CHAPTER 18:THE FACE OFF
560 Words
“So, your Aunt was certainly telling the truth when she told me you brought this guy home!”
Mark’s strides were large, leather shoes clicking loud on the pavement.
“Indeed, he is just so lucky. Ano ka ba niya, bro?
At bakit malakas ang loob mo na sumama rito at humarap sa parents niya?!”
“What are you doing here, Mark?” I asked, voice flat and cold.
“Sinusundan mo ba kami? Oh, let me guess... inutusan ka ni Auntie Tita, ano?!”
Mark stopped a few feet away, eyes narrowing.
He expected me to freeze.
“Si Auntie Tita ang nag-aalala sa kinabukasan mo, Malia!
Hindi mo ba nakikita? Ginamit mo lang ang lalaking ‘yan para gumawa ng eksena sa San Fernando,
tapos ngayon, dinala mo pa rito sa Agoo para magkunwaring seryoso?”
He sneered, pointing at Reuben.
“You. Kakalabas ko lang sa trading floor sa Manila para lang dumaan dito.
Let’s talk business, bro. Magkano ba ang kailangan mo para layuan si Malia?
Kasi let’s be real—isang hamak na library assistant ka lang habang ako,
kayang-kaya kong ibigay sa kaniya ang buhay na hinding-hindi mo maabot.”
Julienne gasped, hand flying to her mouth.
Before Mark’s words could settle, Reuben stepped forward.
Taller. Broader. Casting a shadow over Mark’s designer frame.
No anger. Just calm, calculative precision.
“Unang-una, hindi niya ako ‘dinala’ rito. Kusang-loob akong sumama
dahil kailangan ni Malia ng totoong proteksyon
mula sa mga taong hindi marunong rumespeto ng salitang ‘hindi,’” Reuben said, voice low and commanding.
He looked at Mark’s pointing hand, eyes ice-cold.
“Pangalawa, kung galing ka nga sa trading at business fields sa Manila,
dapat alam mo ang simpleng logic ng investment.
Huwag mong ipagmalaki sa akin ang pera mo,
dahil ang pamilyang Roman ay hindi pwedeng mabili ng pera.”
He stepped closer, jaw tightening.
“At pangatlo... Accountant ako, bro. Sanay akong mag-audit ng mga liabilities at maruruming account.
Kaya kung ako sa’yo, bago mo ipagmayabang ang yaman ng pamilya mo rito sa La Union,
siguraduhin mo munang hindi babagsak ang mga investments ng kompanya niyo sa susunod na buwan.
Dahil kapag nangyari ‘yon, baka kahit pang-gasolina pabalik ng Manila, wala ka.”
I flinched behind him.
A cold shiver ran down my spine.
Investments.
Reuben didn’t know my past life.
But he just predicted Mark’s downfall by accident.
Mark flushed crimson. Fists clenched.
“Sino ka ba sa akala mo, ha?! Isang hamak na estudyante ka lang—”
“Isang estudyante na kayang i-audit ang buong pagkatao mo,” Reuben cut him off smoothly.
He turned his back on Mark, dismissing him completely.
He reached for my wrist, grip firm and warm.
“Let’s go, Malia. Julienne. Hinihintay na tayo nina Tita Eliza para sa tanghalian.
Huwag nating sayangin ang oras natin sa mga taong pilit nagiging investment ang sarili
pero bagsak naman ang liquidation value.”
“B-Bastos ka, ah!” Mark screamed behind us.
But he didn’t step forward.
Park security was already walking toward his SUV, faces stern.
As Reuben led me away, I looked back once.
Mark was kicking dirt by his car.
In my past life, he was a monster who ruined me.
Today, with Reuben beside me, he looked like a pathetic boy throwing a tantrum in Agoo.
- Writer
