She Loved, He Fought (The Daughters' Series #1)

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Remember

"You owe me a breakfast," he casually replied after I asked him how much money he wanted.

Breakfast? I don't have any money with me!

"N-Now?" I asked, stuttering.

"I want it now but you look nothing to offer."

Umawang ang labi ko at nanlaki ang mga mata. Bahagya rin akong nakaramdam ng insulto sa sinabi niya.

Oh my... he really did change!

I shook my head as a defense. "No... uh, I can treat you and invite you in our mansion," I gave in without thinking much.

Now that he has everything, I don't want him to think that I have nothing but myself! Noon, oo pero ngayon kahit paano naman ay may mga bagay na rin akong naipundar para sa sarili ko. I don't want him to think that I rely too much on my parents or simply on others.

For the record, I'm not using my parents' money in the first place because I am working!

Why should I have to care of what he thinks anyway?

As I promised we jogged back to our mansion. Malayo pa lang kami ay tanaw na ang nagkalat na mga security guards sa paligid, abala rin sila sa kani-kanilang radyo at tila ba'y may emergency na nagaganap sa loob.

Lumunok ako at mas binilisan pa ang pagtakbo.

"Ma'am Frances!" tawag ng isa sa mga security guard.

Mabilis niya iyon ni-radyo kaya ang sumunod na nangyari ay naglabasan na ang lahat ng katulong at ang mga dala kong body guards, kasama na rin ang grupo ng security na nagbabantay ng mansion.

My cheeks warmed a bit.

"Saan ka pumunta, Hija?!" nag-aalalang salubong ng Mayordoma.

"I'm fine uh... I went to jog around..." I paused as I turned to all my body guards. "Did you report it to my Dad's office?" I then asked strictly.

"Hindi pa po," ani ng pinuno.

"Good... and don't. Go back inside," my voice held a gleam of authority.

Hindi ko alam kung narinig ba ng kasama ko ang pinagsasabi ko dahil may kaunting distansya naman kaming pagitan. Kumalabog tuloy ang puso ko nang hinarap si Elias.

I caught his eyes roaming around the place, almost in awe. Pero nang magtama ang aming mga mata ay dumilim agad ang kaniyang ekspresyon. Back to his straight and poker gorgeous face. He's indeed good in faking it... or maybe it's just his nature.

I licked my lips before speaking up. "Let's go inside."

Tumango siya at sumunod sa akin.

"You can stay here while... I prepare," nahihiya kong sabi.

Giniya ko kasi siya sa malaking sala at ang kaniyang mga mata ay naglalakbay sa bawat sulok ng dingding. There are paintings around, and mostly family pictures of us; Mom, Dad, and I. Pero ang pinakamalaking painting ay litrato ng buong pamilya namin kasama pa ang mga magulang ni Mommy at Daddy.

Uminit ang pisngi ko nang mapagtanto na agaw pansin ako sa painting na iyon. The ten year old girl was standing very poised at the center. She wasn't even smiling, her lips were just in a straight line. Her face was bare and the hair was braided in a side bun. Dressed in red, looking like a little emperor as they say.

I remember that was the time I was trying hard to mimic my mother's poise. I was jealous of every step she does as it screams delicacy and class. I wanted to acquire it but apparently I wasn't born like her. So she let me attend classes that would help me to improve my posture when I was five. Fortunately, as time passed by, I eventually grasped her form─ the preciseness and dignified finesse wherever my feet land.