Unveiling The Mask Behind (High Class Issue Series #4)

Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Second

"P-Pardon, Sir?"

It feels like my ears don't work all of a sudden. I was waiting for him to say it again, hoping that I heard it wrong. My eyes were only fixed to Peter Inocencio, and as time passes, my breathing ragged. Stuck to that question, words were deserted from my mouth.

The old man smirked and asked once again, "How about marrying my grandson for real, Ms. Altamirano?"

Now that he asked once again, it was clear already to my ears. They were waiting for my answer, especially Orcus, whose gaze is fixed on me.

Orcus supposed to be my husband, but the arranged marriage got canceled because I left. For two years of living in France, I was more focused on financing myself since I choose to be alone. I was just twenty-two when my parents arranged for me to marry Orcus, and I was against it, but how about this time?

"Ito po ba ang dahilan kung bakit kasama ako sa dinner na 'to?" inosente ko pang tanong pero narinig ko ang sarkastikong pagtawa ni Olivia habang kumakain.

"Ang sabihin mo ay wala kang balak pakasalanan ang pinsan ko dahil ayaw mo sa kanya. Tanda ko pang niloko mo siya at ninakawan pa," sambit ni Olivia at dahang-dahang pinunta ang tingin sa akin pagkatapos ay umigting ang panga.

Saglit na nabuo ang katahimikan sa lamesa dahil sa sinabi ni Olivia. Kung sa nakikita nila ay kalmado lang ako pero sa loob ko ay kumukulo na ang dugo ko na pilit kong kontrolin dahil ayokong masira ang gabing 'to. Hindi ako pumunta sa hapunan na 'to para bastusin lang niya.

"Maybe coming here was a mistake. We are here to have a good family dinner, but if you're going to disrespect my girlfriend right in front of me, then we are just going to leave. I can't bear hearing someone saying shits about her," Orcus defended and secretly held my hand for me to calm down. His voice was calm, but I could hear the irritation on it.

"Why are you even defending the woman who cheated on you, Orcus? Baliw na baliw ka ba talaga sa babaeng 'yan?" Napalunok ako dahil tumaas na ang tono ng boses ni Olivia. Padabog niyang binaba ang kubyertos at matalim akong tiningnan.

"How many times do I have to tell you that she's not the Serina who cheated on me? Ikaw na lang ang hindi naniniwala—"

"Sa tingin mo lahat ng mga taong nakaupo dito naniniwala na hindi siya ang babaeng nanloko sa'yo? Tss, maging si Daddy ay labis ang pagkadisguto pagkatapos ng ginawa niya sa akin pero pinakisamahan niya ang girlfriend mo," pagbubunyag ni Olivia at dahil sa narinig ay kumirot ang puso ko.

"I was expecting a good family dinner too, my cousin, but knowing that this woman..." She pointed her index finger at me. "... Who also hurt me is here. I can't pretend that everything is fine. This wasn't all about you, Orcus, but also to our family that your girlfriend almost ruined."

"Olivia, enough," matipid na pananaway ni Sir Vincent sa kanyang anak na ngayon ay kumukulo na ang dugo dahil sa galit. Pinagbintangan na naman ako ng pamilyang 'to na ako ang nanakit sa kanila pero ang totoo ay hindi naman ako 'yun. Kasama rin ako sa mga taong naloko ng babaeng 'yun.