Break Fresh Ground

44: FEARS AND TEARS

Author's Note: For a more immersive experience, I recommend listening to any heartbroken song while reading this chapter, para tagos hanggang buto ang sakit. ;D

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I am sitting on the living room and chatting with Artemis. Pinauwi ako ni Dad kahapon lang at hindi niya sinabi ang dahilan, but still, pumunta pa rin ako.

Everything is going well around me. My parents co-parenting, although may kaunting tension pa rin sa aming lahat simula ng dumating si Mom Aurelia. Speaking of her, she's really doing her best to make amends and build my trust, and I appreciate her for that. She's taking it slow which is in my favor dahil hindi ko rin naman kayang ibaba na lang ng gano'n ang walls ko, lalo na sa kaniya.

I sipped on my tea when Mama came in the house, rushing towards me to call me.

Then, I received a message from my Artemis.

"Wait lang, Ma," I told her and read my girlfriend's message.

Messages from Déesse

Please know that my love for you starts every sunshine and will always continue with the moon shining the night

Good afternoon, my Love!

I miss you so much!

I know, goddess

I love you more, forever and always

After replying, I focus my attention to Mama.

"Scarlett," Mama said softly.

"Why are you whispering?" I asked, puzzled by her tone.

"It's your dad---"

"Scarlett, come to my office." Dad's words struck me like lightning. Ang huling beses na tinawag niya ako ng gano'n ay noong pinadala niya ako sa Pangasinan.

Mama sighed and I looked at her confused.

Mama let out a heavy sigh, and I looked at her, my confusion mirrored in her eyes. Without a word, she gestured for me to follow her to Dad's office. As I entered the room, he sat sternly in his chair, clutching a paper in his hand. The moment he saw me, he tossed the paper in my direction.

"What's that?" I asked, bewildered by the sudden aggression.

"What's that?" he demanded, his anger palpable.

I picked up the paper, revealing Artemis' plate design. "This is Artemis' plate. Why is this with you?" I asked, I asked, trying to make sense of the situation.

"That's one of her design for her thesis and she wants me to consult about it," he calmly said with a deep creased on his forehead. "Now, what is that?"

"Ang alin ba, Dad?" I asked, my voice shaky, unsure why he was pressing the issue.

He scoffed humorlessly, his eyes narrowing as he pointed at the paper I held. "What's the name on that?" tukoy niya sa papel na hawak ko.

"Sienna Artemis A. Del Gallego," I replied, feeling a wave of confusion washing over me. Why was he asking about Artemis' full name?

Without warning, he threw a folder at me, and as I opened it, my heart pounded in my chest. Inside were pictures of Artemis and me, frozen moments of our intimate date the night I brought her to a hotel with Violet, and many other snapshots of us together. "Why do you have these, Dad?" I stammered, my nerves on edge.

"You tell me, Scarlett Storm," he retorted, his voice icy and accusatory.

"Dad, pinasundan mo kami? That's a foul move!"