"Anong nangyari sa dinner niyo kagabi?" he asked and sat beside me.
I groaned. "Nag-dinner nga kami kagabi with the Monts tapos na-uusap sila about sa businesses namin binibigyan ko sila ng feasible ideas, tapos si grandpa parang hindi naman na-a-appreciate 'yong ideas ko, si Hunter lagi niyang tinatanong ng opinions. And alam mo kung ano 'yong annoying part?"
"Hindi pa ba 'yon 'yong annoying part para sa'yo?" He was looking at me intently. He's not a good talker but he's one hell of a great listener.
"I mean, yes, annoying part na 'yon... pero si Hunter kasi! Laging nire-reject 'yong ideas ko kaya iniisip din ni grandpa na hindi worthy 'yong ideas ko. I think he's doing it on purpose!"
Whenever my mind thinks about what happened last night, my anger for Hunter rises.
He patted my shoulder which eased my anger a little. "Hayaan mo na, makikita rin ng lolo mo na mas may pakialam ka sa negosyo niyo kaysa roon sa mga pinsan mo."
I sighed. "I hate them... Parents ko lang naman may tiwala sa skills ko. I'm doing my best pero hindi nakikita ni grandpa 'yon."
He patted my head he rarely smiles but he gave me a sympathetic one. "Problema na nila 'yon kung hindi nila pinapansin mga opinyon mo. Sila naman 'yong nawalan, hindi ikaw."
"But I wanted to get their attention. Sayang naman 'yong effort ko kung hindi naman nila ako papansinin." I pouted. "Gusto ko 'yong Montagne empire. Gusto ko makuha 'yon. Imagine the money and power that empire holds."
He chuckled. "Makukuha mo rin 'yon... May tiwala ako sa kakayahan mo, Cat." He's the only one who calls me Cat and I'm the only one who calls him Matty. I love that we have our own nicknames for each other because it shows everyone that we have our own bubble and no one can enter that bubble but us.
I smiled at him. "Thanks, Matty."
I looked around us because I felt like people were staring at us and I was right... A lot of girls were looking at us, well, they were ogling Matt. I looked at them one by one and I grimaced at the thought that Matt may date one of them.
They're not even physically attractive! God, girls and their fantasies of dating handsome guys when they're just mediocre in terms of looks. Matt is good looking, I cannot lie about that, he's like a standard of beauty for guys plus he's athletic. Why are girls who know that they don't have a chance physically still trying to get his attention?
I looked around and there's another group of girls who were staring at Matt. Is Matt a heartthrob?
Matty held my cheeks with his one hand and squeezed them. "'Wag kang makipagtitigan kung kani-kanino baka may makaaway ka."
"Do those girls like you?" I asked him because by the way they're looking at Matt, I would be surprised if they haven't confessed yet.
Ugh! Ang kapal ng mukha if ever they did!
Matt shrugged while still playing with my cheeks. "Wala namang nagsasabi. Mas gusto yata nila si Julian kasi si Julian naman kinakaibigan nila."
"So if they befriended you, you would?" I asked him. I don't like that idea... I wanted him to make friends but not the type of friends that are not really after a platonic type of relationship. Them and their hidden agenda of friendship.
"Depende." He shrugged. "Hindi naman ako kakaibigan ng mga nakakairitang tao."
"'Wag ka rin muna maghahanap ng girlfriend," I said because those girls might manipulate Matt into dating them. I need to look out for him. If only mom and dad would let me attend regular school.
"Wala naman akong nagugustuhan sa school tsaka wala pa naman sa isip ko 'yon. Football at aral muna. Tutulungan ko pa sila mama at papa sa negosyo namin."
"That's good to know... The idea of you having a girlfriend scares me." I frowned. I like having him around and if ever he gets a girlfriend his attention would be divided between me and the girl. "Mawawalan ka na ng time magkwento sa akin."
He chuckled and shook his head. "Matagal pa nga ako magi-girlfriend."
"Yeah, but based on your stories, your batchmates are already in relationships." I pouted. "It's too early for you to have a girlfriend."
"Matt, nandyan na 'yong girl's football team. Training na raw ulit," one of Matt's teammates called him from a distance.
Matty looked at me as if he's asking for my permission if he can leave.
