Chapter 19
"Ma, Pa, this is Avianna. Avianna, my parents."
Abot-abot ang kabang nararamdaman ko habang kaharap ang mga magulang ni Ace. I didn't expect that I would be meeting them today, neither this entire year.
Damn! Sana sinabi ni Ace para nakapaghanda ako! Hindi sana ako mangangapa ngayon!
Ace's parents looked at me; acknowledging my presence. Sa nanginginig na kamay, yumuko ako sa kanila bilang pagbibigay-galang.
"G-Good noon, Ma'am, Sir." I lifted my eyes and awkwardly looked at them.
"It's nice to meet you, Hija." Ace's father spoke. I smiled.
"Thank you po. Nice to see you, too, Sir."
Nasa gilid ko lang naman si Ace, sumulyap ako sa kanya. He glanced at me, too. Agad kong ibinalik ang paningin sa kaharap at nagtama ang paningin namin ng ina niya.
She examined me from head to toe. I immediately felt conscious. She had that sophisticated gaze that could trick every man. She's wearing a sabrina neckline, cap sleeve, an elegant yellow dress.
Napalunok ako nang taasan niya ako ng kaliwang kilay. She then gazed at Ace.
"Hai un buon gusto, figliolo." You have good taste, son. She smirked mischievously at him.
Umawang ang labi ko. I'm not really fluent in Spanish neither in Italian but I understood what she said! My eyes widened in disbelief.
Did I hear it right? I bit my bottom lip before gazing back at Ace. He coldly stared at his mother. His gaze went to me. A smirk curved on his lips.
"She understands you, Ma." his gaze went back to his mother, smirking.
The woman widened her eyes before looking at me. I bit my lower lip. Agad uminit ang pisngi ko. Narinig ko ang bahagyang pagtawa ng ginang.
"Oh! Haha." Our eyes met. She smirked at me. "Whatever you have heard, don't mind it, Dear."
I didn't answer, though. I awkwardly smiled at her and then I nodded. I felt a hand crawling on my back down to my waist. Napalingon ako kay Ace. Sobrang lapad ng ngiti niya sa akin.
"Let's get inside,"
Nasa entrance door pa pala kami ng mala-palasyo nilang bahay. Tumango ako.
I found myself amazed by the displays around inside their house. So many paintings and a lot of portraits. I even saw a large family picture of them, attached on the wall.
Maraming nagkalat na katulong, I even saw a butler roaming around. Gosh! I admit we're rich but not even half as rich as this. They're the wealthiest family I've ever known.
From the chairs to tables and even the sparkling chandelier above, it was purely made of glass and gold! Prone to robbery! But I know, this house is secured.
"Feel at home, Hija."
Napalingon ako kay Ace the sixth, he's smiling from ear to ear. I could see Ace's older version in him. Tumango ako at tipid na ngumiti.
"Thank you po, Sir."
I lifted my eyes and roamed around. The place is big and spatial. In the dining area, a long golden table was there. The light of the chandelier reflexes the shining, shimmering surface of the long family table.
My lips parted in amazement. Pakiramdam ko kasali ako sa isang royal family and I'm living in a castle. Gosh!
"Avianna,"
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at agad nagpalinga linga sa paligid. Nagtama ang paningin namin ni Ace, papalapit siya sa akin ngayon. Ramdam ko ang titig ng ina niya sa gilid ng mata ko.
Agad akong nakaramdam ng ilang.
"Y-Yes?"
"My father wants us to talk and discourse about the company's status. Can you wait here? I promise, it'll be quick. I'll be back as soon as we finish."
I felt even more awkward. Bakit ba siya nagpapaalam sa akin? E, wala namang kami. I bit my bottom lip and gradually, I nodded.
"O-Okay lang.."
He smiled sweetly and was about to kiss me on the cheek when I stepped back. I stilled. Natigilan din siya.
My face flushed, knowing that his mother was looking at us. Baka kung ano'ng isipin ng ina niya. My heart beat rapidly as my gaze went to Ace.
"O-Okay lang ako rito. Bye."
His perfect jaw clenched. Ipinagtulakan ko siya paalis sa pwesto namin. He obliged, though.
Nakatanaw ako sa papalayong bulto ni Ace nang mahagip naman ng aking paningin ang papalapit na mama niya. Kumabog nang mabilis ang dibdib ko. Nilibot ko ang paningin: kunwari walang napapansin.
"Can we talk?"
