Mending Heart's Affliction [Phoenix Countesses: ETHEREAL MAIDENS SERIES I]

Chapter 14

Lipstick stain

"Celeste, my dear, what's your next plan for the Aomori Resort? The bidding will be held the day after tomorrow dahil tapos naman na ang renovation."

I glanced at Mom, who gently wiped her mouth and looked at me. Dad did the same before whispering something to the staff and turning to Oliver.

They decided to have brunch at one of the towers in Percepta instead, so they wouldn't have to return to the mansion. They had just returned from the resort, and I was sure they wanted to rest.

"Will you be staying there? The bidding will last for several days. There's also a social party afterward. Of course, you can't miss it, my dear," dagdag pa ni dad.

I nodded. "I'll be staying there with Oliver, Dad. Siya rin ang sasama sa akin sa party."

"Celeste, hindi ko ba nasabi sayo?" Oliver tapped me lightly, so I looked at him. He had a grin on his face.

"What is it?"

"I have an important opening event with my clients on that day that I need to attend. Hindi ako puwedeng magtagal sa Aomori dahil marami akong nakaschedule na meeting sa araw na iyon," he explained.

My jaw dropped. He never told me about this.

"You didn't mention it to me, Ols. I thought we discussed this last week." Kinunutan ko siya ng noo at uminon sa juice na para sa akin.

"You should have told me earlier..."

Sabay na tumawa si Oliver at dad na parang inaasar pa ako kaya napanguso ako.

"I'm sorry. Nawala rin kasi sa isip ko," Oliver said.

"You're doing it on purpose," I retorted.

"Celeste, I heard that Florida INC. will also be there. Why don't you just join their president? Close naman kayo, hindi ba?" Mom Harper interrupted, saving her eldest son from teasing me.

"Hindi lang close, Mom. I heard they're already dating," ani Oliver. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko dahil sa sinabi niya.

"Hey! That's not true!" I denied, even though it was actually the truth.

Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi ko habang naalala na naman ang nangyari pagkatapos ng dinner nang gabing iyon. I was overwhelmed with emotions that night, and in my desire to stand up and not be oppressed by the Yuchengcos again, I blurted it out to Arik.

"Really, my dear?" Dad asked, smirking.

Sometimes, I can't understand the family I have now. It's as if they're pushing me further towards Arik, kahit na alam na alam nila ang mga dahilan kung bakit ginusto nila akong ampunin.

"Uh, that's not what you think, Dad. Hindi ganon ang napag-usapan namin," I said, giving Oliver a dirty look. "Where did you even get that information?"

"From Arik. I had a meeting with him yesterday. He asked about you because you haven't been showing up. After expressing interest in dating him, you're now hiding from him, huh?" He continued teasing me.

Ramdam ko ang labis na pag iinit ng buong mukha ko lalo na nang humalakhak siya nang malakas. 

Hindi naman ako nagtatago! I was just gathering the courage to face him after that night. I felt caught off guard too. Shit.

"Why, dear? What really happened at that dinner? Hindi mo pa nakekwento sa amin ng dad mo," Mom asked, looking serious as she watched me.

Her expression was genuine. It was clear that she really wanted to know what happened at the dinner. Dad was just listening.