Conveniently Inconvenient

PROLOGUE

["Greggy,"] baritonong boses ni Don Luis ang sumalubong kay Greggy.

"Dad, napatawag po kayo?"

It seems weird that his father is calling him at this time of the day. Usually, abala ito sa trabaho at halos wala ng oras para makipag-usap sa kanya.

["We will have dinner with the Marcoses tonight. I will be expecting you. This dinner is important, don't disappoint me, Gregorio. Be ready at 5 PM sharp! Magsasabay tayong pupunta sa bahay nila. Don't bring your girlfriend, nagkakaintindihan ba tayo?"]

Due to shock, wala ng naisagot si Greggy. Pinutol na ng kanyang ama ang tawag. He is at his girlfriend's place, si Isabelle. Napalingon siya dito.

"Bakit daw?" tanong ng nobya.

"Pinapauwi ako para sa dinner namin kasama ang mga Marcos. Sabi niya importante raw," sabi ni Greggy at napaupo.

Nilapitan ni Isabelle ang nobyo at hinaplos ang braso nito. "Baka para sa company lang, hon. Puntahan mo na, baka magalit pa."

Sa kabilang banda, Irene is drowning herself in paperwork at her office, just to prove that she's worth it for the highest position. She suddenly received a call from her father that she immediately answered.

"Dad," bungad niya.

["Umuwi ka ng maaga ngayon— Mas mabuti kung ngayon ka na agad umuwi."] sabi ng kanyang ama.

Napakunot ang noo niya at napasandal sa swivel chair niya. "Why? Marami akong ginagawa, Dad. Ano bang meron?"

["May dinner tayo kasama ang mga Araneta ngayon. Kailangan nating maghanda, we'll be hosting the dinner. Importante ito, Irene. Umuwi ka na, ngayon din."] sabi ng ama niya bago pinutol ang tawag.

Afraid of making her Dad disappointed, inayos ni Irene ang mga gamit niya at umalis agad sa building na 'yun.

Both of them got ready for tonight's dinner. Ayaw man nilang sumipot pero wala silang magagawa. They're both scared of disappointing their parents. Silang dalawa ang huling alas ng mga magulang nila. Their siblings aren't really interested in politics. They have no choice but to accept their fate.

"Nandito na po ang mga Araneta," the maid announced, they opened the main door of the house.

Greggy was amazed by the interior of the house. Maaliwalas ito at maganda ang pagkakadisenyo. There are remarkable paintings, vases, and collections that could be seen inside their living room. Their floors were white statuario marble, which in his knowledge was quite expensive. The surroundings has a mixed of gold, white, and brown ash interior.

Eleganteng-elegante tignan ang bahay, maaliwalas ito sa mata. Iginiya sila ng mga katulong sa dining room.

"Behave, Gregorio." banta ni Don Luis sa anak bago makarating sa hapagkainan.

Ngumiti agad si Don Luis nang sinalubong ni Ferdinand. The parents greeted each other while the both stood behind. Nagkasalubong ang mata nilang dalawa.

Irene was wearing her white tube satin dress that reaches below her knee paired with a 3 inch white kitten heels. Nakalugay lang ang mahaba at maitim niyang buhok, she's also wearing her pearls. Greggy was wearing a simple white long sleeve polo and his slacks, his hair was slicked back.

What a coincidence that they're wearing the same color.

Hinila at pinalapit ni Don Luis si Greggy upang ipakilala sa mag-asawang Marcos.

"This is my only son, pare." pagpapakilala ni Don Luis.

Greggy formed a smile towards the couple at nagmano sa dalawa. He also shook hands with Ferdinand. "Gregorio Araneta, Madame, Sir. Greggy na lang po." pormal niyang pagpapakilala.