Chapter 2
Victoria Abbel's Point of View
"Don't talk to me, dumb idiot." Iyon agad ang bati ko kay Damien, the oldest. Hindi niya na itinuloy ang sasabihin niya nang makita niya akong wala sa mood.
"Okay, okay, chill. Don't worry I don't have any plans to talk to you." Lucifer-incarnate. I tsked and walked straight in my room. Pagpasok ko pa lang nakita ko na agad ang standee ni Trevor. Dahil sa galit ko ay sinipa ko ito nang malakas. It fell down on the floor. At doon lang bumuhos ang mga luha ko. I'm really hurt. Hindi ko lang pinapakita na nasasaktan ako kanina. When I saw him kissed my friend Georginna, I quietly closed the door and left right away. God, why am I so stupid! Naiiyak kong pahayag at tinabunan ang aking mga mata ng aking favorite na unan. It was my favorite because its color is pastel pink. But anyways, I'm really crying non stop. Daig ko pa ang namatayan. I don't want to see Georginna's ugly face anymore! Kung pwede lang ay pwede ko siyang ipakick out right now. But I'm not that cold hearted to do that. But she kissed my man! Buong akala ko ayaw niya kay Trevor kasi madalas siyang hindi magbigay ng interest kung siya ang kausap. But why was she inside that room?! God! I am fuming mad right now.
No, Trevor is the one who kissed her. My subconscious said.
No! That two-faced ugly bitch kissed my Trevor. I cried harder than before.
But why am I crying in the first place? I'm so mad tonight. I'm mad at Trevor and I'm mad at myself. Why did I like him? And why did I let him break me? Dahil ba maliit ang boobs ko?
The thought of him kissing Georginna was painful for me to handle. I just let myself cry until I'm better. Ganon naman palagi, ilang beses na niya akong sinaktan. But I'm still running towards him. And accepting him wholeheartedly. My life revolves around him.
"Dinner is served, ugly duckling." Narinig ko ang sabi ni Clevon. Ang pangalawang dugyot kong kapatid.
"Go to hell!" I shouted. Kahit naiiyak ako ay hindi ko pa rin pinapahalata sa ibang tao na nasaskatan. Maybe that's my defense mechanism. But I curse a lot, like a sailor.
"Tell mom I don't want to eat," I said and lie down on my bed. I just stared at nothingness. Isang malakas na katok ang sumira sa pageemote ko.
"Hindi ka ba lalabas dyan, Abbel?" Rinig kong sabi ni Cainn, ang pangatlong dugyot kong kapatid.
"Hindi!" Inis kong turan. I just wanted to have a peaceful evening! Kahit nasa bahay ako ay wala man lang mapayapang lugar dito.
"Lalabas ka o sisirain ko ang pinto ng kwarto mo?" He said back at me.
"Sirain mo." Walang ganang kong sabi. Wala ako sa mood makipagusap ngayon sa mga tao pero pinipilit nila akong magsalita. But when I'm talking in the house nonstop, they tell me to shut up. Saan ba ako lulugar?
Narinig ko ang biglang pagkalabog ng pinto ko. Cainn is really trying to torn my door into pieces. That stupid maggot!
"Okay, okay, I'm going out now." Pinunasan ko ang luha na natuyo na sa mukha ko at humarap sa salamin. I smiled at the mirror and walked straight to the door. I opened the door just to see Cainn's ugly face.
"Stupid," I muttered.
Nang makarating kami sa dining table ay tahimik ang lahat. Alright, why are they being silent?
"Tori, come on, let's eat." My mother said. Umupo ako sa favorite spot ko sa dining table. Damien is on my left and Cainn is on my right.
"So..." simula ni mom. Mom is already 50 but she's still beautiful as ever. She's one of the directors of the University I'm staying at.
"We're going to migrate." Walang patumpik-tumpik na sinabi ni Dad. My dad was a businessman. Yeah, so basically, puro business ang trabaho ng aking angkan. Thought, they have different areas of specialty. The Stanislaski Clan is considered a power elite in our society. We have a connection in the three major institutions which is the state, economy, and military. Sounds fun? No, it's a nightmare for us.
But the problem is, some people are never satisfied. People strive harder to have the things they want because they have little, and they want more. And once they have more and they have everything on their plates, they wish to have little, to have a minimal life, to have less. And we are that some people.
Our family never knows what satisfaction is. We always strive harder to be on the top but we always wished to have a normal life. Ironic isn't it?
"Seriously? Bakit biglaan naman, Mom?" Rinig kong sabi ni Cainn.
"Your dad was planning to enter politics for a while now. As he dropped that news to the media last week, he started to receive blackmails and death threats." Hindi ako makapaniwala sa narinig ko.
"Dad was about to enter politics?" I asked without any idea at all. Bakit wala naman akong kaide-ideya sa sinasabi ng nanay ko. Sinamaan ako ng tingin ni Clevon.
