Roaring of the Waves (Isla Julieta Series #3)

Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

Sinusuklay ko na lang ang buhok ko matapos ko itong i-blowdryer. I'm already dressed up and I have applied my makeup on. My phone rang and I got a message from Henry.

Henrico:
Good morning, Mahal!

Binitawan ko ang suklay ko at nakangiting sagutin ang text niya.

Ako:
Good morning, too, Love! What's your agenda for the day?

Hindi naman din nagtagal na nakatanggap ako ng tugon niya.

Henrico:
Paalis na ako sa bahay para pumunta sa school, Mahal. After lunch, tutulong ako sa palengke. Alas tres naman, umpisa na ng shift ko sa hotel.

Ako:
Seems like you have a tight schedule, Love. Well then, good luck on your day!

Just as soon as I finished sending that, my phone rang and Mommy's calling. I declined the call but a few seconds after, she called again. Hinugot ko na sa saksakan ang blowdryer at binalewala ang tawag. The call ended but another incoming call came from her again.

Napapikit ako at bumuntong hininga. I lazily answered the call.

"What now?"

"What the hell, Selene Dianne?!" Mommy's screamed rang my ears. Nailayo ko ang cell phone sa tainga ko dahil sa gulat at sa lakas noon.

"You don't have to shout," pilit kong kinalma ang boses ko.

"You're in the tabloids, Selene! Really, you're selling in the wet market?! With that Henry?!"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa narinig.

"My gosh, Selene! Sinabi ko nang layuan mo ang lalaking iyon! But then you disobeyed me again and now, everyone's thinking you're cheating on Noah!"

"How can I cheat with Noah when I'm not even in a relationship with him, Mom?! You forced this stupid engagement on me!" Tumaas na rin ang boses ko dahil sa intensidad ng nararamdaman ko.

"You're still engaged with Noah and you can't be seen around that bellboy!"

"That bellboy you're talking about is my boyfriend, Mom. You can't make me leave him! And you're marrying me off with the family who has cases of corruption just because you don't like the man I love?!"

"Love!" Tumawa si Mommy pero puno ng pagiging sarkastiko iyon. "Love, Selene? You don't even know what love is! Ilang linggo pa lang kayong magkakilala ng lalaking 'yan and you're choosing him over your own mother?!"

Huminga ako nang malalim. "I'm not choosing him over you. I'm choosing myself and I won't marry Noah, Mommy. My decision is final."

"Don't test me, Young Lady. Hindi mo alam ang kaya kong gawin-"

"Alam ko ang kaya mong gawin, Mommy. Pahirapan ako! Make your kids' life miserable! Baka nakakalimutan mo ang ginawa mo kay Kuya Apollo? Now, you're doing it to me, too!"

I ended the call and tried to calm myself down. Napatukod ako sa vanity table at tinitigan ang sarili sa salamin. Maya maya lang ay kinalikot ko ang cell phone para hanapin ang articles tungkol sa akin.

Senator Gonzalo Reoja's youngest daughter was spotted selling in Isla Julieta Wet Market.

Selene Reoja is in a relationship with a bellboy.

Selene Reoja cheated on Noah Mallari.

"Fuck!" I screamed and I dropped my phone on the table.

Napa masahe ako sa sentido ko dahil nahihilo na ako sa dami ng nangyayari sa buhay ko ngayon. I just want to run away with Henrico! But I can't do that because he still has his father and Axton. Priority pa rin ang pamilya niya.