Lace and Leather

CHAPTER 2

Baby Girl

I'm playing the chicken alfredo on my plate while listening to the three people at the dinning table eating with me. Tipid ang bawat kilos ko. As much as possible, I don't want to capture their attention. Palagay ko'y bigla nalang akong maninigas sa hiya.

"By the way young man, nice job on Lagdameo's case. I'm impressed." He look proud on Chance's achievement, I guess.

Ngunit ang mga mata niya at ngisi ay tila mas nanghahamon. His stance screams that he acknowledge what you did, but he expect more than what you acquired. Tila kahit gaano pa kadakila ang nagawa mo, hindi parin iyon sapat kaya maitutulak ka talaga niya na magsikap ng higit pa sa nauna.

"Oh Uncle, no biggie. I just happen to have some spare time to dig rubbishes lurking in your empire. My shovel didn't even hit the bottom." Chance sounded as arrogant as how he looked with that smirk.

Hindi siya nagbubuhat ng sariling upuan sa kung ano man ang nagawa niya bilang kababawan. Bagkus, mas ipinamumukha niya na hindi lang iyon ang kaya nyang gawin at hindi manlang siya pinagpaguran.

"You're digging on the coast my boy. Your shovel will grow tired and rusty before you even reach half of my domain." Hindi nakawala sa pandinig ko ang panunuya sa salita ni Mr. Gomez. His hazel brown eyes clouded with mischief.

"Wait for it Uncle. I'll strip you off your throne quick, you won't even notice. That's what you're moulding me for after all." Chancellor's stance is like an assassin preparing for a kill and his Uncle is the final boss.

Is it me? Or the place really gets creepy with their topic?

"Very well." Nagpatuloy sa pagkain si Mr. Gomez. He looks pretty pleased with his nephew's enthusiasm.

Ngayon ko lang napagtanto... Chancellor is his protégé?

Pero bakit si Chance? Doesn't he have plans on having his own offspring?

Mr. Gomez is in his thirties, I think. Marami mang naikakabit na magaganda at respetadong babae sa pangalan nito, wala paring matatawag na official.

Dala man ng simpleng kyuryosidad ang tanong ko, hindi ko parin maiwasang sawayin ang sarili. Pribado ang mga ganong bagay at hindi ko na dapat alamin o pagtakhan.

Hindi maipagkakailang mag-tyuhin nga ang dalawang to. They're identical in some ways. I can almost see Chancellor decades from now. But more... how should I put it? Arrogant? Somehow devilish? Like he doesn't run out of tricks on his sleeves when it comes to anything that has his interest.

"Gentlemen, no business on the table please." Chelsea said while graciously patting her lips with her table napkin.

Wow. She look more cuter looking so prim! Sinenyasan niya ang isa sa mga kasambahay na nakaantabay sa gilid habang kami ay naghahapunan. Dalidali naman itong nawala corridor na malamang ay patungo sa kitchen.

Nabaling ko muli ang aking atensyon sa mag-tyuhin na biglang natahimik. Nanayo ang balahibo ko hanggang anit. Sana ay 'di ko nalang pala ginawa!

Chance is savagely eating na tila sundalong kauuwi lang galing sa digmaan at gutom na gutom. Wow lang. kanina mukhang hindi makabasag pinggan sa sobrang pormal.

While Mr. Gomez... He's looking at me like I'm the next meal to be served! His licking his lower lip at sumenyas din sa kasambahay gaya ng ginawa ni Chelsie kanina. Pakiramdam ko sinisilaban ang pisngi ko patungo sa'king leeg. Nagbaba ako ng tingin sa aking pinggan. Gustuhin ko mang sumubo ay hindi ko na magawa dala ng pagkailang sa mabibigat na titig niya sa akin. Damn!

"My lady, you're not eating your food. Does your pallet prefer something else?" Hindi kalakasan ang boses nya dahil simpleng tanong lang naman iyon pero pakiramdam ko nayanig ang buong silid sa sobrang lalim nito. Ganoon pa man, nananahan doon ang lambing at pagsuyo.