Hold Me Close (DeMarcus 1)

Chapter Four

EVELYN DeMARCUS

I decided to eat with Eva, Ruel, and Russell for dinner. Lahat daw kasi sila ay pupunta sa isang restaurant na malapit sa opisina. I agreed because I had nothing better to do for the rest of the day. Eva was excited dahil may sasabihin daw siya.

Russell was there first and he immediately gave me a hug. Like a gentleman, he pulled out a chair for me tapos ay tinabihan niya agad ako. I think out of all of us, si Russell talaga ang pinaka-clingy. Tuwing may kasama siya sa'min, kailangan nakadikit siya. Madalas kay mommy siya nakadikit, pero kahit kay Ruel ay 'di siya takot na umakbay at yumakap. Minsan inaasar pa niya si Ruel gamit ng pabirong halik.

"No hangover?" impressed na tanong niya sa'kin.

Umiling ako sakanya at napangiti. "Just a long nap."

Tumango siya tapos ay sumeryoso. "Tumawag daw si Third kay Eva kagabi, nag-aalala daw." Umiwas ako ng tingin at kunwari ay hindi apektado. "Tell me, ate, is he finally agreeing to the wedding?"

Mahirap man, pero hindi ako agad sumagot. "No, Rus... Walang ganon. He was only concerned as a friend."

"Ate, hindi ka pinalaki nina dad para maging mahina."

I don't know why, pero imbes na ma-offend ako, parang mas tinamaan pa ako ng isang truck. He was right, of course. I was the first born of Inigo and Samantha DeMarcus. Walang dahilan para gawin ko 'to.. The presidency is not even a legitimate reason to lose my pride.

I looked at Russell and knew that despite of what others thought, maayos niyang magagawa ang mga responsibilidad ng kumpanya. He was an intelligent young man and was raised and taught by Inigo DeMarcus himself. Kakayanin niya kung sakali...

"I know that look, ate, and no. You were born for that position. Walang ibang p'wedeng umupo doon maliban sa'yo." His voice held a sure conviction.

Malumanay akong ngumiti. "We'll see, Russell.."

Eva and Ruel arrived at the same time. Agad kong napansin ang isang pamilyar na folder na hawak-hawak ni Eva pero hindi ko na muna siya tinanong. I'm sure this was what she was so excited about.

"Ahh, the drunkard is here," asar naman ni Ruel sa'kin ng nakangisi. He looked like a grinning devil with his look.

I rolled my eyes. "Everyone's a drunkard compared to you, Ruel. Kaya huwag ka."

"She's right," mabilis na singit ni Eva. "You don't even drink enough water, kuya. Which is really unhealthy!"

Ruel sighed in dismay. "I already drink two gallons a day, Eva. Hindi pa ba sapat 'yon?"

Sunod-sunod na umiling si Eva, akala mo matatanggal na ang ulo niya. "You have to make up for all the years na kulang ang iniinom mo, kuya."

"Doesn't work like that, sweetie," dagdag naman ni Russell.

Eva shrugged. "If it forces kuya Ruel to drink water, then it works."

"Ugh. Oo na, two gallons a day. Jeez, Eva. Can you be dumb sometimes, please?" pagbibiro naman ni Ruel.

I laughed at their antics and motioned for the waiter. We ordered our food and suddenly Eva took center stage. Nilapag niya sa mesa ang folder tapos ay binuklat ito. I don't know why it seems so familiar...

"Eva, darling, no more work please," hingi ni Russell na minasahe na ang noo. Parang disappointed na work-related ang pag-uusapan namin.

But then Eva vigorously shook her head. "Pamilyar po ba 'to sainyo?"

Ruel frowned and looked at it. "Lolo's last will? Bakit nasa'yo 'yan, Eva?"

"I visited ate Evie and saw it. I made a copy and tried to dissect it the best way I can..." Tumingin siya sa'kin at hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong kinabahan. I'm sure she found out a few things about my need to marry Third. Hindi ko nalang alam kung kailangan ko pa bang malaman ito.