Los Solteros 1: Irresistible Sensation

Chapter Two

"WHAT ABOUT THEM?" I asked. Umupo ako sa kalapit na sofa. Dad immediately went back from his meeting at dito na s'ya kaagad dumiretso. Parehas silang umupo rin sa kalapit na sofa sa tapat ko at sinimulan na ang pag-explain sa dahilan kung bakit nila ako pinabalik rito.

Awkward na ngumiti sa'kin si Dad. "Uhm, well, si Alfonso, humihingi lang naman s'ya ng kaunting tulong mula sa'tin."

Pinagsingkitan ko si Dad ng mata. Kinakabahan s'ya.

"Did you do something?" I probed.

Parehas na nanlaki ang mga mata nila ni Mom tapos ay sinuway ako sa paraan ko ng pag-aakusa.

"Grabe ka naman sa'kin, anak. Ano? Kriminal lang?" tanong sa'kin ni Dad na kinatawa ko naman.

I leaned on the sofa and asked once again.

"What kind of help?"

"He wanted us to stop his son sa ginagawa nitong investment and partnership sa ibang bansa," Dad replied.

"Bakit? Ilegal ba?"

"Hindi raw."

"Oh 'eh bakit raw?"

"Alfonso sees it as a dead investment."

Tumaas ang isa kong kilay. "Bakit hindi s'ya ang pumigil sa sarili n'yang anak?"

Dad eyed me with an upcoming insult, "Because he's alike with my kids. Hard-headed and stubborn. No one can stop and they'll do whatever they want. So, as good and loving parents, we're just supporting them."

Mom and I laughed so hard because of the sudden outburst of Dad.

Para namang kasalanan pa namin. At talagang kami pa ni Travis ang ginawang model to describe that Troy, huh.

"I agree with your Dad, baby. Even if he's so funny when he said that." Mom commented then she winked at Dad.

Dad pouted.

Oh my god, why do I have this kind of parents? Really?

"Then on what terms he wanted us to stop his son? Mukhang kaya na naman ni Travis 'yan. As you mentioned, they're friends right?" I asked and probed when our laugh eradicated.

Nagkatinginan silang dalawa sa isa't isa tapos ay sabay akong nilingon.

"Alfonso wanted you to be his secretary and sabotage his son's project plan."

Napatayo ako nang hindi inaasahan. Gulat na gulat sa sinabi at gustong mangyari ng Alfonso na 'yon.

"Secretary? Ako? Dad?! Are you freaking sure about that?" Histerikal kong tanong sa kanya.

He looked at me apologetically, "Yes, daughter. Secretary. I know you would react this way--"

"Aba talaga naman, Dad! I didn't gain this image and reputation that I have just to be his son's secretary!"

"Baby? T-Tone down your voice, please." Pakiusap naman ni Mom sa tabi ni Dad.

Mabibigat na hininga ang pinakawalan ko. Ang init bigla ng ulo ko. Na-stress 'ata ako bigla. 'Yung jetlag ko yata ay biglang nagparamdam sa sinabi ni Dad.

"I understand naman, Daughter. Pero, you'll be pretending to be someone else naman. You don't have to worry about it. We settled na naman ang mga possible documents and other stuff for this... request."

"Unbelievable..." I exasperatedly reacted. "Everything has been prepared... wow, Dad."

Tumayo si Dad tapos ay nilapitan ako. Trying to make me calm by caressing my shoulders.