This chapter contains trigger warnings. Read at your own risk.

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■ ALEXIA ■

"Make sure it's in very good condition, understand?"

I strictly said to the guards. Tumango sila at yumuko habang naglalakad paalis sa harapan ko.

I already went home with the Tesla. Mom knows nothing about the car kaya inutusan ko silang takpan iyon ng cover.

Kinuha ko ang cellphone sa bulsa at minessage si Mark, I thanked him for bringing my race car here. Dere-deretso akong pumasok sa loob ng mansion habang nakatuon pa din ang atensyon sa cellphone.

Nakarating ako sa living room at umupo sa pinakamalaking sofa. "Good afternoon po, Ma'am Alexia. Gusto niyo ba ng meryenda?" Tanong ng maid saakin nang makita ako. 

"Iced tea. Gusto ko may lemon and I don't like too much sugar. Do it right."

Strikto kong saad at hindi siya nililingunan. "Sige po." Saad ng maid at umalis din sa harap ko.

"Criselda! I'm gonna head back to my office. It's all-nighter again like the usuals."

Narinig ko si Mom mula sa taas. "Yes, Madam." Manang Criselda responded na kadarating lang dito sa living room.

I just rolled my eyes and continued to play games on my phone. Ilang minuto pa at nakita kong bumaba si mom mula sa main stairs at inaayos ang office attire nito.

Naramdaman ko ang tingin niya saakin nang tuluyan itong makababa at na sa harapan ko na. Tiningnan ko si Mom at nagka-salubungan ang tingin namin. I rolled my eyes at her. Hinarangan ko ang presensya niya gamit ang cellphone ko.

Naramdaman kong umupo si Mom sa seperate na sofa at doon siya nag-makeup habang nakatingin sa salamin nito.

"Here's your drink, Ma'am."

Lumapit saakin ang maid at nilagay ang iced tea ko sa vanity table. I ignored it for a minute at pinatong ang mga paa ko sa table.

"How's school?" Narinig kong tanong niya. I glanced at her.

"Why do you care?" I coldly asked.

She just ignored me and instead, she turned on the TV in front of us. She proceeded to do her makeup.

"Meron nanaman 'hong mga hindi kinikilalang kabataan ang ilegal na nag-paharurot ng sasakyan sa Manila highway nitong alas-singko ng umaga lamang. Itinalaga na ang mga taong nag-raracing ay mga propesiyonal dahil hanggang ngayon hindi pa din nahahabol o nahuhuli ng mga pulis ito.

Hindi pa din nalalaman kung saan ang destinasyon ng mga illegal drivers dahil kung saan saan sila lumulusot ng daan at nakakasira ng mga barrier. Walang naitalagang sugatan, pero mahigpit na ang sekyuridad ng mga pulis sa Manila highway kung sakaling mangyari ulit ang insidenteng ito."

I quickly looked up at the TV when I heard the news. 

Illegal drivers, huh?

I smirked as I tried to contain my laugh. 

We got on the television, bitches! I need to tell this to Lily right now. 

Sa buong linggo ng racing, hindi man lang nahuli ang kahit isa saamin. It's either ganoon kami kagaling o sadyang tanga lang ang mga police. 

"It's already 7th day in a row na may ganitong news, sino kaya 'yang mga illegal drivers na 'yan?" Narinig kong sabi ni Mom.

Well, ako lang naman ang isa sa mga illegal drivers na 'yon. It's ironic how she knows nothing about my life.

"I heard may dumating na Tesla dito kanina. Care to explain, Alexia?" Tanong niya at tiningnan ako.

"Would you stop with the questions and just get out of here?" I said. Kinuha ko ang iced tea sa table.

"I'm not leaving until you explain yourself. And can you get your feet out of the table? Hindi magandang tingnan." Striktong saad ni Mom. I raced my brow at her.

"I said umalis ka na dito! Unahin mo na yung work mo. Stuck yourself with endless paperwork until sunrise." I sarcastically said. "Diba doon ka naman magaling?"

Na-offend siya sa sinabi ko. "Where's your respect, Alexia? How can you talk to your mother like that?" Seryosong tanong nito.

"Totoo naman eh. Work has always been your priority instead of me." Saad ko.

"Alexia, I'm doing it for the sake of your future--"

"I'm tired of hearing the same excuse, Mom! We're already so rich that we can buy half of the Philippines using our money. Ano pang future 'yang sinasabi mo?" I began to raise my voice.

"We can't just rely on our bank accounts dahil at some point, mauubos din ang laman niyon. I'm working my ass off so if your time comes, you will have it easy." She responded. Kaya napaiwas ako ng tingin. "You know what? Ever since your Dad passed, you've changed a lot. Parang hindi na ikaw ang anak ko." Her voice cracked.

