Monasterio Series 8: Nights in Casa Vallejo

Chapter 31

Book signing of Nights In Casa Vallejo on September 15, 2023, at the KPUB Booth on MIBF! See you there. :)

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Chapter 31

Paano siya nakapasok dito? Kung walang permisyon ng taga rito sa village na ito, imposibleng basta na lang siya makalusot.

"Good evening. I'm sorry to interrupt your celebration." magalang na sabi ni Ruth habang nakatingin sa gawi nina Tita Dreya.

Lito kong tiningnan si Terrence. His eyes were smoldering while looking at Ruth. His thick and dark brows were a bit furrowed.

Tiningnan niya ako pabalik, nagtatanong ang mga mata. Umiling ako para sabihin na hindi ko rin alam kung bakit narito ngayon si Ruth.

"Good evening. May we know who you are?" It was Madame Adrianna who shot that question out.

Halata ang pagdaan ng kaba sa mukha niya. I glanced at Duke. He was talking with Dustine who looked irritated right now. Meanwhile, Dice was just staring at Ruth without any expression rolling over his face.

"I'm Ruth Aveolar," sagot ni Ruth. "Duke's girlfriend."

Kumalabog ang puso ko. Hindi ko alam kung saan siya kumuha ng lakas ng loob para humarap sa buong angkan ng mga Monasterio at sabihing nobya siya ni Duke.

But a part of me doesn't want to blame her. Hindi niya naman alam na ginantihan lang siya ni Duke para sa akin. She thought what they had was real. Now that Duke dropped her as if he's already done with her, she's running after him. Kahit pa nga nahuli niya na itong may kasamang ibang babae.

"What the hell is she up to?" Terrence whispered.

"Do you know that woman, son? I didn't know that Duke already has a girlfriend." It was Tita Tate.

I sighed. "That's Ruth, Tita Tate. My old friend. She's the mastermind of the scandal with my ex boyfriend."

Her eyes narrowed. "What?"

"This is trouble." said Clarisse.

"But she said that she's Duke's girlfriend?" kunot noong tanong ni Tita Tate.

"All just for a show, Mama. Dice planned this. Make that woman fall for Duke and drop her when she's already in love."

"Oh my. I would say that she deserves it but knowing your Tita Dreya, she won't like it. She's not a fan of revenge."

Nang tingnan ko si Tita Dreya ay mataman siyang nakatitig sa gawi ni Ruth, tila ba masusi itong pinag-aaralan.

I've always thought that she's that kind of woman who doesn't act based on her emotions. Kalmado siya palagi, mahinhin at kung magsalita ay para bang hindi marunong magtaas ng boses.

Pero alam kong ang mga kagaya niya ang tipo ng tao na masama magalit.

"I wonder why Duke didn't come here with you. Love quarrel?" It was Madame Adrianna with a smile.

I don't know but I can hear the sarcasm through her voice. She was sitting sophisticatedly beside Sir Zion who was staring at Ruth like a wolf suppressing himself to growl.

I wonder if they both can smell what kind of girl Ruth is?

"Well, sort of misunderstanding, ma'am." taas noong sagot ni Ruth.

Binalingan ko ng tingin si Duke. Matalim ang mga mata niyang nakatitig sa gawi ni Ruth. If looks can kill, she was already burning into ashes.

Hindi ko ma-control ang mapaisip kung nagkausap na silang dalawa matapos ang nasaksihan ni Ruth. Kung sakali man, hindi ba dapat at alam niya nang napaglaruan lang siya nang dahil sa akin? Or maybe he didn't tell her the right reason?