Lies and Deception ✔ (Haciendero #4)

Ikalabing-walong Kabanata

Kabanata 18

New driver

The anniversary party is on the weekend.

My father made sure I was going to attend.

I thought I was powerful, but not enough to disobey him. It was annoying.

Bored na bored ako habang hawak ang kopita ng alak. I was trying to drown myself with cocktails and to fuel myself in doing some stupid shits to ruin my father's reputation on his own party.

Hindi naman p'wedeng ako lang ang miserable sa aming dalawa. I was miserable back then, he should be now. But here I am... drinking alcohol... away from the crowd of people he hangs out with.

"I've been watching you from afar, mukhang ikaw lang ang hindi nag-eenjoy sa party." I heard someone, my face turned to look at the man who took the seat beside me. Sinenyasan niya ang bartender para sa order niyang drink.

Ngumisi ito nang muling gumawi sa direksyon ko. Tumaas naman ang kilay ko.

"Do you enjoy this kind of hell? Wow, you're a different kind of breed. Congrats." Umirap ako sa ere at muling sumimsim ng alcohol.

"It's true, huh. You're like a living mean girl." Humalakhak pa ang lalaki. "I'm Mico, by the way."

"Did I ask?" I rolled my eyes again.

He shrugged. "I just thought I'll let you know. Surely, I'll see you around." Tumayo siya hawak ang cocktail. He waved his free hand at me, and winked. Hindi ko na ito pinansin.

That man was just wasting my precious time, he should be thankful to me for entertaining his bullshit. Nasapo ko ang aking noo.

Good thing, even if I were stressed, I'm still beautiful. Habang tumatanda ako at nagkakaedad, mas lalo akong sumasarap.

Nabaling ang atensyon ko sa harap ng mini stage nang magsalita sa mikropono ang emcee. Nasa harapan din si daddy kasama ang isang lalaking mukhang business partner niya.

I was spotted by his men. Agad na lumapit ang mga ito sa akin.

"Ma'am, pinapatawag ka po ng daddy niyo." One of them said.

"I can walk on my own, don't escort me." I hissed at them.

Huminga ako ng malalim. Pinigilan ko ang namumuong tensyon sa katawan ko. I remained compose and calm as I walked towards the center stage. Nabawasan ang konsumisyon ni daddy nang makita akong papalapit sa kanya.

I was all smiles. It was something easy to do for an actress like me.

Bumeso pa ako sa walang kwenta kong ama. Oh, do I have to sugarcoat that? Wala naman talagang kwenta. Anak lang ako kapang kinakailangan niya. Well, he's a businessman, what can I do?

"Thank goodness, you're here." I heard him say.

"Did you even give me a choice?" I asked sarcastically.

If I didn't come, he was going to mess with my career. Kababalik ko pa lang sa acting, sisirain na naman niya iyon sa isang iglap.

A part of me didn't care. Pero tinatantiya ko lang bawat hakbang niya. Once I grasp his plans, that's when I start to rebel. One thing I'm sure about, walang matutuloy sa kasal na plano niya.

I'm tired of his schemes. I'm tired of his games.

I went with the flow. For now, I would let him think he got my neck once again. He couldn't do it forever --- humans do die eventually. Matanda na siya. Konting oras na lang ang hihintayin ko.