THORNS

CHAPTER 03: MY DAUGHTER, NOVA LOUGHTY!

"Mommy, is tito daddy done baking?" Tanong sakin ni Nora ng makabalik ako sa living room galing kusina

"Sweety, tito daddy just started baking eh hindi naman po 'yon mabilis maluluto eh" mahinahong sagot ko sa kanya at naupo sa gilid nya

"Then I have to wait?" She ask happily

"Yes, we have to wait" sabi ko naman at hinimas ang ulo nya ng biglang dumating si Ayane ang personal secretary ko

"What did she tell you?" Tanong ko sa kanya

"Ummm..." saad nya at tumingin muna kay Nora bago ulit tumingin sakin

Right, andito nga pala ang anak ko at ayokong marinig nya ang paguusapan namin ni Ayane

"Follow me" saad ko sa kanya atsaka ako naglakad papunta sa kusina kung nasaa nagluluto si kuya Chase

"Oh, you're back, Ayane" aniya kuya Chase ng makita si Ayane

"Yes sir" tugon nya kay kuya

"So tell me Ayane anong sabi ni Missy?" Diretaong tanong ko sa kanya matapos akong maupo

"Sinabi nya na nung nakaraan lang daw may lalaking pumunta sa bahay nya ng personal at nagtanong ng tungkol sayo pero gaya ng napag-usapan nyo noon sinabi nyang wala syang alam tungkol sayo at ang pagkakaalam nya ay patay ka na base sa sinabi sa kanya ng dati mong mga katrabaho" paliwanag nya sakin

"Sinabi nya ba sayo kung anong itsura nung lalaking nagtatanong tungkol sakin?" Kunot noong tanong ko pa

"Hindi nya daw nakita yung mukha nung lalaki dahil naka-mask at naka-sumbrero daw at gabi pa nung pumunta kaya hindi nya masyadong nakita pero ang alam lang daw nya ay may kulay ang buhok nung taong 'yon" sagot nya sakin

"Anong kulay?" Biglang tanong ni kuya Chase

"Parang silver gray daw" mabilis na sagot sa kanya ni Ayane

Sino naman kaya ang maghahanap sakin at paano nilang nalaman na magkaibigan kami ni Missy?

"Kuya yung mga record ko sa mga dati kong tinirahan at mga dati kong school, ano ng balita?" Tanong ko sa kanya

"You have nothing to worry about because before you came back here, I fixed everything as if you did not exist in this world" nakangising sagot naman nya akin

"Hindi ko ma-gets kung bakit may mga taong naghahanap sakin" sabi ko

"Maybe someone is making sure that you're already dead" tugon ni kuya

"As if they find evidence" I smirked at him

"At isa pa pala Ms. Nova" aniya Ayane

"What is it?"

"Sabi din ni Ms. Missy na may nakita daw syang mga taong hindi nya kilala ang laging nagpupunta sa puntod ng mama nyo at umaalis din agad, parang tinitignan daw nila kung laging napapalitan yung bulaklak doon, sinubukan silang komprontahin ni Ms. Missy at nagulat daw sya nung tinanong sya nung mga taong 'yon" kwento nya

At napakunot naman ang noo ko dahil sa sinabi nyang iyon, apat na taon na akong hindi nakakadalw kay mama dahil nga sa mga nangyari at hinahayaan kong si Missy ang bumisita si mama, sino ba 'tong mga taong naghahanap sakin... Are they thinking na baka pumupunta ako sa puntod ni mama these past four years? HAHAHAHA fools!

"Anong tinanong nila kay Missy?" Tanong ko sa kanya

"Kung ikaw daw ba ang nagpapalit ng bulaklak sa puntod, but just as we expected from Ms. Missy she told them that she was the one who always changing the flowers and she also asked them to stop asking about because you were already dead" paliwanag [a ni Ayane

"Hhyyss, ni hindi ko tuloy madalaw si mama o maski man lang si Missy dahil sa mga taong 'to" saad ko at napahawak na lamang ako sa sintido ko

"Eh nahanap nyo ba kung sino 'tong mga taong ito?" Tanong ko pa

"Hindi po, mukhang hindi ka lang nila basta bastang hinahanap at sa palagay ko ay hindi din sila mga ordinaryong tao dahil kung oo edi sana matagal na nating nalaman kung sino sino ba sila" sambit ni Ayane

