"Rook, stop that," pigil ni Carter sa kasintahan na mahigpit ang kapit sa manibela. "Talk to me."

Rook's jaw clenched. He gritted his teeth, his fist clenching before he sighed loudly. When he faced Carter, his scowl was gone and replaced by a distressed frown and downcasted gaze.

"Hey, now. Look at me, Rook, hm?" matamis na saad ng babae sa nobyo. She slowly lifted his chin so that she could meet his eyes. "I'm alright. Their words don't bother me."

Rook watched her intently. Inaaral ang bawat buka ng bibig, ang bawat expresiyon sa mukha, na baka sinasabi lang 'yon ni Carter para maging maayos siya. But her promising eyes reassured him that everything's fine, and so he let himself be cradled on her hands.

"I'm sorry, Carter..."

"There's nothing to apologize, Rook. Hindi naman ikaw ang nagsabi ng masasakit na salitang 'yon."

"But... he's still my grandfather and... now I regret inviting you to this damn lunch."

Carter chuckled, gifting him a small peck on the nose. "Now, don't say that. I enjoyed meeting your siblings and parents. Your grandfather was... rude and a bit scary, yes, but I've prepared myself for that."

Kumunot ang noo ni Rook, kahit na gusto niyang ngumiti sa halik ni Carter. His angry outburst earlier disappeared in the comfort of his beloved.

"Prepared?"

"Hindi ko man alam na ganito kabongga pamilya mo, but I knew my age and status right now may be questionable. Lalo na dito sa bansa natin na parang nakikipagkarerahan tayo sa eskwelahan," she smiled. "And I could understand some of your grandfather's worries."

"Hindi mo dapat ina-understand 'yon," he commented, a small pout on his lips.

"If I was in his position, I'd worry about my grandson marrying some unknown girl too. Paano kung ginagamit lang pala ng babae ang apo ko para sa pera naminㅡ"

"But you're not that kind of person, Carter!"

"Yes, but he doesn't know that. He doesn't know me."

"And he doesn't need to know you! We don't owe him anything!" he scoffed. "If he wants to kick me out of the family, e'di gawin niya! Bahala siya diyan!"

Carter could only sigh as she watched Rook convince himself of his irrational decision. Hindi na siya nagsalita pa at hinayaan ang kasintahan na igala siya sa kung saan para mawala sa isip nila ang 'disaster lunch' daw.

Ngunit kahit ilang araw na ang lumipas, iyon pa rin ang nasa isip ni Carter.

Ayaw niyang maresulta sa gano'n ang pamilya nila. It seemed that Rook has also inherited his stubbornness from his grandfather. Nitong nakaraang mga araw, nagp-practice na siyang hindi magchat sa mga kapatid. Although he looked brave and decisive, she could still see the pain in his eyes. Mas madalas na rin siyang natutulala at sumisimangot.

Maybe Rook is proving a point, and from King's texts ㅡ they keep in touch ㅡ they've been trying hard to convince their grandfather as well, but Carter doesn't like to see their family in shambles because of an innocent relationship.

Rook once saved her from floating lifelessly. He was the raging tide that broke her constant and made her see life anew.

So maybe, it's her turn now to get them off this island of pain and embark on a journey together.

An adventure they'd call their own.

Kaya naman nang umuwi siya sa bahay nila at nakipag-usap sa Papa niya, she has a plan in mind.

And now, she's standing in front of Rook's grandfather's office. Isang napakalaking opisina sa branch ng kompanya nila sa Pilipinas.

"Miss Santiago? You may come in," saad ng sekretarya na pinagbuksan siya ng pinto.

She smiled, offering her thanks, before stepping in. Her eyes wandered around the wide and luxurious office, then they fell on the large oak desk where a stern-looking old man sat.

Medyo naginhawaan naman siya dahil hindi ito tumangging makipagkita sa kaniya. She thought it'd take her ten tries and a dramatic crying scene to meet him.

