A/N: Hi! MIA ako, I know. Hahaha! I'll change the contents of Viper2 from CH10 to the current, as well as may madadagdag na chapters doon. Maglalagay na lang ako ng Author's Note sa mga chapter na nabago para may heads up din. And the title for Viper 2 will be changed from Mon Bonheur to Other Universe. Oo na, ako na pabago-bago ng isip. Sorry na. Hahahaha! I'll start the change asap, maybe today. Thank you!________________________
Lloyd Vincent
"Kailan mo dadalhin dito ang girlfriend mo?"
"Sa party na, Aileen." Napapadalas ang bisita ko dito sa ancestral house dahil na rin sumasabay pauwi si Kyle sa'kin. Hindi rin nakakalimutan ni Aileen na ayain kaming kumain. Pati si Albert nadamay dahil paalis na ito at papasok ng opisina. We both arrived early lunch.
"What was she like?"
"Wonderful, caring, pretty. I'm sure you'll like her."
"What does she do for a living?"
"A photographer and video covering events."
"Really? I remember Brix's girlfriend, it was something to do with events also, di ba?" tingin nito kay Kyle.
"Yes, but it's mostly for kids."
"The princess thing, right? I think it'll be best if they met each other?"
"Saan ka na pala ulit tumutuloy ngayon, Vincent?" Iwas na tanong ni Kyle.
Thanks for the save. "Doon pa rin, I asked for an extension. Naghahanap pa ako ng ready for occupancy na condo a malapit sa ospital."
"You're planning to buy a unit?" Gulat na tanong ni Aileen.
"Yes, why? Do you know someone?"
Kumunot ang noo ng babae. "We haven't sorted out your house in LA?"
"Hindi ko pa alam kung anong gagawin doon."
"How can you afford this? Is your previous job something illegal to be that well paid?"
Bingo. Alam kong nagbibiro lang siya sa huling sinabi pero buong tapang ko siyang sinagot. "Yes."
Napahawak sa dibdib si Aileen at dumukwang paharap sa mesa para lang titigan ako gamit ang nanlalaking mata niya. "Have you ever been in jail for it?"
"No, I've never been caught."
Minatyagan ko ang reaksyon niya and I was pleasantly surprised. She remained calm and collected. Umayos lang ito ng upo nang muling magsalita. "We have to address that, Kiel. We might have to issue NDAs."
"Won't you send me to jail?"
"I am your mother, not a policeman."
Pareho kaming natawa ni Kyle sa sinabi niya. "I don't think NDAs are necessary."
Aileen's voice shifted from affectionate to business-like. "I know you must've treasure these people but you'll never know once nalaman nila kung sino talaga ang pamilya mo. This is to keep your relationship with them while protecting yourself."
"Is this how you run your lives here?" I was genuinely curious. "Giving friends NDAs so they'll shut up every time you vent your problems to them?"
"You shouldn't talk to your mother like that." The voice was stern and authoritative, which made me sit straight and felt like something's crawling at the back of my neck. Miguel emerged from the hallway, and stood in the middle of the dining table. "Hindi naturuan ang tamang asal itong batang ito, Aileen."
I bit my lip again when it began to tremble and practised the classic breathing exercises.
"Please give him time to adjust. He's not used to having elders around." Aileen defended me by Miguel roared louder.
