“Is she pregnant?”
My eyes expanded. “No?!”
Danjer smirked, as if his playful glance at Ismael had proved something. My mouth dropped open, and my brow wrinkled as the two of them spoke face-to-face. Do I look pregnant? I am still young!
I was prepared to speak when both of their expressions turned serious.
“Anyway, I heard that the clan is in shambles as a result of your actions, brother. Hold on, is it okay to talk to her?” Danjer turned to face me again.
“Yes, that is the reason I came here with her.” I want her to know what’s going on with me. She’s the reason I’ve changed my mind.
I was surprised by what Ismael said. I remembered what I had told him again, and I felt nervous. I can see that he is seriously considering my suggestion-to accept the position of clan president so that he can break the rules and traditions exactly as he wishes.
My mood also became serious. I believe that not only Ismael, but also myself, will have to deal with the potential events. He is very sincere about me, including me in this type of conversation about his family. Perhaps he’s filling in details about himself that I don’t yet know. I don’t know why there was a sudden fear in my chest, but I’m glad because I know Ismael is with me to face all of this, and he is with me in everything to support him.
“That’s why there are more and more people who hate you, especially your father’s brothers,” said Danjer, frowning at me. There are people who hate Ismael, he confirmed.
“Yeah, since then they were mad because I was declining their offer, but now that they sensed I was changing my mind, I became a threat to them.”
“Because they want to be the president themselves. We know the power of being one and the responsibility of it, which they will never understand. If they only see Dad and how he takes care of all the clan, they will be afraid of the position. Because I am.”
That means the current president of the clan is Sir Mikael? So is the pressure on him from their tradition just like that?
“And your family on your mother’s side is more anxious because of her,” Danjer pointed out to me. Wait, why me?
“Yves told me that they were just worried about the same mistake again. Well, if that mistake didn’t happen, I wouldn’t be born,” added Danjer.
Are they referring to Sir Mikael remarrying another woman because Miss Elisse was unable to fill the twelve children required by their tradition? Is that why Yves just said that to me in the past, because he was afraid that it might happen to Ismael and me again?
“That won’t happen. Nobody can separate me from this woman.”
I gulped when I heard that from Ismael. If it wasn’t embarrassing to cry in front of Danjer, I would have cried earlier. I was overwhelmed by what I was hearing. And just seeing how Ismael said those words, I can see that he is sure of me.
“Then, why don’t you get married yet? Accept the presidency.”
I couldn’t speak.
“What’s stopping the two of you from tying the knot?”
I looked at Ismael. I know he already explained that to me. He wants to give me more time, but if he has to get married, I’m willing.
“Wait, don’t tell me-?” Danjer looked away from me and went back to Ismael. “Is she just a teenager?”
“What?!” I exclaimed. “No, I’m not!” I appeal. “I’m twenty-one!”
“Twenty-one?!” Danjer asked in disbelief. “You’re only twenty-one?” I can see the surprise in his eyes.
“I never thought you were into younger lads, brother Mael,” he added.
“What’s wrong with my age? Age doesn’t matter, Mr. Danjer,” I stated.
“I know, but usually children change their minds quickly. Are you sure you’re sure of him? What if one day you fell out of love with him? Or find someone else. How can we be sure that you will never abandon him?”
“No one can be sure of the future, just like no one can prove they will never leave you. But Ismael is my air. My death will be the next thing if I ever abandon him one day.”
*****
We are still eating in the restaurant even though Ismael’s brother Danjer left us a while ago, and there is a deafening silence everywhere. After I have answered Danjer’s question, no one dares to raise any topic. It was like an angel passing by us.
Did I say something wrong? Are they dissatisfied with it? Did I answer them the way they did not expect?
The waiter came by, so Ismael asked about the bill. We had already finished eating, and we really consumed everything he ordered.
Ismael picked up his wallet and was about to pay when the waiter informed him that the person who made the reservation had already settled it. Wow, a man with such good courtesy as Ismael!
I’m in awe, but what dropped my jaw even more was when I saw a glimpse of paper inside his wallet. No, it wasn’t just paper.
“Is that a picture of me, Ismael?” I inquired, breaking the ice between us. He looked at his wallet when I pointed to it.
He immediately closed it. “N-no.”
I saw his cheeks turn red as he averted his gaze from me. No, he hasn’t looked at me for a while, and if he does, it’s just a quick glance, as if he can’t wait to stare at me. What is his problem? He doesn’t talk to me either!
“I don’t believe you! Let me see it!” I immediately grabbed his wallet from him, and to my surprise, what appeared before me was my graduation picture.
Tears formed in the corner of my eyes while looking at my picture inserted in his wallet. What the hell is this? How did he have my picture? As far as I remember, I didn’t give anything back then, and the only thing I put my graduation picture on was the resume I submitted to LMC. The rest, because I just attached it to the printout.
“Ismael, what is this?” I faced him, tears streaming down my face. He took his wallet from my hand, but he still didn’t answer my question; instead, he wiped my cheek.
