DUCANI LEGACY SERIES #2: KONNAR

Kabanata 29

Kabanata 29

Sadie

"Nag-i-improve ang kundisyon ni Daddy. Sabi nga ng doktor, maganda raw ang epekto sa kanya na may iba pang nakakasalamuha." I put my earrings on and smiled at Jelyne on my phone. "Nakakalabas na siya minsan nang walang oxygen tank sa wheel chair."

"Baka napapasaya ninyo. 'Di ba sabi mo palaging kinakausap ni Konnar?"

Napahinto ako. Tuwing umaga at kapag umuuwi kami, palaging pinupuntahan ni Konnar si Daddy. He would often put Daddy on a wheelchair and bring him to the garden. Kung minsan naman ay nasa entertainment room sila para mag-karaoke o kaya ay manood ng movie.

Konnar managed to earn Daddy's trust in no time because of his personality, and honestly, his affection for my dad helps to tame my heart. Ngunit kahit na ganoon, takot pa rin akong sumugal muli sa kanya.

I heard a knock on my door. Nagpaalam na muna ako kay Jelyne saka ko pinagbuksan ang kumatok.

"You ready?" Eiji asked. He's already in his white tuxedo, ready to attend an auction with me.

I folded my arms in front of my chest before I cocked my brow at him. "Wanna explain why you didn't come home nor went to work for a week, hmm?"

He smirked and took a step backwards as if he's afraid I'd smack his face again.

"The last punch was kind'a hard, sis. I didn't want to attend this year's auction with a bruised face." He moistened his lower lip. "I have to say I am quite impressed that Konnar didn't have any scratch nor bruise marks so far."

Umirap ako sa kanya at binalikan na lamang sa loob ng kwarto ang purse ko. Nang-aasar lang ang lintik na ito panigurado kaya bago pa ako mabwisit ay hindi ko na lamang pinatulan.

We went out and headed to the living room where Dad and Konnar were. Daddy is on his wheelchair, while Konnar is fixing his scarf. Hindi pa naman ganoon kalamig at may heater naman ang bahay, but the weather is a bit unpredictable lately and Dad is kind of sensitive with the slightest shift of temperature.

"Arigatō, watashi no musuko," daddy said.

Konnar stood up straight, took out his booklet of Nihongo to English dictionary, and tried to look for what Dad just said.

"Damn, I should've rewatched Naruto and Slam Dunk before coming here," we heard him murmured.

Eiji smirked. "He said, thank you, my son."

"Really?" Ngumisi si Konnar. "Ah, you're welcome, Papa."

I glared. "Papa your face," I murmured.

Nang makita ko ang pagpipigil ni Konnar ng ngisi habang isinusuot ang coat ng tuxedo niya ay nauna na lamang akong naglakad palabas.

"I'll be using my Acura. You can use the Bentley," ani Eiji.

Napakunot ako ng noo. "You're not riding with us?"

Eiji shook his head and glanced at Konnar. "No. I'm picking up my date. I don't wanna be your thirdwheel."

Umawang ang aking mga labi nang tapikin niya ako sa balikat saka siya sumakay sa kanyang puting Acura. Nang makaalis ang sasakyang ginamit ni Eiji, bwisit na bwisit kong binalingan si Konnar na nagpipigil na ngayon ng ngisi.

God, ano bang isinuhol ng lintik na ito kay Eiji?

I went inside the shotgun seat and tried to ignore him when he went to the driver's. After accessing the map, he started driving towards the venue.

I tried my best not to check him out, but with his expensive perfume caressing my nostrils and our proximity getting suffocating, I can't help but throw him side glances.

Konnar is wearing a three-layer tux matched with an old watch. Matagal ko nang napapansing palagi niya iyong suot noon, at sa totoo lang ay ngayon ko lamang napansin ang brand.

A Jaeger-LeCoultre...

I bit my bottom lip. Kung sana noon ko pa ni-research ang halaga ng relos na iyon, baka hindi na niya nabilog ang isip ko.

