Chapter 2

It was Sunday, 7:00 a.m., and I couldn’t stop staring at my reflection in the mirror, especially in this pale yellow Sunday dress. I didn't even recognize myself anymore. My once fiery ginger hair was now pin-straight and black. They had wiped away my heavy makeup, replacing it with just a touch of lipstick, a hint of blush, and minimal eyelashes. All my nails had been cut short, and they hadn't even painted them. They just applied an orange liquid and let it dry before putting on a thin coat of nail polish. It looked cute, but I missed my long fake nails.

"Ate?" A soft whisper came from behind me. Melisa's eyes widened, scanning me from head to toe in disbelief.

"Wow. You look like... mom."

The smile instantly vanished from my face. My shoulders dropped, and I felt the air grow cold at the mention of our mother. Everyone used to say I was the spitting image of my mom when she was young. I never let them see it, never let them make the comparison, because I had no desire to compete with a failure.

"Really?" I forced a tight, awkward smile.

"Yeah. You two are like two halves of a coconut."

"Silly," a forced laugh escaped my lips. "It's obvious I look like Daddy." I began tidying the scattered makeup on my vanity, one piece at a time, needing a task to focus on.

"Now I understand..." she mumbled to herself, her voice barely a whisper.

"Ha?"

"Nothing, Ate. Where are you going all dressed up?"

"To our house."

Her eyes widened in a quick blink. "Why?"

"To attend mass."

"What?"

"Why are you so surprised? Can't your sister go to church?"

"No. It's not like that. Why did you suddenly decide to go to church now?"

"Do you think I'll burn if I walk in there?" I let out a low, humorless chuckle.

"Ate, you're always joking."

"Then fix your question."

"Why go to our church, though? You can go to one here. You wouldn't have to drive so far... besides, Mom might be there." Her gaze dropped to the floor.

I adjusted my earring, a small flick of my wrist. "So what?"

Stepping closer, I placed my hands on her shoulders, making her look up at me. "Don't worry. Fynn is there. I can handle it, okay?"

"Okay. Just be careful, huh!"

"I will. You take care of yourself, too. You're five months along now."

"Do you have to shout it?" she said, laughing.

"Of course! I'm going to be an aunt!"

"You should go now or you'll be late. Be careful driving, Ate!"

After we said our goodbyes, I got into the car. I looked at myself in the mirror once more.

I need to go through every convent of every famous church. But before that, I need to start from the ground up. I need all the information I can get to find out who this person my mom and Melisa are talking about really is.

I know they're hiding something from me. If they won't tell me who that animal is—or whoever he is—then I'll find him myself.

I drove toward the church. According to the information I gathered from my cousins inside the convent, today is Gabriel's mass. He's my first target.

He's known as a womanizer who entered the priesthood. I heard he's not an easy person to deal with and is more cunning than a fish. I did some research last night; it wasn't that hard to find information about him.

In an interview three years ago, he said he became a priest and gave up his wealth because he knew his life was there. Which is very ironic. It's hard for someone like him, a womanizer, to change. I also heard he has a priest friend. A famous business owner, a CEO, and for some reason, he doesn't show his face to the public, especially to the media.

I'm not surprised that cars are flooding the street outside the church from a distance. As far as I know, in the past, only old people and those my mom's age would come here for mass. But now, look at the effect of that man; it seems like every single lady in Selviva City is present.

I looked for a place to park my car. It wasn't difficult since one was reserved for me. Even a seat where Gabriel could immediately notice me was ready. My cousin helped me find the perfect spot when I told them I wanted to go to church today. They didn't ask questions and helped me right away.

Mass started at eight-thirty. I was already seated in the front. And to be honest, I could barely feel the air inside. It was so cramped. So hot. There were so many women inside who were dressed up as if they were going to a club. Some were dressed decently, but their heavy makeup made up for it. Gosh!

The singing began. Gabriel emerged wearing his alb and other garments. I heard the soft giggles of the women behind me. I saw some women puff out their chests to draw attention to their cleavage, and others who were dressed modestly before had now removed their scarves to show off their chests.

WOW!

I continued to sing along, trying to ignore what they were wearing. No matter how long it had been since I set foot in a church, I still knew the songs by heart. My fingers followed the piano piece in the air. I used to be a pianist when I was young. It was right here in this church that I learned to play the pieces and sing the songs of the psalms. I still remember how much I enjoyed staying here and dreaming of becoming a nun.

