Will you choose me? (Montecarlo Heir #2)

Kabanata 6

Kung hindi pa sinecure ang portrait ni mommy, hindi ko makukumbinsi si daddy na maupo na sa mesa namin. Ang secretary ni daddy ang nagprocess ng payment at pinull out na ang portrait sa exhibit para madeliver daw agad iyon sa bahay namin. So much for pulling some strings huh, dad?

We are in the front row seated in a large round table before the center stage. Kasama namin ang ibang nasabing VIPs pati sina tita Elisse at tito Amer na katabi naman ni kuya Anton.

Sa kaparehong mesa katabi namin ay sina Rj, si tito Raymond at si tita Athena, her college friend and her two daughters na pinakilala ni tita kanina, at iba pang importanteng dumalo sa auction.

I'm not sure if it's common to have an art exhibit and an auction at the same time but here we are, our family has been doing these initiatives to help with our supported charities and programs.

The people can observe and appreciate the exhibit but for the likes of the VIP guests and other businessmen and women, they would rather be seated in this part of the venue to bid for the pieces of their liking.

The event was successful yet exhausting.. I stay seated while dad is conversing with an old businessman with my titos. Si tita Athena ay kasama padin yung kaibigan niya.

"Are you tired?" I heard kuya Anton. I quickly glanced at our table and we are the only people left. May dalawang bakanteng upuan sa kanan ko bago ang sakanya pero dinig ko ang tanong niya sakin. Nakahilig ang braso niya sa backrest ng bakanteng upuan at nakapaling sakin.

I shrugged bago humalukipkip "Sort of. I want to go home."

I heard him chuckle. "Hindi mo padin ba.. nachacharge ang phone mo?"

I did. But I chose to ignore his messages. It's.. awkward.

Napalunok ako "N-Not yet. M-Mamaya po."

He stared at me for a minute before sighing. "Alright. I'll wait."

Huh? For what?

I saw him licked his lips. Why is he licking his lips so much? It's not dry. It actually looks a bit plump.. and pinkish.

"I'll still message you. I'll wait for your reply. Is that.. okay?"

And why the fuck am I even staring at his lips?

I had to swallow that lump in my throat. "Why?" I can't help but raising a brow. Is that even necessary for us to communicate on a daily? For what?

"I just.. uhh. want to make sure you are okay-"

"But I am okay!"

Nakita ko ang pagiwas niya ng tingin at pagayos ng upo. "Alright. I'm sorry."

He glanced at my way again "you have your midterms tomorrow. Goodluck, Reina."

"T-Thank you." Kuya. Bigla akong nahiya sa inasal. But am I in the wrong here? What's the matter ba and what's with this messaging thingy?

"Reina." Napapitlag ako ng marinig ko ang tawag ni dad sa kabilang gilid ko.

"Dad." I saw his eyes like daggers darted behind me.

"It's getting late and you have exams tomorrow. We should go. Magpaalam ka sa tito mo." He barked without tearing off his eyes behind me. Are you still mad at me? You can't even look at me.

I sighed before nodding. Tumayo ako para maghanda. Kuya Anton stood snappily with me, probably acknowledging that we are about to leave.

"Ingat kayo... tito."

"Hmm." Dad scoffed before guiding me to say goodbye to tito Raymond. I'm not sure where tita Athena is but she'll know from her husband.

"Tito.. we'll go na. May exams pa po ako bukas." Sabay silang napalingon ni tito Amer at ilang matandang lalaking kausap.