The Untouchables Series Book 4 Ominous Burman

Tigress Part 1

Chapter Three

MEETING Antonio Severino was harder than Omi thought. Napakarami pa niyang pinagdaanang security check bago pinahintulutang makita ang matanda. The man mas probably in his late sixties to early seventies. It was his first time meeting the man in person. He only saw him on tv and campaign posters. At kung tatanungin siya kung ibinoto niya ito noong tumakbo itong bise-presidente ng bansa ay hindi siya sigurado. In fact, simula ng maging botante yata siya ay isang national election pa lang ang nadaluhan niya.

"So, you're a Burman, huh?"

"Ominous Burman, Sir," naglahad siya ng kamay sa harapan ng matanda na agad naman nitong tinanggap.

His grip was steady and firm. Katulad ng mga mata nitong direktang nakatutok sa kanya na para bang binabasa ang kanyang pagkatao.

"You must be James's son."

Dapat pa ba niyang ikagulat na kilala nito ang kanyang ama?

"Yes, Sir."

"Do I still need to ask what you came here for, boy?"

Boy? Mukha ba siyang totoy sa hitsura niya? O malabo lang talaga ang mga mata ng kanyang kausap at hindi nito napagmasdang mabuti ang hitsura niya?

"I will not beat around the bush, Sir. I came here to make an offer to buy that piece of land where my father is buried."

"Ah," maikling sagot ni Antonio Severino. "I'm afraid that piece of land is no longer mine."

Napamaang si Omi sa narinig. Mali ba ang impormasyong nakuha ni Thorn?

"My granddaughter will inherit that land the moment  I died in this hellhole."

"So technically it's still yours, Sir."

"Yes. But I am not selling."

Fuck, iyon ang agad na pumasok sa isip ni Omi. 

He really wanted to buy that land not for its commercial value or anything. Gusto lamang nilang magkakaibigan na manatiling pribado at sagrado ang lupaing iyon dahil doon nakalagak ang mga labi ng kanilang mga magulang. Ngunit paano kung magmamatigas si Antonio Severino?

"However, I can offer you a better deal."

Natigilan siya. Biglang nakasilip ng pag-asa. 

"Marry my granddaughter and you will have that land in instant."

Bagsak ang ngala-ngala niya. He imagined himself picking it up from the floor.

Parang noong nakaraang araw lang ay sinasabihan siya ng ina na maghanap ng mapapangasawa at bigyan na ito ng kalahating dosenang apo. Muntik na siyang mapatanong sa dating Bise Presidente kung healthy ba ang apo nito at kayang magbuntis ng kalahating dosenang bata. But that would be out of line. At baka matadyakan siya nang wala sa oras ng kausap niya. Or worst, lalo na itong magpakatanggi-tanggi na mapunta sa kanya ang lupaing iyon.

"I do not expect you to give me the answer right away. Sleep on it for now and give me the answer once you reach a decision."

Napapatanga lamang si Omi sa kausap bago naisipang isatinig ang isang konklusyon.

"You didn't even bother to ask whether I'm married or not."

"Why bother asking the obvious?" tumingin ito sa kaliwang ring finger niya.

"I'm not very fond of jewelries," sapat na sa kanya ang wristwatch. "And not all married men wore their wedding ring, Sir. So unless you're sure that I am not married, I don't think you'll lay down your terms involving your granddaughter."