THE SUBSTITUTE BRIDE (COMPLETED)

Chapter 28: Shares

Chapter 28

Umuwi sila Ina at Kaiser sa bahay nila sa Manila kasama ang mga kapatid at ama. Her father and siblings are staying at a hotel near them na pag-aari ng kaibigan ni Kaiser na si Ryker. She insisted that it's better for them to stay at their home, pero nagdahilan ang ama niya na mayroon siyang importanteng gagawin at ito ay surprise para sa kaniya.

Pagkatapos malaman ng parents ni Kaiser ang nangyari, nagpunta ang mga ito sa bahay nila at kinamusta siya. Kaiser's parents stay for a while to meet her family. After that, umuwi na din ang mga ito. Samantalang ang adoptive parents naman niya ay hindi na siya tinawagan pa kahit na 5 araw na ang lumipas.

"So Ate, do you plan to stay here?" tanong sa kaniya ni Harshini na nakaupo sa sofa habang siya ay nasa table niya at inaayos ang mga damit na pinadesign ng kanyang mga clients. Nasa opisina sila and Harshini asked if she can visit her Shop.

"I'm not sure...  I still haven't visited my shop at Paris, and for now, I really don't have any particular plan to do."

"Your shop there is alright, the manager you hired is doing an amazing job at keeping your shop in shape. Plus, Your event organizer Mami phine is so excellent at bringing clients." paliwanag ni Harshini. Napalingon naman si Ina dito na may gulat sa mga mata.

"How did you know all about it?" gulat na tanong ni Ina. Harshini smiled coyly. "Oh, I forgot. Stalking." na sinundan ni Ina ng mahinang tawa.

"Ate, it's not stalking. It's called secretly admiring you." tanggi ni Harshini. For a 25year's old, Harshini is a bit of childish in an adorable way and she's also a talkative one just like Alli.

And speaking of Alli, may kumatok sa pintuan at pumasok si Alex kasama si Alli. Na may dalang mga Frappes from Starbucks.

"Oh you have a visitor pala. I hope we're not intruding or something." May halong sarcastic ang boses ni Alli. Hindi malaman ni Ina ang gagawin dahil sa inaakto ni Alli, sa tuwing kausap kasi niya ang kapatid at madadatnan sila ni Alli, napapansin ni Ina na nagtataray ito. Sa kanilang tatlo, Alli is childish and also possessive of her friends. Ina can feel it, that her Bestfriend is jealous. She might need to talk with her later.

"No, it's alright.." sagot sa kanya ni Harshini saka tiningnan si Ina. "Uhmmm..  Ate, I'll excuse myself muna.. I'll come again later." paalam nito. Nalungkot si Ina sa narinig. It's been only a week, but she really easily got along with her younger sister. And she wants to be closer to her. And it will not happen until Alli stop her acts.

"Why won't you join us first?  May importante ka bang gagawin sa labas?" Yaya at tanong sa kaniya ni Ina.

"I will cook. Dad wants us to have a dinner at the place we're staying. You're coming right?"

"Of course.." hinilia paupo ulit ni Ina ang kapatid sa tabi ni Alli. "But, you can do it later. It's only 2 pm amd we still have some time left to chit-chat."

"Uhhmm..  I maybe interrupting your time with your friends Ate." magalang na tanngi ni Harshini.

"Of course not, you're Ina's only sister. So, we'll treat you like one. Right Alli?" sagot ni Alex. Saka tinapunan ng tingin si Alli na pinagkrus ang kamay sa dibdib.

At dahil, tatlo lang ang dalang frappes ni Alli, nagsalo si Ina at Harshini. Hindi na sila umorder pa dahil matatagalan pa. At first, gusto ni Alli na sila ni Ina ang magsalo, pero pinigilan ito ni Alex.

Pagkatapos ng tagpong iyon, ay nauna nang umalis si Harshini dahil maghahanda pa daw ito sa hotel para sa dinner nila. Kaya't sila lang na tatlo anfmg naiwan sa opisina ni Ina.