Paint Of The Enchanted Nights (Marchero Series #1)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

I can't even utter a single word to describe how much I'm hurting about my situation right now.

Alam ko nagtataka ang parents ko mula una palang na pag-uwi ko pero pinili nilang manahimik at hinayaan lang ako na magkwento. They raised me enough to be so independent and strong. They guide me when they know I needed it but most of the time, they let me do it in my own way, to basically experience all of whirlwind emotion i guess.

"Ano ang nangyayari, anak? Why all of your working stuff are here? work from home kana ba?" she asked, oblivious about the situation.

All my belongings delivered today maski ang brown envelope na laman ang resignation letter na "gawa" ko raw. I look at it at alam kong hindi ko iyon sulat kundi kanya, I happened to go in their library and saw his handwritten papers in the table. Kanya rin ang pirma na iyon dahil hindi naman E.M. ang stomp pen ko.

My mother snatched the envelope in my hands, tumakas sa kanya at pagkabigla at pagtataka. Who wouldn't be? That's my dream job! Paanong magreresign ako at titigil sa aking pangarap?

"You're resigned in Estee Museum? I thought it's your dream job? what is happening, Avella? you called yesterday and telling me urgent matters ngayon naman ay resign ka? ano ba ang ginawa mo talaga? may nabangga kaba sa politika? sino itong si Emmanuel Marchero? ipaliwanag mo, Avella. Nananakit ang ulo ko!" hinawakan niya ang braso at tumingin sa akin na nanghihina.

Binalingan ko siya ng tingin.

"He wants to buy my painting but I refused so he kidnapped me and forced me to stay in his hometown. the painting had this necklace you gave to me when I was young. he asks me where I get this and all I know is, it's our property noon." I explained.

"Noong limang taon kapa lamang dinapuan ka ng sakit noon at hindi namin alam ang gagawin ng papa mo. Napakataas ng lagnat mo noon, anak. Kaya nagmakaawa kami sa harap ng hospital habang karga ka na papasukin kami at kahit icheck kalang." ngumiti ito ng mapait habang sinasabi iyon,

"Wala kaming pera noon dahil maaga ako nabuntis ng papa mo at saktong napaso na ang kontrata n'ya. Hanggang sa lumapit si Ma'am Anastasia Marchero sa amin, nahabag s'ya siguro sa kalagayan namin at binigay ang kwintas n'ya kasi wala s'yang dala na pera noon." wika niya, nakatuon lang ang buong atensiyon ko sa kanya,

"Nang naging maayos naman ang aming negosyo nabalitaan namin na namatay si Ma'am Anastasia kaya binigay na lamang namin iyon sayo bilang respeto sa kanya tutal ikaw naman ang dahilan ng pagbibigay n'ya sa amin ng kwintas." muli niyang paliwanag sa akin sabay ng pagtulo ng luha sa kanyang mata.

"Napakalaking pera ang nakuha namin sa kwintas na iyon, kaya nakapagpatayo tayo ng restaurant." nginitian n'ya ako at pinunasan ang luha sa mata n'ya.

My mom's story rendered me speechless, I never knew this story until now. All I know is I became terribly sick when I was five and my dad got sick that when I was seven that leads him into his wheelchair. They got money to start a business and it's our restaurant. It became well known for the cuisine, ambiance and so on. That business makes us live a healthy and wealthy life up until now.

Anastasia Marchero is indeed a kindhearted person, tama nga ang sinabi ni Emmanuel, pero si Emmanuel? obviously, s'ya ang opposite ng lola n'ya. Napatingin ako sa cellphone ko ng tumunog ito, may mensahe na galing sa unknown number.

"Have dinner with me tonight at Alteir Beanery at 7 pm, my driver will escort you."

Hindi ko na kailangan alamin kung sino ang nagpadala nito dahil halata naman na si Emmanuel ito.

I took a deep breath before I replied to Emmanuel.

Me:
"Ayokong makipagkita sayo."

Emmanuel:
"I never give you a choices to refuse in the first place. Follow me so that no innocent people will be harm in your stupidity. Like, Leslie and her family?"