunot ang noo niya. "They are your fucking what?"

Naupo siya sa visitor chair sa harapan ng mesa ko. Huminga ako nang malalim at isinarado ang laptop. Ayaw kong sabihin sa kaniya ang dahilan ni Mommy kung bakit ako binabantayan nina Matteo.

It might be offensive on his part knowing that it was his parents why I have them now.

"Hayaan mo na. Naisipan lang ni Mommy," sabi ko at ngumiti. "Don't worry about them. They are my childhood friends."

He raised his brow but didn't say anything. Alam kong nagtataka siya kung bakit biglang nagkaroon ako ng security guards lalo na at biglaan.

Nagligpit na ako ng gamit saka siya niyayang umalis na. Resting his hand on my waist, we exited the door and found out Zoren and Matteo standing near the door. They are flirting with my secretary. Pero nang makitang nakalabas na kami ay mabilis nagseryoso.

Suot na naman nila ang sunglasses nila. Kung umasta ay akala mong may tirik na araw sa loob ng building.

"I don't understand why your mother had to place them around you. Are you receiving any threats?" Terrence whispered in my ear.

Hindi malabong ganoon ang iisipin niya dahil nga biglaan. Kung sasabihin ko sa kaniya ang tunay na dahilan ni Mommy, hindi kaya siya magalit?

"Sasabihin ko sa'yo mamaya. Just ignore them."

He sighed. "I don't think that's possible, Priscilla."

Mahirap nga naman baliwalain kung kahit sa loob ng elevator ay kasama namin sila. They were behind me. Sa salamin sa loob, kitang kita kung paano sila tumayo nang tuwid na tuwid na tila mga estatwa.

Sinulyapan ko si Terrence. I saw the scowl on his face and the frustration growing on his dark eyes. Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ako o ano.

Knowing him, alam kong may ginagawa na kaming kababalaghan dito kung wala lang ibang tao. But since the two monkeys are here, he was restraining himself.

That's a bad news for us.

"What's the color of your suit for tomorrow?" tanong ko kay Terrence nang nasa loob na kami ng kilalang dress boutique.

Maybe Luxwear can produce cocktail dresses, too. I have to hire a few good designers first for that to happen.

"Navy blue." seryosong sagot ni Terrence habang nakaupo sa couch.

Pinagapang ko ang mga daliri sa isang manikin na may suot na kulay navy blue na silky dress. It's an spaghetti strap long dress. May malalim na slit sa gilid ng kaliwang hita at habang pinagmamasdan mabuti, mas nagiging elegante.

I think I'll have it for me. Isusukat ko pero hindi ko na ipapakita pa kay Terrence. I want to surprise him with how I look tomorrow night.

Sa gitna ng pamimili ay naramdaman ko ang isang kalbit sa balikat ko. Nilingon ko 'yon at nakita si Matteo na nakatitig sa akin, wala ang palaging suot na sunglasses.

Umangat ang dalawa kong kilay, nagtatanong. He leaned his face close to my ear.

"Tita Eula called. She's asking if we are with you. Balak sana namin humiwalay muna ni Zoren kaya lang ay baka pati kami ay pinasusundan ng Mommy mo."

Ngumuso ako. "Himala at naisipan n'yong humiwalay?"

"Your boyfriend seems to be in a foul mood. He doesn't want us around." he chuckled.

Sinilip ko si Terrence. Titig na titig siya sa amin, lalo na sa akin. Salubong ang mga kilay niya at ang mga mata ay matatalim. His legs were crossed as well as his arms over his chest.

"Get away from me, Matteo," pasimpleng buka ng mga labi ko. "Umalis na muna kayo ni Zoren. I'll just text you wherever Terrence and I go. Ikaw na ang bahala magpalusot kay Mommy."

"Alright."

He turned his back away and wore his sunglasses again. Naglakad na siya paalis ng boutique at muli kong nasalubong ang mariing titig ni Terrence.

I smiled at him, pretending that I didn't see the deep frown on his face. Naglakad ako palapit sa kaniya.

"Bored ka na?" tanong ko nang maupo sa tabi niya.

He stared at me for a long while before anchoring his gaze ahead of us.

"More of pissed, Priscilla," sagot niya saka bumuntonghininga. "I'll talk to your mother tonight. I don't need his security guards lingering around you all the fucking time to protect you. I can protect you myself."

Natawa ako at marahan siyang binunggo sa balikat.

"Hindi ka lang maka-tsansing, e."

Sinamaan niya ako ng tingin, nagpipigil ng ngisi ang mga labi.

"Yeah. That, too."

--

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