High Ranks (Completed)

Prologue

Prologue

“Lady Charlotte, the master wanted to see you on his private chamber,” a voice spoke behind me.

Nilingon ko ito at nakitang si Graciela iyon. I nodded and stood up so she could assist me.

My long and dark hair was waving gracefully. My cheeks are rosy red, so as my lips. And today, the maids chose a long purple dress for me to wear. I look like a fifteen year old kid, even though I just turned nineteen last month.

My father never allow me to choose anything for myself. I never get to decide in this house. I am a prisoner. I am like an animal who do nothing but to obey her master's order.

My mother wasn't any good either, she always sided my father in every argument. She never spoke of his wrong doings. Kahit kailan ay hindi niya ako pinagtanggol sa pang-aapi ng aking ama at ng mga taong nakapaligid sa amin. She never believed in herself. She never believed that she has a power to change my father.

As I was making my way down our grand stairs, my brother came out of nowhere. Yumuko si Graciela nang makita niya ang aking kapatid.

“You can leave now, Graciela. Ako na ang bahala sa aking kapatid,” he said sternly.

“But the master ordered me to escort her to his chamber, my lord,” hindi papatalong sambit ni Graciela.

“Haven't you heard what I said, Graciela?!” mahinahong sigaw ng aking kapatid.

Nakatayo lamang ako doon at walang pakialam sa pinag-aawayan nilang dalawa. Maybe I could sneak and go to my father's chamber on my own. As I took few steps back, my brother stopped me by the shoulder which I immediately shrugged off.

“Go, Graciela. I can take care of her,” he demanded and the maid went on her way, glaring at him with those eyes that could kill.

“What a hard headed maid. Dad loves to spoil his workers kaya ngayon ay hindi na sumusunod sa mga utos natin.”

“Stop whining, Elijah. You should be thankful that you are allowed to go out of this hell of a house. You're lucky enough that father trusted you more than I do,” I said coldly.

Natahimik siya dahil doon. Magkasabay kaming naglalakad sa pasilyo ng aming malaking bahay. Our riches screams in every corner of the house. From the golden furnitures to the expensive sculptures made by the best artists.

This has been the home of my ancestry. This house had witnessed the hell my family had been through to achieve this kind of life.

Elijah knocked on the wooden door when we reached our father's private chamber. His personal butler, Gaunt, was the one who opened the door. He bowed and lead us to the leather sofa in the middle of the room. Naroon ang aking ama at ang aking ina.

An unfamiliar man was also sitting with them. May kasama itong babae na kasing edad ko lamang at isang batang lalaki.

“Good! The both of you are here. Morris, meet my children. This is my eldest,” tumayo si Daddy at lumapit kay Elijah. He patted his shoulder as he smiled widely.

“Elijah Hayhurst, have you heard of him? Of course you have!” pagmamalaki ng aking ama.

Kumunot naman ang noo ng matandang lalaki at sinuri si Elijah mula ulo hanggang paa.

“I'm sorry, Morris but your son isn't familiar. Never heard of him fonr anyone inside my circle,” the old mad said politely but I can taste a dripping cockiness in his voice.

My father was shocked at mukhang napahiya ngunit hindi na nagsalita pa at lumapit na lamang sa akin.

“This is my daughter, the one that I've been talking about,” he said with his eyes focusing on me. Nanliit ang mga mata nito. It was a sign that I should do what I was trained for.