Chapter 9: Luxe

"Gabrielle. . ."

Gabrielle wiped her tears heedlessly when she heard the familiar voice. Her mother's voice.

She took a deep breath before she decided to get up and face her mother.

"Mom?" mahinang wika niya nang malingunan ito sa pintuan ng kan'yang maliit na gym.

"Are you okay, dear?" tugon nitong tinatanong kung okay lang siya.

She's Miranda Sandoval. A sophisticated woman in her fifties. Hindi ito kinababakasan ng pagtanda.

Napalunok si Gabrielle bago sinagot ang ina habang papalapit siya dito.

"I'm fine, mom!" she answered, smiling. She was trying to be cheerful and not to make her mother worried.

"Are you sure?" muling wika ng ginang at lumapit sa kanya para makipag-beso.

"Of course, mom! Ako pa ba?" tugon ni Gabrielle at umakbay sa ina. Magkaagapay nilang tinungo ang sala at naupo doon.

"But mom, what makes you come here? Biglaan yata?"

"Bakit masama bang dalawin ang nag-iisa kong prinsesa?" birong tugon ng ginang.

"Hindi syempre pero madalas kasi tumatawag ka muna at