Chapter 1

I always wonder why all people wants to be rich? Dahil ba sa tingin nila na ang pagkakaroon ng yaman at pera ay kayang mabili ang lahat ng bagay? Short-lived happiness, maybe. Nakakatawa. I am a girl born with a silver spoon in my mouth. Lahat kina-iinggitan ang buhay ko. They see me as the beautiful girl blessed with riches, looks and talent. What they don’t know is the lies hiding in darkness.

“Be presentable! Kailangan mong makuha agad ang atensyon ni Mr. Huntson at ang kaniyang anak, Leandra.” ang istriktong mando ni Mommy habang tinitingnan ang repleksyon ko sa malaking salamin, her eyes as cold as ice. Bumuntonghininga ako bago tumango, lazily combing my long jet-black hair contrasting my very white and porcelain skin. I also have an almond shaped eye with its hazel brown colored orbs. Sumulyap ako kay Mommy nang tumayo siya at tuluyan ng lumabas sa silid. Ang kaniyang mga singkit na mata ay napakalayo ng itsura mula sa akin. Is she really my mother? Shaking my head, I licked my lips and pouted it a bit.

My lips are naturally red. Hugis puso ang aking mukha, always envied many girls. My chin is also cute and my brows doesn’t need to be drawn as it is very beautiful and shaped on its own as well as my long and curvy eyelashes. Suminghap ako at lalong ngumuso habang nililingon ang cellphone. Ten. Sampung araw bago ang aking engagement party, at ni wala akong naiisip na plano para matakasan iyon.

This is the dark side of being rich. The tradition that our family has been doing for many centuries. Certain things must go on its same manner in order to stay on top. Where the heck did, they even get that?

Matapos matuyo ang buhok ay napagdesisyunan ko munang magbasa ng libro para patayin ang oras, pero dahil wala akong kahilig-hilig sa mga piksyunal na librong may mga karakter ng bampira, mas pinili ko na lamang mag-ikot sa aming hardin. The maids are eyeing me with eyes full of emotions. Whatever, they want to be rich meanwhile I just want to be a poor rat, at least rats are free, unlike me. All the actions and words need to be filtered, all decisions coming from my parents.

I want my frigging freedom! At ni hindi nila maibigay iyon.

Rolling my eyes, I jumped on the big limestone that will lead me to the beach. Ang maganda lang siguro sa pagiging mayaman ay kaya mong bilhin ang kung anong gusto at kailangan mo. Seeing the calm waves of the sea crashing on to the white fine sands, a thought suddenly came into my mind.

Kaya kong takasan ang engagement kung sa dagat ang daraanan ko pero pakiramdam ko ay maglalagay na agad sila ng guwardya dito! Iritado na ako nang maupo sa puti at pinong buhangin, tinatanaw ang bawat hampas ng alon sa dalampasigan.

The thing about being an old rich family is that, people expect you to be always on top of everything, that your parents are so willing to marry their daughter off to expand their influence and acquire assets that will make them holds more power from the higher class of the society.

At bakit naman hahayaan ng magulang ko na basta-basta na lamang ako ipakasal sa lalaking ni hindi ko kilala? For Pete’s sake I haven’t met the guy yet! I only knew about his name and background. And he is rumored to be a playboy! Even so, I will not let myself marry at a very young age. Maglalabing walong taong gulang pa lamang ako, ni kulang pa sa karanasan sa buhay tapos gusto na agad nila akong ikulong sa kasal na hindi ko gusto? Kabaliwan, naiisip ko na tuloy na hindi talaga sila ang tunay kong magulang. First, we don’t look the same! Second, I grew up without their parenting, just the maids around me. Pangatlo… eto, they are ruthless to me!

Am I really a Carmine?

Wala akong maisip na plano sa nagdaang mga araw dahil talagang nilagyan nila ng bantay ang baybayin, may mga yate na naroroon sa malayong katubigan, umiikot at tila ba nag-aabang na hulihin ako sa tuwing makikita nila akong nakatambay sa may tabing dagat. At mas nakakairitang isipin na ikakasal ako sa aroganteng g*go na iyon! I met him three days ago and swear to all saints, he got the face but not the attitude! You just can’t have it all, really!

