Episode 6
1186 Words
Habang nakaupo kami at nag-uusap ni Leyla ay hindi ko maiwasan na maisip si Aurora. "Ano kaya ang iniisip nya? Alam kaya nya na ako ang pinagbilinan ng parents nya sa kanya?, tanong ko sa sarili ko.
"Are you fond of music?" Leyla asked me from my deep thoughts.
"Hmmm, sometimes, it depends on my mood. Why do you ask?" I replied.
"No particular reason. Maybe we can play some music. It could add to the place's ambience," she asked with a smile.
"Oh, really, Mrs Jane. Please turn on the music," I instructed our house help.
"Ngumiti sa Leyla sa sinabi ko. Pinilit ko ang sarili ko na ngumiti sa mga kwenbto nya but my mind is somewhere else.
"You know, Matteo, I was nervous when I first saw you. You have such a strong presence, hahaha," she admitted with a laugh.
"Really? Did you have a bad impression or a good one?" kunwaring tukso ko.
"Kind of bad, hahaha, peace! It was obvious that you were just forcing yourself to talk to me, right? Hahahah," she confessed.
"Is that so? Hahaha. I apologize; you just caught me when I wasn't really in the mood to talk because I disagreed with my dad before my secretary called you," I said with a smile.
"Oh, is that why? So I guess from now on, I will always see you smiling?" she asked.
"Well, maybe?" I joked.
"You're such a tease, hahaha," she said.
I looked at her face full of makeup. To be honest I am not really fond of women putting a lot of makeup. I prefer simple.
"Hey Lelya, kung gusto mong maligo dito? You can go to that room. Padadalhan nalang kita ng damit," nakangiti kong sabi.
Nakita ko na lumiwanag ang mukha nya and I know na she wanted more too. "Oh well I am just a man," justify ko sa iniisip ko.
"Son, I'm glad you're now open to welcoming Aurora to your Villa. She'll be moving in tomorrow, and I hope you two get along well.
Make sure to invite your friend Leyla over often so she can chat with Aurora.
It's good for her to have another cheerful girl like Leyla around.
But of course, if you don't want to, then never mind," Dad said.
"I will try, Dad, if Leyla isn't too busy. You know how packed her schedule can get with her amazing work in the field," I replied with a smile.
"That's good, Son. Why don't you consider partnering with Leyla to start a new business in interior design? You won't have to manage it fully. She can handle it all by herself," Dad suggested.
"Do you think so, Dad? Leyla will be thrilled about this opportunity since she's been dreaming of having her own business for a long time," sabi ko.
"That's good to hear! With your connections and her talent, the company will go far. We can even utilize her skills in our hotels and commercial offices. But remember, Matteo, I know you're close to her. Only partially trust people. Don't reveal anything about our underground businesses so she won't get involved," Dad reminded me.
"Don't worry, Dad. I'll never mention anything about that. She already thinks Aurora is my sister, so there won't be any questions," I assured him.
"That's good. In our world with your Uncle Salvatore, it's inevitable for those close to us to get dragged in. That's why Aurora was never formally introduced to everyone. She's too adventurous, and it's risky," Dad explained.
"Why isn't she seen with Uncle Salvatore then?" I asked in surprise.
"Not often. They don't spend much time together. They were close when young, but Aurora was only officially introduced to some. And she knows the reasons why it's not possible. Maybe that's why she rebels sometimes, and Salvatore lets her be," Dad elaborated.
"I see. It's good that you told me all this, Dad, so I have an idea," I replied.
Aurora's POV
"Dad, please,hayaan mo na ako dito. Ayoko sa bahay ng anak ni Tito. I won't be happy there!" I complained to Dad.
"Princess, you need to go there. You know that it's for your protection. Your mother and I won't be happy knowing you're alone," Dad explained.
"Dad, ang dami nating helpers and bodyguards! How can I be all alone?" inis na sabi ko.
"Sweetheart, give our companions here a break. When we're not around, they might leave you because you're always picking fights with them," inis na sabi ni Dad.
"Dad! That is so unfair! I don't pick fights with them. They're so slow to understand, and I can't stand people who are s...pid!" I retorted.
"Aurora, you can't be like that. What if your mother and I are no longer here? You need to learn to get along with people, especially if they are of a different social status than you," Dad lectured.
"Dad, may malaki silang pay check so dapat lang na magtrabaho sila ng maayos," I said.
"Aurora, it's not always about money. It would be best if you also learned to treat people as equals. Give them respect," he added.
"Okay, fine, Dad, I will try. But first, I'll stay here so I can do what you're asking," I countered.
"Nice try, Aurora. But my decision is final," Dad said before turning away.
"Okay, Dad, but I'll bring some of our maids with me," I said.
Dad stopped and looked at me seriously.
"Aurora, your moving is a pleasing day for our people here. So I won't ruin their happiness because of what you said, okay? Now, go to bed early. We'll take you there tomorrow," Dad ordered, leaving me even more upset.
Matamlay ako na gumising ng marinig ko ang ingay sa labas. Wala akong ganang bumangon pero wala akong magawa dahil ngayon ang alis nila Dad and Mom at ang pinakaayaw ko na araw. "AYOKONG LUMIPAT!" sigaw ko sa banyo.
I knew that my father's concerns for my safety were valid, but I couldn't help but feel trapped and restricted in my new living arrangements.
As the family gathered for breakfast, the atmosphere was tense. My mother, Caterina, tried to help me understand the difficulty of the situation.
She reminded me to be patient and to give my father's decision a chance.
"Dad, Mom, is there no way you can change your decision? I mean, matagal po kayong mawawala. I'll miss both of you and our home," I pleaded, trying to appeal to their hearts.
"Hmmm, really now? Aurora, we hardly even see you with your mother here. Then suddenly, you're telling us you'll miss us and this house?" Dad replied with a hint of sarcasm.
"Mom, Dad's ruining the moment," I complained.
"Dad, stop teasing our daughter. Aurora, your father, and I love you. We'll miss you. We just want what's best for you, okay?" Mom said with a warm smile bago nya ako hinalikan sa noo.
I simply nodded in response, trying to hold back my emotions. I knew they loved me, but their decision to leave me there was hard to accept.
- Writer
