Tangled Ties [RE-WRITING]

Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Never

"Wendy——"

Pagkalabas ko, nasa pintuan na kaagad si Edwin at mukhang kakatok pa lang. Naiwan sa ere ang kanang kamay niya na agad din niyang ibinaba bago umiwas nang tingin at lumunok. Gumilid ako kaunti dahil nakatapat na sa mukha ko ang dibdib niya.

He smells nice, not too strong.

Mukha siyang nagmamadaling pumasok at marahang isinara ang pinto. Nakatulala pa rin akong nakatayo at hindi maproseso kung gaano na siya kalapit sa akin kanina at kung... at kung hindi ako gumilid...

"Martha? Hello? Tara na, kanina pa kita tinatawag." Wagayway ni Wendy ng kamay niya sa mukha ko kaya bumalik ako sa huwisyo.

"A-ah... Oo, tara na." Lunok ko at tumingin ulit sa may pinto bago umiling atsaka sinundan si Wendy pababa.

That girl... I think I saw her somewhere but it's not clear in my mind.

"Mommy?" gulat kong tawag nang makita ang likuran niya pagkapasok ko sa sala.

Nakangiti siyang humarap sa akin at mabilis akong tumakbo para yumakap. "My baby!" aniya at hindi ko na napansin na kumpleto kami ngayon maliban kay Kuya.

Nangilid ang luha ko at agad iyong pinunasan ni Mommy. Napatingin ako kay Dad na pinapanood lang kami habang si Eli naman ay nakangiting nakatingin sa amin, hinila ko siya at sinama sa yakap.

"I guess, our daughter missed me so much. I miss you too, girls." Haplos ni Mom sa buhok namin at humigpit ang hawak ko sa kaniya na para bang ayaw ko na siyang pakawalan.

Mommy probihited talking about business while we are eating, kaya walang nagawa si Dad kung hindi makinig sa kwentuhan naming tatlo tungkol sa mga ganap sa school. Nabanggit din ni Mom na maayos ang lagay ni Kuya sa states dahil kilala rin siya roon, mabilis niyang malaman ang sitwasyon niya.

He's a model and businessman there. He's also known here... so why he choose to stay there?

"We should now find a beautiful dress for three of you," saad ni Dad kaya napatingin kaming tatlo sakaniya na blanko ang ekspresyon. "I mean... Osvaldo's C&Party is near, we've been invited to come and it's already next week." Dagdag niya bago uminom ng wine.

"Pupunta ka lang naman for another connection." Bulong ko at mukhang narinig iyon ni Dad.

Osvaldo's C&Party is important party for all those elite families who wants to build a strong and good connection on this industry. There's a three big families who are leading the organization like a pyramid and the Osvaldo is the number one. That's why it's Osvaldo C&Party or we can called CEParty, stands for connections, elegance, and peace.

Even Ecalaria's can't beat them.

"I need to climb to be on top, Martha. Even though we are already on top, I'm not satisfied. Connections is the most powerful weapon so you can survive." He said like a strict teacher who don't want to fail his students.

I let a heavy sighed and I slowly let a small laugh. "Your greed will be your own downfall." I answered and I can see the anger on his eyes reason why Mom need to step up.

"Martha, that's enough. For heaven's sake, let's eat peacefully. Walang mapupuntahan ang bangayan ninyong mag-ama. Dapat nga ay kayo ang magkakampi, iisang dugo lang kayo." Hilot ni Mommy sa sintido niya dahilan kung bakit kinabahan ako bigla.

I don't want to stress her, okay. I will shut my mouth.

"Ate, hayaan mo na si Dad magsalita. Kakarating lang ni Mommy, let's focus on her." Bulong ni Eli kaya tumango ako at sinubukang pakalmahin ang sarili.