Mom, stop it. Stop this dangerous act."
"A-anak..."
"Tama na po. Tama na."
I bit my lip and faced her. She's wearing a backless black dress.
I really want to protest because of using that sexy dress in this party. But I stop myself because I am in the wrong place and time, hindi ito ang tamang oras para mainis ako.
Hiella gently removed her hand. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero lumapit ako ng distansiya sa kanya at iwinaksi ang kamay ni Angelica.
"W-what are you doing here?" Tita asked, and I heard a little bit of trembling in her voice.
Hiella sighed. "I should be the one asking you that. What are you doing here, Mommy?" She took a serious glance at me.
"Are you asking nonsense questions, Ella? Malamang nandito ako, party ng kumpanya ko ito."
"Right. Party for your company. Instead of wasting your time here why don't you entertain your business partners, Mommy?"
"Are you commanding me?" the Madame in more serious voice.
Hiella shook her head. "I'm not, I'm suggesting the right thing to do."
Tita sarcastically laughs and looks at me. "Again and again, prinoprotektahan mo ang lalaking ito when in fact masyadong siyang makati."
My brow furrowed and I tried to meddle when Angelica spoke.
"Excuse me, Madam. I think lumalagpas na kayo sa salitang respeto."
"Oh! alam mo pala ang salitang respeto, ang galing naman," pumalakpak pa siya. "buti hindi mo naisipang manalamin minsan, masyado kang maputla, masyado kang malagkit. At nakakapagtakang alam mo pala ang salitang respeto."
"Who are you to insult me?"
"And who are you to flirt with my future son-in-law?" her eyes become dark. Napangsihap si Angelica sa narinig.
"W-what? Anong ibig niyong sabihin?"
"Huh! Ay aba ang hayop hindi pala alam."
"Mom..."may tinig banta sa boses ni Hiella, napalunok ako mas lalong kinabahan.
"Hindi talaga bagay sa mga pusit ang inosente." iling iling na aniya at pinanliitan ng mata si Angelica. "Ang lalaking ito, ang lalaking tinangka mong landiin ay ang bastardong ama ng apo ko. Really ito talaga ang mga tipo mo? Wala ka ng mapiling iba?"
"Mommy, ano ba!"
I blink my eyes and accept her insult. Alam ko ang mali ko at tanggap ko na iyon, pero sana naman huwag ng ipamukha pa.
"What the hell are you talking about, madam?"
"Kailangan pa bang masampal ko sayo para maintindihan mo?"
Angelica faces me with bloodshot eyes. "Is it true? Cedric?" she asks.
I nod my head and look away.
I heard her sob and cry while whispering something in a low tone. "Hindi iyon totoo! Kung ganon sino ang ina? You told me that you were waiting for a girl and now you have a child?! Impossible! You are lying! Sinasabi mo lang iyan para layuan kita!"
"It was true that I'm waiting someone at nasa tabi ko na siya, she's the mother. Siya ang Ella na mahal ko, siya ang babaeng hinihintay kong bumalik." sagot ko at lumapit pa lalo kay Hiella, napayuko si Angelica sa gulat habang umiiyak parin.
"Tanga ka ba? Bakit mo iiyakan ang lalaking ito? Hibang kana!"
"Tumigil ka na Mommy! Nakikiusap ako tumigil ka na." pakiusap ni Hiella at lumingon sakin, nagkatitigan kami. May awa ang mga mata nito.
