-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-
It has been three days since I saw Corlyn. After that night, I woke up without her beside me.It was the day of Dad's burial. It left me sleepless for three days but the guilt and anger inside me never faded away.The six of us, no. Seven, wore white except for the visitors who visited Dad's wake. Pagkatapos nilang maibaon ito sa lupa, we let go of our balloons and let them fly through the vast emptiness of the sky.Jana continuously cried in Khaleed's arms but I didn't care. I don't give a fucking shit if she bawled her eyes out in front of Dad's grave. Hindi na siya magigising kahit umiyak siya.Attorney Delafuego immediately came to the house to discuss the will afterwards. We all sat quietly in the conference room in the east part of the house.As they all sat together in front of the table, I was the only one leaning on the door. Obviously I don't want to sit beside them kahit na pinipilit ako ni Jace na umupo sa tabi niya."Okay, first things first. Let's start with the eldest, shall we?" Attorney started as he opened the folder."For Ameer, he will have a partition on the material things that Mr. Halid owns. Things like jewellery, cars, motorcycles and many other things. He will be sharing it with Khaleed and both of them will handle and inherit the business branches in Greece. As for Gelal-" He was cut off when he saw Jana stand up.She walked out as he immediately mentioned my name. Naglakad ito patungo sa akin and bumped her shoulder on my arm as she made her way out.But I don't give a shit about it.Tumahimik ang paligid after what happened a moment ago, Khaleed clearing his throat to ease the awkwardness."You may continue, Attorney." Saad niya.The Attorney cleared his throat. "Okay. As for Gelal, the properties on the south part of the country and the company will be legally transferred to his name. Also, he will inherit your Father's bank account that has a total of billions. As for Jace and Kaji, they will inherit your Father's restaurants in the east and north part of the country while Chase will inherit the house and the land where the house stands as he will also inherit the properties on the west part. As for your mother Jana, she will not get any inheritance from your Father." He spoke authoritatively, closing the folder afterwards."Attorney, can I ask?" Ameer butted in."Yes you may." Attorney answered as he glanced at him."Bakit walang makukuhang mana si Mama? obviously that will be the first to mention since she was the wife of our Father, am I correct?" He asked, his brows furrowed."You are indeed correct Ameer pero walang nilagay si Mr. Halid para sa inheritance ng Mama niyo. He just said to put all your names in the will, never to mention hers."I shook my head, keeping the smirk to myself. Who would've thought na wala siyang makukuha after all the 'good things' she did to us? To Dad? Maybe she really deserved that."This is nonsense. How can she not get any? if she will have none, transfer the properties unto her name." Chase protested.But I didn't give a shit kung magprotesta sila. May magagawa pa ba sila kung ganun na walang iniwan na mana si Dad para sa bruha kong stepmom? Obviously, wala. What's stated on the will is stated. Period."What did you say, Chase?" I looked to see a confused Jana beside me.Attorney butted in. "Mr. Yvesmark would like to transfer the properties on the west to your name, Mrs. Francisco.""W-Why? Why would you want to transfer those to me?" She asked curiously."Because your name was not on the will. Dad didn't inherit you anything kaya ko pinapapasa yung properties sa pangalan mo." He answered before looking back at the attorney."Obviously, what's stated in the will is already stated. Wala na tayong magagawa if hindi siya binigyan ng mana ni Dad. Well, only if you're gonna give her what's rightfully and legally yours." I butted in which resulted in me receiving glares from them.Nakipag sukatan ako ng tingin sa mga ito, the anger slowly building up inside me again as I watched Ameer stand up."What if ikaw na lang ang kuhaan namin ng mana? Total hindi rin naman fair ang paghahati na ginawa sa mana kaya ikaw nalang ang kukuhaan namin." Saad nito na ikinangisi ko."Bakit? Sinabi ko ba na bigyan niyo ako? Bigyan niya ako? I didn't even want this shit. Pero anong magagawa ko? Sa akin nakapangalan so I should stick with it." I answered, keeping the laugh to myself nang makita kong namumula ang mukha nito dahil sa inis."Sampid ka lang naman. So bakit ka pa bibigyan ng mana when in the first place, hindi naman dapat?" He asked angrily.I laughed softly before