Chapter 23

My eyes burned as I slowly wrapped the gauze around Philodemus' wrist. Huminga ako nang malalim. I tapped his wrist gently and lifted my gaze at him. Binabalot pa rin ako ng hiya sa ginawa ko kanina.

"I'm sorry..." mahina kong wika.

Philodemus smirked and examined the gauze wrapped around his wrist. "It's not that deep..."

"Even so..." gumalaw ako nang konti. Pakiramdam ko ay wala na akong mukhang maihaharap sa kaniya. I felt ashamed of myself... of what I did to him and to me.

He sighed painfully and pulled me closer, pulling me into a hug. Lumambot kaagad ang puso ko sa kaniyang ginawa at niyakap siya pabalik. I bathed in his scent and let myself drown the spell that is Philodemus. Kanina pa ako kumalma pero ngayong yakap ko na siya ay pakiramdam ko ayos na talaga ako.

"Please don't do it again..." he whispered on my ears, before kissing my cheeks lightly. I shivered like a kitten at his touch. "You're going to kill me."

Lumunok ako at tumango, nangingilid na naman ang mga luha. My lips quivered violently. Madilim na sa labas at panigurado akong hinahanap na ako sa bahay but that is the last of my concerns. Ang gusto ko lang ay manatili sa tabi ni Philodemus.

Mother ignored me as usual. Mabagal na lumipas ang mga araw. The only highlight of my days were the times that I get to spend Philodemus, eating take-out fast food in his car at the parking lot or visiting his house during the weekends.

"Stormie..."

Napatuwid ako nang tayo nang marinig ang baritonong boses ni Dad sa aking likuran. I turned to him. He must be going to some sort of an important meeting, since he's wearing his expensive tux and a glasswine of imported champagne on his right hand.

"Dad..." yumuko ako, nahihiyang tumingin sa kaniya pagkatapos ng huling nangyari na naiwala ko ang kwintas na bigay niya.

"Did you really lost it?" he asked me again, searching for my eyes. "The necklace?"

Malakas ang pintig ng puso ko at nanlulumong tumango. I heard him sigh tiredly.

"Try to find it, anak..." he said. Nag-angat ako ng tingin, gulat na gulat sa kaniyang sinabi. He called me his daughter... after a long time. Humapdi ang dibdib ko sa sayang idinulot nito sa akin. He called me his daughter!

"Dad?"

"Try to find the necklace. It is very important that you are wearing it at all times." He stared seriously at me. "Especially at the annual family reunion this summer."

I bit my lower lips and nodded my head.

"I've ordered the housemaids to search for the necklace in your room. Huwag ka nang magulat kung makita mo man sila sa loob ng kwarto mo."

Tumango ulit ako. Not that I have something to hide inside of my room. I've long forgotten how to write. Wala na rin ang mga files ko doon. Tanging mga damit lang, libro, at iilang gamit. I did not even bother to buy some new things ever since I came back from Cremona.

Paminsan-minsan ay naririnig kong nag-aaway sina mommy at daddy. But unlike their usual arguments, this one sounds really serious. It gave birth to my curiousity about our heirloom necklace. Abuelita only said that the necklace has been passed from generation to generation of the Romans for 105 years now. The gold chain is worth a fortune, of course. This is why I wondered sometimes why Dad decided to give it to me. Ang ganung kahalagang heirloom necklace ay hindi dapat mapasa akin...

"—because you're not really thinking, Joachim! Stormie is not fit for that! She even lost the necklace, that child!"

Natigil ako sa pagbaba sa hagdanan nang marinig ko ulit ang away nila mommy at daddy. I wanted to prepare myself a glass of milk since I can't sleep that night. I froze in my spot. Mukhang nasa dining hall silang dalawa. I could hear the sharp clicks of my mother's heels.

"Leonora—"

"And what are we gonna do if they found out that she lost the necklace? They'll be disappointed at us!"

"Makikita din natin ulit iyon," narinig ko ang kalmadong sagot ni Daddy.

"If you only gave it to Shantel, then we wouldn't be stressing out like this! Stormie is nothing compared to Shantel! She's more brilliant, suitable, and a genuis kid—"

Hindi ko na ipinagpatuloy ang pakikinig sa kanilang usapan. Dali-dali na akong umakyat sa aking kwarto at pinilit ang sarili na matulog. My heart ached that I carried the weight of the pain the next day in school.

"Matamlay ka ata?" puna sa akin ni Nick habang kumakain kaming dalawa.