"You have a point, but I think there is a possibility na kilala ko ang nagpapahanap sakin para malaman kung nakaligtas nga ba ako sa nangyari noon o kung hindi" I glared at Ayane

"But don't stress yourself too much Nova, malapit ka ng ipakilala sa lahat kaya hayaan mo ng kami gumawa ng lahat" sabi naman ni kuya

"Wala naman akong ginagawa kundi mag-aral lang eh, I already know how to handle business while wrapping up my revenge plan" nakangiting sabi ko kay kuya

"Oo nga pala, Ayane" saad ko

"Bakit po?"

"Make sure na yung mga bantay ni Missy laging alerto ah" sabi ko naman

"Don't worry Ms. Nova, they're doing their job properly" tugon nya sakin

"Then that's good, ayon lang naman pwede ka ng umuwi" sabi ko

"Sige po, magandang hapon po" saad ni Ayane bago umalis at iwan kaming dalawa ni kuya sa kusina

"So what's your plan now?" Biglang tanong nya sakin

"What do you mean? Alam ko na kung anong gagawin ko kuya" natatawang sagot ko naman sa kanya

"What I'm trying to say is, anong gagawin mo kapag nagkita na kayo?" Paglilinaw nya sa kanyang tanong

"Kung ano man ang dapat kong gawin" maiksing sagot ko

"What if he finds out about Nora's identity?"

"That's why I'm not letting my guard down dahil alam kong malaki ang posibilidad na makita nya si Nora pero hindi ako papayag na malaman nyang anak nya si Nora, dahil sa una palang wala na syang karapatan sa anak ko" galit na saad ko

Just by thinking that Rieve will see and know that her daughter Nora is me, I feel like I will explode in anger. I can't let him know that Nora is his daughter because it will be a big mess when it happens, and I don't want Nora to get involved in our mess. Ever since we came back here in the Philippines, I've been very careful every time I go out with Nora or she goes out with my brother and dad.

Ayokong masaktan si Nora kapag nalaman nyang ang tatay nya ang dahilan kung bakit muntik na akong mamatay noon, hindi mawala sa isip ko nung araw na narinig ni Nora ang nangyari sakin dahil pinaguusapan 'yon nila papa at kuya Chase, she cried all night saying she was so angry because someone did that to me without knowing that I'm pregnant with her that time, so I can't let her find out that it was his biological father who tried to us two four years ago.

"The cookies is ready, do you want some?" Aniya kuya Chase na dahilan para bumalik ako sa reyalidad

"No thank, I'm already full, kay Nora na lang lahat 'yan" nakangiting tugon ko sa kanya at sabay na kaming nagtungo sa living room kung saan si Nora ay naglalaro

"Cookies are ready!" Saad ni kuya

"Waaa! Thank you tito daddy!" Masayang sambit ni Nora at agad na kinain ang niluto sa kanya ng tito daddy nya

"Be careful Nora, it's still hot" paalala ko sa kanya

"Buti na lang ikaw ang kamukha nya at hindi sya" asar sakin ni kuya

"So you're saying na kung sya ang kamukha ng anak ko eh mabilis nyang malalaman na anak nya si Nora by just looking at her face?!" Inis na tanong ko sa kanya

"Of course HAHAHAHA imposibleng maging kamukha nya naman si Nora kung hindi sya ang ama di ba?" Talagang tinawanan pa nya ko, minsan talaga kaya ayokong masaya si kuya Chase ay dahil ako ang napagdidiskitahan nyang asarin

"Then what about celebrities? Marami silang non-showviz na kamukha di ba? Then it means kamag-anak na nila 'yon?" Pagtataray ko naman sa kanya

"Iba yung case nila sa kaso mo dahil una sa lahat there is something happened between you and him, that's my point, you shorty!" Natatawang paliwanag nya sakin at hinimas ang ulo ko

"Tch! Mas matangkad ka lang sakin pero hindi pandak, I'm 5'7 though!" Singhal ko kay kuya

"That's too short for me HAHAHAHA!" Pang-aasar pa nya sakin

"Just because you're six footer doesn't mean you can bully me!" Inis na sigaw ko sa kanya

"But mommy, you are really short" para naman akong pinagbagsakan ng langit at lupa dahil sa sinabing iyon ni Nora sakin

