CHAPTER 05

“Stimmt das?” {Is that true?}

Nilingon ako ni Elisha matapos mapanood ang balita sa Smart TV. Parang hindi pa rin makapaniwala tong dalawang kaibigan ko.

"Yes. It won't be on the news if not," sagot ko naman.

Well, it was announced that my brother and Giselle Jimenez are already engage since last year and their wedding will be in the next three months. Giselle made the announcement on her I*******m with a picture of her hand with a diamond engagement ring as if Bryce was holding it.

Since then, my grandfather has been planning the much-anticipated wedding, and Giselle is the perfect match to be my brother's wife. I know Giselle outside of her celebrity life since we occasionally come across each other, particularly at social gatherings to which her family is also invited. She will undoubtedly take good care of my brother. I can tell she's madly in love with Bryce.

“The Jimenez went to the mansion for a private family dinner about a year ago. I was there when they break that news to everyone. Pero nagulat ako to know that their wedding will be three months from now.” kuwento ko sa kanila.

Hindi ko lang nasabi sa kanila dahil na rin sa pakiusap ni Lolo dahil sabi niya ay siya na raw ang bahalang magpaalam sa ibang tao na malalapit rin sa amin.

"Geordane, do you know about this?" baling ni Elisha sa kaharap namin.

Napailing naman siya saka sinulyapan ako. "I think I was out of the country when the engagement happened."

Naalala ko na wala nga siya noong family dinner kasama ang mga Jimenez dahil nasa Norway siya para sa isang Conference ng mga kilalang female icon in the medical field. Nabanggit kasi ito ni Kuya sa akin ng tanungin ko siya kung bakit  absent si Geordane noong time na binisita ko siya dito ospital para magdala ng pasalubong dahil kakauwi ko lang din noon galing Morocco.

“Hindi ko din naipaalam sa inyo dahil nawala rin sa isip ko. Besides, it will be in the news sooner or later.” Muli akong napatingin sa TV. “And it happened,” I added.

“Wala na! May nanalo na!” Elisha exclaimed.

"Well, Giselle is a good woman, and Bryce is at the right age already to get married," I said while scanning my phone.

Ang bilis kumalat ng balita dahil kahit sa social media ay maingay na rin. Mabilis din akong pinutakte ng mga followers ko sa I*******m and Twitter asking my opinion about it.

"But wait─ it's for business purposes only, right? Bryce is single for a long time, and Giselle is linked to her on-screen partner. Hmmm…" Saglit na nag-isip si Elisha bago napapitik. "It's with Harvey Arcilla."

Sumang-ayon ako. "Well, show business is full of drama and lies. Who knows who?"

"P-Pero mukhang mabilis naman yata. Hindi naman mahal ng Kuya mo 'yang si Giselle."

Taas ang kilay kong hinarap si Geordane nang sabihin niya iyon. Blangko lang ang mukha niya at tila hindi siya masaya sa balitang narinig.

Although she has a point. Bryce has been vocal for telling me that he doesn't love Giselle and he will never be able to reciprocate whatever feelings his fiancée has for him, but even so, he doesn't complain to Lolo, he doesn't object either. Until now I haven't heard anything from Kuya. So, I thought that maybe he has already accepted or maybe he already has feelings for the woman who is destined to marry him.

"Bakit parang tutol ka sa kasalan, Dane?" singit ni Elisha na may mapang-asar na ngiti.

Hindi naman agad nakapagsalita si Geordane kaya mas lalo siyang tinadtad ni Elisha. Umaariba na naman ang kadaldalan at mapang-asar na ugali niya.

"Hindi ako tutol. Hindi ko lang ini-expect—"

"Hindi mo expected na iba na ang mahal niya? Hindi mo expected na tuluyan na siyang ikakasal sa ibang babae? Why? Affected k aba?”

"Ewan ko sa 'yo, E! Kahit paano boss ko siya. Kaya ko lang nasabi iyon dahil 'yon ang opinyon ko. Walang malisya ro'n."

Napailing na lang ako. Baka mag-away pa itong dalawa kung hindi ko pa aawatin. Elisha really loved teasing Geordane. Naiintriga pa rin kasi ito kung bakit nga hindi na magkaibigan si Kuya at Geordane.

"Stop it, you two! Baka mamaya magka-pikunan na naman kayo!"

“Uy! Hindi naman ako pikon. Baka itong si G, laging tahimik kapag inaasar kay Bryce. Napaka-seryoso sa buhay kaya single eh! Balak maging matandang dalaga na lang!”

