OS #4: Claws of Dominance

8th Dominance

Life

Hindi ako matahimik ng gabing iyon, I also received a chat from Zee but I didn't reply. I know he's probably curious about what's happening that I decided to just leave like that.

I don't know what Mama will do but I'm somehow getting nervous about it.

Kulang ako sa tulog kinaumagahan pero agad nagising ang kaluluwa ko sa gulat ng pagkalabas ko ng kwarto ay may apat na naglalakihang bodyguards ang nakatayo.

Pagkababa ko naman sa hagdan ay namataan ko sa labas ng bintana na may mga sampu pa ang naroroon. Sa tingin ko may iba pang batch dahil may nakatayo rin banda gate lang ng mansion.

Our old and empty mansion suddenly gets crowded by the tight security.

Litong-lito ako pero hindi ko na dapat pa isipin kung sino ang may pakana nito dahil may ideya na ako.

May nakita akong kasambahay na naglilinis ng muwebles, I ask her where Mama is, sabi niya nasa sala kay pumunta ako roon.

Nadaanan ko pa ang malaking family picture namin na nasa living room. That was taken probably when I was around 8 years old. Papa was sitting on a single sofa while Mama and I were on his both sides. My young face was emotionless even when I remember that the photographer told me to smile for it.

Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad kung saan nakita kong nakaupo na si Papa sala, relax na nagbabasa mula sa hawak na tablet habang sinisimsim ang tasa ng kape. He was so stressed out with the issue but now it's obvious he slept well.

Magtatanong na sana ako kung nasaan si Mama ng saktong pumasok siya na may dalang dalawang plato ng almusal.

"Let's eat now, Dahlia." Masayang sabi ni Mama na nakakapagtaka.

She seems to be in a good mood. She even went to serve us the dishes when regularly, the maids do it and we just wait here at the dining.

Kabado habang nakaupo sa aking pwesto kung saan kaharap si Mama. "What's with the bodyguards, Mama?"

"Oh, they will accompany us to the court." Sagot niya habang naglalagay ng almusal sa kanyang plato.

All of them?

"Why?"

Papalit-palit ang tingin ko sa kanilang dalawa, observing what would they do that will involve me. Sigurado kasi ako na sinabi na ni Mama ang nangyaring pag-aaway namin kay Papa.

"We will be giving our testimony a bit earlier than expected," si Papa ang sumagot sa akin.

"You will be busy packing for your things with the maid so you don't have to go to school anymore," saad ni Mama na ikinatingin ko sa kanya.

Umiling ako. "I told you Mama, I'm not lea-"

"Don't make this hard for us, Dahlia. Everything is settled, we will leave later." Papa as he sips his coffee.

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa pinaghalong gulat at takot sa narinig. We will leave later?

"Settled? Paano po ang kompanya?"

Lito ko silang pinanood na kalmado. It was just 2 days ago when they were fighting about it and now... it's settled?

Papa smiled, he looked so good and happy about what he's about to say.

"Yesterday, we found a potential investor. I was told his son was going to the same school as you."

I'm trying my best to keep my irritation under control.

"Who is it?"

Who is that damn investor that he's making it easy for my parents? It may sound bad but I want their problem to last so I can stay a bit later. Now, it's getting more impossible!