Behind This Name (UNEDITED)

50

CHAPTER 50 — THE TRAITOR

I WAS enjoying my life here in El Salazar, living a life with a name Fenella Meneses, experiencing what gifted person could experience in their daily life, and having the chance to somehow experience what it's like being included in a complete and present family.

It's a whole different experience. I was enjoying it, I must admit. I didn't really think that much about how I'll be able to leave El Salazar and go back at Enfanta then act as if nothing happens. And most especially, I never think of getting caught by the institution.

But right now, that thought couldn't leave my mind. The fact that someone saw the only proof that could support the claim about me being a gifted. Dad even built those strongboxes inside our bathroom cupboards to hide it. We were too complacent that they won't find out.

But of course, Dad will do something. We can get away with this one, just like the usual.

"Bilib ako sa tiwalang binibigay mo sa papa mo." Gail's voice suddenly appeared on the stairs. My whole body jolted out of shock. She leaned on the very end of the stair railing, looking at me.

The way she's staring made me stop from drinking my coffee. "Your presence is irrelevant to my thoughts. You can leave, thank you," I said, my voice filled with sarcasm.

"This is our house." She crossed her arms over her chest.

"What I mean is put your presence away from me." I showed her an insincere smile.

Hindi siya nagbigay ng reaksyon at naglakad papunta sa direksyon ko. She sat on the empty chair across mine. Sumandal pa siya at tinaas sa bangko ang paa.

I raised a brow. "Are you kidding me?"

"Never even said a single joke."

Napaawang ang labi ko at hindi makapaniwalang tinitigan siya. I let out an exasperating sigh.

Nang hindi makarinig ng kahit isang salita mula sa akin, siya na ang nagsalita. "Paano kung walang nagawa si Sir Andy? Paano kung nahuli ka nila? Paano kung mangyari talaga 'yong sinabi noong propesor sa iyo?"

"Why wasting your time thinking of those things when in reality it won't happen?"

"Masama bang mag-isip ng mga posibleng mangyari?"

Natigilan ako nang saglit sa sinabi niya. "Is it really possible for me to be caught?"

"Way possible." Tumango-tango siya. "Sa mga nangyayari, it's way possible."

Sumandal ako sa inuupuan ko at hindi mapigilang mapa-isip. "But Dad won't let it happen. Just like how he didn't let my brother face all the shame and hatred before."

"Syempre, hindi niya hahayaan 'yon. Ang sa akin lang, there's still a possibility. Huwag na huwag mong aalisin 'yon."

What she said made me overthink even more. I always had this thought that despite of all the bad things happening to me or all the impulsive things I created, everything's going to be fine because dad would always find solution and he would always succeed. Now, that made me think, how long his capability of protecting us will last?

There's this unexplainable fear roaming inside me. It's making me think things that I don't want to think about.

Staying inside the house, with all these thoughts, would make me crazy, so I decided to go out for a while. At first, Gail protested, but she's too controllable for someone like me. She ended up not having any choice. It's not as if Institute Center is already in El Salazar, roving around and searching for me.

I decided to go at Gio's compound. My feet just brought me on the porch of his apartment. Here I am, standing again in his apartment building. His presence could make me forget all my worries. He knew how to be a good friend. And when these bad things happen to me, despite of him not having a single idea about it, I always go to him. Impressive how certain people can give you such impact. He's way different from all the friends I've met.