Taming Alliston

Chapter 22

Alliston

I could hear the gasps and the light whispers when we arrived at the place. Halos lahat ng mata ay natuon sa direksyon namin pagkapasok pa lang namin.

A mid-forties man and his probably a wife, stood up from one of the tables to welcome us. An automatic smile formed Louella's face. Pati tuloy ako napangiti na din ng peke. Only Grant has that passive face while Aria had her sincere smile.

"Calvry sisters and a Silva." Magiliw na bati nung lalaki na inilahad pa yung mga kamay.

Louella politely received that handshake with her two hands too.

"Mr. Yu." She acknowledged. "Thank you for having us."

The man gave a wide smile. Halatang masaya nga ito na makita si Louella.

"Nonsense, Louella. It's our honor to have you here with us for dinner. You might be too busy."

Bahagyang tumawa lang si Louella nang mapatingin sa gawi ko yung lalaking kausap nya.

"You might have heard of my date too." Hinatak ako nito sa braso para ipakilala. "She's Alliston Parker." Pagkatapos ay itinuro ni Pooper sakin yung lalaki. "Meet Michael Yu, Alli bear. He is one of our business partners."

Agad naman akong nanlamig nang marinig ko iyon.

No, that can't be.

"Of course I've heard of the Golden Slammer. Alliston Parker. Such a stunner. How are you?"

"Wonderful. Thanks for asking." Fake na ngumiti ako at nakipaghandshake din dito.

A knowing smile formed his lips. Halatang aware ito sa current rumors na kumakalat tungkol sakin at kay Kyeroh.

I eyed Grant when the man approached her. Tinanguan lang nito iyon to acknowledge his welcoming pitch.

Kaya ba sinabi ni Grant kanina na babantayan ko si Pooper? Dahil dito pala kami pupunta?

While Aria is now having a small talk with this man's wife. Aria seems close pa nga with her.

Why Aria? They're the family of the woman that broke your sister. The parents of the woman that your long-time ex had married. So why?

Inabot ni Louella yung mga alak na dala nila ni Grant dito. Pagkatapos ay iginiya kami ng mag-asawa sa bakanteng table. A specific table that's reserved for us. Good thing na hindi naman nagstay ang mga ito nang makapagsettle na kami. Lumayo din agad para salubungin yung iba pa na mga bisita.

Nang kami na lang apat ay halatang wala sa mood na tumayo si Grant.

Is she mad too?

"I'll go get us drinks. What do you guys want?"

"Just anything. I'll check the food first." Sagot ni Louella.

"Okay." Grant nods her head. "I had sandwiches na kasi kanina."

"Sama ako, Grant." Tumayo din si Aria at kumapit sa braso nito. "I just want a few shots. Tapos uwi na tayo after an hour."

"Ikaw Alli?" Baling sakin ni Grant.

Nagkibit-balikat lang ako. Wala akong ganang magdinner. Kung alam ko lang na dito kami pupunta ay hindi na talaga ako sasama.

"Ako nang bahala kay Alli." Sabat ni Louella.

Hay nako, Pooper!

"Are you okay?" Mahinang kinalabit ako nito nang makalayo na si Grant at Aria.

"Why are we here?" I hissed in a low voice. "Talagang nagpunta pa tayo dito? For what? Para makita mo yung babaeng iyon?"

"Hey, we are doing this eversince. It will be such a shame kung hindi kami pupunta nila Grant. Our family had a strong business relationship with Yu's and Kiel's."