Chapter 22: A poisoned pen is a better revenge.

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It has been three days since that blasted newspaper article has been published. It had caused us all our eye and Peggy Martin; so no matter how Gerard and I refute the accuracy of the rumor, nobody wants to believe us much to our chagrin. My parents said we should just give a cold shoulder to the tittle-tattle as it would eventually die down. And I’m hoping it’d be soon because I can’t take the gossipmongers any longer, much more the embarrassment.


“So how’s the accidental couple doing? Are you both enjoying the gaze of publicity?” Carrie began while we’re having brunch in our lanai.


“Oh, for chrissake,” I sighed, resenting being reminded about it all. “Can you not remind me about that already? It’s becoming overbearingly annoying,” I just hate it when my best friend drives me up a wall.


“PMS-ing much, sweetie?” Carrie teased. I fought the urge not to throw my shoe at her and just rolled my eyes instead. Gerard, who’s sitting on my left, just smiled at me sympathetically and brushed his hand gently on top of mine.


Kuya Wesley glanced at his watched and nudged Wade. “Aren’t you late, kiddo? It’s never a good thing to keep your date waiting.”


“Oh, shoot,” Wade, who obviously lost track of the time, cussed and immediately drank down his juice and towed his bag and guitar with him in a matter of seconds. “See you later,” he yelled before he darted off.


“Bring her home before midnight,” Gerard called out to him jokingly.


“Aren’t they too old for a play date?” Carrie kidded. He’s meeting up with Maxine today to talk about the details for the school fair, which will be, as it happens, on Valentine’s.


“The two of them are both claiming it’s just a meeting, although we all know that Wade is silently wishing for it.” Kuya kidded.


“Oh, before I forget,” Gerard added. “You should come to our house on next week, February 6th. My parents said we can invite our friends.”


“What’s the occasion?”


“Just a little celebration on the eve of Chinese New Year.”


“Kung hei fat choi then,” Carrie shrugged.


“Thanks, though it’s actually Gong xi fa cai in Mandarin since Kung hei fat choi is Cantonese, and we don’t really speak Cantonese that much at home.” Three of us just nodded absentmindedly even though we absolutely have no what he had just said.




“How about this one?” I asked when I went out of the dressing room wearing an old rose-colored cheongsam, which is in fact qi pao in Mandarin according to Gerard.


“You know you don’t have to do this, right?” he smirked, sporting a dark blue changshan himself. We’re both trying on some clothes in a quaint Chinese dress shop in Ongpin for the gathering at their house tomorrow.


“I know, but it’s exciting, isn’t it? Besides, the whole metro already ‘thinks’ we’re a couple, it’d be a great idea to arrive looking like one,” I said with a playful wink. We’re just taking the Gerard-and-Wendy issue lightly, even making jokes out of it, and playing it by ear so it wouldn’t get on our nerves.


“Also, tomorrow would be my first meeting with your parents. And as your girlfriend, I believe dressing to the nines is necessary. Don’t you think so, boyfriend?” I messed about. 


He chortled heartily. “I couldn’t agree more, babe.”


“So,” I went on. “What do you think? Does this dress flaunt my curves?” I joked while I pranced along small walkway of the boutique.


He shook his head, chuckling in hilarity as he walked up to me. He gently took my hand and slowly spun me like we’re waltzing. In spite of the fact that my face is positively turning scarlet right now, I couldn’t help but smile at him as he gazed at me. “You always look good on everything, piao liang,” he breathed.


I think that writer is right about one thing though; Gerard really is a parceled up McDreamy and McSteamy.




Gerard insisted on giving me a ride since my brothers and Carrie will be running late, which didn’t surprise me.


“We’re here,” he said when he pulled up the car in front of a magnificent house, with the most grandiose architectural mixture of Greek, Renaissance, Beaux Arts and Neo-Mediterranean I’ve ever seen in person.


“Oh my God, Gerard,” I mumbled as I tried to catch my breath because of full-blown astonishment. “You have to introduce to the architect of your home.”