"Hindi mo alam nangyayari sa pamilya mo dahil busy ka sa paghahabol sa lalaki mo." He said flatly. I pouted my lips. Pero kinilig naman ako bigla sa sinabi niyang lalaki mo. Oh my! Supportado talaga nila ako kay Trevor. Hay, Trevor, hindi pa kita pinapakilala sa pamilya ko pero tanggap ka na nila.
"Note the sarcasm, please." He added. Cainn facepalmed.
"Toring, you being a Stanislaski is such a waste." Umiliing pa niyang sabi. Hindi ko maiwasang sipain siya sa paa. He said ouch. Victory is mine! Hmp!
"Enough you three." Saway sa amin ni Damien.
"Pwede bang makinig muna kayo? Hindi na kayo mga bata." Nakakunot noo niyang sabi sa amin. I bite my tongue so I can shut up.
I don't have any idea what my parents are talking about. Maybe I don't engage myself with my family affairs. Or maybe the fact that I stopped watching and readings the news. That's why I don't have any idea at all.
But sending blackmails and death threats are considered dangerous things.
"So we decided to migrate to New York right away. Your life will also be in danger, our whole family. Your Dad already dropped out to be a candidate for the next election but still, we can't be sure and we can't risk our safety." My mother said, full of love and worry. My mother really cared about our family.
"How about my studies, Mom? I'm graduating this year." Clevon said.
"You're a Stanislaski, kid. Nothing is impossible." My dad said.
"I'm fine with it," Cainn said.
"It think it's a better idea, Dad. I can start working on our company in New York once we arrive." Sabi ni Damien na akala mo'y natutuwa ako sa kanyang kasipagan.
"Mom..." I purse my lips and looked at my mom with a tears eye.
"Ayokong umalis. Trevor is here and I can't afford to be away from him." Nahilot na lang ni Damien ang kanyang ulo dahil sa sinabi ko.
"Victoria please, don't be so difficult," Dad said.
Paano kung umalis ako, makahanap ng ibang babae si Trevor?
"We're staying there for good, Tori. You can start your new life there. Stop throwing yourself to someone who doesn't even like you. You are a Stanislaski, know your worth." Damien said and stood up from his seat. Bigla akong nasaktan sa sinabi ni Damien pero hindi ko na lang ito ipinahalata. Tumingin ako kay Mom for support pero binigyan niya lang ako ng isang malungkot na ngiti.
"Please don't risk our safety for your selfish demands, Victoria Abbel. Grow up, stop being so immature. And don't act like your life only revolves around Trevor. Tandaan mo, Trevor isn't a Sun, and you're not a planet. Don't be so Trevor-centered." Bigla na lang sumingkit ang mga mata ko sa sinabi ni Clevon. Is that supposed to be a joke?
"Ha ha ha, so funny," I said sarcastically.
"Victoria Abbel." Seryosong saway sa akin ng tatay ko. This is what I'm talking about. They are always exceeding to their limit and what does we have in return? Nothing but danger. Bakit hindi na lang makuntento ang mga tao? Bakit hindi na lang sila maging masaya sa kung meron sila?
"Tomorrow, when you go to the university make sure to get all your necessary files. Para madali kayong makapasok sa university sa New York. Pack your things now, and once we settle everything here, we're off to go." My mom said.
I cried that night. Minsan, nasasaktan ako sa mga sinasabi ng mga kapatid ko sa akin. But the truth is sweet, it tastes bitter.
Truth hurts, ika nga nila. I cried to sleep thinking that I should give up on Trevor. And my heart aches from that thought.
Morning came easily. I saw myself sitting on the passenger seat next to Cainn. I don't even bother wearing a uniform.
"Zombie, make sure that you will be back exactly 30 minutes from now on. I will do the same. Please don't make me wait." Cainn said with a smug face. I nodded my head and slam his car door.
"Be careful to my baby, Abbel!" Naiinis na tawag niya sa akin.
"Careful your face, smurf!" Ganti ko sa kanya at tumakbo sa loob ng university. We are to get our important documents. Pero dahil magkaiba kami ng department ay iba ang way niya sa akin.
I walked into the corridor, alone. It's not new to me. I always walked in the corridor with myself. I heard someone say that if you walk alone in the school corridor means you are lonely. But people should realize that being alone doesn't make you lonely. It just means that you are strong enough to savor the serenity of solitude.
Being alone doesn't make you less of a human.
"Tori." May tumawag sa pangalan ko mula sa aking likuran. I know that voice, hinding hindi ko makakalimutan ang boses na 'yon. That's the voice of an evil creator. Okay, siguro medyo sumobra ako sa word na evil but she's such a witch for doing that to me.
