Look at me

The Beginning

Brian and I went home without Jackson, I felt sorry, honestly, I shouldn't act rude to him just because I don't like his attitude.

"Cherry, look. Bakit may mga pulis sa gate natin?" tanong ni Brian ng makauwi kami sa bahay.

Bakit andaming pulis?

Sa sobrang pag-aalala agad lumabas si Brian sa kotse.

"Ano to?" sigaw niya.

"Magandang Gabe sir, Ang tatay niyo ay isang Drug protector, Kai..." sabi ng pulis at agad siyang sinuntok sa mukha ni Brian.

"Tatay? What did you said? My Father wasn't just A TATAY HE IS THE CITY MAYOR!" sigaw ni Brian at pinagsusuntok ang mga pulis.

Natataranta ako.

Parang na ulit ang nangyari sa pamilya ko sa pamilya ni Brian.

I hugged him to stop him hurting all the police.

Pero sa sobrang galit niya naitulak niya ako.

I cried not because I was hurt, but because I saw how Brian frustrated.

Natigil siya ng makalabas ng bahay ang kanyang ama, ang ikalawa kong ama.

Hawak ng mahigpit ng mga pulis na parang isang mamatay tao.

"Dad?" Brian said. Yun lang ang na sabi niya.

I saw our mom crying. I hugged her.

"Dad? Ano to?" Brian asked.

"I didn't do anything wrong son."

"Edi lumaban ka Puta! Pakawalan niyo ama ko!"

"Brian, please calm down."

"Son please, I will assure you, I can solve this." our dad peaceful go with the police at iniwan kami, Brian chased the patrol cars but his mom stopped him.

I feel useless looking at his mom hugged him and he breaks down and cry.

I didn't do anything to help them.

I shouldn't let the police also.

Pero natulala lang ako at nanood na arestohin ang ikalawa kong ama.

Suddenly I received a text message

[My father and I decided to cancel all the investments and projects with your father because of the issue, but we will stay here in the city.]

Ano?

Si Jackson to?

CANCELLED ?

I called the unknown number.

"Cherry?"

"Jackson, after this? Wala ka bang pakialam sa nangyari samin? My father was accused. You don't even bother to ask if kamusta kami? Tapos eto Decline niyo lahat ng projects? Investments? Are you a human?"

"I feel sorry Cherry I wasn't there to help you, but dad said business is business. You knew me already Cherry, I'm just a shadow from my Father."

"Ok then, I will make sure you will regret this." I end the call.

Brian and mom didn't heard it.

But I have to tell it.

"Mom, The Evans cancelled all the investments and projects."

I saw mom cried and breakdown.

After the incident.

All of the media is on us.

I feel like even nasa CR ako or nasa loobng kwarto ko may camera na 24/7 nakabantay sakin.

Almost one week were absent sa school.

Brian help our father.

Si Jackson?

Parang bula, bigla nalang nawala.

But our world ended.

When I was in my room. I'm about to call Brian to check kamusta na sila.

But he called me first, medyo kinabahan ako sa call niya.

"CHERRY, Don't leave the house secure yourself." Brian warned me, his voice is shaking.

"What happened?"

"Papunta na kami sa Court, Our father..."

"Brian.."

"Cherry, dad was ambushed. Nasa ospital kami ngayon, Mom is ok, she is with me."

Then he end the call.

Are you wondering bakit di ako nakasama sa kanila?

Because may death threats akong nakuha, so mom decided na wag na ako sumama sa court.

The threat said

[If I saw you near with your father will shoot you, not your father, not your mother, but you the adopted child.]

The second one is

[I will shoot you for fun.]

Shoot me then.

This life is just an extension, I was not supposed to be here also.

Receiving threats never scared me, but mom and Brian was worried.

[1 month after the incident]

My second father was murder, again I lost my father. He was ambushed.

Brian and mom is very in pain, almost one month na sobrang lungkot nila.

I'm sad also.

But after a month.

Mom decided to pursue us to go back to school.

Father is innocent, but before he supposed to clear his name he died. His case was dismissed at napatunayan na hindi totoo ang lahat. It is just a rumor with no evidences.

A rumor that killed my father.

"Cherry, let's be strong." Brian smiled at me, while driving he asked me "Cherry, Don't worry our father's business will continue, I will be the CEO. You don't have to worry." he smiled again.

"Mom, is ok also. You have to worry about yourself since hindi pa tanin alam sino yung sender ng threats. Please be careful always." he added.

Nang dumating na kami sa school parang may Fiesta. They prepared a welcomed party.

I saw our school director and the faculty staffs.

"Mr and ms Alcantara, welcome back." they greeted.

Then one student gave me a bouquet of flowers.

And all of the students and staffs kumain ng snacks naka prepare Brian was very happy. Then as I roam around I was Jackson looking me with a worry eyes.

That coward shit.

Lumayo agad siya.

Pero hinabol ko.

At tumakbo siya pataas ng roof deck.

[At the roof deck]

"I'm happy that you're fine." he smiled.

But sinampal ko ang bouquet sa makapal niyang mukha.

Napakamanhid mo.

"Happy? IKAW LANG YUNG HAPPY."

"SORRY, CHERRY, I WASN'T THERE TO HELP, FATHER DON'T WANT ME GET INVOLVED." He explained.

"Napaka childish mo Jackson, wala sariling desisyon, my father welcomed you and your dad pero ng nasa bingit na siya, nasaan kayo? Wala man lang text o tumulong samin? Napaka-selfish mo" I shouted at lumuhod siya sa harap ko.

"I'm really sorry, Cherry please forgive me."

"This is the beginning of your hell life Jackson, I will make you go away in my life."