Will you choose me? (Montecarlo Heir #2)

Kabanata 22

I'm not leaving tita Athena and tita Elisse's side because I don't want to have a slight opportunity of us being alone. I'm not saying that Amiel wants that, but the way he is staring at me made me uncomfortable. Dad is still busy talking to a different man this time but I can see him glancing at my direction from time to time. Matt is also just meters away, with eyes locked at me and watching me like a hawk. I sighed.

The older women introduced me to their common friends. I forced a smile and shook their hands.

"Nice to see you again, Ria." Nala, the fashion designer I met before in tita Elisse's party.

"Good evening." I returned his greeting.

"Ang ganda ganda mo talaga be, kelan mo susubukan ang modeling?" Ngiti nito. My aunts giggled beside me.

"Oh you plan to pursue that now? I don't see why not. But of course.. you know kuya." Si tita Athena na nangiti sa nadinig at nagkibit balikat sakin.

I swallowed. "Not yet po. Studies muna." Hilaw akong ngumisi. I'm not telling anyone my plans. Saka na if nasa college na ako. If I'm settled and I know my schedule, I'll try to get some go-see. Though I can't just model for any brand, it should be appropriate for my age still or else I will be in trouble.

Nala just stared at me, tila binabasa ang isip ko. He cocked his right eyebrow twice and smiled at me before they resumed with another topic.

The party went on and dad had to excuse himself to those older men to join my table with the older women for dinner. If not only for my aunts, I wouldn't ask dad for us to stay longer. After dinner, I excused myself for a powder room break.

Paglabas ko ng powder room ay nakita ko si Amiel na naghihintay sa may corridor. It's inevitable for us to bump into each other tonight but I guess I underestimated him. How he has audacity to look into my eyes na parang wala lang.

"So that's it? You're ignoring me?" I heard him asked when I walked passed him. I'm sure he's talking to me dahil kami lang ang nandito.

"Why did you block me, Ria?" Nagtitimpi niyang dugtong ng nagpatuloy ako sa paglakad. I laughed mockingly then turned to face him.

"You really have the guts to ask me that, Amiel?" My brow shot up. He's angry. I don't care. Siya pa ang galit ha!

"We should talk. You should let me-"

"There's nothing left for us to talk about. We should just be-"

He pulled my forearm gently. Nakayuko itong umiiling. "What happened.. it's nothing. Just-"

"I don't really care. Let me go, Amiel."

"Just.." hindi na niya natuloy ang sasabihin dahil ako na ang nagtagal ng kamay niya sa pagkakahawak sakin. He weakly let go of me and I walked out of the scene.

I took a deep breath dahil sa bigat ng dibdib ko. I'm trying to rule my emotions here. The urge of me looking into his eyes and fall to his trap.. it's bad. Not to mention that I've been trying my best not to check the restricted accounts on my messenger to see if chinachat niya ba ako. If magiging marupok ako at makikinig ulit sakanya.. chances are I will still experience the same bullshit from him. He needs to figure out whether or not he wants to be with me. Hindi yung ikikeep niya ako pero he's out in the open flirting with other girls.

I told dad I'm tired and wanted to go home kaya agad na siyang nagpaalam na uuwi na kami. He's worried that I'm not feeling well but I assured him that I'm fine. Just tired.

"Why the long face?" Anton chuckled when I finally answered his call that night.

I sighed. These siblings are making my head hurt. Why am I caught up in this situation?