"Sweety, you're bullying me too?!" Saad ko habang kunwaring umiiyak

"What's with the commotion?" Tanong ni papa na bigla na lang sumulpot kung sa saan

"HAHAHAHA dad, Nora said her mommy is a shorty HAHAHAHA" hindi na talaga ako natutuwa sa pang-aasar sakin ni kuya ah

"HAHAHAHA really?" Tanong ni papa kay Nora at binuhat ito para halikan sa pisngi

"Why did you say that to your mommy?" Natatawang tanong pa nya

"Because tito daddy and mommy are arguing about their heights hehe" she said sweetly

"What's wrong with my height eh hindi ko naman kasi kasalanan kung mas malakas yung genes ni mama kaysa kay papa duuh!" Pagmamaldita ko sa kanila

"So your saying my genes are not that strong?!" Gulat na tanong naman sakin ni papa

"Yes, if yes, the why I'm like this?" Asar ko sa kanya

"Nako kang bata ka, kung hindi malakas ang genes ko edi sana hindi ganito ang kuya at apo ko HAHAHAHA" Tuwang saad naman nya

"But I'm the one who gave birth to Nora, the heck is that" taas kilay kong sambit sa kanila

"Nah, just accept the fact na maliit ka talaga at nagmumukha ka lang talagang matangkad ay dahil sa high heels na ginagamit mo HAHAHAHA" patuloy na pang-aasar sakin ni kuya

"At least I'm hot and I have a cute and smart daughter, kaysa naman sa isa dyan na 33 na wala pa ding pamilya" pagpaparinig ko naman kay kuya Chase na bigla akong tinitigan ng masama

"Nag-aasaran lang tayo dito, Nova, walang personalan ah" inis na sambit nya na ikinatawa naman naming lahat

"Oo nga pala, muntik ko ng makalimutang sabihin sa inyo" pagiiba ni papa ng usapan

"Ang alin?" Sabay naming tanong sa kanya ni kuya

"The party will held two days from now" nakangiting sagot nya samin

"Two days from now?" Kunot noong tanong namin sa kanya ni kuya

"What kind of party grandpa?" Tanong naman ni Nora

"It's about work, sweety" sagot ko naman sa kanya ng ilapag sya ng lolo nya

"So I can't go there?" Mahina nyang tanong

"The party will be hold at night, di ba bawal lumabas ang bata kapag gabi na?" Sabi naman ni kuya sa kanya

"Then if I grow up I can go there?" She asked in an excited tone

"Yes, as many as you want!" Nakangiting sagot ko naman sa kanya

"But I want to go there, mommy" paawa nyang saad

"Gwency!!!!" Tawag ko sa kanya at agad naman itong lumabas galing sa second floor

"Yes, Ms. Nova?" Tanong nya sakin

"Anong ginagawa mo?" Tanong ko naman sa kanya

"Nililinis ko po yung kwarto ni Nora" mabilis nyang sagot

"Good, dalhin mo muna sya dyan may paguusapan lang kami nila papa" utos ko sa kanya ng makalapit sya samin

"Ah, sige po" saad nya at agad na binuhat si Nora

"Nora, doon ka na kumain ng cookies mo habang naglilinis si nanny Gwency ah" sabi ko sa kanya

"Yes mommy!" She answered happily at dinala na nga si Gwency sa kwarto nya at kami naman nila papa at kuya ay ipinagpatuloy naming ang paguusap dito sa sala

"So dad bakit naging mas maaga naman ata ang plano at hindi mo man lang sinabi samin ni Nova eh alam mo naman kung ano ang pakay natin sa announcement party na 'yan di ba?" Saad ni kuya

"Hindi ko naman nakakalimutan 'yon, I’m just too excited to introduce Nova to the whole world as my daughter" he said and smile at me like he really doting me

"Dapat tinanong mo pa din muna si Nova" dagdag pa ni kuya

"Well, ayos lang naman sakin dahil hindi naman makakasagabal sa mga plano ko itong party na gagawin eh" sabi ko naman

"Are you really sure about that?" Paninigurado ni kuya

"Kuya hindi na ako isang teenager na kailangan pa ng guidance" sabi ko

"Eh kung ayan naman ang gusto ko, bakit hindi?" At wala na syang ibang nagawa kundi sumang-ayon na lang sa schedule na ginawa ni papa

