✓ | The Altered Version (Fate's Transgression Series, #2) [UNDER REVISION]

TAV 08: No Room

CHAPTER EIGHT : No Room

Clarinette | Lianna

I gulped multiple times as both my hands crumpled the thin transparent fabric of my dress. I made this cloth to match Sofia's. Mahilig kasi ako sa manipis na tela na pinagtagpi-tagpi para magmukhang makapal. Nag-matching attire kasi kami ng anak ko ngayong araw para sa mini celebration ng store.

Habang ginagawa 'yon, nanatili akong nakatingin sa screen kung daan pinapakita kong ilang minuto na kaming nag-uusap dahil naka-off ang camera. Ang mas nagpagulo pa sa sistema ko ay umalis si Teirro kaya ako lang mag-isa dito. My heart skyrocketed the moment I heard his voice. Dala ng kaba ang isa sa mga dahilan no'n, habang ang isa ay ayaw kong paniwalaan.

It was my first time hearing someone call me wife. Tuwing naririnig ko 'yan kay Daddy, rinding-rindi ako dahil sobrang cringe niya pakinggan, pero hindi ko mawari ang sarili ko na matunaw sa uri ng pagtawag niya. Gusto ko na nga sabunutan sarili ko eh.

"I'm glad to hear that, your grace. Teirro didn't choose his words properly which I did not even hesitate to speculate. I apologize for disturbing your rest, it seems like you were resting when I called, I will end the call—"

"I am well aware of my condition, but it's not that bad. You don't need to feel reluctant, Clarinette."

Oh come on. Alam kong may nakikinig na ibang tao sa kabilang linya kaya pili lahat ng lumalabas sa bibig ko. I can hear their mumblings and mocking laugh. As much as I want to address it, I feel reluctant to point it out.

"Are you concerned about the navy or just me? As the wife of the Commander of Z1-A Naval Force unit, you did first address the situation of your husband and added the clause to reprimand the precedent words."

Sinapo ko ang aking noo. Why does he have to point that out? Hindi niya pinalampas ang sinabi ko at heto ako ngayon, piniprito na. I didn't think about it that much because I was freaking worried he was in a serious situation as what Teirro says, but from what I am hearing, he is completely fine. Did Teirro purposely bait me to talk with the Duke?

Damn, that bandwagon!

"I believe I am just as worried as the whole crew in the ships, and the butler of Silverstein."

"Is it part of your new hobby?" He asked.

My head furrowed, trying to understand his question. Nang maintindihan ko ay lumayo ako sa mic para lumunok at magmura sa hangin. "I apologize for whatever I did that I can't remember."

Magsisimula na siguro akong magbungkal ng lupa para may pang-lagyan ng kabaong ko kung sakaling mabuking ako ng lalaking 'to. I don't know how much Teirro spills to the Duke about my hobbies, but I really hope it's not about the store nor my culinary skills. I want to hide it from him.

"Are you alright?"

Natameme ako sa sinabi niya. He wasn't just asking for his mere curiosity, but he sounded like he was concerned. I never knew that until now, since I never really spoke to him all these months and conveyed all my messages to Teirro. I avoided the Duke for I don't want any string attached to him while I am here.

Just now. I heard a voice of a person who was disturbed about something. I wouldn't dare think I don't know what causes him to feel that because I know my recent attitude had struck the whole Dukedom a new phase. The Duchess had been acting odd, which led everyone to think there must be something that happened.

"I am perfectly fine, your grace."

"I'm not convinced, Clarinette. I may not be there, but I know what is happening inside my own territory. You may fool everyone, but not me."