"Go na, doon ako sa side. I'll watch." I smiled widely.
"Oh... Sige," he said and looked at my yaya who was with my bodyguards and they're standing a few meters away from us. "May dala si manang na payong, mag-payong ka."
I nodded. "Go na! Hinihintay ka na ng teammates mo!" Parang ayaw pa niya umalis kaya kailangan ko pa siya itulak.
"Ito na nga," he said and ran towards his teammates.
I approached the side of the field and manang put an umbrella over my head. Matty is already talking to his teammates while on the other side, there's a group of girls who are also talking, I think they're the girl's football team based on their attire.
I don't know anything about football but I still watched Matt because his moves whenever he plays amaze me.
He also looks good while he plays, his short hair moves whenever he moves, the sun rays reflect on his light skin, and his game face.
I took my phone out to take a picture of him. I know I look like a supportive girlfriend but I don't really care. Those girls need to know that Matty has high standards, if his best friend is me, his girlfriend shouldn't be less than me.
As his best friend, may high standards din ako pagdating sa mga magiging girlfriend ni Matt.
Matt already has the ball and he's on his way to the goal when a girl snatched the ball from him.
"Fuck," Matt mouthed and chased after the girl but before he could even get the ball back, the girl kicked it to her teammate.
"Ella!" one of the girls shouted.
The girl who snatched the ball from Matt ran towards their goal and she kicked the ball that was passed to her by her teammate. She scored a goal.
Matt tapped the girl's shoulder and said something but I couldn't read his lips. The girl just nodded her head at Matt and shifted her gaze to the ball.
My eyebrow automatically raised. Who's that? Is that Matty's new crush? I walked closer to where they are to have a closer view of the girl's face. Maganda pero mukhang masungit, nilalapitan na siya ng teammates niya na all-smiles pero siya straight face pa rin.
She's like the girl version of Matt so they wouldn't really hit it off. Sinong mag-uumpisa ng conversation if parehas silang masungit?
"Who's the girl?" I asked Matt while we were on our way home.
His forehead creased and looked at me. "Girl?"
I tried to remember what the girl looked like but I cannot remember anything specific and I don't remember her name but it's on the tip of my tongue. "Football player, short, mukhang masungit, slightly pretty."
"Oh... Ella?"
"Yeah! That's her name, you two are close?"
"Hindi naman... Lagi lang kaming magkasama sa training magaling 'yon sa football at kabatch pa natin kaya laging ako nagbabantay para hindi siya maka-goal. Magandang practice nga kasi natututo ako sa defense."
"Do you like her?" I asked because he had nothing but good words about her. He always talks about how annoying other people are but this Ella, he didn't say anything annoying about her.
"As a player, yeah." He shrugged and looked at me with a straight face. "I don't like her that way."
My lips parted. "I didn't say anything! I just asked if you like her."
"You don't have to ask it in words when your expression says it all." He laughed and looked away.
We talked more about his preparations for the upcoming school year until we arrived at his house.
Bumeso ako sa kanya. "Bye! Sama ako kapag bumili ka ng school supplies."
Their front door opened and tita Shirley greeted us with a wide and friendly smile on her face.
"Dito ka na mag-dinner, Callie," tita Shirley said after niya bumeso sa akin.
"Sige po, magte-text na lang po ako kay mom at dad," I answered. I couldn't say no to her, she's really nice. Wala rin naman sila mommy at daddy sa bahay ngayon dahil busy sila parehas sa work.
Tita Shirley treats me like I'm her own daughter, like how my parents treat Matt as their own son. Well, me and Matty have been friends since forever kaya ganoon talaga parents namin sa amin.
"Kayo rin, kain na kayo rito sa amin," tita Shirley told my yaya and bodyguards.
I took my phone out to text my parents. I don't really need to text them because they love Matt but to avoid them questioning where I am and getting worried I just inform them where I am.
"Hi, ate Callie!" Carmela, Matty's little sister, hugged me when I entered their house. She's already 10 years old but I still see her as a little baby. I don't have siblings that's why I view her as my own younger sibling.
I smiled at her. "Hi, baby! How are you?"
"I'm good, ate! Ikaw po?"
"I'm okay, just tired."
