#NewClassicPFL

Chapter 28
Offer

"Let's all have dinner once we're back to Manila. My treat," Ike said while we were about to board the seaplane.

Maiiwan sina Ike at Jirro sa isla dahil sa shooting ng music video ni Aleena na sa Palawan din gaganapin. Kahit na sa susunod na linggo pa 'yon, hindi na sila babalik sa Maynila at mananatili na lang dito. Dadating na rin naman daw ang production team sa weekend.

Sneaking away while all attention was on Ike, I moved closer to Zendaya and held her arm. She immediately turned to me with a smile.

"Can we sit together on the plane?" I asked her.

She pursed her lips a little and checked on someone behind me. She looked very hesitant to grant my request.

"Please?" I smiled back at her, even though I sounded kind of desperate.

Eventually, due to her kindness, she nodded and smiled at me. "Sure."

Nauna na kami ni Zendaya pumasok sa loob ng seaplane bago pa masira nina Sic at Isaiah ang plano ko. I sat on the right side of the aisle while she took the seat on the left. Kahit na hindi naman talaga kami tabing-tabi ng upuan at mayroong daanan sa gitna, masaya pa rin ako na siya ang makikita ko kapag tumingin ako sa gilid.

Out of anger and frustration, I locked Sic out of our room last night. I wanted to be alone. I knew I couldn't stay with him in one room. Kahit no'ng kumakain din ng umagahan ay hindi kami nagpapansin. Mabuti na lang at naayos ko na ang mga gamit ko kaya sa living room na ako naghintay habang nag-aayos siya sa kuwarto.

At first, I thought I was willing to settle on anything just to have him close to me. Muntik na rin akong bumigay at kausapin siya, but I reminded myself of my worth. I didn't want to settle for less. I didn't like being kept in the dark when I was meant to take the spotlight. And so, I wanted him to make up his mind and stop pushing and pulling.

If he really likes me, why can't he man up and act like he means it? Why can't he tell his reasons and make me understand?

"What the..." Isaiah trailed off when he saw his fiancée sitting beside me instead of him. He turned his head to Zendaya and his eyes were asking a question.

"I'll sit beside Lavi," Zendaya told him. "You can take the seat behind me."

"Oh. Okay..." Nag-aalangan si Isaiah na maglakad papasok lalo sa loob.

Sakto namang pumasok na rin si Sic. Bago pa magtama ang mga mata naming dalawa ay mabilis akong tumingin sa labas ng bintana. It past almost a minute before he proceeded inside and I felt him sitting behind me.

"What happened to you two?" Isaiah tried to ask Sic in a whisper, but since it was quiet inside, I was able to hear him like he was talking to me.

Hindi ko narinig ang sagot ni Sic o baka hindi lang talaga siya sumagot. Nahagip ko ng tingin si Zendaya. She flashed an apologetic smile at me and mouthed 'sorry', probably because of Isaiah.

Unlike when we were on the way to the island, I wasn't in the mood to admire the view above. It didn't excite me anymore. My elbow was resting on the armchair while I put my chin at the back of my hand. I was spacing out. Kaya naman parang mas bumagal ang biyahe pauwi kaysa no'ng papunta.

"We'll go first," Isaiah announced once we landed.

Zendaya also came closer to give me a hug. "Let's hang out again with Cloé and Aleena next time."

I nodded at her. "Sure. Just give me a call."

She also nodded back before leaving with Isaiah. They were walking hand-in-hand while also pulling their luggage.

I exhaled a deep breath as I watched them go. My attention was fixed on them until I felt Sic move beside me. I lowered my eyes and grabbed my phone to check if Ritchelle already sent me a message.

From: Ritchelle
Nandito na kami ng driver mo. We're using your sedan by the way.

"We should also go now. My car's waiting outside," Sic told me, sounding a bit hesitant. "I'll drive you home."

To: Ritchelle
I'm on my way out.

After sending a reply to Ritchelle's message, I looked up to Sic. He was wearing that hopeful look on his face, while I made sure not to show any emotion.

"No need," I said. "I asked Ritchelle to pick me up. Mauna na ako."

Without another word, I turned my back on him and quickly walked off. Hindi ko na siya muling nilingon. Tuloy-tuloy lamang ang paglalakad ko hanggang sa nakita ko ang aking sasakyan na naghihintay sa driveway.

Agad na lumabas ang aking driver upang tulungan ako sa aking luggage. I let him put it on the trunk while I went inside the backseat. Ritchelle was busy working on her tablet.

"What are you doing?" I asked her while I settled myself on the seat.

