Embraced By The Howling Winds (Antique Series #1)

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

"Papa, please don't..." I kneeled and tears never stopped falling. "Please don't drag him into this, this is nothing to do with him."

Napapahagulgol na ako habang nakahawak sa paanan niya at nagmamakaawa. I just couldn't risk it... I couldn't risk ruining Clajj's future. Iyon nalang ang pinanghahawakan niya, ayoko na pati 'yon ay mawala.

"Hearing your plea, makes me want to do something bad to him. Knowing how you kneel in front of me, he must be important to you." Papa laughed at me after saying those words.

I stared at him even though my tears were blurring my vision. Parang hindi ko na siya kilala... parang hindi na siya ang Papa na mahal na mahal ko at gusto ko makarinig ng validation mula sa kaniya.

"Papa please... I'll do everything you want, just let him stay out of it." I beg... desperately like I don't have any pride left. I badly want to defend myself to Papa but I can't bear seeing the people I treasure suffer from my selfish decisions.

With a strict voice, Papa said these words. "Then, choose. You're sister or that worthless Montessori?"

I feel like going deaf after hearing Papa's question. My world starts to crumble, and I feel like my breathing has stopped. Tears fall from my eyes nonstop... I just don't know what to do, and I don't want to choose!

Papa's expression turned darker because I couldn't answer him. Later on, he took his phone and called someone. Every second had passed, and I feel like slowly running out the oxygen to breathe.

"As one of the major shareholders in West Santarem School, I want Clajj Siobhan Montessori's scholarship void and pull him out of the Dean's lister. I saw him as incompetent, and maybe the school is favoring him so much, so kindly investigate this one. Gave me the contact of the critics who offered him a good opportunity after graduation—"

"Papa..." Naiiyak kong tawag habang umiiling.

Napatingin sa akin si Papa matapos niyang ibaba ang tawag. "Kung si Clajj lang din naman ang pipiliin mo, mas mabuting gawin ko ring miserable ang buhay niya."

"Papa, don't. Please, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, just spare him this once." I cried, not for myself, but because I can't bear ruining Clajj's future. "I didn't say I'll choose him. Of course, no matter what... I'll choose Ate Mavis so she can be free to be with Kuya Kenrich."

Ngumiti si Papa pero hindi iyong umabot sa mga mata niya. Lumapit siya sa akin at marahan ngunit may diin na hinagod ang buhok ko. "What a good decision. Kahit papaano ay may talino ka rin palang natitira. Umakyat ka na sa kwarto mo dahil malapit ka nang makaalis dito sa Rio de Janiero."

I did what Papa told me. Sinigurado ko lang na pinalaya ni Papa sina Ate. Fortunately, he let them go and live abroad... that alone is enough make me feel relief. At least Ate will get to have a life where she's with the person she loves dearly.

Tatlong araw akong lumiban sa klase at walang ginawa kundi ang magkulong sa kwarto. Hindi nila mabubuksan ang pinto dahil itinago ko ang spare keys ng kwarto at may na-install akong lock mula rito sa loob.

I'm emotionally and mentally unstable right now. I don't have the guts to step outside after everything. I didn't do anything but continuously wail my heart out, and being swallowed by my negativity that I repeatedly hurt myself just to check if I'm still alive even though barely breathing.