Bago pa niya alisin ang tingin kay Brad, she saw him mouthed babe habang may tipid na ngiti sa labi nito. She stopped herself from scowling at him. Inilipat niya ang mga mata sa ama.
Kunot na kunot ang noo ng daddy niya as he looks at her. Her mother is as usual cool. Nakangiti na ng bahagya ito which made her even more beautiful kahit sa idad nito.
"I think we better talk first young lady! " sabi ng ama sa kanya .
Matigas ang boses nito and his eyes are steely. Tumango lang siya. Nag-iisip siya ng sasabihin sa ama. Hindi talaga niya nagpaghandaan ang pagsulpot ni Brad as her suitor. Lalong nadagdagan ang inis at galit niya dito. Sa lahat ng bagay padalos-dalos ito.
After nodding at her dad, she looked at her mom. Nakangiti pa din ito ng bahagya as if telling her that it will be okay. She also smiled lightly at her too bago niya tapunan ng tingin si Brad. She almost grunted dahil mukhang pa-good shot ito. He is just staring at her pero walang bahid ng kamanyakan sa titig nito. But she saw his eyes glinted and he touched his front pocket na tila pinapahiwatig nito na as usual, his pistol is with him.
"You can go ahead while I talk to Brad. " her mother said but her father frowned.
"Cruz!" Nick hollered na hindi inaalis ang mga mata sa anak.
In a flash, pumasok ang bodyguard. "Sir?"
"Stay with my wife and ... him!" sabi ni Nick bago tumango sa kanya so they could proceed to the dining room.
"Sir, malinis ang hangarin ko kay Amara." Brad suddenly said which made Nick throw him a glance and her mouth opened slightly.
Napahawak siya sa lalamunan niya. Napalunok talaga siya. Sino ba naman ang hindi malalaglag ang panga sa sinabi ng IBBf niya? Malinis daw ang hangarin matapos siyang pwersahin kagabi and took her virginity? Ngayon pa ba magsasabi ng ganito ang hudyo na ito? Paano naman siya maniniwala dito?
"I never wooed a woman before your daughter sir." dagdag pa nito.
Magsasalita sana ang daddy niya when his bodyguard, Reyes came inside.
"Sir, si Mr. Lopez po.." Hindi na natuloy nito ang sasabihin dahil may biglang pumasok sa pintuan.
"Good evening Nick, Stacey and Amara, iha." masiglang bati nito .
He is with a beautiful woman who is about her mom’s age.
(Brad)
WTF?!
At ano naman ang ginagawa ng papa niya dito at kasama pa ang mama niya? Ang daming dalang pagkain ng mga ito. Kasunod ng mga magulang niya si Fernandez na senior bodyguard ng ama pero hindi na ganun ka-active. Medyo may idad na din ito pero dahil sa loyalty, hindi inalis ng papa niya sa trabaho. Ito na lang ang naguutos sa dalawa pang nakakabatang bodyguard ng ama at ina niya. May bitbit si Fernandez na isang kahon na mukhang cake. Ang dalawa pa nilang bodyguard, may mga bitbit din na pagkain.
Iniabot sa kanya ng papa niya ang isang puting kahon.
"Anak, sa kakamadali mo, nakalimutan mo." sabi nito as he looks at him with a raised left brow.
Yun ang signal ng ama sa kanya if may hidden message ito.
Poker-faced, he got it from him.
They are flowers.
He almost cursed under his breath. His father saved him again. Nakalimutan niyang bumili kanina. No one can blame him dahil he's not used to courting women. He was about to give the box to Amara when his woman's father spoke.
"Ano ito? Una sabi ng anak mo manliligaw siya sa anak ko! And now you are here too? Daig niyo pa ang namamanhikan!" Nick said with a scowl.
"Honey.. " tawag ni Stacey dito as she touches his arm. Ngumiti ito sa mag-asawa." Please do come in. Dun tayo sa verandah." sabi nito.
(Amara)
This couldn't be happening! Hindi na nga niya inasahan na susulpot ang IBBf niya at ngayon pati ang mama at papa nito andito din? Her dad has the right to be angry. She glanced at her mom who calmed her him down. Kahit na unacceptable ang lahat sa ama niya, she knows na hindi hahayaan ng mommy niya na mamahiya ito. Lalo na at tao namang nagpunta ang pamilya Lopez.
Brad's parents are still very good-looking like her own. Ang mama nito at ang mommy niya seem to have formed a camaraderie. Tama ang papa ng IBBf niya, their mothers are so alike in many ways. Ang pagkakaiba lang, beauty queen si Mrs. Lopez dati at modelo kaya mas sanay ito sa tao. Her mommy is more comfortable with just close relations. If their moms are okay, ang mga ama naman nila ang medyo hindi pa. Her dad obviously is just being civil. But by the way he talks, he is definitely not pleased with the whole thing. Ang papa ni Brad is definitely trying to have a light conversation with her dad.
