THE HEIRESS POOR CHARMING - COMPLETE

Kabanata 24

KANINA pa masama ang pakiramdam ni Sushi. This should be a special day for everyone but none of it mattered to her now. She doesn't have the energy to pull herself up for tonight's founding anniversary of Costales.

She's too heartbroken to even convince herself to smile.

Nasa sariling silid siya habang nakaupo sa window seat - nakatingin sa hardin ng mansion nila.

The house she used to call her palace is now a prison to her. Her father had locked her down in her room. No cell phones. No internet. Everything was taken down by her father. She hasn't heard from Pier ever since his last message to her.

Napangiti siya nang mapait at niyakap nang husto ang nakatiklop niyang mga binti mula sa kanyang dibdib.

I guess, he did give up on me this time.

Tears welled up in her eyes. Ramdam niya ang paninikip ng dibdib sa kanina pa niyang pagpipigil ng mga luha. She has been crying for days already. Nobody in this house understands her pain - her true happiness. Nobody wants to listen to her. She felt so tired and hopeless.

She wants to run away, but will Pier meet her on her way and run away with her? I guess, not.

She heard a knock outside her room. Naibaling niya ang mukha sa pinto. Bumukas 'yon at pumasok ang kanyang ama. Seryosong-seryoso ang mukha nito. Muli niyang ibinalik ang tingin sa labas.

"Bakit hindi ka pa nag-aayos?" Hindi siya umimik. "Sushmita, pinag-usapan na natin 'to. Susundin mo lahat ng gusto ko. This is for your own good."

"May narinig ka ba sa'kin na hindi kita susundin?" kalmado niyang sagot.

Pagod na siyang makipag-argumento sa kanyang ama. She's doing this for Pier... para sa mga naging kaibigan niya sa Guimaras. They deserve a better future. Importante ang manggahan para sa mga ito. She wouldn't mind having herself as a sacrifice.

Even if it would mean losing Pier and her freedom.

Siguro nga hindi talaga sila para sa isa't isa ni Pier. She hopes that one day, the heavens would give them a happy ending in their next lives. But for now, as long as she's the heiress of Costales, she will vow that no one can harm her Pierce Kyries Allede.

"You will meet him later," tukoy nito sa mapapangasawa niya.

As long as she agrees to all her father's demands, Pier will be fine. The mango farm will be secured - walang mawawalan ng trabaho.

"I know."

"I will formally announce your engagement with the man I've chosen for you later. Kaya magbihis ka na."

Nakagat niya ang ibabang labi at pasimpleng pinunasan ang mga luha. "Opo."

"You will be fine, Sushi. I know you will thank me for this."

PUNONG-PUNO ng mga kilalang tao ang glasshouse event hall ng Hotel Costales para sa 41st Founding Anniversary ng Costales. The glasshouse was turned into a middle eastern garden. The theme was Arabian Nights Masquerade. All were dressed in different royal traditional middle eastern clothing with masks on their faces. Even the songs were a rendition of middle eastern music.

Lahat ay nagkakasiyahan habang patuloy sa pagtugtog ng instrumental music ang grupo ng mga musician sa isang panig ng bulwagan, still, dressed according to theme.

All eyes were on her habang pababa siya ng hagdan. Nasa mezzanine siya kanina dahil ayaw niyang makipag-usap sa mga bisita. Pero alam niyang kailangan din niyang bumaba. She kept her golden mask on her face - trying her best to hide her true identity. Pero alam niyang alam na ng mga ito na si Sushmita Marigold Costales ang babae sa likod ng gintong maskara at korona.