MYSTIQUE IN THE SIREN'S EYES

Chapter 32

Lucia's POV

I don't know how long I have been staring at myself in front of the mirror. Nakailang buntong hinga na din ako. Nag dadalawang isip kung pupunta bah sa dinner mamaya. I looked closely at my reflection, malaking eyebags, may under eyes pa at sobrang haggard. I look miserable! If only he didn't leave, well as if I could turn back the clock. I stood up from my vanity seat to head into my walk in closet.

I rummaged through the dresses that I have to see if there are any thing that I can wear. I pouted when most of my dress are used once already. Napalingon ako sa pintuan ng closest ng marinig ko ang katok ng pinto.

"Enz." Ngumiti ako sakanya at binuksan ito ng malawak. He walked inside the closet looking at the things inside. Ngayon lang siya nakapasok kasi I never let anyone come inside. I don't like other people looking into my possessions.

"I see hindi kapa nakapag handa." He scanned me from head to toe. I pouted, kahit kailan talaga ayaw niyang nag iisip pa ako kung ano ang susuotin.

"Di ko naman kasi alam kung ano ang susuotin ko Enz!" ungot ko sakanya, nakita ko siyang bahagyang tumawa, at napamulsa sa kanya tuxedong soot. He looked dashing para siyang bilyonaryo na walang perang barya kundi bills lahat.

"I bought you something to wear, its on your bed. Check it out of you want." Pag katapos niyang sabihin nun ay agad siyang lumabas sa closet ko. Napangiti naman ako, how thoughtful he is.

"Thanks!!!!" Malakas kong sigaw para marinig niya.

Agad akong pumunta sa beg na may tatlog paper bag na, I scanned the three of it and saw that there's a dress, a bag, and a pair of shoes. I held the dress up in the air to look at it. Napatawa naman ako ng malaman ko kung sino ang pumili nito. His dear Clarice.

Agad kong sinuot ang dress and it hugs my body perfectly, marunong din pumili si Clarice. It was a peach colored cocktail dress paired with beige stilelo heels and a silver purse. I sat down at the vanity mirror and did my make up. I made sure I covered all of my impurities that I had because of the tragedy. I styled my hair with beach curls and put on some pearl jewelry. After it, I sprayed some perfume before heading out of my room.

Pagkababa ko agad ng hagdanan ay sinalubong ako ni mommy.

"My iha!! You're so pretty!" She exaggeratedly said. Kahit kalian talaga tong si mommy. Nakita ko naman si Tita Cresia na mahinang ngumiti, ngumiti din ako pabalik.

"Now, everyone is already ready. Let's go." Anunsuyo ni daddy sabay kuha sa kamay ni mommy at nag lakad sila papuntang garage. Di ko napiligan ngumiti sa natanaw ko. Its been years pero dad is still inlove with mom. Sakin kaya? Kalian?

Huminga ako ng malalim bago bumaba sa saksakyan, nauna na sila mommy sa loob ng bahay ni Tita Amanise.

"Cia." Hinawakan ni Enzo ang kamay ko.

"Let's go Enz." Nauna akong bumaba sa kanya at sumunod naman siya sa akin.

"Cia, Let me remind you to keep calm. Okay?" Sabi niya at hinawakan ang kamay ko papasok sa loob.

Their double doors opened at iniluwa doon ang nakahilera na kasambahay. Ngumiti ako sa kanila at ngumiti naman sila pabalik.

"Ang ganda niya, siya ba ang mapapangasawa ni Sir?" Narinig ko ang bulong na yon pero ipang walang bahala ko nalang.

Patuloy kaming naglakad ni Enzo hanggang nakarating kami sa kanilang sala. Most of their furniture are in a tint of gold and red. Its like you're at a palace. Their rich after all.

"Lucia!" Tita Amanise welcomed me with a hug and a kiss on the cheeks. She is still elegant as mom. I smiled at her and I also smiled at Tito Arturo. Ngumiti naman ito pabalik sa akin.

"Let's go to the dining area, they already prepared dinner. Hahabol si Leo mamaya." Dagdag ni tita kaya ay napatango nalang ako, medyo kinabahan ng konti pero kaya naman.

Paupo palang ako sa hapag ng biglang narinig naming ang pag bukas ng double doors. Napalakas ata ang pag bukas kaya kami lahat ay nakalingon doon.

Lio stood in his tuxedo and a updo hair. He was handsome, di ko napigilan na matulala sa kanya. It was like a trip to memory lane, lahat ng ala-ala ay biglang bumuhos at di ko nalang namalayan na pumatak na pala ang luha ko kung hindi ako tinawag ni Enzo.

"Am I that handsome for you to cry the moment you saw me?" Mahina siyang tumawa. "I'm Leo by the way, you are?" inilahad niya ang kamay niya sa akin. Agad ko naman inilahad din ang kamay ko upang makipag kamayan sa kanya. "I'm Lucia."

He smiled.

He smiled, but not the smile he always wear whenever he see me. After all, Lio and Leo are different. Magkaiba silang dalawa. They may have the same features but I know magkaiba sila. Im only stuck in the subconsciousness of Leo not Lio. Marahan akong tumango at binitawan ang kanyang kamay upang umupo na.

Enzo was in his worried face, so was mom and dad but Tita and Tito were smiling. Ngumiti ako ng peke upang itago ang nararamdaman ko.

Tahimik kaming kumain lahat, walang ni isang nagsasalita. It was a peaceful dinner, or so I thought. Not until when we had our dessert.

"So, lets discuss about your Engagement Party." Tita opened the topic so casually, nakayuko lang ako habang pinagka-abalahan ang mouse na nasa harapan ko.

'What Engagement party?" Narinig ko ang tanong ni Leo. Di niya alam?

"You're going to be married son. You'll be marrying Lucia." Ng marinig ko ang pangalan ko ay napa taas ang tingin ko.

"What?" malakas na ani ni Lio. "Wala tayong pinag uusapan mommy na magpapakasal ako!" biglang sigaw niya kaya ay di ako maka galaw.

"Kaya nga pag uusapan natin ngayon, anak." Marahan na sabi ni tita, hoping that would calm him down but he didn't.

"AYAW KO MAG PAKASAL!" Diniin niya bawat salita, he isn't Lio pero bakit ang sakit?

Narinig kong tumayo si Enzo sa kanyang upuan.

"Cia, Lets go." Pinatayo ako ni Enzo sa upuan, Narinig ko rin magpanic si Tita.

"NO! Enzo, Cia and Leo sit down. Pag uusapan natin to ng mahinahom."

"Mahinahon My? Alam mong may iba akong mahal My! I'm not gonna get married if it isn't her!" Sigaw ni Leo at nag lakad pa alis, agad naman itong sinunod ni Enzo. Hinablot niya ito at sinuntok. We rushed towards them, minsan lang si Enzo nagalit pero today his anger is different.

Hinawakan niya si Leo sa kwelyo. "You don't want to marry my sister? Fine! Ayaw ko din naman siyang ipakasal sa isang katulad mo." Binitawan ka agad ni Enzo si Leo at agad niya akong kinaladkad papuntang sasakyan.