Love from afar (Montecarlo Heir #1)

Simula

"Thank you." He said as the valet took his keys and started escorting me inside the hotel while holding my hands.

"Rico, are you sure about this? I don't really have to come for-" sabe ko na nanginginig ang labi at pinagpapawisan ang kamay habang iniisip na ipapakilala nya ako sa family nya. On his mother's birthday.

"I told you, Rein, I want you to meet them. Im serious when I said that I will court you and have a relationship with you." - he said, cutting me off. Napatitig ako sakanyang malamlam na mata na may mahabang pilikmata, makapal na kilay at matulis na tungkil ng ilong. He came from a wealthy family who owns real-estate. a well-know engineering firm and they supply construction materials nationwide. Despite bearing a well-known family name, he is very humble and can be approached by anyone.

While I am an orphan, abandoned by my only family when I was 8 because I used to like barbie dolls more than robots. My father left me to starve 2 years after my mother's passing due to terminal illness.

Intimidation and overthinking never left me as we are nearing the banquet hall. All of his relatives are inside celebrating her mother's birthday. Her mother, who is a famous model in her days. I scanned my clothing before the doors opened. I am wearing a simple white shortsleeved bodycon dress na nabili ko sa palengke, and a plain sandals. I have a small black sling bag who doesn't screem designer, a pair of watch, and a cross-pendant necklace.

"This way, Mr. Montecarlo." ani ng receptionist ng hotel na sinamahan kami papunta sa venue ng party. Ngumiti si Rico bago ako inalalayan papasok.

All eyes then went to see us. Or who the first born of the Montecarlo is with. Naisip ko na mabait at hindi mapanghusga si Rico, nagustuhan nya ako kahit na isa akong transgender. Iniisip na maaring ganun din ang kanyang pamilya, gaano man ito kayaman at kakilala sa bansa.

I let go of his hand hardly when I realized the overwhelming looks from the crowd. And took a step back while someone is nearing us.

"Good evening.... anak. We have been waiting.. for you." bati ng isang ginang na may magarang damit, at kumikinang na alahas. Mrs. Montecarlo greeted her son with a smiling face that can be seen through her sweet eyes, na nawala nang nalipat ang tingin sa akin.

Napasulyap ako kay Rico na madilim ng tingin sakin, tila di narinig ang sinabe ng ina.

"Happy Birthday, mom. I am with-"

"Good evening Mrs. Montercarlo! Happy birthday, I am Rein Silverio." ani sa ina ni Rico na tila nagiintay ng kasunod na sasabihin. "Uhh... a friend" pilit pinasigla ang boses habang yumuyuko na binabati ang ginang.

Naisip ko bigla ang mga storyang nabasa sa wattpad. Na mayroong pamilya Torrealba at Del Fierro. Families who are rich yet very welcoming to others....

"Why thank you, hija. Come and have a seat. The party have just begun. I didn't know you will bring... a friend, Rico?" Sulyap nya sa anak na sinusubukang isarado ang distansya sa pagitan naming dalawa.

I can feel sweat dripping from my ice-cold hands as I swiftly scan the people in the room na maaring narinig ang sinabe ng ina ni Rico.

"What are you doing" mariing bulong sakin ni Rico.

"Thank you po, for letting me join the party. I actually have a gift for you. I-it's not much, but I-I hope you like it" mahinang sabi sabay nahihiyang abot ng nabili kong dress sa mall na nagkakahalaga ng isang buwan kong sahod.

Marahan nya itong inabot at ngumiti. Ngiti na tila pinapanood ang bawat galaw ko. Ngiti hindi na umaabot sa mata gaya ng unang nakita ang anak. "Thank you, nag-abala kapa hija. Come and join us, let's eat." sabay lakad nito sa malaking round table kung saan nakaupo ang tila buong angkan.

Rico tried to reach for my hand but I kept my distance and holding onto the string of my bag while slowly walking towards the huge dinner table.

I heard him sigh and continue walking towards me, handing out a chair for me to sit beside him.

"Who is that girl Rico is with?" narinig kong bulong ng isang middle-aged na babae sa kabilang table na tila kaibigan ng pamilya.

While there are heart-warming stories of Del Fierro and Torrealba to their children's beloved, na isip kong meron ding story sa wattpad tungkol sa pamilya Riego...

"Where have you been, Rico? We have been waiting for you. Have you seen Serena? She is with her fam-" naputol na sabe ng isa pang ginang nang hawakan sya sa balikan ng ina ni Rico. Beside her is Mr. Montecarlo, who is silent yet eyeing me as how his son's arm rested on the back of my chair.

The Riegos, who disliked the women their sons love.... Pamilya Riego na hinadlangan ang pag-ibig ng mga lalaking anak sa mga babaeng nagustuhan....

"May sinundo lang tita." a timid response before he started placing food on the plate in front of me. "Do you like this?" he whispered behind my ear that for sure caught the attention of the people sitting with us.

And the more I stay seated, the more I realized that I am facing the family of the latter.