The Sleuth Project ✓

Chapter 34: A Crook's Facade

/34/
A Crook's Facade

---

THERE WAS a pause of confusion in Mayer's expression as he stared back at Ann, the creases on his forehead more evident.

"A-Ann??" He stuttered, confused as he glanced at the senator, and at his own father.

"Oh great!" The senator huffed proudly, bellowing his stomach that was so big it seemed as if the buttons of his polo were going to pop. "Magkakilala na pala kayo. This will make things easier."

"Mayer, my son, sit down." Mr. Cortez said gleefully, pulling Mayer down by the arm until he plopped into the vacant seat that Ann was eyeing earlier.

"You remember our little... talk last night... yes?" Tanong ng ama sa binata, patting him on his shoulder.

"Y-Yes father, but you didn't specify who I'll be marrying." Mayer cleared his throat, glancing at Ann whose eyes were now fiery with anger.

"Yes yes, but you two know each other." Sambit ng matanda, his eyes glinting curiously. "So tell me, are you two friends?" He asked, with a hint of eagerness in his tone.

Mayer glanced at Ann for a moment, opening his mouth to speak. But the young lady was faster than him.

"Actually, we're colleagues." She said firmly, her father glaring at her.

"Ah! That's a start then. The more you get to know each othe—"

"I'm sorry Mr. Cortez, but I'm not agreeing to this arrangement." The young Lobris heir said harshly, glancing then at her father whose face was now crumpled up in rage.

"Mayer, Father." Ann greeted them with pursed lips before standing up and walking away.

"Annaliese Gracielle Lobris!" The senator thundered, but Ann did not look back — striding directly towards the restaurant's exit.

"Forgive me, Marcuz, my daughter is a bit... headstrong." Iritadong sambit ni senator Alejandro.

Akmang tatayo na sana ang matanda nang biglang nagsalita ang binata.

"I'm sorry but I don't think I can say yes to this arrangement either." Mayer said politely, standing up from his seat.

"Excuse me???" 'Di-makapaniwalang tanong ng kaniyang ama, both men watching Mayer push his seat back into place.

"I'm rejecting the arrangement, father. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll try to talk to your daughter, senator." Sambit ng binata, leaving the two men in their seats, too stunned to speak.

"Ann!" Sigaw ni Mayer pagkalabas nito ng restaurant, chasing the young girl and reaching out for her arm.

"What?!" Inis na sigaw ng dalaga, turning around to face the young man her dad wanted to marry.

"I'm sorry," hingal na sabi ng binata, shaking his head before glancing up to Ann.

"Hindi ko alam na ikaw pala yung sinasabi ni papa. I thought it would be a random girl that I didn't know."

"Well wala nang mababago 'yon, hindi ba?" Ann snapped, her face heating up in anger. "You already agreed to your father in the first place! Kaya ka ba lapit ng lapit ha?? Maybe you secretly knew and now you're just pretending you had no idea so you could earn my sympathy! Well guess what—"

"I backed out." Mayer said quietly, causing Ann to flinch.

"What??" She frowned, blinking rapidly.

"I rejected the arrangement, Ann."