The Proud Gia

Chapter Five: She Who Only Relies On Instructions

Florentine, you don't have to know. You just need to keep looking forward. Never look back, never regret the decision I had made. I kept you in the dark, but you are too bright to hide. I am glad I was able to witness how you bloom as an innocent but witty flower. Chamber and I will leave you from now on. He is been your guardian, and forever will be.

We are not waiting.

So do not look back. Even after knowing almost everything, never look back.

Bring a sound to your name. Change them. Decide. Make your presence powerful there. Because I know you can.

It was nice meeting you.

Christie Jane Kyller

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Napakunot ang noo ko sa lalaking kasama ni sir Johannes. Nasa iisang bilugang lamesa kami ng ship at nag-hihintay na may waiter na dumaan.

"Oh, I forgot. I haven't introduce you to my jewel, sir Nathan." Biglaang saad ni sir Johannes, siguro natunugan ang kunot sa aking noo. Ang lalaking kaharap ko ay tumingin sa akin at pinasadaan ako ng tingin, tila kinikilatis.

Umangat ang isang kilay, bumaling ako kay sir. Bakit namin siya kasama ngayon? Akala ko ba kaming dalawa lang ang magkakilala sa ship na 'to? Wait, may sinabi ba siyang ganoon?

This person in front me is exactly the opposite of sir Johannes. Clean hair, iron clothed, and very calculative with his every move. Kahit ang pagbaling sa paligid ay hindi niya ginawa kung wala itong nakakaintriga para sa kanya. Isang beses ko lang yata siya nakitang bumaling sa loob ng dining room, noong nagtanong si sir Johannes kung nasaan ang jewel niya.

"She's out there. Probably mourning." I remembered him answering.

"Sir Nathan, this is Florentine Pascua. Flor, this is Nathan Cortez." Nagising ako sa kasalukuyan nang marinig ang sinabi ni sir Johannes.

Flor, shake hands when someone was introduced to you, I remembered my mom reminding me.

I instinctively placed my right hand infront of sir Nathan. Bumaling ang tingin niya roon bago binalik sa akin ang walang emosyong mga mata. Those black eyes says nothing at all. Kasing tulad ng robot ni sir Johannes, the same robot who had his overall appearance.

Matagal bago tinanggap ni sir Nathan ang kamay ko. We shake hands before he takes off his. Kumurap lamang ang mga mata niya pagkatapos at nakipagtitigan sa akin.

I suddenly feel lost at the moment. I do not know what to do next. Sir Johannes just keeps on staring at us, back and forth.

"It's..." And always said after the shake, "It's a pleasure to meet you... Sir. S-Sir Nathan." I suddenly remembered my mother's instructions. Odd.

Tumango si sir Nathan. "Likewise."

Something sparked in my eyes. It's weird applying all the lessons I'd learned for a decade and four years. But all in all, it was worth it.

Biglang pumalakpak ng isang beses si sir Johannes. "And since the two of you are now familiar, let's order!"

The dinner was formal, quiet, and long. It was okay. I apply the basic instructions my mother thought me, especially in this kind of situation where the people around me are formal. You just need to adapt and acknowledge the restrictions. And it was never my forte to ask trivial questions. So I manage to survive the silent dinner.

Bumalik na ako ng kwarto pagkatapos maghugas ng kamay sa restroom. Dahil naglalakad ako sa hallway, nakaramdam ako ng kaba sa katahimikan. I was the only one walking here, but though I feel like there are a pair of eyes somewhere.