"Sabi mo babalik ka na sa trabaho. Inaayos ko ulit iyong schedule mo," sabi niya at nakita kong may mga inilalagay nga siya sa calendar at planner. "Bababa rin ako sa headquarters ng Basics. I'll coordinate with them regarding their meetings with you and other endorsement shoots."

Napanguso naman ako. I was planning to spend the rest of the day with her. Gusto kong maglabas ng sama ng loob sa kanya. But then, she already had too much on her plate because of me. I can handle this on my own. No problem.

Gaya ng gustong mangyari ni Ritchelle ay ibinaba muna namin siya sa Basics bago nagpatuloy sa bahay. Because I wasn't able to sleep properly last night, I wanted to catch some sleep for the rest of the day. Magsisimula na ulit ang busy schedule ko kaya gusto kong sulitin ang pahinga. However, the moment I entered the house and saw Neil sitting in the living room, I stopped on my tracks and stared at him dumbfoundedly.

"Neil... " I uttered his name.

His lips parted when he saw me. Agad siyang tumayo at ngumiti rin agad sa akin. "It's been a while, Lavi," he said, then looked at the househelp who took my luggage upstairs. "You just came from a trip?"

Napakunot ang aking noo. "What are you doing here?" tanong ko.

He didn't tell me anything about coming here. Paano kung hindi pa kami umuwi ngayon galing Palawan?

"I invited him for lunch."

My head snapped to the staircase where my father was descending. I didn't know why but just seeing him was giving me cold sweats. I could almost see the picture of those happy days being torn into pieces and burned until it turned to ashes.

"Dad..." I was speechless that I couldn't say anything else.

Akala ko ay matatagalan pa ang uwi niya? Bakit nandito na siya ngayon? He even invited Neil at home!

Mas lalong nanlamig ang aking pakiramdam nang naalalang alam ni Neil ang tungkol sa pagkakasunduan naming dalawa ni Sic. Although we weren't on good terms, I still didn't want us to be found by my father who could use it against us.

"It's a good thing you're already home. You should join us for lunch," he told me, then turned to Neil with a smile to show his admiration. "Let's go to the dining room, Neil."

"Sure, Tito." Neil nodded and briefly smiled back.

Kahit na pagod ako at gusto ko na lang agad na magpahinga, hindi ako tumanggi sa imbitasyon ni daddy. I followed them to the dining room and sat on the table across Neil, while my father was at the head. Tuwing iniimbitahan siya ni daddy na kumain sa bahay ay ganoon na lagi ang ayos namin.

Just like the usual, Neil took care of my plate. It was something he always did whenever we were eating together, but since a lot of things had changed, I was caught off guard. Hindi ko siya agad napigilan.

It didn't make me feel good. Thinking about Sic, it felt like I was doing something wrong. I was feeling slightly guilty about it, especially when I saw the smile on my father's face while watching Neil naturally take care of me.

Kaya naman nang ipagsasandok na ako ni Neil ng kanin ay mabilis kong hinawakan ang kanyang palapulsuhan upang pigilan siya. "I'll do it," sabi ko sa kanya. "Thanks."

"No problem," he simply said.

Mabilis ko siyang binitiwan saka kumuha ng kanin. I wasn't really hungry, so I only got half a scoop. Habang abala rin si Neil sa pagkuha ng kanyang pagkain ay nag-angat ako ng tingin kay daddy.

"You're home early, dad..." I hesitantly said. "I thought it would take you longer."

"Well, I finished everything that needs to be done earlier than expected," he answered right away while slicing a piece of his steak.

"When did you get home?" I asked.

"Last night."

I pressed my lips tight. He got home last night, but he didn't even send me a message. Not that I was looking forward to it. However, I never knew how much he admired Neil until that moment. Wala pang isang araw mula nang nakauwi siya, pero inimbita niya na agad si Neil at hindi niya man lang sinabi sa akin.

"Right, Neil..." My father wiped his mouth with the table napkin. "I heard that you're already getting married."

Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Neil. There was a small smile on his lips as he acknowledged that with a nod.

"Yes, Tito," he said. "I'm getting married next year. My fianceé is already preparing the engagement party. I'll send the invites to you and Lavi soon."

Tumango-tango si daddy ngunit kita sa kanyang mukha ang pagkadismaya. He even sighed heavily to express his disappointment more. Doon pa lang ay alam kong hindi na maganda ang patutunguan ng usapan namin.

"If I only knew that you were up to arranged marriage, then I could have taken the first step," Dad voiced out his thoughts.

I clenched my fist tight on top of the table, knowing that he was already leading our conversation to what he really wanted to talk about. I knew him so well. He didn't invite Neil for lunch just because he liked it. He had a hidden agenda; a plan under his sleeve.

