WARRIORS
"So, we got this settled, okay?" Mayor Asuncion pushed both of his hands on the edge of the table as he stood up.
"Thank you for coming Gilbert!" Mark's father approached the mayor and shook his hand before giving him a hug.
"I need to go, Federico." Mayor Asuncion approached my Papa for a goodbye.
"Why don't you join us for lunch, Gilbert?" Papa invited him.
"Next time na lang. May meeting din ako ngayon sa city hall." Tanggi nito.
"We will invite you at the formal celebration." His Mommy Rosalynne told the mayor and shook his hand goodbye.
"I will look forward to it! Congratulations again, hijo and hija!" He came to us and gave me a bear hug. He tapped Mark's shoulder.
"Send my regards to Ara." Tita Carmel shook his hand goodbye too. Ang tinutukoy nito ay ang asawa ng mayor na kaibigan niya rin.
"Sure, Carmel! Matutuwa 'yon sa ibabalita ko sa kanya!" Sabay turo niya sa akin.
Tita Carmel's friends sort of became my titas too since they also see me grow up. She dropped everyone who talked shit about her husband, her marriage, and her husband's child from another woman.
She kept a few of them whom I often meet when they get together. Sometimes for a relaxing day at the resort with their family. Or a self-care at the spa. Sometimes when they have dinners with their families here. Most often when it is Tita Carmel's schedule to host brunch after their yoga.
Tuluyan nang nagpaalam si Mayor Asuncion. The room suddenly fell silent. Just two conflicting families standing around waiting for someone to make a mistake before they launch for each other's throat. It was becoming awkward.
"Well.... This is awkward...." John stated the obvious making things more awkward.
"So, lunch everyone?" I tried to help.
"I'll go, have them prepare the table for us." Ate Carla flipped her hair at my face as she turned to leave.
I caught them by its ends and dragged her back. She glared at me, I let her go.
"Oops! Sorry not sorry!" I mockingly smiled at her.
She slapped Mark's arm wrapped around me before sassily exiting the conference hall. John laughed after her. Their mother glared at him. He immediately tried to suppress his laughter.
"Okay! Let's have lunch and discuss the wedding too!" Their father suddenly suggested.
"Do not go there yet, Adolfo." Papa calmly stopped him while shaking his head.
"Why not?" He wondered and looked at us.
"Let us not get ahead of ourselves, okay?" I awkwardly smiled at them.
We have not really talked about marriage again.
"But why not?" His mother also asked.
"Because I do not want to get married." I silently, but honestly told the whole room.
Tita Carmel laughed at his family's disappointment.
"Paano ang apo namin?" Naaalarmang tanong ng kanilang ama.
"He is still your apo." I shrugged.
Mark chuckled at my nonchalant answer to his panicking father. He hugged me and gently kissed my temple.
"We will discuss the matter between us first, guys." He beckoned the group to go out.
They exited the conference hall together. I was still worried they might kill one another, but maybe not this soon. We have some more concerns to discuss over lunch.
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BINABASA MO ANG
The Girl He Never Wanted [Completed]
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