✓ | The Altered Version (Fate's Transgression Series, #2) [UNDER REVISION]

TAV 10: Her Laughs

CHAPTER TEN : Her Laughs

Omniscient | 3rd POV

"Hey, Sofia Soleil. Mommy's here anak, look up here, darling. Smile!"

"Teirro, 'wag mo naman ilapit masyado 'yan sa bata, nakakaduling ang lens ng camera, alam mo 'yon?"

•••

"Sino may sabi kainin niyo 'yong cupcake habang hindi pa tapos ang photoshoot!? Ang tatakaw niyo!"

•••

"Baby oh, look at the camera, anak. Wow, ang ganda-ganda naman ng baby namin oh. Mana kay Mommy 'yan oh, ay sus, ngingiti na 'yan! Ayan, ngumiti nga, sabi ko sa inyo ako lang nagpapangiti sa anak ko. Kuhaan mo na dali!"

•••

"Hi, my daughter, Sofia Soleil Anhara Silverstein. By the time you see this, malaki ka na— hindi umiiyak si Mommy ha, ano 'to, tears of joy lang anak. Happy birthday! I know we didn't celebrate your first year birthday but Mommy's planning to celebrate every year for you.

Masaya ako na nakilala kita, at naging parte ka ng buhay ko kahit hindi naman ako ang nag-luwal sa 'yo. Sana, lumaki kang mabait, mabuti, at magalang. I don't have much to say, kasi first time ko naman ginawa 'to— Teirro, huwag ka nga umeksena, kita ka sa screen!—

So ayon, anak. Mommy is saying sorry and I hope that you'll forgive me. Mahal kita, mahal ka namin ng Dad mo na ngayon ay nasa digmaan pa. Wish nalang natin na umuwi na si Daddy eh no, para nandito na siya sa third birthday mo. I love you, my Hermosa Soleil. Mommy will always guide you, wherever you are..."

•••

"Ano ba 'yan Tierro, are you still filming? What are you documenting? Anong panggagamitan mo d'yan? Don't tell me, ipapadala mo 'yan sa Duke? Cut it out, nakakahiya! Mukha akong multo! Hindi pa ako nagsusuklay ng buhok!"

"You look beautiful, your grace. I'm just filming some clips to attach from Sofia's first but 2nd birthday. Hindi naman kasi na-film ang buong preparation."

"At ito talaga ang isisingit mo? Umalis ka na, nambu-bwisit ka lang eh."

The video ended, but it was just a few seconds passed when it played again. The same videotape had been playing hundred times a day and for the last months, he already memorized every detail on that three-minute video presentation.

He doesn't know what to react for he had been conflicted since the beginning. Simulan ng mag-iba ang pakikitungo ng dukesa sa buong lalawigan, palaisipan kung bakit ito nangyari.

He wanted to have a word with the Duchess but she didn't try explaining. In fact, all this time, the Duke had been waiting to hear her side.

The Duke doesn't say much about the new changes while the Arc Knights had been mumbling about it since then. Teirro had reported every— every single detail about the Duchess to him. Buong akala ni Clarinette walang alam ang Duke sa mga pinaggagawa niya, pero dakilang balimbing ang butler ng mansyon.

Every time Teirro brings forth another news, it always leaves him confused, but after a while, amusement shatters in the chamber.

These activities of the Duchess had led the Duke to know her more, and eventually set his eyes on his wife. Tama nga ba ang akala ni Clarinette na pag-iiba ng daloy ng kwento dahil sa mga pinaggagawa niya?