Melojean's POV
Its been 2 days since I've agree to that stupid blackmail na ginawa ng Chance na yun.
I need to do something para di niya magawa yung mga pinaplano niya.
"Hey my princess *forehead kiss* what's up? You're spacing out. Is everything alright?" Said kuya Rance then sit across to me.
Oh nandito pala si kuya I thought bukas pa ang dating niya.
"ahh no, there's nothing wrong. I thought kuya bukas pa ang dating mo? Bakit napaaga ata?"
"Was planning to surprise everyone, but pag-uwi ko kagabi, just yaya Imelda ang nasurprise sa pag-uwi ko" kuya
I feel a little disappointed in his voice, but when i turn to speak, nagsalita siya ulit.
"But that's ok, malaman ko lang na ok ang lahat" he said then give me an assuring smile.
I smile back at him. Then suddenly a text message came in.
*plup* message tone
(Private number)
Hey its me Chance. I'll pick you up in 30 minutes so be ready. Anyway Goodmorning Princess.
-end-
What!!!!!?????? Wala naman to sa napagusapan namin ah.
I involuntarily slam the table and i just realize na kumakain pala si kuya sa harap ko.
"Melo, what's the matter? Ayaw mo ba akong kasabay kumain ng breakfast?" Gulat na tanong ni kuya.
"A..ah no. Of course not kuya. I..its just" Arrrggghhh i can't tell him.
"What is it? Tell me" seryoso niyang sabi.
I slowly tell everything to him while looking at my lap. "Ahm, there's a guy who'll gonna pick me up, and he'll be here at 30 mins"
Pagkatingin ko kay kuya, nakita kong nagulat siya sa mga sinabi ko.
"Wa..wait baby? Did you just said na may susundo sayo? And its a guy?" Kuya.
"Certainly" i confirmed
"Who's that guy anyway?" He said.
"Ahm..before i could say anything further, promise to me na saatin lang to ok? Don't tell anyone especially mom and dad. And also Ate Serenity"
Tila maghehesitate pa siya bago sumagot "ok fine but please all the businesses that you'll do, kailangan ipaalam mo saakin. Even the gruesome"
"Kuya!!!~ that's not gonna ok? Bu anyway thank you" i said then give him a smile.
*pimp...pimp*
"Oh he's here!" i said then stand.
"Let me lead you outside" he offer. "And also i just want to see if he really deserve na ihatid ang prinsesa ng mga Millard "
While we're heading through the front door.
"Is he good looking?" He suddenly ask.
"Kind of?" Me
"I'm not satisfied with that answer, give me vivid details about him. A family background would be good enough " he said.
"Nah, I'm fine with anyone, I'm not a kind of person na sa physical lang tumitingin"
He give me a look then said "so panget siya ganun? If that's the case, wag ka ng lumabas. He don't deserve to accompany you lalo na kung pupunta kayo sa kung saan"
"You're exaggerating, we're just going to school, besides he's not that bad maybe an average."
When we reach the front door. "Baby, I'll be the first to go outside and check on him. I'll give you signal kung pwede ka ng lumabas. Just stay here for a while "
"Ok" me
Pagbukas ni kuya ng front door.
"Sino sila?"
Rance's POV
Sino naman kaya ang maghahatid sa bunso namin, I'm happy na saakin siya nagopen about this hindi kay Jordan or ate Serenity. If totoo ngang panget to or kung ano mang itsura nito i need him to stay away to my sister.
Pagbukas ko ng front door, i saw a luxury car na nakapark sa mismong harap ng gate, that can't be Vovlo 2016 series! Don't be deceive Rance may mga ganyang tao na they use their money magpasikat lang.
"Sino sila?" I ask.
Pagbukas ko ng gate, there's a boy, literally a boy. Maybe he's the same age as my baby sister (still thinking how can he can afford to buy that expensive car). He's carrying bouquet of red roses. Bagong manliligaw siguro to ni Melo, he didn't know her favorite flowers.
Halatang nagulat saakin yung lalaki, but he manage his pace and ask. "Go..goodmorning, nanjan po ba si Lady Melojean Millard?" He said.
"Yes, she's having her breakfast. Do you have any business with her?" I ask.
"We'll go to school together, sir" him
I look down in the thing that his holding. "So, what's the part of that red roses if you've just going to school?" i said then crosses my arms.
"Honestly sir, I'm planning to ask her and be my fiance. So that's why I'm here" he said
Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. Hindi ko ineexpect na may magsasabi ng ganun sa harap ko. And also i can't believe na mauunahan pa ako ng bunso namin na mag-asawa (if ever man) pagsasabihan ko na sana siya ng magsalita siya ulit.
"But I'm not gonna ask her today, this flower is just a compensation gift"
"What do you mean?"
"It's a private matter. Do you mind if i ask you a question sir?"
"Of course, what is it?" Me
" what's your relationship with her? Tila ngayon ko lang ho kayo nakita dito?" He ask.
