Chapter 2 BLACKSHEEP OF THE FAMILY

Author POV:

Ang gabi sa mansyon ng mga Caliz ay hindi na nagbibigay ng kapayapaan kay Grace. Ang bawat sulok ng bahay na dati ay amoy bulaklak at puno ng musika ng kanyang ina ay tila naging isang malaking kabaong na dahan-dahang sumasakal sa kanya.

Matapos ang hapunan kung saan ipinagkanulo siya ng sariling ama, pumasok si Grace sa kanyang silid isang maliit na kwarto sa dulo ng pasilyo, malayo sa marangyang master’s bedroom na dati ay sa kanya ngunit ngayon ay inookupa na ni Hailey.

Dahan-dahan niyang kinuha ang isang maliit na black box mula sa ilalim ng kanyang kama. Sa loob nito ay ang Emerald Heirloom ng kanyang ina. Ang mga batong ito ay kasing kulay ng mga mata ni Grace malalim, tapat, at puno ng buhay.

"Hindi ko hahayaang mahawakan nila kayo," bulong ni Grace habang humihigpit ang hawak sa kwintas. "Pangako, Mama."

Grace Pov:

The Charity Gala. It was the most prestigious event of the year, and for Teresa and Hailey, it was their coming out in a party as the new queens of the Caliz empire.

Para sa akin? It was a nightmare.

"Grace, wear this." Teresa said, throwing a plain, high necked gray dress at me. It looked like something a servant would wear. "And make sure you stay in the shadows. We don't want the guests to lose their appetite because of that... thing on your face."

She was talking about the large, dark birthmark covering almost the entire left side of my face. To them, it was a curse. A stain on the "perfect" Caliz image.

"Bakit kailangan niyo pa akong isama?" I asked, my voice small.

"Because your father wants to show the world he’s a charitable man even to his own daughter," Hailey mocked while she applied glittering makeup on her flawless skin. "Just stay away from me, okay? I have a reputation to protect."

Inside the ballroom, the lights were blinding. Everyone was dressed in luxurious clothes.

I stood in a corner, holding a glass of water, trying to hide behind a large marble pillar. I could hear the whispers.

"Is that the Caliz daughter? Sayang, she has her mother eyes but that face..."

"She looks like a monster beside Hailey."

The words stung like salt on an open wound. I looked at my father, Don Gabriel. He was busy laughing with investors, his arm wrapped around Teresa waist. Not once did he look my way. Not once did he defend me.

I couldn't take it anymore. The walls were closing in. I turned around and headed for the balcony, slipping away from the crowd.

IN THE BALCONY

The balcony was cold, and the moon was the only light. I leaned against the stone railing, letting my tears finally fall. I hated this face. I hated my life.

"Beautiful night, isn't it?"

I gasped and quickly turned my head to hide my left side, covering my face with my hair. "S-sino ka? What are you doing here?"

A man stepped out from the shadows. He was young, wearing a perfectly tailored tuxedo. He looked powerful, but his eyes weren't judgmental. They were calm.

"I could ask you the same thing." he said, stepping closer. "The party is inside, but you’re out here talking to the moon."

"I don't belong in there," I whispered, keeping my face turned away. You should go back before someone sees you talking to me and judges you too."

I heard him chuckle. It was a deep, warm sound. "I’m Kalix Cross Desmond. "Stop listening to their opinions because their words are just a reflection of who they are, not who you are."

He walked until he was standing right in front of me. I tried to move away, but he gently reached out. I flinched, expecting him to stepping back in disgust when he saw my birthmark.

But he didn't.

"Sino ang maysabi niyan?" tanong niya. Gently, he used his hand to move my hair away from my face. I tried to pull back, but he was firm.

He looked directly at my big, black birthmark. He didn't look disgusted. He didn't look scared.

"It’s not a curse, Grace." he said softly. His eyes were very kind. It makes you unique. It makes you... you." My heart pounded so fast. No one had ever said that to me. Lahat sila, diring-diri sa akin. Pero si Kalix? He looked at me like I was something precious.

"You're just saying that because you're nice." I said, blushing.

"I’m not a nice man, Grace." he chuckled. "But I am an honest one. You have the most beautiful unique green eyes. Huwag mong hayaan na saktan ka nila."

We talked for hours. For the first time in my life, I felt special. He treated me like a princess, not like them.

1 months past we become friends siya lang ang raong nakakaintindi at mabait saakin. He's very sweet and napaka green flag niya. Past few weeks I confess my feelings to him I didn't expect na he like me too. Sino ba Naman ang magkakagusto saakin diba.

We secretly met up when they're not around.

It’s been 3 months since Kalix and I became official. Every day felt like a dream. Kahit patago, masaya kami. He gave me a promise ring before he left for Italy to study college.

“Grace, wait for me, okay? Pagbalik ko, papakasalan kita. I don’t care about what people say. It’s always been you.” he said before he kissed my forehead.

But dreams don't last in this house.

Nung nasa Italy na siya, everything was fine at first. But lately, hindi na siya nagpaparamdam. My messages were left on seen, and sometimes, no reply at all. My heart was heavy. Nagtataka ako, may nagawa ba akong mali?

Pumasok si Hailey sa kwarto ko with a glass of wine and a wicked smile.

"Poor Grace. Still waiting for Kalix?" she mocked. She threw her phone on my bed. "Look at this. This is why he’s not messaging you."

Nanlamig ako sa nakita ko. It was a video of Kalix and Hailey together in a restaurant in Italy. They were laughing. Then, she showed me a message from Kalix to her. "Just be patient babe, I will gonna break up her soon. You know that ikaw lang ang mahal ko ginagamit ko lang siya to get close to you. At doon na nga Ako l naniwala sa mga sinabi niya then doon narin tumulo ang mga luha na kanina ko pa pinipigilan.

Few weeks past

"Grace, let's have a drink. Para naman mabawasan ang lungkot mo." Hailey said, acting kind.

I was so heartbroken that I didn't care anymore. I drank the juice she gave me. But after a few minutes, my head felt heavy. Everything went black.

Kalix POV:

I arrived at the Caliz mansion with a bouquet of flowers and a small velvet box. I wanted to surprise Grace. 11 months of being away was torture. I missed my girl. I missed her so much

"Kalix! You're here!" Hailey greeted me at the door. She looked worried. "But... maybe you shouldn't go upstairs."

"Why? Where's Grace?" my voice turned cold.

"She’s... she’s busy. With someone else."

I pushed past her. I didn't believe her. Grace would never. I ran to her room and opened the door.

My heart stopped.

The flowers fell from my hand. Grace was lying on the bed, asleep, and there was a guy beside her, shirtless. The room smelled like alcohol. It looked like they just finished making love.

I couldn't breathe. The girl I stayed faithful to in Italy, the girl I wanted to marry... was this her?

I didn't say a word. I didn't shout. I just looked at her one last time with tears in my eyes. I felt so stupid for believing her "honest eyes."

I turned around and walked away, leaving the promise ring on her table. I left the house without looking back.