My Stepsister is Mine [Completed]

Chapter 21

The company party was held in a ballroom of a five-star hotel. Nandoon ang lahat ng mga empleyado ng kumpanya pati na rin ang board members. Everyone was greeting Atticus as soon as they entered the hall.

Well, he's the VIP, Celine thought to herself.

"This is Amaro Buenavides, a major stockholder of the company," pakilala ni Atticus sa unang bisitang sumalubong sa kanila. "Amaro, this is Celine Catriona Alcaraz."

He looks like a dirty, old man. Kung matitigan siya ng matanda ay parang pagkain siya. "Hi, Amaro," bati niya at nakipagkamay dito.

"The beautiful stepdaughter of Leo Alcaraz," bati ni Amaro sa kanya. "Looking good, hija. I've heard you're also a supermodel kaya hindi ka pa masyadong nai-involve sa kumpanya."

She tried to smile. "Yes, I'm currently into modelling."

"But she'll be with us shortly. I'll have her train in Singapore as well in a few months," biglang sabat ni Atticus.

She just looked at him, annoyed at what he said.

"Good, good. And if I may say, I want to introduce you to my son Dimitri Buenavides. He's around here somewhere. Wala ka pa namang boyfriend, hija?" tanong nito bigla.

She was shocked at the sudden change of conversation. Napunta sa lovelife niya? "None as of the moment, Amaro."

But Atticus was quick to pull her by the waist to his side. "Amaro, I'm afraid I haven't talked to her yet but I already have someone in mind to be her husband."

Both she and Amaro looked stunned at his sudden announcement.

"I haven't agreed to anything-"

And Atticus silenced her with a dagger stare.

"Very well," sagot ni Amaro. "Your sister is very beautiful. I'm sure my son is more than willing to try to win her hand in marriage, Atticus."

"I've made up my mind, Amaro. I'm sorry," he said firmly at hinila na siya palayo sa matanda.

"Don't challenge me when we're in front of someone else," he whispered dangerously while tightening his grip on her waist.

"Let go," she said, tugging at his arm.

"I won't. Baka kung sino pang maka-agaw sa'yo bigla," he said and brought her to the presidential table. "Sit down."

"I'm not a dog. I can decide when to stand or sit on my own," she said.

He motioned for a waiter to come to them.

"And what marriage are you talking about? It's the 20th century at ako ang pipili ng pakakasalan ko. I can't be bartered off to your business partners just to solidify a partnership. Hindi ako papayag," mariing litanya niya.

But he was now busy looking at the meal schedule from appetizer to the main course. Dumating ang waiter na tinawag nito at binigyan silang dalawa ng white wine.

When the waiter left, she continued, "Nakikinig ka ba sakin?"

He looked up at her from the menu schedule, smiling. "Who said I'll be bartering you off to my business partners?"

"Then, what?"

"You should thank me I got you out of that conversation with Amaro. His son is the worst man you'll ever meet. He's a conniving son of a bitch!" galit na wika nito. "As for your husband, malalaman mo rin kung sino siya. For now, just keep quiet and sit by my side. The presentations per department will be starting soon enough."

She breathed deeply to let go of negativities and then, started ignoring him and his presence. Maya't-maya ay nilalapitan ito ng kung sino-sinong kilalang mga tao at ipapakilala siya nito bilang stepsister niya.