Mabilis na dumaan ang araw at mas lalo akong hindi napalagay sa sitwasyon. I glanced at my reflection on the mirror as I heaved a deep sigh.

“Ma’am Leandra Beatriz,” Iritado kong ibinaba ang hair brush at nagtiim bagang nang marinig ang katok sa pintuan.

“What?” I shouted from the inside staring at the door with pissed eyes.

“Pinapasabe po ni M-Madame Carolina na mag-ayos na daw po kayo,” Nanginig pa ang boses niya.

Alam ko na agad ang balak ni Mom! She’s setting me up to that assh*le! Ang inggratong Kent na iyon, suminghap ako sa iritasyon.

“Alright!” I answered back and looked at my reflection again. When will I have my freedom? Right! Kukumbinsihin ko na lamang si Kent, bukod roon, mukha namang ang isang playboy na kagaya niya ay hindi papayag na magpatali na lang ng ganoon. It will only hinder him from playing with girls so…

Excited and feeling a faint hope, I went to my closet and picked a black spaghetti dress paired with a strappy sandal, and my hair freely swaying. I cleared my throat and smiled at the mirror; I should give him a smile that will surely convince him!

Proud at my plan, bumaba na ako ng aming hagdanan nang may isang malaking ngiti. Mom eyed me with her cold eyes, brows shutting up and probably confused on why I am smiling when just the yesterday I almost blow a fire to them.

Nahagip ko ang mata ni Kent na sinusuyod ako ng tingin habang nakangisi. I felt disgusted by the way he looked at me but this is for my freedom so I must stay strong.

“Hi!” I warmly greeted when I stood near them, my Mom turned to Kent then to me.

  

“Kent wants to take you to a date,” ni hindi man lamang siya nabahala roon, very unlikely on how a normal mother should react when someone wants to date her only daughter. Well, siya nga ang may gustong magpakasal sa ’kin kaya...

“Sure!’ sagot ko. Buti na lamang at napigilan ko ang sariling iirap ang mata, malamang, kahit na tumanggi ako ay itutulak pa rin ako palabas ng bahay para lamang ma i-date ko itong lalaking ito.

 “Uhm, shall we go now?” peke ang ngiti ko.

Tumango siya at nagpaalam na sa kay Mom bago kami tuluyang lumabas ng mansyon, ang mga ng mga serbidoro ay nakatingin sa amin na para ba kaming nasa isang soap opera!

Kent open the door of his shining Corolla Altis, I smiled and when he closed the door, I almost puke! Ang galing ko talagang aktres, ano? Pakiramdam ko ay maari na akong mag-apply bilang isang artista sa hinaharap! I mocked on my mind. Tumikhim ako nang pumasok na siya at pinaugong ang makina ng kaniyang sasakyan.

I felt really awkward the whole ride, he’s asking me things and I am very humble to answer it, pero tuwing masyado akong madadala sa pinag-uusapan namin ay mararamdaman ko ang kamay niyang gumagapang sa aking hita na mabilis ko din namang pinapalis.

Peke na ang ngiti ko nang makarating na kami sa isang fine dining restaurant, mabilis na dumapo ang mga mata nila sa amin at umugong na din ang mga bulong-bulungan. I retained my serious face and flipped my long black hair as I graced the restaurant with Kent. He reserved a table for us and we sat on the far left of where the crowd is.

After ordering, we casually talk to each other while waiting for our food, but I will lie if I will say that I don’t feel any awkwardness and discomfort especially when I noticed his eyes dropping on my chest as he grossly smiled. Napakamanyak ng isang ito!

“So, you are fond of horses?” he asked as we ate our foods.