But... everything changed. They took advantage of my weakness countless times and made me feel how terrifying people who pretend to be sheep are. I'm not saying all of them, but some of them were like that.

I opened my eyes after the last lyric. I saw Gabriel staring at me. He didn’t smile or give me a flirty sign. He just stared at me with a blank expression.

The mass continued. There's no denying he was good at delivering his message, and I'm surprised this mass didn't make me doze off. It wasn't boring. I didn't expect him to be so good during the mass. Everyone could relate.

It was time for the Eucharist. Since I was in the front, I was also first in line. It was my turn to receive the sacramental bread. His eyes stopped on me just like he had earlier.

"Body of Christ." he said.

He was still staring at me. He stopped when his gaze landed on my glossy lips. He slowly put the sacramental bread inside my mouth, and I closed my eyes when his finger brushed my lips.

A smile grew on his lips.

"Good girl," he mumbled in a deep voice.

I wasn't expecting his sensual voice to make me subtly stumble.

My forehead furrowed. I knew I had heard that voice before. I quickly returned to my seat and prayed, but I still couldn't take my eyes off him.

The mass was over, and I felt satisfied with what I had done. Gabriel seemed distracted after giving the bread. I also often caught him looking at me, which was a good sign. My whole plan is to meet him in person. I can't directly ask him what I want to know just yet. I'll do that later, once he falls into my trap.

If he truly is the one my mom and Melisa were talking about, then I won't stop until I get justice for my sister.

I was heading back to my car when a stillness in the air made me pause. I looked up. There was Mom, standing by the church entrance, her gaze fixed on me. In that split second, I saw it—the knowing glint in her eyes. It was a silent acknowledgment, a cold understanding that she knew exactly why I was here. My sister's secret was safe, and I intended to keep it that way.

"Your dress. Masyadong maikli," she observed, her eyes raking over me. I arched an eyebrow. The hem fell a respectable distance above my knee, nothing like the flashy outfits of the women inside. It was more decent, if anything.

"Kinumbinsi mo na ba ang kapatid mo?" she added, her voice a low, chilling whisper.

My hands clenched into fists at my sides, knuckles turning white. My jaw locked tight. I wouldn't give her the satisfaction of a response, not when I was so close to finishing what I came here for.

"If I were you, you'd hurry up and convince your sister while no one knows yet." She pulled a small card from her purse. "That's the address of a midwife. Just bring her there, and I'll take care of the rest."

I just stared at the card in her hand. A morbid thought flickered through my mind: Was this really my mother? What sane woman would suggest such a thing without even considering what her own daughter might want?

She watched as a bitter laugh bubbled up from my throat. I ran a hand through my hair, biting my lip to contain the sound. "How ironic that my mother, who campaigns 'no to abortion,' is now handing me an address to abort her own grandchild," I said in a low voice.

"What do you think your friends will say about you? And oh, don't forget I know everything about you and Tito Paolo too." A cold smile grew on my lips as I finally took the card and read the address.

She took a deep breath and squeezed my shoulder. A smile was plastered on her face as she pulled me close. "I wish I had just let you go when I aborted you," she whispered, her breath hot against my ear.

She adjusted the dress on my shoulders, her eyes still avoiding mine. "Don't waste your time telling lies, Chanty. You might forget that no one will believe you. By the way, I saw Melisa on your terrace today. You have a nice house." Her words were delivered without a trace of a lie, and then she kissed my cheek.

I gritted my teeth, the effort to hold back a physical reaction. I focused on her being my mother, on not making a scene. It was too risky. The last thing we needed was to become the talk of the town again, especially with my sister's secret hanging in the balance.

She started to pull away, but I gripped her arm. "Huwag na huwag mo siyang hahawakan. Binabalaan kita." I leaned in and returned the kiss on her cheek.

"Itago mo siya nang maayos para hindi ko siya makita," she scoffed.

"Mrs. Chant," We both turned as the mayor approached to greet us. I noticed Mom's body stiffen the moment she saw him. He wasn't that old, probably the same age as my dad, but he was clearly a gym enthusiast judging by his build. "Reverence." Mom immediately smiled and shook his hand.

