The Badass Girl in Whitehaven Palace

Chapter 22

I slept restlessly that night. Hindi mawala-wala sa isipan ko ang emosyong nakikita kay Giovanni. I was so sure that he's crying. I was so sure that he got hurt.

Hindi siya close sa mama niya?

"Miss Ali."

Napatingin ako kay Liliana nang yugyugin niya ako, tinatawag.

"Bakit?"

Mahina siyang napapatawa. "May problema ka po ba? You seem occupied. Kanina ko pa napapansin na sunod-sunod ka nang bumubuntong-hininga riyan, nakatulala."

I pouted a bit. I wanted badly to know what was going on!

Napapatayo ako. I looked around. Lumapit ako kay Liliana nang makitang walang ibang tao sa loob ng kusina.

"Hindi ba close si Giovanni kay Mrs. Silvestre?"

Napataas ang kilay ko kay Liliana nang mapakurap-kurap siya at napapaiwas ng tingin sa akin.

"Pa'no mo naman nasabi?" aniya habang inaasikaso ang mga niluluto ni Manang Elen.

"Kasi..." Napapatigil ako. "Nakita ko kahapon na si Clive lang ang lumapit kay Mrs. Silvestre. Kakarating lang ni Mrs. Silvestre pero hindi siya lumapit." Tumingin ako kay Liliana. "What was going on?"

"Why are you asking?" rinig ko ang pagseryoso ni Liliana.

"W-What?" Napakurap-kurap ako. "I was just curious---"

She smirked at me. "Why? Because you like him?"

Hindi kaagad ako nakasagot.

"Miss Ali."

Nagulat ako nang hawakan ni Liliana ang kamay ko at seryosong tumingin sa akin. I saw how a trace of sadness came in on her eyes.

"If you ever like him, I hope it was real. I hope you won't hurt him." She bowed her head down. "He already have been through on his life. Ayaw ko nang may madagdag pa, Miss Ali."

"Liliana---"

"Please serve this to sir Giovanni. It's his day. He deserves to eat his favorite food."

Napatingin ako sa pagkain. It was a special steak.

Napapabuntong-hininga lang ako bago lumabas ng kusina. Pumunta ako sa dining area at inilagay ang pagkain sa harap ng upuan ni Giovanni. Napapatingala siya sa akin pero hindi ako nagsalita.

Napatingin ako sa kanila nang biglaan silang napapatayo. Just then, Mrs. Silvestre came in. Tumingin muna ako sa gawi ni Giovanni bago ako yumuko at lumayo sa mesa.

Mr. Silvestre requested me to eat with them earlier but I declined his offer. Nakakahiya naman na pamilya silang kumakain tapos makikisali ako.

"Why are you here?"

Napapatingin ako kay Mrs. Silvestre at nakitang nakatingin siya sa hapag, nanatiling nakatayo. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang kausap niya.

"You shouldn't be in that seat. That was supposed to be Malachis'. Your seat was next to your father."

Pansin ko ang pananahimik nilang lahat. Napapatingin ako kay Giovanni at nakitang nakayuko siya, naroon ang pekeng ngiti sa labi.

Mr. Silvestre fixed his tie before faking a cough. "Honey. Giovanni requested if he can sit next to you---"

"Why didn't you discuss it with me, Edrick?" Naroon sa boses ni Mrs. Silvestre ang pagkairita, nadidismaya.

Ilang na napapaayos ng tayo si Giovanni. "Don't worry, Mom---"

"Mrs. Silvestre. I already told you to call me Mrs. Silvestre."

"Mom---" It was Malachi who was trying to stop his mother but Mrs. Silvestre interrupted him.