My Miss Blue Rose (Royal Astra #01 and #1.5)

Thirty Sixth Star

LAURENCE

"DAD, I mean, Sir."

Nakatambay kami ni Reina sa rooftop nang biglang nag-ring ang cellphone ko. Tumawag ang magaling kong ama. Yeah, I call him sir, he never became a father to me. Dama ko ang mapanuring tingin sa akin ni Reina. Alam niya na hindi kami magkasundo ni Daddy.

"I call to tell you that I will be coming back next week with my business partner."

As expected. He's going to talk about business. Iyon lang naman ang importante sa kanya... ang business na iyon. Since kuya died, bihira na lang namin siyang makita ni Mommy... palagi siyang nasa kung saang-saang bansa para sa negosiyo niya.

"As if it matters to me."

"Laurence, how dare you answer me like that," sigaw niya sa kabilang linya. I could hear the irritation in his voice.

"Well, I already stopped benumbing myself SIR, that also means, I will tell you whatever I want to tell you."

"What on earth are you talking about? As expected, you're going to have horns. Why can't you be like your brother?"

"Don't drag Kuya into this. He's dead and he's never coming back," I shouted, fighting back the tears. Nararamdaman ko na ang hamog sa ilalim ng mga mata ko.

"You are a hopeless case, King Laurence."

"No, Sir. You are."

"I don't know what to do with you. Just be there at the party. You can bring your friends there," aniya. Tama ba ang narinig ko, friends? I laugh sardonically. Reina gave me a curious look.

"Friends? Are you out of your sanity, Chairman Madrigal, kailan mo pa natanggap na may mga kaibigan ako? Anyway, I'll think about it. Bye, Sir."

"Laurence, I'm still talking to you." I ended the call and threw the phone back to my bag.

Reina squeezed my hand and played with my fingers. I sighed. "Darating si Daddy with his business partner, magkakaroon ng formal party."

"So, pupunta ka ba?" Concern niyang tanong. Inihilig ko ang aking ulo sa kanyang balikat.

"I don't want to pero siguradong pipilitin ako ni Mommy and I guess, I don't have any other choice," her arms circled my shoulder. I never liked attending parties hosted by my Dad, palagi lang niyang pinamumukha sa akin kung gaano ako kawalang- kuwenta... na dapat buhay pa ang kapatid ko kung hindi dahil sa akin.

"My Star, kung okay lang sa'yo, I want to come with you."

"Para makilala mo na rin ang tatay ko at para makita mo kung gaano siya ka-cruel?"

"He is still your father," sermon niya sa akin.

"I know." Iyon na siguro ang katotohanan na hindi mababago. I have a father who hates me more than anything else.

"Paano na tayo kapag dumating ang daddy mo?"

"As if my life matters to him."

"He is still you father, pag-uulit niya. "He may intervene, he may not."

"Ang totoo niyan ay natatakot ako. Tama ka, tatay ko siya. Marami siyang puwedeng gawin. Whatever he wants he can do but there is one thing that I can assure you, I won't let him ruin us, I will never let go of you."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

•♥•♥•♥•

"ANO ITO?" tanong ni Rodge.

"Invitation para sa party ni Chairman." Nandito ako ngayon sa Royal Astra building kasama ang mga kaibigan ko, inabot ko sa kanila ang invitation na pinadala ni Mommy.