I merely shook my head as Elisha continued to tease Geordane. Until now, there has been no news that it is related to G's romantic life. If someone wants to court her, she will quickly reject it while others were intimidated by her credentials and accomplishments.

Hindi na rin pinatulan ni Geordane si Elisha sakto rin na pumasok si Jaztyn para ipaalam sa kanya na may bago siyang pasyente na kailangang operahan.

Before we bid goodbye, we decided to go out and have a dinner date on Saturday evening around BGC. It was only today that we had extra time so we were able to plan something like this so that we could also relax for a while from our work.

Hindi na sumabay si Elisha sa akin dahil bigla siyang tinawagan ni Joseff na mayroon siyang biglaang meeting para sa upcoming launch ng kanyang bagong make-up line.

As I arrived, my secretary approached me immediately with her lively image. "Good day, Miss Blythe!"

"Same to you Kelly, how's everything here?"

Pinagsawa ko ang aking mga mata sa pagtingin sa paligid. Bawat taong madaanan ko ay ngumingiti at bumabati sa akin dahilan para mapangiti ako dahil magaganda ang ugali at pakikitungo ng mga empleyado ko dito.

Solstice Design Institute is an Interior Design Company known worldwide. The building is in white and wood theme. Most of its walls are made of high-class fiberglass.

The whole ten-story building was personally designed by me, of course. It also has a rooftop which can convert into a function hall for a purpose. There are two floors intended for my employees who are away from their family and no place to stay with free food and lodging. The building design is a mix of modern geometrical and futuristic Greek design. Doors have technologically functioned. My employees are neat and in proper working attire.   

I saw the ground floor was so busy. The receptionists politely attend to the client's inquiries while some pass by with work stuff in their arms and greeted me.

"Okay, naman po, Miss Blythe. By the way, ibinigay sa akin ni Yohan ang project proposal nila for the Expo in Australia for the next month."

"Good to hear that. I’ll check it later,”

We went to the elevator. Good thing, hindi ako nakakaramdam ng pagkahilo. Kelly pushed the last floor button where my office is located.

"Ma'am Blythe, tumawag pala si Don Demetriou kanina at pinapasabi na tumawag ka sa kanya kapag nakarating ka na rito."

Napatigil naman ako ng marinig ko iyon. Tumango lang si Kelly nang makitang hindi man lang ako nag- react dahil sa gulat.

Matagal na panahon na rin akong hindi nakakabisita sa mansyon. After I graduated in college umuwi kami rito sa Pilipinas at agad akong bumukod. I bought a condo unit in Proscenium, where I am currently residing for almost five years already.

Tuwing may espesyal na okasyon lang ako umuuwi sa Villa Solandis, especially during Lolo's birthday and my parent's death anniversary. Medyo may kalayuan din naman kasi at hindi rin kami nagkikita-kitang tatlo doon dahil sa iba’t-ibang schedule na mayroon kami sa mga trabaho namin.

"Sige, ako na ang bahala..." I said.

I took the phone from my hand bag and typed a message for Bryce. After I sent it, I reached the floor of my office. I instruct Kelly to bring me food at my office.

I gathered my senses as I sat down and calmed myself before opening my MacBook and calling Grandpa using Skype.

"Oh! kaló apógevma engoní mou, Mou leípeis Blythe my dear!" {Oh, Good afternoon, my granddaughter, I miss you, Blythe, my dear!}

My Abuelo greeted me in his good mood. I can see that he is enjoying the beach. Oh, he's in Greece.

"Mou leípeis pára polý Lolo," {I miss you too, Lolo,} I managed to smile in front of the camera.

I still can't believe he is now turning eighty five. My grandfather really knows how to take good care of his health. At his age, he can still play golf and do some running. Seeing him enjoy in Agape Coast for some unexpected summer escapade is happiness for me.

"How are you, hija? Your secretary told me that you were sick yesterday kaya hindi ka nakapasok." puno ng pag-aalala na sambit niya.

"I'm okay now, Lo, don't worry. Pagod lang dala na rin ng trabaho." I almost startle knowing that I am lying to him.

“Eísai sígouros?” {Are you sure?}

"Of course! No need to worry now," I smiled a bit.

"Why don't you try to go for a vacation? Magbakasyon ka rin muna pansamantala, apo."

Well, that's a good idea, if ever. Saka baka nga magbakasyon rin ako, pero hindi para mag-relax kung hindi dahil sa pagbubuntis ko.

