GUILTY PLEASURE

CHAPTER 4

FOUR

ELEO SEBASTIAN

“Mom why can’t you just let me? I’m already 22 na po”

“Still no‚ Seetian” Mom said firmly

“Dad” Pag papalaban na sambit ni Tian kay Daddy upang tulongan siyang kombinsihin si Mom.

Ilang araw nang nangungulit ang aming bunsong kapatid kay Mom na payagan siyang mag condo. Halos iiyakan na niya si Mom para lang payagan siya.

I furrowed my eyebrows as I listened to Tian “You’re being dramatic‚ Tian” He looked at me with raised eyebrows

I was sitting beside Daddy‚ and we were both busy typing on our laptops. Mom was preparing dessert at the counter island.

“Will you shut up‚ kuya? I’m not talking to you” Tian snapped at me rolling his eyes instantly .

“ You are now” I teased

“Leon Seetian‚ ayosin mo sagot mo. That’s your brother” Mom reminded

Tian tried again “Daddy” sambit niya kay Dad. Umaasang tutulongan siya nito kay Mom.

“I’m sorry‚ anak. I can’t go against your mom. We’ll both get scolded” Dad said as he chuckled

I heard Tian sigh‚ then walk away to his room.

Maging ako ay ayokong pumayag sa gustong mangyare ni Tian‚ since he has a condition na katulad ng kay Mom. Hindi man pinapakita ni Dad na hindj siya ayon sa gusto ni Tian ay gaya namin ni Mom ay ayaw niya rin‚ especially since my brother parties a lot.

“How’s your first week as CEO‚ anak?” Mom suddenly asked

Napahilamos na lang ako saking dalawang kamay “I thought it would be easy” I laughed bitterly

I heard dad’s chuckled “Did something happen?” he asked still focused on his laptop

“On his first two days as CEO kasi his secretary quit” Sabad ni Eleigh na kakarating lang dala dala ang kaniyang iPad. She kissed Dad and me on the cheek before going to Mom and giving her a kiss too.

“Anak ka nga ni Simon‚ Eleo Sebastian” Mom said‚ shaking his head

Dad stoop up from his seat saka pinuntahan si Mom sakaniyang pwesto‚ giving him a quick kiss on the lips “I’m done with my work‚ do you need my help?” Dad asked politely

“Yes please” Mom replied

My dad treated my mom like she was a fragile glass sculpture. We couldn’t blame him‚ nakwento kasi samin ni Mom ’yong mga nangyare nong hindi pa lumabas ang mga kapatid ko at ako pa ang anak nila.

I CLOSED my eyes‚ leaning back on the headboard. Ilang araw na ang nakalipas pero hindi parin siya mawala wala sa isip ko. Minsan ay may nabubuhay pa habang dumadaan sa siya utak ko.

Dang it!

My cellphone rang‚ so I picked it up from bedside table

“Hello?”

“Dude‚ you cancel all your meeting today. Are you sick?” Tanong ni Max sakin sa kabilang linya.

“Kung tumawag ka lang para makichismis—” he cut me off

“Chill” he chuckled “I got information about the guy who kissed you last Friday”

“2PM at Uncle Kiven’s Club‚ sharp. Bring the info and stop with your nonsense”

AT 1PM ‚ I was on my way to Uncle Kiven’s Club‚ kung san ang lugar na pinag-usapan namin ni Max

A familiar voice called out‚ dahilan kaya napatigil ako at nilingon ang pinang gagalingan ng boses “OMG! Ikaw nga” Channel exclaimed‚ hugging me. She’s Uncle Kiven’s niece‚ kapag umuuwi siya galing sa ibang bansa ay talagang naglalagi sila dito sa club.

“I’ve missed you! Want to join us at our table?”

“I’m really sorry‚ Channel—but I have important things to attend to”

“No‚ it’s okay. Next time nalang‚ bye”

I headed straight to Max‚ finding him drinking . The white folder on the table caught my attention‚ and without hesitation. I grabbed and opened it‚ bago umupo “You look like sh1t‚ dude. Did you even take a bath before coming here?” Max asked with a judgemental stare

Pajama at white sando lang ako suot ko dahil sa pagmamadali “Are you damn businessman or a reporter‚ ang dami mong tanong” Inis kong sabi at muling ibinaling ang atensyon sa papel.

Tala Eugene Sy De Roma

28 y/o

Licensed Neurosurgeon‚ but unemployment.

De Roma?

Son of Theodore De Roma and Lucy De Roma

Brother of Ms. Tally Sofia Sy De Roma‚ the top-paid model

Noong isang araw lang ay si Mr. Theodore at Ms. Tally ang kinita namin ni Dad and Eleigh.

“Hindi din pala basta basta ang pamilyang yan‚ dude” Max said