"Pasensya na, Frank and the two kids aren't here. Frank has a client meeting, while Clara and Arkin are both on their condos. May weekend class kasi sila but I asked them to come over if they're free. Turned out, hindi pala."
"It's fine po." She smiled again.
"So...You're a San Jose right? Is your mom Marivic?"
"Uhmm yes po."
"Ohhh! I see, kaya pala nakikita ko siya sa'yo. I just found out recently na you belong to the Clan of San Joses. Ikaw ata ang pinaka hindi kilala among her children." Julie was taken aback at what she said, but managed to pull herself.
"Uhmm I seldom introduce myself as one po."
"I see. You're also an accountant sa isang small company, as what Frank had mentioned. Sorry si Frank yung source ko 'cause apparently Elmo doesn't give any updates." She glared at him again.
"What? Ako ulit?"
"Uhm yes po. I am an accountant sa Union Steele Inc." Tipid niyang sagot.
"Bakit hindi ka na lang magwork sa company niyo? I heard SJC's expanding."
"Uhm I wanted to be independent po talaga. Not using my parents' money for my living so I decided to just work on a small company."
"But given them being a small one, for sure hindi sapat ang sahod mo. I mean you grew up from a wealthy family, well not as wealthy as we are, but for sure yung sahod mo ee hindi sasapat sa mga luho mo." Nagulat si Julie sa sinabi ni Pia. She's expecting a terror Pia Magalona pero hindi itong side niya na ito.
Napansin ni Elmo yung reaction ni Julie sa sinabi ng mommy niya. He was about to speak when Julie took a deep breath and started speaking.
"Well, siguro nga po I am from a wealthy family. But my parents taught us how to spend money wisely. Mom and dad taught us to use money only for our needs and buy some wants. We are simple people. We never had maids to help us with house chores, and we only have one family driver." Julie is keeping her cool.
They continued eating in silence. Hindi alam ni Julie kung paano pa kakausapin ulit si Pia. She's shocked at her attitude. Front act lang ba niya yung pagiging mabait?, she asked herself.
"Kuya Frank forgot to tell you mom, Julie's a topnotcher sa CPA Licensure Examination!" Elmo broke the awkward silence.
"Really? I never knew! That's great!" Pia exclaimed. Hindi alam ni Julie kung totoo pa ba yung pagka amaze niya o echos echos na lang. You can't blame Julie. Nilibas na ni Pia yung other side niya, so normal lang for her to doubt Pia's actions from now on.
"Matalino ka naman pala hija. Why didn't your mom convince you to join your company? I'm sure they need your brains para umusad usad naman ang kumpanya niyo."
"My mom kept on offering me but I always turn her down and she quickly learned how to respect my decision. You see tita Pia, I do not want to be known as Julie Anne San Jose because of the San Jose in me. I want to create my own name."
"That's why you joined The Voice?"
"It's a different story." Tipid niyang sagot.
"Well tell me that story. I specifically allotted this time for us to talk. I turned down different client meetings para dito so tell me that story."
Elmo felt Julie's aura being different from what it was earlier. Mahahalata mo na dito yung galit, yung inis, yung pikon na Julie pero nagtitimpi pa rin dahil ayaw niyang makabastos ng ibang tao at alam niya sa sarili niya na hindi siya bastos.
"Okay that's it mom. We're leaving. Tara na babe." Elmo was about to grab her hand pero iniwas ito ni Julie.
"No babe. Your mom's right. She specifically allotted this time for us. Let's entertain her." She sarcastically said, and made sure na maririnig ito ni Pia. She looked at Pia's face who now has a wide grin on her face, enjoying this little game of her.
"So...spill the tea." Pia said, grinning.
"I joined The Voice because of my father. She wanted me to pursue singing."
"Ohhh really? So you joined The Voice kasi naawa ka sa daddy mo?"
"No! Of course not!" Julie's voice is starting to raise. Nawawalan na siya ng control sa emotions niya.
"It's okay honey if that's the truth. Walang masama doon." Pia said and began to laugh. Nagulat si Julie sa reaction nito.
"Wh...what's funny?" Julie curiously asked her.
"Well we are funny. I mean all of this was pure acting. I'm sorry Julie, napagtripan kita. I was too nervous kung paano kita haharapin so I came up with this plan of terrorizing you. Pero hindi ka nagpakabog sa akin and I really admire you for that. Hindi ko na kasi matiis yung tuwa ko."
"Errr..."
"Everything's just an act hija. I'm not a bad person. I'm sorry." Pia quickly stood and went to Julie to give her a hug.
"Welcome to the Family Julie Anne. And the truth is I am very glad ikaw ang bumihag kay Elmo. I've seen lots of similarities sa inyong dalawa. It's like I am talking to a female Elmo because of your attitude. No wonder napaibig mo agad si Moe."
Hindi pa rin alam ni Julie kung ano ang magiging reaction niya.
"Relax yourself hija, I'm not mad. I'm sorry I toyed you and Elmo. Come on enjoy the food. Sorry talaga." She gave her sweetest smile.
They continued their meal. Ngayon medyo mas narerelax na si Julie because Pia became gentler than before, at talagang napakalambing. She offered lots of food to Julie and even said na magpalakas because she's excited to have apo na manggagaling sa kanilang dalawa, which made Julie blush.
The dinner ended with hugs and kisses from Pia and even gave Julie pabaon for Marivic and Joana.
"Okay...sobrang daming nangyari, I do not know kung paano ko iproprocess lahat!" Julie let out her frustration. Nasa sasakyan na sila ulit and now heading home.
"Believe me ako rin. Kaya pala sabi ni Kuya to prepare you for something weird that's gonna happen. Hindi ko naman alam na ganoon pala yung gagawin ni mommy."
"Believe me ako rin. Gosh muntik ko na siyang mabastos kanina, buti na lang prank lang yun! Nakakaloka talaga."
"I was also relieved." Elmo smiled.
"Pero sure ka ba na hindi half-meant yung mga sinabi niya? I mean what if totoo pala yun?" Julie worriedly asked.
"Here, para hindi ka na mag-overthink." Elmo opened his messaging app and gave it to Julie.
Text Message from Mommy
Moe I am so sorry with what happened a while ago. I do not have Julie's number kaya sa'yo ko na lang idadaan yung apology ko. I never meant anything kanina during the prank time. But I am really proud of Julie and all her achievements. I am also glad na siya yung girlfriend mo. Please let her read this kapag nakarating na kayo sa kanila. She's so sweet and very brave. She's gonna be a perfect wife for you.
Julie's heart skipped a beat. Sobrang na-touch siya sa nabasa niya and now she's crying.
"Hey babe are you crying?"
"Ee...kasi naman yang mommy mo ee lakas maging cheesy." She said, still crying. Ngayon lang niya nailabas yung stress niya from all the drama that had happened.
"Hey chill ka na okay?" He said and she smiled.
Both of them traveled the road with full of love and happy hearts.
