Rule no. 1: Don't Fall In Love

Chapter 11

"Hello, you're the daughter of Aries Cruz, correct?" A man approached me.

I smiled. "Good Evening, yes, I'm the daughter of Aries Cruz."

We shook our hands together for formality.

"Congratulations to your Father. Sorry that I approached you out of nowhere. Because I can't see your mother or father." Paumanhin n'ya.

"Ah, they're probably just around here somewhere greeting other associates."

Linibot ko ang paningin ko sa buong venue at sa dami nga ng tao ay hindi ko sila makikita.

"Oh, where are my manners! I'm Dorskie Dizon!"

I smiled and nodded. "Nice to meet you po, Mr. Dizon."

"My wife is also lost with this big crowd but she's with her friends. Ah! Here's my son."

Mag re-reto ata. Sorry na po in advance but I'm not interested. Hehe.

"JR!" Tawag n'ya sa isang chinito na lalaki.

Lumapit ito at nagulat ako na kahit naka-heels na 'ko ay ang tangkad pa rin n'ya!

"JR meet Adeline Thania. Your Ninong Aries' daughter. Ah, Adeline, meet my son, John Rouie Dizon."

The man held his hand and I smiled before I held out my hand, too.

"Nice to meet you, Adeline Thania." He smiled.

He got the looks but still! Not my type. I just smiled. "Hi, John."

His father immediately disappeared on our side! Hindi ko 'man lang napansin kung saan nagpunta! Or kung paano nawala bigla sa tabi namin.

I heard John chuckle. "My Father's probably walking me to you." He smirked and I smirked back.

"Sorry to burst the bubble but I have no interests in relationships," I said, honestly.

"Hm!" He mocked. "Just the same. I don't like commitments. Are you into flings though?"

Wala nga 'ko experience sa love s**t na 'yan. Or any kind of relationship! Fling pa kaya?

"No. I just like staying single." I confidently said.

"Nice choice. Your future husband will love that." He winked. "Women like you with that mindset is rare these days. Hindi sa linalahat pero base sa mga nakilala ko ay mas marami pa silang experience sa'kin." He chuckled.

Well, I guess I'm rare indeed.

"The Collins family are here." Anunsyo n'ya bigla na hindi ko makuha.

"Hm?" I asked again to understand.

"The Collins family?" Patanong niyang sabi at nagulat s'ya. "Wow, you don't know them?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong n'ya.

"I-I'm sorry... It's my first time again to be joining in some event like this and I don't even attend this kind of event back when I was still in college." I smiled nervously.

"It's fine but you're really a rare girl." Tumatanong manghang sabi n'ya.

Ano ba mayro'n? Care to explain na lang?

"Kahit hindi sila ka business associate ay kilalang kilala ang mga Collins. They're one of the most powerful influencial families here in the Philippines and even abroad! They're known as the business prodigy."

Business Prodigy?!

Napansin n'ya na sobrang interesado ko kaya natawa s'ya nang bahagya. "It's my first time to meet someone not fan girling or admiring the Collins Family."

Why? 'cause I'm a girl? I raised my brow.

"Why?" I asked.

"They're an all-men family. The third generation are all boys. Women flock to their feet because of their looks and they got the brains as well. I can't deny though lalo na at mamaw sila pagdating talaga sa business."

Wow. Interesting story. Who are they?

"Interesting." Bulong ko.

John's actually fun to be with! Kanina ay naiinip ako dahil naghahanap ako ng kausap. Mabuti na lang at nakilala ko s'ya. Kung saan-saan na rin napunta 'yung topic namin.

"Bro!"

"Hey!" Ngiti ni John sa bumati sa kaniya.

Bakit ba ang gu-guwapo lahat ng narito?! Pero something's not clicking in me. Bakit ba ayaw mo kasi mag jowa, Adeline Thania?!

"Girlfriend?" The man smirked while looking at me.

"Nah, just friends." John winked at me and I smiled. "Oh, she doesn't know you guys." Natawa nang bahagya si John.

The amusement on the man's face was very evident. "Should I feel relieved or embarrassed or something?" He said, amused while he looked at me.

Natawa na si John. "Very rare, huh? Then should I introduce you two to each other then?" Ramdam ko ang pang-aasar ni John and the man only smirked.

"Hi, I'm Vincenzo." Inalok n'ya kamay n'ya. Hindi na hinintay si John na magsabi sa mga pangalan namin.

I smiled and shook his hand. "Adeline." Pagpapakilala ko rin.

"She really doesn't know, huh?" The shock in Vincenzo's voice was evident.

"Oh, Don't be so full of yourself fucker!" Tumawa si John at napangiti lang ako. "It's actually amusing that this gorgeous woman doesn't know you all!" Humalakhak si John.

