The Opposite of Hate (Upper Crust #1)

Chapter 13

Chapter 13
"Lie"

Sinundo nga kami ni Papa pagkatapos namin sa mall. Nasa loob na kami ng sasakyan at pauwi na. I am sitting here in the backseat with my sisters. Nasa harap si Aris, katabi si Papa. I silently observed them.

"You sell your shares?" ani Papa.

"Yeah, the price was good."

"Hm... Isn't mature yet?"

"Ayos na rin. I needed the money for my next venture, Dad."

"Ruiz approved that?"

"Hindi, but I will take the risk."

Tumango si Papa. I can see the pride in his eyes as I watch his reflection in the rearview mirror. He is always proud of Aris' moves in doing business. Although, Aris isn't legally allowed to do business, mayroon naman siyang kinatawan, through his father, Tito Ruiz. Parang laro lang sa kanya, but he is brilliant. Hindi ko naman tinatanggi iyon. He knows how play her cards well. Nahasa rin naman siya dahil sa tulong ni Papa at Tito Ruiz. He was directly exposed. I highly believe that actual experience teaches you more. Hindi naman sapat ang theories and principles lang.

Naputol ang usapan nila nang tumawag si Mama. Papa answered. Nagtatanong lang naman si Mama kung nasaan na kami.

I wish Papa would trust me too. I wanna gamble in the stock market as well. Not a total gamble, of course, there's risk calculation. I wanna work my way there. I want to do what Aris does. I can be as good as him if only I am given a fair chance. I promise I won't waste it. Siguro, maghihintay na lang akong dumating ang pagkakataon ko. Huli naman sa karera, but it doesn't mean I can't keep up. Maybe it will make me more determined. To be greater.

But damn, I can't even make him allow me to learn how to drive!

The finals ended and faded with good results. I still got high grades that qualifies me for academic recognition.

"May summer plan na kayo?" tanong ni Yancy.

Nasa bahay silang dalawa ni Terrie. We settled sa lanai. Ito pa lang ang unang beses na nakapunta sila sa amin. Nagpaalam naman silang dalawa na papasyal. Isang linggo na rin lumipas when the semester ended officially.

"Domestic vacay lang muna raw kami," dismayadong sabi ni Terrie. "Ugh! Damn! This is my brother's entire damn fault. Nakabuntis pa kasi!"

I was watching the bushes, natigilan ako at napabaling sa kanya ng tingin. Si Yassy din na mukhang interesado sa sinasabi ni Terrie.

"Worst, baka ipauwi pa kami sa ancestral house, so they could focus sa case ni Kuya! Bobo talaga 'yon."

"Make kwento pa. Faster," demand ni Yancy.

I shook my head. I stood up. I am not listening.

"I'll just get our food," sabi ko. Tumayo na para pumuntang kusina.

Pumasok ako ng pinto. I headed to the kitchen. Bago pa makapuntang kusina, nakasalubong ko si Aris. Saan naman galing 'to? Well, the answer is obvious. Bakas ang natuyong pawis sa mukha at leeg niya. Nakasuot ng tsinelas at bitbit sa isang kamay studs niya.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay nang huminto siya.

"Your friends are here?" aniya.

"Yes." I stared at him for a while, tapos nagpatuloy na sa paglalakad. Bago tuluyang makalayo nilingon ko siya. "Stay in your room."

"What? Why?" He gave me a frown.

I rolled my eyes. Hindi ko na siya sinagot at pumasok na nga ng kusina para kunin ang sadya. We still have ice cream and cake kaya 'yon na lang at juice. I put them in a tray na kasya lahat. Napansin ko ang pagpasok ni Aris.