Chance Again (Again Series #3)

Kabanata 23

Natawid namin ang pagbati. Mabuti na lang at nag-decide na silang pumunta sa dining table para simulan na ang dinner.

Cleo pulled the chair beside me.

"Aurora, sa kaliwa ka." Kunwari pang umubo si Daddy, pero alam ko namang banta niya 'yon dahil ayaw niyang magkatabi kami ni Cleo.

Sandali kong tiningnan si Cleo at saka pumunta sa banda ni Grandma.

Nasa magkabilang dulo kasi sina Grandma at Chairman Lim, sa tabi ni Grandma sa kaliwa, naroon ang family ko at ang secretary niya, sa kanan naman ni Chairman Lim naroon sila Cleo pati ang secretary nito.

Nakalimutan ko ang presence ni Daddy kaya hindi ko na naisip na bawal kaming magtabi ni Cleo. I was just used to being beside her.

My dad just made it a big deal. Mabuti na lang at hindi masyadong napansin ni Grandma 'yon.

Umiwas ako ng tingin nang makita na sa pag-alis ko nakatingin pa rin sa akin si Cleo.

"Daddy, can I sit beside Ate Cleo?" Nasa tabi ko si Arielle sa kanan kaya narinig ko ang bulong niya kay Daddy na katabi niya.

"No," he answered.

"Raymond," ani Grandma. "Why don't you let her interact with our guests? Go ahead, Arielle."

Seryoso ang mukha ni Daddy. I know he's just holding back his bitterness. Hindi niya makontra si Grandma sa kahit ano, halos lahat sa pamilya namin.

Masayang pumunta si Arielle sa inupuan ko kanina sa tabi ni Cleo.

"Hi!" si Ashley 'yon na katabi ni Cleo sa kaliwa na binati si Arielle.

Pasimpleng ngumisi sa akin si Cleo. I can't believe that she's teasing me right now.

"We're here to court Mr. Givan for our proposal of partnership in trading our aircraft," si Chairman Lim 'yon na kay Daddy nakatingin. "I'm lucky that your mom is here. Chairwoman Givan offered her help."

"I see," tipid lang ang ginawang pagsagot ni Daddy.

"Your daughter also told me things about you."

Doon na nito nakuha ang atensiyon ni Daddy. In his peripheral vision, I know he was now looking at me.

"Really?" ani Daddy.

Nanatiling tahimik si Mommy na kinakapa ang ekspresiyon ni Daddy.

That's when Cleo's birthday party happened.

"She told me you're not fond of connections, but you attended our proposal because you might be having second thoughts. Nang imbitahan ka ulit namin puro rejections ang natanggap namin. So, I am hoping at this dinner that we would settle everything."

"Pardon? May I ask where you met my grandchild?" Sumingit si Grandma.

Unti-unting bumalik ang kaba ko mula kanina. The only difference is that it was way worse.

"Uh, that?" Umasta itong nag-iisip bago bumaling kay Cleo na seryoso na ang ekspresiyon. "Cleo had a small party at their house last month. Pumunta ako at doon ko nakita ang apo mo. Allow me to feed her ego, because she's really beautiful and talks well."

A mixture of emotions suffice in my chest when the Chairman said that.

Samantalang, tipid lang na tumingin at ngumiti sa akin si Grandma.

Napayuko agad ako.

"May I ask why you're in that house, Aurora? I thought you didn't know each other?"

Here it is.

"We're schoolmates, Chairwoman."

Dumapo ang paningin ko kay Cleo nang sumagot siya para sa akin.