I almost jumped when the cold voice of Ace's mother spoke beside me. Napalingon ako sa ginang. Nalilito man, tumango nalang ako, nand'yan pa rin ang kaba.
Naunang maglakad ang ginang, sinusundan ko lang siya hanggang sa dumating kami sa living room. She sat on the sofa.
"Sit." she pointed out an area beside her. I bit my lower lip as I walked towards the sofa and sat on it as well.
"What are we going to talk about, Ma'am?" I asked lightly.
Her brows furrowed while looking at me.
"What's your relationship with my son?" unang tanong palang, napatanga na ako.
Parang turnilyong mabilis nagiba ang isip ko at agad nangapa ng sagot. Mierda!
"Uh... We're—"
"Do you have any good intentions? Or you're one of those pută who only want to dig money from my son!"
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa harap-harapan, prangka, at walang prenong tanong nito.
"Ma'am, I'm—"
"I could see the spark from my son's eyes when he looked at you, so tell me that you're serious with him before it's too late, I might slap you!"
Umawang ang labi ko. For real?! I shook my head.
"Ma'am, you misunderstood." I bit my lower lip. "We're nothing... we're not into a relationship. A-And I'm not using him for money,"
"What?!" her voice raised with pure shock. "Are you kidding me? Stop fooling around!"
"H-Hindi po." nag-angat ako ng paningin. "Wala po kaming relasyon at... uh... wala po akong plano."
Nakagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi. The woman's face softened. Guilt is now evident on her beautiful face.
"Really?" paninigurado pa niya.
"Yes, po. And don't wory, Ma'am. We have companies all around the... country."
I bit my lower lip. She accused me right, doesn't she? I used Ace to get the billion dollar deal! I somehow felt guilty.
"Ikaw ang kauna-unahang babae na dinala ng anak ko rito, iba sa mga babaeng dinadala niya sa bahay namin sa Quezon."
What? May ibang bahay pa sila bukod dito? At ano raw? I'm the first woman Ace has brought here. Why do I feel so proud of myself?!
"Bueno... Totoo bang wala kayong relasyon ng anak ko?"
"W-Wala po."
She arched her eyebrow. She would not believe me. I bit my lower lip. I admit, I like her son. No, I love him. Pero parang may humahadlang sa akin na makipagrelasyon sa kanya.
Maybe because...
"The way you gaze at each other, I can see the spark. I know, you love my son."
Ngumisi sa akin ang ginang. Kumunot ang noo ko. Teka nga. Kanina, kung makapagsalita siya parang ayaw niya ako sa anak niya. Tapos ngayon...
Napailing nalang ako at nakangising humarap sa kanya. I love the way she smiled. It's genuine.
"Marami pong babae ang anak niyo. I don't like that sort of a guy. I like a one-woman-man. 'Yon po ang gusto ko."
Matamis akong ngumiti.
"Madamot po ako. Kaya kung ano ang akin, dapat akin lang."
"I like your confidence, Dear. How you like that?" she smiled sadly. "Sorry for earlier, I didn't mean to interrogate you. Ganito lang talaga ang mga ina, gusto lang namin ang best para sa anak. You will soon understand, 'pag nagkaanak ka na."
Tumingin siya sa harap. Nanatili ang paningin ko sa kanya. Pakiramdam ko ang laki ng kasalanan ko sa kanila. I only kept my son from my father and my baby's father.
Soon, if I'm strong enough. If I'm brave enough, I'll declare the truth, and nothing but the truth.
"Let me ask you again, Hija dear." nilingon ako ni Laviana, Ace's mom. "Do you like my son?"
Ngumisi siya sa akin na tila may malalim na ibig-sabihin iyon. Kumunot ang noo ko. I've answered already, why ask the same question again?
But then, I sighed heavily and answered the damn question.
"No. I don't like him, Ma'am."
"Why?"
"He's... uh... not my type. And uh... also... manwhore."
Ngumisi si Laviana sa akin bago tumingin sa harapan. Umakto pa siyang nagulat nang makita ang kaharap. Kumunot ang noo ko at nilingon ang tinitingnan niya.
"Oh, son! You're there, kanina ka pa d'yan?" sobrang lapad ng ngiti ni Laviana.
Nanigas naman ako sa aking kinauupuan. Nagtama ang paningin namin ni Ace at halos manayuan ang balahibo ko sa lamig ng ipinapakita niyang ekspresyon.