You Make Me Smile [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER EIGHT - WAIT WHAT‽

ISAVELL'S POV

"Marriage, huh? Anong pakialam ko roon? I'm still young! I don't want to get married! I don't want to end up like my mom and dad. Such a loveless marriage!"

I'm inside my room—tss. I never wanted this life. I was fine. Hindi ako mayaman but at least, I get to rule my own life. I'm, at least, free!

Pero anong meron ngayon sa buhay ko‽ I'm now talking to my own reflection!

"Calm down, Isavell. Wala kang maiisip na maayos kung galit ka. Calm down."

After the talk, they locked me up in this room. They'll pick me up once dinner is ready. Hell I care!

"Paano yung trabaho ko? Paano si Rain?"—hang on. Rain na naman. Baliw ka na, Isavell.

I tried not to overthink and lay on the bed. Hmm... Paano kaya ako makakaalis dito?

Napabalikwas ako ng bangon nang marinig kong may kumatok sa may pintuan ng kwarto ko.

"Miss Isavell, may I come in?" Mukhang isa sa mga maid dito.

"Sige po." Umayos ako ng upo saka bumukas naman ang pinto at pumasok ang tatlong maid, ang dalawa doon ay may hatak-hatak na rolling garment rack full of clothes. I can tell that those are branded. "Para saan po yan?" Alam kong susuotin yun pero bakit ganon karami? At anong okasyon?

"Madam Rivas wanted to make sure that you wear the best for tonight's dinner," sagot nung hindi naghatak.

"What's the occasion?"

"The Rivas Family will have some visitors."

"I'm not part of the Rivas Family."

Bigla namang dumating si Mom. "But you are the very reason why there will be guests."

So, it's about marriage. "What if I don't want to?"

"Isavell, don't be like your father—"

"I don't want to be like you, too. I would not enter a loveless marriage and have an offspring which I will call a mistake!" I couldn't help but burst out. Everyone was shocked. Kahit naman ako. I saw Mom gesturing for the maids to get out of the room and close the door.

"Isavell, whether you like it or not, you will meet the businessman's son, and you will marry him. That's the end of this story."

"No, Mom. That's your story, not mine. I'll do what I want, and I won't let anyone control me."

"Don't be a useless daughter—"

"You were a useless mother—" Pareho kaming nagulat nang sampalin ako ni Mom, pero nakabawi agad ako and I can't help but to laugh bitterly. "What now? Were you offended?" I laughed again without humor. "Sorry if I seemed like a useless daughter to you, but you weren't much of a mother to me. Please remember, Mrs. Rivas, pinili mo yung bago mong pamilya kesa sa amin, at ang hindi ko matatanggap ay yung iniwan mo 'kong mag-isa na para bang nandidiri kang ipinanganak mo ako. Hindi ko rin naman ginustong mabuhay bilang anak niyo ah. So, excuse me if I can't be the daughter you wanted me to be." She was just looking at me and then she turned her back. Just like what she did fifteen years ago.

I can't help but sit on the floor and cry. Bakit ba ganito ang nangyayari sa buhay ko? Ayos naman nung una ha? I was fine sa fifteen years na wala siya. Bakit niya pa kailangang guluhin ang buhay ko?

After minutes of crying, tumigil din ako. It's been a long time since I cried that much. I stood up and faced the vanity mirror. It's more elegant than what I used to own. I sat on the chair and stared at my reflection.

"You're going to be okay. You're strong, remember?" I wiped away my tears and tried to smile. "You can do this. Be at your best tonight and show everyone that no one will have the power to control you. You are the writer of your story, show them who's the boss."

I took a breath before heading toward the bathroom. Be the best, be the best. I kept chanting those words in my head as I cleaned myself. Then I walked towards my door to lock it before picking the best clothes on the rack.

I chose a black lace dress with gold linings, partnered with black and gold pumps. I tied my hair into a clean bun before putting on some gold hair accessories.

"Let's rock and roll, Isavell." I genuinely smiled at my reflection. Sakto namang may kumatok at pinapasok ko.

"Miss Isavell, they are waiting for you in the dining area." I nodded and looked at myself one more time before leaving my room.

I walked down the stairs and headed toward the dining area. I'll show them that I don't want anything to do with them. I don't want to be part of their lives and I don't want them to be part of mine.

"What a lovely daughter you have, Samantha," narinig kong pagco-compliment ng babaeng bisita.

"Good evening." I respectfully bowed at them and went towards my seat.

"Good evening to you too, young lady." The man smiled at me before looking at Mr. Rivas. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting, but unfortunately, my son is stuck in traffic." He showed an apologetic smile.

"No worries, we're not in a rush. Please, take a seat," Uncle Joseph said and we all sat down.

"Thank you for having us here," sabi nung kaninang babaeng nag-compliment sa akin. Nasa dalawang gilid ko yung magkapatid na lalakeng ayaw sa akin. Great!

"And thank you for accepting our invitation," nakangiting sabi ni mom, and I can't help but roll my eyes.

"Anyways, we'll be talking about their marriage, ain't that right?" sabi nung lalake.

"That's right, all we need is your son—"

"I'm sorry for interrupting you, Mr. Rivas, but—" Humarap ako sa mag-asawang katapat namin. "—I don't want to—"

"I'm sorry, I'm late." Napatingin silang lahat sa nagsalita.

Wait! I know that voice.

I quickly looked at the guy who came. R-Rain...

"Isavell?" Halatang nagulat siya nang makita niya ako, he quickly moved towards me and smiled at me. "I—I thought something bad happened to you. Hindi ka sumasagot sa tawag ko, tapos hindi ka pa pumasok—"

"Wait wait wait... A-Anong ginagawa mo rito?"

"Well, my family was invited for dinner to—wait!"

"Ikaw‽" sabay kaming napasigaw nang pareho naming ma-realize kung anong nangyayari.

Wait, wait, what‽