locking my eyes on his. "Sigurado ka bang ako lang ang sampid? Tandaan mo, hindi lang ako ang anak sa labas. Apat kami." I answered solemnly before I saw Chase grab me by the collar."Nangiinis ka ba talaga, ha?" Tanong nito, his jaw clenched."Hindi ako ang nagsimula kaya wag ako ang tanungin mo." Sagot ko as I aggressively removed his hands from me.Pinagpagan ko ang aking damit, glaring at them one last time bago umalis sa conference room. Slamming the door behind me.Naglakad ako patungo ng hagdan, making my way upstairs kahit na tinatawag ako."Gelal, lingunin mo naman ako." Kilala ko ang boses na iyon but I chose to ignore it.I kept walking through the corridor ngunit hindi pa rin ito tumitigil sa katatawag."Gelal, please." Saad nito that caused me to stop from my pace.Lumingon ako rito, seeing his blue orbs filled with so called worry irritated me."What is it?" I asked, my eyes showing no emotion."Why'd you say that?" He asked back, his brows slightly furrowed.I shrugged. "I didn't say anything." Sagot ko na nagmamaang maangan."Bakit kailangan mong mag cause ng scene-" He was cut off when I spoke."Ameer started it kaya tinapos ko. Don't fucking talk to me kung ganyan lang din naman ang itatanong at sasabihin mo sa akin." Saad ko bago ito iwanan sa corridor.Naglakad ako patungo sa kwarto ko. Turning the lock nang makarating ako before packing my things. Kahit na naririnig kong may kumakatok sa labas ay pinagsawalang bahala ko nalang.I don't want to stay in this house any longer. I'm so fucking fed up by their attitudes and useless shits.Nang matapos ako, I zipped my luggage before opening the door. Seeing Jace in the front door ngunit hindi ko na siya binigyan pa ng pansin."Gelal, where the heck are you going?" He asked as he tried to keep up with me."Away from you bastards." I plainly answered before heading downstairs."You know Ameer didn't mean that. Come on, man." Saad nito ngunit lalo lang akong nainis sa sinabi nito."He definitely fucking meant that, Raj. So stop convincing me. Kahit anong sabihin niyo hindi ako magsstay dito." Sagot ko sa kanya bago tumungo sa front door.Agad akong lumabas ng bahay at pabagsak na isinara iyon as I pull the suitcase behind me, making my way towards my car and putting it in the trunk.Tumungo ako sa driver's side at pumasok roon, quickly starting the engine. Mabilis kong pinaandar ang kotse paalis sa hell hole na iyon.I decided to stay at my condo for awhile since hindi pa naman ako nakakabili ng sarili kong bahay na pwedeng matuluyan. Also, ako lang naman ang titira so maybe it's best if sa condo nalang talaga.It was a 40 minute drive from the mansion plus the traffic so I had a hard time arriving quickly.Nang makarating ako ay linabas ko ang bagahe ko sa trunk, making my way inside the building and heading towards the elevator.Pressing the up button, I waited hanggang sa bumukas ito. Making my way inside nang bumukas iyon and pressing the floor on to where I live.The silence was deafening as I waited for the elevator to arrive on which floor I live. The number continuously changed bago bumukas iyon sa floor na tinutuluyan ko. Agad akong lumabas roon, hatak ang bagahe as I went to my condo unit.I quickly entered my passcode and opened the door but my body froze as soon as I opened it. My eyes locked on the woman standing a few feet away from me.How the fuck did she get in?The awkward silence was deafening as I mustered up the courage to speak ngunit inunahan na ako nito."Theo..." She called out, her emerald orbs focused on mine.I smirked. "Hey sexy bunny, what are you doing here?" I asked nang familiar na siya sa akin.It's Corlyn, no doubt about that.She didn't mimic a word as I let myself in before closing the door.Tinabi ko ang suitcase ko sa living room before striding towards her na nakatayo sa harap ng glass wall."I came by to talk to you." She answered worriedly."Really? About what?" I asked, snaking my arms around her waist before pulling her close to me."Theo, stop." She stated, taking my arms away from her."I just missed you, sexy bunny." I answered as I bit my lower lip.Pinigilan kong ngumisi nang mamula ang mukha nito, she looked like a tomato to be honest.I sighed and removed my arms around her, keeping my hands in my pockets."Is it still sore down there?" I asked, seeing her nod eased me a bit."What do you want to talk about?" I asked her again, this time it was solemn.She pursed her lips. "It's about marriage. Dad also wants to talk to you" She answered, her brows slightly furrowed."What marriage?" Tanong ko na nakakunot ang noo.The fuck?"Dad arranged a marriage for us, Theo." Sagot