Capturing The Grand Duke

Chapter 1

AVERY

I slowly opened my eyes when I heard some voices. Lumingon ako sa kinaroroonan ng mga boses na naririnig ko at nagtaka ako nang mapansin ang tensyon sa paligid. Mom is crying silently while glaring at Tito Griffin. I can't see dad, where is he? Kinalabit ko si Gran na nakaupo sa tabi ng kama ko.

"Ate!" gulat na aniya nang makitang gising na ako

Mukhang hindi nila napansin na gising na ako dahil sobrang seryoso pa rin lahat ng mukha nila. Kahit ang mga kapatid kong namumugto ang mata ay seryoso ang ekspresyon.

"What's happening—" hindi ko na natapos ang tanong ko ng basagin ni Tito Griffin ang katahimikan

"I'm sorry, Hill." it was almost a whisper but I heard it loud and clear

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang malakas na sinampal ni mom si Tito Griffin. Walang sinuman ang sumaway o pumigil kay mommy na gawin iyon. Even Lola Selena and Lolo Landon are just quietly observing.

"What did I do wrong?! Ano bang kasalanan ko sa mundo para mawalan ulit ng anak?! And now, I can't even see my son's body?! Griffin, I don't need ashes! I need my son's body! Hindi ako maniniwalang patay na si Kairro hangga't hindi ko nakikita ang katawan niya!" mom is almost hysterical while crying her heart out

"Cali, where is Grayson? Call him here right now!" mabilis na dinaluhan Tita Gianna si mom

Naninikip ang dibdib ko habang nakikita ang nangyayari at nakumpirma ko nga na totoo ang nasa balita. It wasn't a nightmare, it was reality. But I have no idea what's going on. What does mom mean that we can't see Kuya's body?

"Kuya, where's Kuya Kai?" Lay asked Gran while crying

Rayne started crying too, niyakap kaming tatlo ni Gran at nagsimula ding manginig ang balikat niya. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko sila i-cocomfort kung hindi ko maasikaso ang sarili ko.

"Mga apo, it's alright. Lola is here." Lola Selena hugged us and I know she's trying to hold back her tears

Tumingin kaming lahat sa pinto nang bumukas iyon at pumasok si dad. I am relieved to see him but there's something different from him. I loudly gasped when dad suddenly threw a punch on Tito Griffin. He looks so mad, no, mad is an understatement. Dad is livid, his body is shaking and I can see how tensed his body is. I've never seen those murderous eyes from dad until today.

"Grayson!" Lolo Landon and Tito Cali tried to stop him from throwing another punch

"What the fuck, Griffin?! What the fuck did you do?! Kairro is my son! He is my son! Where the hell did you get the authority to cremate my son's body?! Sumagot kang gago ka!" dad's angry voice roared inside the room

Lahat kaming magkakapatid ay magkayakap sa isang sulok kasama si Lola Selena. She's trying to calm us down too. We're getting scared. We've never seen dad like this. Namumula ang mukha niya sa galit at parang gusto mo na lang manginig sa takot dahil sa awtoridad sa boses niya na pumapailanlang sa buong kwarto.

What does dad mean? Anong kinalaman ni Tito Griffin? And what cremation? Did he cremate Kuya Kairro's body without us knowing? Everyone is talking about my Kuya's body.

"You're scaring the children, Gray!" Tita Gianna tried to interfere

"Stop it! Nasa hospital tayo!" saway din ni Lola Selena

But no one listened. Tito Griffin scoffed and looked away, "His car exploded and he is beyond recognition. I don't want you to see him like that."

Tito Griffin's expression is usually unreadable but I can clearly see the regret and sadness in his eyes. But I don't get why he is acting like doesn't care. He looks so different when he apologised to mom. But did her really cremated my brother's remains?