High Ranks (Completed)

Chapter VIII

Chapter VIII

"Where have you been?" pambungad kong tanong kay Kirsten nang dumating siya isang umaga.

The sun is starting to rise on eastern mountains and the owner of this house has finally stepped on her doorstep after being missing for a couple of days.

Kirsten looked worn out and I didn't want to stress her any more so I decided to just guide her to the kitchen and let her eat breakfast first. Marunong na akong magluto ngayon, Rayne and Audrey are both great cooks and they taught me their skills.

"Thank you for this meal, Charlotte. How are you?" Kirsten asked calmly.

"I'm alright. I'm more worried about you. Where have you been?"

Her cheeks flushed and she averted her gaze to the pitcher of water in front of her.

"I was with Elijah."

"Really? Where is he now? Is he gonna visit me?" I asked excitedly.

I can not wait to tell Eli about my adventures in this small town. He would love to hear my stories because after many years of being caged in that mansion, I can now have adventures of my own.

"No, he's sorry that he can't come here at the moment. Your father is pressuring him. Dahil sa pagkawala mo, nasira ang ugnayan ng iyong pamilya at ng mga Beaumont. That means your family business is slowly crumbling," she sighed.

My forehead creased. I never thought of the consequences of what I did. Matalik na magkaibigan si Daddy at ang biskonde, alam kong malaki ang ari-ariang pinaghahatian nila. Ngunit hindi ko alam na hahantong sa ganito.

"Don't worry, Charlotte. As long as your in Kershaw, you're safe. Your father, Morris Hayhurst has sent men to find you, alam niyang hindi ka basta-basta na lamang nawala. He had a hunch that you ran away that's why the men are all over city and small towns. So please stay inside the village."

"Are you alright, Charlotte?" I woke up in my little daydream when Audrey spoke beside me.

Her blue eyes were twinkling with delight as she showed me her finished portrait of me. Masaya ako nang makita kong kamukhang-kamukha ko iyon. There's no wonder why Audrey is one of the greatest artist of our generation. She knows how to captivate someone's good sides and relive it in a portrait.

Masaya ako dahil sa magandang obra ni Audrey but something is still boggling my mind. My father isn't a cruel person but I don't know what he can do to me, to Eli, to everyone who helped me, when he finds out that I truly ran away. My family known as one of the ancient high ranked people of this country. We came from a wealthy royal family. And we're not just known for our wealth and beauty. We're also hungry for money and power. Cruelty runs in our blood.

I am thankful that my mother raised us better. My father is a sweet and gentle man but is that what he really is? I am starting to doubt my family right now. I am becoming selfish, I only thought of myself. But it's the rightful thing to do in order to survive, right?

"I'm sorry, Audrey. Hindi kasi ako nakatulog ng maayos kagabi," I apologized.

I kept on thinking about what will happen to me. I didn't have a plan to begin with. I never wanted to tie a knot with Vaughan that's why I ran away but what will I do now? Do I have to go back? Or I will live my whole life in this small village.

Audrey sighed. "You can sleep here for a while. I have to bake sweets for the kids."

Nagpaalam siya sa akin at pumasok na sa kanyang maliit na kusina. Audrey like to feed the village children every afternoon. Kung minsan ay tinutulungan ko siyang magluto ngunit ngayon ay gusto ko na lamang umidlip kahit ilang sandali lang.