nito, bakas sa tono nito na nangangamba siya."W-what? That's impossible." Utal ko, disbelief was laced in my words."It looks impossible pero nandito na tayo sa sitwasyon na to. I already knew you were Gelal too. I looked into your wallet three days ago before I left." Sambit niya na ikinagulat ko.I sighed before nodding "Yeah ako nga si Gelal. So what do you want me to do?" I asked her solemnly."Diko rin gusto ang pakasalan ka. Pero kailangan mong umaktong asawa pag nasa labas tayo. Pinatatawag ka rin ni Papa para mag usap kayo."Tumawa ako ng mahina "Me? Act as your husband in public? You must be joking." Disbelief was laced in my words.I'm not ready to settle in for marriage. Ito na nga ba ang sinasabi ni Dad. Ang pakasalan ako sa babaeng anak sa isa sa mga potential investors niya."I'm not joking, Theo. Ayoko rin malagay sa situation na to." Sambit niya as she crossed her arms over her chest."Edi sabihin mo sa Dad mo na ayaw mo. Period." Sagot ko pabalik, my brows furrowed."Sinabi ko na iyon but he still insisted. Please, If you don't want to act, Father will ruin your Father's name and your reputation. I'm doing this to help you and keep your name and your Father's name clean."-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-I was in disbelief. This woman? Helping me? Pft. I am on the stage of mourning and this woman came into my unit unannounced. Hindi pa rin nagssink in sa utak ko ang sinabi nito na aakto ako para lang hindi masira ang repustasyon namin ni Dad.Pero bakit pati repustasyon ko masisira? The fuck are they even thinking to put me in this situation?."You, helping me? This is nonsense." I laughed sarcastically as I looked away."Then talk to my dad Mr. Francisco. Let's see kung sino ang magmamakaawa sating dalawa.'' Sagot niya na parang naiinis."Bakit naman ako magmamakaawa?" I asked, a grin plastered on my face.Hindi ito sumagot bagkus ay seryoso itong tumingin sa akin. "Ano? Sagot. Wala sa vocabulary ko-" I was cut off when she spoke."Kung ayaw mong umakto, bahala ka. Basta ako sinabi ko na sayo na sisisrain ni Dad ang reputasyon ng yumao mong ama at ang reputasyon mo." Saad niya bago umalis sa harap ko.But before she can walk past me, I held her wrist.
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO POV)-"We will get married next month, Tito." He answered with a smile.Next month? Is he freaking serious?"I guess na nagkakamabutihan kayo? Maganda yan para di na namin kayo pinipilit na magpakasal sa isa't isa." Sagot ni Dad sa kanya, a smile plastered on his face."Wait. Next month is a little bit too fast, is it Agathe? Bakit parang ang bilis naman? They barely know each other and your daughter just turned 18." Mom butted in, her brows slightly furrowed."I agree with you Mom. I think it is a bit too fast para agad silang magpakasal." Kuya denoted, his arms folded over his chest."Lez, why don't you just let them decide? It's as if ikaw ang pakakasalan." Ate Seraphina butted in, eyebrows furrowed."I agree with Ate Sera, Kuya." Ani Clydel at King."Just let them be Kuya. Ate Corlyn is old enough para magdecide." Ani Maria na nasa tabi nito."Old enough? She just turned 18 three days ago. I'm just worried about her dahil di natin kilala ang naka bethrode
-(MAHASIAH LEZALEL VERDANIO POV)-I kept hissing in pain dahil sa pagdampi ng gamot sa mga sugat sa mukha ko. Damn that Francisco. "Yaya, dahan dahan lang. Please." Saad ko, closing my eyes tightly."Just stay still, Sir." Utos nito na ginawa ko naman.I remained still on my seat while the maid applied the ointment on my wounds."Sir, do you want me to apply more?" Tanong nito bago itabi ang mga pinag gamitan."No, call Seraphina for me please." I ordered nang makatayo ako sa upuan.Sumunod agad ito. Nang makalabas ito sa kuwarto ko, umupo ako sa gilid ng kama at kinuha ang cellphone na nasa bedside table. That fucking bastard really thinks he can be ready to marry my step sister in a span of one month. They barely even know each other yet he has the audacity to decide.Tingnan na lang natin kung sino ang magsasawa… doon pa naman siya magpapakasal sa babaeng yun eh may boyfriend yun…Bakit ba kasi siya pa? Pwede naman sa ibang babae. Why did Dad let Emerald arranged her for him?Inan
