Hi, I wanted your opinion about the previous chapters. Are the scenes going too fast? Huhuhu! I was just so desperate to end this story before I lose any interest to write this.
Third Person's P.O.V
Nakalabas na ng hospital ang kaniyang ina malipas ang ilan pang mga araw simula nang nagising siya. Napag-usapan na din ng kaniyang ina at asawa nito kung kailan ang kanilang kasal; his husband wanted it to be held as soon as possible. She didn't ask any more question on why they seemed to rush their marriage. Tonight, his mothers husband decided to have a family dinner and that only means that she is going to meet his soon stepbrothers. She wonders if his stepbrothers is nice as their father.
Napalingon siya sa pintuan ng kaniyang kwarto, pumasok ang kaniyang ina kasama ang isang lalaki na mas malambot pa sa kaniyang maglakad. May kasama din itong dalawang babae bitbit ang iba't-ibang klase ng damit. She sighs. She knows where this is coming.
"Zee, this is Frederick, your make-up and hairstylist for tonight." Her mother smiled at her. Lumapit sa kaniya si Frederick na sinenyasan ang kaniyang dalawang kasamahan na ilapag ang kanilang mga bitbit.
"I'll see you later, Zee."
"Please take care of my daughter." Ngumiti ang kaniyang ina kay Frederick bago ito lumabas. She looked at frederick who was looking at her from head to toe. She slightly felt nervous.
"Girls!" Muntik na itong magulat nang biglaan siyang pumalakpak pagkatapos ng isang awkward na katahimikan. Parang alam naman kaagad nong dalawang babae ang gagawin at kaagad may hinalungkat sa isang bag. Her eyes widen when she saw the product they were holding!
"Is that a wax?!" She was about to escape when the two girl hold her tightly. She closed her eyes tightly when the wax was being pulled out from her legs. She could feel her tears streaming down her face. All she could do was pray to end this suffering.
Ilang oras ang kanilang iginulgol sa pag-aayos sa kaniya. Aantukin na sana siya pero maingay at dinadaldal siya ng bakla. She used her skills to enhance her natural beauty, making her look vibrant and fresh. She was also the one who picked a dress suitable for her, nagpapasalamat nalang siya dahil wala talaga siyang alam sa mga ganitong bagay.
She glance at her self on the mirror, not gonna lie, it was amazing. The final result was breathtaking. Muntik niya nang hindi makilala ang sarili.
Napalingon siya sa gumawa nito lahat sa kaniya na proud sa kaniyang sarili. Pumalakpak ito habang may malaking ngisi sa kaniyang labi.
"Gorgeous!"
Nagpa-alam na sila nang pumasok muli ang kaniyang ina sa silid suot ang isang napaka-elegante na black mid-sleeve dress.
"Oh my!" Her mom excitedly jogged towards her and turning her around, examining her daughter properly.
"Ang ganda mo!" Her mom said, she just sighs in respons.
"Simpleng family dinner lang naman 'yon, ma. Bakit kailangan pang bonggahan?" Ani nito.
Her mother sighs. "This dinner is important, Zelene. Ito ang unang beses na makompleto tayo kasama ang mga anak ni Henry kaya please, give this night a chance." Wala na siyang nagawa kung hindi ang tumango sa sabi ng ina.
Wala naman siyang magagawa pagdating sa kaniyang ina. Ayaw niya itong malungkot o magtampo sa kaniya. Kung iyon ang ikasasaya ng ina, susundin niya.
"Let's go?" Muling ngumiti ang ina at hinila na siya palabas ng silid.
Habang papalapit muli sila sa engrandeng restaurant kung saan una niyang nakilala si Mr. Walton ay hindi niya maiwasang hindi mapakali. She took a deep breath and tried to stay calm as possible. She could feel her heart racing as they stepped into the room, but she tried not to show it. The family dinner was an important event where she would have to make a good first impression.
Habang papalapit sila sa kung saan may anim na lalaki ang naka-upo sa isang mahabang table. They were talking about something but it got paused when they turn their heads on the two woman's direction. Muntik pang hindi makahinga si Zelene nang halos sa kanila ay napadapo kaagad ang tingin sa kaniya. She doesn't even know if they are judging her already.
"They're here." The head of the family stands up from his seat and walk towards his wife who's smiling widely. The man kissed her on the cheeks which made her giggle. Gusto na lamang magpalamon ni Zelene sa lupa na pilit iniiwas ang paningin mula sa mag-asawang naglalandian ngayon sa harapan nila.
She purse her lips, impatient now. Napahinga siya ng maluwag ng matapos na sila sa kanilang ginagawa. The man walked up to her and hugged her. She was slightly taken aback by his gesture.