"Good afternoon, Mr... Sir Fuentavedra."

Hindi ito bumati pabalik at mas lalo lang sumimangot. "Anong ginagawa mo dito? Are you here to tell me that you're breaking up with my grandson? If so, you probably need a cheque. Magkano ba ang kailangan mo?"

Carter's brow twitched in irritation. Napakadramatista talaga ng buong pamilya ni Rook. Napakaraming teledrama na siguro ang napanood ng matanda at may linyahan pang ganiyan.

Hindi siya sumagot at lumapit lang sa mesa. Napaatras naman ang matanda nang bigla niyang ihampas ang dalang papeles sa pagitan nila.

"What's that?" he asked, keeping a safe distance as if the papers were bombs.

Carter took a deep breath before responding, "Kay Papa ko nagsimula ang repair shop namin noong kolehiyo pa lang siya. He found a certain interest in tinkering with vehicles. Isang bagay na nakuha ko sa kaniya. We don't just fix watches, we handle large vehicles. Legal ang business namin at marami kaming malalaking kliyente. You can find a summary of our business in these papers."

The frown on his brows slowly disappeared as his eyes flickered to the papers.

"When my father was hospitalized, I took the initiative in managing our shop. I know we're far from a large conglomerate like yours, but I've handled clients, written reports, and managed our financial accounts with little help. I am not a lady from a well-known family, nor do I have extravagant accomplishments, but from my experiences in life, I know that I'm capable of facing any storms."

Binuksan ni Carter ang bag at may kinuha pang papel. She added it to the bunch of papers on his desk. "I'm still a graduating student, yes, but I've already received job offers from big companies. In addition to that, my thesis mates and I have also decided to launch a business project that captured the eyes of many investors. It is a small start for me, for us, but nevertheless it is something."

Naging seryoso ang mukha ng matanda. Hindi rin nagtagal ay kinuha nito ang mga papel at sinimulang basahin.

"You might be wondering why I'm telling you all this. Kung bakit nandito ako sa harap mo at nagyayabang. I just... I hate to see Rook heartbroken over the thought of leaving his family for me. He's as stubborn as you, sorry for that, pero sa tingin niya kasi, kailangan niyang panindigan ang desisyon na 'yon."

"You don't agree with his decision?"

"No. I love him. I want to stay with him forever. But I don't want him to exchange his family for a life with me. I don't want him to choose because I know he can have both."

The old man pushed his glasses up, stern eyes watching her closely. "Kaya nandito ka sa harap ko...?"

"Ayaw mo sa amin dahil sa tingin mo hindi ako worthy sa apo mo. So I'm here to say that you're wrong. Rook and I are very capable individuals. We have our ups and downs, but we can go through anything. I'm not a rich woman, but I can also put food on our table. I don't have a name for myself, but I can show everyone that I'm worthy of a title. That I am worthy of staying by your grandson's side."

Tahimik ang buong silid pagkatapos magsalita ni Carter. Pigil ang hininga niya habang sinasalubong ang mariing titig ng matanda. Her stomach was churning and her palms were sweaty. Parang masusuka siya pero hindi niya ito pinansin.

Then, suddenly, the old man laughed.

Nabato si Carter sa kinatatayuan, hindi alam kung anong gagawin dahil sa biglaang halakhak. Tatawa din ba siya? Magtatanong kung anong nakakatawa? Tapos paano naman kung siya pala ang nakakatawang 'yon, 'diba.

"You... Lady..." his laugh boomed across the room. Nang muli niyang tingnan si Carter, wala na ang lamig at kastriktohan sa mga mata. "Nakuha mo ang interes ko."

Nanlaki ang mata ni Carter. Magtatanong sana siya kung anong nangyari, nang magsalita ulit ang matanda.

"Sa lahat ng babaeng pinili ng mga apo ko kaysa sa kompanya, ikaw lang ang humarap sa'kin at nakipaglaban!" anito sabay tawa ulit.

