Between the Ice of Hearts (Cold Hearts Series #1)

Chapter 28

"Mom, please, sit down and join us," Irina said as her mother sat down with us. I know that it wasn't just me who felt the sudden tension increase. I feel that Irina felt it as well.

Pinasadahan naman ako ng tingin ng Mama ni Irina.

"Uh, Addie, this is Dra. Francesca Suarez. Head of the OB-GYN department. My mom," Irina introduced her Mom. "Mom, this is Dra. Addison Bermudez, my colleague and... friend."

"Nice meeting you po," I lend my hand to shook her hand, but she didn't even shook my hand so I took my hand back.

The intimidating presence of Irina's mother knotted my stomach with anxiousness. I watched her lift her hand as she called for the waiter for her order then made her way to sit down with us.

Dumating ang order namin at halos kasabay lang din ng pagdating ng pagkain ni Dra. Suarez. If I'm not mistaken, she is Malia's senior. I heard a lot of stories of Dra. Suarez from her, but I didn't know that she's Irina's mom!

Sa bagay, baka choice ni Irina na 'wag ipaalam. Maybe because she doesn't want people to think that she's using her influence as an advantage to work. Mga tao pa man din ngayon kung mag-isip...

"So, Dra. Bermudez..." Dra. Suarez called.

"Y-yes po," my voice cracked.

"How long have you and my daughter are friends?" she asks as she cuts her steak.

"Uh, I met her back in college, and that's how we became friends," sagot ko. Hind ko rin alam kung gaano na katagal. We lost communication after she graduated.

"Are you really sure that you're my daughter's friend?" she asked. "Doesn't seem like one..."

Humalukipkip ito at nagulat na lang ako sa sinabi niya. Basehan ba 'yon?!

"Mom!" Irina gushed.

"Uh, we lost communication po after she graduated, that's why I'm not that certain," sagot ko na lang.

"What's your parents' job?" she asked.

Napalunok ako. "My mom was a doctor and my dad, I never got to meet him since he's dead."

Just a mere mention of parents tugged a slight pain on my chest.

She just nods after hearing the doctor part. She just pursed her lips and looked at Irina. Just like that, no follow up questions about my mother? I thought doctors interest her.

I just focused on my food. Pagtapos 'non ay wala na akong narinig sa kanya. She's straightforward, I must say. But really intimidating. Nailang na lang din ako dahil nag-uusap sila ni Irina ng Chinese kaya hindi ko maintindihan.

"Tā shì nàgè xiánzhě kàndào de nǚrén ma?" I heard Dra. Suarez said.

"Shì de, Māmā." Irina said as she glanced at me. She pulled a smile, as if it was only forced, which I also returned.

I drank my wine and Dra. Suarez glanced at me with displeased look as her perfectly arched brows raised. I gave her a small smile before pursing my lips.

I felt this churn in my stomach and I badly want this night to end.

I feel unwanted.

I never was.

After that uncomfortable dinner that I had to digest in, I left immediately without saying my goodbyes at them. If there's something that I noticed, she doesn't like me very much. All of the displeased looks, stares of disgust, eyebrow arches says it all.

Para bang ayaw niya sa akin. Bakit naman kaya?

Kinagabihan ay nag-ayos agad ako ng gamit dahil nagtext pa sa akin si Sage dahil nga nag-aayang umalis. I slept early since the flight was early as well.