It's friday night. We're having a dinner when my Mom announced that we're all going to this big family Thanksgiving reunion at Grandma and Grandpa Coval's Hotel in Manila. She's been planning it with my Grandparents two months ahead of time for she wants everything to be perfect. She doesn't care anymore about the money that we're going to spend because the Martinez family will be there and also the media.

The Martinez and Sinclair family has maintained a successful partnership for a long year. I heard about it from my Dad when he's talking to me about the history of our family and how the business works. I was too young back then. Until now, I still couldn't understand the significance of it.

"Mom, I don't want to go," I said after drinking a water.

She gave me an intimidating look that didn't last for long because she continue to eat her food on the plate. I set my eyes on her until she finish her food, hoping that I could get a response from her.

"You're going with us. We all have to be together in this important event of our family. Think about how your Grandparents would react and feel."

I breath deeply and just nodded my head with a frown smile on my lips. I see this coming. What did I expect from my Mom?

My Mom is known to be a smart, prim and tight woman in the business industry. Wala naman iyong pinagbago pagdating sa pamilya niya. Kung ano ang ipinapakita niya sa ibang tao at sa media, ganoon din sa amin lalo na sa akin. Hindi siya namuhunan sa bagay na alam niyang hindi lalago– may it be personal or not.

And as for Dad, he's way too far from Mom. What I mean for 'far' is that Dad is the complete opposite of Mom's attitude. He's sweet, caring and understanding. Also, he has a lot of assets than Mom, reason why our family is being called as the top multibillionaire in Asia.

"Hey, sweetheart, it's gonna be okay. You're gonna have fun there. Trust me." My Dad assured me when Mom left the dining table.

"Talaga po?" Bigla naman akong nakaramdam ng galak dahil sa tinuran ni Daddy.

"Of course. Finish your food so you could pack up your things for tomorrow."

Tinapos ko naman agad ang pag-kain ko saka na umakyat sa kuwarto ko na kumakanta-kanta pa habang nakangiti. While Mom is the strict one, Dad is being a loving parent for someone like me who wants to be loved and filled with attention. He always make sure that everything's fine and that I should always put a smile on my lips even in the unpleasant situations to not cause any harm to other people.

Maaga kaming umalis para bumiyahe papuntang Manila. I was bored at wala akong mapaglibangan sa loob ng sasakyan. Plus, the traffic is slightly heavy. I also tried to sleep at naging magulo ako sa paghahanap ng komportableng puwesto that caught my Mom's attention.

"Act like a lady. You're twelve now," she said a little bit annoyed while looking at me with her stoic expression.

I bit my lower lip and avoided her gaze. "Sorry po."

"I don't want this attitude of yours. Do I need to remind you everytime you commit mistakes like this?"

I was shocked by her sudden judgment that cause me to belittle myself even more. I don't want to get scolded by my Mom because her words are too sharp to leave scars in my heart. Minsan nakakaya ko pa pero there are times that she's way too much.

"Don't show any weaknesses especially when in front of other people because one day, you will be inheriting our legacy. Just laid back and be confident enough to display your power and control so that no one will ever bring you down. Do I make myself clear, Aislinn?"

Napatingin ako kay Dad na nakatingin sa akin and as always, giving me a smile so I just smiled back.

"Kailangan po ba talaga iyon? Kahit po tayo lang ang magkakasama? Pamilya po tayo, 'di ba? Wala-"

"It is a must. Babalik na naman ba tayo rito, Aislinn? You just proved to me again that you really are an airheaded-"

"Kaithlin! Bata pa ang kausap mo kaya maghinay-hinay ka naman sa mga salitang ginagamit mo sa anak natin!" si Dad nang hindi na rin nakayanan ang mga salita ni Mom.

"This is why she never learned from me. Stop taking her side, Arieto. She's already a grown lady."

"A grown lady? You're unbelievable, Kaith! She's only twelve and you're ruining it instead of letting her experience the things that a child could ask for during her childhood days. Hindi ka man lang ba naaawa sa anak mo?"

"I am not ruining it! Tinutulungan ko lang siya kung paano mamuhay sa puder natin. This is for her future kaya huwag mo akong pangunahan sa mga desisyon at pagdidisiplina ko sa kanya!"

