A Flirt's Unrequited Love

Chapter 44

Note: Pinay ang nanay ni Liz kaya marunong siyang magtagalog. Lol

Madugo
Finally...
Are you ready to rumble?

Did he just say 'Dad'?

Shock registered on our faces upon hearing Mr. Richard Hudgens address my grandfather as 'Dad'. Paano naman niya naging tatay ang lolo ko, e sa pagkakaalam ko ay nag-iisang anak niya ang ama ko?

"How dare you call me dad? After everything you've done- You lost the right to call me that the moment you turned your back on the Mori family and reverted your surname to that of your real father." grandpa answered with a stern face and Richard Hudgens mockingly sniggered.

"And here I was, thinking that my dear dad or should I say former stepdad had finally changed. Guess, I assumed too much- you're still the cold and heartless man I used to know, Dad." Richard Hudgens said with sarcasm and with a sinister smile on his face. I felt grandpa tremble, piqued by the man's insolence.

"And you're still that ambitious, pompous child of my ex-wife. I actually regretted giving you my last name, you ungrateful brat." grandpa glowered, trying to keep his voice down so the guests won't hear, and the insolent man teasingly raised both of his hands.

"Whoah there, old man... Chill... I'm not hear to ruin your party. My daughter and I just wanted to meet and welcome my deceased half brother's only daughter into the family." natatawang pang-aasar ng lalaki at napakuyom ang mga kamao nina Lolo at Kent. Nakisabay pa si Liz at nang-aasar ding humagikgik habang pinapanood ang palitan ng maaanghang na salita ni Lolo at ng kanyang ama. Bumaling si Mr. Hudgens sa akin at tinitigan ako mula ulo hanggang paa nang nakataas ang isang kilay. Para bang may laman ang mga titig at ngiti niya na nakapagpatindig sa aking balahibo sa katawan. Hindi ko gusto ang aurang nanggagaling sa kanya. He's bad news. I thought.

"So... You must be Alodia? My daughter mentioned that you two had already met a few years back and I must say, you look exactly like your Dad. So, you actually lived, huh? All along, I thought your mom aborted you. Must be your clever grandpa's doing-" He scoffed with great disdain as he spoke to me with a raised eyebrow, and Kent surged forward wanting to punch the man in front of us. Agad kong hinila ang braso ni Kent para pigilan siya at lumingon siya sa akin. Kitang kita ang galit sa mukha ng asawa ko as his jaw clenched. Umiling ako sa kanya para pigilan siya sa kanyang balak, at sumunod naman siya. Muli siyang bumalik sa aking tabi at pilit na pinahinahon ang kanyang sarili.

"Don't start with me, Hudgens. That is if you don't want to feel my wrath. If there's something that you want to discuss with me, better save it for another day. This is not the right venue and time to talk about our family issues." banta ni Lolo kay Mr. Hudgens bago naputol ang kanilang pag-uusap dahil sa pagdumog sa amin ng press na gustong bumati at magtanong. Hindi ko mapigilang makaramdam ng takot habang pinalilibutan kami ng mausisang mga panauhin dahil sa nakakakilabot na paninitig ni Richard Hudgens sa akin habang hilaw na nakangiti. Kung nakamamatay lang ang tingin ay baka namatay na ako sa talim ng mga titig niya habang sumisimsim ng alak sa wine glass na hawak niya sa hindi kalayuan.

"Who would have thought that the infamous young entrepreneur, Kent Lee, would be married at such a young age and to none other than the sole heiress of the Mori Group? You are, as always, full of surprises Lee. So, how long have you been married?"one of the guests candidly queried, and Kent and I chuckled. Matapos kaming dumugin kanina ng media ay nagsimula na kaming mag-ikot at makihalubilo sa mga panauhin sa utos na rin ni Lolo habang siya ay busy sa pakikipag-usap sa sekretarya niya. Mukhang seryoso ang kanilang pag-uusapan at kinailangan pa nilang pumunta sa isang pribadong silid sa hotel kung nasaan kami. Hindi na rin lingid sa kaalaman ng mga taong nasa loob nitong hall at ng media na kasal na ako kay Kent dahil na rin sa pagpapakilala ni Lolo. Gusto ko sanang tanungin si Kent kung ayos lang ba ito dahil sabi niya noon ay ilihim muna namin ang tungkol sa aming dalawa pero base sa nakikita ko ay mukhang okay lang sa kanya na malaman na ng mga tao.