Pursuing My Nemesis

Thirty Eight

Chapter 38

I STARED AT my mother as she gave me one sophisticated smile. Tinignan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa. She smirked and then glanced at Aniel whose face was normally serious and cold.

"You didn't come home for Christmas," iyon ang unang sinabi niya nang tuluyang makalapit sa akin. I pursed my lips while looking at her. Tila nang-uuyam siyang nakatingin sa amin ni Aniel. "Who's this?"

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga bago kumapit sa braso ni Aniel. Bumaling siya sa akin. Tumaas naman ang isang kilay ni Mama nang makita iyon.

"Ma, this is Architect Nathaniel Felan. He's my boyfriend," I told her.

My mother never let her smirk washed away from her face. Kahit na dumating si papa para batiin ako at itanong kung sino ang kasama ko, nanatili pa rin siyang nakangisi.

"What happened to Channing, hija? Isn't he your boyfriend?" tanong ni Mama.

I pursed my lips when I realized that my brother didn't tell them anything about my life here in the city. Talagang nirespeto ni kuya ang hiling ko na huwag niyang sabihin sa kanila ang tungkol sa amin ni Aniel, at na naghiwalay na kami ni Channing noon pa.

"We already broke up. He's here, if you want to talk to him."

My mother chuckled insultingly. Panay ang tingin niya kay Aniel sabay taas ng kilay. I know she's taunting my boyfriend, but Aniel seems unbothered. Dapat lang. He's Nathaniel Felan. Kung may mas dapat mang katakutan dito, siya iyon, hindi ang nanay ko.

"Architect Felan, is that right?" My mom's attention was on Aniel.

"Yes, Ma'am," Aniel replied in a formal tone.

"I'm Engineer Gabriela Salvacion. This is my husband, Engineer Nicholaos Salvacion," she introduced herself and papa. "I haven't heard a Felan in the industry before. What's your family business?"

Nilingon ko si papa, asking him to make my mother stop. Why is she interrogating Aniel now? We're in a party, for God's sake!

"Livestock and farmlands, Ma'am. My brothers and sister own different lands from different countries. They are more into crops production and dairy supplies," Aniel replied.

Tinignan ko siya, namamangha. No wonder his Mamá was called a Donya. They freaking own lands and haciendas.

"Those are from your siblings. How about you? What do you have?" Mom asked.

"Ma!" I hissed. What the fuck is wrong with her?

Gusto ko nang umalis. Nasira na ang gabi ko at siguradong sira na rin ang kay Aniel. Gusto ko na lang siyang hilahin palabas ng hall at umuwi. I wanted to apologize to him the whole night for what my mother was doing. Hiyang-hiya ako sa ginagawa ng nanay ko.

"I have nothing to show off, Ma'am, aside from being the project head of my team in this company, and created lots of successful projects. I don't own any land, nor inherited any business, and I'm still struggling to fight for the only property that has been promised to me. I don't have anything to offer to Nemesis, if that's what you are trying to ask." Nilingon niya ako kasabay ng pag-igting ng kanyang panga. "I only have my name, my reputation, and my love for her. And I am doing my best to collect more success and accomplishments to share with her. Because that's the only thing that I am capable of giving for now. My success is her success. And I am so damn lucky to receive her love, even though I couldn't give her the world yet."

Nangilid ang mga luha ko habang nakatitig kay Aniel. His words were a confession from above. Damang-dama ko ang init ng mga sinabi niya na yumayakap sa puso ko. I tried to hide my tears, but it's too late because he's already wiping it under my eye. Masuyo niya akong nginitian. Ngumiti rin ako dahil sa tuwang nararamdaman.