I'm the one who's driving the car, we're on our way back to Laguna. Medyo matagal ang byahe dahil sa traffic.
"Czari..."
She slowly held my hand and started kissing it.
"Hmm?"
"Are you really sure you want to go with me? You know you can just stay home and take a rest"
"Irene I am going with you, hindi pwedeng ikaw lang ang haharap sa family mo. About sa atin ang pag-uusapan mamaya so dapat andun ako"
She heaved a sigh and lean on her seat.
"Are you nervous?" tanong ko
"A bit, now that we're going home I suddenly feel nervous. I keep remembering what lolo did to dad" she said
"What do you mean?"
I stopped the car since may stop light sa harap. She looked at me and bite her lips.
"Well...it's all because of his love for Iris. One night last year she came out during a family dinner. Lolo's there, my auntie Celina and uncle Peter with their children, my cousins- Isaac and Earl"
"Iris did it? Wow she's brave" manghang sabi ko
"She really is but her braveness angered my lolo Czari. He was very disappointed not only to Iris but also to my parents, specially to Dad. He blamed Dad's parenting style. He said Iris grew up as a rebel, irresponsible and confused woman"
The light turned into green, I started driving again.
"Is he a homophobic Irene, your lolo?" tanong ko
"Yes, and also uncle Peter"
"So I guess we will receive a long sermon later, and hurtful insults" sabi ko
"That's why I do not want you to go there, I know he will just try to hurt both of us. Make us feel guilty and bad of what's with us"
I smiled as I try to open the windows of the car.
"I can endure that, I can accept all the hurtful words from anyone. It does not matter how many insults I will receive from your family as long as we're together honey" I said
I glanced at her and saw her also looking at me.
"You don't know how happy I am right now hearing those words from you Czari"
"I will always be there for you Irene"
Always.
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Irene's Pov
We stayed in her unit before we go to my house. I kept thinking what's going to happen later. The scene from last year's family dinner keeps flashing in my mind.
(Flashback)
"Everyone I have something to announce tonight" Dad suddenly said
"Is Athena pregnant or something?" Auntie Celina jokingly asked
A few laughs were heard because of what she said. Dad quickly shook his head and smiled.
"No but a new chapter to our family will appear. Since my first daughter Iris just turned 25 last week I want to congratulate her again" he said
I looked at Iris who suddenly went beside Dad. I smiled and clapped my hands to congratulate my sister.
"Now that she is already in the right age to decide for herself, I want to formally let all of you know that I will be giving my position in the company to Iris. She will be the next CEO of SAC next year" he said
