The Case of Adelaide (S1)

xviii. straight from the horse's mouth

- heard directly from the person involved. 

18

Panic, taken aback, shock, fear. I can see various and different reactions, all because of me.

I'm breathing heavily, hands shaking. I can't see Felix' face because I'm facing the people on the table.

"WHERE IS MY SISTER?!" I asked again.

Some are confused, and most are astonished. Hindi mawari kung ano ang ekspresyon ng mag-asawa, kung titingin ba sa akin o sa anak nila.

"HARLOTTE!" Tumaas ang boses ni ama, pero hindi ko siya pinansin.

What is this feeling? 

Masyado akong apektado, masyado para kay Hilian. 

Are these . . . my feelings? Or is it yours . . . Harlotte?

"H-Harlotte, what are you doing?" my mother said, confused and worried as she stood up.

"THEY DID IT! THEY'RE THE ONES BEHIND IT ALL!" I shouted, the Byrons' remained quiet. "THEY TOOK HI-"

"Lottie, I'm sorry."

I was taken aback, dumbfounded. I forgot, I was too occupied. I let my guard down. I still have Harlotte's instincts . . . that Felix, her childhood friend and brother in law wouldn't dare to touch her let alone hurt her.

But I was wrong.

It felt like time slowed down as the knife I was holding flew in the air as Felix stood up. He aggressively held my hand and went behind me, stopping any movement I could make. Bilog na bilog ang mga mata ko, hindi inaasahan ang nangyari.

Napatayo na si Nilus, habang ang ama ko ay nag-iigting ang bagang, nanatiling nakaupo.

"Young Lord Felix, what are you doing?!" Nilus said, glaring at him. Felix didn't answer.

Despite being calm, I can feel the tension in my father's voice. "Care to explain what's happening, Lord Byron? Why is your son . . ." He intentionally paused. There we saw the visible anger on my father's face. Everyone felt intimidated, even Lord Byron who tried to hide it with a smile. "Is holding my daughter like that?"

There was a sudden silence, the atmosphere changed. It's suffocating. My father didn't even shout, his voice just went a little higher. But the tone of his voice . . . it's full of anger.

I saw Lord Byron secretly swallowed behind his laugh. Napapailing siyang napapunas ng mga kamay gamit ang towel na nasa binti niya.

"My, my, my. Desserts are supposed to be last, but my son couldn't wait." Napasinghap ako nang kumalabog ang mga pinto sa dining area, sunod-sunod na nagsipasukan ang mga gwardya at butlers ng pamilyang Byron. Pare-parehong may mga hawak at nakaangat ang mga baril.

I can see the panic on my mother's face, roaming her eyes. My father didn't move in his seat, but he was alert. Nilus was taken aback as well, he tried to take something out of his pockets when one of the guards pointed his gun at him.

Lord Byron glanced at Nilus. "Let's not rush things, don't you think so? Young Lord."

Nilus clenched his jaw before retreating his hand, slowly taking a seat, followed by my mother. I'm breathing heavily, Felix is still holding me and preventing me from moving.

"What is the meaning of this?! You dare to do this in my own home?!" My father said, still trying to calm himself.

"Oh, please. Don't take it personally, my lord." Nakangiting marahang hinawakan ng ama ni Felix ang dibdib niya. "I don't do grudges . . . but still . . . "