The Billionaire's Son

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

"Leon . . ." I trailed off, staring at the diamond ring and into the floor. "I . . . I don't know what to say."

Hinalikan ni Leon ang aking noo at inilapit ako sa kaniya. "You only have to say yes, baby."

I swallowed. Hard. His mother had a dreamy look on her face as she stared at the two of us. His father is drinking his beer with a look of approval in his eyes. Same with his grandparents. Ang kaniyang mga pinsan nama'y naghihintay din ng aking sagot.

Lumunok ulit ako. Parang siniklaban ng matinding kaba ang aking puso. How can I say no, when they all have these looks on their faces?

My eyes watered. This is all your damn fault, Mallory. Ngayo'y naiipit ka na sa sitwasyon! Gusto kong sabunutan ang aking buhok sa frustration na nadarama.

"Mallory?" untag ni Leon.

"I . . ." I stammered, looking around frantically.

"Leon, dear," his mother sighed. "I know it's sweet, proposing to your girlfriend all of a sudden but don't you think she looks quiet taken aback?" a look of understanding crossed her face. "Why don't you give her some space? Or if you want, we can give you some privacy."

I couldn't miss the look of disappointment on Leon's face when he nodded his head and pulled the ring back into his pockets. "Okay." Inilahad nito ang kaniyang kamay sa akin. "Why don't we talk in the garden, Mallory?"

"S-Sounds great." Nauutal kong sagot sa kaniya. I smiled apologetically at the family. Even though they are smiling back at me, mute accusations and disappointments were written all over their faces. Biglang sumikip ang aking dibdib at pakiramdam ko'y hindi na ako makakahinga nang maayos kapag nagtagal pa ako sa bahay na iyon.

Tahimik kong sinundan si Leon sa labas ng kanilang bahay. Malamig ang simoy ng hangin at ang panaka-nakang pagkulog ay indikasyon ng nalalapit na paghagapit ng ulan. Pero wala kaming pakialam dalawa. Dire-diretso ang lakad sa kanilang malawak na hardin.

Leon saw the swing set and sat on it. The metal chains groaned at his weight. Nanatili akong nakatayo sa kaniyang harapan.

Ihinilamos ni Leon ang kaniyang mukha sa kaniyang palad. Then he murmured. "I messed it up, didn't I?"

My eyes watered in tears again. A lump suddenly formed in my throat. "No, Leon . . ." I mumbled.

"I'm sorry if I scared you into this sudden marriage. I just thought . . . I just thought you'd say yes. Hindi ako nag-iisip."

"Leon, please, it's not your fault." I could hear the restraint in my voice. "I-I'm just not . . . ready. I'm not ready for this."

"I made a fool out of myself earlier in the table." he said.

"No, please."

"I'm sorry, Mallory." Bumuntong hininga siya at tumayo. Then he pulled me close into a hug and kissed my forehead. "I'm sorry, baby. I promise I'm not going to do it again. I mean—surprising you with all this stuff, you know? Gusto kong pag-usapan natin ito nang maayos bago kita yayain ulit na magpakasal."

I let out a silent sigh of relief. Niyakap ko pabalik si Leon. I don't know how to break up with him without hurting him or his family. I'm going to hurt them one way or another. Especially his mother who had supported our relationship since the beginning.

"You deserve someone better, Leon . . ." I murmured against his chest.

"What?"

Iniangat ko ang aking tingin at malungkot siyang nginitian bago ako umiling. "Nothing. Let's go inside, it's going to rain soon."