"We're not the one to decide that for her, Kaith. For once, be a considerate and loving mother to her even if you failed to do it to Jaslynn."

Natahimik na lang ako at hindi na nag-abalang magsalita pa o tumingin ulit kay Mom o kay Dad. Habang nagtatalo pa sila ay inabala ko na lang ang sarili ko sa mga tanawing makikita sa labas. Hindi pa nagtagal nang mamalayan ko na lang ang sarili kong lumuluha na naman. I secretly and silently wiped it away without making unnecessary movements that might trigger my Mom again.

My Mom is always like this since that incident so I grew up anxious and ambivalent of her. Ever since, I don't want to disobey any of her rules because I don't want her to get mad at me but unconsciously and unintentionally, I always messed things up. In her eyes, wala na akong ginawang tama and I don't really know how to please her. Bigla ko tuloy na-miss si Ate. I wish she was here. At least I have her by my side.

"We're here, sweetheart. And look, there is your Grandma and Grandpa waiting outside," said Dad, reason for me to create a smile out of frown of sadness. But my Mom seems to be an antagonist to ruin it before going out of the van.

"Remember what I told you."

Biglang napawi ang mga ngiti ko at sumunod na lang ako sa kanila. Nagmano naman agad ako kila Lolo Raoul at Lola Nevi pagkatapos ay yinakap sila at hinalikan sa pisngi.

"Oh, I missed you, Grandma, Grandpa!" I said between hugs and kisses.

"We missed you too, our youngest!" Grandma said letting a low chuckle just like Grandpa.

This is so nice.

Sumunod naman sila Mom at Dad para bumati kila Lolo at Lola. Tahimik lang akong naghintay sa kanila habang nagmamasid sa paligid.

"Come, hija. Let me show you your suite," my Grandma as she motions her hand to show me the way to the elevator. I gave her a smile and followed her.

Grandma and Grandpa are my Mom's parents. They are still living healthy and I wish more of that to them. Kaya lang siyempre minsan hindi maiwasang makaramdam ng panghihina o kahit na anong sakit ng katawan dahil sa katandaan nila. But I'm so happy to see that they are really trying to live healthy by eating a lot of nutritious food.

"Lola, lahat po ba ng pamilya natin ay darating bukas?" bigla kong tanong habang nasa elevator pa rin.

"Of course, hija," si Lola.

"Sigurado akong maaaliw ka at marami kang makikilala at makakalaro sa pamilya natin," si Lolo naman habang may malawak na ngiti.

I was just about to talk when my Mom did the talking again.

"Dad, we talked about this. No one's playing in the midst of telling the world about the marriage. We need to be serious for christ's sake. Bukas na iyon."

My brows creased and my mind became puzzled, lost with Mom's sudden manifestation about marriage.

"May ikakasal po ulit? Sino po? Saang side po?" sunod-sunod na tanong ko dahil sa pagiging kuryoso habang nakahawak sa kamay ni Lola at tinitingnan ang magiging reaksiyon nila.

"Stop asking, Aislinn. You're just making me feel more annoyed so please, shut it already," ani Mom na halatang kanina pa talaga nagtitimpi so I don't have a choice but to keep quiet again.

Dahan-dahan kong inalis ang kamay ko mula sa pagkakahawak ni Lola at inilagay na lang iyon sa likod ko.

"Kaithlin, you are so rough on your daughter. May karapatan naman talaga siyang magtanong, hindi ba?" pahayag naman ni Lola bago kami nagsilabasan sa elavator.

Grandma's words made me confused. What about it? Based from what I remember, some of the members of the family are already married and some have their own children. Who else would have wanted to get married? Is it an arrange marriage again?

If yes, kung sino man iyon ay wala na siyang magagawa unless she or he wants to disobey the elders. Pero kung ako ang nasa kalagayan niya, I don't want an arrange marriage. I want to marry the person that I love and makes me happy. But that's the least of my concern.

Maaga kaming natulog lahat para bukas. Pagkagising palang ay naging abala na ang lahat and I was left alone in this huge suite. I just waited patiently for them to finish. When the time has come, pumunta na kami sa pinakataas ng hotel kung nasaan ang venue.

