Chapter 45
Wala ni isa ang nakagawa ng ingay matapos marinig ang paraan ng pagtawag ng tauhan ni Jaime kay Hannah. With uncontrollable breathing, I tried to roam my eyes around and looked at everyone.
Salubong ang kilay ng lahat. Lalo na sina Papa Steve. Hellios was staring at Hanna with crinkled forehead as if he doesn’t understand why that man is calling Hannah as ‘Miss Hannah’ as if they knew each other. Maging ako ay ‘yon rin ang katanungan sa isip.
“What is there connection?” Mama Empress asked through a soft whisper that only me could hear. “Ano’ng kinalaman ni Hannah kay Jaime?”
Naglakad si Papa Steve palapit kay Hannah. Mrs. Deborah was glaring at Papa Steve as if she doesn’t want him to go near her grand daughter. Habang si Hellios at Gabriel ay nananatiling nakatayo sa gilid ni Hannah, alerto sa kung ano man ang puweden mangyari.
“Do you know this man, Hannah?” Papa Steve asked with full authority.
Sa lalim ng boses niya, kahit na sino ay makakaramdam ng takot para sa kaniya. No doubt Hellios got his dark aura from him.
“Of course not! She doesn’t know him! Bakit naman niya makilala-”
“With all due respect, Tita Deborah, my husband is asking your grand daughter. Wala naman po sigurong masama kung hahayaan n’yo siyang sumagot.” putol ni Mama Empress sa kaniya.
Natahimik siya at tiningnan si Hannah na nakayuko at tila malalim ang iniisip.
“I’ll ask you again, hija. Do you happen to know this man? If yes, how so?” muling tanong ni Papa Steve.
Tumungo ang tauhan ni Jaime, tila tuluyan nang nawala ang tapang. Kung kanina ay kaya niyang tingnan sa mga mata ang lahat, ngayon ay halos makuba na siya huwag lang tingnan si Hannah nang diretso.
“What’s your connection with Jaime Dimitri?” It’s Hellios who threw that question out.
Mariing pumikit si Hannah bago huminga nang malalim.
“Jai-”
“Hannah!” tawag ni Mrs. Deborah sa kaniya, tila pinipigilan siya.
Hannah looked at her with confusion. “Lola, I don’t understand why we are dragged here. Pero mas lalong hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit narito ang tauhan ni Papa at nasa ganitong sitwasyon pa!”
Sandali… P-Papa? Ama niya si Jaime?
“Are you telling us that Jaime, who was the mastermind of my mother in law’s death… is your father?” mariing tanong ni Papa Steve.
Hinarap siya ni Hannah at tuwid na tiningnan sa mga mata. Kunot ang noo niya, salubong ang kilay at tila nabigla pa sa narinig mula kay Papa Steve.
“Wait… What did you say? My father had something to do with Lola Carmina’s death?” She shook her head. “No. That’s impossible. My father can’t do that!” She looked at Mrs. Deborah with rounded eyes. “Tell them, lola. Walang kinalaman si Daddy sa pagkamatay ni Lola Carmina, hindi ba?”
Nag-iwas ako ng tingin nang makita ang sunod-sunod na pagtulo ng luha mula sa mga mata niya. Kung pagbabasehan ang reaksyon niya ngayon, iisipin ko na wala siyang alam sa nangyayari. She looks clueless. Para bang wala siyang kamalay-malay sa mga kasalanang ginawa ng ama niya.
Pero puwede rin na nagkukunwari lang siyang walang alam.
Hindi dapat gano’n, Chloe. Hindi mo alam ang totoo. Walang nakakaalam ng totoo kung hindi sila lang. Don’t judge her right away just because you don’t like her.
BINABASA MO ANG
Suarez Empire Series 1: Hellios Samael (My Heaven In Hell)
Ficción GeneralShe's a servant of the church with pure and innocent heart. He's a badass tattooed man. An Atheist. Will their different beliefs become a hindrance to their love? - Published under KPub PH.