Russian Roulette (Book 1 of RR Trilogy)

Roulette #73

Chapter 73 

(Warning)

It's been two days since he proposed to me, but everyone is already busy because of it. Halos hindi nga ako makasali sa pagpaplano ng kasal dahil inako lahat nina Ela at Alek ang pag-aasikaso. Ang nakakatawa pa ay mas hands on at excited pa silang lahat kaysa sa amin ni Clade.

Maging si Mikhail na abala sa kanyang sariling bakasyon ay tumawag kaagad nang malaman ang proposal para lang sabihin na uuwi siya para sa kasal namin. Goodness! Akala mo naman napaka-importante naming tao para pagkaabalahan ng ganito ang kasal namin. Kung ako ang tatanungin ay kahit simple lang, ayos na sa akin. But knowing these silly people, I'm pretty sure that 'simple' isn't in their vocabularies.

Clade and I already talked about the issue regarding my name, too... My real name. I decided that I'll just keep the name Ariadne Felis Verdadero instead of changing it to Felis Santiago. Because to be honest, there's really no need to change it. Nothing would change anyway. I'm still me. It's not about the name, it's about who I am.

Si Clade ay tapos na sa kanyang pagpapalit ng apelyido. He successfully recovered his real identity. But I don't think that's also the case for me. Masyadong magiging komplikado ang lahat kung papalitan ko ang pangalan ko. Una sa lahat, kilala ako bilang Dr. Ariadne Felis Verdadero. If I suddenly changed my name, then many people will get really confused. My credentials and known identity will be affected, too.

It may really cause confusion if I change my name. My real name is important to me, but the truth, sacrifices, tragedy and hardships behind my current name is what's more important. Mas mahalaga sa akin ang mga sakripisyo nina mama, papa, at ng tunay kong ina para lang maprotektahan ako gamit ang pangalang ito. Mas mahalaga sa akin ang alaala ng tunay na Ariadne at alam kong maaalagaan ko iyon sa pamamagitan ng pangalang ito. Besides, the name Felis Santiago will just bring sadness and pain to me. So, I just decided to keep my name this way.

Clade agreed to my decision and there's really no need to fuss about it because I'll change it again soon anyway. I will be an Ivanov. Things will be easier like this.

"Are you ready?"

Napabaling ako kay Clade na bihis na ngayon. Naka white button down shirt siya at black slacks, while I'm on my formal dress. We both look very formal today. Of course. Why wouldn't we? This is our first time to formally meet his adoptive father, Albert Schartner. Kailangan paghandaan naman namin kahit papaano.

"Yeah, I'm ready." Kinuha ko ang maliit na sling bag na dala ko at tuluyang tumayo mula sa sofa upang lumapit sa kanya. He immediately held my hand as we walk out of the main door.

"Just relax later and be yourself. Dad is a kind man. He's fond of youngsters 'cause he thinks of them as his children. You know, he never had children of his own."

"Really? That's sad."

"I guess... But I don't think he is sad at all. He told me before that he's glad that he has me. He didn't really manage to get married because of me. You know why?" Lumingon siya sa akin gamit ang kalmadong ekspreyson niya.