The man looked at him annoyed but in a fun way. "Jealous that all women like us?" Pagyayabang n'ya.

"Oh, this woman here doesn't even know you all." Tinuro ako ni John at nagtawanan lang sila.

Nagpaalam na rin si Vincenzo at nagkuwentuhan na kami ulit ni John. Bigla ay nagtext na si mama sa'kin na kailangan ko pumunta sa may pintuan dahil nando'n sila ni papa.

"John, thank you so much for accompanying me tonight. I really appreciate it! I have to go na." Paalam ko na kay John.

"Sure! No problem. I'm happy, too that I made a new friend, or else I'll be stuck with that one big family." He snorted but smiled immediately. "Thank you, too. Hatid na kita sa parents mo." He smiled at 'di na 'ko tumanggi.

Nang makita kami ni mama at papa ay nagulat sila na may kasama ako.

"Mr. and Mrs. Cruz." Bati ni John at nagmano sa kanila.

Nagkausap saglit si papa at John at nagpaalam na rin s'ya saamin. Kinurot ni mama ang bewang ko kaya nawala ang poise ko!

"Mama!" Asar na sabi ko.

"You like him?" My mom twinkled her eyes.

"No, mama. We're just friends. We both don't like each other. Sinamahan n'ya lang ako at nakakwentuhan ko lang."

My mama groaned. "Darling, bakit walang interes ang anak natin!!" Drama ni mama kay papa.

Daddy smirked at my mother and kissed her forehead. I smiled at that. Their love never faded after all these years. Instead, it intensified.

"Don't rush our daughter, Adalynn. Time will come. Why though?" Kausap ni papa kay mama.

"I want a grandchild! Adeline! When you get married I want a grandchild. Hindi puwedeng isa o dalawa lang. More, please."

My eyes widen at that statement. My father laughed at lumapit sa'kin. My father kissed the side of my head and went to my ears to whisper something.

"Don't mind your mom. She's just excited." My dad whispered.

"Aysus! Magkakampi na naman kayo!" Drama ni mama at tumawa kami ni papa.

Nagtampo si mama saamin ni papa kaya todo suyo kami at nagtawanan lang kami. I love my parents so much.

Umuwi na rin kami at paguwi ay sobrang pagod ko! Dahilan para makatulog ako kaagad at na-late ako sa trabaho ko kinabukasan.

"Opps! Sorry!" Ako ang napuruhan sa nakabangga ko dahil muntikan pa 'ko mapaupo at nalaglag ang mga folder na bitbit ko.

Tumatakbo kasi ako dahil late na 'ko.

Tinulungan ako ng nakabunggo ko na pulutin ang mga nalaglag kong gamit. Pagkaabot n'ya ay ang guwapo naman! Ano ba 'yan! Good morning nga naman.

"Thank you! I'm sorry again!" Ngiting sabi ko at naglakad na ulit paalis doon.

"Sir. Vermone Collins, this way please." Tawag na rin sa kaniya.

Nang makarating sa cubicle ko ay inasar ako ng mga kasama ko dahil first time ko ma-late.

"Award nga para kay Adeline! Hoy, Roy! Mag print ka ng certificate!!!" Anunsyo ni Adrian sa isang kasama namin at napairap na lang ako pero natatawa rin.

Wala pang limang minuto ay lahat sila nagpatugtog ng pang-graduation na kanta at may hawak na mamon si Kyle at si Adrian ay certificate. Napangiti na lang ako habang nakasapo ang palad sa noo.

First award on being late to work! Congratulations! Adeline Thania Cruz.

"Congrats!" Asar nilang lahat.

Nakisakay na lang ako sa kalokohan nila kaya ang saya ng wing namin.

Mabuti at wala 'yung team leader at manager namin kung'di tahimik na naman wing namin. Solid strict naman kasi nung mga 'yon!

After the fun ay balik trabaho na rin kami. Mabuti na lang at naisipan na namin tumigil dahil dumating na ang TL namin.

"TL! Paano po kasi 'to-"

"Hindi ba naturo ko na 'yan sa'yo noong isang araw?"

Hay nako. Pinaglihi ata 'to sa sama ng loob. Nag pa-sorry si Felix at bumalik na lang sa cubicle n'ya. I chatted him using my f*******:.

Adeline Cruz: Ano dapat itatanong mo?

I saw the three dots as a sign that he's already typing. He sent a photo of the chart at tinuro ko sa kaniya ang mga gagawin.

Felix Sito: Sana ma-promote ka kaagad TL! HAHAHAHA thank you Lia!!

Nakita ko naman na tumayo s'ya at pi-print na siguro 'yon. Nagtinginan kami saglit at ngumiti s'ya, tinanguan ko naman at mabilis na bumalik sa trabaho.

