Mending Heart's Affliction [Phoenix Countesses: ETHEREAL MAIDENS SERIES I]

Chapter 13

Get tested

We were all silent as the dinner began, but I could feel the occasional glances from Arik and Isabella directed at me. Ramdam ko rin na nais nilang magsalita ngunit hindi alam kung saan magsisimula. 

"Celeste, my dear, I suppose my son gave you a heads up before I even called you regarding this dinner. Is that right?" Mr. William Johnsons initiated the conversation.

I waited for the juice I was drinking to go down before nodding and looking at him.

"Yes, Mr. Johnsons. Liam went to my office earlier to inform me, but he didn't say anything else. He just mentioned that it was important."

"I see. Kaya hindi ka na nakatanggi. You couldn't refuse my son, huh?" His voice sounded teasing.

Ramdam ko ang kahihiyan para sa sinabi niya.

"Hasn't my son courted you yet, Celeste? I would be happy if that's the case between you two now," dagdag pa ng asawa niya.

Awtomatiko akong napalingon kay Arik nang marinig ko iyon. Na tila ba may sariling desisyon ang katawan ko upang gawin iyon para lang makita ang kanyang reaksyon. He was currently drinking. His eyes were dark, matching his expression. I noticed his jaw tense.

"I think not yet, Mrs. Johnsons. My sister is single," Oliver answered, and I quickly looked at him. Aurora was smirking beside him.

Oo nga pala. Nandito siya dahil business partners sila sa isang project. I wonder kung iyon lang ba talaga ang namamagitan sa kanilang dalawa. 

"Is that true, Celeste?" William Johnson asked.

Napalunok ako. Umayos ako ng upo habang ramdam ko ang pagpukol ng malalim na titig sa akin ni Arik. I gasped as he rested his arm on the back of my chair.

"No, Ma'am. Liam and I are just friends," I directly replied to them.

Why did the conversation suddenly turn to this?

"So, you're still single until now?" Cassandra Johnsons continued. "I hope you don't mind my asking, dear. We're just curious."

"No, Ma'am. It's fine."

"Maybe because she's still waiting for someone, Mrs. Johnsons," Arik suddenly interjected. Lahat kami ay napatingin sa kanya.

"Oh, Mr. Rioflorida, nakalimutan kong itanong kung bakit magkasama kayong dumating. I heard you immediately invested a significant amount in Percepta when you returned to Florida INC," ani ng matandang lalaki habang nagsasalin ng wine sa baso ng kanyang asawa.

Pakiramdam ko ay nasa hot seat ako ngayon. Ayos lang naman ang mga tanong na iyon sana kung hindi lang nakapulupot ang kamay ng Arik na ito sa likod ng upuan ko.  Bakit ba naroon iyon?

Nagpatuloy lang ako sa pag kain ko kahit nahihirapan na ako sa pag lunok dahil sa mga naririnig ko. I heard Arik's chuckle next to me, and he slightly leaned closer to me.

"I did, Mr. Johnsons. I've been interested in the Percepta Group for a long time, and now I finally had the opportunity. Actually, my father, too. Percepta Group and their projects are actually good," Arik explained to him. "Even their vision and mission."

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mararamdaman ko sa sinabi niya. I looked at him again and noticed that he was genuinely serious about his words. When his gaze shifted to me, he just smiled subtly.

"But is it true that you and Isabella here lived together when you suddenly disappeared?" Cassandra Johnsons made another snide remark.

Mabilis akong nag iwas ng tingin. Nang sulyapan ko si Isabella ay doon ko nakita ang ngisi sa kanyang labi. Bakas sa mukha niya ang kagustuhan na sagutin ang tanong na iyon ngunit mabilis na naunahan siya ni Arik.