I shrugged and sipped on my glass of water. "Kulang lang sa tulog."

"Mm-hmm..." I could tell that he's not convinced. Tipid ko na lamang siyang nginitian, hoping he'd not grill me more. "By the way, Elton is throwing another party again." He grinned. "And bitch, I finally got invited for the first time!" kumislap ang kaniyang mga mata at humalakhak. "You'll be there, right?"

Hindi ako kumibo. I don't even know that he's hosting a party again. Well, he likes to party a lot and wouldn't mind having it on his house. Iyon na ang napansin ko sa kaniya noon pa man bago pa maging kami.

"What do you think should I wear?" excited na tili ni Nick at sinundot-sundot pa ang aking tagiliran. Ngumuso lamang ako.

"You can wear anything."

"Wear anything?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya sa akin. "The Treveron brothers will be there! You know? Rigor and Thyron!" niyugyog niya ang aking balikat at tuwang-tuwang nagkuwento. "I heard they have high alcohol tolerance. Hindi basta-basta nalalasing. Ohhh, it would be really a good show watching them down bottles afte bottles of beers! Mas nagiging hot sila sa aking paningin!"

Natawa na ako sa pinagsasabi ni Nick. He's got a crush on Rigor, as what he's told me. Rigor is very snobbish. Nakakatakot lapitan. Even some of the seniors are hesitant to talk to him but they couldn't just ignore his excellent art skills. Siya palagi ang pambato kapag may contests. Palagi ring nasasali sa mga art exhibits ang mga obra niya.

"You saw his eyes, right? He's really handsome!" Nick sighed. "May tawag dun sa condition ng mga mata niya eh. Hetero... Hetero... ano nga yun?"

"Heterochromia." Sagot ko.

"Yes! Exactly!" pumapalakpak pa sa sobrang tuwa si Nick. "Ugh. He's my kind of aesthetic! An sexy art student with six-pack abs! Ano pa bang mahihiling ko?"

Natawa nalang ako sa mga litanya ng aking kaibigan.

Rigor's brother, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. He is outgoing and friendly. Minsan nga ay kinakausap niya ako kapag naaabutan ko siya sa bahay ni Philodemus. But then again, with his good looks, he is also a notorious playboy. Nag-iinit pa rin ang pisngi ko sa tuwing naaalala ko ang unang pagkikita namin. He is screwing some woman in Philodemus' bed. Tumawa lang siya na para bang hindi nakakahiya ang kaniyang ginawa.

Philodemus told me about the party later on in the parking lot when we met. Tinanong niya kung gusto ko ba daw pumunta. I nodded my head and told him I'll see what I can do regarding my parent's approval.

Iyon ang naging usapan ng mga tao sa loob ng isang linggo hanggang sa umabot kami sa Sabado. They're talking about who's coming and who's not. I didn't know how Philodemus invited all the people but it seems like he's got a lot of friends. That, or he's just very popular.

"Anong nangyari d'yan sa kamay mo?" tanong ni Thyron, kinahapunan habang nasa rooftop kami. Philodemus took his shirt off and started grilling the meat. Nag-isang sulyap lang siya sa pinsan na kakaahon lamang sa pool at kuryosong nakatingin sa band-aid sa kaniyang kaliwang pulso.

Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan ko. I wonder if they'd tell his cousin of what happened...

"A cat scratched me." He answered lamely.

"Cat?" humalakhak si Thyron at pinasadahan ng mga daliri ang kaniyang basang buhok.

"Yes..." Philodemus answered seriously before turning to me. His eyes glistened mischiveously. "A very sexy cat..." makabuluhan niyang sinabi.

Mas lalong lumakas ang tawa ni Thyron. Mas komportable akong kausapin siya kesa kay Rigor kaya nakitawa nalang din ako at mahinang kinurot ang braso ni Philodemus.

He grinned at me and pulled me closer, wrapping his big arms around my tiny shoulders.

"Nasaan nga pala yung kambal mo?" patuloy na pag-interoga sa akin ni Thyron. "Yung si Shania... Sheena... what's her name again, sweetie?"

Philodemus immediately scowled. "Her name is Shantel. And don't call my girlfriend your sweetie."

Thyron grinned boyishly. "Relax. I was just wondering... you didn't invite her, Phil?"

"Why would I invite her?"

He shrugged. "Because she's hot?"

"Tss. I don't want strangers inside my house. You know that already, Thy."

