Angel With A Shotgun

Chapter 3

3.

I know Dad intended for everyone to hear his deep sigh after witnessing that kiss coming from Kade. I mean, that's only a kiss on my cheek and that's definitely okay, right? Well, maliban lang siguro sakin kasi kinikilig ako! Bakit ba ako kinikilig? Kaesley, that's purely an act! Akala mo naman totoo! Hindi mo kailangang kiligin dahil walang dahilan para kiligin ka! Umayos ka nga, hindi pa nga tapos ang problema mo, eh!

Kade wear that freaking grin again until the elevator door closes. I almost want to press the elevator button for it to open again and for me to jump in and go with him so that I can escape from everything. But it's not that simple. Life is never be that simple.

I turned around and I saw their faces and no one uttered a word. Obviously, they're waiting for me to speak up. I forced myself to show them a smile which is a total fake and I'm tired doing it every time we have Marcaydas as our guests.

"Shall we?" Because it looks like they don't want to make a move, especially Daniel who's staring at me intently. Oh, c'mon! Hindi mo ako madadaan sa paganyan ganyan mo. Huwag niyo na kasing ipilit dahil hindi talaga ako papayag na mangyari ang gusto niyo. Over my dead body, I will not be Mrs. Daniel Bryan Marcayda!

Dad shook his head and lead everyone else. "Let's go guys. I'm really sorry that you have to wait but we will definitely talk about this later. Right, Kaye?" Nandyan na naman yung tingin ni Dad na akala mo nagbabanta. But for sure, he can't take it if Mom will give her that threatening look. And I will never back down just because he's looking at me like it's the end of my life.

Lunch is very awkward. Halos walang nagsalita. Si Dad at Tito Raf lang ang halos nag-uusap during that time but it's all about business. Tita Loreen is giving me looks from time to time and I know, she's dying to know why I'm doing this all of a sudden. I understand that they're all shocked with what happened earlier but then again, this is something that I really wanted to prevent from happening. Sakal na sakal na nga ako sa corporate world tapos dadagdagan ko pa ba ng isa pang problema by agreeing to their crazy idea? Hell, no! I don't want to pile up my problems and I will do everything just to escape from their plan.

My Mom sits beside me and she's gently pressing my hand while throwing me that 'I understand' look. "Relax and don't worry about everything. Hinding hindi ka matitiis ng Dad mo. He's just pissed because it took a little while before you came back. Alam mo naman yan, nagwoworry agad sa 'yo kapag bigla ka na lang nawawala. And then, you came back with an interesting guy who is your boyfriend. How come we didn't know about him?"

Because it's a complete lie, Mom. And I'm so sorry for lying to both of you so many times. Hindi ko na nga mabilang kung ilang beses na akong nakapagsinungaling sa inyo. But I'm helpless and it's the only thing I know so that I can keep going. So that I can at least enjoy the life I wanted to have even though you will definitely disagree. But of course, it's all in my mind. Baka lalong maghysterical si Daddy kapag nalaman niya talaga kung ano'ng gusto kong mangyari sa buhay ko. Kung ano talaga ang gusto kong gawin dahil hinding hindi ako masaya sa ginagawa ko ngayon.

And Daniel? He's completely ignoring me. He's not throwing me that look he gave to me earlier. Instead, he looked so bored and maybe, if he's not with his parents, he already left. I almost laugh at that idea. Sana nga ganon na lang ang gawin niya. Sana, mag-isip din siya ng way para hindi matuloy ang pinaplano ng mga magulang namin pero ang masama ay sang-ayon din siya sa gusto nila. Wala man lang akong kakampi para takasan yung plano nila. Oh, wait! I have one, right? I have Kade! The guy who's a complete stranger but willingly helped me when I asked him even though he doesn't have an idea of what will happen next. The guy who completely trusted me even if he doesn't know me.

I wonder what he thinks of me after the little show that I made earlier? I wonder what's his reaction after that commotion that almost made him jump after Dad asked him as to why he's my boyfriend. Hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti nang maalala ko ulit ang sagot niya. Parang na-outsmart tuloy niya si Dad! And speaking of Dad, he's now scowling me probably because I'm smiling like an idiot. But what's wrong with me smiling? Do I need to look very sad because of the current situation? Do I need to be apologetic?