✓ | The Altered Version (Fate's Transgression Series, #2) [UNDER REVISION]

TAV 12: Baffled Wife

CHAPTER TWELVE : Baffled Wife

Clarinette | Liana

Sofia never had the chance to meet another man aside from the Butler of the Silverstein household. Although a month before, I informed the Duke about Sofia's first word which also gave me a twirling emotional discomfort until now. I could not blame my child for reacting that way towards the Commander.

"Baby, he's not Daddy."

I corrected her while trying to make her understand what I was saying. She just looked at me with one eyebrow raised as if she was trying to understand me.

"That man earlier is not Dada, okay?"

I used nonverbal cues to inform her about the truth, but what can I say? She's just a child and how would she understand the ways of the adults?

Napailing na lang ako.

Kalaunan ay bumalik si Joella na may mga ngiti sa kanyang labi. Ginawaran niya pa ako ng mga panunuksong tingin, bago inayos ang maayos naman niyang buhok.

"Ang gwapo no?" sabi nito kay Mitch.

"Oo, gwapo at mayaman," saad ni Mitch. "Subalit, nasa Duke po ang boto ko, Lady Joella."

"Ay sus, hindi ko naman sinabi para kay Clarinette 'yon, para sa akin!"

"Paumanhin po, binibini."

Mas lalo lang akong napailing sa pinag-usapan nila. Suminyas ako kay Joella na lumapit. "Anong sinabi mo sa kanya?"

"I want a trade," nakangisi niyang sabi.

"Don't work after tomorrow," I said.

"Yes! Thank you, Clary!" masayang sabi nito habang may patalon-talon pa. "Anyway, bukod sa nagsinungaling lang ako para pagtakpan ka. Hindi naman nagtagal 'yong usapan namin dahil ang dakilang Knight Commander ng Norte ay walang pakialam sa ibang babae maliban sa napupusuan niya."

Dismayado ang boses at mukha nito. Umupo ako sa silya at inayos si Sofia sa kandungan ko. I looked at Joella and said, "He is persistent and creepy."

"Oo, I find him creepy, too. Parang hindi 'yon ang totoong ugali niya." Umupo na din si Joella habang hawak ng kanang kamay ang kanyang panga. "Rumors says that Lord Valan respects women but he never had any affiliations with them, sa 'yo lang. Doon ko lang din napansin na special ka nga talaga. Akalain mo 'yon? He does respect women but he never spoke to them other than you."

"Selos ka na n'yan?" sabi ko.

"Hindi, kasi may Duke ka na eh."

Muntik na akong nabilaukan sa sarili kong laway dahil sa sinabi niya. I eventually gave her a glare and stood up, then looked at Mitch. "Fetch the flowers I ordered, mauuna kaming uuwi ng anak ko. Isama mo na din si Alina baka tapos na sila."

She bowed. "Yes, your grace."

Then my gaze settled on Joella. "I won't be visiting the store after today. Maraming gagawin sa bahay at mga bagong problema ng lalawigan. Just inform the butler if there are troubles."

"Don't worry, Clary. I will take good care of the store." Being energetic is truly her second nature. Lumapit ito sa amin at inaaliw si Sofia. "Baby Soleil, pasensya ka na sa bunganga ni Tita ah? Kita na lang tayo sa susunod."

As planned, nauna kaming umuwi ni Sofia. Pagkatapos kong pinatulog ito bandang hapon, nagsimula na akong mag-utos ng mga kasambahay para sa interior design ng bahay.

I tried my best to let my mind free from worry. Naging successful naman ang therapy dahil bukod sa napaganda ko na naman ang buong mansyon, naging malinaw na ang isipan at damdamin ko.