Will you choose me? (Montecarlo Heir #2)

Kabanata 15

"Did your dad say anything?" Amiel asked me when I got in his car.

Tipid akong umiling. "He said I should be home by seven." Nagpaalam kasi akong papasyal lang sa mall kasama ang mga kaklase. I brought Matt with me dahil hindi papayag si dad ng hindi pero nung nagkita kami ni Amiel sa may school, sakanya nako sumakay at pinagconvoy ko nalang siya. I clearly told him that he should keep a distance. Iyong hindi namin siya mapapansin ni Amiel.

He exhaled before starting his engine and drive. It's Saturday and we plan on watching a movie. Syempre kakain din pagkatapos.

Ito ang unang date namin. Na lalabas kami ng kami lang. It's been two weeks since we started.. hanging out. I mean I don't really consider naman na nagdedate kami sa school but our classmates, his teammates, and even his past flings know.. that he's with me. Ang liligalig tuloy ng mga lalaking kaklase sa likod dahil katabi ko na si Amiel sa second to the last row. At dahil narin sa paminsan minsan niyang akbay sa backrest ng armchair ko.

Lagi siyang sumasabay sakin ng lunch. With Pierce and his cousin.. na ikom padin ang labi at civil sa akin. I am too. Sakanilang magpinsan. Pierce might not notice pero I am a bit distant. Lalo na kung nagaaya sila ng milktea after school.

It's a blessing in disguise nadin.. na Amiel decided that we should date. At least may kasama ako. Hindi ako naiilang na pakisamahan ang dalawang magpinsan. Pierce though, is always looking at me scandalously, at tinutukso ako.

Paulit ulit akong kinukulit kung ano ang nangyari at nagholiday break lang daw ay nagdedate na kami ni Amiel. I remained tight lipped and just giving them vague answers. Si Penelope naman.. walang reaksyon. I can see pain in her eyes though. She does really like him huh. Na ngayon ko lang napagtatatanto. She's failing hardly every time she tries to smile and act normal in front of us. Napakaplastic.

And thank God I'm not getting bullied or harassed by his previous flings. No death threats so far sa locker or sa armchair ko. His exes were obsessed with him pa naman and I know some of them are still not over him. Subukan lang nila. I will never step down to their level but I guess a little catfights are inevitable kung magkagayon nga.

Amiel didn't know a thing about his brother courting me too. I just.. kept my mouth shut about it. I don't think it's necessary to share that especially that Anton is not saying a word about it either.

We are no longer communicating. Again. Huli na nung unang linggo ng taon. He is calling me every night and continuously messaging me.. until I asked him to stop. Dahil muntik mabasa ni Amiel ang phone ko nung magkasama kaming naglunch.

"You don't need to call me. We should stop this." I said one night when I was on facetime with him.

"You want me to stop.. because my brother is courting you?" Anton probed while staring at me intently. Dama ko ang intensidad noon kahit na nakatitig lang naman ako sa screen ng iPad ko.

I sighed, a bit hesitant to answer his question. "Yes. As what tita Elisse mentioned, we-"

"No one is forcing you to be with him. Not even your father, Reina." Anton's low growl. Halos manginig ang sikmura ko sa kaba. Sobrang bilis din ng pagkabog ng dibdib ko.

"I know. But I think it's high time for your brother to come to his senses. It was a promise made a long time ago, and I want to uphold that promise.. for mom."

I can see his jaw clenching so hard but he remained silent. I sighed but I continue. "So.. uhm.. I'm going to.. date.. your brother. I don't think it's appropriate to do this if that's the case. We shouldn't.. you know.. communicate.. like this." Nahihirapan kong sabi. Hindi ko nadin matignan ang screen ng iPad dahil ramdam kong pinapanood niya ako.