"Well, after that Nova, paano si Nora?" Tanong ni papa

"What do you mean, pa?" Tanong ko

"Kung ipapakilala kita na anak ko sa publiko at malaman nilang may anak ka...." He suddenly stop

"I agree with dad, ayan din ang gusto kong sabihin sayo kanina Nova" dagdag pa ni kuya

"Masyado pang bata si Nora para ma-expose sa mga ganitong bagay" sabi ko naman

"Yes we know that, pero once na maipakilala sa publiko it means kailangan mong itago si Nora dahil kapag nalaman nilang anak mo sya at wala ama, ano na lang ang iisipin nila kay Nora?" Sambit ni kuya at saglit naman akong napa-isip sa isnabi nyang iyon dahil may point naman talaga si kuya dahil kapag dating ng pasukan sa day care at ako ang nagsundo kay Nora sa school magiging issue 'yonat ayoko naman itanggi sa mundo na anak ko si Nora dahil kung mayroon man akong ipinagmamalaki sa mundong ito eh si Nora iyon. Pero ang iniisip ko kasi paano kung malaman ni Rieve na anak nya si Nora? Paano kung malamang nya tapos kunin nya sakin ang anak ko? Syempre hindi naman ako papayag na makuha nya sakin si Nora, sa akin lang ang anak ko!

"Are you scared that he might find out about Nora's identity?" Biglang tanong sakin ni papa kaya naman napatingin ako sa kanya ng diretso at tumango bilang sagot ko

"Para saan pa at naging ako ang tatay mo kung hindi ko alam ang gagwin ko?" Nakangising tanong nya sakin, just by saying that he helps me to calm down

"Ayoko din namang itago si Nora pero ayoko ding isipin ng mga tao na ipinanganak ko syang walang ama, although it's true ayoko pa din na ganun ang ispin ng mga tao sa anak ko, I want Nora to be happy for thr rest of her life" sabi ko naman, my anxiety is attacking me again just by thinking about how people look at Nora when they find out about her having no fahter at all

"I already prepare something about that" sambit ni papa

"What is it?" Sabay na namang tanong sa kanya ni kuya

"I used Nora's imagination to cover it up" he said

"Nora's imagination?" Kunot noong tanong ko

"Hindi ko lang sinabi sa inyo 'to kasi ang akala ko hindi nating magagamit but, remember when I visit you guys in America and Nora and I watched a movie while you're still studying in your room. The movie is about a child who didn't get a chance to meet his dad because he died in a car accident before he see the little boy and Nora thinks that her dad also dies in an accident, I didn't say anything after that because I don't know how to explain it her but I think until now she believe that her biologival father died before she was born" ganun na lamang ang pagkagulat ko sa paliwanag ni papa samin.

Hindi ko akalain na ganun pala ang nasa isip nya, she never asked about her father, so I assumed it was fine not to discuss it because she never asked, but little did I know.

"I never know that" mahinang saad ko

"Of course, because Nora thought that if she asked you about her father, she thought she would be opening your wounds" sagot sakin ni papa

"But you should at least told me that papa, so in that case I can explain to he----"

"Explain to her what? Na yung taong gusto pumatay sayo noon at ang tatay ay iisang tao lang?" Kuya Chase cut me off by saying that

"No, that's not what I mean" sabi ko naman

"If that's not you mean, then what?" Taas kilay nyang tanong sakin

"I-i d-dont know" utal na sagot ko sa kanya, guess I'll never win an arguement with kuya Chase

"Don't just think about yourself Nova, may anak ka ng kailangan mong alagaan at protektahan" dagdag pa ni papa

"Pero paano kapag nalaman nya?" Nag-aalalang tanong ko sa kanya

"Hindi mo naman sya hahayaang malamang ang totoo di ba?" Papa said to me, smiling, as if to say he believes I can do it.

"You have us, remember?" Saad pa ni kuya

At least they're both here to help me, but I also have to do this for my daughter because I don't want to hide Nora for life just because I'm afraid Rieve will find out that Nora is his daughter. What's the use of our wealth if I'm not going to use it to protect Nora, isn't it?

