Downfall of Arabella

Kabanata 1: The Night We Met

Pag kauwi ko ng condo unit, I immediately soak my body in a hot water while sipping red wine to calm myself from what happened a while ago. Buti na lang andun na agad ang sasakyan ko pagka walkout. Until now I can't find a proper reason or an explanation why he would suddenly show up and take his claim as my husband.

The audacity of that man. At buti na lang talaga wala masyadong tao kanina sa concierge, imagine the chaos it will bring if someone heard him lalo na kung isang taga media iyun.

We got married five years ago, the ceremony is so discreet and after namin ikasal, lumipad na agad ako paibang bansa, bakit? To save and redeem myself.

Bata pa lang ako nakatatak na sa utak ko na ako ang mamumuno ng negosyo namin, our empire, our legacy. Hindi ako pinilit ng pamilya ko sa responsibilidad, hindi nila ako binigyan ng pressure. Pero tinanggap ko ang responsibilidad na iyun ng buong buo, ng walang pag aalinlangan.

Bakit?

Dahil nakita ko ang kayang tulungan ng kumpanya namin, nakita ko kung ilang buhay ang nakasalalay sa balikat ng bawat namumuno sa kumpanya. Nakita ko ang kapanatagan nila dahil ang trabaho ay sekyuridad para sa kanila.

Kaya sa murang edad ko hindi ako naging tulad ng ibang bata, after class dumideretsyo ako sa opisina ni Papa para doon mag obserba, magikot-ikot, mange-alam at magtanung-tanung sa mga empleyado. Kinulong ko sarili ko sa kumpanya namin, it is my chosen playground.

And I'm happy because of my curiosity back then marami ako natutunan hindi lang tungkol sa kumpanya kundi pati na rin sa mga kwentong buhay ng mga empleyado.

That's when I realized how hard life can get and that even so, no matter what, hindi ka basta dapat susuko lang, laban lang ng laban nga daw sabi nila.

Kaya nagpakatatag ako dahil lalaban din ako kasama nila.

Sa murang edad, I became the Hera na sa mata ng iba intimidating, perfectionist, the mighty heiress, The Lioness.

My innocent young heart thought nothing can shake me not until fifteen years ago, when I finally met him for the first time.

"Princess, are you done? Aalis na tayo." I'm wearing a red off shoulder ball gown designed by my Uncle Sefrin, one of the country's leading designers.

It's our company's anniversary. At the young age of 13 nasanay na ako sa mga gantong salo salo, hindi lang sa sarili naming kumpanya kundi pati na rin sa mga nag-iimbita sa presensya ng mga Villavejos from the different industries.

And as the eldest sa amin magpipinsan, my presence is more needed. The face of the next generation. I don't mind if the event is from our family or company, pag-iba na kasi nag-invite we have a lot to consider first before going and family members take turns on who'll represent the Villaviejo.

"Coming Papa" I made one final look in the mirror before opening my door.

"Look at you" may pag atras pang nalalaman ang Papa ko habang nakalahad pa mga kamay but in every time he do that, I will do a twirl and a curtsy bow in front of him like I'm a true princess.

Then Papa will offer his arm to me "Let's go" Papa said.

And I happily linked my arm to him kahit hindi ko pa nalalagay ang braso ko ng buo beacuse Papa is so tall, pero hindi na rin naman ako tulad din noong maliit pa ako. But regardless what my hand could reach him, then or now, I know I'm safe and that he is just always there for me.

"Kayo talagang mag-ama" Sabi ni Mama pag kapasok namin sa sasakyan then she immediately soothes Papa's suit, making sure walang gusot. Mama is more strict compare to my Papa. Papa's strictness only applies to our company habang si Mama naman ay strikta sa lahat ng bagay, metikulosa din eto but I don't mind 'cause that's what I admire more about her. I wouldn't be who I am now if it weren't for her strictness.