parricidium. | 2

iv.

       That b****. She had the audacity to marry my dad. The day I met Eleanor was my birthday. I thought she'd just be some kind of play thing for me. Apparently not. After that day, they sprung their wedding onto me, like a Wolf attacking its prey with no remorse. They were relentless. They stole my birthday week from me and made it all about them. I had just met the woman. I liked her only because she was pretty and seemed pleasant. Then she stole my father. She completely changed after they came back from their honeymoon. She would always tell me what to do. Like wear this dress, don't wear that, don't do that, act properly, sit straight, eat what's in your plate, stop being picky, and so much more. I have been holding back my rage for 10 years now. Today, she shall perish. She will go to jail, where her kind belongs.

The judge begins the trial. Atty. John stands up and goes in front of the judge. He said many words and asked many questions. And when he was done, it was now time to hear what mom's lawyer had to say. He said many words too and asked many questions, none of which I paid attention to, until he said--

"So far, there has been no evidence to prove that my client is guilty." The lawyer said. "Therefore, I plead my client not guilty."

No evidence? What?

The rest of the trial passed by in a blur. The judge bangs his gavel. The noise, silencing the room. He cleared his throat.

"Due to lack of evidence," The judge says. "We cannot find Ms. Eleanor Van Kox guilty of these charges. Therefore, Ms. Eleanor Van Kox is hereby found not guilty. Court adjourned."

Dad stood and ran towards Eleanor, embracing her in his arms. I stood there paralyzed. I wanted to scream, to cry, and to throw up. But all I could do was stand there and look at how happy they were. At how relieved my dad looked to know that his wife wasn't a criminal. But he doesn't know the torment and the suffering I had to go through. How could he? He was a busy businessman, and my stepmother? She was just like any other evil stepmother in fairy tales.

"Hey," Piion says as he held my hand. "You want to go home? Or maybe get some food. We can get some McDonald's drive-thru if you want."

"Yeah, actually I can't, I need to go do something." I replied.

"Oh, okay."

"I'll see you for dinner though?" I smiled.

"Yeah, absolutely." He smiled warmly. "I'll make reservations at your favorite restaurant?"

"Hmm... maybe let's go to The Manila Peninsula."

"Yeah sure. Anything for you, my princess."

I pull him in for a warm embrace. He smelled of the Dior perfume I gave him recently. I just wanted to stay like that forever. He and I together, as if nothing else mattered. I wanted to cry and bawl my eyes out, but not here, not now. There are things I need to take care of.

-

Each step I took felt like my bones would shatter and crumble to dust. My knees felt like buckling. My body was trying to go against me. The only reason I'm not breaking down yet is because of the fact that my prince is escorting me to the lobby. I pulled out my phone to call Kuya Drew, my chauffeur ever since I was a young girl. He answered after one ring.

"Hello ma'am." He greeted me from the other line.

"Hello kuya." I replied. "I'm at the courthouse right now, and I need to be somewhere asap."

"No problemo madame. I'm on my way now."

"Thank you."

Kuya Drew arrived with my black Rolls-Royce Phantom. It still looks as beautiful as ever. Piion opened the door for me. He planted a kiss on my cheek before I hopped inside my car. The interior of my car was filled with red. Crimson seat covers made of velvet fabric wrapped around the seats. The doors were customized to match the same color as the seat covers, with the same velvet feel. The car was absolutely stunning.

"Where to madame?" Kuya Drew asked as he snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Let's visit our favorite doctor in the city." I replied with a smirk.