The Last Rule

Chapter 17 - Cheer Up

We had dinner, but honestly, it wasn't peaceful for me. Like, at all. Buong gabi akong pinipilit ni Tita Den tungkol sa lalaking binilhan ko ng pasalubong. She seriously shouldn't make it a big deal, pero kinukulit niya talaga ako. And I keep on denying everything to her... and maybe to myself. 

He replied to my story kanina pa pero ngayong gabi lang ako nag-online. I was avoiding it because I swear, kapag nakita ni Tita Den na mayka-chat ako, she will never stop. I need peace. 

Dos Hernandez: wow Gatorade ba yan?

I hate him. I hate how his pointless, stupid remarks make me laugh. It makes no sense. Like, bakit nakakatawa? He is not stupid. I know he is doing it on purpose. Or at least, I hope he is not actually that stupid.

The next day is supposed to be a big day for us. We all woke up super early to prepare and unfortunately, I woke up without his good morning. Should I chat first? Obviously not. Never. Tita Dennisse literally told me that girls should never do the first move no matter what because nakakatanggal daw ng poise.

It was five in the morning and madilim pa so I stepped outside to watch the sunrise. I love sunrises. They make everything feel calm, like the world pauses for a bit. I waited for hours just to see it. I honestly prefer watching the sun rise than watching it set.

I filmed it in time-lapse then posted it on my story. My aesthetic deserves to be seen.

After that, bumalik ako sa room para mag-ready. We were all wearing casual pieces for the opening. The staff delivered our breakfast per room. By nine, lumabas na ako and halos lahat ng guests dumadating na.

Everyone was a big name. Business tycoons, politicians, models, celebrities. Literally the kind of crowd na gusto kong iwasan kasi nakaka-drain. Pero bawal mag-rebelde. Lolo will throw a fit if I refuse to socialize. And now my stress level is literally rising with every minute.

While blending with the crowd, a reporter approached me.

"Hello Miss. I saw many famous personalities here! May I know which clan are you from?"

He pointed the mic at me as if alam ko agad ang sasabihin ko. I froze. Should I tell him I am the granddaughter of the owner? They will know my face. They will talk about me. And I do not want that.

I hesitated too long and more people started staring.

"She is my granddaughter."

Everyone gasped when Lolo suddenly appeared beside me and even put his arm around me. He answered for me like I was a little kid.

"She looks just like your middle child, the CEO of Martin Winery. Is she Mrs. Dennisse's daughter?"

"No." Lolo waved dismissively. "My eldest is the only one with children. She is the youngest, and my legacy."

When he looked at me, I froze. Because the moment he said that, I felt the weight of the entire universe fall on my shoulders. Legacy? As in... me? Following his footsteps? Taking over everything?

Everyone celebrated except me. I felt like I was carrying the world. I couldn't focus, I couldn't breathe properly. I just wanted to run away, but of course, I didn't. I couldn't.

There was a press conference after. We were seated in the middle. Lolo and Lola answered everything while Papa just sat there, completely serious and clearly not pleased with Lolo's announcement.

Lunch was buffet style. Our whole family sat at one table, but Lolo and Lola kept walking around to talk to guests. May mga lumalapit din kila Tito Dex and Tita Den but not to us, lalo na sa akin. Papa told the guards to control anyone approaching us. I know people were curious who we were, especially who I was.