What did he just say? 'Tila ngayon niya lang ako nakita dito? So it means madalas na siyang pumupunta dito?! Have to do something to stop this loverboy.
"I'm.. " i stop in a midway and think cleverly.
"I'm HER fiance" i said proudly.
Nakita kong nagulat siya sa sinabi ko. Then looks at me from head to toe.
"Why? Am i not convincing?" Then i look at him.
"A..ah no. Ah i mean yes." He's stuttering. That's a good sign.
"If you don't have any questions, shall i call her then?" I said. Aalis ka rin.
This plan i made have a succeeding rate of 99.9% lalo na sa mga suitors ni Ate Serenity. I don't know yet kung gagana sa suitor ni bunso (but i think i can consider it a success already)
"Maybe i'll be the one to check on her. May itatanung din naman ako sa kanya." He said.
Aba matigas tong isang to ah.
Chance's POV
I'm here at the front gate of Millard's para sunduin si Melojean. Napaaga ako ng 5 mins sa allotted time na tinext ko sakanya earlier. Mamaya nalang ako bubusina para hindi naman ako masyadong halata na excited sa araw na to.
A minutes pass.
*pimp..pimp*
Ang tagal naman lumabas nun, i told her na 30 minutes nandito na ko ah.
Then suddenly there's a man wearing plain white sando and a boxer shorts na lumabas sa pintuan nila.
"Sino yan?" He said while approaching the gate.
Wait? Si Rance Millard to ah. He's the one that my mom keep telling me na kausapin ko raw. Maybe I'll inform her na nakauwi na siya. I didn't expect na siya pa ang magbubukas ng gate. Nevermind. Focus Chance. Hindi siya ang pinunta mo dito. Manage to act normal in front of him. Baka isipin nastarstruck ka.
"Go..goodmorning. Nanjan po ba si Lady Melojean Millard" i ask.
"Yes she's having her breakfast. Do you have any business with her?" He ask.
"We'll go to school together sir."
"So what's the part of that red roses if you're just going to school?" He ask and crosses his arms.
Damn it! Bakit ko ba agad nilabas to. I shouldn't expect that much! I just planned to surprise her with this bouquet of red roses, to look more sweet and sincere (ok remove the word 'sweet')
"Actually Sir, I'm planning to ask her and be my fiance. So that's why I'm here" I said.
Mag-aattempt sana siya magsalita but I suddenly interrupt it. "But I will not ask her today, this flowers is just a compensation gift"
"What do you mean?" He ask.
Teka parang alam ko na patutunguhan nito ah.
"It's a private matter. Do you mind if I ask you a question sir?" I ask.
"Of course. What is it?" Him.
"What's your relationship with her? Tila ngayon ko lang ho kayo nakita dito?"
I hope he didn't notice na sinusubukan ko lang siya.
"I'm.... I'm HER fiance" He proudly say.
I knew it! I look at him from head to toe. I can't believe na mararanasan ko tong famous 'act-as-my-sisters-fiance' to ignore their suitors.
"Why? Am I not convincing?" He ask.
"Ah..ah no. Ah I mean yes" damn muntik na yun. Sorry Mr. Rance Millard but that tactics is an old school for me.
"If you don't have any questions, shall I call her then?" He ask me.
I saw a glimpse of smirk drawn to his face. Kaya.."maybe I'll be the one to check on her. May itatanung din naman ako sakanya" I said
Bago pa ako makapasok ng tuluyan sa gate, hinawakan na niya ang kanang braso ko. "You're not going anywhere bro, trespassing yang ginagawa mo" he said then push me pabalik sa labas ng gate.
When I decided to turn back, narinig ko si Melojean.
"How long are you gonna talk to him kuya?" She said while leaning in their front door.
"You're ruining my whole plan" sabi ni Rance.
"Stop your stupid act kuya, sa tingin mo ba hindi ka niya kilala?" She said then walk through her brother.
"What? How?"
"His family is one of our stockholders and franchiser"
"How did you know it?" Rance asking her.
"It's a long story. You, *referring to me* aalis na ba tayo or makikipagchikahan ka pa sa kuya ko?" Iretable niyang tanung.
I immediately give her the flowers and formally introduce myself to her brother.
"Sorry sir, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Chance Ford. It's my pleasure to meet you personally Mr. Rance Dex Millard." After i said it, nagbow lang ako then sumakay na sa sasakyan.
*while driving going to school*
"So what's with this flowers? It's not my favorite" she said.
"Just a compensation gift. Kung hindi mo gusto yan, then what?"
"...tulips" she said shyly then faces the window.
"Ok" then I grab the red roses from her and throw it out.
"Hey! Why did you do that?"
"It doesn't matter, that's not your lucky flower anyway".
We pass by at my Aunt's flower shop.
"What are we doing here?"
"Wait me here" i said.
Pagpasok ko sa flower shop (Lily's Flower Shop)
"Welcome Sir!" Bati sakin ng staff. New hire ba siya? She didn't recognize me.
"Do you have any fresh tulips here?"