I didn’t notice that he’s already on my side of the car opening the car door and holding out his hand for me.“Don’t worry, you’ll meet her,” he smiled as I took his hand and climbed off the car.


I was still staring at the house in amazement while we headed for the house’s main door. I was stirred up from my trance when I caught sight of the guests, the massive number of guests to be precise. 


“I thought this is just a ‘little’ celebration?” I asked him, parodying air quotes using my fore fingers and middle fingers. I didn’t know that Chinoys define little by inviting almost everyone on top of the totem pole.


“Well…,” he trailed away and shrugged his shoulders acting as if he doesn’t have any idea. I just rolled my eyes and sniggered quietly as we set foot in their foyer.


“Wow,” I breathed while I perused their house’s interior, as if my admiration for the external structural design wasn’t enough. “Would your parents mind if I use your home as one of my models for my thesis?” I muttered pensively.


“You can ask my mom personally if you like,” he suggested while he waved at his sister near the foot of the staircase talking to some girls about her age.


She beamed and waved back excitedly the moment she spotted us. “Ate Wendy, I’m so glad you came,” she exclaimed when she ran up to me and hugged me.


“Just as promised,” I sang.


She then surveyed the two of us and snickered. “Please tell me you’re not taking this ‘couple thing-y’ seriously,” she taunted, pointing out the fact that Gerard and I really did wore matching Mandarin-collared outfits both in a shade of crimson just as planned.


Gerard was cladding a two-piece changshan with a short-sleeved shirt, instead of the usual long-sleeved outfit, while I was wearing a one-piece cap-sleeved cheongsam hemmed just a few inches above the knee.


“Anyway,” she continued. “Mom has been badgering me for the past thirty minutes if you’ll be coming or not. She’s so excited to meet you,” she rushed to explain.


“I’m excited to meet her too,” I admitted shyly.


She smiled, but was immediately replaced with a questioning look. “Where’s Wade? And Kuya Wesley and Ate Carrie?” She turned to Gerard and pouted, “You said they’ll be here.”


He grinned a bit sheepishly. “What, missed Wade already?” he teased.


She punched his arm and hissed, “How many times do I have to tell you that Wade and I are just friends?”


Gerard held up his hands in surrender, chortling in amusement. “Okay, okay, if you say so. No need to hit me.”


“They’re going to be late for a couple of minutes, or hours. The usual them,” I chuckled. She snorted and nodded in concurrence. We both know that Kuya Wesley always come in late during their soccer practice.


“So, where are Mom and Dad?” Gerard resumed.


“They’re outside. Come on,” she said and led us to their parents.


“Do I look okay?” I whispered while we trailed behind Maxine heading to the pool.


Gerard linked his hands with mine and smiled. “Nervous?” he kidded.


I don’t really have much experience with the meet-the-parents situation since I’ve only been through it once, with Ralph’s parents. But I’ve known his mom and dad even before we became a couple so I guess that doesn’t qualify much. So yeah, I’m nervous.


“Not really,” I lied.


I saw Maxine stop in front of a group of people talking and sharing a laugh near the majestic fountain while Gerard and I stood a few feet away from them. I was just about to ask Gerard where his parents are when Maxine pecked a lady wearing a ruby-colored evening dress and the man in a business suit beside her on the cheek. They suddenly set their eyes on me when Maxine whispered something to their ears, which caused me to cringe a little.


I was silently praying that they’re not mad because of the freakin’ article, because I swear I’m going to kill that Keesha Dominguez if they are.


“Mom, Dad,” Gerard greeted his parents when they came close to us. “I’d like you to meet Wendy Mañalac. Wendy, meet my parents, Stephen and Joanna Sanciongco.” His mother was smiling sincerely, but his father’s expression remained flat ― not furious, but not glad either ― which certainly worried me.


“It’s so nice to finally meet you, Wendy,” his mother warmly replied as she kissed both of my cheeks. “Feel free to call us Tita Joanne and Tito Stephen.”


“I hope you’re having a good time, hija,” his father nodded affirmatively. I couldn’t contain myself to sigh in relief when he spoke. I was dreading that he would suddenly walk out on me.


