PARADISE OF THE DEVIL (GONCALVES 1)

Chapter 13

It can be a bit frustrating for me, but I grew on his behavior. He could have wasted his precious time on other things and not intervened with me during working hours. He did not really get how busy I was.

To get Lilia's yes, he should be staying on her tail and not here. I understand Lilia's point of not getting married yet. Marrying Jair meant the responsibility of having an heir and she was not ready for it. She'd been in the spotlight, and she couldn't just give it up.

She worked hard for it. Achieving something great after a sweat of pain and tears of struggle was not something you could just surrender. It was rather a treasure greater than a diamond.

I found out about their real deal when I went with Ms. Frida to their Villa to meet Madam Goncalves. I hoped I would only be meeting Madam today since I bailed on Jair's invitation to dinner last night when he came to the university to fetch Lilia.

I'd been here last weekend but I had to act like I hadn't been here, and it wasn't that hard, I just couldn't help but adore their huge villa. I wish I could live in a place like this one. This villa must cost hundreds of millions.

Wala ang sasakyan ni Jair sa parking nang makapasok kami ng gate kaya nakahinga ako ng maluwag. Nang pagbuksan kami ng malaking pinto ng villa ay agad kong narinig ang boses ni Madam sa living room.

Inaasahan kong may ibang kasama si Madam ngayon at nakita ko nga ang isang magandang ginang na parang kasing-edad nya. Sobrang elegante at sosyal nilang panuorin. Sa paraan ng pag-inom ng tea at pag-upo ay makikita mong may class.

Sabay silang lumingon sa amin ni Ms. Frida nang makapasok kami ng living room. Nagsalita lang ako nang bumati kami kay Madam at umupo nang pinaupo sa dulo ng sofa kung saan may distansya galing sa kanila.

I couldn't believe I was here, partying and making out with Jair. Sobrang peaceful ng villa kumpara noong isang linggo. Mukhang nag-iba ang hangin dito sa villa na nandito si Madam.

Mukhang kilala na din ni Ms. Frida ang kaibigan ni Madam. And I eventually realized that she was Lilia's mother, Madam Quervo. It was understandable that they were friends since they were in the same world.

"I was in celebration when I heard that finally, my son is making a move to your lovely daughter Lilia," Madam Goncalves started. "It's one of your designs, right, Ms. Eden?" Madam turned to me.

How did she know? Jair must have told her about it. The two madams seemed to be so excited about the idea. I just didn't understand what the thrill of it was.

Ngumiti ako ng tipid kay Madam at mahinang tumango. Napressure ako kasi alam na nila na gagawa ako ng dress na para kay Lilia. Sobrang confident ko pa naman sana nang makipag-usap ako kay Jair pero ngayon ay natatakot akong mabigo sila.

"I've been matching them longer than I can remember. I've been pushing him to try and now he's doing something for Lilia without my knowledge. This is something serious that our family should look forward to," nagagalak na sabi ni Madam Goncalves.

"I harmonize your delight, Raina," ani Madam Quervo. "I've always wanted my daughter to marry one of your beautiful boys."

"I can't wait. I always adore your gorgeous and kindhearted Lilia. She even sent me flowers the other day without a reason. She's perfection."

A lot of people adored her already and were looking up to her, and I was one of those people. I only often saw her on the screen, so I wondered how great Lilia was off-screen and even before to have Madam Goncalves prais her like this.

"I tried to talk with your husband about setting them off to marriage, but he disliked it," said Madam Quervo.

"It would be nice if he approved it but I knew he would never," replied Madam Goncalves. "But we don't have to worry, Cleona, it's falling into place. My Jair has realized that he shouldn't slip Lilia off his hand."