Chapter 16: Trust is not built using pebbles.

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Allowing my mom to ambush Gerard with personal questions is the most humiliating experience in my life so far. She just doesn’t know when to stop.


“Tell us more about yourself, hijo. Where do you go to school? What course are you taking up?”


“I’m taking up Advertising Management in Sedbergh’s, but I’m also taking additional courses in Communication Arts and Visual and Environment Studies.”


“Are you single?” My mother suddenly blurted out.


“Mom,” I exclaimed.


“What? I’m just asking. You don’t mind, right, Gerard?”


“Wilma, stop it. You’re embarrassing our little princess,” Dad teased.


“You’re in big trouble if he happens to be in a relationship,” Kuya whispered.


“What? Why?” I hissed.


“Who would want their boyfriend to be a consort for another girl?”


Shoot. He has a point. What if he is with someone right now? Gahd, I could just imagine myself being attacked and set upon by some random girl, who will then turn out to be his girlfriend.


“Yes, Tita, I’m single.”




After Gerard left, I joined my family in the kitchen nook for an afternoon tea.


“So, did my escort pass your standards?”


“He’s handsome, that’s one. He’s also courteous and I know for sure that he has been brought-up well.” She paused to take a sip from her tea. “I think he’s eligible,” she added.


“Just eligible? But you were unusually hospitable, it seems that you enjoyed talking to him.”


“Yes, just eligible,” she repeated frostily.


“What about you, Dad? What do you think of Wendy’s escort?”


“I like him. Chi-chi should date him,” Dad joked.


“No one is dating anyone unless I have fully approved.”


“But you just said he’s eligible, honey.”


“Yes, but he’s still under my close watch.”


“A probationary escort? That’s harsh, Mom.”


“Hey, what did I miss?” Wade greeted when he came in. 


“We had the chance to meet your future brother-in-law.”


Wade stared at our older brother looking confused. “What brother-in-law?”


“Apparently, Wendy’s new escort is Maxine Sanciongco’s brother. I guess you’ll be seeing much of her now, thanks to Chi.”


My little brother’s face suddenly turned from pale to crimson red. I actually thought he’s going to hurl or pass out.




Quote
Color Label:
Sydney Flores
Ciara Escudero


“You’re telling us that your mom actually liked your new guy?”


“He is not my guy, Ciara. He’s just―”


“Your escort,” she interrupted. “Yeah, yeah, we know. Enough going off ona tangent and go directly to the details.”


“You finally decided to follow my advice and took a risk. You make me proud, Chi,” Sydney commended.


“What advice? What risk?”


“Oh, it’s nothing. It was just a silly conversation Chi and I had when she was feeling a bit down a few months ago. I told her to ask a complete stranger on a date,” Sydney narrated. “Well, she didn’t exactly ask him out, but whatever. It’s a start,” she said with a shrug.


“Wow, you actually listened. That is a start,” Carrie applauded.


“What do you mean? I know how to listen,” I snapped. “Anyway, Mom didn’t exactly say the word likebut she did say that he’s eligible.”


“Eligible?” Sydney chuckled. “Of course he’s eligible, he’s a bachelor for heaven’s sake!”


“What’s new? Wendy’s mother is not really as gregarious as she appears in papers. Except for their family and a few intimate social circles, her mother is notoriously reticent to people she barely knows.”


“You and your siblings would have a hard time finding a perfect mate to introduce to your mother. I don’t think she’ll ever approve of anyone for you three to marry.”


“How about us? When do we get to meet the legendary Gerard Sanciongco?”


“Too bad Liz won't be able to meet him,” Ciara muttered.


“Please tell me he is tall, hot and handsome like James Lafferty or I’m going to emancipate myself as your friend.”


“Maybe we should just ask her mother, don’t you think?” Carrie teased.




I overheard Mom talking to her secretary over the phone in the study room. “Xandra, I need you to get a background check on Gerard Sanciongco and his family. I want it en mi oficina. Pronto, entiendes?”


“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Mom,” I said when I walked up to her.


She was startled by my sudden presence. “Dios mio, Nathaniel, you frightened me.”


“Lo siento, Mama. I didn’t mean to scare you,” I apologized. “But seriously, a background check? I thought you're done sticking your nose in our affairs, Mom?”


“I am not meddling with anything, Wesley. I am just looking out after her welfare.”


“You’re investigating on her escort, Mom, I think you can consider that as meddling. Don’t you trust her?”


“I trust mi niña. It’s the people around her that can’t be trusted.”


“You don’t have to watch her back. She knows what she’s doing.”


“If she happens to be in a spot of bother in the future, I will have to clean up after the mess she made. It’s never wrong to anticipate things and plan ahead. Mamá sabe lo que te conviene, mi hijo.”


I shook my head in disagreement. “Not all mothers know what’s best for their children, Mom. Wendy would throw a fit when she finds out about this.”


“She wouldn’t, unless you’ll tell her of course.”


“You know I can’t lie to my siblings, Mom.”


“I’m not asking you to lie, Nathaniel. Just keep it un secreto, claro?” She then lightly patted my cheek.“Confía en mí, sé lo que estoy haciendo.”


‘Trust me, I know what I’m doing?’ Hardly ever, Mom, hardly ever, I thought acidly.


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