The Immortal Blood [Taglish Version]

CHAPTER 11 - CAFE

Jade Cardwell

LUMIPAS ang araw at wala ngang gumugulo sa akin at sa mga kaibigan ko. Kahit ang mga evil cheerleaders, they avoided me when they see me. Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyari, pero tingin ko ay may kinalaman si Samantha at si Raphael dito.

Pagkatapos ng class ko, dumerecho ko sa Addison Cafe, isang bagong bukas na coffeeshop sa Fordbridge. Sabi ni Raphael, dito daw kami magkita dahil may pag-uusapan kaming importante. Medyo na-late lang ako ng dating dahil inayos ko pa ang paper jam issue ng isang printer sa computer laboratory.

Pagdating ko sa Addison Cafe, nakita ko agad si Raphael na nakaupo sa isang isolated table sa tabi ng life-size glass window. Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na boyfriend ko ang elegant-looking na nilalang na ito.

Naputol lang ang pagpa-pantasya ko kay Raphael nang makita ko ang isang magandang babae na kausap ni Raphael. She has an exquisite tan and curly locks. I can't see her face, but her body hugging shirt and tight pants revealed her alluring body.

The woman noticed my approaching presence and smiled at me. She quickly left Raphael when I was just a few feet away from them.

"I am sorry I am late. Sino ang kausap mo?" I asked as I casually took my seat in front of him.

"She is the owner of this cafe. Since it is our first time here, bibigyan daw niya tayo ng free latte and cakes."

"Talaga? Pwede ba ko mag order ng chocolate milkshake?"

"Of course, love. Anything you want."

Within a few minutes, dumating ang owner ng cafe. I gasped when I saw a clearer view of her face. Para siyang isang model na lumabas sa Vogue magazine.

"Vanilla-flavored latte for you, young man and chocolate milkshake for the pretty lady. Our best sellers, the Red Wine Chocolate Lava Cake and the Chocolate Cake with Bourbon Sauce. Enjoy your meal."

"This is perfect! Maraming salamat po!" excited kong sabi pagkakita ko sa luscious and glossy chocolate ganache frosting ng chocolate cakes.

"These are way too sweet, darling. Do you have plans to kill us with sugar?" tanong ni Raphael sa magandang babae.

Darling? Niloloko mo ba kong lalaki ka?

Raphael is teasing her as if magkakilala sila. Tinawag pa niyang darling ang babaeng ito. Wala man lang pakialam kahit nasa harapan niya ang girlfriend niya.

"Kung conscious ka sa blood sugar mo, ako na ang uubos ng cake mo," inis kong sabi kay Raphael sabay kuha ng dalawang cakes.

Sam is right, you are vexatious Raphael Lancaster!

Hindi ko inaasahan na biglang tatawa si Raphael at ang owner ng cafe. They probably think na ang takaw takaw ko. Nagpasalamat naman ako sa babae bago niya kami tuluyang iwan.

"Bakit ulit tayo nandito? Gusto mo ba makipag-usap sa cafe owner ng may basbas ng girlfriend mo?" tanong ko kay Raphael.

Yes, girlfriend ako ni Raphael Lancaster!

Kinausap ni Raphael si Ninong George tungkol sa aming dalawa. Siyempre, tuwang tuwa ang ninong ko. I guess we were finally official as a couple.

"Ilang araw na lang summer vacation na," nakangiti na sabi ni Raphael.

"Eh ano naman sa akin ngayon?"

"Europe would be nice this summer. We can start in Spain, then we can visit France and Italy afterwards," he casually said as he sipped his latte.

"Seryoso ka? Alam mo ba kung gaano ka-mahal ang pumunta sa Europe?"

"Jade Cardwell, you're too modest. Alam ko na afford mo na mag around the world tour. Akala mo ba, hindi ko alam na ikaw ang sole heiress ng Cardwell Group of Companies? You rather shower your wealth to the poor and needy than to live like a spoiled brat princess. And now you are asking me why I chose you?"

"Raphael, masyadong expensive ang European vacation."

"Two months lang naman. Pwede tayo umalis bukas or the next day."

"Seryoso ka talaga? Raphael, hindi ko pinapakialaman ang pera ng mga magulang ko. My parents allotted a big part of that fortune for science development and medical innovation."

"I know a big part of your money is going to your stray dog shelter foundation and your charity works with homeless aged people. Despite your tremendous amount of money, you chose to live a humble and simple life. Isn't that admirable, love?"

"Stalker ka ba?"

"If I say yes, sasama ka ba sa akin sa European tour?"

Ilang linggo ko pa lang na kilala si Raphael, pero alam ko na strong-willed siya. In other words, lahat ng gusto niya ay nasusunod. He is a control freak, but in a good way. He is always sure of himself as if he knows everything.

"May magagawa ba ko?" I sighed in surrender.

"Our trip may take the whole summer vacation, exactly two months. I will shoulder everything. Huwag ka mag-alala about other expenses. Just bring yourself. That would be enough."

"Pwede bang pag-isipan ko muna?"

"Pack your things well as our tour will be quite long."

Pag-iisipan ko nga, 'di ba? Imposible ang lalaking ito!

He just asked me for formality, but he had already made up his mind about this tour. I may have enough money to travel anywhere, but this is a ridiculous spur of the moment decision.

"Raphael, paano si Peanut at saka si Butter? Masyadong matagal ang dalawang buwan."

"Tinawagan ko na si George. He is more than happy to take care of your dogs while we are on vacation. Kahit si Angelo, pumayag siya sa request ko. They are more than happy with my suggestion to take you to Europe," sabi ni Raphael as he cupped my face.

Raphael has this habitual gesture of cupping my face whenever he wants to convince me of something. He is a master manipulator at wala akong lakas para tanggihan siya.

"Pumayag si Uncle Angelo?" gulat kong tanong sa kanya.

Uncle Angelo is not exactly a friendly person. Simula ng mamatay ang parents ko, tila naging isang cold hearted bachelor ang dating masayahin kong uncle. I wonder how Raphael convinced my ruthless uncle.

"Pumayag na siya. Pack your bags. We will leave early tomorrow."