"You seem to be getting younger." He abruptly turned his gaze to me. "And you must be, Chanty. The eldest, right?" My eyebrow shot up. I didn't like his aura. "And you are?" I asked, a hint of steel in my voice. He wasn't the mayor when I was living here. I didn't know him, and I didn't know why he seemed to know me so well.

"I'm Travis." "Travis?" "Travis Del Rosario. The mayor here. I know you don't know me. But I used to carry you often when you were little. I saw you as my own daughter." "Hindi ko maalala," I said, a flat finality in my tone. "That's okay, you were just a baby then."

I watched as Mom's hand found his arm, a silent plea for his attention. My eyebrow shot up at the action, and I returned my gaze to the mayor. "Reverence, I have a problem I'd like to bring to your attention. I've noticed the number of people in the church is growing. Maybe we should expand it..."

"Expand it? No offense, but you should probably just replace your priest." "Chanty!" Mom scolded me. "Or at the very least, you should be strict in the church, especially with how the women dress." I looked at Mom. The barely-contained annoyance she'd been hiding since the mayor appeared was now etched on her face. "Ano sa tingin mo? I'm sure fewer people would come to church then, and you wouldn't need to expand it."

"I'm sorry, Reverence, this is her first time here... she doesn't know everything yet." Mom secretly glared at me.

"Dito ako nakatira." "That's not true. I sent her to the countryside..." "Nope, hindi iyan totoo. She didn't send me away. Tumakas ako and became a stripper."

The mayor crossed himself, his eyes wide in genuine shock. "Well, it's good that you had the courage to return to Him." You wouldn't see me here if it weren't for my sister. "I'm trying. As long as people don't try to demonize me."

I looked at the mayor again. I didn't know why, but he looked so familiar. And they had the same name. "Aalis na ako," I said to the mayor.

"Ingat ka." I hugged my mom again and walked away. I heard her sneer in disbelief as I turned my back. The little shy and innocent Chanty is gone. My silence is over, and so is my suffering from your hurtful words. She should be thankful I still have a little respect for her. She better not push me, or the whole world will find out the dirt she's desperately trying to cover with her money.

I ran into Aunt Beth and her friends, who looked like they couldn't believe I was here, wearing a Sunday dress. I greeted them and didn't linger. I wasn't in the mood to start another fight. A verbal spat with Mom was enough for one day.

As I looked for my car, I saw Gabriel. He was bent over, arranging his belongings in the trunk of his car. Our cars were parked side by side. It was a miracle that he wasn't surrounded by women. He wore a plain white polo and denim jeans. He had on his specs, which made him look devastatingly good.

"Kailangan mo ng tulong?" I interrupted. "Nah, it's okay." He turned to me and froze, his eyes widening. "Okay," I said. I opened my car door when he spoke again. "Nagkita na ba tayo? Because honestly, you look familiar." He leaned against his car, rubbing his jaw. "I should be the one to ask you that," I said, my voice a soft murmur. "And oh! I noticed that you were stealing a glance at me earlier. I might just assume you like me." He laughed at my words. "Do you have plans this evening?" he suddenly asked, slipping his glasses off, his gaze locking with mine.

I stepped closer to him and put his glasses back on. "Bagay sa 'yo," I hissed. I got into my car before my mom's gossipy friends could see me flirting with their priest.

He walked closer, crossing his arms over my open window. "You know what else looks good on me?" he said, his voice a low growl. I leaned in, giving him my full attention. His cologne immediately filled my senses. "My cock's in your mouth." I smiled. It wasn't my first time hearing those words. Especially from a man like him, a womanizer with only sex on his mind. I wasn't surprised that he had already stripped me naked in his thoughts.

"Do you know what else looks good on you?" I leaned even closer, my voice a whisper. "Watching me spreading my legs, naked on the floor, and rubbing my clit in the mirror while moaning your name, and riding you back and forth." I inhaled his perfume, feeling him stiffen and his arousal grow. "Isn't it good, father?" I licked his earlobe.

I looked down at the slowly growing bulge in his jeans. "You better do something with my cock right now, lil' lamb," he whispered, his voice a low growl.

"Too bad. Marami akong ginagawa ngayon. Aalis na ako ngayon, father." I gently pushed him away before rolling up my window. I started the engine and drove myself out of there. I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw him standing there, his body tight, obviously in trouble. He thought his seduction would work on me. Good thing he was just as weak. I put on my sunglasses and turned up the music. All we have to do now is wait for the fish to take the bait.