THE QUEEN (Season 1: Completed)

Chapter 50

Marcus POV

Papasok na sana ako sa elevator ng biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko kaya nagmamadaling kinuha ko ito sa bulsa baka sakaling si Arken na ang tumatawag, pero nadismaya ako ng makitang si Mommy na naman pala ulit ang caller.

'Hopia, Asado na naman! Di pa ako nasanay. Hindi naman 'yun tumatawag, eh.'

Nagdadalawang-isip ako kung sasagutin ko ba ang tawag o hindi dahil baka magtanong ito kung ano ang nangyari kagabi. Ngunit sa huli ay pikit matang tinanggap ko nalang ang tawag dahil baka magtampo na ito ng tuluyan. Napabuntong hininga ako habang napakamot sa kaliwang kilay.

"Mom."

["Where are you, Baby? Why are you not answering my calls since last night? Are you okay? What happened?"] Sunod-sunod na tanong nito na tila may nagaganap na sunog.

"Mom, relax. I'm okay. And to answer your first question, I'm here at school." Tuluyan na akong pumasok sa elevator at pinindot ang number patungong rooftop.

["Are you sure?"]

"Yeah." Labas sa ilong na sagot ko. Nakita ko ang repleksyon ko sa harap ng nakasara na elevator.

["Fine, but tell me if you have a problem, okay? 'Wag mong solohin. You know Mommy's always here for you, right? I'm here to listen."]

"Of course."

["Anyways, come here at your Dad's office now."]

"Why?" Tiningnan ko kung anong floor na.

["That's the reason why I've been calling you a lot of times since last night. You're Grandpa called us last night and he told us to get ready because an important Japanese investor will come here today."]

"And?"

["You know your Grandpa already, Baby. He's very traditional and old school. He wants us to welcome the investor with the whole family. He invited Mr. Namuzawa to have lunch with us later."] Natigilan ako.

"Mom, I can't. I'm gonna watch Arken's game this morning." Tutol ko at narinig ko ang pagbell ng elevator.

'Damn! I'm not even sure if she cares if I'm gonna watch her swim or not.'

["Marcus, I'm sure Arken will understand. And besides, this is very important to your Grandpa."]

"Mom..."

["Anak, ako na ang nakikiusap. Please do this favor for our family. This man is the biggest investor in the Academy."] Nasabunot ko ang buhok ko. I'm getting really frustrated about everything.

"Alright."

["Thank you, Baby. We will wait for you here."] I sighed.

"Okay, Mom." Pinatay ko na ang tawag at muling pumasok sa elevator para pumunta sa kabilang building. 

Biglang na badtrip ako ng pagbukas ko palang ng office ay nakita kong prenteng nakaupo na do'n si Grace kaya agad na napatingin ako sa gawi ni Mommy. Maybe she got my message when she suddenly shook her head with a confused look, too.

"Marcus, take your seat beside Grace." Boses ni Lolo ang bumasag ng katahimikan sa loob ng office.

"No, thanks." Tumabi ako kay Maui na busy sa pagko-color sa coloring book. I kissed her temples and she looked and smiled at me. "Continue." I said then she nodded her head. Bumaling ang tingin ko kay Grace. "Why are you here?" Tumikhim si Lolo kaya tumingin ako ulit sa kanya.