Wreaking Havoc

septem

"Therese!" I almost fell down upon hearing the news from Janine but Eli was quick to hold me. Pakiramdam ko biglang umiikot 'yung paligid... was it my fault? I hate my mom but I never asked for them to get hurt or be harmed... Kahit hindi na lang para sa'kin. Kahit para kay Isla man lang... I don't want my sister to get hurt.

"I-I need to go Eli," I uttered before grabbing my purse and stepping out of his apartment. Eli didn't say a word at hinatid na lang niya ako pababa ng apartment. My entire system was shaking from the news and I was just forcing myself para makalakad ako. 

"Message me okay?"

I nodded, "T-they're... they're gonna be okay, right?"

Eli smiled and held my hand, "They're going to be okay, love. You heard from your mom's secretary, right? They're not hurt."

I bit my lower lip and sighed. 

I shouldn't be scared... I know I shouldn't be scared. 

I was freaking out internally as we made our way to the hospital where they were confined. I was a little grateful na hindi na nila isinama si Isla because I would probably really lose it when the kid experiences that kind of trauma at this age. I don't want her to grow up bringing that kind of trauma that I brought with me... it'd be too painful to watch because I know how it affected me so bad.

Pagkarating ko sa hospital ay sinalubong agad ako ng hospital director at sinamahan ako papunta sa VIP floor. I know they weren't hurt dahil lahat naman ng sasakyan namin bulletproof... Janine wouldn't lie to me if they were hurt badly, but I couldn't help but to be scared. Matagal nang retired si daddy, why do they still follow us like it was our fault that they were caught?

"Mom," I called the moment I entered the room. She looked fine, even drinking her favorite tea with Lola by her side. There weren't even any signs of bruises or wound.  "What happened?"

Mom was about to speak but Lola walked toward me habang nakatingin lamang sa mukha ko bago napatingin kay mommy, "What did you do again to my granddaughter, Liliane?" she asked. I sighed when I realized that Lola noticed the bruises that I didn't even try to hide. I should've concealed the bruises... I never liked Lola seeing me in this state, but my head was just to cluttered and messy that I didn't even remember about the bruises anymore.

Mom rolled her eyes, "She hid Isla yesterday mamá, what do you want me to do? Should I not discipline my child? I thought Isla went missing!" she screamed like she wanted to taunt me because I scared her that Isla could've been kidnapped. Is this how she's supposed to be as a parent? Does she only start caring when Isla gets kidnapped? I'm pretty sure she won't even bother in trying to find me if I was the one who's suddenly missing. She had another daughter to spare. I was just probably collateral damage for her.

Lola ignored mom's "tantrums" and held my hand tightly habang tinitignan 'yung mukha ko, "Does it hurt?"

I timidly smiled, "I'm okay, lola. Don't worry about me," I uttered bago lumapit kay mommy. She looked like she didn't care about what happened but her eyes still tell a different story—I'm sure she was scared. Maybe that was what I got from her... I never let other people see my weakness.

"You're scared," I said, looking into her eyes. Mom avoided my gaze.

"I'm not," she says. "Just go back to Elias or wherever you came from, Therese. You never cared for this family."

I scoffed, "Mom if I never cared I wouldn't even be here, so talk to me... please..." I probably sounded like I was begging for her attention because I was. I was so desperate for her to listen to me even just for once... kahit isang beses man lang gusto kong maramdaman na parte pa rin ako ng pamilya na 'to.