Villaverde Brothers Series 1: Taming the Ruthless✓

Chapter One

Wandering my eyes around the airport with excitement and nervousness is making my hand tremble and feel cold.

I bit my lower lip and puffed an air right after. Hindi ko makita ang sundo ko kahit ilang lingon at lingid na ng paningin ang ginawa ko.

But I am happy because the air pollution of the Philippines greeted me. Na-miss ko ang polusyon sa Pilipinas, grabe! Ito talaga babalik-balikan ko rito.

Unang langhap sa hangin, ubo agad!

"Mil!" A woman shouted from afar.

Lumingon ako sa kanan dahil doon nanggaling ang boses at pilit kong pinaningkit ang mata ko sa babaeng kumakaway mula sa malayo.

It's my Mom!

Sa sobrang tuwa ko ay tumakbo ako kahit pa naka-heels ako. Naiwan ko na roon ang gamit ko na mukhang kukuhanin naman ng mga bodyguard na sinasalubong ako ngayon.

"Mommy!" I shouted. "I missed you!"

I hugged her tightly. It's been a year since the last time I saw her. Binibisita rin naman kasi nila ako noon paminsan-minsan sa New York.

"I missed you too, darling." She held my cheeks. "How's the flight? Tired?"

"Kinda," I answered.

I looked at Dad beside her anticipating a hug. He's just waiting for me to notice him, he didn't bother me when I'm talking to my mom because he's patiently waiting for his turn.

"And I missed you too, Dad!"

Niyakap ko rin siya nang mahigpit, natawa siya pero kumalas na rin agad.

"Hindi ako makahinga sa yakap mo," biro niya. "Papatayin mo yata ako, e."

I laughed. "Sus. I know, you just don't like being like this in public. Nako, Daddy."

Mommy and I both laughed because of it while my Dad shook his head slightly, not wanting the embarrassment he's currently facing.

"Enough, my ladies. You're putting me in shame," he said. "Let's go and eat somewhere before heading to the Villaverde's residence."

That made me nervous again. Para akong pinawisan nang malamig. Sa huli'y wala akong nagawa kundi ngumiti nang hilaw at tumango na lamang bago pinulupot ang kamay ko sa braso ni Daddy.

"Where do you want to eat?" Mommy asked.

"Anywhere you want," I answered.

We just ate somewhere we were comfortable. Isa pa, I'm not yet hungry kaya kaunti lang ang kinain ko, dahil na rin yata sa kaba kaya hindi ako nakakain nang maayos. Mommy teased me because of that. She sometimes pinches my waist while saying the name of Cai.

"Cai's body matured well," she nonchalantly said while we're in the car. "Your jaw might drop." She laughed.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes at her. "Mom, stop teasing me."

"Eliza, stop," Dad interfered. "Masyado nang kinikilig si Milgrace."

"Isa ka pa, Daddy!" singhal ko. "'Wag n'yo muna ako guluhin, magpapaganda pa ako."

Parehas silang napailing sa sinabi ko. Mabilis kong kinuha ang salamin ko sa bag at nag-retouch. Kailangan presentable ako sa harapan nila. Hindi lang basta presentable, kailangan mukhang mabango, maayos, at maganda.

Inabot ng isang oras ang biyahe bago tuluyang huminto ang sasakyan sa harap nang mataas na gate ng mga Villaverde, the guard saw Daddy and he immediately opened the gate for us.

Abot tahip na naman ang kaba na nararamdaman ko, halos hindi na ako mapakali at hindi ko na alam kung anong ikot ng pwet ang gagawin ko sa upuan.

"Relax, darling," Mommy said and held my hand. "Don't be so nervous. Chin up and smile. You're beautiful."