"Oh, nandyan ka pala, Callie, sumabay ka na rito," tito Marion, Matty's dad, said.
"Una ka na sa table magpapalit lang ako," Matt said and went upstairs.
I sat on my usual seat which was beside Matty's seat. Tito and tita started asking me questions about my day and Matty's training which I happily answered. I also told them about Matty's great performance in football.
Matty joined us for dinner and we continued talking about our day. Nagtanong pa sila about sa classes ko at nagkwento rin ako dahil genuine naman na nagtatanong sila tita kaya walang pressure. Ito rin 'yong gusto ko sa kanila walang pressure kapag nagkukwento ako dahil wala naman silang negative comments.
If only family dinners are this calming.
"Where's grandpa?" I asked my mom when we arrived at the venue of my piano recital.
"He'll be here in a minute, dear. Alam mo naman 'yong lolo mo sobrang hardworking kaya baka natagalan sa company."
I sighed because I know what will happen... He's not coming...
I perfected all those difficult piano pieces for nothing...
"Just take a video of it, mom," I said before leaving them. Pumunta ako sa backstage para mag-prepare.
I have to lighten up my mood because I don't want to mess up my performance just because my grandfather didn't show up again. He has time to show up to Hailey's ballet recital where she messed up lots of times and she's not even the soloist but he doesn't have time to show up to mine where I'm the only one who's going to perform all night. Great!
I took a deep breath before heading onstage, my head held high and a smile of confidence... Fake confidence. Well, as they say, fake it 'til you make it.
I looked at the audience when I arrived at the center of the stage. The audience was filled with political allies of my dad, my parents' business partners, some close family friends, and I saw Matt's familiar face, his seat was close to the stage and he was with his family. Matt nodded at me and gave me a small reassuring smile and it feels like that was the only thing I needed to regain my confidence.
I avoided looking at grandpa's supposed seat because I know that it will be empty and I don't want to disappoint myself more.
I bowed my head before heading to the piano. I sat in front of the piano and I started playing Liszt's La Campanella.
I closed my eyes to feel the song and I turned off every doubt and anger that I have towards everyone that I hate.
Playing the piano really relaxes me, I remember wanting to attend piano lessons because Hunter was enrolled in one. Until I learned to love it.
After playing La Campanella, I moved on to my next song. I perfected every note and every key while I'm playing.
After my recital, I walked to the middle of the stage and bowed. I heard the applause of the audience in front of me.
I scanned the audience and the familiar faces of Hunter and Hailey caught my attention. What are they doing here? And Hunter's sitting in grandfather's supposed place. Sitting beside him was Hailey who was clapping her hands and smiling as if she was proud of me.
I tried my best to still smile despite knowing that they were here. Did grandfather give his tickets to these two?
Reporters and interviewers swarmed over me when I exited the stage. They were asking me about my dad's political career and the current hearings on that new bill that they're trying to pursue. He authored a bill about the privacy of public officials and their families.
I don't know much about it but all I know is that the bill would protect me and other relatives of public officials from people on social media.
I'm not really into politics but since my dad is a politician, I have to suck it up.
"What can you say about that bill Miss Callie?" one of the reporters asked me.
"I don't think I'm allowed to say my opinions about that bill while the hearing is still ongoing. So no comment. Any other questions?" I gave them a sweet smile. I have to avoid these political questions. I have to show them that I know stuff without really knowing the gist of them all.
I know I'm one of the reasons why my dad proposed that bill because most people on social media are bullying me because of my extravagant life. Mga inggit!
It's not like it's my fault that their parents are not working hard enough to give them a Dior bag. It's also not my fault that my parents are business people and rich that could afford my wants.
My bodyguards helped me escape the reporters and interviewers, I was also joined by my dad and mom. I don't why but whenever I'm with my parents, interviewers and reporters never approach me.
"Callie! Congrats!" Hailey said and handed me a bouquet of white roses. "From me and kuya."
I smiled at her because the media is still around. "Thank you! Tell Hunter I said thanks." I wanted to throw the bouquet at her and Hunter and ask them why they were occupying our grandfather's seats but I don't want to cause a scene and look like the bad guy in public.
I just took a deep breath and calmed myself down because I really don't want to burst in front of all these people. That would make me look trashy.
