The Poisonous Beauty

Prologue

My arm already hurts.

Hours has passed since I started doing the laundry and it seems like it is never ending. I clutched the last cloth from the basket only to see a big dark stain on it. The relief I had for hoping that I can rest after this eventually vanished.

I decided to just hand wash it since hindi ito madaling makuha if ilalagay ko lang sa washing machine.

Pilit kong kinukuskos ang mantsa hanggang sa hindi ko namalayan ay dumudugo na pala ang mga kamay ko.

Red stains.

My vision blurred as I vividly remember how my hands were covered with those same stains back then. I whisked my mind away from it. Ayoko nang maalala.

Ang nakaraan ay kinakailangang pakawalan upang umusad sa kasalukuyan. 

Tinapos ko na ang paglalaba at agad na dinala sa likuran ng mansion ang mga iyon upang madaling matuyo dala ng ihip ng hangin.

Hindi masakit sa balat ang sikat ng araw ngayon kahit na lagpas tanghali na ang oras dahil natatabunan ng mga ulap ang kalangitan.

Siguro ay hindi naman uulan. Sana nga, dahil sayang lang ang pagod at pawis ko.

Madali kong tinapos ang pagsasampay para agad na makapagpahinga.

Finally, I finished a tiring day.

Tumungo na ako sa loob ng bahay. As I was supposed to turn to the other hallway towards my room, someone was already waiting for me at the stairs.

"Miss Abrell, your Mother has arrived. She wants to see you upstairs." Manong Jayme, the butler, called for me.

So my dearest mother decides to call for her beloved daughter right now. I unconsciously balled my fist.

Without acknowledging Manong Jayme's words, I began to stride my way upstairs. I reminded myself that I have to be expressionless as possible.

Hinding hindi ako magpapadala sa mga masuyo at malambing tingin ng inahin ko.

Bumuntong hininga ako bago buksan ang pinto patungo sa kaniya. The door opened to someone whom I've endured being with for the past years. Only in her silky maroon bathrobe, she is elegantly leaning beside her enormous window overviewing the whole lawn of our mansion. She timidly sips at her wine, not minding my presence. She ages just like a fine wine. Her long silky hair, with her fair skin and petite figure, you would not think she is someone who's capable to destroy you in just a flicker.

She finally decides to focus her gaze towards me.

I hate those eyes. My blood coils immediately when I saw her.

"Hello my dearest, Snow." Tawag niya sa'kin. Luring me towards her trap. How I hate that name. Yet I remained unfazed.

"Nice seeing you again, Mother. Where have you been? I was hoping that you would never return." I crossed my arms as I keep my face emotionless. Her laugh echoed around the four corners of her room.

"Ah, I missed you too, dear." She gently placed her wine on her table as she decides to go near me. She is taller than me. I am already fourteen yet some people think na ang bata bata ko pa dahil sa maamo at maliit ko na pangangatawan. Kids my age are way taller than me.

"Hm, what happened to you?" She examined my face. "Your face does not have the same glow anymore. " Sinubukan niyang hawakan ang kanang pisngi ko. "Didn't I tell you to take care of your--" I did not let her finish as I slapped away her hands from me. I rolled my eyes at her.