A Blaze of Tulips

Prologue

"Gianna, meet Luigi. Luigi, meet Gianna."

I am staring blankly at the guy my tita Marianne was introducing me to. I guess he's...he's normal looking human being.

He extended his hand towards me then introduced himself formally, "Luigi Alexander Altamonte." There's a smile on his face. "Luigi na lang."

I gladly accepted his hand and introduced myself back, "Gianna Villaraza."

When our hands detached, tita Marianne dropped a bomb right away.

"Dito muna siya sa'tin titira."

Say what? Dito sa'min titira?

My eyes widened in surprise as I looked at tita Marianne in disbelief, "He's what?"

"Pamangkin ng tita Marianne mo si Luigi. Temporarily, dito muna siya sa Hacienda mananatili," my dad appeared beside tita Marianne. "It was urgent that's why I wasn't able to inform you first."

Of course, he forgot to inform me first. It's not just because it was urgent. He totally forgot to ask me first or at least let me know. O baka naman hindi na nila sinabi sa'kin dahil alam nilang may sasabihin ako. They just decided to surprise para wala na akong magawa. Alangan namang pauwiin ko pa 'tong lalaking 'to sa pinanggalingan niya.

"I hope it's ok with you, Gianna," my dad stood beside me and held my hand.

I looked at him and gave him my most fake smile, "If's fine." I turned to Luigi as I don't want to be rude, "Welcome to Hacienda Villaraza."

"Thank you," he replied. "Don't worry, I'm not going to intrude on any of your business. Kailangan ko lang talaga magstay dito for the meantime."

Hindi ko na pinansin ang sinabi niya. Tumingin na lang ako kay daddy at niyaya siyang mag-usap na kaming dalawa lang sa loob ng study room. He agreed dahil alam niyang kailangan ko ng isang matinding paliwanag sa kung anong nangyayari.

"Gianna, I know what you're thinking," he said as soon as we entered the study room, "Look, your tita Marianne and I are really sorry for not telling you about Luigi's arrival here, including his temporary stay here. Like what I said, it was really urgent."

"Ganito ka-urgent, dad?" I scoffed and shook my head, "I know mom told me that our hacienda is always open for people in need, pero hindi naman ako aware na bahay-ampunan na rin pala tayo?"

"Pamangkin siya ng tita Marianne mo. His family needs our help. Isa pa, masyadong mabait ang mga magulang niya para hindian namin ng tita mo," paliwanag ni dad. Even if he try so hard to explain it to me, hindi ko pa rin maintindihan. "I wish I could tell everything to you, but his parents asked us to spare you from all this drama. Ayaw na nila kayong madamay pa."

"So Irene doesn't know too?"

He didn't answer.

"Dad, you always say na pamilya tayo pero somehow," I shook my head, "Hindi ko maramdaman."

"Gianna..."

Before he could say anything, I walked out of the room. I'm already tired of his explanations.

Paglabas ko ng study room, si tita Marianne kaagad ang sumalubong sa'kin. She held my hand and faced me, "Gianna, I'm sorry. I'm really really sorry."

"Tita, I hope you understand my reaction. I'm just really surprised," I said.

She nodded, "I completely understand. 'Wag ka na magalit sa daddy mo. Hindi naman niya gustong itago sa inyo ni Irene ang tungkol sa pagdating ni Luigi rito sa Hacienda."

Honestly, hindi ko alam kung saan ako galit. Dun ba sa pagpapatira nila kay Luigi rito sa Hacienda? O dun ba sa sinabi ni daddy na gusto nila kaming ilayo sa drama? Seriously? How can he call us a family kung nagtatago kami ng sikreto sa isa't isa?

"Sasabihin ko sa'yo ang totoo, pero kailngan kong hilingin sa'yo na 'wag mong sasabihin kay Irene," tita Marianne said then she squeezed my hand, "She's too young for this."

I nodded, "I promise, tita."

"Luigi witnessed a crime. He needs our protection."