Ngisi lang ang iginanti sa kaniya ni Thyron at iniwan na din kaming dalawa. Nilingon ko tuloy si Philodemus. Nakakapagtaka nga na wala dito si Shantel. Almost all of the popular kids in our college are here in his party. Kaya nga tuwang-tuwa si Nick na pati siya ay nasama.

I saw him earlier talking to a varsity soccer player. Balak ko pa sana siyang kausapin pero mukhang nagkakaigihan na din siya ng kaniyang kausap. He only winked and waved at me when he saw me enter Philodemus' house, wearing a pair of flared Gucci jeans and black crop top.

Nang matapos na sa ginagawa si Philodemus ay nilapitan na din niya ang iilang kaibigan. He brought me with him, with his arms snaked around my waist. Kanina pa kami pinagtitinginan ng mga tao at hindi na din ako komportable sa mapanuring mga titig nila. Hanggang ngayon kasi ay ang alam nila'y girlfriend ni Philodemus si Shantel kaya nga marami ang nagtataka bakit wala siya dito sa party na ito.

"Oo nga pala..." Thyron sat down across us. Sa aming kaliwa ay may dalawang babae ng seniors na nila at isang lalaking madalas kong nakikita sa basketball team. They are all good-looking and somehow, their looks are kind of intimidating. Pero para silang mga tuta kapag kinakausap ni Philodemus. Panay ang ngiti at sumasang-ayon sa lahat ng sinasabi niya.

"What is it?" the girl wearing a skimpy blue dress said, sipping from her punch.

Kumunot ang noo ni Thyron habang may ini-scroll sa kaniyang cellphone. Tapos ay ibinaba niya ito at tinitigan si Philodemus.

"Who's this?"

Napaawang ang bibig ko nang ipakita niya ang picture na ipinost ni Philodemus sa Instagram, ilang linggo na ang nakakalipas. His hands gripping on my thighs. "Shantel?"

Umiling si Philodemus at sinimsiman ang kaniyang alak. "You're really asking me that question, Thy?"

"Oo nga, Phil..." ani ng isang mahinhin na babae sa aming kaliwa. Kanina pa siya nakatitig sa aming dalawa ni Philodemus. "Medyo naguguluhan kasi kami eh. Aren't you supposed to be following your girlfriend on Instagram? Bakit isa lang ang following mo?"

"I'm already following my girlfriend on Instagram." He answered immediately, in a very dark tone. My breathing hitched. Mabilis akong napalingon sa kaniya pero inignora niya lamang ako.

"Really? Then who..."

"Shantel is not my girlfriend." Philodemus sighed as his lips curled downwards.

"Eh di...?" tiningnan ako ng babae. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin sa kahihiyan.

"Stormie Iona Roman is my girlfriend. Not Shantel. I hope we're clear on this one."

Halata ang pagkagulat sa mukha ng dalawang babae. Thyron smirked and sipped on his drink. Hindi naman ako makatingin sa kanila ngayong sinusuri na nila ako mula ulo hanggang paa.

"Really? Kailan pa?"

"Why did Shantel announced that you two are dating?"

"Oh my God. This is such a revelation!"

Instead of answering, Philodemus pulled himself up. Inilahad niya ang kaniyang kamay sa akin. Nag-aalangan ko iyong kinuha. Walang kahirap-hirap niya akong itinayo. Mabilis na gumapang ang kaniyang kamay sa aking beywang.

"Excuse us, guys... I want to be with my girlfriend alone..." ani Philodemus at hinila na ako palayo sa kanila.

Wala akong imik habang naglalakad kami patungo sa kaniyang kwarto. He locked the door this time. Kinuha niya muna ang susi sa kaniyang bulsa at binuksan iyon. Pinauna niya ako ng pasok bago siya sumunod. Ramdam ko pa rin ang bigat ng titig ng mga mata nila sa amin.

"Why did you do that?" I immediately asked when we were alone.

"Did what?" he drawled lazily, locking the door.

Kumunot ang noo ko at sumimangot. "You just told them that I'm your girlfriend!"

"I did..." he shoved his hands on the pockets of his jeans. "And...?"

"People will talk about us! Mas lalaki ang isyu. Shantel is—"

"Fuck, Stormie. For Christ's sake!" I could see the frustration in his eyes as he raked a hand through his hair. Gigil niya pang sinabunutan ito bago ibinagsak ang malalaking kamay sa kaniyang tagiliran. "When are you gonna stop protecting your sister who has no intention of protecting you?"

