Illicit Sky [✓]

Prologue

In front of me, the dancing neon lights and a hint of fog blended seamlessly. There is a strong odor of cigarettes and whiskey. I observed various women swaying their hips on the dance floor while inebriated.

It's been an hour. And until now, I couldn't help but think about the day my father informed me that he was getting married again after so many years. I had not accepted it. Until now. But I couldn't do anything about it.

He absolutely adores that woman. Really? He's too old for romance, but he's still got the energy of a man in his twenties. I sipped my final glass of whiskey for the evening.

"Are you going home? Handa ka na ba?" umugong ang halakhak ni Abel.

Matalim ang tingin na iginawad ko sa kaniya. I called them here to drink with me, not to burden me even more. Malaki ang ngisi niya, pinapakita ang malalalim na biloy sa mga pisngi.

"They've been married for almost two years now. Ito ang unang pagkakataon na makikita mo ang anak ng mama mo, tama ba?" si Gunther na seryoso at walang kurap na nakatitig sa akin.

"She's not my mom," may diin kong sabi.

Muling humalakhak si Abel, kabaliktaran ng seryosong ekspresyon ni Gunther sa harapan ko. "But you call her 'mama', man."

"As if I have a choice, asshole?" Iritado kong binalik ang tingin sa kaniya.

He shook his head, still grinning widely, like my situation right now was comical. Am I even surprised? He finds everything funny, even the stupidest things.

"Your world is slowly getting smaller, Angelus. Baka mapagod kang gampanan ang gentleman image mo? Lalo na't... nabanggit mong may problema sa pag-iisip ang stepsister mo. The likes of her are usually aggressive."

I gritted my teeth. Hindi ko pa natatanggap na may bago nang asawa ang ama ko. At kanina na lang, sinabi niya sa aking bukas na mismo ang labas ng anak ng asawa niya mula sa isang mental institution.

Of course, as a good son, I showed him my excitement to meet my stepsister. Only if he knew how much I loathed the bitch he's with right now. At ngayon, may dadagdag na naman at isa pang may sayad?

Their accounts suggested that the girl had bipolar disorder. I believe it to be a case of extreme mood swings. Because she was aggressive and frequently snapped at people, she was incarcerated and given medication. How do I handle a lunatic?

"Hmm... based on Angelus, under rehabilitation ang kapatid niya dahil sa pagiging agresibo-"

"Hindi ko siya kapatid," halos sigawan ko na si Gunther.