"Okay, I've already decided!" Sambit

"Ipapakilala ko si Nora bilang anak ko at kung ano man ang balak mo papa para hindi malaman ni Rieve na anak nya si Nora ay ikaw na ang bahala" sabi ko na ikinatuwa naman nilang dalawa

"You don't have to worry about Rieve, dahil alam ko kung anong klase sya ng tao" sabi ni kuya

"Hindi ako nag-aalala dahil alam ko namang andyan kayong dalawa para tulungan ako eh" nakangiting saad ko naman

"Wow! The youngest child of Mr. Richard Loughty is showing her lion side HAHAHAHA" biro ni kuya upang mapababa ang tensyon sa paguusap naming tatlo

"Well, since everything is settled ay damit na lang ni Nora ang iisipin natin" aniya papa

"Dapat pareho kami ng damit, twinning with my baby is the best!" Suggest ko naman

"Sa tingin ko nga ay mas maganda 'yon" pagsang-ayon naman sakin ni kuya

"Okay if that's what you want, then I will call my friend if they can make Nora's dress in just two days HAHAHAHA" he said while laughing like an evil

"Yeah, you surely abusing your power, pa" sabi ko naman sa kanya

"That's okay, ang mahalaga ayos na lahat at damit na lang ang kailangan" sabi pa nya

"Fine. fine, fine" saad ni kuya

"Kayo na ang bahala, aakyat lang ako kay Nora" sabi ko naman at dali dali na akong umakyat papunta sa kwarto ni Nora

TWO DAYS LATER

Finally, the day we have all been waiting for has come.

"Are you guys ready?" Tanong ni kuya saming dalawa ni Nora

"Yes!" Sabay naming sagot

"I'm the one who will take you there. We still have one hour before the party starts and another 30 minutes before you are introduced to the media, so if you still want to go somewhere, just tell me. Dad is already at the venue, so I'm the one who will escort you both" sabi pa ni kuya

"No, dumiretso na tayo doon mas mainam kung maaga tayong makarating doon, then I'll put Nora asleep before the party start" saad ko naman

"Okay" said kuya Chase and immediately starts the car and leave

"Mommy look, we had a same dress!" Said Nora happily while stretching her dress

"Yes sweety, mommy asked grandpa to let us wear same dress" nakatinging tugon ko naman sa kanya

"You look beautiful, mommy" she said

"HAHAHAHA ano ka ba naman anak syempre maganda ka kaya natural lang na maganda ako kasi sakin ka nanggaling HAHAHAHA" alam na alamng anak ko kung paano ako puriin

"Yeah, sure" bara naman sakin ni kuya

"Manong driver, please focus on driving may kasama tayong bata oh" asar ko naman sa kanya

"What did you just say?" Kitang kita ko sa front mirror kung paano tumaas ang kilay ni kuya Chase ng sabihin nya 'yon

"I'm just joking!" Natatawang sambit ko sa kanya

After 40 minutes, we finally arrived at the World Trade Center Metro Manila that Papa rented. People said that this place was big, but I didn't think it was too big. And the whole building was rented by Papa? Well, he's very rich, so it's okay, it wasn't my money that was spent.

"Sa likod tayo dadaan, wala tayong madadaanan sa harap dahil sa preparations na ginagawa" saad ni kuya Chase

"Sure" maiksing sagot ko sa kanya

"Wow! Mommy look the building is so big!" Manghang sambit naman ni Nora

"Dyan po tayo magpa-party later, sweety" saad ko dito

"Talaga po?!" She asked excitedly

"Yes and we will take a lot of pictures together!"

"I like that!" She giggled

At gaya nga ng sinabi ni kuya ay sa likod kami dumaan papunta sa dressing room kung saan naghihintay ang mga mag-aayos samin ni Nora

"Good afternoon everyone" bati ni kuya sa mga tao ng makapasok kami sa loob ng dressing room

"Good afternoon sir Chase" sabay sabay naman nilang bati kay kuya

"Okay, andito na ba ang lahat?" Tanong nya

"Yes!" They answered

"Okay that's good, then let me introduce to you guys my younger sister and her daughter. Nova Loughty and Nora Loughty" he introduced us with a big smile in his face