“Tha to skeftó Lo, allá efcharistó gia tin prótasí sou.” {I'll think about it Lo, but thanks for your suggestion.}

Lolo was about to say something when a waiter came in. He brings some of the best Greek cuisine, my grandfather’s favorite; Choriatiki Salad, Briam, and Bougatsa. He also requested the Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese 1959 since he can’t live without his favorite white wine in every meal of the day.

Parang bigla ay na-miss ko ang Greece. The white-sand beaches, our château at the edge cliff, and the Agape Coast where most of my childhood was there.

"So, bakit n'yo nga pala ako gustong makausap, may problema ba sa kompanya?" I asked. Iyon din naman kasi ang gusto kong malaman.

I heard him groaned.

"It was no longer my company, Blythe. I passed it to your father, and as he died, the company was automatically under Bryce and you. I am too old for this, hija."

"And you knew my answer to that, Lolo."

Ayoko saluhin ang Montreal Empire. Una pa lang alam ko na hindi iyon para sa akin. Ang humawak ng ganoong kalaking kompanya ay hindi ko kaya. Lalo na ngayon na nag-expand sila across the US.

“Ayaw mo bang mag-enjoy naman ang Lolo mo? Look? This is what I want, my glass of white wine, the beach and the goal to travel the whole world as long as I am still alive. Paperworks is getting my wrinkles back! Going to derma for skin repair is much expensive.” He joked.

I chuckled. “Lo, no one is stopping you for doing that but please do understand that I have SDI with me and I want to focus with my own company.”

Kontento na ako sa SDI. Malaki na rin ang kompanya ko at nagbabalak na rin ako mag expand through nearby Asian Country by next year. Kaya nga ako tutok sa trabaho dahil gusto kong mas maging matagumpay ang SDI sa larangan ng Interior Design.

Hindi na nagsalita si Lolo pero alam ko na disappointed siya sa sinabi ko, but he can't force me.

"Anyways, tumawag ako sa mansyon at nalaman ko na wala roon si Bryce simula pa noong mga nakaraan linggo."

"He's in the US. Tinututukan niya ang expansion ng MC doon."

"He could have sent Geordane there instead. Alam na ba niya ang tungkol sa pag- announce ni Giselle ng engagement nila?"

"I don't know. I haven't spoken to Kuya about it yet. Besides, Geordane can't because she has her work here too. Earlier, when Elisha and I visited her, she was very busy owing to a surge of patients due to food poisoning incident in a School nearby."

"He should be focusing on his upcoming wedding! Baka alibi lang niya ang pinapatayo niyang ospital doon para magkita sila ng babae niya!” Bakas ang galit sa mga mata niya nang sabihin niya iyon.

Here we go again. I can't help but hold a hard breath.

How many times have I heard this from Grandpa? He always likes this, accusing my brother of infidelity.

Malakas daw ang kutob niya na may ibang babae si Kuya kaya nga minadali niya ang kasalan ni Bryce at Giselle. Ayaw niyang mapahiya sa mga tao lalo na kung ang magiging babae man lang ni Kuya ay kung saan-saan lang daw nito napulot.

"Stop thinking that Kuya Bryce has another woman. I know Kuya... He won't hurt Giselle's feelings even if he doesn't love her at all," I firmly said.

My brother was simply too busy at work, and his focus on expansion is the reason he is not at the Villa most of the time. If he is truly in love with someone else, or if he has a girlfriend, I am sure he will not keep it from us.

I am aware that Lolo is quite selective and was raised in an arranged marriage, but I also know that if my brother was truly in love with someone else, Lolo would spare him.

"How can you be so sure of that? Hmmm."

"The fact that he didn't object to your wish to let him marry someone for business is a proof enough that he has a word. Besides, all of Bryce's time is spent at work, so please, Grandpa, stop accusing him," I defended. Hindi ko na rin gusto na humaba pa ang issue tungkol dito. It's so pointless.

"My sources are reliable. Soon hija, the truth will prevail." It was calm yet dangerous.

Hindi ko maiwasang kabahan nang sabihin niya iyon. His serious aura is a trouble for anyone. He can easily manipulate everything and dig deepest hole to unveil secrets.

I ended the call with a throbbing heart. Wala sa sariling napapikit ako. Hindi malabong gawin ni Lolo sa akin ang ginagawa niya kay Kuya. The fact that he admits he had my brother investigated, that's a threat.