Aphrodite (Complete)

Chapter Thirty One

Chapter Thirty One

Casamayor Affair

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The party starts at seven in the evening. I woke up at eight in the morning just to buy goddamn shoes for the gown I'm wearing tonight. It was a good thing I found one in an hour (which was rare for a perfectionist like me). I came rushing back at the apartment to take a bath and eat breakfast (it's funny how I prioritize shoes more than breakfast). Lucian said that Ingrid would come by here so I waited patiently.

I decided to video call Marquis back home. It's a bit early in there kaya alam ko ring may time ako para kausapin sila ng mas matagal. Celeste slept on me last night.

Marquis's face came into view after answering my call. Celeste was at the background waving a book or some sort in a comical way. Mukhang naiinis na ano naman ang mukha ni Marquis na nakatingin sa camera. I laughed at him. "What's with the long face?"

Ginulo niya ang buhok niya. And then he rubbed his face. "Venus. Make. Celeste. Stop. Right. This. Instant." He emphasized each word.

Napailing na lamang ako. I watched Celeste in the background and she's still waving the photo album around. "Hey sweetie! Let's talk!"

Mabilis namang lumapit si Celeste sa pwesto ni Marquis habang dala 'yong photo album na winawagayway niya kanina. She lifted it up and showed the picture she was trying to show to me. It was a baby picture of Marquis butt-naked and crying. Pulang-pula pa ang mukha niya doon. "Tito is such a weiner! See, Mom? See?" Celeste commented. Marquis on the other hand harshly grabbed the book from her grip.

Well, that was embarrassing.

"Yes he is sweetie. But I don't think it's good bullying your Tito Marquis... without me around." Tumawa kaming dalawa ni Celeste while she continued teasing Marquis about his scandalous photo.

"At talagang nag join forces kayong mag-ina!" Reklamo ni Marquis na halatang naiinis na talaga pero hindi magawang magalit, siyempre, dahil mahal niya ako at pamangkin niya si Celeste. Oh yes he does. He loves me, a'ight?

The laughter was too much so I was responsible to make it stop. Eventually the teasing was down in a normal volume and we talked about lots of stuff. Since Celeste was going through Marquis's photo albums, there is really a tendency that she'd ask about Diana. Kinakabahan pa rin ako siyempre pero sino naman ako para kunin ang karapatan niyang makilala ang ina niya?

"Don't worry, you'll meet her soon enough I promise." I said. I'll save your mother in time.

"Hey Cece, can I talk to your mother alone? Nuod ka muna ng TV sa labas." Ordered Marquis. Celeste, of course, obediently followed. Hinintay muna ni Marquis na makalabas si Celeste bago siya humarap sa'kin. His face plastered urgency on it. There might be something that's coming up there. I hope it isn't bad news.

"Okay lang ba si Celeste? Sorry for bothering you Mark."

"She's a handful at times pero okay lang naman. Marunong naman dumisiplina." He answered. Then he sighed. He looked at me with worried eyes now. "Sana hindi nalang kita pinayagan pumunta diyan V. Muntik ka raw mapahamak diyan. I clearly forgot the Macornis there."

"Adelaide told you, huh." I commented. "I can take care of myself, don't worry."

"Kahit na, V. Elias unit isn't enough to protect you. After all, you are one of Sir Viktor's daughter. A direct descendant of the key. Kahit hindi pa kami sigurado na ikaw ang may hawak no'n, poprotektahan ka namin." He explained. "To think I have failed, again, I can't bear it."