"Good afternoon Ms. Nova, Ms. Nora" bati namin ng mga ito

"Good afternoon" sabi ko naman

"Good afternon, I'm Nora!" Masiglang bati naman ni Nora sa kanila

"Oh my gosh, she's so cute" said the one girl

"So kayo na ang bahala sa kanila ah" saad ni kuya bago lumabas at iwan kami ni Nora dito

"So you're Nova?" Tanong sakin ng isang lalaki na sa palagay ko ay halos kasing edad ni papa, well, hindi ko masasabi kung lalaki ba talaga... hehe

"Yeah, that's me" diretsong sagot ko sa kanya

"I'm james your father's friend and I will be the one who will do your make up over!" She said and tapped my shoulder

"I'm looking for to it then" nakangiting sambit ko naman

"Hello little girl, my name is Andy ako ang mag-aayos sayo para sa party" pakilala ng isang babae kay Nora

"Mommy! I have a stylist hehe!" Tuwang saad nito

"Sure sweety, behave ka dapat ah?" Paalala ko naman sa kanya at agad naman nya akong tinanguan at sumama sa babaeng Andy ang pangalan at pumwesto sa kabilang dulo ng kwarto habang ako naman ay sinimulan na ding ayusan ni James

"Hhhmmm, hindi kita lalagyan ng makapal ng make up para hindi matabunan yung natural beauty mo, I'll do no make up, make up to you if that's okay to you?" Said James

"Sure, medyo hindi rin kasi sanay ang mukha ko sa make ups, so I think your idea is better since I'm going to wear white dress" pagsang-ayon ko naman sa kanya

"Nice, you know how to blend to the color!" Natatawang saad naman ni James

"But to be honest nagulat din ako nung nalaman kong may anak na babae si Richard, he never mention you to us, his friends" dagdag pa nya

"Well, I told him na gusto ko ng tahimik na buhay at habang nasa ibang bansa ako gamit ko ang apelyido ng mother ko" paliwanag ko sa kanya, well, that's half truth half life though

"Oh, that's why, I guess aside Richard mayroon pa sa pamilya nya ang masikreto" hindi ko alam kung may pahiwatig ba yung sinabi nyang iyon o sadyang alam nya lang talagang masikretong tao si papa?

After an hour of preparation, Nora and I were finally done as well. "We're matchy matchy mommy!" Saad ni Nora habang ibinibida sakin ang damit nyang kapareho ng damit ko

"You look so cute my baby!" Tuwang sambit ko at binigyan sya ng halik sa pisngi

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Come in" aniya James habang inililigpit ang mga ginamit nyang make up sakin

"Okay na ba kay---- Wow! Ang ganda naman ng apo kooooo!" Sambit ni dad at niyakap yakap si Nora

"Grandpa let go of me, you'll wrinkle my dress!" Iritadong saway naman sa kanya ni Nora na ikitawa ko

"Pft! Let go of her pa, feel na feel nya 'yang damit nya HAHAHAHA" sabi ko naman

"Okay fine" pagdadabog ni papa, tch! Parang bata eh

"Anyways, magsisimula na tayo, ready na ba kayo?" Tanong nya samin

"Yeah, we're totally ready" mabilis kong sagot at hinawakan ang kamay ni Nora

"Okay let's go"

We immediately went out of the dressing room while I was holding Papa's arm and Nora was being held up by Kuya Chase.

Nasa likod na kami ng tage ngayon, iniwan muna kami ni kuya at papa dito dahil magsasalita pa daw si papa, syempre dapat may grand entrane kami ng anak ko dahil gabi namin 'tong dalawa HAHAHAHA!

"Ms. Nova" rinig kong tawag skain ng isang boses

"Oh, Ayane ikaw pala, anong balita?" Saad ko ng makaharap ako sa kanya

"Just as we thought, Mr. Richard deliberately invited the Elrods tonight, and they are all here" balita nya sakin at napangisi naman ako dahil dito

"Then that's good, you may go back to your position now" utos ko sa kanya at agad na umalis gaya ng sinabi ko

"Thank you to everyone for attending this banquet party for my daughter and my granddaughter. I know some of you were surprised because the news suddenly came out that I have a daughter, but no one has ever seen her. HAHAHAHA" rinig kong panimula ni papa at nakakrinig din ako ng tawanan mula sa labas

"Mommy, when are we going there?" Tanong sakin ni Nora

"Wait for grandpa to call us, okay?" I said and she just nodded as response

"In fact, my daughter really asked me not to mention her to anyone because of my state in life, so she flew to America to study there, graduate and build her own family. She never used my last name because she believed she should rise with her own talent until then, and finally, now she is ready to introduce herself to all of you and the world as a child of mine and as a Loughty"

I could hear everyone outside clapping.

