After having breakfast and getting ready. Dinala ako ni Theodore sa isang fancy boutique. He bought me a lot of dresses and gowns. Nagpalit din ako roon ng damit dahil dederetso pa kami sa lunch date with his Lolo. Hindi lang kami doon pumunta. We went to buy sleepwears, swimwears, some basic clothes. I bought a pair of sneakers, flat sandals and a high-heeled platform sandals. He gifted me ten designer bags na hindi ko alam kung saan ko gagamitin at mga jewelries.
"Gusto mong mag-spa? Salon o ano?" he asked.
"It's too much naman na. Let's go to your Lolo na para hindi tayo ma-late."
We were escorted with a couple of bodyguards. Mukhang hindi ko na masosolo si Theo ngayon dahil sa lagay niya. We rode on his car. Kapareho ito ng una kong nasakyan na self-driving din. Ang kaibahan lang, nakatutok si Theo sa daan.
"Ganito ba lahat ng car ninyo?" I asked.
"Hindi naman. Alam kong nakita mo ako noon sa sasakyan ko sa Pilipinas. May limousine kami, pero ito ang madalas kong gamitin dahil dito nila ako sinanay. May mga sports car din kami, pero madalang magamit."
"Wow." I couldn't hide the amazement in my voice. "Hindi ka ba naninibago? Life used to be so simple para sa 'yo."
He rested his palm on my thigh and massaged it. "Sa totoo lang, nakakapanibago. Pakiramdam ko noon, hindi ako nararapat dito. Somehow, Iearned to adjust na lang."
"Was it hard?"
"Yes, I am still adjusting actually."
"How did you do it? Paano mo natanggap?"
"Dahil nga sa 'yo," malambing na sabi niya.
"Why me?"
"Hindi naman ako makababalik hangga't wala akong napapatunayan. I want to give you a better life, mahal."
"Girls. Hindi ba sumagi sa isip mo na maghanap na lang ng ibang babae? I heard na may mga celebrities sa building kung nasaan ang penthouse. Hindi mo ba naisip na, they're better than me?"
His lips tugged in a smirk. "Hindi. Sino ba sila?"
"I'm not kidding. Hindi ba? Kahit isang segundo lang?"
"I'd be lying if I said no. I'm still human, I have doubts and everything. When I found out about you marrying that Dior guy, naisip ko na mas magandang pakawalan ka na lang. I went back to the Philippines, but I saw you unhappy. Why would I let you marry someone knowing I could do better than him?"
"So, if Dior wasn't a bad guy, or hindi mo nalaman ang ugali niya, hahayaan mo na lang ako?"
He stayed quiet for a few seconds. "Sorry."
"It's okay... I guess?"
"I thought he's the best guy out there for you."
"At least we didn't get married." I laughed awkwardly.
He bit his lower lip and kept his eyes on the road. After a few turns, the car finally stopped. "We're here, mahal."
The large black gate opened and he drove in. Inalalayan niya akong makalabas at hinawakan ang kamay ko sa pagpasok. Just when I thought I could imagine his riches, muli na naman akong sinampal ng pagkakamali.
The house is enormous. Luxurious is not enough to describe it. Nakakalula ang laki nito, mayroong mga paintings sa ilang parte ng bahay. May glass cabinet na may lamang iba't-ibang diyamante. An old man with in a wheelchair came into the room with a nurse behind him.
"Calista," Theo said and went behind the man to push the chair to me. "He's my grandfather. Yeye, Calista Vasiliev, the love of my life."
"Hello, Sir. It's nice to finally meet you," I greeted.
"You're the woman my grandson is going crazy about."
"Shut your mouth, old man," singhal ni Theo.
"Theo! Don't talk like that!" suway ko.
"It's fine, sweetheart. I'm used to it. Let's go to the dining. Lunch is ready."
Theo pushed him while mumbling something. Pahabol ko siyang kinurot sa likod pero sumimangot lang siya. Parang nagdabog pa siya nang itigil niya sa harap ng mahaba at malaking lamesa ang wheelchair. Umirap pa siya sa hangin bago ako ipaghila ng upuan at pumwesto sa tabi ko. They served us chinese dishes at tahini kaming kumain— until his lolo interrupted.
"So, how did the two of you meet?"
"We met because of my Dad. He kinda wanted me to be better so—"
"To be better? I don't see how an arrogant man could make you better, sweetheart."
"I'm not arrogant. Putang ina naman, e'!" sigaw ni Theo kaya hinila ko siya ulit paupo.
"Theo, stop yelling! You're acting like a brat!"
Tumingin sa akin si Theo bago inismiran ang lolo niya. "Pasalamat ka lolo kita. Itatapon kita sa labas ng bintana," he murmured.
"Then you won't have any of my riches. You will go back to that little town and–"
"Fine, I'll shut up!"
Lumapit ako kay Theo at sinubukang hindi magpahalata sa lolo niya at saka bumulong, "Nakakaintindi pala siya ng Tagalog?"
"Tumira siya sa Pilipinas noon at naampon niya si Dad."
"Why are you two whispering?" his Lolo asked.
"Can I take a leave?" Theo asked, diverting the topic. "I wanna take Cali to my rest house tomorrow."
Tumango ang matanda. "Sure, Jian is here. I'm sure he'll do well while you're gone."
"And can I leave my bodyguards here? And tell the maids to stay here for the meantime?"
Magkasalubong ang kilay ng lolo niyang tumingin sa kaniya. "You want some alone time with her? Is that it?"
"Yes."
"And what are you gonna do during that alone time?" He raised his brow and smirked at Theo.
Hindi sumagot si Theo at nagpatuloy lang siya sa pagnguya. Nakakainis dahil nahuli kong nakangisi ang matanda nang sumulyap sa akin. I know what Theo meant by that, and I admit— I missed it, too. Somehow, his grandfather knowing about it is just a little uncomfortable.
Palihim ko sanang kukurutin ang hita ni Theo mula sa ilalim ng lamesa, pero naramdaman kaagad niya ang kamay ko. Hinawakan niya ito at saka hinalikan sabay sabing, "Huwag kang masiyadong excited, mahal."
——————
Inaantok na akes mga vebs HAHAHA
BINABASA MO ANG
Remorseful Enticement
RomanceRomance|R-16 Calista Vasiliev is a self-centered brat who grew up in a wealthy family. She's spoiled and can get anything she wants with a flick of a finger. Tired of her impudence, her parents sent her to a province to teach her a lesson. In order...
