2
1090 Words
"Are you coming, Joanne?"
"Yeah, you should come, Joanne," Blair said with a friendly smile.
My lips parted but I didn't know what to say. I wasn't expecting that they will ask me to come with them. They're friends with my boyfriend but we're not really friends.
I felt Matt's hand squeeze mine as if he was asking me to say something.
I squeezed his hand back because I didn't know what to say... Well, I know what to say, I just don't know how to say it.
"I'll pass first," Matt told his friends. "Cat needs to get home before dark."
"Oh, okay!" Blair smiled. "You should hang out with us some other time, Callie."
Matt bid his friends goodbye so I went inside the car first to give them time. I wasn't really in the mood to be nice and they weren't even part of the circle that I needed to please so that factor made it more boring to communicate with them.
Matt entered the car and we made our way home while we talked about what happened during their meeting and what happened to me in my grandfather's company.
I rested my head on Matt's shoulder. "I'm drained."
"Do you still like what you're doing?" Matt asked me. "How many years have you been trying to win your grandfather's heart?"
"It's not about wanting what I'm doing, Matty, it's about needing to do this." I sighed and held his hand. "I really still want that empire. It's been years and I know my progress with it is slow but there's still progress... I don't want to stop now."
He sighed. "Okay. You can do that."
I chuckled because I sounded worried about what I was doing. "Stop worrying. I just have to do this because I need that empire for my family."
"I know that. I just can't help it because you've been doing it for a long time. You've only been doing it since we were in Grade 7, and until now you're just tired of thinking and making an effort but giving too little to credit to you."
"It will be worth it, Matty." I smiled. "Like us... After years of being just friends and holding back, we're now together. It's worth it."
He chuckled and patted my cheek. "It's really worth it. It's worth waiting a few years for you, Cat."
We spent the rest of our day talking while we were stuck in traffic but I didn't mind it because it gave me more time to just be with Matt.
A few days passed and I didn't even notice that dad's proclamation was moving closer and closer so I had to prepare everything last minute. I didn't even know what kind of makeup look I wanted for today so I just resorted to a natural makeup look!
"How do I look?" I asked Matt as I stood in front of him. I was already wearing my two-piece red filipiniana. It has puffy sleeves and a square neck like a typical filipiniana but it was a cropped top with a matching high-waisted knee-length pencil skirt.
"Nice," Matt said and looked at me lovingly.
I chuckled and went inside my closet to choose a shoe that would complement my whole look. I chose my favorite simple nude strappy heels that wouldn't take the attention off of my whole look.
I walked out of my closet and smiled at Matty. "The shoe fits with the whole look, right?"
He nodded and took his phone out of his pocket. "Take a picture."
"Okay!" I said and sat on my couch.
He took several shots of me in different poses before I stood up and arranged my things inside my handbag.
"Callie-Oh, I didn't know that you're here, Matteo." Mom smiled before looking at me. "Are you ready?"
"Yes, I'm ready." I grinned.
"Good, we're leaving in 15 minutes," mom said before leaving me and Matt.
Matt held my hand as we went down the stairs like he was my escort at a ball or party.
"Are we practicing for my debut?" I asked him and chuckled.
He laughed and nodded. "But I'm sure it's very different because there are many guests unlike now when it's just the two of us."
I pouted. "We should have a separate celebration. Just the two of us."
"If they let you, aunty, you can." He chuckled. "I have to plan now for your next birthdays."
I pursed my lips because he was being sweet again and I didn't know what to say. I wanted to blurt out the three words but I think we're still not ready for that.
"Callie, let's go," mom called me. Matt and I went out immediately and I kissed his cheek before bidding him goodbye and leaving with my parents.
Matt waved at me as we drove off. I sighed inside my head, if only his parents were politicians.
I plastered a smile on my face when we arrived at the PICC. I had to compose myself because I saw the media and the flashing lights of the cameras.
Dad got out of the car first and helped me and mom. Mom held on to dad's left arm while I held on to his right arm.
It has been a thing for us since I was a kid so we were used to it. We took pictures in front of the red carpet and went inside where all the reporters were.
Some asked about the issues on the VCM and the cheating accusations while some asked about my dad's plans for the next six years.
Dad was all smiles as he answered the questions calmly. After the short interview with the press, dad joined the other senators.
I greeted and kissed everyone. The other senators kept on asking me about school and my other hobbies and I happily entertained their questions because I didn't want my dad and mom to have a reputation of being bad parents by raising a rude daughter.
The Cantabrians arrived which made everyone come to them immediately including my parents. We greeted the Cantabria family and I was forced to stand beside Andres because his abuela wanted to see if I was suitable to be Andres' future wife.
I wanted to tell them that I already have someone but Andres held my hand before I could even say something.
"Don't," Andres mouthed.
"Aw, look at them," Andres' mom said and giggled. "I think they formed a bond during the campaign."
- Writer
