The Royal Series 01: The Royal Agreement

Chapter 40

CLINTON

"Hindi ka pumasok?"

Napatingin ako sa likod at nakita ko si Atty. Julius na kasasara lang ng pinto sa kwarto ni Tori. Nilapag pa n'ya yung dala n'ya sa table sa gilid.

"Hindi." Sagot ko at binalik yung atensyon ko kay Tori. "Dr. Castel said she might wake up any time today and I don't want to leave her alone."

"Her Lady Maid can stay with her."

"I'd rather stay with her myself." Sabi ko.

Kahit nga nandito na ako hindi pa rin ako makatulog. Paano pa kaya kung sa Palasyo pa.

"I don't like you for my sister." Sabi n'ya bigla kaya tiningnan ko s'ya na magkasalubong ang kilay.

"Your opinion on that matter is months late." Sabi ko.

"Before. I didn't like you for my sister before. Hindi kasi hintayin na matapos ako magsalita. Why are you reacting like my opinion would greatly impact your marriage?"

"It would. Lalo na kung dati mo pa sinabi 'yan." Sabi ko. "Alam ko naman na dati ayaw ni Tori makasal sa akin. At kung nagpumilit ka na hindi, malamang hindi ko s'ya asawa ngayon."

"Damn, you're kind of annoying. Hindi ba naiirita sa 'yo si Tori?"

Kumibit balikat na lang ako kasi hindi ko naman talaga alam. Ang sigurado ko lang, minsan naaasar s'ya sa akin. But hell, Tori sure can turn the tables when it comes to teasing. She doesn't seem like she'll even bother coming up with a comeback when you tease her but she does.

Not to mention, quite well. Although not to the point that I'd actually get annoyed. She's just really cute when she's scrunching her nose out of irritation. And I don't want to piss her off for real.

I heard a scoff which made me look around again and saw Atty. Julius sitting at the foot of Tori's bed with two cups.

"You know you look screwed."

"For Tori? I don't mind." I told him and took the other cup.

"That assures me." He said which made me look at him. "Siguraduhin mong babantayan mo 'yang batang 'yan. Lalo na at porket hindi pa ganun kalala yung symptoms n'ya kung anu-ano ginagawa."

"I definitely will."

At ngayon alam ko na kung bakit hindi nagkakape si Tori kahit na mukhang gusto naman n'ya yung lasa nang tinikman n'ya yung kape ko dati. Pati na kung bakit hindi ganun kalakas yung alcohol tolerance n'ya kahit na occasional drinker s'ya.

"Have you ever considered having it treated?" Tanong ko. "I researched about it and read a couple of treatment options."

"Septal myectomy?"

"Yeah, that one." Sagot ko.

"Yan yung ginawa kay Mom kaya 'yan ang cino-consider namin dati."

"Dati?" Tanong ko.

"Like I said, as well as what Dr. Castel probably said too, her symptoms aren't severe. At ayaw din ni Tori dahil nga manageable pa yung symptoms n'ya." Sagot ni Atty. Julius na nagpabuntong hininga sa akin. "You want her to have it?"

"Yeah."

But it looks like I have to try and convince Tori into that surgery.

"We're in-laws, right?" Tanong ni Atty. Julius na tinanguan ko habang taka s'yang tinitingnan. "Which means I kind of have the right to tell you to be comfortable."

"In what way?" Tanong ko.

"Siguro tawagin mo akong Kuya?"

"Is that a joke or what?" Tanong ko.