He Stole My Heart (Heart Series #3)

21

Everyone was silent. But I can see my Lolo and Lola's smile. Napailing si Lolo habang nakangiti saka bumaling kay Daddy. Napatingin ako kay Levi dahil maging ako ay hindi makapaniwala sa narinig mula sa kanya.

Unti unti ay bumalik sa normal ang tibok ng puso ko. Levi also looked at me and gave me a smile. A reassuring smile. I feel my face heated. Umiwas ako ng tingin at binalik ito sa pamilya ko.

"You heard it, son?" Lolo asked Dad. "He's serious about your daughther! No need to arrange her to someone, she got a boyfriend now," masayang sabi ni Lolo.

Natigilan ako sa pag-kain. Napatingin ako sa kanila at tumigil ang paningin ko kay Daddy. Naramdaman ko rin na natigilan si Levi. Nanikip ang dibdib ko. Anong arrange? Para saan? Anong meron?

"What are you guys talking about?" I tried to sound polite. "Arrange me with what?" 

"Oh, your father didn't inform you? We were just talking about it earlier before you came home. Your father was planning to introduce you to his business partner's son. He's planning an arrange marriage," sagot ni Lolo.

Namuo ang luha ko habang pinapakinggan si Lolo. Dad looked at me and he looks so guilty. Umawang ang labi ko, I was ready to say something but I couldn't utter a word. I swallowed the lump on my throat.

"Dad.." I couldn't say what I wanted to say. "What do you mean by this?" 

I can't have a boyfriend... pero pwede niya akong ipagkasundo sa anak ng iba? Kaya ba ayaw niya na mag boyfriend ako? How unfair is that? Hindi man lang niya iniisip ang nararamdama ko.. kahit kailan hindi niya talaga inisip ang nararamdaman ko!

"I am out of words.." sabi ko at tumayo. 

"Wait, apo.." pigil ni Lolo. "I am sorry. I hope you understand your father. You know, inside the business industry hindi maiiwasan ang ganitong ipagkakasundo ang mga anak nila.. even me and your Lola we were forced to marry each other for business. But we eventually fell in love with each other." pagkekwento ni Lolo. 

Umiling ako. Hindi ko maintindihan, e. Nasasaktan ako. At bakit.. kailangan pa nilang sabihin 'yon sa harap ni Levi. Alam ni Daddy na may boyfriend ako... but still, he's trying to set me up with someone? 

"You are the heiress of our company, you will be the next CEO, apo. At hindi lang 'yon.. sa iyo nakapangalan lahat ng pag-aari ng pamilya natin. The land properties in different parts here in Luzon.. the Salazar's Ranch in Cebu... Lahat ng lupain, ikaw ang magmamana." seryosong saad ni Lolo.

Mas lalo akong natigilan. Napatingin ako sa kanilang lahat. Mama and Ate Hillary was also shocked. Halatang hindi nila inaasahan ang narinig. Kahit ako! Hindi ko alam 'to. Ang alam ko lang ay ang tungkol sa company.. pero ang iba pang pag-aari ng pamilya ko.. hindi ko alam na sa akin rin 'yon nakapangalan at ako ang magmamana. 

Hindi ako makapaniwala... But that doens't mean they have the right to just set me up with other guy! Hindi ako makakapayag.