TRACE DIMAGIBA (Wild Men Series 1)

S4: 12

CHLOE

"Where are you going, princess?" Louisianna blocked my way. I looked around, and I couldn't see anyone na tauhan ni Papa.

"To Papa..." I answered in my act between innocent and stupid. Ang sabi ni Leviticus sa akin ay dumating si Mamita at ngayon ay kinakausap sina Papa at Alguien. I want to listen with the meeting at papayagan naman ako sumama roon for sure but... but this hateful stepmother of mine is trying to ruin my day.

"It's been almost a month since you left Salvacion, hija. How's your relationship with Trace?" Louisianna sounded concerned, and if she could fool me then with her kind tone, never anymore.

"Still exes," I answered and shrugged. "Why? Don't tell me you like Trace. That's bad, Mama Elle." I was just joking to look stupid like she wanted me to be. Iyon naman talaga ang ginagawa nila sa akin, ang maging tanga kaya pinagbibigyan ko na.

But I didn't expect Louisianna's reaction. Her eyes grew bigger. I thought she was shocked at what I said, but whatever I thought of was erased as her awkwardness turned into a grin.

"Why?" Louisianna asked me with her eyes scrutinizing me. "Are you jealous, my dear stepdaughter?"

Her way of saying 'stepdaughter' was so bitter that it made me frown. Don't tell me she really likes Trace... Oh, gross!

"I'm Trace's first love. Did he tell you that?"

I went still. Hindi na ako nakaimik at ako na ang nanlaki ang mga mata na nakatitig sa kaniya. She's lying! Hindi ako dapat maniwala at alam kong iniinis lang niya ako.

"Oh! Probably Trace told you then but you can't remember." Louisianna stared at me and this time I am losing the moment dahil naguguluhan na ako. Walang sinabi sa akin si Trace na gano'n kaya wala rin akong maalala. Or probably she was just playing with me at baka gusto lang mapaamin ako. Baka naghihinala na rin na wala talaga akong amnesia. "Such a poor condition of yours. And the truth is, you are so pitiful and pathetic. Pwede ka talagang paglaruan ni Trace dahil sa kalagayan mo."

I raised my chin and grinned. No matter what ay hindi niya ako mapapaamin kahit anong pang-iinis pa ang gawin niya sa akin. Swerte niya lang at busy si Papa kausap si Mamita at Alguien kaya hindi nakikita ang ginagawa niyang pakikipag-usap sa akin.

"Definitely, I can't remember, Mama Elle." I shrugged. "But even if that was true then it means only one thing, you are really a social climber, freeloader, and gold digger. You are using men to be rich. My father should smell your stinks from the start. And Trace is younger than you. I can't imagine you becoming a cougar. That's kinda depressing, I think. Be thankful that Papa let you be his wife. At least you are now a wealthy man's wife."

Louisianna's eyes squinted as she was insulted. "Do you really believe that Trace loves you?" she asked me next. "Huh, princess?"

"And what are you conveying?" I asked calmly. "I don't know why you dislike me, Mama Elle, but... but don't you think it's awkward you are talking to me about my ex while you are married to my father. What would Papa think if I told him what you are telling me now?"

"Your father will understand. Trace was only fourteen at that time. Young though... big."

Nanlaki na ang mga mata ko sa sinabi ni Louisianna. Gusto ko nang tumalikod kaso magmumukha lang akong apektado kapag ginawa ko iyon. Isa pa ay gusto kong masuka kung totoo man ang sinabi niya na fourteen pa lang si Trace at... at pinagsamantalahan niya!

"Fourteen is barely a boy..." I whispered my disgust.

"Boy but big." Louisianna grinned and chuckled.