"Did you talk to your Mom about it?" tanong ni Dad nang maiwan kaming dalawa sa conference room.
Natigilan ako sa pagkain. I had lost my appetite since the day I broke up with Phytos, my ex-boyfriend. We were together for 4 years now, and ever since he cheated on me, he's always done it again and again.
At first, Phytos cheated on me with Lauren, his classmate in PolSci. Noong nagdaan, si Fiona, a provincial board member na kasama niya. Ngayon naman, si Patricia, kung sino man iyon.
Pinaglaruan ko ang pagkaing nasa harap ko gamit ang kasama nitong chopsticks. Kakatapos lang ng meeting ni Dad with the investors for a new chain of hotels he's planning to build.
"Hindi pa, Dad. She's always so busy with her projects in Guimbal. Mahirap maka-tiyempo."
He nodded. "Mabuti nang nakipaghiwalay ka sa kanya. I wouldn't want you tied to politics, especially to that boy."
The truth is, takot ako sa magiging reaksyon ni Mommy kapag nalaman niyang nakipag-hiwalay ako kay Phytos. He's her golden boy, siguro dala na rin ng pagiging socially active niya at maraming connections dahil nasa larangan ng politika ang kanilang pamilya.
His dad has a reputation in the senate, his mom's the mayor of their town, and he is a councilor. Hindi maipagkakaila kung bakit gustong gusto siya ni Mommy para sa akin. Besides that, they are family friends. Magkalapit ang lolo niya at ang lolo ko.
Dad has always shown his dislike towards Phytos and their family. He's rather a private person, ayaw niyang nakatuon ang atensyon ng lahat sa kanya.
"By the way, Dad. My birthday's in two months, I was hoping we could go out of the country for it."
Bumuntong hininga si Dad. He removed his glasses and massaged the bridge of his nose.
"Dana, alam mo namang marami akong inaasikaso rito sa opisina, hindi ba? I hardly get enough sleep!" malumanay siyang ngumiti sa akin.
Napawi ang ngiti ko. I pushed my tongue on the roof of my mouth, trying to stop bitter tears from falling.
"But Dad, minsan lang naman 'yon. Besides, palagi naman kayong wala ni Mommy sa bahay. Please, Dad?"
Pangungumbinsi ko sa kanya. The two of them are barely even home. Abala si Dad sa kanyang mga meetings, si Mom abala rin sa kanyang mga field projects, meetings, galas, and solo getaways in the West.
And even if they rarely see each other at home, palagi naman silang magkaaway. May kanya-kanyang buhay.
Bago pa man makapagbigay ng komento si Daddy, bumungad sa amin ang sekretarya niyang si Georgina.
"Sir, nasa waiting lounge po si Ms. Illustre." anito.
YOU ARE READING
What Comes After Dark (Montrearde Series #1)
RomanceDriven by wealth, charm, and strong will, Aldana Fontonalgo decides to take the higher road that could change the trajectory of her life forever. She finds herself entangled with a man she just met through one rebellious act that would stop her moth...
