Reunite
I kept my gaze on manang lidya, she took a teaspoon and tasted my cooked kare kare.
Its eyes widened. Damn! Am I overeating? Pepper? Or the same?
The taste was just right for me when I tasted it earlier. Maybe Manang is like Tyang who used to be just salty for him.
“How are you?”
“The mixture is right! The taste of your cooking daughter!”
A smile tugged on my lips. Thank goodness! I thought my cooking skills had doubled!
I haven’t been able to cook for over a week, it’s a good thing that manang let me in the kitchen unlike the maid in Theron’s mansion.
“Where did you learn to cook? It tastes different compared to my cooking but it’s delicious!”
“In my Aunt, we have a cafeteria. I help with cooking, sometimes washing or clearing the table.”
He set the plate down on the table. I also helped him set the dining table. It’s going to be night too. When Theron and I arrived at this house, manang lidya, the caretaker of Theron’s vacation house, drowned us.
I’ve toured the whole house, it’s as big as their mansion but simpler in fact. This house is close to the sea, I plan to paddle there tomorrow if Theron will allow me later, and then run straight away. You know I can just swim that back, Tyang!
Letse kagaguhan na naman ang mas utak ko!
“Really? That’s why. You’re not just a beautiful daughter, you’re hardworking. That boy was really good at choosing!”
“What?”
“Sir Theron, it’s a good choice! You’re so beautiful, hardworking, kind and you look smart too.”
My cheeks felt warm when she praised myself. Looks like I can handle this Manang!
“H-not at all!”
His forehead furrowed. “Aren’t you smart? What a pity! But Theron is smart so the boy isn’t poor!”
My eyes widened at what he said. It seems like lately I’ve been so excited because I can get along with it. This manang is crazy! I was honored when I was in high school! Then what child ?! Theron only wants my body! He has no plans to start a family with me!
“What a town man! What are you talking about.” If only it knew the real reason why I’m here.
“Why? That’s smart Sir no! But Ma’am Talia is strict, did your parents bless your marriage?”
Blessing of our parents? Letse! Theron kidnapped me! No blessing took place!
I took a deep breath as I remembered my parents. When my Aunt confirmed that he had adopted me, I was kidnapped! I was planning to find my real parents, but Theron and Thander blocked it.
How is that? Can’t I really get to know them anymore?
“What happened to you sister?”
“I just remember my parents. I didn’t grow up with them and I don’t know them. I plan to look for them just in case—”
“Oh my! No parental blessing to come with you? Sir Theron definitely wants you to take you home without his parental blessing!”
“What?”
It could not speak when Tart arrived. “In the office Sir Theron will eat. Go up there, Miss.”
I sighed. Letse naman! I thought it was still down here! It’s a pity we’re fixing the plate!
He was in the office all day. He is probably busy being independent again. Maybe when I go up there he does it again?
“I’ll bring it.” I volunteer. I grabbed the tray and made my way out of the kitchen.
I thought Tart would follow me until I climbed. It’s good and it’s not. I stopped opposite his office. I looked down at the door knob, it wasn’t closed.
I took a deep breath before knocking. It was better to knock first before entering his office. We will still have dinner. I don’t want to remember his manhood while eating, wrong wrong!
“Get in.”
I pushed open the door with my elbow. I carefully set the tray down on the table. Theron didn’t look at me, his eyes remained on the paper he was reading.
I looked around the office. It’s the right size, Kat of the mansion. Not many uses.
“Seat.”
I didn’t realize that Theron was sitting on the sofa. I followed him. Before I take care of what to eat. I watched him taste my cooking first, I didn’t say I cooked it. It’s hard he might not eat.
“You cook good.”
“H-ha?”
“You cook this right? Its taste good.” Aniya saka sumubo.
Wait … How did he know that I was the one cooking? I didn’t say, neither did manang nor Tart climb here.
My eyes narrowed. “How did you know?”
“It doest take like manang’s kare kare.” Ohhh … That’s right. I thought he could read my mind. Letse!
I sighed. How can my parents, will they also like my cooking?
I glanced at him. It’s busy eating, it looks really delicious in my cooking.
I sneezed. His eyebrow shot up. I averted my gaze. Letse!
“What?”
“Uh …What…What ---”
“Is this about your parents?”
“Do you really know them?” I asked. I hope he’s not just fooling me.
“Yes.”
“W-how?”
I gulped when he stared at me. Why is he staring so hard now? I’m just asking! Did I say something wrong?
“Let’s make an agreement, Lineah.”
My forehead furrowed. What does it say? Agreement about what?
“Agreement where?”
“You want to know your reply, parents , right?”
“Y-yes…” I stuttered. Who doesn’t want to meet real parents?
He nodded as if he knew that was what I was going to answer.
“Do you want to meet them?”
My eyes widened at what he said. Letse! Is that true? Oh of course! I just can’t recognize them, see cups!
“Y-yes! Will you introduce them to me? Is this why you kidnapped me ?!” Who would have thought that I would be able to find my parents faster because of them both!
“No but I will tell you who and where they are if you stay in this house as our companion.”
“Companion? You mean sex toy?”
He glared at me. Letse! Why is that true! I’m their sex toy! This man is really cheating on me! There are more companions, more! Many women will like it and are ready to be their companion!
“How many have you fooled Theron?”
“What do you mean?”
“Here in your modus operandi, how many have you fooled?”
“This is not a scheme, Lineah.”
“Not a scheme? I’m not silly Theron, do you think I’ll believe that? You know my real parents?”
“You can say you know them even if you don’t want to get what you want. What lie are you going to tell next? I guess, I’m probably the son of your business competitor so you kidnapped me and played with me! Is that so?”
My forehead creased when he raised from the sofa. He grabbed a folder in his desk drawer.
He dropped it in front of me. It opened spontaneously when Theron fell.
My gaze remained there. Two papers are in front of me. Same birth certificate. I hovered over that look. I immediately took the two birth certificates and stared hard.
My birth certificate is one. While the other is with Lineah. We have the same birthday on August 14, 1996. Also the weight and so on are the same except for the name of the parent.
Tyang was on me while Lineah was on Ignacio and Jenina Salvatore.
My eyes widened as Theron rubbed and wrinkled my birth certificate.
“What did you do ?! That’s my birth certificate!”
“That’s your birth certificate. You’re Lineah Salvatore.”
I looked down at the birth certificate. Is what Theron says true? I can’t believe what’s happening.
“It’s not a fucking scheme. Do you believe me now?”
“H-how… Why are they here? Who are you ?? How did you find out all this?”
“You don’t need to know, Lineah.
“Do you want to meet them?”
“Y-yes but—”
“All you need to do is say yes to my condition and I’ll help you reunite with them.”
