Kristine Series 49: Alessandro Leon

Chapter 23

"HINDI mo na ako sinagot, hija," ani Andrea at hinawakan siya sa balikat. The old woman chuckled. "What do you, young people, call it? 'Thunderstruck'?" Muli itong tumawa. "It runs in the family. Alessandro is so handsome he reminded me of Leon. Kahit marahil hindi hiniling sa kanya ang DNA test, when I first saw him, I was willing to bet my life that that man is a Fortalejo through and through."

Conspiratorily, inilapit nito ang bibig sa tainga niya. "Don't tell the old man Franco I said that." She laughed.

She gave a weak smile. She was falling to pieces at the sight of him. Pero hindi tulad noon, kaya na niyang magkunwari ngayon. Kaya na niyang tatagan ang sarili. Or so she thought.

Now it explained everything. He was rich as Creosus. Kahit sinong babae ay kayang mapasakamay nito. And he had nothing to do with poor, naive nineteen-year-old Yelena who had declared her love to him like a stupid fool.

And gullible that she was, succumbed to his lethal charm.

Sa kabila ng galit na umahon sa dibdib niya ay gustong bumunghalit ng iyak ni Yelena. But that would make her even more foolish. She inhaled-exhaled. Lahat ng kontrol ay sinikap niyang ipunin sa sarili.

Pilit niyang ikinakalma ang sarili. Then she looked at the older woman. Smiled brightly. And hoped it really looked like a smile.

"I believe I had met him before. Well, in another time and place."

"Did you really?"

She smiled bitterly. "I did really. At hindi ko naisip man lang na si Xander ang nawawalang tagapagmana." Binigyang-diin niya ang huling salita na ikinaangat ng mga kilay ni Andrea.

Tumayo siya. "Now that I know..." Nilaparan niya ang ngiti. "If you'll excuse me. I think I want to renew my acquaintance with the long-lost heir." Hindi na niya pinansin ang iritasyon na gumuhit sa mga mata ng matandang babae.

Kung tutuusin ay mas dapat nitong pansinin ang iritasyon niya. She took a deep breath and strode toward the trio.

Natanaw ni Yelena na akmang hahagkan ni Brad si Cameron. Subalit bago pa makalapat ang mga labi ni Brad sa mga labi ng kasintahan ay naroon na si Xander/Alessandro at hinawakan sa braso si Brad.

"I don't think that's a very good idea, Brad," came the stern voice from behind them. "This is Trace and Jessica's wedding. You both can't steal the limelight."

"Xan!"

"Alessandro." Magkasabay na usal ng magkasintahan.

"The public display of affection is sickening," he said, grimacing.

Ilang hakbang na lang si Yelena patungo sa mga ito, watching the exchange with wry amusement. Ang galit ay mariin nang naisiksik sa sulok na bahagi ng puso niya at nailagay na niya ang maskara.

"What's wrong with you both? Para kayong mga teenager na hindi maawat sa isa't isa." Hinawakan nito sa braso si Cameron at hinila palayo kay Brad.

Ang isang kamay ni Cameron ay hawak naman ni Brad at hindi gustong bitiwan.

"Hey, is this tug-of-war? Hindi ako lubid!" screamed Cameron.

Doon itiniyempo ni Yelena ang paglapit at tinawag ang kaibigan sa tinig na hinaluan ng excitement. "Cameron!"

NAPALINGON pareho ang tatlo sa kanya. Sadya siyang lumalakad patungo sa grupo sa paraang tila siya naglalakad sa runway. Ang ngiti sa mga labi niya ay aasamin ng sino mang lalaki na maituon sa mga ito.

She was so stunning in her body-hugging minty green minidress with a matching three-inch stiletto gold shoes. Ang damit niya, sa halip na itago ay mas inihantad ang dapat takpan. The dress also emphasized her exotic tan (thanks to expensive tanning lotions). Her dark brown hair bobbed around her face every time she moved, giving the well-known shampoo endorsers a run for their money.