Freaking Romance in Progress (Double Trouble Series #1)

FRIP 50

Chapter 50

Like

"I'm surprised you're here, too! I didn't see you at the launch party."

Madam Stella seemed to have enjoyed Naomi's company. Nakaupo ito sa gitna nina Ghunter at Madam Stella kaya naman ang bakanteng upuan ay inokyupa na ng una.

"I'm so sorry, Tita. I had to leave the party early because Dad needed my perusal for the papers," Naomi said in a very graceful manner.

"But nobody told me you came with Ambrose here," may pagtatampo sa boses ni Madam Stella.

Naomi chuckled femininely. "That's the element of surprise, Tita."

Binaba ko na lang ang tingin ko sa aking pinggan. The way she addressed Madam Stella sounded very intimate. Samantalang ako... Hmmm. At least I'm formal? Huh, pero sino bang binibilog ko?

Tinanaw ko si Ghunter. He was silently eating on his seat, iniiwasang makapukaw ng atensiyon sa lalim ng iniisip. Nilipat niya ang kanyang tingin sa akin, naninimbang ang mga mata kaya naman pinilit kong ngumiti.

I don't want to show him I'm vulnerable right now.

Ghunter tilted his head and sighed before smiling faintly at me. I returned the smile. Hindi ko man matapatan ang mga abilidad ni Naomi sa kanilang pamilya, at least I have his smile, right? He's very selfish with that so him being generous to me, it must be something I should be honored.

We're having our main course when Mr. Gustav began talking about business. Ang matatanda ang nag-uusap at tahimik lamang kaming tatlo. Sumandal ako nang uminom ng wine. It felt empty without having a companion on my other side. Bakante ang silya kaya pakiramdam ko ay may kulang. I don't know. Siguro dulot lang ng sitwasyon ko ngayon kaya iyon ang nararamdaman.

"Well, Naomi here is already having a big contribution to their company. Her father trusted the enterprise they're currently working into to her undertaking. Just like my son, right?"

May halong pagmamayabang sa paraan ng pagsasalita ni Mr. Gustav. Naomi humbly thanked him for that acknowledgment. While Ghunter was only looking at me the whole time. Napatikhim ako at nag-iwas na lang ng tingin.

"Sounds brilliant. These young people should really learn how to run the business at this age. They're taking over it anytime soon. When they're ready," sang-ayon ni Daddy.

Ang tawa ni Mr. Gustav ay parang bumabaon sa dibdib ko.

"Si, si! Tienes mucha razon," aniya, nage-espanyol na tuwing masyadong nadadala sa usapan sabay halakhak.

Nang bumaling pa sa akin ay halos malagutan na ako ng hininga. Now, I'm the subject of their topic.

"How about our dear Coleen here? I'm very sure she has a particular department or a team at least that she's leading in your company?" May bakas pa ng ngisi sa mga labi nito dala ng pagtawa niya kanina.

Unti-unti iyon naglaho nang magseryoso at bumaling kina Daddy nang dumaan ang panandaliang katahimikan.

Napakagat ako ng labi. Hiyang-hiya sa katotohanang wala pa akong ganoon. I was still studying so I didn't know I must take a part of our business at this rate. A team at least. I never thought it was a requirement, a standard.

Mom held my hand under the table. Mukhang napansin niya ang naging reaksiyon ko roon.

"Our daughter is doing great, too," aniya.

Napaangat ang tingin ko kay Mommy nang siya na mismo ang sumagot sa ginoo.

"She may not yet be part of a team or a particular department, but her opinions and ideas were actually very useful for our idea generation and planning. If you're not aware, Mr. Gustav, she's part of the SBC last time and she was the one who lead our whole partnership. She was our ace."