The Price Of A Sinner

Chapter 3

I got to the bar early and pretended to be busy with work. Since all my friends were tied up because of Christmas break's coming, nothing was going to happen with us for weeks.

My phone rang. It was my mom while I was typing away on my laptop.

"Mom?"

[Can you come home for dinner tonight?]

I froze when I heard her. Where did that sudden invite come from? We're not okay. I'm not okay with them.

"For what?" I asked.

[Your dad wants you to have dinner with us—]

"Is it for his business again?" pinutol ko siya agad. Alam ko na kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng tawag nila. Hindi nila ako tatawagan dahil lang sa miss nila ako. Tss.

I heard her sigh heavily. That's why I left their house, because they kept using me for business. I left and we fought because I refused to follow in their footsteps and become CEO of our company. Because of that business, they lost time for me. They valued the company more than their child. And I hate it.

[Will you come?] she asked again.

"I don't know. I'm busy."

[Okay. I'll tell your dad. Call me if you change your mind.]

I didn't answer; Mom ended the call after a long exhale.

Nakatitig lang ako sa screen pagkatapos. Then I remember, they only remember me because of favors, because of business. Tsk. Nawalan na ako ng ganang tapusin ang ginagawa ko, kaya lumabas ako ng office at pumunta sa bar counter para umorder ng cocktail.

"Maaga pa po, Ma'am. May problema po ba kayo?" tanong ni Karlo, isa sa matagal ko nang bartender, habang nag hahalo ng alak sa harapan ko.

"As usual...my parents. But I'm fine, don't worry." I smiled at him as he worked.

There were a few customers even though it was early. We open at two p.m. and close at three a.m.

"Gaano ka na katagal hindi umuuwi, Ma'am?" tanong ni Karlo. Halos lahat ng staff ko alam ang  kwento tungkol sa pamilya ko at sa mga taong kasama ko mula noong magsimula akong mag business.

"As long as this bar's been open," I answered.

"Five years?!" Karlo gasped and stopped mid-mix.

"Yeah."

"Hi!" We both stopped when a voice spoke behind me.

"Magandang hapon, sir. Ano po ang order niyo?" tanong ni Karlo.

"A bucket of beer," the man behind me replied in a deep voice. The hair on my arms stood up at the sound, the voice sounded familiar so I turned slowly.

When I looked, he was already looking down at me; I was sitting.

"Hey!" he greeted with a smile, and I blanked for a second.

"O-oh hi! You came back? Are you with someone?" I asked, glancing behind him but seeing no one.

"Wala, ako lang mag-isa. Bawal ba kapag walang kasama?" Nakangiti niyang tanong.

"No, of course not!" mabilis kong sagot, at natawa naman siya.

"I thought it might be against the rules," he joked.

"Tss. You don't need to come in a group to go to a bar."

"Excuse me, sir, bucket of beer." Karlo set the beer in front of the man who was sitting on a high stool next to mine.

"Thank you!" the man said to Karlo before turning back to me. I nodded to Karlo so he could leave us alone, and he moved away.

"So, what brings you here this early?" I asked, taking a sip of my cocktail.