Anatomy of an Heiress

Prologue

This story may contain strong language that may not be suitable for very young audiences. Upon mature themes and sensitive contents, the writer will include TRIGGER WARNINGS. 

This is a fictitious story, everything in this book is a product of the author's imagination. Any similarities to existing companies, school, institutions, or persons, living or dead, is purely by chance. 

-srgh

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"No, sasamahan ka ng kuya mo papunta sa party na 'yon. You will not go alone, Carmela. Babae ka pa naman."

I irritatedly looked at my brother in front of me who was smirking, enjoying what my father was saying. For Pete's sake! Second-year college na ako. May usherette pa din akong kasama? I appreciate my dad's care pero I can take care of myself. 

I am a grown woman. 

"If I had to bring my brother along, then no. I won't go to that stupid party," I said and barged out of my father's office. 

That man! Palagi nalang ako dinidiktahan, assuming that I am weak because I am a woman. Kailan n'ya ba maiintindihan na kaya ko na mag-isa?

I walked into our garden and found my little brother, Kingsley. I was still wearing my party dress so he asked where I was going. 

"Hi Ate, where you off?" He asked while he was dribbling the ball and shooting it at the ring. I gave him a proud smile and a high five for aiming the ball perfectly. 3 points 'yon!

"Galing naman," I praised this young adolescent in front of me. "I was going to a party kaso dad insisted I bring kuya along so I decided not to go na lang." I said, sadly smiling while realizing I missed out on a lot of fun because of my father. 

 I sat down on the bench while watching him play with his ball as he walked and sat beside me, his eyes pitying me. 

"You know, Ate, hindi ka nagiisa." He said and chuckled like he was missing out on a lot too. 

My little brother is not so little. He is a fourth-year high school student but unlike me, mas maluwag sa kanya si dad. 

"Anong hindi ako nag-iisa? You have a game tomorrow and an afterparty tapos papayagan ka." I said jokingly, bitterness hinted at my words. "I guess, ganoon talaga kapag lalaki," he said looking down. "Are you okay?" I worriedly asked but he insisted that he was fine so I just let him go upstairs to shower.

I stayed in the garden for a long time until my phone rang and my best friend, who invited me to the party, was calling me. 

 "Hello?"

"Ano?"

"Where the hell are you? The party started hours ago and hanggang ngayon wala ka pa rin? Itatakas na kita!"

"As if makakalusot ka sa guards. Have fun there, Alyonna. I'm fine here."

"Ipapasundo kita kay Isiah! Intayin mo ha. Huwag ka magpapalit ng damit. Bye, see you!"

"Ha? Sino--"

And the call ended. Sino na naman ba itong pinadala ni Alyonna? Nakakahiya! For sure ay hindi 'yon makakalampas sa guards sa gate kaya sayang lang ang oras ng taong 'yun. 

Alyonna is my best friend, the only woman I trust with my life. Hindi ko nga lang alam ngayon? Sino ba 'yung Isiah? Sari-sari talaga. 

I decided to go upstairs and put on my pajamas. Susuwayin ko si Alyonna, bahala siya. Hindi talaga makakalusot yung Isiah na 'yon, baka mamaya ay kung ano pa gawin sa kaniya ng mga tauhan ng tatay ko. 

While I was fixing my bed to go to sleep, there was a knock on my door. I opened it and it revealed my younger brother, talking to someone on the phone. I frowned as I looked at him kasi bakit siya kakatok kung may kausap naman siya sa phone? 

I mouthed 'bakit' but he raised his hand, a signal for me to wait. I waited impatiently as he was talking to someone on the phone. Sumandal ako sa pader malapit sa pintuan kasi ang tagal niya makipag-usap. After a while, he ended the call and looked at me teasingly. I raised my eyebrows and looked at him while he chuckled.

"Fix yourself, sis. You are going to the party."

Ha?

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thank you. -srgh