Echoes Of Vanth Academy

50

Euphrasia.

Paglabas ko ng meeting room, hindi ko na talaga napigilan ang inis na nararamdaman ko. I headed straight to the kitchen, and as if on cue, Delythena met me halfway. "So, ano? Anong nangyari doon?" she asked, her voice tinged with impatience.

I shook my head, trying to suppress the irritation bubbling under my skin. "Hihintayin daw niya si Storm hanggang may oras siya. Can you believe that? She's planning to camp out here?"

"What? Seryoso?"

"Yup," I said, rolling my eyes. "And I told her to find somewhere else to stay because walang space dito para sa kanya."

"Dapat lang," she muttered, crossing her arms. "Hindi siya belong dito, and frankly, ang kapal ng mukha niya."

"Inaartehan niya pa talaga tayo kanina," inis na reklamo niya at bumaling sa akin. "Ano ba ang kailangan ng babaeng 'yon?"

I sighed. "She mentioned that their family is formally requesting the presence of a Sylvesteir to accompany them to the ball, which, in clearer terms, means she's requesting for Storm to be her date for the Supreme Ball. What's absurd is that the event is strictly exclusive to the heads of the most powerful families, and yet somehow, she managed to secure an invitation," hindi makapaniwalang sabi ko. "Frankly, I have no idea how she pulled that off, and to be honest, I couldn't care less whether it's legitimate or not. The audacity alone is baffling."

"Kuya Storm?" Delythena almost laughed, shaking her head in disbelief. "He's not someone who entertains petty requests, lalo na kung galing sa isang taong tulad niya. Besides, bihira nga lang umattend si kuya sa mga meetings, tapos pupunta siya sa ganitong event?"

Kumuha ako ng juice sa ref at tinungga ito, hoping it would somehow cool down the growing annoyance I felt. "Girls like her don't just give up. They're relentless," I muttered, shaking my head.

"Selos ka lang eh," aniya kaya sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

I shot her a glare. "Hindi ako nagseselos, okay?!" I snapped, feeling the heat rise in my face. "Ang hindi ko lang maintindihan is why they even think they can just request anything from the Sylvesteirs. Sino ba sila?"

Bumuntong-hininga si Delythena, obviously just as irritated. "Well, wag ka nang magtaka. His uncle is Mr. Villucio. Siyempre, ginamit nila 'yun para maipilit ang request." She rolled her eyes, her tone mixed with frustration.

"That old man," she continued, clearly irritated. "Wala na siyang ibang ginawa kundi maliitin tayo, lalo na tayong mga elites. Every chance he gets, he finds ways to target our mistakes, at ibabalita sa mga magulang natin na wala tayong karapatan sa mga posisyon natin. Nakakagigil! And the worst part? He's still in power because of that family name."

I clenched my fists, remembering how Villucio always found ways to undermine us. "Villucio," I spat the name, "He's been using his influence for years, making sure we're constantly under scrutiny."

"Exactly," Delythena said, nodding. "I've been waiting for years para mawala na siya. Alam mo 'yon? Parang bawat galaw natin, may mali sa mata niya. He's always waiting for us to slip up. Nakakasakal."

"And if Storm disagrees with their requests, there's only one thing I'm certain of..." seryosong sabi ko, at tumingin kay Dely. "That old witch fucking bastard will show up here."

Delythena just rolled her eyes, obviously done with the conversation. "Anyways, get ready. We have an event later; wag mo kalimutan."

I nodded, although my mind was elsewhere. "Yeah, but I need to talk to Storm first."

"Paano?" She frowned, looking at me with suspicion. "Anong sasabihin mo? 'Storm, nandito yung pamangkin ni Mr. Villucio and she's asking you to be her date?' Talaga bang gagawin mo 'yon?"