Olivia Faye Eleazar will find herself in a world of deceit and lies. As she goes deeper, she slowly loses her identity and the truth about her life. Her confusion made her an easy target of manipulation, making the people around her use her against...
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LEIRIN ANDREA PATTERSON
My knees are shaking, and I'm biting my fingernails. Alam kong I said that I would do this with full conviction, pero why am I freaking out? Why do I feel bad about this? Why am I uncertain of everything?
I flinched when I felt someone place their hand on my back. Agad ko itong nilingon para magalit dahil sa biglaang paghawak nito sa akin pero natikom ang aking bibig dahil si Kuya Ethan iyon. Hindi naman kami ganoon kalapit sa isa't-isa para awayin ko siya.
"Kuya," marahang pagtawag ko na lamang sa kaniya. Isang ngiti naman ang kaniyang ibinigay sa akin bago niya ibinigay sa akin ang isang maliit na kahon.
"Your brother is crazy, but don't worry, he will ensure your safety," he said. Kalmado ang kaniyang pananalita, and somehow, nakatulong ito sa nag-aalangan kong kalooban.
Kinuha ko ang kahon at bumungad sa akin ang isang pares ng hikaw. They were sapphire stud earrings. Kung iisipin at titingnan ang disenyo at maihahalintulad ito sa engagement ring na ibinigay sa akin ni Hale. Pwede silang maging magkapares, ang kaso ay hindi na naibalik sa akin ang singsing na iyon. Well, it wouldn't matter anymore because Hale is out of my life now.
"You need to wear that. Whatever happens, do not remove these earrings," he continued before he grabbed the box from me. He waited for me to pick them up and wear them.
Isang malalim na hininga ang aking pinakawalan bago ko ginawa ang gusto niya. Isinuot ko ang hikaw at isang tipid na ngiti naman ang kaniyang ibinigay sa akin.
"Thank you po," nahihiyang sabi ko kasabay ang pagkagat sa aking labi.
Kuya Ethan left me alone in the corner where I was trying to comfort myself. I wasn't geared up. I may be wearing the same clothes as everyone else, but I wasn't carrying any weapon. The goal is to give a helpless impression. Dangerous, yes, but I trust the people behind me. Tiwala ako sa planong binuo ni Kuya Lance. Sigurado akong hindi nila ako pababayaan.
"Let's roll out," Kuya Lance ordered, and everyone quickly moved while remaining orderly.
Kuya Lance was left alone in the room with me. He was standing by the doorway with his hands in his pockets. Sa ganitong pagkakataon ko nauunawaan kung bakit siya nagustuhan ni Ate Xaira. Sa kaniyang tikas ay mababakas ang kapangyarihang hawak niya sa kaniyang kamay. Sa talim ng kaniyang mga tingin ay mas gugustuhin mo na lang umatras kung hindi mo siya lubusang kilala.
"I'm counting on you."
Muli kong naramdaman ang parehong pressure na aking naranasan noong ang aming ama ang nag-brief sa akin.
"Kuya," I called for him. Lumingon ito sa akin, and just like what I usually do, he tilted his head to the side. A habit of ours. That became my cue to ask my question. "If ever this won't be successful. Are you still going to love me as your sister?"
