How the Mighty Fall (The Sinner #1)

SIN 1

Viel

I imprisoned myself inside my study room the whole day. Everyone in this house knows never to barge in while I'm here, because I take my studies seriously. Even though unnecessary, given the world I'm in, I still took a master's degree. Papa supports my enthusiasm. For him, it is better than me going out, working, or dating around.

But right now, studies are the last thing on my mind. I don't care if I never make it to class again o kung ibagsak man ako ng professor. Ang main priority ko ay ang makaalis dito. If I don't leave, I'll live my life forever as a wife of a man I barely know. Someone to parade around in events, someone to carry and give birth to his heir to continue his lineage. That's all women are in our world.

Lennon Islas, my father, is capo dei capi to the Islas criminal organization. And he decided to marry me off to Harrison Mancini, the capo of Mancini brotherhood. For peace. A truce in exchange for my body, my freedom, my whole life.

And now it is up to me to stir my fate the other way.

"Jusmiyo, Vivendel Elise, plano mo bang sirain yang laptop mo?" and enters Consuela, the only one who seems alien to instructions. Kahit pa ilang beses kong ipinagdiinang huwag na huwag papasok dito ay ginagawa pa rin. Mayordoma lang naman. But she seems to be under this illusion that this household is under her thumb.

I rolled my eyes. She's the only maid that my papa notices. Sipsip! I'm almost certain that in her head, she fantasizes being the capo's next wife. I will never give my blessing on their marriage kung sakali.

My hands have been punishing the keyboard for the past hours. Mabuti na lang at medyo ignorante si Consuela. She won't have any idea that I'm doing something suspicious.

It was quite difficult to access the Islas funds. Masyadong mahigpit ang security nito. I'm experienced in hacking, ngayon lang ako tumagal ng ilang oras. The engagement party is happening in two days, and I have to leave before that happens. At dahil hindi ako pinayagang magtrabaho, I have no choice but to steal from them.

I did not find out about the engagement directly through my father.

"Papa, why can't I be involved in this business? I was born in this anyway, might as well be useful. Do I really have to be an heir para lang payagan niyo ako?" I stopped the conference room's door from closing. They will lock me out here again and leave me oblivious.

"Princess," he tried using that soft tone on me. As if I'm the pampered daughter, too soft to deal with the brutality of our world.

"That won't work on me, papa! I'm the daughter of the capo dei capi, and yet this is the kind of image you want everyone to see? That I'm only worthy because of the name I carry? Hindi ba kayo masaya that I want to honor this name? That I'm embracing this?"

Papa held my cheeks. "Princess, you will be honoring our name by doing your duties."

"And what duty? To marry?"

"Yes. To marry," he said in a tone that indicates that this is non negotiable. Then he closed the door.

I had no choice but to bug their conference room. I don't know whether to lament or rejoice that they consider me incapable of these things.

They locked me outside as they decided my life for me inside that conference room.

"Kung gusto mo ng bago ay magsabi ka lang sa papa mo, hindi yung nanadya kang manira. Wala pang isang taon sa'yo ang laptop na yan ay gusto mo na kaagad ng kapalit." Nakapamewang pa ito habang sinusubukang dumungaw sa ginagawa ko. I closed my laptop and glared at her.