Callea didn't know if she will admire his guts or his stupidity. It was wrong to introduce himself as his fiance. Her cousins would turn him to powder. Torque tightened his grip on Deive's neck. "What do you mean you will marry Callea soon? Are you crazy? Our cousin doesn't even leave the house. She doesn't meet people. And now you are telling me that you will marry her wearing your swimming shorts alone?"
"I know him!" exclaimed Lee while pointing at Deive. "He is a friend of Sidney Manlapuz. He is a notorious playboy. I am sure he seduced Callea and he will hurt her. I object to the wedding. I won't give her away."
She groaned because she didn't know how to help Deive. He has a bad reputation when it comes to women. And her cousins are overprotective of her. After the tragedy she went through, they wanted to make sure that she won't get hurt again. There would be war if anyone would attempt to hurt her.
Callea stomped her foot to get their attention. "We are getting married. Didn't Lolo Tomasino tell you about it?"
It was her grandfather's plan. Her cousins must be aware of it because according to family tradition, Torque will inherit Villa Celesta.
"Lolo didn't tell us anything," said Lee. "And even if our grandfather tells us about this, we won't agree because Deive Hontiveros will only string you along. He will just seduce you then leave him pregnant like what he did to other women."
"Hey! I haven't impregnated a woman yet," Deive denied vehemently. "I may be a lot of things but I am an advocate of safe sex and I am for responsible parenting."
"So, are you telling me that you are practicing safe sex with my cousin…"
"Kuya Torque, you are crossing the line!" I growled at my older cousin.
"Can we talk about this peacefully?" asked Deive and looked at her with sad eyes. "You are upsetting Callea. I won't escape or leave."
"Talk peacefully?" Torque grinned. "I will only do that once I hanged you upside down at the acacia tree while confessing what unspeakable things you have in store for Callea."
"Señorito Torque, Don Tomasino has arrived," declared Mang Lito who looked nervous to intrude to their conversation.
Then Callea noticed the apologetic look that the older man gave her. Torque lived longer at the mansion. He helped in managing the farm. Mang Lito served him longer and her cousin is where his loyalty lies. Perhaps her cousin didn't allow him to inform her that they were coming.
"Grandpa is here?" Callea questioned Lee.
"We are surprised as well," he answered and shrugged his shoulder.
"It would be better if Lolo will explain everything," Torque said in a hard voice then gave Deive a warning look. "And once I find out that you are taking advantage of Callea, you will wish that you had never known our family."
Torque pulled Deive by the arm. Deive didn't fight him off out of respect for her cousin. Good thing her grandfather has finally arrived. He was the only one who could help her and Deive. After all, her cousins were deaf to their explanations. Their case was complicated. Callea had no choice but to get Deive's robe from the lounging chair and follow.
Don Tomasino was talking to Marina when they entered the house. He was a tall yet thin man but with looked dignified even in simple gray pants and brown and white striped cotton shirt. She rushed to her grandfather as she took his hand and touched it to her forehead as a sign of respect to an elder. "My Callea." He offered a smile but was wiped out right away when he saw how they look. "What is going on here?"
Deive bowed his head a bit to her grandfather. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Don Tomasino." And tried to offer his hand and pulled his arm away from Torque. Her cousin had no choice but to let him go.
Her grandfather shook Deive's hand then cleared his throat after he looked at him from head to toe. He was only wearing his swimming shorts while still wet. "My apologies for my appearance. We didn't expect your arrival."
"We caught this man, Lolo. And he is molesting Callea's innocence," Torque accused. He spoke as if she was a minor.
"I told you we are getting married. I won't take advantage of her. I respect her," Deive insisted.
"Tomasino, didn't you tell them about Callea and Deive's wedding?" asked the old man around her grandfather's age. He was sitting at the sofa on the shadier part of the living room that's why she didn't notice him right away.
"Lolo!" called Deive and So it was Jorje Hontiveros himself. This was a solid force.
She gave Deive his robe so he would look presentable. Deive took his grandfather's hand and let his forehead touch the back of it as he asked for his blessing. "You look better now. I can say that Callea takes care of you well. I guess, she is really suitable to be your wife."
"Why would they get married?" asked Torque. "Look at my cousin. She's an innocent one and naive when it comes to a playboy like Deive Hontiveros. Our business ties with the Hontiveros is strong, yes. But this man doesn't deserve Callea. He is infamous for being a womanizer."
"I know him better than you, Kuya," Callea defended and clutched Deive's arm. She saw Deive transform from the chauvinistic and self-centered man to someone who could genuinely care for others. He appreciated her despite her eccentricities. He accepted her as a friend. "And I am old enough to decide on my own. If I want to marry Deive, that's my decision."
"Torque, Lee, we will discuss Callea and Deive's wedding after lunch. I will explain everything. And this is not the right way to greet our guest," her grandfather said in a gentle voice and looked at Don Jorje in apology.
"Good morning, Don Jorje," Callea greeted. "Welcome to Villa Celesta"
"So, you are Callea?" asked Don Jorje.
She slightly nodded and lifted her head. "Yes, Sir."
She bit her lip when he didn't offer a smile and she could feel his penetrating glance. Then she remembered what she looked like. he was wearing a high priestess cult's black robe. Her lipstick was black so was her nail polish. Her hair was on a ponytail but her bangs were still hiding her eyes.
It was not exactly the image that she wanted Jorje Hontiveros to see. His arrival was a surprise so she was not able to prepare an appropriate appearance. It made her feel worse.
Don Jorje's lips pressed together then knocked his cane on the floor. The sound resonated and it made her more nervous.
"Tomasino, I think we should talk."