"What are you..."

"I am so sick of hearing Shantel's name coming out of your mouth. Baby, no offense but how about we focus on our relationship and not on your sister's life? I agreed to keep our relationship a secret because you don't want your parents to know. But I can't remember agreeing to hide what's between the two of us for the benefit of Shantel!"

Natahimik ako sa kaniyang sinabi. Parang kinukurot ang puso ko. Bigla kong naalala kung paano umiyak sa aking tabi si Shantel, telling me how she loves Philodemus and how she is deeply hurt when he rejected her a couple of times.

"Shortie..." lumambot ngayon ang ekpresiyon niya at lumapit sa akin. Niyakap niya ako at hinalik-halikan ang aking buhok. "I'm sorry for shouting, okay? But I just need to say it to you..."

Tumango ako. Naiitindihan ko. He's got a point. If we continue to do this, people will get confused. Lalo pa ngayong harap-harapan na akong hinahawakan at hinahalikan ni Philodemus sa mga kaibigan at kakilala niya.

I sighed against his chest and tried to think rationally. I don't want to hurt his feelings but I can't also risk our relationship. Iniisip ko pa lang ang magiging reaksiyon ng mga magulang ko ay kinakabahan na ako.

"So... the cat's finally out of the bag, huh!"

Nagulat ako sa malakas at mapaglarong boses ni Nick pagkapasok pa lang niya sa classroom. Iilan sa mga kaklase ko ang napalingon sa aming direksiyon. Some of them are whispering, and so I averted my gaze away. I actually have an idea on what they are talking about right now.

"What are you talking about?" I mumbled.

Nick rolled his eyes playfully. "Girl, everyone is talking about it in school! You and Elton Treveron!"

My lips went into a thin line. Of course they'd talk about it. The girls have heard it loud and clear. I'm sure that the news have spread like a wildfire and there's no stopping it.

"Uhm..." I trailed off.

"Some are now grilling Shantel. Gusto nilang malaman ang totoo!" Nick threw his head and laugh. "You can imagine the distaste in your sister's face right now!"

I bit my lower lips. I have yet to talk to Shantel about my relationship with Philodemus. Pero hindi ko alam kung saan ko sisimulan and frankly, natatakot din ako.

Alam kong ang nangyari sa party ni Philodemus ang pinag-uusapan ng mga tao hanggang ngayon. In fact, I even saw a stolen picture of the two of us getting intimate on the pool. Namula ang pisngi ko nang ipakita iyon ng kaklase ko habang si Nick naman ay tumawa nang malakas at niyugyog pa ako dahil sa sobrang kilig.

May ibang mapangahas na nagtanong talaga sa akin nang diretso kung ano ba daw ang relasyon ko kay Philodemus. I had difficulty answering their questions. Ayokong mas kumalat pa ang isyu dahil nag-iingat ako sa mga magulang ko.

Pero walang nakakaligtas na impormasyon kay Leonora Roman.

"So... you're dating the Treveron boy, huh?"

I froze on my seat. The tone of her voice is unpleasant. Naalala ko tuloy ang huli naming pagtatalo. When I went to Philodemus' house and tried to kill myself. It was very stupid of me. Ngayon ay umakyat ulit ang takot sa aking dibdib nang tanungin ako ni mommy.

"M-Mommy—"

"Invite him to dinner." She cut me off.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Napatingin ako kay Dad na seryoso lang ding nakatingin sa akin. Maging si Shantel ay natigilan, halatang hindi inaasahan ang sinabi ni mommy. Her red lips went into a thin line as she turned to me, before sipping on her wine.

"P-Po?"

"Invite your boyfriend to dinner, Stormie. Just a simple family dinner. We'll talk..." aniya.

Hindi ako mapakali sa kinauupuan ko. I was actually expecting that she'd shout on me and call me names again but she didn't. Instead, she is inviting Philodemus to dinner? Hindi ako makapaniwala!

"Shantel..." ani ko habang sabay kaming dalawa paakyat sa aming mga kwarto, pagkatapos ng hapunang iyon. "Gusto sana kitang kausapin—"

"If it's about Elton, save it, Stormie." She said in a clipped tone. Humigit siya ng isang malakas na buntong-hininga bago niya ako hinarap. Her eyes are sad and it instantly made me feel really guilty.

"Shantel..." yumuko ako, hindi makatingin sa kaniya.

"You two like each other..." she shrugged. "It's perfectly normal for you guys to date."

