Five O'clock Sky (Nueva Caceres#1)

CHAPTER 42

Hello. I'm so sorry for the
very late update. I just had my
internship and was so burn out,
even until now.

Thank you and enjoy reading!

♡,

-ioniehann

__

CHAPTER 42: Spiteful

"It's been a long time, hijo. How are you?"

I secretly let out breath of relief when Mom finally broke off the silence that has been lingering for quite awhile since we settled ourselves in the table. Ang daddy kasi ay tila walang balak magsalita. Maybe because he had nothing good thing to say and had it been for Thiago's presence, God knows what he could do with Sandro right now.

"I'm doing good, Senyora Rica."

"And your abuela?"

"Aging gracefully. Malakas pa rin po." Ani Sandro na may tipid na ngiti sa labi.

"That's good to hear."

Mom was just being civil, I could tell. Alam kong gaya ni Dad, marami rin siyang gustong sabihin kay Sandro. They're just holding back because of Thiago's presence. Kaya naman matapos kumain ng anak ko ay tinawag ko si Jane para libangin muna ang bata.

"Go check out your new toy. The adults just got something to discuss, okay, sweetheart?"

He nodded silently. Inalalayan ko ito sa pagbaba sa upuan. Sumulyap pa ito kay Sandro na katabi nito bago tuluyang sumama kay Jane. Now, there's an empty seat between Sandro and I.

Sa pag-alis ni Thiago ay doon ko naramdaman ang tuluyang pagkalat ng tensyon sa buong pavilion. The atmosphere became heavy. Ang pang-gabing hangin na kanina ay malamig at presko sa pakiramdam ngayon ay tila naging suffocating.

"You're aware that Lucy and Thiago don't need you to live comfortably, right, Benavedez?" Si Daddy na sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon mula kanina ay nagsalita, nga lang, ng patutsada. "My daughter could afford a lavish lifestyle for herself and my grandson if she wanted to, without asking a single penny from you."

"I'm aware of that, sir." Ani Sandro na walang bakas ng pagka-insulto sa patutsada ng aking ama. It's not an insult anyway but a rude truth. "I'm aware that no matter how hard I work for the rest of my life, I will never equal your family's wealth, not that I desire to do so. Financially, my son may not need me but the responsibility of father doesn't end with financial matters, sir. I ought to support my child in ways that no money could suffice."

"Thiago is well loved by this family, Benavedez. My sons and I are his father figure. Ang supurtang sinsabi mo ay kayang-kaya rin naming ibigay sa kanya." Matigas na sagot ni Dad at kaswal na sumimsim sa goblet. "You see, Benavedez. Unlike other parent, hindi kita pipiliting panagutan ang anak ko o gampanan ang pagiging ama mo sa apo ko. You're free to continue living the bachelor life." He shrugged.

A sarcastic and mocking smile appeared on Sandro's lips. "Then what, Don Escario? Tanawin kang ipagkasundo si Lucy sa kagaya nyong nabibilang sa alta-sociedad? Have another man who'll play as Thiago's father? Ganon ba?"

Walang tunog na natawa ang aking ama. "Bakit nga ba hindi? In fact, I knew a couple of man who expressed their interest for my daughter. Few are far better than you are."