NS 04: KING'S AFFAIR ✅ (To Be Published)

Chapter 15

The travel takes twenty-four hours and five minutes from Mauritius to Washington. They've gone ahead right away to Bellavue Square where the Blue Nile showroom was situated. A guy named Josh is waiting at the lobby of the store and guided them through inside.

Few customers are hovering around for some limited items displayed in wide screens. Dinala sila ni Josh sa isang marangyang lounge, offered them a variety of drinks and more rings to choose from while waiting for their order. Habang nawiwili sa katitingin sa mga singsing si Anne Marie, inihabol ni Rheeva ang schedule ng appointment niya kay Lei Rynn. Naipadala na niya ang overview ng agenda kanina sa email at kailangan na lang ng confirmation.

"I love the design of that infinity diamond ring, Javier. It's perfect for your engagement with my daughter and I know Anne will love it too." That soft voice of a woman was followed by a raspy male chuckle.

"I hope so, tita. My sister in-law helped me choose that design."

Rheeva's eyebrow contracts and then freezes when he caught sight of them emerged from the next VIP waiting section. Anne Marie's mother, Amor Valentino and Javier Sepulbidda. 
Nagtama ang mga mata nila at nahinto ang mga ito. Ang mommy ni Anne Marie ay umawang ang bibig at hindi naitago ang pagkagulat.

He knew he instructed Saturn by then to issue a statement about his wife's short break to accommodate her pending tour abroad. Pero hindi rin lingid sa kanya na kung galit noon ang asawa sa mga Andromida, doble ang pagkasuklam ni Amor sa kanila dahil sa kahihiyang inabot ng buong pamilya nito nang umatras sa negosasyon si Vhendice. Kaya mahabang panahon nang hindi siya nakatatapak sa tahanan ng mga Valentino kahit nanatili ang pagkakaibigan nila ni Leon. Higit sa lahat, nilihim nila kay Amor na nagpatuloy ang kontrata niya dati bilang bodyguard ni Anne Marie.

"M-mom?" suminghap sa kanyang tabi ang asawa at humigpit ang kapit sa kanyang bisig. Her fingers shivered because of the tension.

Tumapang ang anyo ni Amor at naningkit ang mga mata. "What are you doing-"

"Tita, not here." Pinigilan ni Javier ang tangkang pagsugod ng ginang sa kanila. "It's alright, calm down. We can go somewhere else to talk this over, right, Rheeva?" saglit na bumaling sa kanya ang lalaki.

He nodded, snaking his arms around his wife. A stance of possession and protection for what belongs to him. Hinaplos niya ang balakang ng asawa na ramdam niya ang matinding kaba at pagkabalisa.

"We'll wait at the square garden," sabi ni Javier at inakay si Amor habang patuloy na pinakakalma.

Nagtagis siya ng bagang habang hinahatid ng tanaw ang dalawa. Kung siya ay pinagsikapang matangay ang kanyang asawa sa katayuan nila ngayon, si Javier Sepulbidda ay tahimik naman palang tinrabaho ang pagkuha ng loob ni Amor Valentino. Winning the mother's approval is no less than winning Anne Marie's heart. That is undeniable.

Fuck!

His opponent is smarter than he thought.

"Love, what should we do? We can't tell mom we're married!" balisang tanong ni Anne Marie.

"And why not?" His eyebrows creased irritably.

"She's not going to take it just all in. Magwawala iyon. I'm sorry, but she doesn't want to have any more connection with you and your brothers. Ayaw kong papipiliin niya ako sa pagitan ninyong dalawa."

"I can handle her hatred but not you denying me. I'm your husband, Anne. Having me doesn't nullify your love for your mother, right? Why choose? Just stand where you suppose to be."

Halos pagtalunan na nila iyon kung hindi lang dumating si Josh dala ang wedding band nila. Pero nawala na ang momentum at excitement na maisukat ang mga singsing.