The Billionaire's Son

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Nagkatitigan kaming dalawa ni Jasmine. After a while, she smiled tightly at me and stuck out her hand.

"I'm Jasmine. I've heard so much about you, Mallory." Kaswal niyang wika. Kumislap ang mata niya sa panghapong liwanag na tumama sa kaniyang mukha. Sobrang kinis din ng kaniyang balat. I couldn't help feeling ugly when placed next to her. She looks like a model who stepped right out of a magazine.

"M-Mallory..." I choked and accepted her hands even though mine is shaky. Bumitaw kaagad ako pagkatapos ng ilang segundo at iniwas ang aking tingin. Sage must've sensed my discomfort because he cleared his throat. Iminuwestra niya ang loob ng mansiyon.

"Let's go? My parents are already waiting..."

Biglang nawala ang excitement ko na makita si Sage dahil sa nangyari. Matamlay akong sumunod sa kanila. Even the way Jasmine walks is so graceful. Everything about her screams perfection. Bagay na bagay talaga silang dalawa ni Sage...

Dahil mabagal akong maglakad ay sina Jasmine at Sage ang nagsabay. Nasa likuran ko naman si Aaric. We stepped inside the grand parlor of the mansion. Sage slowed down his steps para masabayan ako. He peered at me through his lashes.

"Are you okay?" he murmured.

"Yeah..." iniwas ko ulit ang aking tingin. "I'm fine." Labas sa ilong kong sagot.

His gaze lingered at me for a while. Alam kong hindi siya naniniwala sa aking isinagot pero wala naman siyang sinabi. Tahimik lang kaming dalawa hanggang sa makarating na kami sa malaking dining hall. Mrs. Monterio is already seated at her usual seat, looking gorgeous in a turquoise turtle neck dress and expensive pearls. A satisfied smile appeared on her lips when Jasmine stepped inside carrying Zahra.

Nilapitan niya ang ina ni Sage at hinalikan ang kaniyang pisngi bago iniabot ang bata sa kaniya.

"She had been crying non-stop earlier, Tita..." malambot ang boses ni Jasmine at nakangiti. "So I tried to coo her."

"Thank you, Jas. You're really good with kids." Natutuwang wika ng kaniyang ina. Then her eyes landed on me as if she noticed my presence for the first time. "Mallory Rose, yes?"

Tumango ako ng isang beses. "Yes, Ma'am."

"Wow. It's been a while since I last saw you." wika niya. "Tumangkad ka nang kaunti, hija."

I smiled at her. "Salamat po."

Sage pulled a chair for me. Tinabihan niya ako samantalang si Aaric ay nasa tapat namin. Jasmine was about to take the seat next to him when Mrs. Monterio spoke up again.

"Please, Jasmine. Take your usual seat." wika nito at iminuwestra ang bakanteng upuan sa tabi ni Sage. "Nothing's really changed, hija." Pero ang kaniyang mata'y dumako na sa akin. Hindi ko mabasa ang ekspresiyon niya pero sa hindi malamang dahilan ay sumikip bigla ang dibdib ko. It's as if she's implying that I do not have a right to be here.

Jasmine stared at her for a while before she nodded her head and circled the table. Saktong pag-upo naman niya ay ang pagpasok ng tatlong maids na isa-isang nilagay ang mga pagkain sa aming harapan. Don Monterio isn't here yet. Si Zahra ay pilit na kinuha ang mga kubyertos sa lamesa.

"Ayos ka lang ba dito, hija?" tanong ni Mrs. Monterio kay Jasmine. "Are you comfortable in your room?"

"I'm fine, Tita." Nginitian niya ng tipid ang ina ni Sage tapos ay nagnakaw ng sulyap sa akin bago patuloy na nagsalita. "This place is great."

"You haven't been to anywhere." Aaric pointed out. "Nagkukulong ka lang sa kwarto mo."

Mrs. Monterio's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Exactly! You haven't been anywhere so why don't you guys escort her to the best places here in the village? I've heard of a falls and a beach. Baka puwede ninyong ipasyal si Jasmine?'