The Edge of Us

Zero

"Cherish me, not because I'm a mere possession, but because your heart has woven its threads into mine."

***
"No, Dad!" I whined, staring at him in disbelief.

Instead of giving me a response that I wanted from him, his gaze remains glued to the pile of documents on his desk and continue to scribble something like he never sees me or I don't exist in here at all.

"You're impossible!" Trying to pull myself together I appear calmer than before barging here in his office.

"Dad, tell me you don't mean it. Tell me you're just joking around and trying to make me cry," but he still busy himself, remain composed and serious like he always does.

"Please, don't let them take me. Make them stop, Dad." I added as tears streaming down from my eyes pleading for freedom from being traded.

I couldn't believe that my father can be this desperate just to save our company.

"Do I look like some kind of a joke to you, Dad? I thought I'm your dearest one. You lied to me, didn't you? Why are you doing this to me? Answer me!" I spatted incessantly, still his lips were sealed. I can't help but to sniffle.

Right here, right now, I find myself dumbfounded in this lifeless room of his. When the growing pregnant silence almost drives me crazy, I heaved a sigh silently before breaking it.

"No wonder Mom decided to leave you," I said, bringing my right hand to my cheeks to wipe my tears away.

I noticed he stopped what he was doing, tilted his head up, and settled his eyes on me. I smirked a little, knowing that I hit his most vulnerable spot.

'Now you're trying to piss me off, Ysabelle?' At least he acknowledged my presence now. Before my attempt to counter, he added, 'Stop it. Stop acting like a child because you're not one. Whether you like it or not, you are going with them and learn to live with him starting tomorrow. And that is final.' Despite the fact that I know Dad really cares for me, I'm still in a daze putting the idea together that maybe I can be replaced by my own father over wealth. But I also know that he knows I inherited his stubbornness and cannot be easily swayed.

I widen the smirk so it will be more visible. Ikinagulat niya ang naging reaksyon ko, the evidence is written all over his pale face.

A flicker of sadness in his eyes doesn't fail my observant one, even if it lasts only for a second.

"Says who, Dad?" I emphasized, implying that I am Ysabelle and cannot be bought with any amount of money, let alone be replaced by anything.

I pushed myself to appear undefeated by this overwhelming conversation. Just before pulling the knob, I purposely stomped my 5-inch red heels smoothly to mark my word, showing him that I'm not that easy.

"Remember that I am your daughter and your dearest one, Dad."  I mustered to make a wisecrack last line and slammed the door like I never did before.

...

Raising my palm to shield my face against the pouring sunlight that peeked through the curtain slits, I glanced at the clock on my nightstand, realizing that I woke up a little bit early from my usual time.

Despite the laziness to get up, I managed to do so, bringing myself in front of the human-sized mirror. I scrutinized my whole being.

Stripping down my silky middle-thigh-length peach nightie, leaving my body bare as the reflection of sunlight played on my fair skin complexion, a smile cracked on my plum-thin lips. Suddenly, the event from yesterday evening flashed back to me.