Mr. Billionaire

Kabanata 17

Breakfast

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"Did you not have a good night sleep?" bungad na tanong ni Alisa kay Fatima nang lumabas siya ng kaniyang kuwarto ng umagang iyon. The two were dressed up in their neat uniforms, hair tied up in a tight bun. They even had a make up on but Fatima was not sure for she was too groggy to dig into small details.

"Ugh... Quite." she answered.

The half siblings threw her a confused look. She knew she had to explain herself but she couldn't lie to them. How could she tell them that she had a late night with their Young Master? No. Definitely not ever. Lying is not her thing.

To dodge their questions, she asked instead, "You both seem pretty groomed today. What's cracking?"

Alisa and Venda exchanged looks. The latter answered, "Well, today's a special day."

Alisa shrieked. "It's one of the rarest moments that Master and Young Master eat together for breakfast!"

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya. Her lips formed an 'O'. Based from her observations and hypothesis, the two were not in good terms and that Scott can't seem to stand being in the same place with his father. So if they are really eating in one table together, this must be a once in a blue moon phenomenon.      

Lumagpas ang tingin niya sa dalawa nang may tumawag sa mga ito. Ang tatlong kasamahan nilang chambermaids pala. Nakaayos din ang mga ito. Lumingon naman sina Alisa at Venda saka nakipagpalitan ng salita sa mga tumawag sa lengguwaheng Latvian.

Medyo matagal na rin siya sa lugar na ito at pinag-aaralan niya ang salitang Latvian upang hindi mahuli sa mga katrabaho. It's convenient for her, an advantage if she would know their language. Kung tama ang kaniyang natatandaan, niyayaya na silang bumaba ng mga katrabaho ngunit ang iba ay hindi na niya maintindihan sa bilis ng kanilang pagsasalita. Namalayan niya na lang na nagpapaalam na si Alisa sa mga ito.

The three ladies smiled and waved at the three of them before turning to the corner. She smiled back.

***

As expected, the dining hall was enormous with chandeliers above the 18-seater table. Platters of foods were set elegantly like in a traditional English social function.

Kumulo ang tiyan ni Fatima sa masasarap na pagkaing nakahain. Napalunok na lamang siya dahil mamaya pa sila puwedeng kumain pagkatapos ng kanilang mga amo.

Humilera sila sa gilid. Nilibot niya ang paningin sa mga kasamahan at napansin na napakaliwanag ng aura ng mga ito, malayung-malayo sa kaniya na halos hinihila na pabalik ng kama.

While she had her hair pulled back in a simple ponytail, others are neatly braided or in a tight bun.

Hagikhik kasunod ng mga bulungan ang tanging maririnig sa dining hall habang hinihintay ang mag-ama. Nakita niya si Valdis na may dalang dyaryo. Sinundan niya ng paningin ang dyaryong nasa kamay ng katiwala na para bang iyon ang pinakainteresanteng bagay sa mundo. Unti-unting pumungay ang kaniyang mga mata at kasabay ng paglapag ni Valdis ng dyaryo sa tabi ng plato sa kabisera ay ang pagbagsak ng kaniyang ulo.

Everyone is excited especially the young chambermaids who have a crush on their Young Master. They all felt giddy to see their two masters eating together. When the huge doors opened and revealed their Master Hugh, the maids fell silent and composed themselves as they bow their heads.

"Good morning, Master." the chambermaids greeted.

Hugh smiled gently and greeted back, "Good morning." Naupo ito sa kabisera at dinampot ang dyaryong naroon saka inumpisahang basahin habang naghihintay sa kaniyang anak.