Mistaken Identity 1 (On-Hold)

CHAPTER 1

PRESENT DAYS

Zerafina's Pov,

*bang*

*bang*

*bang*

Putok ng baril lang ang naririnig ko sa loob ng room na 'to. I rented this room to enhance my gun moves and shots. This is a safe place for me to get practiced.

*bang*

*bang*

Napatigil ako sa pagpapaputok ng may marinig akong ilang palakpak. "So, this is where you were wasting your time. Having quality time with this guns." sabay hawak nya sa mga baril na nakahilera sa mesa na pawang sinusuri ang mga ito.

"What are you doing here?" at isa pang putok ng baril ang pinakawalan ko upang matamaan ang red target.

With my peripheral vision, I saw him looked at his wrist watch. "6:00 pm at the Italiano Cuisine." He reminded me of that. "She's expecting you there." He's referring to his mom. My mom's best friend.

"I can't promise. But I'll try" I said while targeting the red spot.

*bang*

I heard him sighed. "I know you're busy practicing your guns, but here I am pleasing you to come for my mom's birthday party. So please, pumunta ka inaasahan ka nya na pupunta ka don." he explained.

Tinanggal ko ang headphone na nakalagay sa tenga ko at yung clear glasses na gamit gamit ko. "Fine. I'll be there. You may go" pagpapaalis ko sa kanya.

Inayos ko ang pagkakasunod-sunod ng mga baril na nasa lamesa. "No. I'll drive you home. Fix yourself" then he left.

Napabuga na lang ako sa hangin. "Bwiset" I whispered.

Nung maayos ko na yung mga baril at yung mga ginamit ko, kinuha ko na yung bag ko sa locker at umalis. Leaving the payments on the front desk lady.

Pagkalabas ko sa building, nakita ko syang nakasandal sa kotse nya. Feeling gwapo tss. I pushed him away from the passenger's seat door at pumasok na ko sa loob. He sat on the driver's seat then started the engine. I put earphones on my ear and plays musics.

Hinila nya yung earphone sa kaliwa kong tenga. Tinitigan ko naman sya ng masama. "Nasa kwarto mo na yung damit na binili pa ni mama" sabi nya habang tutok na tutok sa pagda-drive.

"Geh" at nilagay ko ulit yun sa tenga ko.

~~~~~

AT ITALIANO CUISINE

Pure white dress for purity. Hays. Si Tita talaga, she really loves dressing me as like I am her real daughter.

Thanks to her and to her family for treating me so well.

"Hey? Are you okay?" napabalik ako sa reyalidad ng tanungin ako ni Axcel.

"Ahh.. Yeah may naalala lang" alibi ko. "You sure?" tanong nyang muli. "Yeah. Don't worry about me. I'm fine" sabi ko pa.

Pinagbuksan kami ng entrance door ng guard sa Italiano Cuisine. Kadarating lang din kasi namin ni Axcel dito.

"Reservation room for Mrs. Lefrox's Birthday party" sabi ni Axcel dun sa receptionist na lalaki.

"This way sir" he lead us to the room. "Enjoy ma'am and sir" he said before he lefted us.

Pagbukas na pagbukas ni Axcel ng pinto ay agad kaming sinalubong ni Tita Milan. Tita Milan is his mother. "It's nice to you see here, Zera. I'm pleased to see you." bati sa akin ni tita habang nakikipagbeso.

"And it's nice to see you too, Tita." then I flashed a smile. Para ko na rin syang nanay kaya naman hindi ako makatanggi sa kanya kapag humihingi sya ng pabor.

"Come on, hija. The party will start in just a moment. You'll sit with us." napatingin naman ako kay Axcel na nagkibit-balikat lang.

May 6 round tables sa loob ng room na 'to. Each round tables can occupy 10 seats. Based on the looks, family and close friends lang ni Tita Milan ang invited sa party nya. Simple celebration lang naman daw kasi 'to.

"Uhm, good evening to everyone. I'd like to thank all of you for coming to my very special day. You don't know how happy I am right now, even me I can't explain hahaha.." natawa din ang lahat sa sinabing iyon ni Tita pati ako ay natawa. "I am now existing for thirty-eight years and counting hahaha..." may pagpapatawa sa boses ni Tita. "Hahaha enjoy this simple yet happy dinner. Again thank you!" pagtatapos ni tita sa speech nya.

Natahimik ang buong room at busy ang lahat sa pagkain. "You look great together." panimula ng topic ni Tita. "Right Augustus?" binaling nya ang tingin kay Tito then to us. Me and Axcel.

Napatingin naman ako kay Axcel na hindi man lang naimik at busy-busyhan sa pagkain nya. Tinapakan ko sya at halata namang medyo nainis sya dahil pinanlakihan nya ako ng mata and I did the same.

"Ahh... Tita, Me and Axcel were just bestfriends, right Axcel?" I glared at Axcel nung hindi sya sumagot sa sinabi ko. "Right?" ulit ko.

Axcel nodded. "Yes, Ma! Magkaibigan lang kami ni Zera." then he looked at me wearing the forced smile.

"You're still fit for each other and I like seeing the two of you together." Tita Milan smiled at us. Para bang kilig na kilig sya sa aming dalawa. I can't blame her, we're really that close.

Natigil ang pag-uusap namin ng marinig naming bumukas ang pinto ng kwartong kinaroroonan namin.

"Happy birthday Milan!" someone interrupted our peaceful dinner. It's him.

"Don't you miss me? Hahahaha!" He laughed devilishly. I smell something in him. "Look who's here? Another family member?" at ako naman ang tinitigan nya.

"Greg? What are you doing here?" Tito Augustus stood up to face him.

"Oh, Augustus my friend! It's been a long time since the last time we've met." sabi pa nya.

"What brings you here?" Tito Augustus said.

"Am I not welcome here?" nag-iba bigla ang tono ng pananalita nya. Tss.

"You'r---" hindi naituloy ni Tito ang sasabihin nya nang magsalita si Tita Milan. "Yes, you are." Nakatayo na din sya ngayon.

"Well that's great!" he said with amusement. He sat on the vacant seat in front of me. Napailing na lang ako sa mga nangyayari, nagkukwentuhan na sila ngayon.

"And by the way, who's this beautiful lady? Hindi ko naman nabalitaan na may isa pa pala kayong anak na babae" he opened that topic again. Tss. I just rolled my eyes. I don't care kung makita nya yun.

"Hija, why don't you introduce yourself to me? C'mon don't be shy" kilala mo naman talaga ako eh. Hindi nga lang ako sayo lumaki.

Pinunasan ko ng table napkin yung bibig ko before I stand. Ngumiti ako. "I am Zerafina Scolven, your ni---"

Tita cutted me off. "She's my niece."

Napatingin ako kay Tita nung sinabi nya yon. What is she saying?

"Your niece? As far as I know, you don't have siblings." he said.

"Ahh.. She's my niece.. M-malayong pamangkin sa malayong kong p-pinsan. Yeah!" ano bang sinasabi ni Tita? I don't get her.

"I see. She's beautiful." Are they serious?! What's going on?

I looked at Axcel and it seems he also don't know what's up to Tita. Tumingin sya sakin ng may pagtataka din.

"Zerafina, I'm Gregor. Gregor Stiffsons." he lend his right hand. Nakipag-shake hands naman ako sa kanya and smiled bitterly.

Mali ito.