Glimpses of Yesterday (Isla Contejo #2)

Chapter 7

NAMILOG ang bibig ko pagkakita ko pa lamang sa gate ng mansyon ng mga Contejo. It was a huge and tall golden gate with elegant cursives all over. The security guard who let us in was heavily armed. I simply eyed the long armalite hanging on his right shoulder. Nang ilibot ko ang mga mata ko ay doon ko nakita ang maraming bantay na may kaniya-kaniyang armas din.

That was when I realized that the Palacio de Contejo was well-protected and heavily guarded. They had a very tight security that I thought no one would even dare to rob. According to Arsen, this mansion was built in the 40's. The most powerful and most influential Contejos that time were the ones who built it right after they successfully claimed this whole town as their own.

Tumagal ito nang ilang henerasyon at dekada dahil napapanatili ang pangangala at pamamahala rito ng angkan ng mga Contejo. Hindi raw ito kailanman napabayaan kaya hanggang ngayon, nakatayo pa rin at parang hindi man lang naluluma.

"Nakailang renovate na rin ito. Gusto kasi ng mga kamag-anak namin na mukha pa rin itong bago at presentable."

Napatango-tango ako sa idinagdag na information ni Arsen habang tinatahak namin ang malawak at malaking front yard. Sobrang lawak ng space dito sa labas. Ilang steps pa ang lalakarin bago marating ang pinaka-mansyon.

Tiningala at pinagmasdan ko naman nang maigi ang Palacio de Contejo. Mukha itong Victorian mansion, actually. It looked ancient and modern at the same time. I didn't know how to describe it e. Iyong style ng mga bubong, pa-triangle. Kulay rose gold ang pintura ng buong mansyon sa labas at may mga corner na painted ng gold. Mukha siyang castle in a very Victorian style.

It just looked so royal, elegant, and expensive.

Binuksan ni Arsen ang double doors. My mouth went agape as I went in. Gold. Everything was just gold. From the chandeliers, to the large sofas, to some of the furniture, and many more! Everything just looked so royal and artistically ancient. Para siyang place na tinitirhan ng mga rich people noong unang panahon.

Parang palace ng mga prince and princess. Like 'yong mga girls na nakasuot ng Victorian or Renaissance dresses.

"Is this literally a gold bar?" I asked Arsen when I stopped in front of a gold stuff on a table near the staircase.

Napatingin siya rito nang ilang segundo bago nagkibit-balikat.

"Maybe."

I chuckled and looked around more. "Grabe, kaya pala sobrang tight ng security n'yo rito. There are so many things here that can be robbed."

Maikli siyang natawa. "Bibihira lang namang may maibalitang nakawan dito sa Isla Contejo. Halos lahat ng tao, disiplinado."

Napangiti ako roon. Lumiko kami sa isang pasilyo at nalaglag na naman ang panga ko sa pagkamangha. There were paintings on the walls. I felt like I was in an art gallery!

"Some of the paintings here were made by my grandfather." Itinuro ni Arsen ang isang painting.

It was a painting of a crying angel. I could see so much emotions in the eyes. Very detailed. Very realistic. Grabe, ang galing naman ng grandpa nila Arsen.

Ang sunod naman naming pinuntahan ay ang isang malaking hall. Punong-puno ito ng malalaking chandeliers at may big screen sa pinakaharap.

"This is where we usually hold a celebration. Birthdays, anniversaries, business events, and so on."

Napatango-tango ako habang inililibot ang mga mata sa buong paligid.

"Nag-birthday ka na rito?"

"As far as I remember, yes. Bata pa ako no'n."

Nang matapos kami sa paglilibot sa Palacio de Contejo, niyaya niya ako sa isa sa mga resort nila. La Contejo Resort was the most popular resort they have here. Arsen toured me around until we reached the beach.