I saw Matt walking towards me with a bouquet in his hand. I ran to him to meet him halfway because he cannot have any interactions with Hailey.
Hailey is friendly, yes, whether it's fake or not I don't really care but she has that vibe... A vibe that I feel those girls around Matt have.
"Matty!" I hugged him.
He hugged and patted my back. "Congrats! Ang galing mo."
"Thank you for being here!"
"Syempre naman! Dapat nga isasama ko pa si Julian kaso busy rin 'yon sa training niya." He handed me the bouquet he's holding. It was a bouquet of pale yellow Gardenias.
"Your presence is enough." I smiled at him. I'd be fine if other people don't attend my recitals as long as he's always present.
"Mga anak, mag-picture kayong dalawa, dali!" tita Shirley said and tito Marion is holding his camera up.
I wrapped my one arm around Matt and he did the same so it looked like we were hugging each other.
"Smile ka, Matty," I said because I noticed that he had his common straight-faced expression.
He looked at me and gave me a small smile but I knew that it was genuine. We both looked at tito Marion's camera and tito Marion took a lot of pictures of us.
"Tita, send niyo po sa akin 'yong pictures. Ipapa-frame ko po."
"Sure, Callie!"
"Okay ka lang?" Matt asked me when his parents left us alone.
I nodded my head. "Yeah, why did you ask?"
"Mukha kang hindi okay habang nasa stage kanina. May nangyari ba?" Worry was evident from the tone of his voice.
My eyes widened at what he said. "Was it that obvious?"
He shook his head and gave me a calming smile. "Sabi nila mommy mukhang elegante ka nga raw at parang alam na alam mo 'yong gagawin mo. Ako lang yata nakapansin."
I sighed in relief. I cannot look scared in front of other people, especially those Montagne siblings. "You scared me there."
He chuckled and patted my head. "Pero okay ka lang ba? May nangyari ba?"
I wanted to cry out of frustration but since Matt is already here, I'm a little bit more calm than earlier. My makeup will also be ruined if I cry.
I looked around us and when I saw that nobody was really paying attention to us, I freely told him everything from my grandfather not attending my recital to the Montagne siblings occupying his seat.
The days passed by in a blur and Matty's summer vacation is about to end. He became busier with his training while I became busy with my summer classes because my recital took most of my past weeks.
"How's your day?" I asked Matty while we were talking on the phone. He just came home from his training.
"Nagkaroon kami ng tune-up game kasama 'yong isang public school na makakalaban namin sa Division Palaro, 'yong isa sa mga natalo namin noong nakaraang taon—"
I snorted. "Lahat naman ng schools na kasali sa Division Palaro natalo niyo."
"Oo tapos parang may galit 'yong ibang players, eh." He chuckled. "Nanood 'yong ibang mga athletes ng school namin dahil nasa Sports Center lang din naman sila."
He started telling me about a scene where his two teammates misunderstood each other and instead kicking the ball they kicked each other. He also had a story where Julian got a confession from a girl and didn't know what to do because Julian is a very nice guy and he doesn't want to hurt the girl but he also doesn't like the girl back.
"Tapos? Anong nangyari sa teammate mo when Ella rejected him straight up?" I asked him. Ngayon ko lang nalaman na most of his teammates like Ella. I mean, she's pretty and probably a lot of guys like her because she's sporty.
"Ayon, hindi na siya pinapansin ni Ella... Alam naman niya na mangyayari 'yon, hindi na nga namamansin talaga si Ella ng mga lalaki—"
"Pinansin ka niya." Mukha siyang masungit pero I don't trust her. Maybe she's baiting Matt into thinking that she's mysterious.
Matt chuckled. "Saan ba nanggagaling 'yan, ha?"
"I don't trust them, Matty. I feel like they're trying to make you like them tapos kapag naging girlfriend mo sila ilalayo ka nila sa akin." I really hate my overthinking mind but I can't help it.
I have to endure sharing my grandfather with my cousins because I know I'm not his legitimate granddaughter but if I have to share another person with someone else and I have to compete with their opinions, I would lose my mind.
"Wala naman akong type na babae sa school namin, 'wag mo na masyadong alalahanin 'yon. Okay?" he said softly.