ALMOST A FAIRYTALE

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

I almost slipped when I heard a loud knock on the door. Thinking that it was Stone, dali-dali akong pumunta dun at walang pagdadalawang-isip na binuksan iyon.

My eyes widened when I saw my parents in front of me. Again. Mom's angry stare found mine.

Napaatras ako.

"Wha- what are you two doing here?"

"What kind of question is that, Aurora?" Mom moves so fast. She was able to get inside in a nanosecond. Sumunod si daddy. Wala akong nagawa kundi isara nalang ang pinto.

"All along you're still here. Sadie's doing a great job hiding you from us," mom in her usual snide smirk.

"Mom -"

Itinaas niya ang kamay. "Let's go home."

Umiling ako. "I won't."

"Don't let us use force, my daughter," daddy without even looking at me. He's busy looking at the whole unit.

"Hindi ako uuwi," saad ko sa matigas na boses. "Hinding-hindi ako uuwi."

Mom's insulting laugh reverberated around the whole unit.

"Why? Aren't you ashamed, Aurora? Staying here?," she mocked. "Anong ibabayad mo dito? May pera kaba? May pera ba yang lalaki mo?"

Napalunok ako. My heart ached.

Alam kong wala akong pambayad dito. I don't have enough money to live even for a month. Kaya nga sabi ko kay Sadie ay ilista nalang muna niya lahat ng utang ko. Kahit magbestfriend kami at super yaman niya ay nakakahiya parin.

"I'll find a way, mom. Pero hindi ako uuwi," matigas kong tanggi.

"Ryder's way much better than your lover, Aurora Daniella," si daddy. Nakangiti ito pero iba ang ibinabadya ng mga mata nito. I got scared.

F-ck. Something's off.

Napasigaw nalang ako nang biglang may pumasok na dalawang kalalakihan sa loob ng unit.

Ho-how? 

"Get her. Now!" utos ni mommy at nauna ng lumabas.

Hinila nila ako palabas. I shouted for help.

Pota! Asan kana baby ko?

Paiyak na ako nang biglang iniluwa ng elevator si Stone. His face devoid emotion as always.

Nagtama ang mga mata naming dalawa.

"Baby! Help!" I shrieked like a freaking banshee. Nabingi ata ang nakahawak sa akin dahil bigla itong napaatras. Mabilis ko namang tinapakan ang isang lalaki bago tumakbo patungo kay Stone.

I don't care kahit natulak ko pa si mommy. I just need to escape. Ayokong umuwi. Baka andun na si Ryder at naghihintay sa akin. I will be good as dead if that happens.

"Aurora Daniella!" Mom looked so shocked with what I did.

"Get her!" utos ni daddy sa matigas na boses.

Bago pa makalapit ang dalawa ay naisara na ni Stone ang elevator. Kabadong-kabado, napahigpit ang kapit ko kay Stone.

He cupped my face and wiped something off it. Ngayon ko lang narealized na umiiyak pala ako.

"Hush, baby. You're safe."

Lalo lang akong naiyak nang marinig ang kaniyang boses. Niyakap niya ako ng mahigpit.

"You're safe. I'm here."

He's moving too fast. Mayamaya lang ay nasa sasakyan na kami. He made some calls. Parang wala sa sarili na nakatitig lang ako sa kaniyang mukha.