Pumikit ako nang mariin. Shit, I don't wanna remember it again.

"Do you think your Dad is happy with what you're doing right now? Hindi ka namin pinalaki ng ganiyan, Alexia. For sure 'pag nandito ang dad mo--"

"Stop, Mom! Please! Stop."

Mariin kong sigaw at tumayo. I immediately felt my eyes watered.

"Don't put D-dad into this," I stuttered. I looked at her. "I didn't change because of him. I changed because of you! You just have to ruin everything!"

She suddenly cried. "I-it was a mistake, Alexia! It's not what you think it is, please believe me--"

"Kitang kita ng dalawa kong mga mata ang nangyari! Kahit anong paliwanag mo hindi matatanggal sa buong pagkatao ko ang galit ko sayo!"

That is the last thing I said before I stormed out of the mansion.

I walked - more like I ran towards our parking lot.

"Tabi!"

Sigaw ko at binangga ang mga maids na paharang harang. The tears are fastly going out of my eyes.

Hindi na ko nag-sayang ng oras para mamili ng kotse and went inside the nearest car there is.

Pinaharurot ko iyon ng sobrang bilis at umalis ng mansion. Doon ko binuhos ang mga luha ko.

"Shit."

I mumbled under my breath.

Naramdaman ko nanaman ang pamilyar na bigat sa dibdib ko, habang inaalala ulit ang buong pangyayaring 'yon.

- - - -

(FLASHBACK)

"Wow! Ang sarap talaga ng luto mo, Dad!"

Masaya kong sabi habang sunod sunod ang subo ko ng apple pie.

Gawa namin ito ng Daddy ko. It's his signature dish and I just can't get enough of it! My Dad is a great cook!

Dad laughed happily. "See? A little more patience and you can already master my apple pie." He said.

Sobrang saya ko. I can't believe I can bake.

"Really, Dad? Magaling na ba ko?" I asked him.

He nods in approval. "Siyempre naman, 'nak. Ipagpatuloy mo lang ang pagiging ganiyan mo. Very kind and sweet that brings a lot of joy in this house." He said as we both laughed.

I'm very happy. I feel like the happiest kid in the world. I don't know why other kids envy our big mansion and my toys when having a complete happy family is enough. My parents are enough for me.

I was about to get another slice in the pan when I saw my Dad holding his chest. His expressions seem uneasy.

"Are you okay, Dad?"

I worriedly asked. He looked at me.

"I'm completely fine. Just exhausted from work. Kain ka pa." My Dad reassured me and smiled. I smiled back and continued to eat.

Seconds have passed and my Dad starts to groan in pain while still holding his chest. I panicked.

"Dad, what's happening?"

I asked and I stood up from my seat to rub his back, just in case it would help.

He didn't answer and kept groaning until it got louder.

Bullets of sweat are starting to come from my forehead.

"Mom! Manang! Help!"

I immediately called out for help.

"Aghh... I-it hurts..." My Dad stuttered.

This time, I freaked out. 

"MOM! MANANG! PLEASE, HELP US!"

I shouted.

Manang immediately came to us and she panicked too when he saw my dad.

I didn't know what to do but cry beside him. I don't know what's going on.

"Kuya Lito, tumawag ka ng ambulansya!"

Lahat ng tao dito ay nag-panic.

It is a very draining situation, my head hurts. I held my Dad's hands tightly and cried.

Bakit nagkaka-ganito si Dad? Why does he have trouble breathing? May nakain ba siyang lason sa niluto kong apple pie? May nagawa ba kong mali sa instructions?

I couldn't stand looking at my dad's face.

How he desperately inhaled air, how his face turned pale, and how his hands turned cold.

"What's happening here?!"

My Mom exclaimed. She quickly ran to us.

"Duke! What's happening to you?!"

We heard the siren of an ambulance. Some paramedics entered our house with a stretcher. They quickly went near my Dad.

Nilayo ako ni Manang Criselda kay Dad. "Stay here, Alexia." She said worryingly. I continued sobbing.

Sumunod si Mom papunta sa ambulansya.

But before she goes, she glanced at me. She's crying.

"Just stay there, honey. Everything's gonna be alright."

(END OF FLASHBACK)

- - - -

Hindi ko alam kung saan ako pupunta, ang gusto ko lang ay mag-pakalayo layo.

"Meet up at the Salvador Bar. It's located on the mountain top. Use Waze or something." I said to my friends on a video call while driving. Malayo-layo din 'tong bar, plus the traffic.

