Midnight Momento (Astalièr Series I)

MDT 13

Chapter 13

"R-Rohen..." I held his hand to stop him. Mabilis na bumaba ang mata niya doon na para bang isang himala na hinawakan ko siya. Marahan niyang binalik ang mata ang sa akin nang maintindihan niya ang tono ko. I gave him a pleading look.

"Hmmm?" He said back in a gentle tone.

"Kailangan ba ako doon? I think it's exclusive for your family... Pwede naman akong maunang umuwi." Tukoy ko sa pagsama sa salo-salo nila.

His brows moved like I was saying nonsense. "Are you uncomfortable?"

I wet my lips. "Hindi sa ganoon... Pero hindi naman ako parte ng pamilya para makisama..."

He laughed but he did his best to hide it but it reached his eyes, "You don't have to be a part of the family just to attend a party..." Bumaba ang mata niya sa kamay kong nakahawak sa sa kanya. "But if you mind being one—- I'm just kidding." He laughed again when I slapped his arm.

I pouted but he just raised both his brows.

"Stop joking around... I'm serious."

He stared at my eyes. "I'm serious too."

I felt my heart throbbed.

"Love birds. Hinahanap na kayo ni Senyora." Hindi ko napansin na nakatayo pala si Achilles 'di kalayuan sa amin.

Nagtiim bagang lang si Rohen, yumuko ako dahil naramdaman ko ang pag apoy ng pisngi ko. Binitawan ko na si Rohen at hinayaan siyang maglakad palapit sa kapatid niya. Sumunod na lang rin ako dahil parang walan balak si Rohen na pauwiin ako. Achilles just know how to rub salt to the wound.

Nilingon ako ni Rohen sa likod niya at hinawakan ang palapulsuhan ako upang sumabay ng lakad sa kanila. "Let's go." Aniya.

We went back into the factory. Turns out may mga offices sa second floor. Kung akala ko sagad na ang pressure ko kanina nang makita ang mag-asawang Astalier. Well, I am completely wrong. Dahil pagpasok namin ng conference room ay bumungad sa akin ang pamilya nila.

I am very familiar with every one of them. I studied their family. I wandered my eyes around and I felt my breathing hallowed again when I finally lingered my eyes on Governor Roswell Astalier, who's sitting at the end of the long wooden table. He aged. That's obvious, but his genes really successfully made its work on his son's physical appearances.

Everyone was like a carbon copy of another one. From Alexandro Rogan to Rohen and Achilles, to Alexandrio the second son to Kleon and Kairo the youngest grandson. Even Craig looked more like the Astalier than his Tonjuarez blood.

I expected to be welcomed by terrifying silence but everything seemed normal to them. I matched Kleon's eyes but he just smiled at me. I felt Rohen's hand on my lower back telling me to continue walking. I was about to protest because it will gain more attention but it was too late when Dra. Attina neared me.

"This is Atty. Callista Monteves. Atty. Cristof Monteves' daughter. Isn't she pretty?" Pakilala nito sa akin.

Doon lang sila nagtuon ng atensyon sa akin. I smiled even if my heart was raging inside, I felt my palm sweating.

"Nice to meet you, I am Kataleyah. Alexandrio's wife, you can call me Tita Kat," she welcomed me with a warm hug. I hugged her back.

Governor Astalier seemed busy but he stood up and walked to my direction. My stomach churned, kung hindi ko lang ramdam ang presensya ni Rohen sa tabi ko baka bumagsak na ako sahig dahil sa panlalambot ng tuhod ko.

He didn't need to come to me though... "Roswell Astalier." He offered his hand.

I gulp the uneasiness in my throat and accept it. I am shaking hands with Governor Astalier! The owner of the hacienda, who passed it in Rohen's name. I don't know if I should be thankful to him for passing the land title to his grandson, because it will be easier to handle Rohen. But I can't be sure, what if Governor Astalier was easier to deal with?