The Billionaire's Son

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

The Monterio mansion is every bit as intimidating as I remembered. Tinahak namin ang highway patungo sa kanilang mansiyon, gamit ang sakyanang ipinadala ng mga magulang ni Sage. I looked down at my red velvet dress again. Ang umbok ng aking tiyan ay hindi na maitatago. Kaya naman kanina pa ako nababalisa sa aking suot. I don't even know if his parents approved of us yet.

"Something wrong?" hinawakan ni Sage ang aking kamay habang ang isa naman niyang kamay ay nakahawak sa manibela.

Umiling ako at ihinilig ang aking ulo sa bintana ng sasakyan. Tanaw ko na ang kanilang mansiyon sa di kalayuan. "I guess I'm just . . . nervous to see your parents again."

Sage chuckled and brought my hands to his lips. Matapos niya itong halikan ay marahan niyang ibinalik ito sa aking hita at bumusina upang pagbuksan kami ng gate.

"Do not worry about that, Mallory. My parents know everything that has happened between us."

I swallowed. The last time I saw his mother, she told me that Sage and Jasmine had a daughter. Kaya naman hindi ko alam kung paaano ako aakto sa kaniyang harapan ngayon.

Bumaba si Sage. He circled the car and opened the door for me. Iniabot niya ang aking kamay at inalalayan ako sa paglalakad. Hindi pa man ako nakaka-tatlong hakbang ay binasag na ang katahimikan ng sigaw ng isang batang babae.

"Sage!"

Pareho kaming napalingon. A little girl in a bloody red dress is frowning upon us. Ang kaniyang kulot na buhok ay nagpa-alala sa aking mukha noong bata pa ako. But her curls are softer, like that of beach waves. Her deep-set eyes are similar to Sage. Napalingon ako kay Sage. He smiled at the girl and opened his arms.

"Hey, Zhara, I miss you."

The girl marched towards us and instead of hugging Sage, she punched his stomach lightly.

"Where have you been? You said you're just going to the farm but you've been gone for so many months, Sage! I hate you! I hate you!"

Sage chuckled and crouched down to meet the eyes of the girl. "Zhara, I'm sorry for leaving. Kuya is just . . . a little busy. And look," iminuwestra niya ako. "I brought you a new playmate."

Suplada akong tiningnan ni Zhara. Bumaba ang kaniyang tingin sa aking tiyan at mabilis din itong ibinaling kay Sage. "When are you going home, Sage?" tanong niya at inignora ang huling sinabi ni Sage.

Napakamot sa batok si Sage. "Actually, I'm already home, Zhara."

"But why are you not staying—"

"Young lady." Naputol an gaming pag-uusap nang makarinig ng pamilyar at ma-awtoridad na boses ng isang lalaki. Maging ako ay napatuwid ng tayo. "Stop interrogating our visitors already," ani Don Monterio habang pababa sa hagdanan. Nakasuot siya ng mamahaling suit at may hawak na baso ng alak sa kabilang kamay. Hindi ako makatingin sa kaniyang mga mata.

"Dad." Tumayo si Sage at tinanguan ang kaniyang ama.

His father nodded at him too. Ibinaling niya ang kaniyang atensiyon sa akin.

"Bakit hindi muna tayo pumasok lahat? Nasisigurado kong nalalamigan na kayo dito sa labas. It's going to rain tonight."

Sage placed his hand at the small of my back. Tumingin ako sa kaniya. He smiled at me in assurance. Para bang sinasabi niya na magiging okay lang ang lahat. Nakasimangot na sumunod si Zhara sa amin. Nauna nang pumasok si Don Monterio sa kanilang grand parlor at nagtungo sa dining room.

Ang interior ng bahay ay halos walang ipinagbago. Except they painted the walls red and creamy white. I didn't know about the sudden change of motif but Sage asked me earlier if I could wear something red.