“Thank you po, it’s so nice to meet you as well,” I said, my voice catching in my throat.


“Gerard and Maxine have told us so much about you.”


“It’s mostly Kuya, trust me,” Maxine professed. Gerard guiltily glared at his sister as the four of us laughed.


“You have a beautiful home, by the way,” I added. “I was actually telling Gerard a while ago that I would love to meet your architect.”


His dad chortled lightly and glanced at his wife. “Well, you’re looking at her, Wendy,” he humbly owned up.


Mrs. Sanciongco smiled modestly. “Thank you, hija. Gerard did mention that you’re an architecture student. Don’t hesitate to ask if you need any help. I’d be glad to introduce you to my colleagues in the firm.”


“Really?” I was beaming from ear to ear. “Thank you, Tita, thank you,” I replied ecstatically.


“No problem,” she nodded.


Just then, a man with an ID hanging around his neck that read MEDIA approached us and aimed his camera at our direction. The five of us instinctively posed and smiled and the photographer contentedly left us after four snaps.


“I guess you two will be on the papers again,” his dad joked.




Quote
Translations:
Mei men er = No way


After exactly one hour and twenty four minutes, my brothers and Carrie have finally arrived.


“Nothing beats a grand entrance,” Carrie proudly uttered as she slumped on the poolside daybed beside me and Gerard.


“An understatement of the century, Carina,” I grumbled and rolled my eyes. But she just ignored my reply and snapped her fingers at the wine waiter, who then handed each one of us, except Wade and Maxine, a glass of champagne.


“Happy Chinese New Year,” she said and hoisted her glass in the air.


“Gong xi fa cai,” Gerard announced as we clinked our glasses together.


“Don’t you want to eat first? I’m starving,” Wade groused.


Maxine chuckled. “Come on, let’s get you some food, Wade,” she bid and two of them went to west end of the pool where the buffet table is placed.


“So tell me, how did the Meet The Sanciongco’s go?” Kuya inquired after he finished off his champagne.


“To cut a long story short, it all went well.”


“No embarrassing moments?” he offered jokingly.


I laughed and shook my head. “No embarrassing moments,” I repeated optimistically.


“Well, the night is still young. You have all the chances in the world to have a change of tack,” he mocked.


“Nah, I think I’ll pass,” I ribbed.


“Although I think Wendy just became my mother’s new apprentice.”


“Really?” Kuya and Carrie both reacted with an appropriate quality of enthusiasm.


“I guess you won’t have to look someplace else for you OJT.” I nodded in agreement.


Wade and Maxine had just came back to our spot while holding two plates on each hand. “Here you go, Ate Carrie,” she said while giving Carrie the other plate.


“Thanks, sweetie,” Carrie replied and blew her a kiss.


Maxine was just about to sit down on the opposite chair when her eyes suddenly grew big like the wind has just been taken out of her sails. “Mei men er,” I heard her mumble, her face still flummoxed but her vision still fixed on something behind our ― Carrie, Gerard and mine ― backs.


Kuya Wesley and Wade, who were on the same side as Maxine, followed her line of sight and were also flabbergasted with what they saw. “What the f*ck is he doing here?!” Kuya hissed.


By looks of their reaction, I know I should’ve just fought the curiosity to glance and looked away immediately… Instead, Carrie, Gerard and I turned around and faced the cause of rumpus.

















































“El hijo de p*ta,” Carrie forcefully cussed in Spanish as quietly as she possibly could when she saw him, the last person I wanted to see right now, crossing the threshold. And if that wasn’t enough, she was walking next to him, their hands intertwined while eccentrically beaming at everyone within their radius.


“This can’t be happening,” Gerard muttered through gritted teeth.

















































Hands intertwined… hands inter-f*cking-twined… It kept repeating on my head over and over no matter how I kept myself engaged on remembering how to breathe.


I could feel every muscle in my body tightening like steel. Inhale… Exhale… Inhale… Exhale… My hands involuntarily clenching with vehemence.

















































Inhale… Exhale… Inhale… Exhale…


And just when I was about to inhale another lungful, I heard something break.


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