Love Me Tomorrow

CHAPTER 38

"Who is the man that you will permit for your daughter?" I heard the interviewer asked. We are in my Father's study to discuss about business when the interview of Mrs. Lambert got all of our attention. The television is opened even if we are discussing some thing about business. Ang interview ni Mrs. Lambert ang kasalukuyang pinapalabas ngayon.

"Only Tage Lasten Del Prado." I heard my Mother laughing and my father chuckling. Kumunot ang noo ko sa naging reaksiyon ng mga magulang ko, maging sa sagot ni Mrs. Lambert. Why would she permit me for her daughter? For someone I don't even know that exist?!

"What do you think of the Lamberts, Tage?" I looked at my mother while I am sipping my wine with a furrowed brows.

"Lambert? Russel and Ysmeralda Lambert?" I asked. Marami kasing Lambert sa industriya kaya ang mag-asawang mas kilala ko ang binanggit ko. And because of the interview, they were the first one that came into my head.

"Yes. What can you say about them?" muling tanong ni Mama. They are an investor in our winery business. They own 25% share and a trusted investors.

"They're good in the business, Mama." sagot ko. Binaba niya ang hawak na kopita at tinitigan ako. Naninimbang ang mga titig niya kaya hindi ko napigilang magtanong.

"Bakit, Ma?" kunot ang noong tanong ko.

"Nakita ko ang anak nila." she said and I know where this is conversation is heading.

"I am not interested." agad na sabi ko dahil alam ko na kung saan papunta ang usapang ito. Agaran ang pagtawa ni Mama sa naging reaksiyon ko. We've been into this a lot of times and I'm fed up already. They should stop playing cupid. I'll date someone I like!

This kind of talk led me to Ardelle. She's a public figure. Pinakilala ni Mama dahil mayroon din silang wine business na nagsisimula pa lamang. I exclusively go out with her na nauwi sa pagpaplanong pagpapakasal sa kagustuhan ng mga magulang ni Ardelle na agad kong tinaggihan. I don't like the girl to start with. Lumabas kami para matahimik ang mga magulang ko at para ipakita na ring ginawa ko ang lahat pero hindi talaga si Ardelle ang para sa akin. Why would I even marry her? I never promised her marriage. Wala pa akong planong magpakasal sa kahit kanino. I'm young and I still want to manage our business. And marriage is something not in my mind yet.

Dahil madalas nang mabanggit ni Ardelle ang tungkol sa pagpapakasal ay agad kong sinabi sakanyang wala akong balak na pakasalan siya. People say that we are great together, they are also expecting us in an altar one day but I just couldn't find my interest towards her. Hindi ko siya nakikitang makakasama ko sa habang-buhay. She's just not my type.

"Let's stop seeing each other." I said when she's about to kiss me. Natigilan siya at nagtatanong na tumingin sa akin.

"But we are getting married, Tage!" she said like it would change my mind.

"Wala akong sinabing magpapakasal ako sayo." I said coldly.

"Pero iyon ang gusto ng mga magulang natin." I looked at her slowly losing my patience.

"Mga magulang mo, Ardelle. I respect your parents but my respect won't lead me to marriage." mataas ang respeto ko sa mga magulang niya, ganun din sa mga magulang ko. Ang mga magulang ko, sila ang tinitingala ko sa halos lahat ng bagay. Their marriage is what I want. Not fixed nor marriage for the convenience of the business but because of love. Our family was never been a fan of arranged marriage but open for possibilities. My Mother would always introduce me to a daughter of a business associate but wouldn't force me into marriage. Kapag gusto ko lang daw.

"You dump, Ardelle." it was my father, one night in our house mini bar.

"I didn't dump her, Pa. Tinapos ko lang ang kung ano mang namamagitan sa amin." pagtatama ko sa sinabi niya.