Hindi ako makasagot sa sinabi niya at hindi na rin siya naghintay na sagutin ko pa siya. Nagpatuloy na siya sa paglalakad habang ako nama'y naiwan at nakahawak sa hand railings ng grand stairs. I bit my lower lips and tried to ignore my aching chest, before I proceeded to my room.

"Gusto kang yayain ni mommy sa dinner..." mahina kong wika.

Philodemus' brows shot up. Halatang nagulat din ito. Ngumuso ako. Nandito ulit kami ngayon sa likod ng gym ng high school. I am getting better at climbing the brick wall by now, though I still need his help at times.

"Dinner?"

"Yes..." I hesitantly answered. "But if you're uncomfortable then..."

He stared at me for a long time before he slowly nodded his head. "Yeah. Sure. Dinner will be great."

Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. Namimilog ang mga matang nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya.

"You'll go?" I couldn't hide the surprise in my voice.

"Yes."

"But..."

"Don't worry about me." He said, and then pulled me closer by my waist. "I'll be fine. Wala namang shotgun ang Dad mo, hindi ba?" biro pa niya.

Hindi ako nakasagot. Hindi lang kasi shotgun ang pagmamay-ari ni Dad. But it's better not to tell him. I've seen his weapons a couple of times, especially when I was still a kid. Dad would tell me that since he is a politician, he is very prone to danger and he needs to protect our family that's why he has those deadly weapons. Pinaniwalaan ko naman ang kaniyang sinabi magpahanggang ngayon.

Mother told me we'll have the dinner on a Sunday evening, pagkatapos naming magsimba pamilya. Nagtataka nga ako na isinama nila ako ngayon sa simbahan gayong hindi naman ako madalas pinapasama, lalo na kapag may press na umaaligid.

I wore my usual Sunday dress that time. A peach lacey dress that stops below my knees. Medyo masakit ang loob ko na tipid na ako ngayong kinakausap ni Shantel. She's hurt, obviously. But she's not acting violent towards it. Her cold shoulder was enough to tell me that she isn't happy with what she learned between me and Philodemus.

"Why don't you invite him to church?" wika ni Mommy habang nakaupo ako sa grand parlor, naghihintay na matapos si Abuelita sa pag-aayos at si Dad sa kaniyang kausap sa study.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay mommy. "Po?"

"Philodemus Elton Treveron." She said. "Tell him if he'd like to come."

Nagtataka man ay inilabas ko ang aking phone at nag-text kay Philodemus. I asked him if he wanted to go to church with my family. After a few minutes, he replied and said yes. Aniya ay sa simbahan nalang daw kami magkita.

I informed my mother and she nodded her head. Nauna na siyang pumasok sa sasakyan, kasama si Shantel. I waited for my Abuelita to finished and guided her towards our waiting car. Si Dad ang pinakahuling sumunod sa amin.

Kagaya nang nakagisnan ko ay maraming kinausap si Dad nang makarating na siya sa simbahan. He's all smiles and gestures. Kagaya din nang itinuro sa amin mula noong bata pa lamang kami ay todo ngiti naman kami sa sino mang makasalamuha. Mother made us memorize a line that we ought to say when it comes to introducing ourselves.

"Hello. I am Stormie Iona Roman, daughter of a good man named Joachim Roman. I understand that you are a good friend of my father and I hope to see you around with him, doing good things for the betterment of the town."

It was very scripted and very... misleading. Labas sa ilong ko itong sinasabi sa tuwing ipinapakilala. Besides, I feel a bit of proud of myself, now that my family is treating me like a real member of the Roman. It's been a long time since I went to church with them.

Nahagip ng aking tingin ang pamilyar na kotse ni Philodemus. He parked the car and got out, looking striking in his navy blue botton down shirt and black trousers. The sleeves of his polo were folded up to his elbows. May napalingon at nagulat nang makitang lumabas siya sa kotse at naglakad patungo sa aming direksiyon.

He smiled politely to us.

"Governor Roman... it's a pleasure seeing you again." He offered his hand and my Dad took it with a firm shake.

"Ah, Elton Treveron... I still remember you. You were still a kid when we last met, huh? And now you're dating my beautiful daughter..." ani Dad at nginitian pa siya na para bang hindi niya ito sinuntok sa huling pagkikita nila noon.

I cocked my head to the side, a little confused. Magkakilala na sila dati pa? Saan? At paano?

