Behind the Facade

II. When the Two Collide

An angelic face of a woman is found on her bed peacefully sleeping. But then, a strike of her most hated nightmare suddenly came across her consciousness.

She's greeted by the gigantic mansion as she stood side-by-side with her parents. They received an invitation from her godparents for a simple dinner, thus, they're here at their humble abode. Tuwang-Tuwa ang babaeng batang paslit na may edad na nuwebe, dahil ang matalik na kaibigan ng magulang niya ay magulang din ng lalaking hinahangaan niya.

Ngunit, sa 'di inaasahang pangyayari, ang simpleng hapunan ay na-uwi sa madugong pangyayari na siyang maghahabol sa kaniya sa buong buhay niya—

JEINNEAH VOUGHN

Nasapo ko ang aking dibdib habang habol-habol ang hininga. I can feel the sweats on my skin. Para akong galing sa isang swimming contest dahil sa punong-puno ako ng pawis. I closed my eyes intently in hopes to calm myself down.

That nightmare is still hunting me. Mabuti na lang at nagising din agad ako bago pa magtuloy-tuloy ang bangungot na 'yon. It's already been 11 years since the tragedy happened, but... I still cannot get out from the shackle when I should be moving on.

Pero pa'no? Kung 'yung kahit mga matatalik kong kaibigan ay hindi alam kung ano ang gagawin sa'kin para lang makawala? I have been trying to divert my attention to other things and even got myself a therapist, but... all of my efforts were left in vain. That tragedy still keeps on popping up in my head.

Napa-iling na lang ako at tiningnan ang oras sa wristwatch kong nasa bedside table. It's nearly 6am, so I headed straight away to the kitchen to get myself a glass of water and prepared myself for work on the company previously headed by my parents. Just at the thought of them, para agad akong binabalik sa nakaraan. Agad akong napabuntong-hininga.

Pilit na pinakalma ang sarili, tinungo ko na ang garahe.

A few seconds later, I left the mansion where only I live along with my trusted people. My life inside that house is pretty triggering and boring at the same time. Other than that, the mansion itself makes me reminisce my memories with my parents along with that bloody night.

"Good morning, Madame!" I was greeted by my secretary standing on the doorway. Binigyan ko siya ng isang ngiti, saka nagtungo sa aking cubicle at umupo sa swivel chair.

"What is my appointment for today?" I asked as I rummaged the documents plastered on the top of my table.

"May meeting ka po later at exactly 1PM, Madame, na may agenda na pag-u-upgrade ng Porschen. That's all for today, Madame." I sighed in relief at the flexible time for today.

Porschen is our company's brand. Isa itong sports car which is on par with the luxury ones these days. While the company that I'm handling is, the Porvough, which comes from my name and our brand name. Porsillard Corporation pa ito rati, ngunit nalaman ko na lang na ipinangalan na pala 'to sa'kin when I turned 9-years-old. Though, it sounds so heartwarming to the others, however, it has become one of the factors of me having a hard time to move forward. Lahat ng mayroon ako ngayon ay nagpapaalala sa'kin sa kanila. So, tell me, how can I forget about them?

"I see. You can go now." I smiled at the secretary while rummaging the documents before me.

But I halted half-way, when he returned after a few steps forward. "I forgot to tell you, Madame, that there will be a party on Saturday. A party intended for the rising and influential company. At isa ang Porvough sa na-imbetahan ng bigating kompanya." Chan, my secretary declared. He leaned in closer to me and said something more.

"You know, that company with a 3% investment sa atin." He whispered with a look of displeased on his face. I got his point, though, kaya hindi ko ma-iwasan ang mapatawa nang konti.