Lost In Time

Two

Lost in Time
©Tala_Haraya

Trigger warning: Physical Abuse

C H A P T E R  T W O
♕

K I A R A

"Can you please hurry?" Noah said impatiently.

I glanced at him, standing in the doorway with his arms crossed, dressed in a sleek black tux. I rolled my eyes and turned away to face the full-length mirror. My reflection stared back: my hair is styled in a French twist and curly updo, wearing a black, floor-length dress with asymmetrical sleeves and a daring slit. The soft fabric covered my right arm entirely, leaving my left arm bare. My makeup is done to enhance my skin's natural glow and softly accentuate my features, ensuring the look radiates elegance and sophistication.

Yes, a party. It is a party to celebrate my father's political party's victory on the election. Everyone on their party did not win, but majority of them got the position, that includes my dad. I was shocked he still got second place with highest tally of votes, despite my stunt last week.

My dad went home that day to check on me and talked to my mom about the situation. Nasa kwarto lang ako nang mag-usap sila pero nakarinig ako ng malakas na kalampag sa upper floor ng kwarto ko. Hindi ako tinuruan na makinig sa usapan ng matatanda, pero nadala ako ng curiosity.

Why?

The upper floor is where my dad's office located.

I quietly checked what was happening that day on the third floor. I tried to be discreet as possible without any of our housemaids knowing – tiptoeing on the floor like a cat until I reached the door.

The door was slightly opened. Nakita ko kaagad kung ano ang nangyayari.

"Kiara?" I immediately went back to my senses and saw Noah's worried look on me. Nasa tabi ko na pala siya. "Are you okay?"

I smiled softly and nodded. "Yep."

He nodded as well and stepped back to let me continue what I'm doing. Noah is my neighbor and my father's best friend's son. Naging kakampi ko siya sa mga pagtakas ko sa bahay at siya rin ang ginagawa kong scapegoat. It might be a little harsh, he does it to me too anyway. We're basically partners-in-crime since day 1.

I might have zoned out while recalling last week's events, so I shook my head to refocus. I adjusted my diamond tear-shaped necklace and earrings as the final touches to my look for the party. These pieces were a gift from my dad's mother on my 18th birthday, a gesture of her unwavering care before she passed away. She always made sure I had the best, and her loss still feels deeply heartbreaking, as she was once my closest confidant before.

"Your shoes, your highness," Noah jokingly said as he crouched down and place my black heels in front of me.

"You should have said "heels", Noah," he helped me wear it before he stood up and face me.

"Shoes," he said. I slapped his upper arm as we both chuckled.

"Late na tayo," I commented.

"Then let's go," Noah offered his arms so I took my purse and linked mine to his. We walked out of the hotel room and headed to the hall where the party was organized.

Nakasalubong namin ang iba't-ibang prominenteng tao sa Pilipinas – congressmen, senators, wealthy businessmen. Nasanay na rin ako sa pakikipagplastikan sa kanila, pati sa mga anak, sa ganitong okasyon. Kunwari ay kakampi, pero inaalagaan lang naman ang relasyon sa pamilya namin.

For example, Noah. Plastik 'yan.

Just kidding. We have the same opinions on parties like this, a mere occasion where hidden motives, invisible knives, and subtle manipulations lies behind their fake smiles.