Chasing Captivated Dreams (Part Time Series #1) | (On - going)

Kabanata 26

Kabanata 26

Those words should've made me want to celebrate in triumph. I should've been jumping for joy. But I wasn't.

Instead, a new wave of unanswered questions flooded my mind. This time, they weren't about me or Liander... they were about my family, for a much more deeper reason. It felt like there were hidden secrets buried deep within them, and I couldn't quite point out what they were.

Paulit-ulit na umuugong sa isip ko ang mga sinabi ni Billie, parang sirang plaka na ayaw tumigil.

Gusto ko mang talikuran ang lahat at lumayo, pinili kong lakasan ang loob ko. Dahan-dahan akong kumatok sa pintuan, at bigla namang tumahimik ang loob ng bahay. Napaatras ako nang bumukas ito at si Billie ang bumungad sa akin.

She stood there, dominating the doorway. Her black hair gave her an air of youth, and her expensive outfit paired with high-end heels screamed luxury. The strong scent of her perfume hit my nose like a slap. Sa sandaling iyon, alam kong ang lahat ng pera ni Dad ay nauwi sa wala.

Pagkakita niya sa akin, agad na nabilog ang kanyang mga mata, pero mabilis din niyang pinawi iyon.

"At anong ginagawa mo rito?!" singhal niya sa akin.

I looked at her, my silence louder than any words. My gaze turned cold, recalling every detail from before the incident.

Is it true? Venus isn't my half-sister?

I had so many questions I wanted to throw at her— who she really was, who they all really were. What were they doing in our house? Did she want our wealth? Was she starving for affection? Or did she simply want to destroy this family?

Pero imbes na magtanong, pinili kong manahimik. Kahit na ang katahimikang ito ay kumakain sa akin sa iba't ibang paraan. Kahit na hindi na ako mapakali sa dami ng gustong malaman.

"I'm just here to get Cyan's things," I said, trying to steady my trembling hands.

She narrowed her eyes, clearly hesitant, but I didn't care anymore. I couldn't read her tone, and I didn't have the energy to try. I stepped inside, brushing past her.

I froze for a moment when I saw Venus.

Nakayuko siya habang nakaluhod sa sahig. Hindi ko makita ang mukha niya, pero ang mga kamay niya ay mahigpit ang pagkakahawak sa laylayan ng mamahalin niyang damit, bahagyang nanginginig, habang marahang humihikbi.

A part of me wanted to approach her, to ask what was wrong. But then the memories of everything she did to me came rushing back. I suffered because of her manipulation. I remembered how Dad loved her the way he used to love me, how she stood by as I was made to suffer, how she hurt my siblings.

Agad akong umiwas ng tingin at naglakad palayo sa kanya. Hindi ko kailangang kausapin siya. Alam kong may matinding galit siya sa akin, at alam ko ring hindi na kailanman kailangang magkaroon pa kami ng ugnayan.

Habang nag-iimpake ako ng mga gamit ni Cyan, biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko. Kaya naman saglit akong huminto at kinuha ito mula sa bulsa ko.

Liander:
Punta tayo sa Café Lumière. Medyo urgent lang.

Hindi ko maiwasang mapaisip sa mensahe niyang iyon, kaya agad kong inayos ang mga gamit ko at tumayo.

Paglabas ko ng kwarto, bahagya akong napatalon nang makita ko si Venus na tahimik na nakatayo sa labas ng pintuan, pinapanood ako.

I pursed my lips. Her eyes were bloodshot, and the way she looked at me screamed pain and sadness.

I didn't say anything. Instead, I walked toward her, keeping eye contact the entire time. As we stood closer, I noticed the small scars and bruises on her body.