Pagkarating palang namin ay may mga media nang nakaabang. My Mom proudly introduced me to them as their heiress. Buong tapang naman akong ngumiti sa harap nilang lahat. Well, this is awkward. Hindi ba puwedeng ipakilala na lang niya ako as her daughter? Akala ko rin sa debut ko pa ako ipapakilala ni Mom pero napaaga naman yata. What might be the reason for her sudden change of mind?

Nang nasa loob na ay puro batian at ngitian naman ang nangyari. Kaunti palang na miyembro ng pamilya namin ang nakikita ko. Puro mga kasosyo at katrabaho sa negosyo ang iba. This is such a huge event after all, but I thought it's just our family and the Martinez's.

Ilang oras kaming nakatayo at nakikipag-usap sa ibang bisita dahil sa pagpapakilala ni Mom sa akin sa kanila. Oh, God. This is very tiring. Hindi ko pa nababati ang mismong mga kapamilya ko.

"Mom, can I just sit for a minute?" sabi ko nang maramdaman ang sakit ng mga paa ko at pagkagutom.

"Not yet, sweetheart," she said as she smiled at me stiffly. Kaharap pa kasi namin ang ilan pa sa mga kasosyo at katrabaho niya.

I just smiled back at her and sighed heavily. It's been hours already. How many hours should we spend before proceeding to the main event of the night? I am tired already.

"This is your Grandpa and Grandma on your father's side. Tymon and Lucita Sinclair."

Nagising bigla ang diwa ko dahil sa wakas ay sa pamilya na namin ang pagpapakilala at pagbabatian. It's like the feeling of tiredness was blown away by the wind.

I gave them my best smile and greetings because this is my first time to meet them in person. They are staying in California for good and they came home today.

"It's good to see you, hija. I would love to stay with you but your Lolo and Lola have to stay in Cali for their medications," si Lolo Tymon pagkatapos niya akong bigyan ng halik sa ulo.

"You're such a beautiful lady, our dear Aislinn," si Lola Lucita naman suot ang malawak na ngiti habang sinusuri ang buong katawan ko mula ulo hanggang paa. Bigla naman akong nakaramdam ng hiya.

"Oh, Jud and Agata, it's nice to see the both of you again. And oh, your twins!" Nakipagbesohan si Mom sa kanila pagkatapos ay nagmano naman ang kambal sa kanya na parang kaedad ko lang. Pero sigurado akong mas matanda sila ng ilang taon sa akin.

"Kaith, it's been years. It's nice to see you too. This Thanksgiving reunion is a great idea of yours so let me thank you with that," said Uncle Jud that made my Mom laugh.

"Hello, Kaith!" magiliw naman na bati ni Tita Agata.

"Oh by the way, this is my daughter, Aislinn. Aislinn this is your Uncle Jud, brother of your Dad while this is his wife, Agata and this is Margo and Marga, their twins."

Nag-usap pa sila ng ilang minuto bago nagpaalam si Mom para pumunta sa kabilang table. May sinasabi siya sa akin tungkol sa susunod na kapamilya.

"You should be careful of them," bulong ni Mom sa akin habang nakahawak sa balikat ko.

Magtatanong pa sana ako kung bakit pero pinigilan na ako ni Mom nang ilang pulgada na lang ang layo namin sa kanila. Anong tungkol at meron sa kanila na dapat akong mag-ingat?

"Caspian and Maureen, meet my daughter and the heiress of Sinclair, Aislinn. Aislinn this is your Uncle Caspian and his girlfriend, Maureen Levinsky." Agad na sabi ni Mom nang makarating kami sa puwesto nila. Nakita ko naman ang bahagyang pagtawa ni Tito Caspian at ang mala-dyosang ngiti ni Tita Maureen.

"Aislinn, I'm utterly delighted to finally meet you," ani Tito Caspian sa masayang tono.

"Aislinn! What a lovely name you have. How are you?" si Tita Maureen naman na sinubukang makipagkamay sa akin na agad ko namang tinanggap.

