Del Fierro Series 1: The Hidden Heiress

Chapter 2

True enough, our vacation flew by like the wind. Naging abala sila Daddy sa lahat ng kakailanganin ko sa school. They plan everything, and I'm thankful they let me do this. Ang makawala sandali sa shelter ay isang malaking kaluwagan sa akin.

All my things are properly prepared, from my school bag, uniform down to my shoes. Nakahanda na rin ang aking uniporme na ngayon ay nakasukbit sa aking malaking closet. I opened it at nakangiting pinagmasdan ang checkered above-the-knees skirt and my long-sleeve dress shirt uniform.

During those 2 months, I train hard. Ipinakita ko kina Dad at Mom ang pagpupursige kong mag-train para kumalma sila at makita na kaya kong protektahan ang aking sarili. Tinotoo nga talaga ni Dad ang sinabi niya.

He assigned all three of my bodyguards to go undercover just to watch me 24/7. Yuna, who is my trainer in Muay Thai, became a staff in a cafeteria. Riley, who is my shooting instructor, became a utility, and Liana, who is my Taekwondo trainer, became a P.E. teacher.

Hindi ko na tinanong kung paano ni Dad ginawang possible lahat ng 'yon. I know for sure that the director or the principal of that school knows of my existence. Maybe they were just paid to keep quiet.

"Elli Fierro will be your alias at school. Hindi puwedeng malaman ng mga tao na may Del Fierro na nag-aaral doon. Mas mainam na magtago ka sa pangalang ito para walang maghinala. And don't worry about your gender; that school is open to people like you." Daddy said during our video call on the phone. I nodded and understood. Alam kong sobrang labag sa loob nila ang pagpayag sa gusto kong mangyari, pero wala na silang magagawa dahil ito talaga ang gusto ko.

"You will also be transported by a motorcycle. We research at halos lahat ng nag-aaral doon ay gano'n ang transportation. Maybe Riley will drive you, palabasin na lang nating magkakilala kayo at pinsan ka niya para walang maghinala sa inyong dalawa." Tahimik lang akong nakikinig. Sinulyapan ko ang tatlo kong bodyguard na tahimik lang na nakikinig sa likuran ko.

"Your school starts tomorrow..." ani Dad na kaagad bumaling sa tatlong bodyguard sa likuran ko.

"I need you to report everything to me, what she is doing every hour." Daddy ordered them.

Then Daddy looked at me again. "At ikaw Ellison... just like I always remind you, if you sense danger, protect yourself. Magdadagdag ako ng ibang taong magtitingin sa'yo and, as much as possible, try to stay low profile. Avoid attracting attention; if possible, I don't recommend being friends with anyone."

Napabuntong-hininga ako sa mga bilin ni Dad at napahalukipkip na lamang. Ayokong pumayag! Lalong-lalo na doon sa huling sinabi niya... I can't be friends with anyone? Seriously? What's the point of going to school if it's natural to have that!

Hindi naman ako 'yong tipong palakaibigan at hindi ko pa gaano nararanasan 'yon. Liban lang sa mga pinsan kong once in a blue moon lang tumawag at mangamusta. Wala naman akong nakakausap kung hindi ang tatlong bodyguards ko si Manang at ang parents ko kaya nagbabakasakali sana akong makahanap man lang ng makakausap sa school na papasukan ko.

Para hindi na humaba ang usapan, tinanguan ko na lang si Daddy sa lahat ng bilin niya.

Morning came at sa sobrang excitement, maaga ako nagising. My schedule starts at 8 am kaya maaga ako naligo. Pinatuyo ko ang napakahaba kong buhok na umaabot na sa aking balakang. I want to cut it, pero ayaw ni Mommy, mas maganda daw kasing mahaba ang buhok ko. Sa halos ilang taon kong pananatili dito, bilang lang sa kamay ko kung ilang beses siyang pumayag na putulan ang buhok ko at halos trim lang lahat 'yon. I sighed when I looked at myself in front of the mirror.

My long natural brown hair is dancing on my back. My deer brown eyes are always highlighted when there's sunlight. My porcelain skin is becoming lighter. Siguro dahil ang tagal kong halos hindi nasisinagan ng araw. I put an accessory for my disguise, a round eyeglass that transitions.