TNRS I: To The Bone (Ongoing)

Chapter 36: The price to pay

After the incident Eugene Montesor caused, mas lalong lumala ang sitwasyon sa loob ng pamilya namin. Nothing's the same anymore, now that dad is gone. 

Tita is always drunk and not her usual drunk but heavy and depressed drunk; I can't talk to her properly. My sister has been silent all the time and hasn't been eating well. Mom locked herself on her room and has refused to come out ever since.

And sienna is not coping very well either, all of us aren't okay. 

 At present, I am the only one with the best state of mind right now. My mind is trying its best to wrap everything all inside my head, dad's death, the family, the whole company, every worse possible scheme Eugene would likely come up to and Terrence's words.

I just have no room for much grieving right now. The company is frozen and in shambles.

The media has been pressuring us about who'll be the next chairman after the late chairman's death and there's a great possibility that Eugene would come at us using the media or any means to overtake the company. 

At this rate, I'm afraid we'll lose the company in the end. The hardships and efforts that our family has put into will all go down the drain in just a snap of a finger. 

And I cannot let that happen, I cannot just sit or stand here and let things escalate into the worst-case scenario. 

I need to think about everything thoroughly and manage my options wisely. School is out of my concerns for now, I have to focus on the more important matters that I can tend to. I need time, I need more time to think through everything. 

"Now you understand why I will not let any of my family get involve with the de Leons?" Donya Anna looked at me straight in the eyes. "This my seem absurd but I had witnessed it before and all i can say is, it is better off with you two to find someone else."  

I know of it, the said curse. 

Seeing how her little brother looked at the lovely flower of the Ferrel's, after her own heartbreak, Clarita couldn't stand it. Full of hatred and pain, she vowed with her great family name that she will never let the same thing happen twice. 

As she couldn't bare the betrayal of her beloved Antonio Ignacio Ferrel who replaced her with one of the daughter of the town's mayor. 

With that vow, a great cause endowed the family and the generation that came upon. 

I think I know where this is heading...

"Is this the same thing you said to them?" I asked. 

The old lady shook off her head with bitterness on her expression. "Do not get me wrong, hija. I adored Liliana as if she was my own daughter... But there are things far more precious to lose. Trust me, you would rather have Axel be with someone else than have to never see him again." 

I looked at the old woman with hesitations in my eyes. "You're right. This is quite absurd." biting my lips so hard that I could almost taste the iron.

"Ako man ay galing sa makalumang panahon, but this I tell you hija: I warned before... now look at where it brought you! A warning from the elders are not mere bluffs, hindi ko ugaling magpakakotrabida sa buhay ng aking apo-maging kay Art! Kung tutuosin I would have been happy if Lily and Art ended up together but... A love that musn't be, shall not be." 

Quietly, I wiped down my tears with my now cold fingers. 

I knew what was to come for me when I was told she's here to see me. After all, this is the most perfect time to shake me. Donya Anna knew exactly how she can get done what needs be.