Home of Hopes (Caledonia Series #1)

Prologue

Prologue

When I was young, I kept dreaming of having a prince charming. That person who can assist you in your time of need and who will be there for your happiness.

Things are unexpected. People will come and go, but the moment of truth is that when you don't want that person in a certain place at a certain time, he will come. I just let it pass. I just let it happen gradually.

"Dy, ano ba! Sino ba kasing close friend?" I asked calmly but my curiosity if pushing me onwards.

"Ow. That. Baka hindi na importate anak. 'Di ba siya naman ang dahilan kung bakit---"

"Daddy, come on," I said, and I pushed the door behind him.

The cold breeze welcomed me with its familiar scent. I can hear Daddy's demands, but I am stunned when I see the familiar body leaning on my favorite white sofa. He stood up quickly. And his cold eyes didn't leave mine. I swallowed hard.

I took deep breaths for the first time in my life. Something is stumbling on my chest as if my blood has been piling up for a while. Cold water washed over me as I began to panic. I can't shift comfortably because my feet are glued to the floor. I show my best fake smile, as it's normal. Like I didn't change at all. I never change.

"See, I told you, your close friend," si Daddy na nasa gitna na namin ngayon.

Nanatili lang akong nakatingin sa kanya. Kusa akong umirap upang hindi niya makita ang paninibago ko sa presenya niya. Nagsimulang kumirot ang puso ko.

"Daddy, bakit siya nandito?" bulong ko sa kanya, pero dahil kami lang tatlo rito ay alam kong maririnig niya.

Natawa naman si daddy at nagtungo sa lalaking minsan na akong sinaktan.

Sana pala hindi na lang ako nagpumilit na pumasok.

"Paul, I'm sorry. Mukhang na-miss ka lang ng anak ko at nagulat pa talaga sa presensya mo,"si Daddy.

I moved my eyes and swallowed hard. I saw that my father's table was full of papers. I walked towards it, sat on his swivel chair, and started to focus my eyes on his papers. Maybe I can think that he's not around.

"Oh, 'nak. Busy kaagad. You said you wanted to relax, so you left the US just to see our hacienda. "Come on, you're so kj."

This man.

Malapit ko na siyang batuhin ng LV bag ko.

"Tumayo ka nga riyan, anak. Kausapin mo nang matino ang ka-ibigan mo," pandidiinan pa ni Daddy sa huling salita.

Tumayo ako at inayos ang tindig ko habang nasa harapan ko lang siya.