It was 10 pm already and hindi pa natatapos ang dinner party dito sa mansion namin. Nandito ako sa balcony namin dahil nagpapahangin ako. I was absorbing everything painfully slow. I cried, yes, it was so hard not to cry.
Narinig kong may naglakad palapit sakin kaya agad kong pinunasan ang mga luha ko.
"No need to hide those tears from me," A voice said behind me. She caressed my back and smiled warmly at me. "it's okay, Emi. Iiyak mo lang."
Naiyak ako sa sinabi niya. I covered my face with my hands. "Ang hirap naman kasi ng sitwasyon namin, Ate Jenesis."
"I know and I'm sorry dahil wala akong magagawa para tulungan ka. I just don't understand this whole arrange marriage thing. Lahat ng lobo sa mundo ay may mate at yung mate mong yun ang dapat mong makasama habang buhay." She said.
I nodded. "I know, Ate. Nagulat din po ako nung nalaman kong mateless sina Trevon at Alireza."
She sighed. "Why is destiny against you and my brother-in-law?"
"Baka hindi kami bagay sa mata ng tadhana." Ngumiti ako ng malungkot.
"But you're mates, Emi. In the end, kayong dalawa ang mananalo against that cruel destiny." She said.
"Ewan ko, Ate," Sabi ko, may pagsusuko na sa boses ko. "noon pa, talo na ako sa labanang ito. Wala akong magagawa para baguhin ang lahat ng to."
"I knew Evan had a plan when he told us about the Alpha title during the night I invited you to have dinner with us. And he even said to stay with the East Red Moon wolves and diyan kayo maninirahan after ng kasal niyo ni Trevon, diba?" She asked.
I nodded. "Opo."
"See? May plano nga siya," She paused. "pero parang nasira na ata ang plano niya dahil dito sa sudden announcement ni Charles."
"Ate, can he reject Alpha Charles' proposal?"
She looked at me. "Yes," Sabi niya. Bago pa ako makareact ay nagsalita siya ulit. "pero it will be a huge slap on the face to Alpha Charles and he might feel offended and can start a war."
"Do you know the reason kung bakit may ganitong kasalan, Ate Jen?" I asked.
She shook her head. "No, I'm sorry. Jasen told me not to ask Alpha Charles, may nafifeel siyang bad vibes sa kanya."
"Really?" I asked. "ibig sabihin ba niyan ay hindi siya papayag na ikasal si Evan kay Alireza?"
She sighed. "Sadly, Jasen nor Alpha Richard can't say no. Nakay Evan ang final decision."
"Do you think he'll say no, Ate?"
She looked at me before caressing my hair. "I know he'll decline. I know he loves you, I can see it in his eyes."
"Thank you, Ate Jenesis," I smiled. "I needed that."
"Anytime," She smiled back. "don't worry, everything's going to be okay."
*****
Kinabukasan ay maaga akong nagising dahil nagyayang magjogging sina Maxi at Sheryl. Pupunta din kami sa gym para magworkout after ng jog namin.
"Nakausap namin saglit si Young Alpha Alireza kagabi," Panimula ni Maxi habang nagtatali kami ng sintas ng sapatos. "she was really kind and sweet. Yung typical mahinhin girl, mana siya kay Luna Alice."
"Hindi ko masabi if plastic ba siya or ganon talaga ang ugali niya," Dagdag ni Sheryl. "anong masasabi mo, Emi?" Tanong niya.
Tumayo na ako ng maayos at bumuga ng hangin. "Ewan," I shrugged. "di ko pa naman siya nakakausap so di ko pa alam kung pano ko siya idedescribe."