Obviously! Malaki ang kwadra na naroon sa tabi ng aming mansion, marami din ang mga kabayo namin at dahil nga sa bagot ay wala akong ibang pagpipilian kundi sakyan ang mga iyon at maggala na lamang sa baybayin.

I smiled. “Yes,”

“That’s good, we could use that you know...” he flashed a nasty smile making my face paled as my hands reach for a glass of water while trembling. The guts! Dapat siguro ay kanina ko pa sinabi sa kaniya na nakakasuka ang arrangement na ito dahil ngayon ay parang may iba siyang naiisip sa kabaitang ipinapakita ko!

I cleared my throat when I finished my food. I flashed a serious face and looked at him, the disgusting smirk never leaving his lips. Nakakairita talagang tingnan!

“Hunston...” I seriously called his attention. He arched his brows and I never felt so disgusted and uncomfortable my whole life na ang gusto ko na lamang gawin ay magsuka sa mukha niya!

“Why call my last name? Kent na lamang, Leandra. What is with the sudden formality?” tanong niya na may nakakakilabot pa ding ngiti.

Gritting my teeth and clenching my hands into a fist under the table, I spoke trying to hide the dripping irritation and anger.

“I can’t take this anymore.” I said and his smile vanishes. “I can’t marry you and I don’t want to marry you, Kent Hunston.”

His face looked disappointed as he shook his head. “Why?”

“H’wag mo na akong tanungin. Sadyang ayaw ko lang talagang matali.” I said fiercely. “So, I know you are a playboy and being tied to me, mahahadlangan lang noon ang mga ‘deeds’ mo,”

Umiling siya at ngumiti, halos nagtindigan ang mga balahibo ko sa batok dahil roon! D*mn I think I already know his answer by the way he eyed me from head to foot as he licked his lips.

“Akala mo ba ay maloloko mo ako, Leandra?” he mischievously smiled. I cursed mentally.

“Please I am begging you, I can give you anything just... break the engagement!” my desperation showed on my face. Ito na lang ang naiisip ko para tuluyang makawala sa kanila.

“Please... please... I want my freedom,” I pleaded. He just shook his head and smiled evilly as he crossed his arms on his chest.

“No way... besides you won’t shackle my sexual deeds but instead...you will make it more exciting!” He laughed. “Nakita mo ba ang itsura ng mga mukha nila?” he asked while looking at the people on the restaurant. “Tinitingnan nila tayo na para bang anumang oras ay tutungo na sila!”

My eyes become teary. He is hopeless!

“There’s no chance I will let your beautiful face and sexy body go.” He sarcastically smiled as I prevent myself from crying and slapping him. “Might as well consumed you,”

Nagtiim bagang ako at hindi na muli nagsalita kahit na binago niya na ang usapan. No f*cking way I am talking to a crude man! He knows nothing but sex. Gulat pa nga ako dahil hindi niya ako idiniretso sa isang motel o kung ano matapos naming kumain.

When I reached our home, mabilis akong tumakbo sa kwarto ko at padabog na ibinagsak ang pintuan. It created a very loud thud that I already pictured out the maids jerking and jumping in shock.

Wala akong ibang nagawa kundi ang isigaw ang galit sa unan. My hope slowly slipping as I failed from my plan. The only possible idea I could execute is escaping. Noong gabi ding iyon ay panay langang tulo ng luha ko habang nag-iisip pa ng ibang paraan para makawala sa kasal.

Staring down at the busy people on our vast garden, I can’t help but grimaced at the thought that tonight is the scariest night for me. Ito na siguro ang isa sa pinakamalaking anunsyo na paniguradong pagpipiyestehan ng buong media, dahil ang isa sa pinaka makapangyarihang pamilya ay ihahayag ang kanilang pakikipag-isa sa isa ring pinakamayamang pamilya sa bansa.

Sighing, I intently looked at all the maids arranging the tables and chair, throwing them a death glare but I guess this won’t work, right?

