MARRY ME, MAX (Completed)

Chapter Fourteen

"WHAT is this all about?"

Iyon ang naging reaksiyon ng kanyang abuela nang ibaba niya ang folder sa harap nito. She was sitting in her favorite chair when he saw her in the garden. Naupo siya sa tabi nito.

"I'm resigning as president."

"What?!" she exclaimed.

"Also, the marriage is cancelled. I have talked to the lawyer and told him to compensate Rocio Maxene Rosales for all the emotional damages we may have caused her. It took me awhile to realize that you should know what's the real score between us. You told Atty. Quiambao that if I disagree with your wishes, I should leave Salba Corp. So, there, I'm resigning."

"What is this all about, Andrew Nikolas?" Galit na tanong nito at nang-aakusa ang titig sa kanya.

He had never seen her that mad, ngayon lang. But then, he composed himself. Hindi na siya papayag na madiktahan nito ang buhay niya. His parents had been victims of her manipulation and he refused to be one as well.

"I don't care about the money or my position. I can make a living myself. Alam mong ako ang nagpalago ng Salba Corp mula nang itayo 'yon ni Pepito. Alam mo ring wala akong hinihingi mula sa 'yo. Didn't you realize that I'm doing all these to make you happy? But this is too much. She's innocent and I can't drag her in all of this stupid thing."

Nakita niya ang galit sa mukha ng kanyang abuela na unti-unting napalis. Napasandal ito sa upuan. "So...you care about her?"

Umiling siya. "It's not that."

"We saw it. We all saw it, Andrew. You two were kissing as if there's no tomorrow. We saw how you were touching her. Ano ang ibig sabihin no'n?"

"Nothing."

"Bullshit. Then why are you cancelling the wedding?"

Hindi niya alam kung paano siya magsisimula. "I have my reasons."

"Tell me, are you falling in love with Max?"

Doon siya napatitig ulit dito. "She backed out and we're just pretending all along that it's still happening dahil ayaw ka naming masaktan. At naisip kong...sabihin na sa 'yo ang estado ng nangyayari even though it's gonna hurt you. I tried to change her mind. Pero..." his voice trailed off. "She had already made her decision. Nahihirapan na 'yung tao, ano ba talaga ang gusto mo? You love Maxene, too, set her free. Hindi niya gustong magpakasal sa 'kin. Just accept it."

"You did not answer my question, apo. Are you falling for her?"

"It's none of your business."

Natawa ito. He did not like the look on her face as if she had another idea to set him up. Pinag-aralan nito ang ekspresyon sa mukha niya at ibinaling ang tingin sa folder.

Umiling ito. "I'm not accepting your resignation."

"Well, in that case—"

"Did you remember Jeric Castillo? Your cousin?"

Nag-init agad ang ulo niya nang marinig ang pangalang iyon.

"What about him? Ano'ng kinalaman niya sa usapan natin?"

Napangiti ito sabay inom ng juice. Napahinga ito nang malalim saka tumanaw sa mga naggagandahang bulaklak sa hardin. She smiled again before looking at him.

"He's a good person, hijo. Don't you remember when you were kids? You used to be best friends. He came from a well respected family. He was raised well by his deceased parents. Oh, God bless their souls. You see...Jeric contacted me the other day, asking me about you and Max."