"Ms. Nova please stand by" saad sakin ng receptionist na tinanguan ko lang bilang sagot

"My father is right, my sister is so obstinate that she has just returned to the Philippines to take over our business HAHAHAHA" biro naman ni kuya na ikinatawa ng mga tao

WHEN DID I SAID THAT?!

"Mr. Richard, why did your daughter think to come home here?" Someone asked dad, okay dito na magsisimula ang kasinungalingang sana ay hindi ko pagsisihan.

"Actually, this is the topic we don't want to talk about, because I already have a granddaughter and I don't want other people to think the wrong thing about her. One of the reasons why my daughter decided to come home here is because she has no reason to live in America anymore because of what happened to her husband. Her husband died in a car crash four years ago, and the accident happened before my daughter gave birth to her daughter" paliwanag ni dad sa kanila

"But despite what happened to her, my sister is still strong and, thanks to her, I already have a cute niece and I don't think my dad will ask me to get married and have a child anymore because my sister already gave him a granddaughter. Isn't it? HAHAHAHA" sure kuya Chasse knows how entertain them, Oh, to be a businessman and an actor at the same time is so useful.

"No, Chase, you still need to give me a grandchild" saad naman ni dad

"Mommy, ang tagal naman nila tayong tawagin" inip na inip na siguro 'tong anak ko HAHAHAHA

Gusto ko na ding lumabas doon pero andito pa din yung takot sakin dahil andito din si Rieve at makikita nya si Nora, wala naman akong pake kung makita nya ako dahil alam ko naman kung anong gagawin ko at handa ako doon, pero ang hindi ako handa ay ang makita nya si Nora

"Nova?"

"Oh, kuya" saad ko

"I'll escort you now" saad ni kuya, sa tingin ko wala na akong dapat ipag-alala dahil andito naman si kuya at papa

"I think it is time for me to introduce to you all my daughter and my granddaughter" at nagpalakpakan naman ang mga tao ng sabihin iyon ni papa

"Ladies and gentlemen, Let me introduce you to my daughter and my granddaughter, Nora Loughty and Nova Loughty!" Dad said and at the same time, the applause of the people continued, as Nora and I stepped on the stage to show ourselves to them all.

"Wow, that's Mr. Loughty's daughter? She is beautiful"

"I never thought that Mr. Loughty's daughter was this beautiful"

"Ano pa ba ang aasahan natin eh kitang kita naman na nasa pamilya na nila ang pagiging gwapo at maganda?"

"Ang cute nung bata, kamukhang kamukha ng anak ni Mr. Loughty"

"Sayang lang at maagang nawalan ng ama"

"Mukhang bata"

Rinig kong bulungan ng mga tao, well, that's already expected

"Greet them guys" saad ni kuya at binigyan kami ni Nora ng mic

"Go ahead sweety, greet them" sabi ko kay Nora

"Good evening everyone, my name is Nora Loughty and it's nice to meet you all!" Pagpapakilala ni Nora sa kanilang lahat gamit ang mic na binigay sa kanya ni kuya Chase and everyone gives her a round of applause.

"As you heard, I'm Nova Loughty, it's a pleasure to meet you all and thank you for attending this banquet party that my dad prepare for me and for my daughter" saad ko naman

"It looks like the other guys here are fascinated by my sister’s beauty. But too bad she has a child. HAHAHAHA" asar ni kuya na ikinatawa naman ng lahat

"Yes, mommy is mine only!" Dagdag pa ni Nora na mas nagpatawa sa mga bisita

"Looks like you need to court my granddaughter first before courting my daughter. HAHAHAHA" saad pa ni papa

"You guys are teasing me too much" sabi ko naman

"Looks likes it's on the blood Mr. Loughty" sambit ng isang matandang babae na nasa harap ng stage

"HAHAHAHA Well, ngayong naipakilala ko na sa inyo ang anak at ang aking apo, everyone please enjoy this party" aniya dad and raise his glass wine glass