The Unseen Trial [Ace Lucifer's Series Three] ON GOING

Fifth Trial

TRIAL 5

"Mommy, my cupcakes..." Candace still feels sleepy while she's in his father's arms. Maingat siyang sumandal sa balikat nito. His father caressed her back. They're just waiting for her mother, preparing her snack at school, and then they're good to go already.

"Let's go..." Narinig niya ang boses ng mommy niya. She closed her eyes in defeat. It's morning, a cold one—tapos maaga pa para sa kaniya. Habang tumatagal ay inaantok siya kada pasok niya sa school.

This is a sign.

Wag na pumasok.

Matulog na lang dapat.

But then, the moment they open their main door, she heard an irritating voice from nowhere, however, it was all familiar to her.

"TAO PO!!!!! TAO PO!!!! TAO PO!!!!!!" A voice of a boy from outside of their gate invaded her ears. Nagsalubong ang kilay niya sa pagkairita. Her father laughed, sensing who was it.

"Sino 'yon?" She heard his mom. Nanatili siyang nakasubsob sa balikat ng ama.

"Sino pa ba?" Her father chuckled. Hinaplos ng ama niya ang buhok niya. "Princess, no to suitors muna ah."

"Ayoko nga sa pugitang 'yon eh." Bulong niya.

"Candace, your mouth ha! Be nice!" pangangaral ng mommy niya sa kaniya.

"CANDACEEEEEE!!! LATE NA TAYO!!!!!!!" she heard Bryson again.

Her father opened the door for them. Hindi na niya kailangan silipin si Bryson kung nandon ba talaga ito. It's obvious enough.

"Good Morning po!" Bryson greeted her parents. Nanatili siyang nakasubsob sa balikat ng ama. She's playing like she's asleep so Bryson wouldn't bother her. Buong araw na nga siyang balak gambalain ni Bryson sa school tapos hanggang sa pagpasok ba naman at pag-uwi?

Ang kapal natin ah?

"Tulog po si Candace?" tanong nito.

"Inaantok pa, ikaw ang aga-aga ah, nasaan mommy at daddy mo?" tanong ng daddy niya.

"Tito ko po muna maghahatid sa akin. Wala sila mommy eh. May business trip!" Bibong sagot nito.

"O'sige, magkita na lang kayo ni Candace sa school, ano? Ayos ba 'yon, Bryson?" His father did a baby voice na katulad ng ginagawa nito sa kaniya.

"Sige po! May ipapakilala sana kami ni Arrow sa kaniya e! Nakita ko kanina, pero hindi bale na lang! Mamaya ko na lang ipakikilala!"

His father just laughed. "Mauna na kami ah, ikaw baka malate ka 'rin..."

"Sige po! Ingat po!" then she felt her legs shaking. "Hoy, Candace! Walang bawian ah! Friends na tayo. Nasabi ko na kina daddy at mommy sa skype kanina kaya walang bawian! Babye!!!" then she heard his footsteps fading away. They went inside their car, and she was too sleepy that she felt her mom carrying her from the backseat—and she fell asleep.

"CANDACE!" natigilan siya sa pagdukot ng cupcakes sa loob ng bag niya nang marinig niya si Bryson, and because she's not sleepy anymore, then she's not pissed at Bryson. Idagdag pa na binigyan siya ngkatahimikan hanggang matapos ang activity na binigay ng teacher nila.

Busy pa magbida-bida e.

"Oh?" sagot niya. Hindi na siya kumuha ng cupcake sa bag niya. Baka-manghingi pa 'tong isang 'to eh.

"Himila! Sumasagot ka! Marunong ka na magsalita?!" Anito.

Hindi niya pinansin si Bryson. Umupo ito sa tabi niya habang nakapahalumbaba. "Candace—"