The Touch of Eternal Sorrow (Altarieno Series #3)

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Mom was able to convince me to go to my party. Aside from her, being really persistent, I'm just going to show up to greet some guests—Lolo's guests, in particular. Wala naman akong in-invite dahil hindi ako magtatagal. The performance is happening in two hours at kailangan pa namin ng isang take ng rehearsal. Eventually, I will be needed outside.

The weird thing is... we still don't know the venue. Derwick said they are still asking the head of the music club at hanggang ngayon, wala pa akong balita.

I fixed my tie and rolled my sleeves up. My eyes darted against a certain table where I saw my grandfather. He's with a group of men in suit laughing in a rich manner. Probably, the businessmen that Dad's talking about.

"Texas is fine, for sure."

Dumaan ako sa gilid upang hindi agad ako mapansin. I wanted to know if my timing's right.

"I was in Oracle's headquarters together with some staff. I heard you're interested in investing in their stocks, Tom?"

My grandfather then laughed.

"ORCL on NYSE, isn't it?" He chewed. "My analyst said it was a moderate buy."

"I heard it is quite impressive these days. I saw the one-year chart."

"And the earnings are expected to increase to fifty-four percent. Good lord, my partners are all optimistic about it!"

"The AI start-up was that good, huh?"

Tumikhim ako at suminghap. Even if I do understand what they're talking about, I am simply not interested.

I need to get out of here before the stock market eats me up.

"Harhyson." Napatayo si Lolo nang mapansin ako sa gilid. The guests on his table also looked at me.

Tipid akong ngumiti. Plastik.

"Oh... is this your grandson, Tom? The celebrant?"

"Well..."

"I believe it's me." Sagot ko. "Harhyson Altarieno."

Hindi ko na ininteres na kamayan silang lahat. Basta na lang akong umupo sa isang bakanteng upuan, nakakrus ang mga braso.

"So... what interests you, young man?" The asian guy asked me. He must be Tawainese, fair guess.

"I have a degree in computer science."

Nagtinginan silang lahat.

"Interesting. Hmm... any remarkable projects?"

I don't want to specify anything to anyone. "I work for companies, mostly in the Philippines. I do freelance."

"Why not full-time?"

I chuckled. "I'm studying again."

"Business?"

"Education."

The Asian man glanced at the white guy. Binigyan niya ito ng makahulugang tingin bago sinulyapan si Lolo. They laughed.

My grandfather laughed awkwardly. I smirked at him.

"I didn't know your family was ever into this, Tom. I thought your grandkids are engineers and accountants?"

"Maybe he was just bored. Is it the vast majority of Filipino youth who want a teaching degree?"

"Or yet, a black sheep?" The other one said.

"I thought the other grandkid was the black sheep? The girl with the record?" I would assume it's Shara they are talking about.