Love from afar (Montecarlo Heir #1)

Kabanata 22

"Yes, dad. I told you. It's already been settled that's why-" he sighed when interrupted and abruptly closed his eyes while touching the bridge of his nose. He is sitting in the coffee table with his macbook open. Don Ramon is on the phone.

"You need not to worry. I already closed the deal even before going there. My presence isn't really needed." he said justifying his absence at work. He looks so stressed massaging his temples.

May meeting pala sila ng Friday ng hapon ngunit maaga itong umalis para makauwi at makahabol sa birthday ko. Agad akong ginapangan ng hiya ng maisip na nakaabala ako sa negosyo nila. Ano nalang ang iisipin ng magulang nito kung malamang andito siya at nakikisiksik sa outing namin.

Tahimik akong nakaupo sa dulo ng kama hawak ang mainit na mug ng hot chocolate. Sa kaliwang banda ay ang counter top kung saan nakatukod ang magkabilang siko ni Raymond at nakangising tila aliw na aliw panoorin ang kapatid na kagalitan ng ama.

"Yes. I understand. I'll set up a call on Monday. The deal is still intact. We will begin with the project three weeks from now." sabi nito at lumingon sakin na taas ang kilay. Masyado ata akong tumititig. Agad kong binawi ang tingin at humigop sa hawak na inumin.

"No dad. I told you. I can't leave tonight. I'll be home tomorrow." sabi nito na nagpabungisngis sa kapatid niyang ngayon ay kinakalikot ang mga nakalagay sa counter top. Kumuha pa siya ng bote ng beer mula sa mini fridge.

"Man.. he got it so bad huh?" he said it to himself loud enough for everyone in the room to hear as he mock his brother. Tila nahiya ako ng maalala ang sinabi niya kanina. Na boyfriend ko.. ang kuya niya. Ano bang sinasabi nitong lalaking to sa kapatid niya?

Ngumiti ito ng matamis sakin at halos mawala ang mga mata niya. Maputi si Raymond at natural na mamula mula din ang kanyang pisngi. "How are you, Rein? It's been years since the last time I saw you. You are still a kid back then. You have grown to be such a beauty."

Agad akong ginapangan ng hiya sa papuri at naghuramentado agad ang puso ko. Tumikhim ako bago sinubukang magsalita. Pakiramdam ko ay pulang pula ang mukha ko sa narinig. "S-salamat po. O-okay lang po ako k-kuya.."

He giggled at my response. "I don't think its appropriate still to call me that. You are dating my brother." Sabi nito at tinaas ang isang kilay

"Ano uhh- hindi naman-"

Humilig pa ito sa counter top para ba mas lalong lumapit sa akin "Should I call you ate then?" he burst out laughing after seeing my confuse reaction with what he just said huskily.

Agad naginit ang mukha at tenga ko sa naisip niya. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pinagsasabi ni Rico dito pero ang isipin niyang kami ay tila pinapalutang ang isip ko.

"I'll drop now. I have other things to do. I'll see you tomorrow, dad. Tell mom." Narinig kong sabi ni Rico at mabilis na pinatay ang tawag kasabay ng pagtayo niya at pagdiretso nito sa gawi ko. Agad na tumalim ang titig nito sa kapatid. Halos tumingala ako at mangawit ang leeg sa kanilang dalawa.

I saw Raymond still laughing and raised both of his hands in the air. "Come on. What's with the deadly stare?"

"Why are you still here? I am not going home. You should go and take your drinking somewhere else." he commanded as if his brother's presence is a disturbance.

"Ouch." his younger brother chuckled. "I don't have a room yet. I guess I'll take the next suite."

"No! Go home! Your business here is done. You are no longer needed." wala sa sariling napahawak ako sa kamay niyang magaspang at puno ng ugat. Bakit ba kailangan mong awayin ang kapatid mo?

Umamo ang mukha nito ng bumaba ang tingin niya sakin. He let out a deafening sigh.

"How rude. Ganyan kaba lagi sa harapan ng girlfriend mo, kuya? If I were you, Rein, I will be seriously turned off." ngisi sakin nito at tila ayaw tigilan ang pang-aasar sa kapatid.