IMMORAL | LISRENE

Chapter 5

Another day of silently being in pain. That was on Irene's mind when she woke up from her sleep. Days has passed on her last encounter with that woman, yes that woman. She refuses to call her by her name. Only for her to realized it was Friday and her mind flew again to the promise that she is present very Saturday morning at the bookstore.

Irene was about to start on her routine but she noticed a figure that she longed to see sitting silently on her study table.

"You are awake" said the man

"Father!" exclaimed Irene and ran to her father to hug him "Are you well?"

"Indeed, I am. But I was vexed when I received your letter"

"Yes that, I will never forget. I was in distressed about mother's doing. Make haste father and forbid her"

"We already have engaged on that matter, your mother only wants the best interest for you"

"Dare not tell me you agree?" said Irene on a tone she does not mean.

"I do not, but Irene you are not getting any younger. I will be in a state of felicity seeing you married and happy"

"You know me father for who I am, I fear I cannot give you what you wanted, but when miracle comes expect me to grant your wish"

"Therefore it is settled. Need not to worry, I will never agree on a marriage you do not desire"

The father and daughter bond and talked about events that they have missed without each others presence. Her father would share about his adventures and all the great things on different places and the etiquette they practice, meanwhile Irene would share that her life is the same and nothing new happened, clearly leaving the part where she met somebody.

The two went down together to have some breakfast. Suzy who just woke up for she stayed all night to finish her painting greeted her father with tears and a warm hug that lasted for a few seconds.

The family settled on the breakfast-room engaging on the conversation about Mr Bae's travel that Suzy was left out, Mrs Bae who have talked to her husband was not on a pleasant mood so she was just silent on the entire conversation.

"Father, you must see my painting" said Suzy when they finished their breakfast.

"Suzy, you promised me" said Irene "But due to the prior events, I will allow it this once"

The three walked upstairs and went to the terrace, Mrs Bae parted ways with them since she said she was to meet someone.

Suzy went to her painting that was covered with a wide cloth that hids the entire canvas, she stood beside it and held the cloth to her hand "I call this painting; The undeniable" she took the cloth off and Irene was met by the sight she dreads to see.

"Who could this woman be?" asked Mr Bae "And I must say Suzy, your skill has improved"

"This is the daughter of the Manobal's, and they recently just moved here, we were invited at their ball but I only have seen her personally last Saturday when Irene and I went to Ddliem"

"Irene must have missed that part when we talked this morning" Mr Bae said and eyed her daughter suspiciously.

Irene lost count on how many times she have been shocked in a week. Too many secrets have been exposed to light, and now Suzy her sister, admires the person she loathe.

"Ah, it must have slipped my mind" said Irene "If you both would excuse me, I have a matter to settle" she hastily left and went to her room.

Irene walked back and forth in her room, 'the undeniable' she laugh at her sister's work, not the art itself but the person who was on it. She cannot deny that it was perfect, 'a magnum opus' and she hated her sister that she gave justice to that woman's feature. It was indeed undeniable and she hated herself for appreciating it.