"I'm sorry sir, pero nakalaan lang po siya sa VIP costumers namin" she said.
I felt a bit irritated dahil sa sinabi niya. Does she think, I'm just an ordinary buyer na magbibigay lang ng mamahaling bulaklak to impress someone? I'm more than a VIP!
"Where's your manager?"
"Nasa office po siya, pero ang bilin po niya, di raw po siya pwedeng istorbohin" explain ng staff saakin.
"Ok" I said then dumeretso ako papasok sa office ni tita.
"Sir sandali po! Hindi po kayo pwde pumasok nalang basta basta!" Sabi saakin habang sinusundan ako.
Pagpasok ko sa opisina.
"Tita I need a dozen of tulips" I said as I enter my aunt's office.
"Hindi nga ako nagkamali. You're the reason why my staff is shouting. Anyway, get what you want but make sure you'll pay it" magsasabi pa sana ako but she seems to know why I'm here.
"Thanks tita you're the best!" I kissed her cheek, then look right away from her staff then said "did you hear it?"
Melojean's POV
I feel like its been 2 hours since iniwan ako ni Chance dito sa sasakyan niya.
"what his doing there anyway? Is he crazy? pagkatapos niyang ibato yung roses then bibili nanaman siya ng bulaklak?"
ARRRRRGGGGHHH!!! boredom hits me -_- tutal mukhang matatagalan pa siya sa loob, I need to ease this boredom I'm feeling right now.
Mag-iikot ikot muna ako.
I found this little coffee house not quite far mula sa flower shop na pinaghintuan namin ni Chance. You can't recognize it at all kung hindi mo titignan or rather hahanapin yung signboard niya, but unfortunately the signboard itself hindi recognizable. If you're thinking how do I find it, maybe I'm just a keen observer.
*entering the coffee shop*
Anyway the atmosphere here were homey. Yung para bang nasa province ka, you feel like there are fields around it. Kahit ang totoo, mga magagarang bahay at boutiques ang nasa paligid nito.
"Magandang Umaga" bati saakin ng isang matandang lalaki. Maybe he's the owner.
"Goodmorning din ho, are you the owner of this coffee shop?" i ask.
"oo hija, paano ka pala napadpad sa lugar na ito?" tanong niya.
"ah actually po kasama ko po yung......kaibigan ko. We run to a flower shop then I think na matatagalan pa siya sa loob so I decided na maggala-gala po muna" i politely say.
"buti naman at dito ka napadpad sa lugar namin. Alam mo ba, ikaw pa lang ang kauna-unahan naming costumer?" he said then smile at me. Then suddenly may kinuha siya sa counter.
"Ahm ano po ito?"
"hanggang ngayon kasi sinecelebrate pa rin namin ang opening ng shop na 'to. At iyan ang ipamimigay namin sa unang sampung (10) costumer na pupunta dito" sabi ni lolo while looking at a small box that he gave to me a while a go.
I curiously open the box that Lolo gave to me. When I open it, it contains a beautiful corsage made with a little paper flowers.
"its so beautiful, who made this?"
"salamat at nagandahan ka. Yung apo ko ang gumawa niyan" he said with a smile but that smile is not natural. There's something wrong with it.
I felt a little pity to his granddaughter, she made it with all her hearts but unfortunately, others do not seems to care or appreciate it.
"ahm sir, kung ok lang po, pwede ko po bang iendorse ang shop niyo or I can recommend it to my relatives para dumami ang costumers niyo"
"naku hija, maraming salamat. Pero hindi mo naman kailangan gawin iyon, masaya na ako at ang apo ko na malaman na mayroong nakadiskubre ng coffee shop na ito"
"wag po kayong mag-alala it's my own will naman po. Kaya wag na po kayo tumanggi. And I know mas sasaya po yung apo ninyo if ever na malalaman niya na mas marami na kayong costumer" I said cleverly.
"matatanggihan ko pa ba ang isang maganda at mabait na dalagang katulad mo?" sabi niya.
"if that's a yes, then now we're settled ^_^"
"oo nga pala hija, ano nga pala ang pangalan mo?"
I hesitate to answer baka kasi matakot siya kung malalaman niya na galing ako sa kilalang pamilya ng mga Millard.
"ahm..... Jean po"
"ahh Jean.. kaparehas mo ng pangalan ang apo ko. Tulad mo rin siya. Maganda at mabait"
"ganun po ba, kayo po ano po ang pwede ko itawag sainyo?"
"Lolo Jo nalang ang itawag mo saakin. Yan kasi ang tawag ng apo ko eh"
"ok po lolo jo! ^_^" I said then smile at him.
I look at my watch then realize na napasarap yung kwentuhan namin ni Lolo Jo.
"anyway Lolo Jo, I need to go. Thank you po sa masarap na kape at sweets. And also sa magandang accommodations"
"walang anuman. Bumisita ka ulit kapag may oras ka. Isama mo rin ang kaibigan mo"
"Sure po Lolo!" I wave goodbye and leave the shop with a smile.