Twisted Fate [SPG]

The Lombardis

"Good morning young lady. Where have you been last night?" Dad asked as I entered the dining.

"Privity." I answered.

Alam ko naman na alam niya. Sabi pa nga ng mga drivers na pinagalitan ko, bilin raw sa kanila ni Dad to not answer my calls if tatawag ako ng gabi. Nagtataka nga ako, overprotective tapos hinayaan lang akong walang sundo. Aba ha!

"Hey, Princess! Were paparazzis there? Have they taken a picture of you while you're wearing your expensive dress and shoes and bag and—"

"Privity is a private bar, Mom. But... I'm pretty sure they did took a picture of me while I'm still outside."

"Well, that's great!" she clapped excitedly. "I'm going to check the internet news later."

Napailing ako while trying to stop myself from rolling my eyeballs.

That's my mother, Daniella, my famewhore Mom. Gustong-gusto niyang nakikita ako lagi sa news on TV and internet. Dati naman, she didn't care whatever I dress or wherever I go. Pero simula nang nakuha ko ang atensyon ng media, bigla nalang syang naging ganyan. She wants me to be a socialite. She wants me to attend every parties I'm invited kahit ayoko naman. She wants me to be present in a lot of social gatherings lalong lalo na kapag madaming media.

"Stop it, Daniella. Kaya napapasama 'yang bata e, kung anu-anong pinapagawa mo. She should just be in the office attending to her obligation as the VP in Finance. Right, young lady?"

Napatango ako.

Frence Lombardi, my business minded Dad, my business obssessed Dad. If you think he's the terror Dad like what Keeshia and Drei was implying, he's not. He's overprotective but he's cool. It's just that masyado niyang mahal ang business niya, ang apilyedo niya, at ang reputasyon niya sa industriya. Sa sobrang business minded niya, isinasama niya ako sa lahat ng gusto niyang gawin sa negosyo kahit hindi naman ito ang gusto kong gawin.

I cannot turn him down. Despite the pressure they're putting on my shoulders, I still love both of them. I cannot dare to see them so frustrated kapag hindi ko nagawa ang gusto nila. Wala na ang kuya ko who's supposed to be doing all of these.

No, he's not dead. Naglayas siya because he can't stand the pressure our parents are putting to us.

I hate him for that. Iniwan niya akong mag-isa na nahihirapan.

"I heard your ex-boyfriend came into your office yesterday. What was he there for, asking for your charity works again? Is that why you went to Privity?"

I looked at Dad and sighed.

"First of all, hindi ko s'ya ex-boyfriend—"

"Princess, I have all the eyes and ears of the people around you especially inside your office. So don't wonder that I know he was there yesterday."

Yeah, right. Keeshia, mostly.

"Good morning sir, madam, and... Princess."

Speaking of...

"Morning." I greeted her back casually.

"Breakfast, Keeshia?"

"Tapos na po ako sa bahay, sir."

Dad motioned her to come and sit beside me which she did. I stopped eating and leaned on the chair.

"Hindi ka dito natulog? Weren't you together last night?" Dad asked Keeshia.

I could see Keeshia trembling at parang hindi alam ang gagawin o isasagot.

"I sent her home, Dad. Keeshia needs to see her family as well, Drei drove me home."