We reached the venue where elites from different parts of South-East Asia flooded to participate for the auction. Ang sabi ni Nikida ay ilang mahahalagang gamit ng makapangyarihang pamilya sa Japan ang i-o-auction ngayong gabi. From rare, century-old jewelries to some paintings made for the family, elites who wanted to have their hands to things they probably wouldn't use anyway for daily living, came with pride and confidence.

Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang paligid, at habang tinitignan ko ang mga taong kasali sa auction, nanliliit ako.

I am new to this, and honestly, the phrase, be careful what you wish for, hit me like a physical blow. Pakiramdam ko ay hindi ako nabibilang sa kanilang mundo. Walang nakakikilala sa akin. Even the way they converse and how they move, they all screamed power and status.

The things I do not earn just by being an overnight billionaire.

I felt Konnar's hand gently sliding from my arm down to my palm. Napaangat ang takot kong mga mata sa kanyang mukha, at nang siguro ay nakumpirma niyang kinakabahan ako, pinagsalikop niya ang aming mga palad bago siya yumuko upang bumulong sa akin.

"I'm right here. You have nothing to worry about," he said with a hint of assurance.

Hindi na ako nabigyan ng pagkakataong sumagot o bawiin man lamang ang kamay ko dahil nang mayroong makakilala kay Konnar na ilang bantog na negosyante mula China at Taiwan, napasabak na siya sa pakikipagkumustahan.

"Well, I can't be hiding in the dark forever. Someday, I'd still shock the world with a wedding proposal that won't be easily forgotten," he said, making the old men laugh.

"You are just like your old man, Mr. Ducani. Khalil and his romantic side, huh?" Mr. Cho said.

Mahinang tumawa si Konnar saka ako tinignan. "Have you met Sadie Yamaguchi? Eiji Takishima's sister? Very hardworking girl who shared a lot of similar experiences with me when Dad hasn't found us yet."

"I heard Eiji was looking for his only sibling. I didn't know he already found her but wow. You, young lady, is definitely worth looking for."

Nahihiya akong ngumiti. "Thank you."

"So now that you're reunited with your brother, one of the richest bachelors in Southeast Asia, are you getting your hands on the business as well?"

My heart pounced as anxiety hit me. Nang siguro ay nadama ni Konnar ang panlalamig ng aking palad ay marahan niyang hinaplos ang gilid ng kamay ko gamit ang hinlalaki.

"Why don't you tell them about the project you're working on, baby?" he whispered.

Nilunok ko ang sarili kong laway saka ako pilit na ngumiti. "Eiji gave me the freedom to... explore the business world without the pressure of... being his sister." I drew in a sharp breath. "So I accepted his offer for me to lead my own team and work on my first project."

"Really? Mind sharing what it is about?"

I slightly nodded. "Condominiums that offer both the comfort of hotels... and the warmth of traditional homes..."

Their faces looked interested. Slowly, I felt my anxiety lowering as I shared to them more information about the project. Konnar didn't me even when he's my business partner, as if he has so much faith that I can deliver the ideas on my own. Ramdam ko lamang ang titig niya sa akin habang may munting kurba sa kanyang mga labi, ang kanyang hinlalaki ay panay lamang ang paghaplos sa gilid ng aking palad.

I accidentally glanced at him, and when I saw how his eyes sparkled as if he's so proud of me, my heart felt a different kind of warmth.

Lumunok ako at ibinalik sa aming mga kausap ang tingin ko, ngunit sa gilid ng aking mata ay napapansin ko pa rin ang pagkakatitig niya.

"That is a brilliant plan, Miss Yamaguchi. You are a natural despite not being exposed to your brother's world for several years." Napasulyap kay Konnar si Mr. Cho. "I assume I should expect to call you Mrs. Ducani soon, hmm?"

My cheeks stained red, and when I heard what Konnar said, my heart almost broke my ribs.

"My Mrs. Ducani in no time..."