So Into You (A JeDean / GaWong Story)

Let Me Love Her

***
(Deanna said)

I got over family reunions without my titas asking me when I would have a boyfriend. But the thing I was relieved the most during my vacation was my Dad not confronting me about dating Jema.

Or so I thought.

"Deanna, I have a lunch meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Lim. They want to see you," my Dad told me during breakfast. "Alam mo naman since they lost their daughter ikaw na naging anak-anakan nila."

"Sige sasama ako, Dad. I haven't seen them since Christmas," I answered.

"Ryan, you tag along," my Dad commanded. "We'll talk about the expansion in San Fernando. We want you to be the Project Manager there."

"Yes, Tito," Ryan answered.

***

My dad left earlier than us to ensure everything had been arranged.

When we arrived, the hotel staff told us that the three already started the meeting in one of the conference rooms.

"We heard that Deanna is dating someone in Manila," we heard Mr. Lim saying.

We chose not to enter and listened to their conversation.

"As far as I know she's not dating anyone," Dad was quick to answer. "But I think Ryan's making his moves na. We'll have apos soon."

I gave Ryan a questioning stare. His reaction denied it.

"That's good to hear," Mrs. Lim answered. "We didn't believe it naman when the source told us that Deanna's dating... a girl pa nga daw. A volleyball player too."

"You know how difficult it is to be associated with that kind. Malas... pati sa negosyo," Mr. Lim said. The couple lost their only daughter in a drowning incident. She was on vacation with her girl friend. Their business almost reached rock bottom after the accident.

"I agree, kumpadre. Nothing like that will happen under my watch." Dad responded with conviction, which made me feel uneasy. Ryan looked at me with a worried expression.

"Well we're glad we cleared that up," Mrs. Lim said.

"Deanna's just athletic and boyish. That's all," Dad explained. "She's always mistaken for a tomboy."

The three of them proceeded with the business stuff while I calmed myself down.

"We'll get in there and get this over with, okay?" Ryan whispered.

I nodded.

We finally showed ourselves inside the conference room. Ryan pulled a chair for me and I thanked him with all smiles. We pulled off a show but I was dying inside the whole time.

***

"Maria Deanna Izabella Wong!" I heard my Dad calling out my name from his study. I hurriedly came.

"Yes Dad?" I asked.

He repositioned his laptop over so that I could see the screen--it flashed photos of Jema and me.

I felt weak in the knees.

"I will not ask you who this Jema Galanza is or how you are connected to her. What I will ask you is to end whatever you two have. Don't be a disgrace to this family again."