Threads of Love

Chapter 5

Lea's POV

What a beautiful evening. Tonight is the tonight where I'm going to meet my potential husband at Aguera's, thanks, Dad. 

I got myself ready. Wearing a sleek, black dress that exuded confidence but had an air of casual elegance. I paired it with understated heels and opted for minimal accessories to keep things simple yet sophisticated. As I glanced at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but appreciate the irony of dressing up for what felt like an elaborate play directed by my father.

"Alright, Lea, time to face the 'potential husband'".

As I made my way to Aguera's, my mind was filled with a mix of anticipation and annoyance. Kinakabahan ako na hindi ko maintindihan.

Aguera's was known for its exquisite ambiance and fine dining, a place my father believed would set the stage for a perfect introduction.

As I stepped into the restaurant, the subdued lighting and soft murmur of conversations created an atmosphere of refinement. I scanned the room, searching for the man and his family I was supposed to meet. A discreet host led me to a private area where the reservation was made.

The moment I entered the private area, I noticed my dad and Lana sitting at the table, nag-uusap na para bang ang lalim ng pag-uusap nila. Confusion swept over me, and for a moment, I questioned if I had misunderstood the situation. Siguro this wasn't a setup for me to meet a potential husband, but rather some family gathering or business meeting.

"Dad, Lana, what's going on?" I asked, my gaze shifting between them.

Dad looked up. "You're early. Sit down. We were just discussing something important."

I raised an eyebrow, my confusion deepening. As I took my seat, the door to the private area swung open, and a waiter approached, offering me a menu. I scanned the room, realizing that the man and his family were nowhere to be seen.

"So, where's the potential husband?" I couldn't help but ask, my tone laced with sarcasm.

Dad exchanged a quick glance with Lana, and a subtle smile played on Lana's lips. "Lea, there's been a change of plans. The meeting has been rescheduled. It seems they're running late," Dad explained, attempting to sound nonchalant.

I sighed, suppressing my frustration. "Running late? Of course, they are," I muttered under my breath, feeling a strange mixture of relief and annoyance.

As the waiter patiently waited for my order, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awkwardness in the air. The elaborate play I had mentally prepared for was taking an unexpected turn, and I was left wondering about the true intentions behind this gathering.

Lana, always quick with her words, broke the silence. "Lea, you look stunning. Did you dress up for the potential husband, or are you just trying to impress us?"

I shot her a sarcastic smile. "Oh, definitely for the potential husband. I figured a black dress might hide the impending doom of this arranged meeting."

Dad remained silent, his gaze fixed on the menu in his hands. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and I couldn't help but feel that this unexpected twist held more significance than anyone was letting on.

As we continued to navigate the awkwardness, Dad's strict demeanor became even more apparent. 

The waiter stood by patiently, almost frozen in the background, sensing the tension that had enveloped our table. Dad's stern expression remained unchanged, and Lana's subtle smile hinted at an amusement that she was keen on keeping to herself.

Oh, please.

Sinabi namin sa waiter what we wanted and needed then umalis na siya.

I couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that I was being manipulated. Dad, with his crafted plans and Lana, with her sly smiles, seemed to be orchestrating a performance, and I was left to play the lead role without a script.