Sanctuary of Love

Chapter One

MY dream is to live my life outside this house. Outside their mansion. But I can't. I can't because I'm a prisoner in my own house.

I let a loud sigh while watching our maids to clean the house. I'm bored in my room that's why I go here but naabutan ko silang naglilinis. They asked if I wanted them to stop, I said no. Gusto kong kausapin sila but no one will answer me. Gano'n naman palagi. We are not allowed to talk to them unless they are our personal maid.

It's summer in Santorini, dapat ay nasa beach ako. Nage-enjoy, nagpapa-tan ng balat lalo pero nasaan ako? Narito sa loob ng bahay namin! Ni hindi ako makalabas dahil sa dami ng bantay ko. Isang kilos ko lang nakasunod agad sila sa'kin.

Umirap ako.

You want to know why?

Because my father is one of the wealthy man in Greece, our family name is known here. Vasillios.

Vasilios Shipping Line.

Vasilios Cruiser.

Vasilios Yachts and many more.

And because of that we are always in danger. Palaging kaylangang may bodyguard na kasama kapag aalis, dapat palaging may bantay para daw sa proteksiyon namin. But I don't need protection! I can protect myself! I was trained by a master of Martial Arts, I'm good at Pankration. But since my father is a hard headed man, he did not listen to me.

I don't like to sound ungrateful but this is how I feel. If I'm a 13 years old girl I can understand their reasoning but for God's sake I'm already 25 and yet wala pa kong na-a-achieve sa buhay ko. Yes, graduate ako ng college pero 'yon lang.

Nakakapagod na rin. Nasasakal na ako sa ginagawa nila sa'kin. I'm not even the youngest child. I'm the second child and look at me now. I'm a prisoner.

Umiling ako.

Malaya Kallos Vasilios, the prisoner.

I wish I can also say na malaya na ako from this house dahil gusto ko talagang i-explore ang mundo. I want to travel around the world. I let a loud sigh.

"Why my sweetheart is sighing like she have the earth's problem?"

Nilingon ko ang nagsalita. My mother, standing in our staircase—sophisticatedly look ing down at me. Tipid ko siyang nginitian.

"Mama, I'm just thinking can I go to the nearest beach? It's hot and—"

"Oh, sweetheart..." Bumaba ng hagdan si Mama, tinabihan niya ako ng upo. Nilingon ko siya.

"Sweetheart, may malaking swimming pool tayo sa labas you can use it para hindi ka na mapagod," she said in light tone.

"But Mama...water in the beach is more relaxing and cold," I reasoned out. Malay niyo gumana.

She shake her head. "I will send our men to put large ice block in the pool if you want cold water, Aya."

I lost all hope I got. I knew it she'll never let me.

Malungkot akong nag-iwas ng tingin at hindi na nag-apila pa. Mamaya na lamang ako magbabakasakali kay Papa. Baka hayaan niya ako katulad noong nakaraang birthday ko.

"Sweetheart, intindihin mo naman. Ang gusto lang namin ay ang kaligtasan mo." Hinaplos niya ang buhok ko.

Marahas akong lumingon sa kanya. "Pero si Ares ay hinayaan ninyo!" angal ko.