The car I'm driving is a blue Subaru. Wala akong kaide-ideya kung anong ginagawa nito sa parking lot namin. Well, I didn't have the time to pick a car 'cause I just wanna run away from that place.

"It's still noon, for fuck's sake. What are we doing there?" Tanong ni Lily.

"Having fun, duh. Don't you wanna meet your own Mark Sniper too?" I said.

"Game ako. Relationship goals kaya kayo ni Mark! I want someone like him too." Saad ni Molly.

"Don't you wanna date his brother?" I smirked.

"Eh! Masyadong pa-mysterious, I've been trying to flirt with him but he just walks away." Saad ni Lily.

"So, game ba kayo?" Iniba ko na ang topic dahil nabored na ko sa pinag-uusapan nila.

"On my way." Sagot ni Lily.

■ ■ ■ ■

"Cheers, bitches!"

Sigaw ko at sabay sabay kaming nag-cheers ng shot glass. We immediately drank the whiskey.

Hindi lang kami nina Lily at Molly ang na sa table, we're also with some friends looking like bad girls wannabe and are probably fake ass bitches too. Pero hayaan mo na, the more the merrier!

Too bad I didn't wear a sexy and revealing dress. Dahil 'yon nga, nag-madali lang akong umalis. I don't wanna think about it anymore.

Lily is wearing a blue velvet dress with no strap down to her thighs. While Molly wears a red long-sleeve top with her cleavage area revealed.

"Wow, Alexia! The one who invited us is not even dressed for the occasion!" Lily had to shout because it was so loud.

"Oh come on, even with these cropped top and shorts, I'm still way sexier than you!" I shouted back. They all laughed and Lily rolled her eyes. We proceeded to drink our next shots.

"Hey, babe. Miss me?"

Suddenly, may tumabi saakin at hinawakan ang bewang ko.

I turned around to find out who he was.

Well, sino pa nga ba?

He's Trenix Salvador, the owner of this bar and the sole reason why I barely go here. He wears a blue suit with white stripes, his hair is brushed up.

There's no denying that his bar is an A-tier level of beauty plus the location.

But he keeps bugging me! I hate him for that. He confessed last month that he likes me. I don't even like him and he's planning to court me daw.

Worst case scenario, he's YEARS older than me. I'm 18 and that makes him 26, we're eight years apart. Sorry, but I don't date guys as old as him. Sorry nalang siya 'cause I already have Mark!

"No! Get your hands off me." Naiirita kong saad. He just chuckled.

"Alright. Pero hindi din magtatagal ang pagtutulak mo sa'kin, Alexia." He said while smirking. Tinanggal niya na ang kamay sa baywang ko.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked him.

I can't get any help from my friends because they are all busy talking with other guys beside them. Plus this asshole is caging me with his arms resting on the head of the couch.

We should not forget the fact that I'm inside his bar right now, technically I'm in his territory. So there's no choice for me but to deal with this son of a bitch.

"Nothing, nothing." He said and chuckled again. Hindi niya ikinaguwapo! Yuck.

"I added more VIP rooms in this bar and changed their room styles each," Kuwento ni Trenix. "I had to invest nearly billions for it, mahirap ang design na gusto kong gawin kaya natagalan."

Just hearing his statement is boiling my blood up. "It's your choice to do shit like that, for what? Para sa VIP rooms na ang effort nga sa design hindi naman mapapansin ng mga costumers." Pagtataray ko.

Why would you spend a billion just for the designs in each VIP room? Katangahan talaga sa buhay! Alam ko namang mayaman 'tong si Trenix. But a billion is not a joke, hun. Kahit ako ay mang-hihinayang doon.

He chuckled. "You're so hot when you're mad," Trenix said. I just rolled my eyes at him. "Hey, why don't we visit the VIP rooms? I want honest people like you to give opinions about it." Trenix asked. But while he said those words, his aura changed.

His lips are curved into a kind of smirk like a businessman about to get his deal accepted. And his eyes - definitely his eyes, he looked like he couldn't wait for my answer. It's like he's planning something, or am I that stupid and such thoughts are coming out of my head?

I didn't know how to answer him.

"Hmm? Why the stare babe?" Trenix asked again. I snapped out of my thoughts. "Let's go?" Anyaya niya and he held my hand that was resting on my thigh.

But I quickly removed my hands from his. "Nah, I'm fine here. I'm not interested to see those designs." I said boredly.

Trenix was about to say something, but a man with a black tuxedo who looked like a servant went near to the guy beside me.

"Excuse me, Mr. Salvador. Our special guest already arrived and is waiting for you."

"Is it Adi? Alright, just a second."

Hindi ko na din naintindihan ang sinasabi nila dahil like I said, maingay dito sa bar.

