Chapter 30 (Part 1)

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"AND when she turns eighteen, you'll get married to the young Imperial," sabi ni Dad kay Kuya Damian.

"But, Dad . . . " I could hear the defiance in my brother's voice.

"No buts, Damian. Do as I say."

"Dad—!"

Napabuntonghinga ako habang nakasandal sa pader na may kalayuan sa kanila. Alam kong kokontra si Kuya dahil alam niya na may gusto ako kay Alexa. Parang nakababatang kapatid ang turing ni Kuya Damian kay Alexa. But for me, I would and could never look at Alexa that way. She was too special for me.

Alam ko rin na tinatago nina Kuya Damian at Kuya Alessandro ang relasyon nila mula sa lahat. They were using their front as best friends, but had been lovers for a long time. Hindi ko alam kung kailan pero nasisigurado ko na taon na. I didn't have any issues with that and I was happy they were together. Masaya ako kung saan masaya ang kapatid ko.

Iyon nga lang, mga magulang namin ang kontra nang malaman nila. Ilang beses ko nang narinig sila ang mga katagang, 'it's Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.'

I was disgusted how they just couldn't leave them alone to be happy and free. Kung hindi nga sila matanggap ng sarili nilang pamilya, paano pa kaya kung galing sa ibang tao?

Simula nang namatay si Mom, nag-iba si Daddy. Madalas niya ka-meeting ang mga magulang ni Alexa para sa mana na may kinalaman sa mga mas matatanda sa amin. We weren't even born yet when that freaking will from the elders of both our families agreed to.

Kung puwede lang baguhin ang will para ako na lang ang makakasama ni Alexa at si Kuya Damian naman ang magmamana ng mafia group ni Dad, mas masaya na sana ang lahat. It was unfair that we had no choice no voice on the matter.

Nilisan ko ang bahay dala ang susi ng sasakyan ko. I had just turned eighteen and got my own car.

Nag-send ako ng message kay Alexa na papunta na 'ko sa bahay nila kahit wala naman kaming usapan ngayon. Nilapag ko ang smartphone ko sa upuan at nagpokus na lang sa pagmamaneho.

I didn't want to disappoint our parents, but I also didn't want just to let Alexa go to my brother because of a damn will. Kuya had always known that he was going to be the next mafia boss since he was little . . . so I couldn't just snatch that away from him.

He grew up knowing he would lead the group. He grew up learning to fight. He grew up punishing people against him—just like dad. But he could not teach his heart to love someone else.

After fifteen minutes, I stopped in front of Alexa's house. I wanted to make sure I was calm before I knock and see her. Dapat walang palatandaan na may iniisip ako o pinoproblema. Gusto kong makita ni Alexa na okay ako . . . na okay ang lahat.

Pero sa pag-iisip ko, sakto naman na umaatras ang sasakyan ni Kuya Alessandro mula sa malawak nilang garahe.

Bumaba ako ng aking sasakyan at huminto rin si Kuya sa tapat ko. Binaba niya ang bintana at kumaway sa 'kin. I have him a nod.

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