Arcane Academy Mysteries[Case Closed]

Chapter 1: Tresha C. Del Gado

“See, he didn’t even bother stealing a glance from you. He just walks past you. Is he really your fiance?” Veronica my friend, at least I can consider her my friend, commented sarcastically while tying her hair into a bun. I raised my eyebrows as I shut my locker close. Katatapos lang naming maglaro ng golf ni Veron. It was our free elective in this school. Kasalukuyan kaming nagaayos ng gamit ng biglang mapadaan si Ivan sa likod namin kanina. Maybe he’s on his way to Justine’s studio. At ang siraulo, hindi man lang ako pinansin.

“It is because we have nothing to talk about.” Sagot ko nalang. That bastard! Maybe I’m still not used to his coldness.

“Like seriously? You’ve been engaged for almost half a year now and he’s still treating you like you don’t exist.” Dagdag pa nya habang naglalagay ng cream sa muka.

“Shut up!” I said as I walked away. I heard her sigh before I finally got out of the gym.

(5 months ago..)

I was half asleep when I heard knocks on my bedroom door. I removed my eye mask and stared at the clock on my bedside table. It was only 5am. What’s with the knock? Bumangon ako para pagbuksan kung sino man ang kumakatok.

“Good Morning po Ma’am Tresha, pinapatawag po kayo ng mommy nyo. Nasa living room po siya.” Bungad ng isa sa mga kasambahay namin na medyo nakayuko pa as a gesture of respect for a superior.
Talaga naman. She couldn’t even spare her time to personally knock on my room.

“Tell her to wait.” Isasara ko na sana ang pinto ng bigla siyang magsalitang muli.

“Urgent daw po ito ma’am.” Sabi ng kasambahay kaya naman napabuntong hininga na lang ako.  

“What do you want?” I asked calmly as soon as I took my sit infront of her. She just raised her brow but she maintained her composure. Kinuha nya ang tasang nasa lamesa at saka humigop mula dito bago tuluyang nagsalita.

“Chairman Algria, me and your Grandpa made a conversation yesterday and we agreed to-”

“Oh my god don’t even finish your sentence.” With her choice of words I already knew what’s next. Mukang malalagay na naman ako sa piligro.

“Why? You don’t like him? Ivan is a fine young man. He’s every girl’s wish. And we need Algria group by our side. I need you to be wise about this.”

“I’m not one of those girls. And just so you know, he’s the worst man I’ve ever met.”

“Oh so you’re saying that you can’t handle a man like him?” And now she’s trying to dare me to get what she wants. Damn I lost.

“Fine.”

“Good. We’ll be meeting his family tomorrow.” Gosh seriously? I knew it. Everything is settled even before I can give my approval. She doesn’t need my approval anyway.

Back then when I was still at a young age, I already realized that we are living in a world where money is power and marriage becomes an investment. Especially when I saw my aunt married an old man. They say it’s for power and dominance. I couldn’t agree more. This is how life works. And when you refuse to play this game according to its rule, you’ll most likely lose the battle you started. I actually saw this coming too so I’m not that shocked at all.

“Madam President I’m here to accompany you. This way please.” The chief secretary of Mr. Francisco Algria said. He's Mr. Kim Lee. I already met him twice since he was always with the chairman and my Grandpa always brought me whenever he plays golf with the chairman.

You heard him right. My mother is the D&G group of company's president, or at least a puppet of my Grandpa.

“Oh, Thank you.” My mother replied.

“You have to give them your sweetest smile and greet them warmly when we got there.” She whispered, I mean she oriented before entering the hotel room. I rolled my eyes in annoyance.
As we arrived, Ivan and his father were already there. They have at least four bodyguards standing from end to end plus Mr. Lee. Para namang papatayin ang mga ‘to.

Ivan was seated beside his father. He sure looks stunning as always. He is in white shirt and grey suit paired with black denim jeans. I could’ve been drooling over him if I’m just some other girl.

Both of them stood up as we approach the dining table. I smiled politely at Chairman Algria. He smiled back at me. He looks nice but I could feel the cloud of authority around him. After the small greetings, Ivan pulled a chair out for me and my mother. He’s trying to be nice infront of his father huh?

“Before anything else, let’s eat first.” Chairman Algria announced. We are eating dinner with a few chats when someone spoke.

“Dad..” We turned our heads to Ivan.

“Do you mind if Tresha and I will take our leave now, so that you and President Del Gado can talk about our engagement without any destruction? Besides, I still wanted to know my future wife more.” I can hear the hint of sarcasm in his voice so I can’t help but raise an eyebrow. I could feel the tension in the air brought about by Ivan’s words.

“I don’t mind it chairman. Let them go for them to have time together.” My mother commented to lighten up the atmosphere.

“Go as you pleased.” Chairman Francisco Algria finally said as he wiped his mouth with napkin. I know he’s not pleased with what Ivan has said. Ivan grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the hotel room.

“Where are we going? Stop dragging me!” I yelled. He stopped walking and faced me instantly.

“I thought you were smart. Bakit ka pumayag sa engagement na ‘to?” Nagngingit na tanong niya.

“You too, I thought you were smart but why did you do the same?” I asked back. Give me a good answer Ivan.

“It’s my fathers will and I can’t do anything about it.” He answered honestly without hesitation.

“Same here.” I answered. He let out a sigh.

“If you want to stop this, you better work hard to break this engagement off because I seriously can’t do anything about it.” I continued. “See you at school.” Dagdag ko pa. Now I’m starting to like his annoyed expression.

End of flashback
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Come to think of it, Ivan has been acting so weird since the day Lucas has been missing. Does he know something? I mean, does he know anything about it?

Habang naglalakad ako sa pathway papuntang main building meron akong nakabangaan. Nahulog lahat ng dala niya. Nagpatuloy lang ako sa paglalakad at hindi na pinansin kung sino man ang malas na yun.