Why Do You Love Me (Pontevedra Series #2)

Kabanata 14

Cold.

Naiwan kami ni Gabriella sa table. We let Charlynn stay with her family, because that is the right thing to do. I have a feeling na kung hindi namin siya sinabihan na mag-stay sa family niya, hindi siya tatayo. She's fond of us at mukhang ayaw mahiwalay sa amin.

I pressed my lips together when I saw Mommy. She's walking my way at halatang galit na galit.

"Reisha, you need to explain yourself!" Madiing sabi nito nang makalapit sa akin.

Nakita ko kung paanong yumuko si Gabriella, nahihiya yata.

"I will, okay? Stop giving such scene!" Iritang sagot ko.

"You're no longer my daughter. I don't even know you anymore!"

Mahina akong tumawa. I wonder what Daddy told her that made her furious. Hindi naman siya ganito.

"Gab, I'll just talk to her..." Sinenyas ko si Mommy. "Can I leave you muna?"

I don't like the idea of leaving Gabriella on our table because she's not fond of this kind of event pero I need to talk to my mother bago pa siya magwala. Halata kasing isang kalabit lang sa kaniya, sasabog na siya.

"Hindi mo kailangang bumalik agad. Kapag nabored ako, uuwi na ako. Kayo na lang ni Cha ang magsabay," sagot niya.

"Thank you!"

Mabilis kong hinagilap ang purse ko saka hinatak si Mommy palayo roon. Kumunot pa ang noo ni Carlo nang makita ako. Umirap na lang ako habang kinakaladkad si Mommy papunta sa kung saan.

"What are you planning to do with yourself, ha?" Panimula niya. "I know—we know that you really like the attention of other people but I didn't expect that you'll betray us like this."

Humagalpak ako ng tawa. "Betray, Mom? I don't know why you're thinking like that. I love what I'm doin—"

"Para kang nanlilimos ng atensyon sa ibang tao, Reisha!" Giit ni Mommy.

"Why? Naibigay niyo ba sa akin?" Natatawang tanong ko. "It's even touching nga na ang ibang tao, they look up at me pero kayo ni Daddy? Ano? Pinipilit niyo akong ipakasal sa lalaking hindi ko mahal!" Giit ko.

Napalunok ako. Mabilis na kumalabog ang dibdib ko.

It's true that I don't love Carlo but I really appreciate how he understands me every time.

Alam ko na masakit ako sa ulo and he's having a hard time taming me pero hindi ko naririnig na nagre-reklamo siya. I might not love him but I have a little bit feelings for him. But I won't tell it to him lalo naman sa parents ko. Marriage for convenience is not for me. I don't like that idea. Kahit ganito ako, I want to marry someone I deeply love. At hindi ko nakikita si Carlo roon.

It's just lust, right?

"How dare you talk to me like that!" Singhal niya.

Madiin niyang hinawakan ang braso ko saka pinaningkitan ako ng mata. Umirap ako na mas nakapagpagalit sa mga mata niya.

"Years of not communicating with us, magpapakita ka bilang model? Are you doing all of these on purpose?"

Humalakhak ako. "How did you know?"

I mean, iyon naman talaga ang unang dahilan ko.

"Are you expecting me to go home?" Humalakhak ako at umiling. "No! I don't want you and Daddy to meddle with my life! You are deciding for me without thinking what I want to d—"

"Oh my gosh, Reisha! We are choosing what's the best for yo—"

"And you think that the best for me is to marry Carlo?" Natatawang tanong ko. "Is it for the best of me or for the best of your company?"