Chapter 34: Chapter 34

"I didn't see someone Lenard," I replied and turned to him again.

"It's up to you, ma'am." He answered. We talked for a few minutes and immediately someone came. Lenard opened the gate and entered the car used by my brother.

I bid goodbye to Lenard who was coming in and his only response was a smile. I caught dad getting out of the car and turned on my direction as I approached him.

“Good evening, dad. The Madrigal's are already here.” I said after I kissed his cheeks. He nodded at me.

"Why are you still outside?" He questioned.

"I'm waiting for you."

"Okay, let's go inside."

I followed him and saw that my older brother had gone to his room first. Astonished, I looked at the path he took because it seemed like he's annoyed for no apparent reason.

"What happened to Jack, dad?"

"Don't mind him."

I nodded as we walked to the dining area. We saw the Madrigal's enjoying their food while chatting with my mother. Zaine at the other hand, were just silent as he eats his food.

I sat down next to my sister in front of Zaine. When my eyes diverted to Jace, she gave me a knowing look. She just shook her head while smiling to eat again when she noticed the confused look I gave her.

"Good evening, everyone." Dad greeted. He kissed mommy on her cheek before sitting down next to her.

"Good evening, Joaquin." Auntie Zandra greeted.

"So, what's with the gathering?"

"Nothing, really." mom said. "I invited them to have dinner with us just to thank them."

We were just listening to the oldies' conversation. It was nice being with them after a couple of topic that they've discussed. I learned something about business eventhough I don't want to be in a business world.

I looked at Zaine who is infront of me. He's really silent along the meeting we are having tonight. He was really acting different because it wasn’t his usual reaction. He would just simply smile when someone is talking to him, but not this Zaine in front of me now who has his bored look.

"Zaine, I just want to know something." Aunt Zandra said to get her son's attention. Zaine glance at his mother. The whole time, I'm slightly glancing at Zaine's side just to know his every reaction.

Does the food taste good or is it not? Or does he really not in the mood today?

"What is it, mom?" He asked.

"You and Jane are schoolmates, right?"

"Yes." Zaine simply said and give me a glance. I was taken a back with the stare he gave me. I immediately looked away and turned to her mommy who was looking at me intently. There was a smile plastered on her lips.

"Tell us about your school life, Jane." I heard dad said that made me look at him.

“Ah, at first, it was really hard to adjust in my school but at time passed by, it went okay, dad. I got a With High Honor in our batch, same as Zaine. ” I looked at him. "I also made friends there."

“Why do you have to adjust, you didn’t study at C.U before? ” I was stunned by Auntie Zandra's question.

“She got lost when she was second year high school. She was supposed to study at one of the prestigious schools in Manila. We only found her this year.  I want to made a rebuttal at the term mommy used. Lost? I didn't get lost, I escaped.

“Is that so? It's good to hear that you're finally fine and comfortable in here.” Tita Zandra said. I can't accept what she said. I never felt comfortable and fine here. I was always alone. Eventhough I am slowly coping for this life, it's still different from the life I have before when I am with Lola Flores.

"My old life is still better." Smiling I answer them. "At least, I feel like I have my freedom or let me say the will to choose what path I want to take."

"Jane..." my sister whispered who was just next to me. I turned at her. She has those look who's like giving me a warning.

"It still feels good to be free though." We heard Zaine spoke up. Our eyes met the only then I saw the smile he always wore. "I agree with her."

"Are you two dating?" Aunt Zandra asked her son and looked at me for a moment.

"No, we're just friends." Zaine answered.

"Ah, yes." I added. I wasn’t prepared for Aunt's question especially Zaine’s answer. Something in those words were gripping my heart tightly. I faked a smile to stop what I am feeling right now.

It was just a crush for him because I find him attractive, responsible and kind. He's also loyal to his friends especially to Cheska. They're were like best of friends. But why do I feel like more that just having a crush? Is it still infatuation or is this feeling tells me that I like him already?

"So tell us, how do you became friends, Jane." Mommy asked. It gave me a simple smile.

"Well, my friend, Cheska, introduce me to her squad and that time Zaine was there." I started telling them. I looked at Zaine who's just being silent as he listens. “And aside from being a schoolmate, we are also batchmates. Our rooms are next to each other so we can easily get along.”

“Did you mention Cheska? A Salvador?” Aunt Zandra asked as her brows were now creased. I slowly nodded at her.

“ Yes. Did I said something wrong?” I asked her. She look at me intently and smiled. It was actually a fake smile.

"Nothing, what if we have some drink then?" Aunt Zandra changes the topic.

I just shook my head. It looks like she's avoiding this topic. It was not an issue in the first place. I was just opening a topic were they can also give some feedback.

"Sure." Mommy lifted the wine glass she was holding. "Cheers."

"We are preparing for the merging of our companies."

“Sure, maybe we can talk that in the office instead. You are no longer different from us so it's okay for our companies to merge. ” Aunt Zandra answered.

Merging of Companies?

"Jane, your friend is handsome," my sister speaks up. "He's still looking at you."

I look intently at Jace because of what she whispered. I almost choked and looked at Zaine's direction while looking onto his food. I told my sister not to disturb me.

"You look good together though." My dad opened a conversation.

"Huh?"

"You also think dad?" Jace asked as she look at our dad. Dad simply nodded that I didn’t understand what it was all about.

"This guy is good for you, Jane." He calmly said as he pointed at Zaine's side. I suddenly got nervous and all I could do was to shut my mouth. I don't want to start a conversation with me involved in it.

" She's a catch, son." Zaine's mother smiled. “She’s more respectable than your best friend. Don't waste your time on that girl. ”

“Don’t start an argument mom,” Zaine simply said. Seriousness was on his voice. “We already talk about this matter. Cheska didn't do anything to you.”

My heart hammered with what Zaine said especially when he mentioned Cheska's name. It was really made me scared of. It was like, something on his voice were giving threat. Her mother ignored his statement and smilingly turned to us.

"Let's make our final proposal for us to finish the merging, you agreed with this right, Joaquin?" She smirkly said. I looked at dad's direction as my eyes widened at him. He gave me an apologetic look before he sighed.

"Yes, I agreed with the marriage arrangement."