Fourth of July

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

HER POV

Hindi ako kaagad nakapag-salita sa sinabi niya. Pero ramdam ko 'yung kaba sa dibdib ko, feeling ko lalabas na 'yung puso ko sa ribcage nito.

Nilingon ko si Gabriel na ngayon ay nag-aayos ng buhok niya at ng sarili niya gamit ang salamin ng sasakyan niya.

"Can I spray more of this?" He asked me while holding his Prescripto perfume.

"Just a bit."

Mabuti ay pumayag naman siya. Nagre-reklamo kasi ako sa kaniya na masyadong matapang 'yung pabango niya at ang sakit sa ilong. I asked him kung gusto niyang i-try 'yung Bench cologne ko pero ayaw niya dahil amoy candy daw 'yon. Baka langgamin siya pagtapos.

"Why are we here?"

"You'll see." He smirked and looked at his wristwatch. "Let's go." Sabay baling niya sa'kin.

Pinag-buksan niya ako ng pintuan ng sasakyan niya. I gave him half smile. Hindi ko alam kung bakit kinakabahan ako. It's not as if he'll introduce me as his girlfriend or something.

I just don't know and I don't have any single idea why are we here- and why did he bought me here with him.

"You look tensed. Act normal, they won't gonna bite you." He chuckled.

I felt his arms snaked on my waist as he pulled me closer to him. I looked at his hands and then to him, he was just looking straightly, not minding his arms on mine.

Nang makarating kami sa loob ng mansyon ay hindi ko na mapigilan ang sarili kong mapa-"wow" sa mga nakikita ko. It was modern style mansion. Nag-ha-halo 'yung wooden designs and glass designs ng mansyon. So luxurious.. so perfect.

"Sir Keilev, kanina pa ho kayo nila kayo hinihintay." Sabi nung lalaking lumapit sa'min. Must be their butler.

"May kasama ho pala kayo.." Dugtong pa nito at saglit na bumaba ang tingin sa kamay ni Gabriel na nasa bewang ko. "Hi po, Ma'am."

I nodded my head and smiled. Hinayaan ko lang 'yung sarili kong magpatianod kay Gabriel. Masiyadong malaki at malawak 'yung mansyon kaya baka maligaw lang ako kapag lumayo ako kay Gabriel.

Kanina ko pa siya sinusundot-sundot sa tagiliran para i-tour ako dito mamaya sa mansyon nila pero sinasamaan niya lang ako ng tingin. Napanguso na lang ako at umirap.

Palaisipan sa'kin kung bakit ayaw niyang umuwi dito at kailangan pa nilang mamuhay ng separate kung ganito naman din kaganda at kalaki 'yung mansyon nila.

"Act normal, Chels. You'll be facing different faces, they're all Coronados." He whispered on my ears and then the next thing I knew, nakapasok na kami sa may malaking pintuan at pag-bukas noon ay tumambad sa'kin ang nasa mahigit 20 na tao. Nasa long table silang lahat at nasa pinaka-dulo ang lalaking nasa early 50's na edad at naka-suot ng business attire- actually, lahat ng gentlemen ay naka business attire. 'Yung mga babae naman ay naka-dress.

I let out a sigh and smiled. I have to act normal, kahit hindi ko alam kung bakit.

"Finally, the CEO of Coronado's huge companies, Gabriel Keilev." The man stood up and began to clap his hands. Nasundan 'yon ng ilang palakpakan rin. "I'm glad you made it."

"He's my dad., Mr. Gabriel Coronado." He whispered. I nodded my head and smiled at the old man who's now standing in front of us.

"Good day, Sir. Pleased to meet you.." I extended my hand and he nicely took it for a shakehands.

"Who's this stunning lady beside you, Keilev? Care to introduce her to us?" Dahil doon ay nalipat ang tingin ng lahat sa'kin. Ang iba sa kanila ay nakangiti at ang iba naman ay nag-simulang mag-bulungan.