Alpas

Prologue

Victoria Lyrece Clemente

Welcome back, Tory. You're really in the Philippines. My god! It's really hot here. I feel like my whole body is inside an oven. I want to go back to Japan.

I have nothing but my clothes and a five thousand pesos! What the hell? Can I even ride a taxi with this small amount of money?! I glanced at my iPhone 11 Pro Max to see the time. It is 12:24 PM. I decided to find a taxi so I can go now to our old house.

It didn't take too long to find a taxi. The driver helped me to put my things in the trunk of his car then I tell him the address of our old house.

I just rolled my eyes in annoyance when I remember the reason why I am here.

[Author's Note: They are talking in Japanese here but I'm just gonna translate it in English. Hehez!]

"What do you want old man?" I asked my grandfather while sitting in front of him and showing no interest on what he'll gonna say.

"I'm going to take you back to the Philippines." I stopped browsing my phone when I heard what he said.

"Stop your lame jokes old man. I'm not in the mood."

"Who said I'm joking?" he said with his serious tone. Shit! He's really not joking. I looked at him with disbelief. "I already booked your flight and you're leaving tomorrow."

"Stop this nonsense. I'm not going back to Philippines."

"Are you disobeying me?" he said with his intimidating voice. I divert my gaze from him.

"Tch, kusojiji." I whispered under my breath.

(Kusojiji is an insult in Japan. It means old fart or old man. Search it on google for more info. Hahaha.)

"What did you say young lady?!" he said angrily.

"I said I'm staying here in Japan!"

"You're not staying! Your Nana is the one who will stay here for you to learn your lessons! Stop being a nuisance to all the people here. Seriously? You stopped college, partying all night, getting home in the morning drunk, spending all the money for nonsense things, and not respecting your elders?! You're not a kid anymore Lyrece!"

"Stop calling me Lyrece!!" I shouted. I saw my grandfather pinched his nose bridge.

"I already freeze your bank account and credit cards. You can't use them and you can't come back here unless I say so. Enroll yourself in a college school there."

"I don't want to. Even if I want to how can I enroll myself if I don't have money?!"

"Find a part time job. I'm not that heartless so you can also stay to your parents' old house. I hired some cleaners who will clean the house three times a week because they will not stay there."

"What do you mean they will not stay in the house? Are you saying that I'm going to live there all by myself?!"

"Did I say that? Of course not! Our caretaker is still there and your Nana's nephew as your sitter."

"I can't believe you! You're letting me live with some stranger?! And what did you just say? Sitter? I'm not a baby anymore!" I shouted because I can't contain my frustrations anymore.

"Don't shout at me Victoria Lyrece! I'm still your grandfather. Ready your things because you're leaving tomorrow." I stand up and walked out of his office without looking back.