Taped-Up Heart

LI. Matter Of Time

Chapter Fifty-One

Matter Of Time

I smiled. I tried to smile at them.

"We're glad you both accepted our invitation," Mr. Adam Tiu said, the father of the Tiu brothers, while looking at me and Percy.

"Of course, Mr. Tiu. The pleasure is all ours," Percy said.

Nandito kami ngayon sa mansion ng mga Tiu dahil after work, ininvite kami ni Mr. Adam na mag-dinner sa bahay nila. This isn't the first time I went here and somehow it felt nostalgic... because the first time I was here was also my first encounter with Achaia. It was the first and last time I went here back when we were still together.

He never got the chance to introduce me to his parents, and somehow... everything finally makes sense. He never introduced me to his parents which makes me believe that everything was really a lie because it was never official. And he wasn't that serious with me for him to introduce me to his family.

Pumasok na kami ni Percy sa mansion nila. It was a big mansion and I really love its architectural features. From the high ceiling and the big columns on the wall, it all screams extravagance and wealth.

"As you know, we'll be working on this project for years or maybe even decades if we will be pleased with the outcome of your first project."

"That is why I invited the both of you. The head engineer and the head architect. I wanted to know more about the both of you," he said before we headed to their dining room. Malaki ang dining room nila at mahaba rin ang table. Sabagay, sa dami ba naman niyang anak kailangan nila ng malaking table.

May mga pagkain nang naka-prepare sa table. He motioned us to seat kaya naman umupo na si Percy sa tabi ni Mr. Tiu na nasa kabisera. Umupo naman ako sa tabi ni Percy.

"We'll make sure that we'll do our best for this project to be a success," Percy said. Tumango lang ako. Mukha namang mabait siya pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasan na hindi ma-intimidate sa kanya. For his age, he still looked young and good. I guess it runs in the blood.

We started eating, medyo nagulat ako na comfortable kausap si Mr. Adam, kasi sa yaman ba nila parang ang taas taas nila at ang hirap ma-reach. He's really nice, humble and I didn't expect him to be down to Earth.

A few minutes later, Adami arrived. Naka-casual outfit lang siya, his dad asked him to join us kaya naman umupo siya sa harapan ni Percy. He looked at me before he smiled, I smiled back at him. Wala naman siyang kasalanan sa akin.

"What about you, Percival, are you already married?" tanong ni Mr. Tiu sa kanya.

Percy shook his head. "No, Sir. I'm very single."

Natawa naman sa kanya si Mr. Tiu. "Really, how come? You're very successful and a bachelor? Imposible."

Bigla naman siyang nahiya sa puri sa kanya ni Mr. Adam Tiu. Kahit ako siguro, ikaw ba naman purihin ng isang Adam Tiu. "I want to focus on my career, Sir, besides hindi ko pa rin naman nakikita type ko," he shrugged.

"Oh, you're just like my son, Adami," sabi niya sabay tingin kay Adami.

Napatigil naman ng pagkain si Adami. "I've been asking him for a grandchild for so long, but he still doesn't want to settle," he said. Halos mabulunan ako sa word na grandchild. No one in their family knows na may anak kami ni Achaia.

"Ms. Dela Cuesta, are you okay?" tanong ni Mr. Tiu.

"Yes, Sir. I'm fine, nabulunan lang," I said before sipping on my glass of water. Nahuli kong nakatingin sa akin si Adami. It's the kind of look that says I know something.