Nasa dining room sila dahil the Lopezes brought more food than they thought. Ipinakuha pa ni Mr. Lopez ang ibang pagkain sa kotse. Pati ang bodyguards nila, tumulong na din. May kasama pang isang buong lechon.
Dumating na si Hope and like them, gulat na gulat ito. Pero siyempre hindi sila pwedeng mag-usap in the presence of her eagle-eyed daddy. Hanggang tinginan lang sila. They will talk when they are alone.
Brad and his parents are seated on the left side of the long table. Ang daddy niya as usual is in his place as the head of the family. Next to him ang mommy niya. Nakapagitna siya kay Hope at sa ina. Brad is opposite her. Paminsan-minsan tinatapunan siya nito ng tingin pero halata naman na nagpapanggap itong pormal na manliligaw lang. Saktong paghanga lang ang titig nito sa kanya. Walang bahid ng kamanyakan na taliwas sa katotohanan.
"I thought you were just interested with business. Hindi ko alam na ang anak ko pala ang main interest ng anak mo." malamig na sabi ng daddy niya .
Everyone is looking at him including her mom na mukhang hindi na alam ang sasabihin. Her mother knows na pinagbibigyan lang ito ng daddy niya kaya they are having dinner now with the Lopez family. But her mom seems to really like Brad’s mother, Olivia Lopez. She is sure that after this, the two will keep in touch. Ang kapatid ng mama niya na si tita Heather niya palaging wala sa bansa kagaya ng bestfriend ng mommy niya na si Eve. Kaya madalas bored at walang makausap ang ina . Lalo pa naman at kahit may idad na, seloso pa din ang daddy niya. Hindi pwedeng basta kanino lang na kaibigan pwedeng makipag-usap o sumama ang mommy niya.
"Totoo naman na business ang pakay namin sayo nung gabi na yun pero hindi naman natin masisi ang anak ko. Your daughter is very pretty." nakangiting sabi ni Brandon as he looks fondly at her.
Nahihiya namang tumingin lang ang dalaga dito panandalian.
Nick scowled. " Hindi naman kaya na paraan niyo lang yun para mauwi tayo sa ganito? "
" Ikaw naman Nick.. para ka namang hindi nagdaan sa pagkabinata. Like me, " sabi ni Brandon bago hinawakan ang kamay ni Olivia na nasa lamesa," for sure you have an eye for beauty. At kailangan ko sigurong sabihin na walang pang niligawang babae ang bunso ko. Ngayon lang."
"I heard that already! Madali namang sabihin yan. Unang-una Mr. Lopez.."
"Brandon na lang Nick." sabat ni Brandon na may ngiti pa din sa labi but Nick just continued talking.
"... as I was saying, una, hindi ko pa pinapayagan na maligawan ang anak ko." he said in a steely voice habang nakatingin kay Brad na nakatingin din dito.
"Your daughter is over 18 so tama lang sa idad." sabi pa ni Brandon.
"She is my daughter.. I know what's best for her." malamig na tugon ni Nick.
"With all due respect sir, I think my father is right. I came here with my family to ask your permission to woo Amara in the traditional way . I am sure as her father, it would be unacceptable for you if sa labas ko siya liligawan. Your daughter is too special to be pursued that way. " Brad said bago tumingin sa dalaga.
Amara almost frowned at him pero nakatingin lahat sa kanya. She felt Hope's hand on her left knee. Hindi niya lang alam kung ano ang ibig ipahiwatig ng pinsan so she just dropped her eyes on her plate.
Ang galing magsalita nito to think that he has been threatening her with his gun para lang makuha ang gusto nito sa kanya. Now she is really confused with what is happening. Hindi na niya alam kung ano talaga ang totoo.
"My husband met me when I was about your daughter's age Mr. Alcantara." sabi ni Olivia in her calm voice.
Nakangiti ito kay Nick.
Stacey touched her husband's hand. " Same here. " sabi nito kay Olivia bago inilipat ang mata sa asawa.
Nick took a sip of his wine then stood up.
"Excuse us. Can the three of us talk? Follow me in my study." His eyes are on Brad and Brandon.
Tila lalo namang naglighten-up ang mukha ni Brandon as he nods.
"Sure." sabi lang nito.
Si Brad naman kumunot nang bahagya ang noo bago tumayo na din to follow Nick. As usual he glanced at her for a second or two with intensity bago tumalikod.
Pagkaalis ng tatlo, sinabi ni Hope na magpapahangin lang silang dalawa. Pinayagan naman sila ng mommy niya.
***
"Oh dear! Ang obsessed na bf mo would really do the extreme to get your dad's approval! At full support pa ang parents niya ha? I like his mother because she is nice and very beautiful. But I think his father is so good in coaxing . Such a smooth talker! No wonder his son is like that! They are so much alike! They have the gift of the gab pero mas grabe lang mambola ang Brad na yun! He doesn't only make bola, he's so forceful pa! Duh?! Aanhin mo ang guwapo kung ganyan naman?!" komento ni Hope as they talk in the verandah na nasa gilid ng bahay.
