Elite Wars

Chapter 21

A/n: Hello readers! Inuna ko ang author's note for this chapter because it contains some sensitive content. If you're faint hearted a minor or just not that mature please stop reading. And SPG din pala to. Hehehe
Xoxo

SANDRINE

Maybe it was time that I faced my fear. For the longest time, I was afraid that Gustave might discover my past. Although I somehow knew that he already has an idea. I sat quietly as I took a sip of the wine.

"I was nine years old when I ran away from home." Simula ko.

Habang nag ku-kwento ako ay hindi ko siya magawang tingnan. Binaha ako ng mga alaala noong bata pa ako. Mga alaalang kahit anong gawin ko ay hinding hindi mabubura.

"I was abused by my mom.She starved me, burned my books, barely even let me go to school. She would hit me and laugh at me when I cried."

I laughed in disgust when I remember how bad it was. I was only a child, but my body already suffered much. My skin was black and blue. One time, my eyes got so swollen when she hit me in the face that I couldn't open them for a while. I didn't know then, how to take care of myself. She barely bathed me. I grew up wearing my sister's old clothes. They were so old that I can physically tear them into pieces.

"She was whore. I was a product of an accident. Nagkaron siya ng customer na pranses, hindi siya pinanagutan. It was only a matter of time. I know what she'll make me do what she does."

Tandang tanda ko pa ang hitsura ng sarili kong ina at ng nakatatanda kong kapatid. Sigurado ako na kung makakasalubong ko sila ay matatandaan ko ang mga mukha nila pero ako? Tiyak na hindi nila ako makikilala. Hindi dahil sa mga alahas, mamahaling suot o make-up ko. They simply would not recognize me because I didn't matter to them.

"So one night, when I had the chance... I ran away. Hindi ko alam kung gaano katagal akong nagpalaboy-laboy. And then one day, my savior came." I felt my eyes flooding as I looked far away, to the disappearing trees.

Tahimik at payapa sa lupain ng mga Salguero, tanging ang liwanag ng buwan ang nag-sisilbing ilaw namin.

"Mamang is a gay beer club owner. He took me in, fed me, clothed me. He sent me to school and I was able to finish highschool with honors." I smiled as I remember how Mamang was so good to me.

Hindi niya ako kaano ano pero kahit minsan hindi ko naramdamang iba ako sa kanya. Madami akong pag-sisisi sa buhay ko at isa na don ang hinayaan kong mawala siya sa akin.

"But then he got sick. Kidney failure. The beer house wasn't doing well and we barely had enough to cover our expenses and his medication." I glanced at him but he was just looking at the wine glass. He took a sip, put it back and played with the glass while listening to me.

I wish I could read his mind. Or if he could just tell me what he thinks.

"I— I tried, looking for a decent job at fifteen. No one wants to hire me because I'm a minor. So one day, I decided to put slutty clothes that barely cover any of my body and I danced in front of a bunch of dirty old men."

I can still remember it. The dirty looks that I had, the catcalling, money thrown at me and me picking it up like a crazy person. Nilunok ko ang lahat ng iyon para tustusan ang pag gagamot ng taong kinilala kong magulang.

"Mamang realized what I was doing and where all of the money is coming from. Mataas ang pangarap niya sa'kin. He wanted me to finish college and work a corporate job, or an accountant or even a doctor. He got mad, and his health suddenly deteriorated." I chocked on my own saliva. I wiped a tear that fell down on my cheeks.