-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO POV)- -☾-Nakarating na kami sa condominium nito and I must say, it's big for the two of us.Kahit pang tatlong beses ko ng pumunta dito ay mangha parin ako sa lawak ng kanyang unit.Kasalukuyan akong nasa living room, sitting politely as I looked around. My eyes glued to the frame that I saw.Is that… him?Tumayo ako at linapitan ang nakita kong frame na naka display sa floating shelves, grabbing it before analysing the contents.It was him in a tuxedo while his arm was around a woman's waist. His facial expression was stern as the woman was smiling happily, her arms wrapped around him.Hindi ko alam pero… iba ang nararamdaman ko habang nakatingin sa litrato. My heart felt like it was being squeezed and stabbed to death as my brows furrowed. Ngunit wala akong karapatan magselos kasi hindi naman siya akin…"Dito ko na sa bedroom itinabi yung suitcase mo incase na hanapin mo." Sambit nito ngunit hindi ko siya liningon.Siguro napansin niyang iba ang timpla ko
-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)--☾-Two weeks before the goddamn wedding. I still can't believe that I'm going to marry a woman who is 9 years younger than me.But even so, I still tried to distance myself from her and I know she is doing the same. Hindi ko ginusto na may mangyari sa amin, hindi ko ginusto ang lahat ng ito but I have no choice because it already happened.Mabuti na lang din naasikaso ko na ang lahat ng dapat gawin. From the church to the reception, everything was all fixed.Naisipan ko na lugar para sa reception ay malapit sa bangin para maganda ang view. Ngunit nagdadalawang isip ako kung magugustuhan niya ba iyon or hindi.I still feel nervous because I really don't expect na magpapakasal ako sa babaeng diko pa masyado kilala.Kasalukuyan kaming nagte-taste test ng flavors para sa cake sa isang shop. I kept looking at her from time to time dahil napaka tahimik niya. Since hindi ako makapili, I called Jace kahit mabigat sa loob ko to help us decide on which flavor su
-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-(00:40)Kasalukuyan akong umiinom ng alak sa may kusina habang mahimbing na natutulog si Emerald sa kwarto.Habang papalapit ang araw ng kasal, hindi ko maiwasan na kabahan at mag alinlangan kung kakayanin ko ba or tatalikuran ko nalang.Ayokong magpakasal. Ayun lang ang tanging nasa isipan ko ngayon ngunit hindi ko naman pwedeng talikuran dahil malapit na ang petsang iyon.I want to fucking talk to someone upang mailabas ang nararamdaman ko ngunit baka magambala ko lang ang tulog nila.Nilagok ko ang laman ng baso bago salinan muli ng alak iyon. "Gelal?" Napalingon ako nang may tumawag sa akin.I was tipsy but I know what I'm doing. My vision a bit blurry ngunit kung hindi ako nagkakamali, may babaeng nakatayo sa may doorframe ng kusina."What are you doing here?" Tanong ko, closing my eyes as I rubbed my forehead."Kukuha sana ako ng tubig. Hindi ko alam na nandito ka pala." Sa boses palang niya ay kilala ko na ito.I opened my eyes, my vision a bit c
-(AGATHE VERDANIO POV)--Verdanio Residences-"Alright, I will be there in a few minutes. Thank you." Saad ko bago ibaba ang tawag.Hindi ko alam kung bakit sila napatawag. I was busy at my study all morning doing paperworks when the Francisco household called, saying it was an important matter to talk about. Hopefully, he isn't backing out but I'm kinda getting the guts that he is. For a guy like Gelal, he doesn't take others seriously and just be a jerk for the whole time being.Let's just hope he won't be a jerk to my daughter. Or else I'll have his balls cut out.Paglabas ko ng study, I looked around to find Lezalel but he was nowhere to be found. Magpapa-sama sana ako na pumunta ruon kaya ko ito hinahanap."Mahasiah!" I yelled from the second floor I was in.Ngunit wala akong nakuhang sagot. I asked a maid na dumaan sa harap ko kung nasaan si Lez but she said she doesn't know kung kaya't hinayaan ko na ito. Napag isipan ko na pumunta sa kwarto nito kaya't nagtungo ako ruon. Ngun
-(SERAPHINA AMETHYST VERDANIO POV)-Napabiling ang mukha ko sa ibang direksyon as my mom slapped me. Or should I say, my step mom.But the fuck I care about them? They are not my parents by blood. Never was and never will be.Matalim ang aking tingin nang humarap ako rito, nothing was roaming around my mind except the anger that I'm feeling right now.As soon as she found out, she went to my room and dragged me by the hair up into the living room."Hindi kita tinuruan ng ganyan Seraphina. I already told you to stay away from his son before things get worse-" Naputol ang sasabihin nito nang sumabat ako."His son? From what I know, that wasn't his son. Nor am I a daughter of his. Wala kayong karapatan na saktan kaming dalawa dahil in the first place, hindi namin kayo kadugo." Sagot ko, my expression unchanged."Oo hindi namin kayo kadugo pero dito kayo lumaki sa puder namin. Both of you are legally and rightfully ours and what you are doing is incest. You are destroying our family's name