ALLURING FIRES (COMPLETED)

Chapter 05

I take a small bite from the steak and simply smile before answering Mrs. Sandoval, "Well, I get along well with him but I think we're too young to enter an intimate relationship." Magalang ang aking pananalita dahil pinagmamasdan akong maigi ng aking mga magulang.

I saw Mr. Sandoval let out a laugh, "You're right, but are you dating someone?" Uminom sya ng wine bago binalik ang tingin sakin, "Your parents raised you well, you are an elegant lady."

Hinawakan ako ni mommy at nginitian ang kanilang business partner, "Well, Zenica is not that hard headed, I'm sure she will get along with Jin."

"Well Tita, I've known Zenica for long, I dont think we'll get along well."  Supladong pananalita ni Jin at umiling pa. Nakita kong pinandilatan sya ng mata ni Mr. Sandoval.

Mahinhin akong tumawa, "Suplado rin po si Jin, pakiramdam ko hindi talaga kami magkakasundo." Tunog pambibiro ang aking boses, "But if you insist, of course we can talk about this arrange marriage."

Umani sa malaking pribadong silid ang kubyertos ni Jin dahil binagsak niya iyon ng malakas. Tinignan niya ako ng matalim, "I saw you with a guy, Zenica. Stop playing safe, we dont like each other." Of course I dont like him too, I just want to gain favor from my parents and his.

Pilit ngumiti si Mrs. Sandoval, "I-Im sorry for my sons behavior, he's just upset for this sudden situation." Dahan-dahan kong ininom ang aking wine habang pinagmamasdan ang pagkabalisa ng mga Sandoval. "Mrs. Hamilton, I'm really sorry about this."

Nginitian sila ni mommy, "No its okay." She glanced at me, "Who's this guy Jin's talking about?"

Napakuyom ako ng kamao sa ilalim ng mesa, kinagat ko ang aking ibabang labi. The waiter and waitresses starting to serve the desserts, kaya't pilit akong nagfucos doon.

"Zenica Hija?" Tinignan ko si Mrs. Sandoval, "I have something for you." Sinenyasan niya ang isang waiter ng hotel na lumapit, may hawak itong channel paper bag, dahan-dahan itong inabot ng lalaki sa mesa.

Tiny sweats run down to my skin as I stared at the waiter. Omygod, what is he doing here?

"Here, this is a newest collection from Channel purse, I got this from morocco." Ngumiti ako sakanya kahit nanginginig ang aking labi.

Sinulyapan ko ang waiter na nakatayo sa gilid kasama ang ibang waitress, he is looking at me, with a smile. "T-Thank you Tita." Bahagya akong yumuko, nagusot ang aking suot na dress dahil sa mahigpit kong hawak dito.

"Zenica, I saw you with a guy last week." Lahat kami ay napatingin kay Jin, hindi sya nagpaawat kahit pinigilan na sya ng kanyang mga magulang. "I was driving on the way home, I saw you holding a guy's hand while eating street foods. Pumapatol kana ba ngayon sa mga mababang uri ng tao?" He mocked.

I cleared my throat before meeting his gaze, my parents tried to observe me if Jin was stating facts. I wouldn't let that happen. "What are you talking about?" Mahina akong tumawa, "You know how picky I am, Jin. I dont like men who didn't wear business suit, and men who can't bring me at a restaurant for a date." I sighed bago sinulyapang muli ang waiter na seryoso na ang mukha, "If you dont like me then tell me the truth, please don't utter accusation, I feel disrespected."

Tumayo ako, nakita kong tumayo rin ang mommy niya, "Hija, please..." binalingan niya ang aking mga magulang, "Mr. And Mrs Hamilton, please lets talk about this, lets continue our business, I'll talk to my son." Kinurot niya si Jin, diretso lang ang tingin nito at walang ekspresyon.

Bago pa ako magwalk-out ay tumayo na ang aking mga magulang. "Its nice to meet you, Mr. And Mrs Sandoval, but I can't let my daughter engage a disrespectful man like your son." Ika ni Daddy habang pinagpagan ang kanyang tuxedo. Nagmamakaawa na ang tingin ng parents ni Jin, ngunit nakaupo lamang sya at walang pakealam.