Sweet And Sour

Chapter 5: Dead

The deafening silence of the room creep fear in my system. We are in the dining room eating our breakfast. Fear is visible in my eyes. I don't want to go back again where I beg for their attention. I am so tired of being left alone. I was about to say sorry --for keeping everything for them, for fooling them—when dad interrupted.

"Let's have dinner together wear something decent we'll wait for you later so go home early." I want to ask him why? Why do I need to wear something formal? But I keep the questions in the back of my mind and be silent.

Everything went good with Mark. We do our usual routine, we ate together. Spent some quality time together. It was noon when Mark approach me.

"hey hon! let's date." I know he's avoiding the topic about what happened yesterday. He's acting cool with it. The bruises are visible in his face. I know my dad too well. I'm afraid of what he will do once he knew I still talk with Mark.

"I'm sorry hon. I need to go home early my dad asked me to." I want to tell him to give space for each other, but just by thinking of it I feel like I'm losing myself. I can't afford to lose him nor family. We will compromise, I will try to avoid him whenever my bodyguard is around.

I turn back and walk away, away from my life. I immediately closed the door of the car as soon as I enter. I was controlling my emotions. I was holding my tears as I look at him feeling helpless.

I am looking myself at the mirror wearing a blue sleeveless dress with stilettos. I put a light make-up to put a glow in my face. Red lips, pinkish cheeks, elegant dress everything seems perfect but I can't control feeling sad with my situation.

"Hija! Come here. Your dad's visitor is already here." Manang Esther said. Visitor? I thought it will be a family dinner?

"Yes manang! I'll follow you."

"Hija meet Jacob Villafuerte your fiancée." My dad introduced me to him with a wide smile.

"What?" I exclaimed.

"Dad that's too unfair. I am in love with someone! I have a boyfriend!" I added.

"Then break up with that poor guy." Dad replied calmly but full of finality and authority.

"But..." I was about to protest when he cut off my words.

"I said break up with him or he'll rot in hell. You choose." I gulped, crying. Dad stood up from his chair.

"Dad! Dad! Dad!" I run after him but he immediately went inside of the car. And the sky was there to witness how I kneel down and feel helplessly crying.

A week had passed. No text, no call, no communication with Mark. If only Mark will ask me to run away from here I will gladly accept it.

Time flies quickly. A month had passed and I can see that his finding a perfect time to talk to me. I can see the confusion and sadness in his eyes. I'm sorry Mark.

The bell rings as a sign that the class is already over. I stood up and quickly pick my things ready to go home. I am about close the door of the passenger seat when Jacob held my waist. I turned my head and greet by his kiss. My eyes widened, I caught Mark looking at us with sadness, disappointment, anger, and shocked. He walks away from me. Realization hits me. Fear slowly creep to my whole system as look at him walking away from me. I slap Jacob as hard as I could.