Neil frowned at that. "What do you mean, Tito?"

"Well, I hope you won't find this against me." My father sat up straight and turned his body to Neil. "You know, I really like you for my daughter."

"Dad," I warned him.

Neil's lips parted and gave me a quick glance before fixing his eyes on my father.

"Since you two met and got closer, I always thought you would end up together. I thought I didn't have to step in and let nature take care of everything as I could see that my daughter really likes you. Kaya naman nagulat ako nang ibinalita sa akin na ikakasal ka sa nag-iisang babaeng anak ng mga Cardenas," pagpapatuloy ni daddy at mukhang walang balak tumigil hanggang sa masabi niya ang lahat ng mga gusto niyang sabihin. "Your father told me it's all for business though. He said you had a partnership with Cardenas Holdings."

"We did, Tito," Neil said. "And yes, it's for business."

"Great then!" My father suddenly clapped and smiled widely. "I'm willing to pay for all the losses that your company might suffer if you cancel your engagement with the Cardenas girl. We can build a much stronger partnership," he stated his offers to Neil and his company. "Well, of course, that's only if you're also willing to marry my Lavinia."

"Dad, stop it already!"

I already lost my patience. I couldn't believe he would suggest that to Neil. I was embarrassed and angry that he wasn't only just trying to control my future. Pati buhay ng iba ay gusto niya na ring pakialaman. He was already stooping so low for the sake of trying to manipulate things and make sure that he would eventually get what he wanted.

"I told you I'm already in a relationship!" I reminded him.

Matalim ang tingin na itinapon sa akin ni daddy, ngunit kahit na ganoon ay mukha pa rin siyang kalmada. "You call that a relationship? It's not even something you should be serious about," sabi niya, tila nang-iinis. "I don't acknowledge your relationship with that drummer. At ilang beses ko na ring sinabi sa 'yo na makipaghiwalay do'n? Hindi ka nakikinig."

"Dad—"

"I already said what I wanted to say," he remained firm with his decision. "I will never allow you to be with someone like him. You are my daughter and I know what's the best for you."

"You know what's best for me?" I asked, feeling even more frustrated. "You don't even listen to me! You don't even know what I want!"

Kaysa sagutin ako ay hindi na niya ako pinansin. Muli niyang nilingon si Neil at sumilay ang maliit na ngiti sa kanyang labi.

"So, what do you say, Neil?" he asked him, disregarding my feelings. "If you'll accept my offer, I'll call for a meeting right away and prepare the documents which need to be processed."

"Dad, will you ever listen to—"

"I have to say that your offer is very promising, Tito," Neil spoke, which cut me off. He was sitting straight and looking at my father without faltering. "But I already gave my word to Charlemaigne and to the Cardenas. Our upcoming wedding is also announced to the public. And besides, I only see Lavi as my sister," he explained himself. "For that, I have to turn down your offer."

My father was speechless after hearing Neil's answer. The smile was completely wiped off from his face. I guessed he didn't expect that he would turn him down.

"Lavi."

I averted my gaze back to Neil. He was already standing up.

"I want to talk to you alone."

For a few seconds, I just stared at him as I was really hesitant if I should accept his invitation. But then, I also wanted to leave the dining room because of my father. Kaya kahit na nagdadalawang-isip ay sumama ako sa kanya paalis ng lamesa. Nagulat nga lang ako nang dinala niya ako paakyat sa aking kuwarto nang hindi man lang nagsasalita.

"I thought you wanted to talk to me?" I asked him, when we were already nearing my room.

"I just made that up," he simply said, looking ahead. "I know you don't want to stay there any longer."

Napaawang ang aking mga labi. So he just asked to speak with me in order to take me away from my father...

"Here..." he whispered when he stopped in front of my room. "You should go inside and rest now. You must be tired from your trip. I'll go now."

Ngumiti si Neil at saka tumalikod. Akma siyang maglalakad paalis nang hawakan ko ang kanyang braso upang pigilan. When he stopped and turned to me again, I immediately let go of him.

"Thank you, Neil," I sincerely told him and smiled.

I wanted to thank him for keeping my secret and helping me during lunch. I was glad to know that I could still count on him. It really meant a lot to me.

Once again, the corners of his lips rose. "Don't mention it," he said. "Do you need anything else?"

Ngumuso ako bahagya. Nang naisip ko ang fianceé niya ay lumiwanag ang mukha ko. "I hope I can meet Charlemaigne soon."

Neil chuckled and his smile got wider. "Just tell me when you're free. I'll book a dinner for us three."

"I'll check my schedule and text you."