Territorial Men 10: Caston Villareal

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER ONE

THE wind blowing from the North to the South made her mermaid curled hair dance with it. Sinikop niya ang kanyang buhok at muling pinagmasdan ang ganda ng paligid.

Sporting a high waisted elastic equestrian pants, white crop top, and boots, she closed her eyes to feel the fresh air. Isang ngiti ang gumuhit sa kanyang labi nang imulat ulit ang kanyang mga mata.

She's at the top of the hill. Behind her was a horse stable made by wood and concrete. From where she was standing, Zalanna can see clearly the whole land of Guerreras. It always amazed her knowing that her family owns that huge land in Northern Luzon.

The coconut trees seemed endless. Her family business was a coconut plantation and it was all over the Philippines. Itong nasa hacienda ang pinakamalaki at pinakaunang itinayo. The land was about 800 hectares.

"I'm gonna miss this view when I leave," she said and caressed Leticia's white hair.

She's with her white horse. Ang pang-umagang sikat ng araw ay mas nagpatingkad lang sa kulay puting balat ng kanyang kabayo. Nagmistulang kulay pilak ang mahabang buhok ni Leticia. Kumikinang-kinang.

Kapag nasa hacienda siya, ang pangangabayo ang unang pinagkakaabalahan niya. Inuubos ang buong araw sa pag-iikot sa buong Hacienda Guerrera. Ngayon na nakikita niya na ang tunay na ganda ng lugar sa kanyang harapan, napapabuntonghininga siya dahil talagang mami-miss niya.

But, she needed to go back to Manila to continue her studies. She graduated with a degree in Business Administration, but decided to get a master's degree.

Sa kanilang dalawa ni Zakia, ang bunso sa kanilang limang magkakapatid, siya lang ang nakaisip at gustong dagdagan pa ang pinag-aralan niya.

Alam niyang puwede namang huwag na dahil ang mga kapatid nilang lalaki ang siyang talagang nakalaan na mamahala sa negosyo nila. Ngunit mas makabubuti pa rin kung gagawin niya ang gusto para mas marami siyang alam.

Zalanna decided to go home before lunch. She was already contented roaming around the hacienda.

Sa mahabang hapag-kainan, kumpleto silang pamilya. Her father, Don Patricio was sitting at the capital, and beside him was her mother, Donya Zarita.

Tahimik siyang siniko ni Zakia na nakaupo sa kanyang tabi.

"I'm excited!" Zakia whispered with a small giggle.

Zalanna knew why her sister was excited because Zakia will be with her tomorrow. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang idinahilan nito sa magulang nila para payagan na sumama sa kanya sa Maynila.

"Your condo is in BGC. Hindi na kayo roon sa Makati," their father informed them. "Sasamahan kayo ni Paloma para naman maayos ang kinakain niyo roon. Antonio will be with you too, as your driver."

Mabilis na tumango si Zakia, nauna pa sa kanya. Halatang-halata na gustong bumalik sa Maynila. They can't complain. If they would, it was like breaking the rules of their father. Don Patricio didn't like it. Even if they were his daughters, they still needed to obey.

"No monkey business there, you two," pahabol pa ng ama sa seryosong boses.

"But, we can go to night clubs, right, Pa?" tanong ni Zakia sa marahan at nananantiyang tinig.

Zalanna sipped on the glass of her wine. Noong nasa Maynila sila para mag-aral sa kolehiyo, hindi naging madali para sa kanila ang magpunta sa mga night club dahil may mga bantay sila. Their father was very strict, especially to her and Zakia.

Now that they can call themselves young adults, that fact did not change on how their father protected and treated them. Their parents and brothers spoiled them, but they also knew their limitations.