Love Operation: Don't Become The Villainess

CHAPTER 22: ...

After the quick shopping spree and lunch with Leo ay hinatid niya na ako pauwi bandang alas dos ng hapon.

Ngunit pag-uwi at pagpasok sa loob ay hindi ko inaasahan ang makasalubong si Olivia Baratheon Cordova, ang ina namin ni Leo.

As I entered the mansion, she was there, standing atop the grand staircase. Sinalubong ko ang matalas na mga titig niya't bago ako yumuko upang batiin siya.

"Mother, welcome back," I greeted while bowing my head.

Hindi ko alam na ngayon na pala ang balik niya galing sa... hindi ko alam. I just know she went abroad for business.

"Catherine, raise your head."

So I did. When we looked at each other again, she held her head high with dignity.

"I've heard a lot of... interesting things about you," she said before turning her back, "Come with me to my office. We have matters to discuss."

I went up the staircase and followed her to her office.

Through the dark and heavy mahogany doors, I was greeted by the elegant and luxurious interiors of her office with a theme of wood, gold and dark monochromatic colors. Pagpasok ay sasalubungin ka ng kaniyang kumikinang na chandelier, makintab na macassar ebony office table while behind it, a leather executive chair. In front of her main office table, a rectangular coffee table is placed with two long black couches on either side. An expensive white carpet embroidered with gold intricate jacobean florals lay below on the ceramic tiled floor.

On the back of the room, there is a huge and wide bookshelf filled with books and paperwork. On the right, there is a console table with more books, paperwork neatly stacked, and trinkets on top. There are also framed certificates and pictures of our family hanging on the wood wall panels. Ninety-five centimeters of fan palm potted plants stood on both sides of the room. Lastly, on the left, a floor-to-ceiling window.

But what really caught my attention was our framed family pictures.

Did she hung that up for show for her visitors? Or does she actually care... even just a little bit?

"Take a seat," pag-anyaya niya matapos umupo sa sofa sa kanang bahagi ng coffee table.

With a calm yet slightly cold expression to match her aura, I sat on the other side, facing her. Even so, I couldn't help but feel nervous.

"What is it you want to talk about, Mother?"

She crossed her arms below her chest. Raising her right eyebrow at me, she said, "I heard about your relationship with Montague Ivan from the Xis while I was in London."

Oh, so she was in London.

"Yes, Mother," I nodded, "We started dating last August 4."

"You're keeping track of the date," she scoffed, placing her right leg on top of the other, "That's good. Well, you did well wooing the heir of the Xis. You saved me the trouble of looking a fiance for you. I'll give you that."

My already curled hands subtly tightened to a fist on top of my lap.

"Aside from that, I can see you're forming good relations with your brother," she nodded her head, "That's good for keeping our business empire stable."

I bit the skin inside of my mouth. Does she not care about anything else aside from her business?

I'm trying so hard to understand her right now. Iniisip ko na lang na kaya siya ganito ay dahil sa pagpapalaki rin sa kaniya. I can remember from Cath's memories that her grandparents were much more stricter on her than she is to me. She was just a clueless child too who had to do what she can and follow those around her to survive. She's just doing what she thinks is best.

Even so, the words coming from her mouth is really irritiating me.

She's already an adult. She should know how to unlearn the toxic traits taught to her even just bit by bit and not get swayed by it. That's how we can improve as a person.

Still, I remained quiet.

"There were also a few unfortunate incidents that were reported to me, by Lionel and Almira too," she continued, "But it's already been taken care of."

She must be talking about the time when we were chased by some gangsters. And could Tita Mira have told her about the explosion back at the hotel when I was having dinner with Ivan? Now that I think about it, a lot did happen that I don't know which is which anymore.

"I see," I finally spoke since earlier, slightly lowering my head, "That's good to hear, Mother."

"As a reward, I'll give you anything you want. What do you want?"

My eyes went blank. A reward?

For what? For being with Ivan? For having a good relationship with my brother?

"I have no need for a reward, Mother," I looked up to her once again, meeting her eyes. With a small smile, I continued, "I'm already contented with my life."

Muli niya akong tinaasan ng kilay, somewhat displeased with my answer, "You're already contented with your life right now?"

My eyes remained stern, staring at her, "Yes, I want nothing right now."

Her back straightened, "You should never be contented with your life, Catherine Graciela. You must keep wanting for more."

My gaze at her softened. I asked, "Is that so?"

"Yes. I can't believe you've turned out to be very relaxed!" she let out an exasperated sigh, looking away. The diamond studs on her ears glimmered under the bright lights coming from the chandelier, "In the kind of world we live in, you must keep wanting for more. You must never be satisifed and you must never relax. You need to keep moving to stay and improve your power and wealth! You need to be smart and strategic while staying graceful and elegant. Remember these words, Catherine."

That's quite... tiresome.

"I see, Mother," I responded, "Thank you for telling me."

"Besides, if someone with great power and wealth asks you if you want a reward, you must never decline. Or else, you will end up disrespecting and mocking them. But you must also know your boundries and limits when requesting for a reward. Don't be too prideful, and be humble. Never get ahead of yourself, unless you can face and go against the consequences of your actions. But in this case, as your Mother, I'll be giving you the discretion to request for anything you want. Whether it be too much or not. So, again," pagdidiin niya, her head turning my way again, "What is it that you want?"

During these moments, the kind of happy and warm life I've had with my family in my past life suddenly came into mind.

That's when I realized, even the richest of the rich can also be the poorest of the poor sometimes.

This is very tiresome.

A/N: Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!! :) Thank you so much for reading and supporting! Hope to see you in 2024 too, hehe.