TRG ~ XXXIV
***
Freesia
Two days ago, my father went out of the hospital. He's well rested and the doctor advised him to lessen his workload.
He's now staying in the mansion. Noong unang labas niya sa hospital ay sinamahan ko siya. Sa bahay ako natulog. I'm still worried na baka sa katigasan ng ulo ni Dad ay magtatrabaho na agad siya kung kaya't binantayan ko muna siya.
Ang tatlo ko namang pinsan na kulokoy ay nag-settle muna sa katabing mansion namin. Tito Francesco owned that and they stayed there whenever they are having vacation here in the Philippines.
They can't stay for too long in the country before. Hindi rin kasi nila maiwan si Lolo Silvio roon. He's my grandfather from Dad's side. He's too old to travel and the doctor advised him to rest.
Si Kuya Luca ang nag-design ng mansion na tinutuluyan nila ngayon. He's an architect and at the same time the CEO of Cuenco Estates in Italy. Sa kanya na iyon pina-manage ni Tito Francesco.
They have their own house but those cousins of mine keep staying in our mansion. Aside from my guilt and worry for Dad, they insisted for me to stay in the mansion. Huwag na raw ako sa condo ko. Nagpapaawa pa ang mga mukha nila habang kinu-kumbinsi ako. Lalo na't nakilala na nila si Apollo. They know I'm about to meet him. And they don't want it. Pati mga pinsan ko ang clingy!
"Chi è questo idiota?" Simone asked while smirking.
I stopped on my tracks. Napatampal ako sa noo. Gumana na naman ang pagka-siraulo ng pinsan ko.
I rolled my eyes at him.
"Il mio ragazzo?"
Si Indigo naman ang nagtanong na may angas din ang tono. My gosh. Buti pa si Kuya Luca!
I shook my head when I glanced at Kuya Luca and he's having an eye to eye contest with Apollo. They have the same cold and unwavering expression. I should have thought better! Parehas nga pala ng personality ang dalawang 'to kaya I don't think they'll be fine! Lalo na't ayaw ni Kuya Luca ng mas nakakahigit sa kanya. He always thinks he's the superior since he's the first grandson of Franco Silvio Ricci Cuenco.
Naghihintay ng sagot ang tatlong ugok at may mga ngisi sa labi. They're taunting my boyfriend and with Apollo's expression, I don't think he's backing down!
"Why aren't you answering? Do you want me to translate?" Lalong naging visible ang ngisi ni Simone.
"Simone!" Irita kong pigil.
Ang hilig talaga sa away ng mga ugok kong pinsan na 'to lalo na si Indigo na napaka-rebelde.
"Non c' è bisogno. Capisco. Yes, she's my amore mio."
That rendered my cousins speechless. Maging ako'y natilihan at napangaga kay Apollo. He speaks so good in Italian! May swabe rin sa pagkaka-bigkas niya na nagpalunok sa akin. My cheeks are blushing, too. Ba't ang hot ng boyfriend ko?!
And he said, "Yes she's my love." When in fact Simone is just asking if I'm his girlfriend!
Kung wala lang siguro dito ang mga ugok kong mga pinsan ay baka naglupasay na ako sa sobrang kilig!
"Non male." ( Not bad ) Sabay kibit balikat ni Kuya Luca.
He seems to have a good impression with Apollo. OMG! At si Kuya Luca pa! Siya ang pinkamahirap i-please sa mga pinsan ko at nakuha agad iyon ng bf ko? Wow ha, bilib na talaga ako sa charm ni Apollo.
Nagtagal pa ang tatlong ugok ng ilang oras doon at umalis din pagkatapos. Dito raw sila dumiretso pagkadating mula sa airport and they are tired. Magpapahinga muna sila at babalik din. Hindi rin sila makatiis dahil wala silang mapagpahingahan dito. The room is too crowded for four giants.
Iniwan lang kami ng masamang tingin ni Indigo at Simone. Apollo seems unbothered while Kuya Luca shrugged and gave me a small smile.
"Ciao, principessa." Pahabol na paalam ni Indigo at hindi pinansin ang bf ko.
Mabuti at naka-survive ako sa clash of the giants na nangyari sa hospital. Tahimik lang naman si Dad nang mangyari iyon. I have no idea what he thinks and he didn't say anything. I know that he's familiar with Apollo because he knew that I'm training in their company.
Well, Apollo wants to formally meet Dad when he's recovered fully. I'm just hoping the three jerks won't interfere and ruin our plan.
**
"Ang damot mo talagang babae ka! Your cousins are there but you didn't inform me about it?! What kind of cousin-friend are you?"
Pinakinggan ko ang litanya sa cellphone ni Soffia ng natatawa. She's raging when she saw my instagram post with the three idiots. Matagal na niyang gustong makilala ang tatlo ng formal at hindi naman iyon nangyayari since my father's family is staying in Italy.