Hindi alam ni Carter kung anong gagawin o sasabihin. Pinanood niya lamang na tumayo ang matanda at maglakad papunta sa malaking bintana. Lumingon ito sa kaniya at tila gusto siyang lumapit din, kaya walang nagawa si Carter kun'di tumabi sa kaniya.

"Rook... was always a child who blindly follows his heart. He has long expressed his dislike for our company, which resulted to an argument between us that had him leaving the house. Sa limang apo ko, siya lang ang pumasok sa opisina ko at sumigaw na ayaw niyang mag-aral ng business sa ayaw at gusto ko. Kaya dito siya sa Pilipinas naninirahan most of the time."

Sinulyapan ni Carter ang katabing matanda. He had a longing gaze as he smiled mournfully.

"He is the only Fuentavedra who inherited his grandmother's fiery spirit. And now, it looks like even his choice of partner is as determined and bold."

Carter blinked. "Ibig bang sabihin...?"

"In a family like ours... some precautions are to be made. Marami nang pagkakataon na nati-take advantage ang malambot na puso ng mga apo ko. It may be a harsh test, but you have exceeded my expectations, lady," tiningnan niya ako na may ngiti sa labi. "So thank you for fighting for your love, Carter."

Oh. Carter's heart bloomed at the sound of her name. Hindi siya makapaniwalang naalala pa nito ang pangalan niya... at ang naging desisyon nito sa relasyon nila.

"Maaari ko bang makuha ang buong pangalan mo?"

"Carolina Therese po."

"Hm," he nodded to himself, a satisfied smile on his lips. "Such a lovely coincidence. Kapangalan mo din ang lola ni Rook."

Bago pa makapagtanong si Carter tungkol doon ay marahas na bumukas ang pintuan ng opisina. Rook stormed through, a stressed King on his side and a more-stressed secretary behind them. May sinigaw-sigaw pa si Rook bago natahimik nang makitang kalmadong nakatayo ang lolo at nobya niya sa harap ng bintana.

Carter tried to calm his confusion down, dragging him outside before he could start rampaging. Si King, na sumama sa pag-aalala, ang naiwan sa silid. The door slammed shut and silence once again visited the room. Hesitatingly, King stood close to his grandfather, watching the skyscrapers in the city.

"Lolo," he started, studying his grandfather's face. "Have you approved of their relationship?"

The old man only laughed as he pointed at the pile of papers Carter dumped on his desk. "She made a rather convincing pitch."

Napasulyap si King doon. A relieved sigh left him at that. He was filled with worry ever since his brother threatened to leave their family. Tapos kanina bigla lang itong nagtantrum sa bahay nila dahil hindi daw macontact si Carter.

"She reminded me of your grandmother, King."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Lola Therese?"

"Yes. She did the same thing when my parents disapproved of our relationship. She even threatened to kidnap and marry me!" he chuckled, before settling a serious gaze on his youngest grandson. "But, I worry, King. Masyadong pasaway si Bishop para manahin ang kompanya. Kapag hindi pa rin 'yon magtitino, the company will land on you."

King sighed, "I know, Lolo. I'm making preparations."

His grandfather laughed. "I hope they will too."

"What do you mean, 'Lo?"

Napasulyap ang matanda sa labas, kung saan nakita niya ang masinsinang pag-uusap ni Carter at Rook. "Mayroon akong pakiramdam na papunta na sila sa susunod na bahagi ng kanilang relasyon, apo."

King followed his gaze and grimaced. Hindi lang dahil sa malalim na salitang ginamit ng lolo niya, pero sa nakakalokong ngiti din ng kuya niya sa ilalim.

But he's glad... his crazy older brother won't leave and now... may bagong ate na siya.

He'll get the short end of the stick later, but for now, he's happy to see them together.

ㅡ

Sorry for the long wait but... last two chapters na lang (⺣◡⺣)♡*