Indebted: A Debt-p*****t Romance (English Version)

Chapter 8.1

"Y-Yeah," I nearly choked through my own response. I think it’s when the last episode of the movie is on its peak that he finally turned his attention to me. 

The light in his eyes didn’t fade. He smiled at me. I want to smile back because of his politeness. But I can't keep my wariness to myself. What kind of people are they for having this kind of family? Are they really sick to the mind or are they doing this on purpose? For a reason?

"You look so beautiful, Tara," he whispered to my ear. I closed my eyes as a defensive act to at least dismiss my distress as the aftermath of the effect of him calling my name. But it was inevitable. "Open your eyes. You have the most beautiful eyes in the world."

It’s against my will but I have no choice but to do as he says. I looked straight into his eyes only because it’s what he wants me to do. Just like his son’s eyes, he has dark hypnotizing orbs. But his son's eyes were less expressive than his.

I have so many things to say, many questions to ask, but I don’t know how to start. Or if I should even start it. I don’t want to spoil his decision to be kind to me today. 

"I've never seen such beautiful eyes before." He held my chin between his thumb and forefinger, stopping me from trying to look away. "But you still look like her."

I suppressed the urge to knit my brows together. I have difficulty breathing. I have a strong feeling he is going to kiss me if Manang Imelda doesn't suddenly walk inside. Or that's what I thought. I expected her to be here to get the dishes we use for the smacks. But Mr. Montevalles and I turned to the shrill voice of a kid, a young little boy.

"Papa Ron!"

My lips parted watching the young kid run to us. His eyes were chocolate brown in contrast to the black raven color of his hair. His skin is pale white and the body is a bit chubby. I have an urge to pinch his chubby blushing cheeks. 

"Papa!" he called Mr. Montevalles and threw his small arms around the old man. After the kid came inside two frames, one familiar and the other was someone I just met today. 

The first one caught my breath away. I closed my lips as his eyes landed on me expectantly. Both of his hands are in the pocket of his jeans. He walked straight farther into the room and towards us. From him, I darted my eyes to the girl behind Yves. 

My mouth almost parted again but I resisted the urge. She's beautiful! That’s the first thing I notice because honestly, it’s too obvious. Her beauty is captivating to the eye. Her curly brown hair down along her back. She is wearing a sophisticated corset dress with black shoes. Her eyes were a bright blue, perfectly pointed nose, and full plump lips. I can't help showing my awe as I stare at her. 

"Hey, kiddo! You surprised me!" Mr. Montevalles said to the child cheerfully. He threw a glance to the two who came in with the kid before giving his all attention to the angel on his lap.

"Dada said you missed me!" The kid gave out his wide eyes, showing his perfect little white teeth and the dimple on his right cheek. That innocent smile seems to lighten the room. 

"And I do!"

"Dad," the girl with them called. He walked near Mr. Montevalles who wasn’t able to stand because of the kid sitting on his lap. She crouched to give a respectful peck to Mr. Montevalles’s cheek. "We're not expecting this actually. Yves rushed us to come here and pay a visit."

 We all turned to Yves who was standing on the side, his eyes on the kid.

"What about the deal, iho? Have you visited the site? You also need to sign some papers at the office. Why were you in a hurry?" When his son didn’t answer him, he gave a smile to the girl instead. "I asked him to bring Yohan here. But I’m not expecting to bring the two of you here so suddenly and without notice.”

The girl nodded and raised his elegantly shaped eyebrows as if noticing me for the first time since they came in. Her eyes gave me a quick thorough head to toe glance.

"Oh! She's Tara," Mr. Montevalles introduced me to her. He held onto my waist again, the other hand remained on his grandchild. "Yohan, say hi to Mama."

I let out a loud scandalous gasp. Mama?!

For multiple times since I first set foot in this place, my world spun around again. Everything is indeed an illusion, a work of the mind. I know they are all delusional here, but they don’t have to drag the kid with this!

"M-Mama?" The child’s innocent face clouded with great curiosity as he glanced at me. "Like Mama Iris?"

And all of a sudden, the atmosphere becomes heavy. I have my own opinion as to who Iris the kid just mentioned but I’m still not sure. Is she the real wife of Mr. Montevalles? The real mother of the señorito, and the real grandmother of this child? Or just one of the mistresses?

Now no matter how strong the urge to ask the question, I can’t just do that in front of the kid. 

Mr. Montevalles cleared his throat as the kid and I kept our eyes on each other. "You call her Mama Tara."

The kid’s brow furrowed, but later on, nodded as if he truly understood. From his grandfather’s lap, he moved closer to me and gave me a tight embrace. "Mama!"

 At that moment, I thought I might melt. I thought it would be too difficult to suppress my emotion anymore. But thankfully, I was able to control myself. I clenched my fists on my side to stop myself from hugging back the child as tight as his hold on me. A child I don’t know well enough. It’s been years since I last felt this kind of embrace and warmth around me. 

 "H-Hi," my voice broke, giving away a little of how the kid was affected by my emotion. He gave his sweetest smile and I am not a robot not to feel anything. Unable to control it, I smiled back with the sweet smile I could muster and hugged him back. It didn’t last more than a second because he let go immediately.

"And there is Cyril, Yohan's mother, and Yves' wife."

"Hi," Cyril said with a smile. It surprised me that I wasn’t able to return it back. I know my guess is right but still, my eyes squinted to see her left ring finger. It’s a little away from my line of vision but the diamond is too huge not to be easily noticed. 

"Since everyone's here, let’s go to the living room. I’m sure Ate Ime prepared a new set of snacks.”

The kid stood in front of us as his grandfather helped me stand. He’s like his father with the way he watched. Their eyes pierced at you until you became aware of their watchful gaze. I refused to feel the awkwardness but I failed, especially because his father is also looking at me at the moment.