The Casanova's True Love

Chapter 13: Investment

"So, yung pinagmamalaki mong pangarap ay unti-unti ng bumabagsak. If you just listened to me, you will not face this kind of embarassment, Zeline. Tsk tsk tsk..." Namutla si Line at nangilid ang kaniyang mga mata ng umalingawngaw ang boses ng papa nila. Lakas loob itong lumingon sa pinagmulan ng boses at nakitang nakangisi na ito sa kaniya.

"Pa..."

"Hanggang ngayon ba ay makikipagmatigasan ka sakin?" Pinutol nito ang sasabihin ni Line at mas ngumisi pa ito.

"Pa..."

"Stop with your excuses and I can't tolerate it anymore, Zeline!" Galit na sigaw nito kay Line. Biglang nag-init ang ulo ko dahil hindi niya man lang binigyan ng panahon magoaliwanag si Line sa kaniya. "Now, you won't do anything against my words and you will marry the son of..."

"Excuse me, Mr. Hontiveros." Pigil ko sa kaniya at napatingin naman siya sa akin. Hinawakan ako ni Line para pigilan ako pero hindi ko ito pinansin. "You are inside my office and OUR company. As far as I remember, we are not partners as of the moment and I didn't give you any rights to raise your voice to any of my employees. Oh! Let me correct that, you have no right to raise your voice to my business partner." Mahihimigan ang pagkasarkastiko pero may elegante sa pananalita ko. Hindi ko gusto ang inaasal niya sa loob ng opisina ko at lalong lalo na kung paano niya pahiyain ang sariling anak sa harapan ng ibang tao.

"Hija..." Napapahiyang pagtawag niya sakin ngunit pinutol ko siya sanpagsasalita.

"Don't call me hija, Mr. Hontiveros. We are not in any special relationship. For now, let me reconsider my wedding with your son. I don't want to be married in a family that has a father-in-law like you and most importantly, I can't let my children to be raised by a grandfather like you. I don't want my children to be as miserable as your daughter right now." Taas kilay ko itong sinabi sa kaniya at kitang kita ko kung paanong magulat si Line pati na rin si Leigh na lumapit sa papa niya at pagsabihan ito pero hindi niya ito pinansin at tinignan ng masama si Line.

"Anak, it's their family problem. Just stay out of this." Nang hindi nakapagsalita ang Papa nila Line ay si Papa na ang nagsalita para sa kaniya.

"That's exactly my point. It's their family problem and I don't want to be married in a family where my soon to be father-in-law  make the rules in the family and each women should follow to of all his demands. I can't live like that." Sagot ko sa Daddy ko at wala rin siyang naisagot kundi ang tumango na lang dahil alam niya na hindi ako nagpapapigil at lalong lalo ng ayoko ng pinapakialaman ako. "So, Mr. Hontiveros, I want you to stay out of Zeline's business and forcing her to marry anybody unless you want this wedding to be called off. Not my loss. I hope everyone in this room understands what I am talking about. Especially, you Mr. Hontiveros." Walang nakakibo sa kahit sinong andun. Kahit may nabubuo na akong pagtingin kay Leigh ay hindi ko hahayaang mapunta sa pamilyang pinangungunahan ng tatay nila na maaaring mamana ni Leigh sa kaniya and nobody rules Zelina.

"Fine, I'll stay out of her business. I didn't know you have a rude daughter, Marcus. I cannot believe this!" Napapahawak sa ulong aniya na humarap kay Daddy. Tumango lang sa kaniya si Daddy kaya sa inis ay lumabas na itong una na sinundan lang ni Daddy.

"Do you seriously mean reconsidering our wedding?" Malungkot na tanong sa akin ni Leigh.

"I meant every single word, Leigh. Everyone knows that I don't want to be controlled by anyone especially not you or your father. Go talk to your father and help him get his thoughts together if he really wants this wedding to happen." Napabuntong hininga na lang siya at wala ng nagawa kundi ang sumunod sa Papa niya at sa Daddy ko. Humarap naman ako kay Line ng makitang nanginginig ang mga balikat nito. Inalalayan ko siyang maupo sa receiving area ko.