The Magnate's Holiest Sin (Cavanaugh #3)

Kabanata 24

Kabanata 24

Changed

Nagmadali akong naglakad palapit sa enggrande at malawak na hagdanan matapos mabilis na nag-toothbrush at hilamos. Gently and graciously, I rested my hand on the handrail of the stairs and let my palm slide down as I kept on descending the stairs.

"Good morning. Lola, where's my Sheriff? Sa Tagaytay ba s'ya inilagay?" I asked when I reached the mansion's patio where Lola Yashmita was doing her usual routine every morning.

Such as reading newspapers, magazines, documentations, and thingamabobs. Then she would be sightseeing her beautiful garden for an hour before getting herself inside the mansion.

With her elegant glasses on, she sipped on her cup of hot herbal tea. "No, apo."

"Saan po?" I tried again, stalking my way towards her.

Unashamedly, still on my plain white cotton pyjamas, I sat on an unoccupied outdoor seat in front of her. The only thing that separated us, was the rectangular small table.

"Holy, apo. You're here to relax. Don't worry about her, she's safe," marahan at bakas sa boses nito ang pag-aalala. "Have some tea, sweet dear."

Umiling ako nang sumenyas s'ya sa isang katulong na salinan ako ng maiinom. Yumuko lamang ang katulong tila ay nalilito kung sino sa aming dalawa ang susundin dahil pareho n'ya naman kaming pinagsisilbihan.

Sakto namang may lumabas ng mansyon at dumito sa patio. Umupo rin ito sa isang upuan malapit kay Lola Yashmita.

I smiled, knowing that I have an ally against my grandmother. "Papa. Lola won't tell me where my Sheriff is."

"Anak, you've been with Sheriff for almost four and a half years. Give time for yourself. Relax and enjoy the day."

Because of his unexpected statement, my shoulders automatically slumped down. He was on Lola Yashmita's side.

"Pero, Papa. . ." I pouted, trying so hard not to cry and beg for them to grant my request.

My father just gave me a kind shake of his head.

Wala akong magawa sa umaga'ng ito kung 'di ay ang masayang pagmasdan ang dalawang taong naging bagong parte ng buhay ko. Hindi naman ako magtatampo talaga sa kanila kapag hindi ko nakuha ang gusto ko. Dinadaan ko sila sa pakiusap.

Sa loob ng limang taon na kasama ko sila ay wala silang ibang ginawa kung 'di ay ang ibigay ang mga kailangan ko. Hindi kasi talaga ako mahilig humingi sa kanila. Nagkukusa silang bigyan ako. They spoiled me in all positive ways. Protected me at all costs. Provided me everything. Pinaglalaanan din nila ako ng sapat na oras kahit na pareho silang busy.

They did not really care if they would spend beaucoup yen, euros, pesos, dollars and more, for me. Aside from that, it's not really all about their wealth. They had given me so much love, the gentlest care ever, and enough attention.

Looking and admiring these two. I could not help but be gratified and satisfied.

Firstly, my biological grandmother who welcomed me in her cozy home when I had none to spend the night in. Also, she caught and saved me out of inescapable trouble. Then there's my biological father, who left a crucial meeting in Japan just to come back here in Philippines the moment Lola Yashmita called and told him about my situation.

Lola Yashmita had convinced my father to come home before. Many times. But my father would just answer her that he had no reason to come back. That day he returned, I was his precious reason.

Sinuri kong maigi ang hitsura ni Papa at ikinumpara ko iyon kay Lola Yashmita. Singkit naman ang mga mata ni Lola pero dahil sa tanda nito ay parang hood na ang talukap ng mga mata nito kung titignan, may katangusan ang ilong at maliit ang bibig. Kahit gano'n ay hindi man lang nabawasan ang kaniyang angking kagandahan. Si papa naman ay gano'n din. Kahit may kalahating dugong Pinoy ay gano'n pa rin naman ang hitsura, singkit at maputi. May iilang kulubot na sa gilid ng mga mata nito at sa noo pero hindi naman gano'n kahalata. Dahil siguro sa trabaho iyon.