The Sinner's Mark (Alphas of Lair Series #2)

Chapter Three: Murder

Chapter Three: Murder

The car stopped in front of our huge gate. Nanatili akong tahimik habang pinapakiramdaman ang kasama. Hindi rin ito kumibo at tila tulad ko, hinahayaan niyang tumakbo ang oras. It's only past lunch and even if I need to do something tonight, I have few hours to spend. It is a good thing, though, dahil pakiramdam ko, nawawala ako sa katinuan.

Lumabas si Ismael at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto. I thanked him and walked towards the gate.

"Gazelle," pagtawag niya. Lumingon ako at naabutan ang kanyang pagtitig. His hands are on the pocket of his pants, a trait of him that, according to his sister, he does when he's nervous.

"Bakit?" Tanong ko nang hindi parin siya nagsalita. I can sense that he's waiting for an invite to go inside, but I am not up to entertain a visitor. I think he knows it, though, he doesn't verbalize.

"I was just wondering if we can talk somewhere else. Maybe over a lunch? Next time?" nag-aalangan niyang tanong.

I remember the time when Vinnie made me promise to her. Alam kasi niyang hindi ko ugaling magseryoso sa mga karelasyon. To me, everything is just a game, and I knew I dominated every single match. Kaya naman nangako ako sa kaibigan na hindi ko kailanman isasali sa gulo si Ismael. Hindi ko nga lang makuha kung bakit sa mga nagdaang araw ay tila nag-iba ang pananaw ni Vinnie doon. She's more lenient and forgiving these days, but it doesn't change the fact about me.

"Okay." Sagot ko pagkatapos ng ilang segundo na ikinabigla niya.

"Okay?"

"Yeah. Bukas?" Suhestiyon ko na agad niyang tinanguan. He flashed a radiant smile. Siguro'y hindi rin inaasahan ang pagsang-ayon ko.

"Sige. Salamat sa paghatid. Pasok na 'ko." Paalam ko at agad tumalikod. The guard greeted and opened the gate for me. Agad ko ring narinig ang pag-alis ng kanyang sasakyan pagkatapos.

The silence of the mansion welcomed me. Walang sumalubong na katulong sa akin, siguro'y nasa kusina ang lahat at abala sa paghahanda. Hindi ko na lang iyon pinansin at dumiretso sa taas.

I laid on my back the moment I entered my room. I felt exhausted, maybe because this is my third party this week. If only I could refuse to attend, I would, but I'd rather exhaust myself somewhere than stay inside our house and get an earful of everything I'm not doing right.

I sighed. Every Friday night, my parents come home for dinner. It is more of checking on me if I'm still holding up to their standards. Being the daughter of the General and one of the district's most respected doctors, my parents demand nothing short of greatness.

At first, I wanted their approval so badly, but overtime, I realized, they wanted me to be great, not because it was for my own good, but only because they have an image to protect. Overtime, after straining myself to meet their expectations, I eventually stopped. I also think that was the time they stopped being parents to me. Umuuwi na lang sila kung may gusto silang gawin ko o may hindi ako nagawa na gusto nila. It was an endless cycle that I'm planning to escape from.

It is the very reason why I go to raves and parties every night. There, I'm not alone. I get to laugh. I get to be seen and heard and appreciated. Meredith said it is superficial and temporary, but for someone who never received it her whole life, anything is better than nothing.