Tides of Betrayal (Casa del Pueblo Series #1)

Kabanata twenty-two

Kabanata twenty-two

Good Idea

Pagkagising ko kinabukasan, narinig ko agad ang mga boses na nag-uusap sa baba. Pagkababa ko ng hagdan, bumungad sa akin ang ama ko at si Mr. Leandro na nakaupo sa malaking sala, abala sa pag-uusap. Naroon rin si Apollo, nakatayo sa gilid ng sofa, nakikinig sa kanilang diskusyon.

Napansin ko agad si Apollo, at sa isang iglap, nahuli niya ang tingin ko. Hindi siya natulog?

Nagpatuloy ang usapan nina Daddy at Mr. Leandro. "Magsisimula na ang construction sa susunod na linggo." ani Daddy, ang tinig niya ay seryoso at may kasiguruhan.

Halata ang kasiyahan sa mukha ng ama ko sa ideya ng project na ito. Maging si Mr. Leandro ay mukhang kuntento sa kasunduan nila.

Biglang lumitaw si Zeke mula sa aking likuran, may dalang kape at may magiliw na ngiti sa mukha.

Napansin siya ni Daddy at kaagad na ngumiti. "Elle, okay lang ba at ipasyal mo muna si Zeke sa buong mansyon?" aniya, humarap kay Zeke na tila sinisigurado na komportable ito sa aming tahanan.

Tumango ako sa sinabi ni Daddy, ngunit hindi ko maalis ang kaba sa dibdib ko. Ramdam ko ang tingin ni Apollo mula sa gilid. Tiningnan ko siya at tumango siya nang bahagya, sapat na upang mapagaan ang loob ko.

"So, how's the life of a princess, Elle? Filled with grand balls and glass slippers?" pilyo siyang nakangiti habang naglalakad kami.

Bahagya ko siyang nginitian. "Zeke, all of this... the luxury, the grand life, it has its price. It feels even more exhausting than a simple life would be."

Seryoso siyang nakatingin sa akin, ang kanyang titig ay mainit ngunit alam kong nauunawaan niya ako, para bang nakita niya ang higit sa sinasabi ko. Pagkaraan ng ilang minuto, malumanay siyang nagsalita. "Elle... sometimes the most important thing is staying true to yourself, even with all the responsibilities and expectations. Always keep in mind why you started on this path. And when the time comes that you finally choose your own way, make sure it's what you want, not just what others expect."

Gumaan ng bahagya ang aking pakiramdam sa sinabi niya.

Habang naglalakad kami, saglit akong nag-alinlangan bago nagsalita. "Zeke, does your family ever... force you into something? Something that you didn't really want for yourself?"

Itinaas niya ang kanyang isang kilay, at isang maliit na ngisi ang sumilay sa gilid ng kanyang labi, but his eyes were thoughtful. "Elle, with my family? There's no asking involved. It's more of a written rule. My life was pretty much mapped out the moment I was born." he chuckled lightly, his gaze shifting to the path ahead. "Four brothers, one giant family empire to handle. Guess who's lined up to take over?"

Nakaramdam ako ng matinding simpatya para sa kanya. "So... you don't get a say?"

He shrugged, but there was a hint of resignation in his tone. "I could, technically. But when you've got a family depending on you, certain choices... they aren't really choices anymore. I'll do what I have to, even if it means giving up some freedom." he paused, glancing back at me with a gentle smile. "It's like what I said... sometimes the best we can do is find a way to be true to ourselves in the middle of it all."

Tumingin siya sa akin, "I heard from your dad that you're not exactly thrilled about the responsibilities line up for you," aniya, magaan ang tono niya, yet there was something deep beneath it.

Nakaramdam ako ng matinding kahihiyan. "It's not that I don't care... I just don't want my life completely dictated by someone else's plans."

Zeke's smirk softened into a more genuine smile, his eyes warm as he watched me. "I admire that about you, Elle. You've got this... fire, this resistance that a lot of people in our world don't even try to have. Most just go with what's expected."