Crime In Love Line

Chapter 31

Hindi ko akalain na aabot sa puntong kamumuhian ko ang liwanag.

I immediately ran to my windows to put the curtains down. Kung pwede lang, sana hindi na nag-uumaga. I hate the ray of the sun and just wanted to be comforted by the darkness that night brings.

"Good morning, kuya. How's your flight?" I always call kuya Ethan in the morning before anything else.

[Fine. I'm staying at a hotel. Kausap ko na ang ilang officials and hopefully, lumabas na ang mga suspects by now.]

"That's good. Call me agad if lumabas na ang names..."

[Okay. Don't forget to eat your breakfast.] and then, he hung up.

Lumabas ako ng kwarto upang maghilamos. I was damping my towel to my face when an unexpected person came blocking my way.

"Goodmorning, Lianne." It was my father.

Hindi ko siya nginitian o kinibo man lang at dere-deretso na pumunta sa kusina. He followed me and kept chattering about his company that I don't even give a fuck with.

"...and then, this process is called—hey, are you listening, Lianne?"

I shook my head and continued putting sugar to my cup.

"Why are you making yourself breakfast? That's the helpers job." Sambit pa muli ni Ronald. "And mind you, that it is disrespectful to ignore your father like this."

Hinarap ko siya at tinitigan sa mga mata. He's really old. Puti na ang buhok at balot na ng kulubot ang mukha. His beard remains unshaven.

"Can I eat my breakfast peacefully now?" I calmy asked because he's blocking my way out of the kitchen.

"I also noticed that the money I'm putting in your credit card wasn't decreasing. Whose money are you using?" Parang napipikon na siya.

I sighed. Mula noong umuwi mula sa Canada si kuya ay nag-abot siya ng sapat na halaga ng pera para sa akin. I'm using that money because I'm disgusted with Ronald's. Pinag-iisipan ko na rin nang mabuti ang trabaho na inialok sa akin ni Daryl.

"I'm looking for a job." Walang expresyon na sagot ko sa ama. "You don't have to worry about my expenses."

"Job? Saan?" Kumunot ang puting kilay ni Ronald. "Mahiya ka naman, Lianne! Your father owns a huge University, tapos kung saan-saan ka lang magtratrabaho? You're carrying the name of a Salcedo!"

"As long as the money is clean." I said sarcastically.

"What do you mean??? Have some shame! I'm training you to a lot of business basics but you're not listening! Anong mangyayari sa buhay mo, ha? Baka matulad ka sa nanay mong pinulot nalang sa basura!"

I felt the sudden ascension of my blood.

"A trash is nothing compared to my mother!" I gritted my teeth. "She raised three kids on her own! She lost her company but still became the best woman that endures everything! Y'all kept dragging her down but she became more than any of you!"

He raised his hands but he gritted his teeth, as if trying to hold back his anger. I love seeing him like this. I love crashing him with my words.

"You want to know a trivia?" I smiled. "A trash is better than you."

At doon ko naramdaman ang kamay niya sa pisngi ko. It was a painful slap that vibrated down to my jaw. But I felt satisfied. I want to see him suffer in pain.

May mga isinigaw pa siya sa akin ngunit hindi ko na iyon pinakinggan. I watched him walk away with so much rage before I started eating my breakfast. It was a tough morning.