Run, Zhian (EL VICENTE SERIES #2) COMPLETED

Kabanata 20

"Issa," tawag ko kay Issa habang nakikipagbatian siya sa mga maid dito.

Nakarating siya umagang umaga sa bahay. Her flight was last night, she said. Hindi siya masyadong nakatulog pero hindi naman halatang puyat. Dumiretso kaagad siya dito para lang makita si Coen. I appreciate that but I need to talk to her for an urgent matter.

She got taller, I noticed. Siya ang mas matangkad sa aming dalawa pero ngayo'y tumangkad naman ako ng kaunti kaya pantay na kami. She's gained weight but not too much. Kaya naman sa aming dalawa ay ako ang payat ngayon.

Hinalikan niya si Coen, walang emosyon ang anak ko at hinihintay na lang matapos ang ginagawa ni Issa para makapaglaro na. Issa bought him too much books! Puro naman pambata ang iba at siguradong hindi iyon gagalawin ni Coen. But knowing my son, he wouldn't complain. He appreciates everything that's why he will never complain even if he doesn't like it.

"Tama na raw," iritadong sabi ni Mikael na nakahalukipkip sa kaibigan ko.

Umirap si Issa. "Baka gusto mo ikaw din?" she puckered her lips towards my step-brother.

Yumuko si Kael at hindi pinansin ang kaibigan ko. He held my son's hand and played with him instead. Mapanuyang tumatawa si Issa sa aksyon ni Kael habang ako'y nakangisi lang at nagpipigil ng tawa.

"Your brother is always grumpy!" tumawa siya.

I shrugged and sipped on my juice. "Maybe he just missed you."

"Yuck?" she tucked her tongue out. "Pero infairness ha, nag-gy-gym? Lumalaki ang biceps!"

"He's always been bulky. Hindi mo lang napapansin.."

"Napapansin ko 'no! Tambay kaya ako sa Instagram n'yan."

We talked about my brother for minutes. Walang humpay ang panunuya ko kay Issa kay Kael. She seems like liking it but just denying. Issa never really had a serious relationship until now. Ang lalaking kwinekwento niya sa akin ay panay fail. I think she's better with my brother, besides, I trust Kael. He's a husband material.

Sinundot niya ang tagiliran ko. "So, chef, how's the construction of your restaurant, huh?"

I smirked. "I've been meeting my engineer and the construction will start next week. I have my designs from a friend, too. Kapag may problema sa designs ay mag-eemail lang ako sa kaniya."

"Oh! That's great!" malandi siyang tumawa. "I can't wait having free meals from your restaurant!"

Hinampas ko siya ng mahina. "Hindi pa nga nasisimulan.."

"Kahit na! You should already start hiring your kitchen staffs, anyway!"

"That would be my last move. I already prepared my menus, too. Dati pa, kaya handa na ako."

I started telling her about my conversation with Coen last night. But I didn't tell her about Dylan. Inisip kong hindi na niya muna kailangang malaman iyon dahil baka maghisterya siya at contact-in agad si Hunter para sumagap ng balita.

She gasped. "So what are you planning, then? Your son is really smart, Zhian. Kuhang kuha talaga sa ama. I'm sure he'd be thinking about this all day! Lalo pa't mukhang excited nga siya na makita ang ama niya."

Kinagat ko ang labi ko at sumimsim sa orange juice. I think I need a wine later before bed.

"I can't just tell Dylan about him without thinking thoroughly. I'll probably just talk to him and make everything civil before I tell him."

Ngumuso siya at tumango tango. "Then should we.. reserve a meeting for this?"

Umirap ako. "We have to run different appointments before he agree. He's one of a hell member of a famous band and we can't just ask him like that. Besides, hindi iyon papayag! Malaki ang galit sa akin 'nun!"