Chasing Captivated Dreams (Part Time Series #1) | (On - going)

Kabanata 09

Kabanata 09

When I glanced at my bag resting on the sofa, I noticed it was open, and I was sure my paycheck was inside.

"Care to explain this?" Sigaw ni Dad habang tinatapakan ang perang pinaghirapan ko-ang perang ilang linggo kong pinagtrabahuan. Nakakunot ang kanyang noo, mabilis ang kanyang paghinga, at ang tono ng kanyang boses ay puno ng galit at pagkayamot.

"Sagot!" I jolted as his shout echoed through the room.

"S-sahod ko..." I whispered, my voice barely audible, as though only I could hear it.

"Icehelle," he growled, my name rolling off his tongue like a warning. "I offered you a job before. I wanted you to take over as CEO of our company. And what did you say? You refused. Ngayon, nagpa-part-time job ka? Para saan? Ubos na ba ang perang iniwan ng nanay mong walang kwenta?"

My jaw tightened at the mention of Mom, but I didn't say a word.

"Ungrateful brat," singhal niya, may halong pagmamaliit ang kanyang boses. "Paano ka nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob magtrabaho sa sa 7-eleven, pero tinatanggihan mo ang negosyo ng pamilya mo? Wala ka bang hiya? Isa kang Casimiro, Icehelle! Ano ang sasabihin ng ibang tao kapag nakita kang nagtatrabaho sa ganun?"

He shoved his phone into my line of sight. My eyes widened in disbelief. Someone had taken a picture of me while I was working and posted it online. Above the screenshot was a name I recognized immediately. Jeon.

Oh, it was her.

"Disgraceful!" Dad roared, throwing his phone to the ground. "Don't you have any shame left, Icehelle? You're just like your useless mother!"

"Wag mong babastusin si Mom!" Hindi ko na napigilan ang sigaw ko. Hindi siya karapat-dapat sa respeto ko. Mas lalo pa siyang bumabagsak sa paningin ko-hindi lang bilang ama, kundi bilang tao.

I wasn't even surprised when his hand struck my cheek. The familiar sting and ache radiated across my face when he slapped me again.

"Hindi mo ba naiintindihan ang sitwasyon, Icehelle?" Hinilot niya ang sentido niya, tila pigil ang galit. "Gusto niyang lumayas noon at iwan tayo! Tanga ka ba? Balak mo pa mag doctor sa lagay mong yan!"

"Dad, it's for Cyan..." I murmured, my voice trembling. I knew the mention of my little brother would only irritate him further.

"For Cyan again, Icehelle?" Binalewala niya ang pangalan ng kapatid ko. "I'll put him up for adoption."

My chest tightened, and my breath caught in my throat. "N-no... Don't you dare..."

My voice cracked as I struggled to suppress my emotions. I couldn't lose Cyan.

"But I can, Icehelle," he sneered, his smirk twisting into something monstrous. His words filled me with pure hatred-for him, for this situation, for my family's brokenness.

"If you do that... I'll contact Halmeoni," buo kong sinabi. Naglaho ang ngisi niya at napalitan ng nakakatakot na tingin.

Hinawakan niya ang mukha ko nang mahigpit. "Subukan mo, Icehelle. Magkakasubukan tayo."

"You have no power against Halmeoni," I muttered, barely able to speak as he tightened his grip. "With just one call, the company will collapse."

"Are you threatening me?" he snarled, releasing me with a forceful shove.

He bent down, picked up the money, and stuffed it into an envelope. My breath hitched when he pulled a lighter out of his pocket.

"Dad, don't-!"

It was too late.

Nanlumo ako habang pinapanood ang pera ko na nilamon ng apoy.

My heart broke as I watched the money I had worked so hard for-money I had earned for Cyan-turn to ash.