Prelude
2012
Aaliyah Jacqueline Montevista
The night I lost my virginity, it was pouring hard. I thought hindi na kami matutuloy papunta sa bar. I was pissed because of the damn annoying rain. Pinaasa lang ako.
Hindi pwedeng hindi kami umalis today. Kahit hindi na sa The Pool Club. Starbucks would do. Or Infinitea. As long as I could bail.
I wanted to get the fuck out so bad. I hated this house. Every second that I was here, I felt like throwing up.
I could get a condo pero fuck. My good-for-nothing, cheating and lying dad wouldn't let me. He's the law, figuratively and literally. I can't defy him. After all, he's Leonard fucking Montevista. A senator slash CEO and unfortunately, my only guardian.
Yeah. Lucky. Tangina.
At the first ring, I jumped to fetch my phone.
The familiar sound of deep laughter greeted me. "Yo."
"Jani! Where are you?" I cried out in frustration. "You're thirty minutes late."
"I know, I know. I'm almost there. Give me five. Prepared ka na?"
"Yeah. Kanina pa."
"Okay. Kasama ko si Joy. Papasok na kami ng subdivision n'yo."
"Yeah, bilis. Dad might see you pa pag minalas."
"Bakit, uuwi ba? I thought he's abroad?"
"Changed plans. Just hurry up," then I hung up.
I grabbed my purse and checked myself in the mirror. I was wearing my favorite. Black sleeveless velvet cropped top and bandage skirt. Just to be sure, nagdala na rin ako ng cardigan if it becomes too cold mamaya.
Highly doubtful, though.
I had different plans tonight. If everything goes according to plan, not even this storm could stop me from going all out.
The doorbell rang. That's my cue.
I combed my ash blonde locks first and reapplied my pink lippie before running down the stairs to meet the pair.
My best friends, Jani and Joy, were together. I'd known them my entire highschool kaya hindi na awkward na kasama ko sila kahit sila pa. They could kiss and make out there and I wouldn't care. Sanay na 'ko. Besides, I was often too busy with my own thing to pay any attention.
"Coast clear?" Joy asked me with a laugh, looking around the house.
"He's not here," I informed them.
"Nagpaalam ka ba?" Jani piped in.
I frowned. "No. When did I ever?"
"You should. Mag-aalala 'yon."
"Then all of this will be for nothing."
"Oo nga, Jani. Kaya nga prison break, e," Joy added, making me laugh with her.
Jani sighed in defeat. "Sige, bahala kayo."
We ambled to the door. My impatience thinned when the maids and guards immediately blocked our way.
"Ma'am, bawal ka pong lumabas, sabi ng daddy niyo po."
"Nag-usap na kami ni Dad. Let us through," I lied.
Kuya Noel, one of our many guards, scratched his head. "Pero ma'am, sabi talaga ni sir bawal po. Mag-aalala po sa 'yo 'yon."
Like hell he would. He was probably too busy fucking different women not my mother right now.