Hindi nasagot ang tanong ko nang ipakilala ni mommy ang kaniyang sarili. Shantel and Abuelita followed. Then we all entered the church. Tinabihan ako ni Philodemus sa paglalakad at pasimpleng hinawakan ang aking kamay.

When we got to the wooden pew, sa pinakadulo ako naupo. Shantel immediately sat next to me. Nagkatinginan tuloy kaming dalawa ni Philodemus. He had no choice but to sit next to her. Ang katabi niya sa kanan ay si Abuelita, sunod naman ang mga magulang ko.

Pinilit kong makinig sa homily ng pari, pero nadidistract ako sa tuwing bahagyang nilalapit ni Shantel ang kaniyang ulo kay Philodemus at may ibinubulong. He'd answer in an equally silent tone and I felt a little frustrated that I can't hear what they are talking about. Humagikhik pa si Shantel hanggang sa sawayin na siya ni Abuelita at pinandilatan ng mga mata.

When the mass is over, my head hurts a bit. Kanina pa akong umaga nahihilo. I took my daily pills in an attempt to make myself better but it didn't.

"You know where we live, right?" Father asked after the mass and we're gathered outside. "Since you've already got your car, sumunod ka nalang sa amin. My daughter is riding with us."

"Of course, Governor." Ani Philodemus.

Tumango si Dad. Nauna na si Philodemus sa kaniyang sasakyan habang ako nama'y dumiretso na din sa amin. Actually, I am starting to get a little nervous with what would happen in the dinner later on. They didn't get a chance to talk earlier because of the mass and God knows what's running inside of my mother's head.

The dinner served to us is a feast. Nasanay naman akong higit sa tatlo ang ulam namin araw-araw pero ngayon ay halata talagang may espesyal na okasyon. Abuelita had her usual green tea while the rest of the housemaids poured us a glass of Dom Perignon Brut.

Sa harapan ko na ngayon nakaupo si Philodemus, katabi ni Abuelita. Sometimes, my grandmother would smile and talk to him in a hushed voice. Magalang naman siyang sinasagot ni Philodemus. And sometimes, in the middle of talking, his eyes would land on me and we'd lock gaze for a few precious seconds.

Kontento na ako doon.

"So... Elton," my mother cleared her throat. Mabilis na tinapos ni Abuelita ang kaniyang sinasabi upang mabalingan ni Philodemus ang aking ina. She smiled at him. "What course are you taking again?"

"I'm taking a bachelor's degree in Physics, Mrs. Roman..."

"Ah, really?" She cocked an eyebrow. "I thought you're taking the same course with my girls... you know, political science since your father is heavily inclined with politics before he died."

"Politics have never crossed my mind."

"Yeah, because you are a Treveron now. But you are still the first born of the Castañares. It seems to me that you have already forgotten where you really came from..." my mother's voice was bitter. Ipinikit ko nang mariin ang mga mata ko. I knew it. This dinner of hers is a bad, bad idea. Dapat talaga ay hindi ko na siya pinapunta dito.

"With all due respect, Mrs. Roman... I did not forget where I really came from. I may be under the care of the Treveron family, but the blood that runs in my veins are of the Castañares clan. Hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan iyon. And albeit I do not have even a bit as a drop of the Treveron's, I am forever indebted to their generosity towards me."

"Hmm." My mother sipped on her wine and nodded her head. "I supposed that means you have also forgotten about the past, huh? The feud between our families..."

Napatingin ako kay Philodemus. Seryoso siya ngayong nakatingin kay mommy at bahagya pang umigting ang kaniyang panga.

Mommy chuckled. "Forget it. You're too young to remember. But what happened in the past should remain in the past. You are now dating my daughter. Surely you don't have other motives of luring her and hurting her as your vendetta against the Romans?"

"Leonora Constantina!" Abuelita shouted angrily. "What kind of a question is that?"

"I'm just asking him, Mama..." kalmadong wika ni mommy. Then she turned to me. "Stormie is a fragile, weak girl. Ayoko lang na masaktan ang anak ko, especially now that it seems that Philodemus is her first boyfriend." Then she turned to Philodemus again and smiled dryly. "Right, Elton?"

"Of course, Ma'am." He said coldly.

Tiningnan ko si Philodemus, hanggang ngayon ay naguguluhan pa rin ako kung ano ang pinag-uusapan nilang dalawa. But instead of meeting my gaze like he always does, for the first time, he averted his gaze from me as his jaw clenched in anger.