"Asus.... ang alaga kong maldita nagsalita! "sabat ng yaya Amy nila as she gives them their lemon water na nirequest nila.
Nagworry siya na baka narinig nito ang unang sinabi ni Hope na bf niya si Brad. Pinanlakihan niya ng mata ang pinsan na nag-roll eyes lang sa kanya.
"Oh please naman yaya! If you were Amara okay lang sayo ang ganyan?" tanong nito sa yaya nila.
Isa kasi ito sa naging yaya nila Hope ng ilang taon bago namatay si lola Amor nila kaya yaya din ang tawag ng pinsan dito.
"Oo naman! Huwag ka ngang plastic na bata ka! Ano ba ang aayawan ni baby girl sa anak ni Brandon Lopez ha? Ang disenteng kumilos at mukhang seryoso naman. Una na niyang pinagtanggol si baby girl nung nabastos ng kuya ni Iris! He is a hero! " malapad ang ngiting sabi ni yaya Amy.
"What?! Talaga lang ha? And when did this happen?! At kailan pa naging bastos si Ron?" kunot noong tanong nito sa pinsan na nakagat lang ang ibabang labi.
"Hay naku si baby girl na lang ang magkukwento sayo! O sige na babalik na ako sa loob! Iwanan niyo na lang diyan ang mga baso!" sabi ni yaya Amy.
"Don't be deceived by looks yaya! The devil nowadays wears Armani!" nakasimangot na sabi ni Hope dito.
"Wag mo nga akong iningles-ingles diyan na bata ka ha? Magtagalog ka na lang kahit baluktot yang dila mo! " nagbuntunghininga pa ito bago tuluyang umalis.
Hope sighed heavily too. "Goodness Amara! Pati si Ron nagawan pa ng kwento ng baliw na bf mo? He is really...."
"Hope, I want to talk to Amara!"
Nagulat silang magpinsan nang biglang sumulpot si Brad from nowhere. Pero bago pa sila parehong nakapagsalita, he pulled her hand at mabilis siya nitong dinala sa kaliwang bahagi ng verandah. Naiwang nakanganga si Hope as they disappear from her sight.
"Ano bang ginagawa mo?!" pabulong pero galit na tanong niya.
Brad framed her face with his hands matapos siyang isandal nito sa pader. Napaungol siya when his lips went down on hers. Hindi siya makagalaw dahil mahigpit ang pagkakahawak nito sa mukha niya and he has her body trapped against the wall. Sa ganitong posisyon, she can't move much. He kissed her for several moments. When he raised his lips from hers pareho silang naghahabol ng hininga. Idinikit nito ang noo sa noo niya.
"Fuck I missed you babe..!" he said almost like a groan.
Napakurap siya sa sinabi nito. Mula pa kanina nawindang na siya sa mga nangyayari at ngayon naman na-mis daw siya nito? He said such sweet lines matapos siyang basta-basta na lang hilahin and halikan? Her cousin is as usual right. Brad will do the extreme para ano? Para makuha palagi ang gusto nito sa kanya?
"Why did you come here and say na liligawan mo ako?! Are you really crazy? You took my virgini...." she was not able to finish ng halikan na naman siya nito sa labi.
She protested but as usual, he is using his strength on her again. Nang paghiwalayin nito ang mga labi nila, hers felt so numb.
He touched her lower lip with his thumb and said, " I don't know what came over me babe. I just felt that I need to do this. Gusto ko maging legal na tayo sa daddy mo. Babawi ako sayo in many ways."
"Pero may usapan tayo!" inis na sabi niya.
"I have the right to change my mind lalo na if it is about you and me..." tila nakakalokong sabi nito. " By the way, my mother loves you and your mom. Wala na tayong problema sa kanila." he said with a small smile habang pinapasadahan nito ng tingin ang buong mukha niya.
Binasa niya ang mga labi. " What did my dad tell you?" biglang naalala niyang itanong.
His smile turned into a grin.
" It may take a little while bago siya totally pumayag but I will do anything and everything so he will like me for you. " he said in a little croaky voice. Then his eyes narrowed, " Fuck! I want you babe!" ungol nito bago halikan na naman siya. Napakapit na lang siya sa mga braso nito. He is kissing her like a thristy man. His tongue swirled around hers and he is shaping the side of her body with his hands. Napapadiin ang pagkakahawak niya sa mga braso nito sa bawat hagod ng dila nito. Tila nalulunod na naman siya sa sarap nitong humalik.
Pero napamura ito nang kinailangan nitong tapusin ang halik.
"Amara?! Fucking hell!" galit na mura ng daddy niya.