I can picture out Soffia's beautiful face showing disappointment. She must be pouting and her perfect brows must be raising. Marahil ay nasa opisina siya at natitilihan na ang mga kasamahan niya roon sa pagsigaw niya.
"My gosh, Freesia! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to meet Simone! Pati na si Indigo kahit na mukha siyang gangster at nanununtok! Your cousins are famous, don't you know that?"
I rolled my eyes in the air. I know all about it. Mga high profile na tao ang pamilya ko sa Italy. My Lolo Silvio is a prominent businessman and he owns a lot of properties. Isa na roon ang malaking winery na nasa pamamahala ni Uncle Franco.
Isa pa'y nagkaroon ng katungkulan sa gobyerno ang namayapa kong Lola na si Fabrizia Sevilla Cuenco. They have a wide influence in Italy. I think that's also the reason why Dad decided to settle in the Philippines. He wants to establish his own company. He was the one who put up Cuenco Estates in the Philippines.
And as for my cousins, they are famous with the girls. Simone is a womanizer, madalas siyang ma-involve sa mga supermodels and even hollywood actresses. He posted for some international magazines, too.
Indigo's the rebel one. With his looks, he's often involved in numerous fights in Italy. But a lot of woman are still digging for him.
Kuya Luca's more famous in the corporate world. He started in the company at a young age and he's the enigmatic CEO now. With his money and looks, a lot of woman wants his attention.
Pero para sa akin, mga bugok pa rin sila. I used to call them four idiots kasama na ang bunso nila Kuya Luca na si Palette. Iyon ang naiba ng profession sa kanila. He's into music industry.
"Don't worry, they are staying here for good."
Pampalubag-loob ko na lang. Ayaw ko na munang makipagtalo pa kay Soffia. Wala rin naman kasing mangyayari. Hindi niya ako titigilan at hahaba pa ang usapan. My mouth needs to have its rest sometimes.
Hindi ko na pinatapos ang pakikinig sa pagtili ni Soffia at agad na nagpaalam. I still have to prepare for my dinner with the three idiots. Gusto raw nila akong ilibre sa isang Italian restaurant. Himala at hindi na kuripot ang mga ito.
I wore a black sheath dress and paired it with strappy heels and I'm done. I put some light make-up for my lovely face.
Inilibot ko ang tingin sa kabuuan ng restaurant. I like this place. It's very charming and at the same time have its elegant ambiance. I love the splashes of muted earthy colors and textures to warm the place. Its space is into more intimate areas with family-style booths and with sliding glass panels. The interior design is a mix of traditional and modern elements.
The customers are elite people. All in formal suits and dresses for women.
"Vorrei ordinare." Tawag ni Kuya Luca sa isang waitress.
Papalapit pa lang ito sa amin ay halata na ang kilig nito. Her cheeks are flushed.
It's a plus that the waitress here understands some basic Italian words. But I rolled my eyes seeing her gawking at my cousins.
She have the looks and Simone got the best of it. He winked at the waitress and it stuttered asking us of our order.
"Spaghetti alle vongole, Mushroom risotto, Ciceri e Tria, Cannelloni al ragù." Indigo ordered and I just shrugged with his appetite.
Talagang malakas kumain 'yan. Parehas lang din ang in-order ng dalawa habang ako'y binawasan ko ng Ciceri e Tria.
"Just add Tiramisu for my dessert." I added.
Mas gusto ko kasi ng sweets.
"Amo le Filippine ci sono un sacco di belle ragazzi qui." (I love Philippines. There are a lot of beautiful girls here.)
Pinandilatan ko ng mata si Simone sa sinabi niya. Puro na lang talaga babae ang nasa isip niya.
"Someday you'll meet someone who'll end your womanizing habits."
"Oh, he already got his match, principessa!" Natatawang turan ni Indigo.
I stared curiously at him. What does he mean?
Sumandal ng maigi si Kuya Luca sa upuan habang nangingiti. He's shaking his head while looking at Simone who got tongue-tied. I rarely see him like this.
"Si sta per sposare." Kuya Luca said.
"Ano? Who's the girl he's about to marry?"
"Nonno arranged it for him. Tito Franco's okay with it so Simone have a fianceé now."
I was beyond shocked hearing them. So, Lolo finally interfered with Simone's womanizing stunts! I chuckled and gazed at Simone's crestfallen face.
"Who's the lucky girl?"
"Nicoletta Colombo. La donna è calda." Indigo answered.
"No way!" Nanlalaki ang mata kong saad.
She's the famous half-Filipina, half- Italian supermodel! The only Filipina who's a Victoria Secret angel!
"Lucky bastard." Indigo smirked at Simone.
"È bellissima ma non mi piace."
"What do you mean you don't like her? My gosh, Simone, you're a jerk!"
My two cousins laughed so hard while Simone's eyes are wide. He can't accept I told him he's a jerk. But it's true. I'm just glad my boyfriend's not like him.
***
-myishi_chan