Against the Barrier (Magnates Series #1)

Kabanata 33

Kabanata 33

Masaya akong sinalubong ni Dad pagkabalik ko ng mansyon. Mukhang inasahan niya talaga sa dami ng handang nakahain sa mahabang lamesa sa hapagkainan. May mga dekorasyon pa na tila nagpapahayag na nagbubunyi sila sa pagbalik ng kanilang anak.

To be honest, I was still mad. I know that he cares for me so much and he just wanted to know my condition but I can't believe that he uses people to lie to me. Siguro masaya na lang ako na hindi niya binubuksan ang topic tungkol sa pagpapakasal.

Kumakain kami ngayon ng dinner habang tuloy sa pagkwento si Dad sa mga pakay niya sa'kin. I already told him that I wil start managing our companies.

"You can start with our real estate properties, Astrid. Since it's one of our largest companies, it would be better if you can try and manage those." aniya.

I nodded. "I will go to the building tomorrow."

"Sure," ngumiti si Dad na parang natutuwa sa plano ko. "Let Idris drive you tomorrow there."

"Dad, aalis ako bukas papuntang Roxas. I will start managing our farms there." sabi ni Idris.

Tumango ako. "Ako na magdadrive papunta ro'n, Dad."

"Pero matagal na simula nang huling drive mo."

"I can do it, Dad."

I can't help but express my annoyance. Mukhang naramdaman niya naman 'yon kaya hindi kalaunan ay pumayag naman siya.

"How are you in the past years?" pagtatanong ni Mommy.

Halos masamid sa pagkain si Dad dahil sa tanong na 'yon. Mukhang walang alam si Mommy at tanging si Daddy at Idris lang ang talagang nagpamanman sa akin.

Hindi ko na lang ilalaglag si Dad kasi alam kong makakatikim siya ng malupit na sermon kay Mommy.

I tried to act normal. "It's fine, Mom. I worked as a Product Manager in De Velar and also became a Marketing staff at Avitech Link."

Tumikhim si Dad. "T-Those are good companies, sweetheart. I bet you learned a lot from those."

Pinigilan kong panliitan ng mata ang ama ko. Of course, you were the reason why I was hired there.

Bahagyang nag-isip si Mommy. "Oh, Velarde's companies! That's good!"

Halos mapaubo ako nang binanggit niya 'yon. So they actually knew about them, huh? Of course, plano nga nila akong ipakasal sa isa sa mga Velarde 'di ba?

"Since you're back already, can we do a press conference for a celebration? To publicize that you are now to inherit our business. To fully acknowledge that you're the heiress of the Pontevera's." marahang pagpapaliwanag ni Dad.

That was actually the plan few years ago. Naudlot iyon dahil nga nagbalak akong tumakas at nagdesisyong mamuhay mag-isa.

Binalingan ni Mommy si Dad. "You shouldn't pressure, Astrid, Idrigo. Kakabalik niya lang. Let her adjust first."

Napanguso si Dad. "I mean, it's only for a formal declaration. Siya rin naman talaga ang magmamana no'n kaya bakit pa papatagalin?"

Napaisip ako sa sinabi ni Dad. Siguro nga tama lang na malaman nila na ako na ang magmamanage ng kompanya.

"Alright. But can't we make it more private? Just important guests involved in our companies."

"I can't assure that. It is only necessary to invite local and international media to this event. This is not only for declaring your title but also a good opportunity to promote our company as well." si Dad.