They seem nice. Nagtataka lang ako kung bakit kailangan iyong sabihin ni Mom sa akin, knowing that they are part of the family. I'm curious.

"Enjoy the night, Caspian and Maureen," saad ni Mom na tila namamaalam na. Ayaw na yatang manatili para makipag-usap man lang kagaya ng ginagawa niya kanina pa. Mabuti na rin iyon para matapos na. I really am tired and I just want to sit.

My Mom already gave me an idea about Dad's family so I am quite familiar with their faces, but not with their names. Ngayon ko palang din sila nakita at nakausap sa personal. And I must say, they really are handsome. Dad's correct! For a billionaire family, their race is as good as their money. Ha! I thought Dad was just joking around.

Nang makarating sa ibang table ay pansin ko ang sobrang galak ni Mom. Nagulat ako nang siya mismo ang yumakap sa isa pa sa mga kapatid ni Dad, I think. She seems familiar and they seem very close which is new to me. I mean, is this really my Mom? I suddenly feel so jealous.

"Oh, before I forgot. This is Aislinn, my daughter. And Aislinn, meet your Aunt Calli and his husband, Dash," Mom introduced us to each other with a rare smile that I've never received from her. I can say that they have a deep relationship, that's why.

"Hello po. Nice to meet you po," I said with a glint of sadness but I am trying my best to give them a good first impression.

"Hello, Aislinn. Your mother always talked about you. You are indeed a kind and beautiful girl," mahinhin na pagkakasabi ni Tita Calli. Nagbigay iyon ng kidlat sa puso ko at kislap sa mga mata ko.

Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang mapatingin kay Mom na ngayon ay may ilang na ngiti na. Really, Mom? Did you say that to her? Palagi mo ba talaga akong kinukuwento sa kanya? Pati ba sa ibang tao? Oh, I want to cry right now... but no.

Ibinalik ko na lang ulit ang tingin ko kay Tita Calli at sa asawa niya na kay guwapo rin. But this time, with a wider happy smile on my lips.

"Hindi ka pa rin talaga nagbabago, Calli. But, I will leave the both of you here for now. Gonna see you again later with your children."

Akala ko tapos na pero may nakasalubong na naman si Mom na kasosyo niya sa negosyo. Magiging mahaba-haba na naman ang pag-uusapan nila panigurado. Oh, why should I be the one tailing Mom? Where's Dad? I want him here.

I was about to yawn when someone covered my mouth. Natuloy pa rin pero nabitin ako dahil bigla akong nahiya sa kanya. I looked at that someone and saw a boy wearing a wide smile with his neat formal attire.

"I'm sorry about that," I apologized shyly as he take away his hand from my mouth.

"Would you please come with me?" He offered his hand slowly as if asking me for a dance. Oh my, is he flirting with me already?

"Let's go outside and get some fresh air to breath. I know you would love to do that," pagkaklaro niya dahil nahalata niya yata sa reaksiyon ko ang unang naging impresyon ko sa kanya.

He smiled at me again so I returned him a smile too, undoubtedly. Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya. Agad ko namang ikinagulat ang biglaan naming pagtakbo palabas lalo na't nasa malapit na pinto lang kami.

Pagkarating namin sa maliit na pool garden ay nagkatitigan kami bago nagtawanan habang habol ang hininga namin. That was fast. Nakaagaw kami ng atensyon sa ilang mga tao pero dire-diretso lang ang naging takbo namin. Ikinasiya ko naman ang nangyari dahil sa wakas, nakalayo na ako sa kanila.

I've been wanting to do this but I just can't because of my Mom. Plus, I'm not good at socializing with Mom's coworkers and copartners. Hindi rin ganoon kakapal ang mukha ko para maging malapit na agad sa mga kapamilya namin na ngayon ko palang nakikilala. Luckily, he's here. But...

"Wait, what's your name?"

Umayos siya ng tindig bago inilahad ulit ang kamay para pormal na makipagkamay sa akin. "Coenraad Martinez. Pleasure to meet a beautiful maiden."

My smile grew wider as I accept his gesture of friendliness. "Aislinn Sinclair. Pleasure to meet a gorgeous boy."