Capturing The Grand Duke

Chapter 10

WE decided to cremate Mama Freya's remains and we held a simple and small funeral. It was a brief moment for the both of us but it was all worth a lot to me. She was still a good mother until the very end and I was still glad to have met her even for a short period.

Nagtimpla ako ng kape at dinala iyon sa terrace ng bahay kung nasaan si Kuya Zeke na tahimik na nakatanaw sa mga bituin habang marahang hinahaplos ang kwintas niya. We both have the same necklace, both of the pendants' stone were mixed with Mama Freya's ash.

"Coffee?" alok ko sa kanya

He gave me a weak smile and took the cup from my hand. He silently took a sip and looked at the stars again.

"When are you leaving?" he asked weakly

Parang biglang nanuyo ang lalamunan ko sa tanong na iyon. I postponed my plan on going to Mexico and I'm currently staying at Kuya Zeke's house. Sa aming tatlo ni Papa, siya ang pinakaapektado at pinakamalungkot dahil mas matagal niyang nakasama at tinuring niyang pangalawang ina si mama.

Nilingon niya ako nang mapansin niyang tahimik akoat hindi sinagot ang tanong niya. He held my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze to assure me.

"Don't delay your plans any longer, Avery. Time is running."

Naluha ako nang makita ko ang lungkot sa mata niya, "Will you be okay, Kuya?"

Ngumiti siya sa akin pero hindi non naitago ang sakit sa mata niya, "I just need time. Tita Freya means a lot to me and I treasure her so much. I am not okay. But I will be, Avery."

I quickly pulled him for a hug and we both cried on each other's arms. Kuya Zeke is right, time is running and I need to go to Mexico as soon as possible.

I told my family that I am planning to fly to Mexico tomorrow and they all surprisingly agreed. I didn't hear any word of protest from them even from my brothers. Mom and dad were really supportive of my decision.

Pero ang dami nilang bilin sa akin kahit ang mga kapatid ko bago ako makaalis ng tuluyan sa bahay. Napakamot pa ako ng ulo nang pilitin ako ni dad na kunin ang black card niya, it's his card with no limits. Sinabi ko naman sa kanya na may sarili akong pera at hindi naman ako gagastos doon ng malaki but he just dismissed the thought of me spending my own money.

He looked at me grumpily and even said, "Now that you're seeing another man in Mexico, you don't want your dad's money? How can you do this to me, Avery? Pinalaki kita at pinag-aral para gastusin ang pera ko, pero gusto mong gamitin ang sarili mong pera? How can you be so unfilial? Ngayong malaki ka na, ayaw mo na sa pera ng daddy mo? Kailan ka pa naging pasaway--Aray, love!"

"Tigilan mo na yang anak mo. Nanenermon ka pa e!" inis na pumagitna sa amin si mommy pagkatapos niyang batukan si dad

"Nagtatampo lang naman ako na tinatanggihan niya ang pera ko pagkatapos kong paghirapan 'yon para may gastusin siya sa lahat ng gusto niya." nakaiwas ang tingin na sabi ni dad

Mukhang nagtatampo nga si dad kaya wala na talaga akong nagawa kundi tanggapin ang black card niya at paniguradong lagi niyang imomonitor ang transactions nito kaya kailangan ko talagang gumastos.

The last time I used this card, he gave me a good scolding and asked, "Ten thousand?! Why are you only spending ten thousand?!"

Minsan nagtataka na lamang ako kung bakit hindi ako lumaking spoiled at sunod sa luho. Well, it might be because mom balances dad's attitude.

CAUIS handed my luggage to one of the cabin crews. This is my family's private plane and Lincoln who is a pilot will fly the plane for us.

"Hello there, pretty lady." Lincoln greeted me and gave me a kiss on my cheek