The Mark Of The Beast

"AILEEN, gising na! Baka ma-late ka!" I lazily opened my eyes and searched for my phone since my alarm won't stop pester me if I won't turn it off.

Yes, the one that actually screamed was my phone. My mom recorded her own voice using my phone during my senior and college days.

I am such a slowpoke when morning comes because I'm very much nocturnal.

I groaned as I stretched my limbs. I took my phone and check for any missed calls, texts, and voicemail.

But as usual, I got none.

Fuck.

I should get used to this, but can't.

Hmp.

I sighed and force myself to get the hell out of bed. Its already 06:30 in the morning and my work will start at 08:00 am.

After my morning routine, I picked up my bag and head to the door. Darn, its fifteen minutes before seven o'clock. I might get late!

Pababa na ko ng hagdan nang mapansin ko na bukas ang isa sa tatlong kwarto sa second floor. Curious, I angled my head at the side. My brow creased at the sight of a luggage inside the room.

Why is there a luggage inside? Hindi naman niya ugali ang magpatira sa bahay nang kung sinong herodes ah?

Ah, baka naman pinatalsik na naman mula sa master's bedroom ang boyfriend niya. I chuckled.

Si mama talaga, daig pa si Yeo Da-kyung pag nag maganda!

Well, what can I say..nasa lahi na namin talaga ang pagiging maganda!

My mom is actually korean, beautiful, white, long legged woman that look like Song Hye-Kyo and was an uprising model while my dad was a mexican actor that time. Mom told me that my dad fell head-over-heels in love with her during their Secret Vice Ramp show held in Spain. He woo her eagerly, so she said yes.

The love birds hide from their parents dahil alam nilang hindi kapwa nito gusto ang ibang lahi, until one day, they decided to eloped. Iniwan nila ang kasikatan just to be together. She even told me that she was nearly abducted the day before she gave birth to me.

My dad died when I was eight. He was shot dead by who-knows-who. The police didn't pursue the investigation, but I know that my mom knew something. I tried to ask her, but no avail. Well, I guess, time will come and she'll tell me what really happened that day and I'll wait for it. After two years, my mom decided to move here, in the Philippines.

And since the genes of my parents are so evident, there are some agencies who actually wanted to take me in as an actress or nurture me as a model. I got that milky white skin tone of my mom while my beauty is more of my dad. My mom did say yes, pero nag bago agad ang isip nya after my first audition in a local tv show. Nasundan pa ito ng second screening dahil sa pangungulit ng talent adviser. I took my chance but was again held by my mother.

Since then, I never pursue showbiz.

So, after spending three more years in the Philippines, my mom asked me if it will be alright if she will go out on a date. I said yes, sympre. Its my mom and I don't want her to waste her youth just for me. Bata pa si mama at napaka-ganda. Isa pa, alam kong wala ng mas hihigit pa sa puso nya maliban sa papa ko kahit na settled na siya sa bagong boyfriend nya.

I went downstairs and headed to the kitchen. Agad namang sinalubong ng ilong ko ang mabagong pagkaing nakahain na sa island counter. Her cooking is so iba unlike sa mga luto sa pantry namin.

"Oh, you're awake!" My mom greeted me. I quickly kissed her on her cheek and sat down on a chair. "Fried rice?" Alok pa nito. I nod.

"Ma," I called her while I'm making my coffee. "Si Daryll ba, na outside de kulambo na naman?"

She paused. "Hindi naman, why?"

"Well, I saw some luggage upstairs..so yeah, I thought na sa kanya yun." I told her and started eating my breakfast.

"Ah, yun ba?" She sat across the table. "Well, we do have a visitor."

I arch a brow. "Visitor? Who?" I ate what's on my plate. "Mom?" Napilitan akong ibaba ang kubyertos ng mapansing hindi siya makatingin ng deretso sa akin.

"Uhmm..anak -"

"Mom, I can't do this all day..so, will you just cut to the chase?"

She sighed deeply. Like hell?

Umiling ako. "Alright, if that's the case..then I'll leave now." I sip and empty my cup of coffee, grab my belongings and check my phone. Completely ignoring my own question.

06:59 a.m. Damn!

"Mom, I really need to go..baka abutan ako ng traffic, sayang ang oras." I bid my goodbye and kiss her cheek.

Agad akong nagmadali na lumabas ng bahay. My hand fished for my car keys inside my bag. I really need to get going, heavy traffic will occur thirty minutes after seven.

But it seems that luck is not on my side today. Kahit anong talembong ko sa bag wala dun ang hinahanap ko. I rolled my eyes. Mukha kasing mala-late na talaga ako.

Great, just great.

Inis akong bumalik sa loob ng bahay. I check my keys at the key stand not far from my right.

"Ugh!" Himutok ko ng makita ang hinahanap sa key stand. Agad ko yung hinablot and head to the door nang may mapansin ako.

Not far from me was the grand staircase, located at the left side across the grand door. And from that, I knew someone just got down from upstairs.

I was about to ignore it, but the presence is so unbearable that I really can't shrug it off.

And as I turn around, a familiar scent filled the whole room. It was so familiar that I do think of myself as crazy as fuck!

But no, it can't be.

My eyes widened as I look at the man standing three steps up on the stairs.

"Hello, Baby girl."

               NEOLOGISMS | N.L.