Keeping The Ex-Gay

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 23

MOON'S POV

What I'm seeing right now is unbelievable! Corazon, Zayana, Hazel, and even Grandma are all present!

My gaze turned to Cheska and Cindy, who stood in the corner with Troy and SJ, watching me and Amore intently. Jared is seated with her wife, together with Zayana, and Hazel, all of whom were also grimly looking at us.

Grandma is already standing in front of us, something I hadn't noticed. I'm getting chills just looking at her grim expression.

Is she's still upset with me for returning to the Philippines earlier than she had anticipated?

She suddenly walked over to the closest table on her side and sat down immediately. She motioned for us to come over.

As Amore gently grabbed me through Grandma's table, I felt her grip my hand tightly. I was so tense and perplexed that I couldn't imagine how hard it was for me to take a step closer to Grandma.

"Is she your girlfriend?" Bakas ang pagkaseryoso sa mukha ni Lola nang itanong iyan. Mas lalo tuloy akong kinabahan.

Simula nang magtrabaho kami sa kompanya ni Lola ay madalang na lang namin siyang nakakasama. Ayokong i-sekreto ang relasyon namin ni Amore, pero sa tuwing kasama namin siya ay laging trabaho ang pinag-uusapan namin kaya hindi ko masabi-sabi sa kanya na may girlfriend na ako.

Aaminin ko na kung hindi ko nakakausap si Amore on-screen at hindi ko kasama si SJ ay napaka-boring ng pamumuhay ko roon sa New Zealand. Ilang gabi rin akong umiiyak dahil gustong-gusto ko nang umuwi.

Pero sa tuwing sinasabi ni Lola na baka bumagsak bigla ang negosyong itinayo niya nang mahabang panahon kapag iniwan namin siya ay agad naman akong nakokonsenya kaya tiniis ko na lang ang pangungulila at lungkot na nararamdaman ko.

"Y-Yes, Lola, I apologize for not introducing her to you sooner," sagot ko matapos ang may kahabaang katahimikan. Medyo nautal pa ako dahil sa kyuryosidad. Hindi ko kasi maintindihan kung bakit nandito siya at bigla na lang itinanong iyan.

Ipapakilala ko na sana si Amore nang bigla siyang magsalita. "I know her name, Nathaniel, and I'm familiar with her academic background, career, demeanor, and personality. I just wanted to make sure she's your girlfriend," aniya.

I'm becoming more intrigued. Who the hell among Troy and SJ had told Grandma about me and Amore, and had even gone so far as to dig up more information on her? Tsk. Naunahan niya pa akong ipakilala ang girlfriend ko.

Napatingin ako kay Amore nang pinisil niya ang kamay ko. Seryoso lang siyang nakatingin kay Lola, pero ramdam kong kinakabahan siya.

"To just be frank, I couldn't believe you have a girlfriend because you've never mentioned having one since then, so when SJ told me about your relationship with this woman, I challenged him to prove that you're truly in love with her by showing me something you've never done before,"
she paused and a radiant smile suddenly flashed on her face before continuing, "I wanted to see how you get jealous and how aggressive you can be, Nathaniel."

Kung gano'n ay plinano ba ni SJ ang lahat ng nangyari? Simula sa paglipat ni Troy sa pinagtatrabahuang ospital ni Amore hanggang sa pagsabi sa akin na mahal pa rin ni Troy si Amore? O pati na rin ang pag-aya ng breakfast kay Amore ay sinadya talagang marinig ko para lang pagselosin ako?

"And now I'm satisfied." When Lola spoke again, I came back to my senses. "When you asked for my permission to return here as something really precious to you might be stolen, and it turned out to be her, I honestly began to believe that you truly love her." She smiled as she take a glance at Amore. "I'm still in amazement at what you've done. You are so cool, Nathaniel!" Lola even gave me a friendly tap on the arm twice. Nawala ang lahat ng kabang nararamdaman ko kanina.