O Silent Night (Isla de Vista Series #1)

Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Reality

"Where's your bra?" kunot noo niyang tanong.

Tiningnan ko ang sarili. Hindi naman klaro ang nipples ko kahit satin ito kaya hindi ko na sinuot. Pero bakit laser 'yung mata niya?

"I'm just wearing a nipple tape, it's kind of... convenient." tugon ko.

He groaned softly behind my back, staring at me on the mirror. Ngumuso ako ng konti at inayos ang pagka-tuck in ng silver satin top. Kapares ko ang retro plaided skirt and white sneakers.

"Magsuot ka, hindi ako mapakali." daing niya ulit.

"Huh?"

Ngumuso siya ng bahagya. "I can clearly see that you're not wearing a bra, baby. I memorized all of you,"

I chuckled lightly. "Fine. It's my first time wearing a tape anyway. Ti-n-ry ko lang naman,"

Pumasok na ulit ako sa closet para palitan ang panloob ng strapless bra.

We'll be having dinner with Dad tonight. Kaya kami naghanda para do'n. We all don't want any intervention from Tita Rebecca and Daisy so we suggested to dine somewhere instead on the mansion. Hindi pa kasi pinirmahan ni Tita Rebecca ang divorce papers. As far as I know, she tries to get unto Dad's good side again.

Nakapagreserve si Elijah sa Palacio de memoria. Hindi ko napigilang humalakhak ng mag-isa dahil sa mangyayari. I don't know what Dad's reaction is going to be. And I'm sure it'll be different from those of before.

Lumabas ulit ako sa closet at sumalubong ang nasisiyahan niyang pagmumukha habang pinasadahan ako ng tingin.

"Hmm, much better..." nakangisi niyang sinabi.

"Ready to go?"

"Uhuh," he answered cooly and took my hand.

We used his Bentley. We arrived in Palacio de memoria on time and the waitress told us that Daddy is already inside. At doon ko lang din nalaman na b-n-ook ni Elijah ang buong lugar para sa amin.

"Hi, Dad." marahan kong bati.

Nginitian niya ako pero sandali lang ang tingin sa akin. Diretso ito kay Elijah at tumikhim siya. Complementary champagne is already on the table and the black and 90s styled menu.

"Hello, sir..." mababang bati ni Elijah.

I kissed Dad's cheek and then seated on the opposite chair. Kasunod ko si Elijah na tahimik at mapagmasid sa akin. He seated after I settled and I could feel Dad's intense eyes on us.

"Thank you for allowing us to meet you, sir." baritonong panimula ni Elijah.

"Of course, I would. Amber is my daughter." giit ni Daddy.

I bit my inner cheek. He is building a wall between him and Elijah now. He is going hard on my husband, I'm sensing it right away.

Kalmado, pormal at seryoso si Elijah na humarap kay Daddy. I remember he was like this during our meetups with Dad but only now, he is extra manlier because I have known his true self.

"I'm sorry for keeping my identity, sir. My wife said she already told you and I apologize for the deception in the first place." pormal niyang sinabi.

"You and your family played us too well, Buenavista." Dad sternly said.

"I won't say any reasons, sir. I did what I had to. It was my choice to let you believe who I was, not who I truly am."

"Napahamak ang anak ko dahil sa'yo!" mariin na agap ni Daddy. "Nilagay ninyo siya sa panganib kaya hindi ako kakalma."

"Dad," pigil ko.