𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐱 [TSS #3]

Chapter 31: Downfall

Soul's POV

"We know the Villagracia are up to your family pero nadadamay kami, Mario." Mariing saad ni tita Daniella.

We are still inside the office. Tita Diana wanted to talk to my dad. Damien and I are still here. Hindi ako makaalis dahil hindi maganda ang timpla ni daddy. Natatakot ako sa posible n'yang gawin.

"So what are you trying to say, Diana?" Tanong ni daddy. There's a growing tension between them.

"We need to dissociate our family to your family." Mariing saad ni tita.

"What? Ngayong nasa krisis kami?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni daddy.

"Nadadamay na kami, Mario. We can't afford to lose everything!" Madamdaming wika naman ni tita.

"Kaya nga nagpakasal ang mga anak natin dahil tayo ang magtutulungan!" Daddy shouted.

Napatayo na ako. Tumayo ako sa likod ni daddy and tapped his shoulder to calm him down.

"Tita.. dad.. I think it's better if we talk about it some other time." I suggested. Parehong mainit ang ulo nila. Walang mangyayari kung ganito.

"Soul is right, mommy," Damien glanced at me. "Umuwi na muna tayo." He said firmly.

"No, Damien!" Umalma si tita Daniella. "File a divorce with Soul." She said authoritatively.

Napahinto ako sa sinabi n'ya. She wants her son to file a divorce with me? That's a good news to me.. but not with my father and Damien.

"What?! No! Hindi pwede!" Pag-alma ni Damien.

"That's stupid, Daniella! Gusto kong kausapin ang asawa mo. Mas may sense kausap ang mga lalaki kaysa sainyo." Daddy said.

Tita Daniella seems so offended. I am too. That's my daddy. Nang aasar kapag hindi nakukuha ang gusto.

"Papa, uuwi na po kami." Damien holds her mom's hand.

"This meeting is done. Damien will file a divorce with your daughter," tita Daniella looked at me in piercing eyes, "and that's final."

"That's bullshit!" Pahabol na sigaw pa ni daddy.

May pag-alma sa kilos ni Damien pero wala na itong nagawa kundi ihatid si tita palabas ng opisina.

"This is all your fault, Soulistine." Sigaw ni papa. Naglakad s'ya palapit sa'kin. He holds my arm harshly.

"Daddy, nasasaktan ako." I firmly stated.

"Your stupid decisions will bring us down!" Sigaw n'ya ulit at mas lalong humigpit ang kamay sa braso ko. It hurts.. but nothing hurts more than his word. Tama naman siya. Kasalanan ko ang lahat.

"We are not sure why they are doing this, dad." I defended myself. Kasi paano kung gusto lang nilang i-expand yung company nila? Marami pa namang ibang rason, 'di ba?

"Are you trying to defend them, Soulistine?! Sabi ko, 'di ba paamuhin mo ang Villagracia na 'yon? Anong ginagawa mo?!"

"Dad, let's just fix this professionally. I'll h-hand it." I said while trying to remove his hand from me.

"Set an appointment with that Villagracia." Mariing wika ni daddy. "Yung anak, ha? Your ex." He said firmly. Hinigpitan pa nito ang hawak sa braso ko bago tuluyang binitiwan.

I can't do that.. I don't have the face to do that. Sirang-sira na ako sa kanya. She won't waste her time on me anymore. Natuto na s'ya. But I'll try for the sake of our family.

...

"Good morning," I greeted the Governor's secretary.

"Good morning, Miss Cuesta." May pag-uuyam sa tono ng boses n'ya when she mentioned my name.