The Queen & I (WLW)

Chapter 69 : Breaking the Glass Ceiling

I remember noong bata pa ako, takot na takot ako mapagalitan ni mama. Tuwing may kalokohan kasi ako, pag-balik ko ng bahay, pingot yung inaabot ko.

I never really liked going through consequences, but there are times na hindi ko mapigilan yung tigas ng ulo ko — like recently. I know I shouldn't have meddled with Celeste and Ann's problems, but I just couldn't sit still — so here I am, sitting in bed na parang bata na pinapagalitan. Naka-yuko lang ako kanina pa while listening to Amanda's lecture.

"You see? Now she won't take no for an answer. I seriously cannot understand why you have to act on your — guts!? I know Ann better than you have no idea when I say that you'll have a hard time escaping when she asks for something".

She paced around her room. Binigay muna nga namin si Alexandra sa nanay ni Amanda, kasi naman galit na galit itong babae na ito.

"And now she'll just ruin our plans with my niece!"

I pouted. Hindi ko naman kasi inexpect na nandito rin sa Phuket si Anntonia. Malay ko ba na parang kabute yung babae na yun at may maraming mata at nalaman niya na nandito kaming dalawa.

"Sorry", I meekly said like a dejected student who scored one out of thirty in an important exam.

"I don't know why you didn't want to listen?!" Amanda stressed as she rubbed her face with a hand. She glared at me.

But after a few minutes of silence, parang lumambot din naman siya.

She sat beside me in bed and stared at the wall.

"Tell her she cannot go to my parent's house. We'll meet her 2pm sharp at her hotel for 15 minutes only — and no extension". She grabbed my phone near her pillow and handed it to me.

Hindi ko pa nga kinuha kasi nakatitig lang ako sa kanya, but lumaki yung mata niya and pouted at my phone.

"Oo na po...". I took my phone.

"Sungit naman...", I whispered softly.

I sent Ann a message - exactly what Amanda told me to send, and within a minute, the mushroom woman replied back.

Okay, thanks. I'll be waiting at the Pool bar. Amanda knows where that is.

"She said, she'll meet us at two at the pool bar and you know where it is".

"Such a hassle. Now, we even need to rush with lunch — instead of relaxing and —"

"I know! I get it, okay? You don't have to repeat what you've been saying since....kanina pa. I get it. I made a mistake, and I'm sorry! But can you not rub it on my face?"

"I just hate it! Why do you even choose to connect with that woman?!"

"Cele is like family to me and I want to help her deal with things—"

"And I'm not family?!"

Napatahimik nalang ako. I was already feeling guilty. And I think during times like this, even if gusto ko sumabat, ayaw ko nang palakihin yung mali ko.

"Of course you are". I pouted and whispered before sitting closer to her.

I tugged the sleeves of her striped navy blue shirt. "Baby..."

My girlfriend was still frowning at me.

"I'm sorry".

Amanda tried to avoid my gaze and that's when I hugged her from the side. Her body stiffened at first, but ultimately relaxed — sinking into my arms.

"Please don't do things behind my back. I don't like it".

"I won't. I don't do things behind you naman eh... it's just that with this one, I really had the urge to help".