"Miss Adeline Cruz!" Tawag sa'kin ng TL namin.

Sinulyapan ko saglit katabi ko at sumenyas s'ya ng thumbs up.

Lumapit na 'ko sa TL namin. "Yes po, TL?" Tanong ko.

"Where is the narrative report of this meeting?" He showed me the meeting date.

"I already sent it to your email, TL."

"What about the data of this?"

"Already sent it, TL."

Tumango lang ang TL namin at tinignan ako. "Okay, go back to work."

Yumuko ako nang kaunti at bumalik na sa cubicle ko. The whole day I just finished work and that's how my day is everyday. Work, work, work.

"Huy! Sweldo na bukas!" Anunsyo ni Harold at naghiwayan kami.

Ang saya pala na lahat ng pinagpapaguran mo ay may bumabalik na premyo sa'yo. Hard work does pay off!

"Adeline, ingat ka!" Paalam na nila.

Sumakay na 'ko sa sasakyan ko at nag drive na pauwi sa condo ko.

"I'm home..." Pagod na sabi ko.

"HELLO!"

Kahit na alam kong nandito si Kyla ay nagulat pa rin ako sa sigaw n'ya.

"Suweldo ko na bukas." I smiled.

"Well then, congrats, sissy!" Pumalakpak si Kyla.

After we graduate, we decided to be independent. We're not going to rely on our parents' money anymore. Even though we have shares from the businesses of our parents, we will not accept that.

"Yup! Kaya grocery tayo bukas." Bilin ko dahil sabado naman bukas.

Weekends din ang day off ko. Hindi ko alam kung coincidence o may ginawa si mama at papa. Noong minsan kasi ay may alis sana kami pero hindi ako nakapunta dahil ang off ko ay thursday and friday. Ta's bigla 'yung off ko naging saturday and sunday.

Kumain na kami ng dinner ni Kyla at natulog na. Paggising ay hindi pa gising Kyla so I went out for a walk at pumunta na rin sa banko to cash out my salary.

Pagbalik sa condo ay gising na si Kyla. Maaga kami punta sa supermarket para 'di marami tao. Sabado pa 'man din.

"Okay, itong nasa listahan lang ang bibilhin natin!" Bilin na naman ni Kyla. "Oh, it really hurts thinking that we're growing old na dati ay nanay natin ang nagsasabi na 'yung mga nasa listahan lang ta's ngayon tayo na!"

Yup, adulthood. Welcome to independent life.

Ako kasi sagot ko ang groceries at dahil ako rin naman sanay magluto kaya si Kyla sa electricity and water bills ta's hati kami sa condo.

"Wala ng pineapple juice, Lia." Banggit n'ya.

"Gano'n?"

Kyla groaned. "Sana kasi naunahan ko na 'yung lalaki kanina!" She rolled her eyes.

I chuckled. "Oh, hayaan mo na. Palitan na lang natin. Orange? Gusto mo 'yun?" Tanong ko.

"Kahit ano. Dali na natin at dumadami na 'yung tao."

Napansin ko nga rin 'yun. Binilisan na namin ang pagbili and lastly our bath essentials.

"Do we still have toothpaste?" Tanong ko sa kaniya dahil s'ya taga lista ng kailangan sa condo.

"We still have one spare sa condo. Op! 'Wag na muna bibili!" Pinigilan n'ya 'ko kaagad.

Tumawa lang ako at pumila na rin kami sa cashier. Mabuti na lang at mabilis lang kaya nakauwi na rin kami at nag-ayos na si Kyla dahil ako ay magluluto na ng lunch.

While cooking ay may tumawag sa phone ni Kyla.

"Ky!" Sigaw ko dahil ang ingay ng vacuum. "May tumatawag!"

"WHAT?!" Laban n'ya sa lakas ng vacuum.

Ba't kaya hindi muna patayin ano? Kaysa sa magsigawan kami rito.

"MAY TUMATAWAG!" Sigaw ko rin imbes na lumapit sa kaniya.

"Answer it!"

Inirapan ko na lang s'ya at sinagot din ang tawag.

"Hello?"

"Kyla, I'm sorry... forgive me, please."

Luh, lumapit na 'ko kay Kyla at pinatay na n'ya ang vacuum.

"s**t! That's Matthew!" Pabulong na sigaw n'ya.

Shit, ex pala n'ya 'to.

Spineaker ni Kyla ang call.

"Ky, I'm sorry, please."

Ew.

I saw Kyla rolled her eyes at in-end ang call. Natawa kaming dalawa at blinock n'ya 'to.

"Ayaw mo na talaga?" Asar ko.

"Girl, he cheated. Hindi s'ya kawalan at hindi ako kawalan." Laban ni Ky at tinawanan ko lang.

Well, that's why love is scary.