North Hayes Yuan Kogarashi
As an heir to a powerful family, you only have two possible lives: you're either unlucky or you'll be fortunate in your destiny. But as an heir, I seem to be one of the unlucky ones.
Umalis na ako sa sarili kong bahay nang matapos na tumawag ang aking ina. Pinapapunta niya ako muli sa bahay namin kung saan ako namulat at nagkaisip. Naka sakay na ako sa mamahalin kong kotse na ako mismo ang bumili gamit ang sarili kong mga pera.
I am wearing a navy blue shirt and white trousers, my usual attire for everyday. I’m wearing shades to protect my eyes from the glare of the sun reflecting off my car window.
Kahit nag-dadalawang isip ako na pumunta sa aking mga magulang, pinilit ko pa rin ang aking sarili na pumunta. I knew something bad was going to happen today. I had a strong feeling that they were going to give me another problem.
Nang makarating ako sa malaking gate, agad akong pinapasok ng mga gwardiya dahil nakilala nila ang sasakyan ko. After parking my car in front of the large front door, I got out and was immediately greeted by the guard I knew.
"Magandang umaga Yuan. Mabuti at nakadalaw ka ngayon," bati sa akin ni Kuya Fidel, at nginitian ko siya ng tipid.
"Good morning Kuya Fidel," I greeted him back. He then escorted me inside because he said that my parents and their guests had been waiting for me.
Kaya pala puno ang paradahan.
"Mom, Dad," I called out to them, not paying attention to the guests they were talking to. They immediately smiled at me, especially Mama, whose smile was so wide.
"Oh, there's my son," she said to the guests, whom I now saw up close.
They looked like they had mixed ancestry, just like us. There were three of them sitting there: an elderly but beautiful woman, a man who looked like an old man, and one face that caught my attention. She was showing me her beautiful smile, and her captivating face made you think she was definitely mixed race.
"Son, these are the Bonnaires. This is Mrs. Odile and Mr. Louis. And most importantly, this is their only daughter, Zahara," she introduced the guests while looking at them, with Dad beside me.
Pinaupo nila ako sa gitna habang kaharap ko naman ang kanilang anak na babae na patuloy pa rin sa pag ngiti. Ngiting may masama na binabalak.
Nakita kong nag palitan ng tango ang mga magulang ko sa isa't isa sabay ng pag buntong hininga ng aking ina. Agad akong nakaramdam ng masama.
"Yuan, son kanina habang wala ka ay nag usap kami ng dad mo kasama ang mga Bonnaire." Kinuha niya ng marahan ang mga kamay ko at inilagay niya sa kanyang mga kamay. "Mrs, Bonnaire and I ay matalik na mag kaibigan at may munting hiling ang mga Bonnaire.."
"Mom, I don't understand what you're trying to say," he said, looking again at his wife, who only nodded in response.
I looked at the people in front of me, hoping to get an answer from them.
"Marry our daughter. Marry Zahara," Mr. Bonnaire said.
I felt like I was deafened by his words. My eyebrows shot up in surprise, and my mother remained silent.
"No," I said firmly, standing up abruptly. They all looked saddened by my response, and everyone stood up except for one person who remained seated.
"Yuan, you have to do what we want—" my mother interjected.
"I said no, Mom! My answer is no!"
