Burnt Traces (Esquivel Series #1)

CHAPTER 40

CHAPTER 40
REVELATION

SEEING Wendell here was the least that I could expect. My mouth became o-shaped as he hugged me right in front of the whole clan.

"Oh iho! You're already here!" Naguluhan ako dahil sa inasta ni Mommy, it's like she was expecting him to come.

"Yes tita. It's nice to see you po." Nagyakapan silang dalawa habang ang atensyon ng lahat ay nasa amin.

Adelaine smiled widely and mouthed, "Boyfriend mo?" Tinuro niya si Wendell. I repeatedly shook my head but she just laughed.

"Bagay kayo iha. Sino ba ito?" Bulong sa akin ni Tita Adel, nanay ni Adelaine. Her husband was just intently staring at us.

"B-Boss ko po sa U.S. He's not my boyfriend." She just laughed just like what her daughter did. They're not buying it.

"Cyanara, you have a lot of explaining to do." Bulong ni Cymon habang masamang tinitignan sina Mommy at Wendell.

"Anak! I know you're surprised. Wendell here contacted me yesterday. Gusto niyang pumunta sa Pinas upang makita ka. Aren't you happy?" Diretsahang tanong ni Mommy. Wendell seemed very pleased about what she said.

"O-Oh, of course Mommy. Hindi ko inasahang pupunta siya rito." I looked at my ex-boss. Bakit ba siya narito? I felt so irritated and confused.

"Mukhang hindi naman masaya si Cyanara, Tita. 'Di bale, I'll do my very best to make her happy." Humagikhik si Mommy sa banat nito. Cymon snorted.

"Who is this, Elenore? Hindi ito kasali sa pamilyang ito. This is exclusively for Atalias only." Lolo said darkly. Mukhang napahiya si Wendell dahil sa lakas ng pagkakasabi ni Lolo.

"Papa, he is my daughter's boss sa Estados Unidos and also her suitor. I ship this two! Halata namang may pagtingin ito sa anak ko." Nagkamot nang ulo si Wendell at sinilip ang reaksyon ko. I just kept my deadpan expression.

"Hali ka, iho. Upo ka." Aniya Lola habang linalahad ang isang upuang katabi sa akin. I know she's confused too.

Umupo kaming pareho at ganoon na din si Cymon. Nakatingin pa rin ito ng masama kay Wendell.

"Bastedin mo na kaagad iyan. I don't like that guy. He doesn't deserve you." Prangka nitong saad. For sure, Wendell heard it. I frowned at him.

He's an unexpected guest but it's still inappropriate to talk that way. But I understand my brother. He's just being over-protective.

"I still want my granddaughter to marry the eldest son of Marife Esquivel. Not him." My eyes widened. The crowd who heard what Lolo said gasped. Adelaine was shocked too.

My mouth became so dry. I didn't know what to react.

"I know he would say that." Tumawa nang malakas si Cymon habang hindi na maipinta ang mukha ni Mommy.

Kinabahan kaagad ako. Lolo is a straight-forward man. Hindi siya iyong tipong tao na paligoy-ligoy. It's a pain in the neck sometimes.

"Papa! How could you be so insolent? Wendell loves my daughter. Bakit mo siya ipagtutulakan sa isang Esquivel?" Ngiwi ni Mommy. Before it gets even worse, tumayo kaagad ako.