“Don’t cry. You might see me cry today too. I’m on the verge of it.”
He kissed my eyelids, wiping my tears away. God. I don’t know anymore. Seeing my picture on his wallet means so much to me.
We decided to go out of that restaurant to stroll around. I was so amazed by how beautiful the houses were. What made them so fancy were the flowers hanging around.
The sunlight is also perfect because it’s not that hot. Everything was perfectly romantic for me-especially with me and holding hands with the person who makes my heart happy. I remembered when we were in Baguio. Thrilling!
It was late afternoon when Ismael and I passed by the perfume stores, and I was truly amazed at the fragrance and beauty of European perfumes. Even the packaging was so beautiful! Anyone can really be bought. It’s a good thing I don’t have any money because if I had it, it would have been used up.
“You want that?” asked Ismael, who seemed to have noticed my long stare at a beautiful bottle of perfume. The design was very unique, and the color was dark purple.
“No, I was just amazed by it,” I answered.
“Then we’ll get it.”
I was stunned when he faced the saleswoman. “We’ll take that one,” he said while pointing to the perfume I had been looking at.
“Alright, sir.” The woman took that perfume; that’s why I saw the price. My eyes nearly popped when I saw eight zeros.
“No, no, no, no, Ismael. I won’t take it.” I tried to stop him, but he was too determined to buy it. I didn’t even try to see if it really smelled good. I just love the design of the bottle!
“Then, be careful of what you’re looking at; I might give you anything your eyes touch.” I looked at him as if, in the length of what he said, he was only indicating one thing-that I should not take my eyes off him.
He smirked and touched my waist. “Let me spend for you, as I am your sugar daddy,” he whispered in a seductive way.
“Goodness gracious, Ismael! It is still noon!”
He just laughed at me before he paid for the perfume he bought for me. I tried to just look at him, but he seems to know too much if I want something because now we carry a lot of paper bags. I stopped him several times, but he seemed to be happy with what he was doing, buying clothes, shoes, bags, and anything else for me.
“That’s enough, Ismael! This is too much! Let’s go home!”
“You should be used to it since you’re going to marry me.”
I shook my head. “But this is too much! I’m not even sure if I can wear it in the Philippines!”
“Then wear it here. Problem solved.”
I didn’t appeal any further, so I just let him do what he wants to do. It’s now up to him; it was his money after all. I’ll just wear it, so his money won’t go to waste. He stood firm in his decision to have him as my sugar daddy, despite the fact that he received nothing in return.
On second thought, I was wrong when I saw him stop walking in the women’s section. That’s why he buys me so much stuff because he wants to segue something.
“I thought you were conservative,” I asked when I got close to him.
“I still am,” he answered. “But I wonder how that one would look on you.”
I was stunned to speak when I saw what he was referring to-a super sexy lingerie. I closed my eyes when I saw the design. It’s lace and see-through. It’s like I’m not wearing anything like that anymore, eh?
“I can’t believe you, Ismael.” I was shaking my head in disgust. “You’re such a healthy man, full of desire and fantasy,” I commented sarcastically.
“Why? I said, I just wondered. Where are your thoughts taking you?”
The side of my upper lip raised up, but he came close to my ear and whispered. “Don’t pretend like you don’t want to; I know you more than you know yourself.”
I stared at him. “But I understand if you don’t want to. I told you, I am not the kind of man who uses force.” He grinned and walked away.
Grr. He is really annoying. He knows my behavior very well, and now I feel guilty that I didn’t give him what he wanted. He knows how to manipulate me because he knows how to manipulate my brain. It’s terrifying, but I won’t give up. I will never wear such lingerie. It is degrading.
“Ismael?” I stopped following Ismael when someone called his name. She is beautiful and has blonde hair. She’s also tall and sexy. Her chest is big compared to mine. Wait a minute, who is she?
“Ismael! Is that you?” She said this before approaching and kissing both of Ismael’s cheeks. What the fuck?
“Sorry, who are you?” Ismael asked as if he didn’t recognize the woman in front of him.
“You don’t know me anymore? Come on, baby! We spent a couple of nights together before.”
My teeth clenched as I felt the blood rush through my veins. My nose and ears are also burning with anger. They spent a couple of nights together before?!
“Oh.” Ismael looked around as if looking for me, but here I am on the edge and hiding because I can’t move. Jealousy is burning in my chest, and I know that if I don’t control it, I will do something bad.
“Do you remember me now? This is me, Genevieve. I can see that you’re alone. Are you free tonight? I have planted new flowers in my garden that need to be gardened. Can you help me with that and teach me like you taught me before?”
I peeked at the two of them again, and I could clearly see how that woman was holding Ismael.
A sigh let out from my lips as I maintained my composure. I just went to the counter to pay for what I bought. After a while, I felt a hand on my waist.
“Babe, I was looking for you,” Ismael whispered to me, making my ears prick up even more.
“I think you are talking to the wrong person. Am I really your babe?”