Bewitching the Tempter

Chapter 23: Fiancé

My father took me back to the mansion. Of course, I wanted to object, but I was once again swallowed by fear. Wala akong nagawa kundi ang sumama nalang nang tahimik.

As I marched inside, I felt like returning to hell. Once again, I was visited by those hurtful memories.

"Welcome back!" Racquel exclaimed when she saw me. Lumapit siya para halikan ako sa pisngi at para akong hinalikan ng demonyo.

"Hi, sis! I'm glad that you're finally back! I missed you!" Rachel smiled and went closer to hug.

I sighed and rolled my eyes. Now I have to deal with these plastics again. Lumaki akong kasama sila pero ang hirap pa rin talaga.

Hindi ko na alam kung ano ang plano nila at ang mangyayari sa akin sa mga susunod na raw. Kung ano man 'yon ay ayoko munang isipin. Gusto kong magpahinga muna because I'm feeling so exhausted already, hindi rin nakakatulong ang maya't mayang pagkahilo.

"Pwede ho bang pumasok muna sa kwarto at magpahinga? I'm tired." Tinatamad kong sambit.

"Not yet. Follow me." Father commanded at muli ay wala na naman akong nagawa kundi ang sundin siya.

We ended up in the study room.

"The wedding will be two months from now. Starting tomorrow, you will be homeschooled. Hindi ka na pwedeng lumabas mag-isa, you will always be with your bodyguards, maids, and your fiance. There's no room for you to act stubborn anymore, Adrasteia. Do you understand that?" He uttered without empathy or even a bit of sympathy.

Ganito ba talaga siya kasama? Hindi man lang ba niya tatanungin kung okay lang sa akin ang lahat? Ni kumustahin, wala...

Nanikip ang dibdib ko. I wanted to say something kahit na sa loob ng utak ko ay wala akong mabuong mga pangungusap. For a second, I just wanted to try and fight for myself. Ngunit bago ko pa maibuka ang bibig ko ay may biglang pumasok sa silid.

"Hi, Dad! Liam's here na!" Rachel smiled and marched inside the room. Sandali rin siyang napatingin sa akin at nginitian ako.

"Oh, hi, honey! Where is he? Pakisabi may pag-uusapan kami." Dad smiled at her and kissed her forehead.

Maraming beses ko nang nasaksihan ang ganitong tagpo but I still found myself looking away because I envy her again.

"Yes, Dad. By the way, nandito na nga pala siya. Liam, come in." Aniya at may itinuro sa pintuan.

Because of curiosity, I also turned my back. And to my surprise, I saw a familiar face.

He's the guy I met at the bar last time. William.

He smiled at father and after that his gaze fell to me.

"Nagkita tayong muli," nakangiti niyang sabi bago lumapit kay Rachel at hinawakan ang kamay nito.

My eyes widened a bit because of a realization.

He's...her fiance? The boyfriend that AJ was talking about?

"Sis, I want you to meet my boyfriend and also my future husband, Liam." Rachel smiled at me and pointed at the man. "We'll get married next year, hindi pwede ngayong taon dahil ikaw ang ikakasal. Bawal sukob, 'diba..." she chuckled.

While looking at her talking so happily while looking at her man, hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong unang maramdaman...kung inggit ba dahil malaya siyang makakapili ng lalaking makakasama habang-buhay...o pagtataka dahil parang ang bilis naman yata nilang na-engage.

I don't know and I don't want to care, but I guess it's already innate within me to care even with people like her. It's just that...sigurado ba siya sa napili niya? But then it's Rachel, lagi naman siyang tama sa mga ginagawa niya.

"Hi." I just lazily greeted her fiance dahil hindi naman ako interested sa kanila.

"Sige, hon. I need to talk to my sister pa kasi, see you later nalang?" Paalam niya sa kasama na ikinataas ng kilay ko.

Kakausapin niya ako? Para ano? Para ipamukha sa akin na siya malaya tapos ako hindi?

"Ano namang pag-uusapan natin? I'm already tired." I sighed.

"Adrasteia, can you at least show a little respect to your sister?"

I rolled my eyes. Oo nga pala, nandito pa siya.

"Okay lang naman, Dad. Baka pagod na talaga si Klio. Pwede rin namang bukas nalang." Rachel smiled again.

I sighed. Her plasticity is really on another level.

"Hindi na, ngayon nalang. Sabihin mo na kung ano ang gusto mong sabihin. Tara." I muttered and went out of the study room, hindi na hinintay ang kung anong reaksyon ng ama niya.

"Galit ka ba sa akin? I'm sorry." Ani ng babae habang sinusundan ako.

"Ano ba ang sasabihin mo? Importante ba 'yan? Sabihin mo na para matapos na." Nauurat kong sabi dahil naiinis na talaga ako sa presensya niya.

She sighed. "I'm sorry, I...I just thought you'd feel glad if you heard about this. I just want to tell you that...I successfully convinced dad to call off the engagement with Rick because of his bad personality, and instead let you marry the person whom I think will be good for you."

My brows furrowed and I narrowed my eyes on her. What does she mean by that? And the person who's good for me, huh? Ano namang alam niya sa akin?

And what? Kinareer na talaga niya ang pagiging anak ng ama niya? She's now controlling my life too?

"Anong sinasabi mo? Sino ang papakasalan ko? At bakit ka ba nakikialam?" I held her arm and I guess I held it too tight dahil nakita ko na naman ang luha mula sa mga mata niya.

"Sorry...you'll meet him tomorrow." She uttered as tears fell from her eyes.

Inis ko siyang binitawan. "Umalis ka na sa harap ko, baka mamaya sabihin pa ng ina mo pinaiyak na naman kita."

Dumiretso na ako sa kwarto pagkatapos nun. I was so tired that despite the situation ay agad akong nakatulog.

Kinaumagahan ay maaga akong nagising dahil sa pagbabaliktad ng sikmura ko. I find it troublesome at agad akong naghanap ng gamot sa medicine cabinet but as I did that, I realized something.

I'm delayed.

But, no. It can't be. Hindi pwede.

Alaric may have forgotten to wear protection back then but I always take pills kaya hindi pwede.

My thoughts got disturbed when I heard consecutive knocks on the door. When I opened it ay agad bumungad sa akin ang isa sa mga personal maids na ini-assign sa akin.

"Good morning, Ma'am. I am here to inform you that you need to dress up already. Your fiance will be waiting for you downstairs."

I rolled my eyes. Fiance, huh? Sino naman kaya ang fiance ko ngayon? It's so sickening to have other people deciding for my fucking life.

"Okay." I uttered and closed the door.

As I fixed myself in front of the mirror, I suddenly had the urge to stab myself. I wanted to just die.

But someone came into my mind... Alaric.

Strangely, the thought of seeing him again comforted me, kahit na alam kong mahihirapan na akong makita siya dahil sa higpit ng security ko.

Dressed with a lavender flowy dress, I walked down the stairs. There I saw father, Rachel, Liam, Racquel, and someone... na kahit nakatalikod ay alam ko kung sino.

Pakiramdam ko ay binuhusan ako ng malamig na tubig. I know I like him but to see him here... makes me feel betrayed.

So he's my fiancé, huh?

Father looked at me with his stoic face and tapped the man's shoulder para paharapin ito sa akin. At hindi nga ako nagkamali, siya nga.

"Meet your fiancé, Adrasteia." He gave off a small smile and looked at the man once again.

"Alexander James Manjarrez." He continued.