Imbes na makihalubilo sa mga abalang organizer ng handaan ay dumiretso muna ako sa conference room nila Mom. Alam ko namang wala na talaga akong magagawa pa para matakasan ang kasal. Hindi ko talaga at ni hindi ko pinangarap o ginusto na makasal sa ganitog edad pero baka siguro isa din ito sa mapagpapabago ng tungo nila Mom sa akin... maybe after they realized how I sacrifice my freedom for the sake of our business, they will somehow think that they were wronged about me, that I deserved their attention, perhaps love.

Kakatok na sana ako sa malaking pinto ng silid ng bumukas ito at lumabas ang isang serbidora, agad itong namutla nang makita ako at hindi na naisara pa ng ayos ang pintuan.

“Hindi na nila iyon ibabalik dito.” Narinig ko ang tinig ni Dad. I peeked through the small space left on the open door. Napalunok ako lalo na dahil nakita kong seryoso silang nag-uusap na dalawa roon.

Nabuhayan ako ng loob. Baka iuurong nila ang kasal?

“That is why it is more convenient. The earlier she sets off her foot outside our house, wala na din tayong responsibilidad sa kung ano man ang mangyari dahil kargo na iyon ng magiging asawa niya,”

It felt as if I was struck by a lightning when I heard my mom’s chilly and sharp words. Napatulala ako at makailang beses pang sinubukang pakinggan kung babawiin nila iyon pero wala!

Nakaramdam ako ng pamamanhid at natagpuan ko na lamang ang sarili kong tumatakbo pababa sa batong hagdanan patungo sa may dagat, palayo sa kanilang lahat.

Mabilis na nagtubig ang mga mata ko kasabay ng pagpipigil ko ng mga hikbi. I just turned eighteen I am very legal, a real woman but heck... ito dapat iyong pinaghahandaan at pinagdiriwang pero ano? Masyado silang abala sa pagpaplano ng kung anong mangyayari matapos ang kasal! At ang mas malala pa ay para bang isa lang din akong bagay na ibinigay sa iba kapalit ang pera!

All they think about is their riches! Money...to hell with money and power.

I parted my lips when I felt like I am going lose air from all the crying as I watch the sun sets. Ito ba talaga ang nakalaan para sa ’kin? Suminghap ako at mabilis na tumayo nang may nakitang papalapit sa akin.

“Narito ka pala.” He smiled wickedly, ang kaniyang boots ay mabibigat ang tapak sa buhanginan habang ako ay paatras lang ng paatras, my arms raising in a protective manner. I will never forget the way he lingered his stares at me the first time we met.

“What the heck are you doing here? Umuwi ka na sa inyo at walang kasalang magaganap!” I shouted full of angst. Ngumisi siya, his hands unbuttoning his polo. My eyes widened and my heartbeat raise like hell. Nanginginig na ako pero nagpupuyos sa galit ang mata kong nakatingin sa kaniyang nakangising labi. I looked around to seek for help but he immediately closed the distance between us, harshly pulling my nape for a wild and... disgusting kiss!

I grunted as I felt his hands exploring on the bottom part of my body. Tears brimmed more and I only feel so angry, why am I experiencing this?! The disgust that I felt the moment his skin touched mine, I am lost for words. Para akong itinapon sa kawalan, panandaliang nagblangko ang utak ko hanggang sa muli akong hilahin sa reyalidad matapos marinig ang kaniyang pagngisi.

Nagpupuyos at nanginginig na ako sa galit habang nakatingin sa malademonyo niyang ngisi pero agad din iyong nawala nang direkta siyang tumingin sa mga mata ko. Namutla ang mukha niya at sa kakaunting oras ay nakita ko ang takot na dumaan doon. I took advantage of it. Mabilis akong nagpalipad ng suntok sa mukha niya na siyang nagpatumba sa kaniya. Hindi pa ako nakontento at imbes na tumakbo ay bumaIing muli ako sa nakahigang si Kent.

“F*ck you!” I shouted and forcefully kicked his crotch, pushing his chest before running on the limestone stairs.

“You ungrateful b*tch!”