Stay With Me

CHAPTER 80: Dinner with the Villamors

Ara's POV

Ito na 'yon! Ito na ang sinasabi ni Nathan na Dinner With Villamor! Andito kami ngayon ni Nathan sa malaking gate ng mansion nila Matthew. This is so... surreal. I never imagined na aabot ako dito, na magiging part ako ng dinner with Matthew's family, and as Nathan's fake girlfriend pa!

Habang naglalakad kami papasok, ramdam ko ang kabog ng dibdib ko. Ang laki pa rin ng mansion na 'to, everything looks so perfect, and I couldn't help but feel a little out of place.

"Relax, Ara. Just act normal," sabi ni Nathan, tawang-tawa siya habang nilalakad namin ang pathway papunta sa pinto.

I tried to steady my breath. "Normal? Anong normal?! Nathan, baka makita nilang hindi ako bagay sa lahat ng 'to!"

Nathan just chuckled, "Don't overthink it. Just act like we're together, okay? You're doing great."

I took another deep breath, but the nervousness was still there. I wasn't sure if I could pull this off, but I had no choice now. I had already made the deal.

Papunta na kami sa malaking dining area nila Matthew, and I couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed. I'm wearing a simple yet elegant dress na pinili ni Nathan for me. It's a soft blush pink, nothing too fancy, but still enough to make me feel like I belonged here.

Habang lumalapit kami, I noticed the grandeur of the room. Lahat ng furniture, kahit ang chandelier, naka-align sa sophistication na hindi ko sanang kayang i-handle.

"Okay lang 'yan, Ara," sabi ni Nathan, noticing my nervousness. "You look perfect. Just remember, we're here to have a good time."

I nodded, trying to hide the anxiety. "I hope so, Nathan. I really hope so."

Nakasuot si Nathan ng dark blue suit, fitted na perpekto sa katawan niya, with a black tie and a white shirt underneath. His whole look exuded confidence, parang siya na ang may-ari ng lugar, at sa kabila ng kaba ko, hindi ko maiwasang mapansin na he looked so comfortable in this kind of setting.

Nang nasa dining area na kami, napatingin sa amin ang lahat. Lahat ay napanganga ng makita ako. Kaagad kong nakita si Tita Mitzi at Tita Marton na nagtataka, syempre, kung bakit ako nandito. Si Maxine, ang bunsong kapatid ni Matthew, as usual, walang emosyon sa mukha niya-parang wala lang. Si Kuya Maverick naman ay nandito rin.

Huli kong napansin si Matthew, at... si Catherine. Nakatulala lang ako sandali. Si Catherine, ang fiancé ni Matthew, nakaupo sa tabi niya, ang mga mata niya nakatutok sa amin. I couldn't read her expression, pero alam kong may something off sa atmosphere.

"Good evening, everyone!" Nathan greeted, like nothing was unusual. He turned to me, "Ara, this is Matthew, his family, and of course, Catherine."

Kilala ko na yan.

I tried to smile, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that everyone was watching me closely, especially Catherine.

"What is she doing here?" Tanong ni Matthew kay Nathan, nakakunot ang noo.

Lahat ng mata ay napunta sa amin. Si Catherine, kahit hindi nagsasalita, parang may nararamdaman akong tensyon sa mukha niya.

Nathan stood confidently, hindi nag-atubili. "She's with me. Ara is my... girlfriend."

"Your girlfriend?" Matthew asked, his tone a bit surprised, but his gaze shifted to me, trying to read my reaction.

I tried to stay calm, even if my heart was racing. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin, pero I had to play the role now. "Good evening, Matthew," I greeted, forcing a smile on my face kahit na ramdam ko ang pressure ng buong pamilya nila sa akin.