Mrs. Araneta

Chapter IV: Wine 🍷

March 1981, Irene's graduation.

It's been two years since the passing of Irene and Greggy's beloved Peanut. But the encounter they had at the clinic, to which Greggy assumed could be the start of something for the two of them was halted by the fact that Irene is distancing herself from him.

Martial law just ended, and that marks the beginning of the growing dispute between the oligarchs and the President.
Irene was aware. How could she not, if she's seeing Greggy more frequently now in the palace than ever before.

He would give her red tulips though. Whenever there is a scheduled meeting between Greggy and his dad, he would for always be bringing red tulips for her.
And today is not different. As she busies herself in preparing for her graduation ball, Greggy came in with another flower for her.

'Hey.. tulips oh, for you.'
"Thanks. May meeting ka kay Dad? Go na, I'll go ahead na rin."

Greggy stopped her by holding her hand.

'May problema ba tayo? Bakit mo ako ini iwasan? You've been avoiding me since what? Two or more years ago? Did I do something wrong?'

IRENE's POV:

Ano raw? 'Did I do something wrong?' Gago pala to ehh! How is he expecting me to act towards him? Sweet? Like how I was when I was five?

Bullshit. He is in a relationship, AGAIN with some random model. Not sure though. Rumor has it na from the clan of Zobel naman raw. I don't know. I'm not sure. I don't want to ask him about it.. because I can't deal with another confirmation that would break my heart.

Why are they not teaching how to move on in school? This sucks! Big time! He's friends with my siblings, mom and dad likes him.. and I? Well I love him.

"No Sir Greggy, we're good. I have to go na ha? May meeting rin ako."
'Sir Greggy?'
"Ano ba dapat? Master? Boss? Let me know, kase.. araaay! Ano ba! Let me go nga! Bakit ka ba nanghihila? Isusumbong kita sa Daddy!"

What the heck is wrong with him? I have been nothing but polite, kahit ayaw ko siya makita. So why on earth is he dragging me outside of the palace patio?!

'Stop it, Irene. Naiinis na ako sayo. You are testing my patience, woman!'

"Patience my ass! What's wrong with you? Alis nga! Pumunta ka kay Dad, wag dito sa harap ko! I will be having this party tomorrow night, and you are officially uninvited!"

'Not my loss.'

Wow. Ang kapal!

"Well good. Mag party ka kasama yung girlfriend mo na model if my party isn't something you'll lose sleep over! Panget mo!"

'Panget? Bakit ka tingin ng tingin pag nandito ako? And what is it to you if model ang girlfriend ko? Selos ka? Bakit, ano ba kita?'

Fuck. That hurts.

GREGGY's POV:

Shit. I regretted saying what I said as soon as I saw pain crossed her eyes.
Why do I have to be so insensitive?

Don't get me wrong. I am talking to her this way, only because I wanted her to notice me more. Every time she's not here, I long for her. If she's out with her friends, I badly wanted to be with her as well. I am running around.. one girlfriend after another only to pissed her off.

I am craving for her attention. I miss her, all the time.

I was supposed to ask permission from her father to court her officially when she turned eighteen. But even before I asked, the President came up to me saying "Wag muna, ang bata pa ng anak ko".