Secret Seduction | [R-18]

Chapter Forty Two

"Are you alright? You're shaking."

Tanong ni Louie pagkahawak niya sa nanlalamig kong kamay. We just arrived at the restaurant where we'll meet his parents. Kahit ayaw ko pang matulak sa spotlight, hindi na ako tumanggi dahil nga hight isang taon na kami.

"Yeah, just nervous."

"Don't be." he smiled and kissed the back of my hand, "My parents don't show it if they don't like anyone. They'll just tell me afterwards."

"Fuck off." Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at kinuha pabalik yung kamay ko. He chuckled as he knew he made me even more nervous.

"Nagtext na si dad." sabi niya nang buksan ang cellphone. While I was drinking water, I saw a man with gray hair wearing a white polo walk towards us. I felt Louie stand so I did so, too.

"Mommy?"

"Emergency sa hospital. As usual." sabi niya bago yumakap kay Louie. He smiled at me as soon as he broke the hug. "You must be-"

"My girlfriend. Dad, this is Andrea. Drey, this is my dad, Jeremiah." he said as we shook hands. His dad gave him a confused look,

"Jere- Jeremiah? Too Catholic. You can call me tito Jeremy. I know I look young as hell but I'm already forty-nine years old."

I chuckled as I got to know his personality more. He didn't look old at all. He gave me this youthful slash millennial vibe that I didn't get the last two times I met Louie's mom.

"I'm so sorry Mari couldn't come. Famous kasi yun sa ospital, busy mag autograph." biro niya ulit pagkatapos mag order. Ang cute naman, may nickname siya sa wife niya.

"It's fine, nameet naman na ni mommy si Drey. Pero baguhan palang kami noon." tumingin muna siya saakin bago tapusin yung sinasabi niya. The fear I felt an hour ago disappeared in an instant. I feel welcome.

"Noon? Kailan ba naging kayo?"

"Nag anniversary po kami last March." nahihiya kong sabi. I saw his eyes widen and a smile formed from his lips.

"Oh, wow. Buti umabot kayo?" seryoso pero parang biro na tanong niya. Nagulat ako at napatingin kay Louie na nakakunot ang ulo kay tito.

"I mean, buti hanggang ngayon kayo pa rin? Long distance relationship is really hard you know." medyo gumaan ang pakiramdam ko nang ipaliwanag niya. It was really a fun conversation to have with him. Kung saan saan umabot ang napag-usapan namin.

"Montenegro?" tanong niya nang malaman na iyon ang last name ko. I'm not shocked by his reaction since I am a Montenegro. My surname gets recognized all the time and I always get asked if I'm related to Steve Montenegro, my dad. "Anak ka ni Fred?"

"Pamangkin po." It was the first time I was asked about tito Fred, Natalie's dad. Baka sila ang close noong kabataan nila.

"Oh, you're Steve's daughter." tumango tango siya habang kumakain. "My wife was friends with Patricia since they were both physicians. That was my only connection to the Montenegro's. I don't really know much rather than the tragedy that they faced."

Natigilan siya nang marealize ang sinabi niya. He's right. Death followed by death in such a short span of time.

"A-ah, ang sarap ng steak nila dito. You should try some." ngiti niya at tuloy tuloy lang na kumain para matakpan yung pagiging awkward niya.