After pulling away from the hug, her mother's husband turned around looking at the five man who was wearing their serious lookin' faces. She stands beside her mother, holding her left hand. The nervousness she was feeling earlier increased.
"Boys, I want you to meet, your stepsister, Zelene." May ngiti sa labi nitong sabi. The boys was still wearing their serious and dangerous faces until the right guy from the right who was near from Mr. Walton smiled and pulled out his hand towards her, offering a shake hand.
"Hi, Zelene. I'm Emerson Walton." He smiled at her flashing his deep dimple. Siya ang may magaan na awra sa kanilang lima. He was the kind of guy who is actually approachable if he wasn't wearing his scary face.
Ngumiti siya dito saka tinanggap ang kamay nito. She could feel the others piercing stares at her but she managed to ignore that. After the boys introduced themselves one by one, they were guided on a table. She sat beside her mother who was on her left. Napatingin siya kay Randolph Walton na umupo sa kabilang gilid niya, he smiled at her when he found her staring at him. He was the second son. She frowned when he glanced at him for the last time, he was oddly familiar. She couldn't remember where she meet him or did they actually meet.
Muntik manlaki ang kaniyang mga mata nang may mapagtanto. He was one of the guy doon sa cafeteria! Napatingin din siya kay Ged at Dwayne, hindi niya alam kung naalala siya ng mga ito. What a coincidence.
"Please bring the food." Say by Mr. Walton.
Her attention was now on the staffs. They put different kinds of dishes on the table, ang iba sa kanila ay hindi niya na alam kung anong klaseng pagkain ang mga iyon. Her mouth started to water when she looked at the shrimp being put on the table. Mas lalo siya natuwa dahil nasa tapat niya iyon nilagay.
"I requested that because I know you love shrimps." Her mother whispered to her which made her slightly giggled.
"Thank you, ma."
"Have you planned when was the exact date of your marriage, dad?" Asked by Henry Jr. He was the eldest.
Zelene get the table napkin from the plate and put it on her lap, totally not caring about their conversation. She just wanted the food. She took a spoon of shrimp and put it on her plate. It feels like ages since the last time she ate this food.
"This Saturday." Nabilaukan siya bigla sa sinabi ni Mr. Walton. What?! Alam niya naman na parang minamadali nila ang kanilang kasal but not this early! Their marriage is in two days?
Her mother offered her a water which she immediately drank. Pumasok pa ata sa ilong niya ang kaniyang kinain.
"Are you okay, Zelene?" Her mother's husband asked her worriedly. She could feel everyone's eyes right now. She couldn't explain on why she felt uncomfortable under their stares especially the brothers. She took a sip of her water again, embarrassed of how careless she is right now. Kumain na nga lang siya, tatanga pa. She mentally scolded herself.
She let out a nervous laugh, "Please don't mind me, continue on your conversation,"
She focused on her food the whole dinner. Nagsasalita lang siya kung tinatanong siya na matipid niya namang sinasagot. Sinabihan pa nga siya ni Mr. Walton na tawagin nalang siyang tito kung hindi pa ito komportable na tawagin siyang papa. Tumango nalang ito.
After they ate, the couple excuse themselves first. Mr. Walton's secretary needs to talk to the both of them privately. Zelene and the boys stayed silent, none of them was making any move nor has a plan to break the silence until the 4th son spoke up, Ged Walton.
"Your mom is a whore." He bluntly said causing her to look at him across the table. Hindi ito nakatingin sa kaniya pero alam niyang siya ang tinutukoy nito.
"What?" Hindi siya makapaniwala sa apog ng lalaking ito. Napakasama talaga ng ugali nito.
"Ged, don't even start." The eldest of their sibling trying to stop his brother but he didn't listen as he continued.
"What? Didn't her mom seduced dad to have a relationship with him even though she was still with her dead father?" Ged remarked. Zelene clench her first under the table. Sinamaan niya ito ng tingin pero ang binata ay nakangisi lamang ito na may pang-aasar sa mukha. She badly want to punch the guy but she couldn't do anything but to stay silent. She couldn't risk it lalo na at alam niyang nandyan pa ang mama niya sa labas, ayaw niya magsimula ng gulo.
"That's enough, Ged."
"See? She can't even talk 'cause it is true."
"I said enough!" Napatingin silang lahat kay Henry. His jaw was clenching as he looked at his brother.
"I thought that we already talked about this?"
"Tsk." Ged rolled his eyes.
The silence took over them for a minute until Dwayne Walton broke it, he was talking to Emerson. He was the youngest of their family. They were speaking Italian which she also understood. Naguusap lamang sila about games, nothing special. The others joined them except Ged, Henry and Zelene.
She is so pissed that she couldn't hide her glare towards Ged. Hindi siya napapansin ng lalaki dahil busy ito sa pag-iinom ng alak. She wanted him to strangle that she almost plan his death.