I put my phone down and refrained from looking at it.
Tiningnan ko ang mukha ko sa salamin. Magsisimula na ang pag-aayos ng buhok ko. My phone rang but I put it in silent mode when I realized what I need to do now.
Hindi ko alam kung totoo ba ang narinig ko kay Lavender pero parang mas mabuting maniwala ako at mag-ingat kaysa manatiling nabibilog ni Royce.
He isn't really loyal to my father and he might have plans to destroy him. My family have been in this business for generations. Hindi maipagkakaila na maraming detractors si Papa at malaking kawalan kung lilipat nga si Royce sa ibang kompanya. He can leak future projects and expose any anomaly within the company.
My father trusts him so much and it hurts to know that he will be betrayed.
Hindi ko pa napapatunayan iyon pero mas mabuting maging maingat. At bago nila mapabagsak si Papa at ang kompanya namin, pababagsakin ko muna sila.
My eyes were bloodshot as I stared at my reflection on the large mirror. Hindi ako kailanman napakinabangan ni Papa sa kompanya, pero sisiguraduhin ko na habang nandoon ako, walang mangyayaring masama sa kompanyang inalagaan ng aking pamilya.
Royce will go down. He can take his lover with him.
I was an hour late. Sigurado akong hindi na ako hinintay ni Royce. Malapit lang ang restaurant sa spa kaya hindi niya kakayaning paghintayin ang parents ko - not because of his loyalty and respect, but probably because he wanted them to trust him for his deceit.
Pumasok ako sa private room kung saan naroon na si Mama, Papa, at si Royce. Si Royce ang una kong nakita.
Madilim ang titig niya sa akin nang pumasok ako. I looked away but confidently strutted towards my parents for a kiss.
"Sorry, I'm late. Natagalan ang spa appointment ko..." sabay halik kay Mama galing kay Papa.
There was a feast, judging on the table of this private room. Pero nang natahimik ako, agad kong napuna ang ere doon. It was thick and tensed.
"Kumain ka muna, hija..." Mama offered.
I really didn't have an appetite but I didn't want to give it away. I smiled at my mother. Naupo sa tabi ni Royce at tiningnan na ang pagkain sa aking pinggan.
Napatingin ako kay Royce. He looked at me sharply. I smiled at him sweetly. If I was holding back then, right now there was nothing left.
"Okay..." nakangiti kong kuha sa kubyertos.
It was awkward and silent. Nagsimula akong kumain at wala ni isang nagsalita sa kanila. Si Mama lang ang sumusubok na gumawa ng usapang magaan.
"What did you avail on the spa, hija?"
"Just the usual, Ma."
Ginapang ko ang mga mata ko sa kanila. Mama look worried, trying hard to make a topic. Si Papa ay tahimik at nakatitig sa akin. Royce looked like he's trying to break his glass with just his glare.
"So what's up? What is this meeting all about?" pagkukunwari ko sabay tingin kay Papa.
"You know very well what this meeting is all about," Royce said sharply.
Natutop ni Mama ang kanyang bibig. Papa shifted on his seat, his eyes sharp on Royce now.
Hindi ko na naisubo ang kinakain dahil sa gulat. He had the audacity to say that in front of my parents?
"Napag-usapan na namin, Sky. I really didn't want you on this meeting. I just want to talk to Royce, but since you're coming so... I told him that you wanted the divorce done as soon as possible."
Kabanata 25
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