The loud bass of music plus the people on the dance floor shouting and having fun. Nandito ang table namin sa second floor.

"It sucks to end our talk here. I'm gonna go now." Saad saakin ni Trenix pagtapos mawala ng guard sa harap niya.

"Really?" Tanong ko sa kaniya. Yes, finally!

"Yeah. Please go back here tomorrow." Saad ni Trenix at tumayo na.

"Maybe, maybe not." I shortly said. He chuckled.

"I'll take that as a yes." He said. "Goodbye, babe."

Yuck.

I nodded shortly, as he slowly got out of my sight.

At tuluyan na itong naglakad paalis.

I took the shot glass from the glass table and poured vodka. I drank it straight. Hindi ko alam kung gaano kataas ang alcohol level ko since lately lang naman ako nahilig sa alcohol. I didn't like it at first, best to say I prefer wine.

"Umalis na pala si Trenix? I didn't get to say hi to him! Masyado kasing madaldal yung waiter na 'yon."

Molly said beside me. I noticed na hindi niya na kausap yung lalaking waiter kanina.

"That waiter you talked with is so handsome," I said. Nakita ko ang binata sa peripheral vision ko earlier. I didn't have the chance to talk to him dahil sa buwisit na Trenix na 'yon.

"For real. I already got his number." Molly smirked and waved a small paper in front of my face. Tss.

"Whatever," I just rolled my eyes. "For sure, you're also gonna break his heart after."

I poured my glass another shot of vodka. And drank it straight.

One,

Two,

Three,

Four,

Five,

Six,

Seven,

Eight.

"Ahh."

I had to breathe out because the alcohol was too strong for my throat to handle.

I don't know how many shots I drank but all I know is I'm starting to get tipsy, and this weird energy is flowing all over my body.

"Let's go to the dance floor." Niyaya ko ang mga kaibigan ko and everyone else at the table. Everyone agreed.

"Let's go, guys!" Lily exclaimed.

We all stood up from our seats and walked towards the stairs.

We got a lot of attention from the other tables because duh, we're that attractive. Lalo na't ako ang nagle-lead ng lakad namin.

Nakarating na kami sa dance floor at nakisabay sa mga taong nasayaw sa tugtog.

There's a DJ in front doing some shits to create this bomb and loud beat. Unti unti kaming nag-hiwalay ng mga kaibigan ko and danced with random guys and girls.

I just wanna let loose.

- - - -

(FLASHBACK)

It's already 1:00 in the morning.

My Dad used to say I should always sleep at 8 and he said to never stay up late unless it's New Year and Christmas.

I'm sorry for not obeying this time, Dad. I just hope you're safe and alive.

Manang told me that my Dad had a cardiac arrest. I don't know what that is and she is not explaining it to me either. She said I'm still young to know what a cardiac arrest is.

I asked her earlier too. 'Why are they taking so long?'

Manang is relieved for a bit and says my Dad is now safe and is probably taking a rest.

Of course, I believe what they said. Sabi ni Manang na nagpapahinga lang daw si Mom sa ospital at binabantayan si Dad kaya hindi muna ito umuuwi hanggang ngayon.

I was relieved for a bit. I started to have positive thoughts. What if I bake my Dad another apple pie when I already have the chance to visit him? I smiled at the thought. Or maybe a photo album and diary to let him know that I love him and he should stay alive for us.

I'm back to reality when I see a light outside. A light that comes from a car...

And I noticed that it was my Mom's car.

She's back home!

It is parked at our front gate so I can see it. I didn't bother to wake my nanny sleeping on the sofa and proceeded to open the main door.

But before I could fully open the door, I was confused to see another figure next to my Mom.

It is a man, a man that looks like my Mom's age wearing a corporate suit. 

But, it's not Dad.

Who is he then? What is he doing here? Bakit sila magkasama ni Mom?

Suddenly, the scenery I never thought would happen...

The man kissed my mother.

I covered my mouth in shock.

Wait, what is happening? I immediately get alarmed by his actions. What is he trying to do with my Mom?!

Why are they still there?! Why is Mom not pushing him?!

Tears started to roll down my eyes as I saw how my Mom responded to the man's kisses.

She pulled his collar while they kissed deeper. I covered my mouth, even more, to prevent noises from my sobs.

Why, Mom? Why...

(END OF FLASHBACK)

- - - -

"ARGHH!"

Marahan kong tinulak ang lalaking kasayaw ko. Nakakuha ako ng atensyon sa mga taong malapit saamin.

Agad nawala ang pagiging lasing ko nang maalala 'yon.

I felt my heart break once again. That day. That day when I started to despise my mother.

I just rolled my eyes at the guy in front of me and ran off.