Five O'clock Sky (Nueva Caceres#1)

CHAPTER 43

Hi, I'm back?

♡,
ioniehann

-

-

CHAPTER 43: Million-dollar-ring

Why was I hurting?

Sandro wants to give Thiago a complete family by tying me into marriage. It's for my son. I can set anything aside for him, even my own independence. If it's for my son's welfare and happiness, it'll be worth all the sacrifice... but why was I hurting?

Nakatulugan ko nalang ang tanong na iyon kagabi.

The question remained unanswered until this very morning that I stood in the balcony with a cup of tea in my hand. Mula sa kinatatayuan ay tanaw ko ang aking magulang sa rancho. They're riding a horse together. I could hear Mom's laughter from a distance. Even after all these years, they still love each other like high school sweethearts. Napangiti ako, pero unti-unti rin iyong nabura sa'king labi.

Love. They're married because they're in love, as marriage should rightfully be about love and among many things.

Why was I hurting with the thought that Sandro wants to marry me?

As bitterness crawled it's way to my heart, I realized I long knew the answer to that question. But then, denial is easier than acceptance.

Mula sa rancho ay nabaling ang aking tingin sa pamilyar na wrangler na papalapit sa mansion. Matiim kong sinundan ng tingin ang kotse hanggang sa humito ito sa driveway sa tapat ng mansion. Bagamat heavily tinted ay ramdam kong tila sinasalubong din ng driver ang aking mata.

Sandro went out of his car and his eyes instantly found mine. Umangat ang sulok ng kanyang labi. Isang matalim na tingin ang sinukli ko dito. Without breaking the eye contact, nilapag ko sa coaster na nasa baranda ang tsaang nangangalahati pa lang sa tasa ang laman. Then, gracefully, I turned my back and walked my way out of the room.

Pagkababa ay naabutan ko si Sandro sa living room. Inaalok ito ng katulong ng kape ngunit tumanggi ang huli. Ang tingin niya ay napunta sa'kin.

"Mangandang umaga ho, Senyorita." Bati ng katulong.

"Paki-tawag si Thiago sa kanyang silid, Risa."

Yumuko ang babae at agad na tumalima. Hinintay ko itong tuluyang maka-akyat sa taas bago binaling ang atensyon si Sandro. I walked closer to him and stopped a meter away.

I extended my left hand towards him, which his amused eyes immediately dropped to. My fingers slightly splayed in a graceful manner. The french manicure on my nails made my hands so delicate.

"Pretty, isn't it?"

His eyes lingered on my hand a bit before he looked up to me.

"Hmm." He agreed casually, trying to suppress an amused smile. "You've got very pretty hands, Señorita." Aniya na para nang-uuto ng bata. I almost rolled my eyes.

"I spent thousands for my handcare and nailcare every month." I put my left hand over my right, pretending to examine it. "My future husband better be filthy rich. My fingers are so expensive just for him to put some cheap, gaudy engagement ring on it, don't you agree?" I looked at him through my lashes, faking a look of empathy.

I expected him to be insulted, or at least be challenged by it. On the contrary, he didn't show any signs of inferiority. If anything, the jerk just let out a chuckle of amusement.

"And you think I couldn't afford a million-dollar ring for your finger, baby?"

Kunwari akong nag-isip. "Maybe you could for like... ten years of saving? More so." I shrugged my shoulders disinterestedly.