"Don't call my name anymore and I don't want to talk to you either. Get lost, Georginna." I tried my best to be calm. Kung hindi siguro ako makapag pigil sa mg oras na ito ay baka umuwi ito na wala ng mapapasukan na unibersidad. But I'm not that cruel or maybe I am I just didn't acknowledge it.
"I'm so sorry but let me explain. It's not what you think." She tried to approach me but I choose to step backward. Tumingin ako sa orasan ko. Kaunting minuto na lang ay matatapos ang 30 minutes na binigay sa akon ni Cainn.
"It doesn't matter, Georginna. You don't have to explain anymore. I'm tired of your shit. Wag ka nang magsalita, dumadagdag ka lang sa polusyon." Sabi ko pa. Pero dahil isang siyang makulit na nilalang ay sinubukan niya pa rin akong hawakan. She don't have the right to touch me.
Isang malutong na sampal ang inabot niya sa akin.
"Stay away." I slapped her because of jealousy. I envy her. I've been chasing Trevor since I was twelve. Pero mas nauna pa niyang n*******n si Trevor. Pinigilan ko ang sarili kong umiyak. Hinding hindi ako iiyak sa harapan niya.
"I'm so sorry." That's all she said. I turned my heels away from her. Dumiretso ako kung saan ako dapat pumunta. I gather everything I needed and left the office in an instant.
I just wanted to see Trevor one more time. That's why I run towards the College Department. I saw Nikos with Severus and Raven. Playing football on the field. Kalev and Alexander are just sitting on the bleachers.
"Where is Trevor?" Sigaw ko sa kanilang lima. Parehas silang nagkatinginan sa isa't isa bago tumingin sa akin.
"You should know better," Nikos said. Oo nga pala! Bigla ko na lang naalala na nasa music room siya! I hurriedly run towards the music room. It was one of the special rooms in this University. It costs a lot, but it will be yours. Yes, as in it will become your property in school.
And I was right, I saw Trevor in the hallway and about to enter the room. He's dazzling as ever. Pero may nakalagay na headphones sa kanyang tenga kaya wala siyang pakialam kung anong nangyayari sa paligid niya. He's always like that. When he's listening to music, nothing else matters.
"Trevor!" Sigaw ko, kahit alam kong hindi niya ako maririnig. He saw me in front of him but he didn't even bother to acknowledge my presence. Ouch.
"I'm leaving." Sabi ko pa habang lumalapit sa kanya. Hindi pa rin niya ako pinansin at akmang bubuksan na ang pinto ng music room nang hawakan ko ang kamay niya. Just to stop. Tinaasan niya ako ng isang kilay. Due to frustration, I get his earphones and put it at my back. Nakita ko kung paano kumunot ang noo niya. Just like the first time we met, 6 years ago.
"I said I'm leaving!" I firmly said.
"For good." Hindi ko man lang nakitaan nang emosyon ang mukha niya. Umaasa ako na kahit paano kung malalaman niya na aalis ako ay mapagtanto niyang hindi niya kayang mawala ako sa buhay niya. But who am I kidding?
He stared at me blankly.
"Go, I don't care."
*******
Chapter 3Victoria Abbel's Point of View"You really wanted me to tag along?" Pangatlong beses na naitanong ito ni Elizabeth. Halos dumugo na ang tenga ko sa paulit ulit niyang tanong. Still, I tried to be more understanding. She was locked inside her own house due to some accident. Ngunit ngayon ay pinapayagan na itong lumabas.She knew that I'll be staying in New York, so she wants to spend more time with me. Kaya naman naisipan ko siyang isama sa party isang party."Wow! This house is beautiful, is it okay if we go there?" I facepalmed."Just come with me Eliza, I promise you this is going to be fun, and just enjoy the night, okay?" Tumango siya sa akin kahit nararamdaman ko ang kanyang pangamba. I think it's normal to feel that way, she's been locked up all her life. I wonder how her parents will react to this if they will know that I brought their princess to a party. Sometimes, alam kong ayaw ipasama sakin si Elizabeth. I don't know why? Mabait naman ako.Anyway, we're here in t
Chapter 43 years laterVictoria Abbel's Point of ViewIsang malutong ang sampal ang inabot niya mula sa akin. Nagulat ito dahil sa aking ginawa at halatang hindi niya inaasahan ang ginawa ko. Everyone gasped from what I did."What's that for, babe?" Ngumisi pa ito nang nakakaloko habang nakahawak sa kanyang pisnge."You fucking tell them that it wasn't me! You imbecile." I shouted at the top of my lungs. Saan ba pinaglihi itong lalaking 'to ng mama niya. Sandali nga, may mama ba siya? Mukhang nakulangan sa aruga ng magulang!He stood up from his chair and put his hand on my shoulders. I sighed in relief. Finally, he'll gonna clean the mess he'd made."Gather up everyone! The rumor is real. She's the one in the video. And yes, we're fucking each other that time." Everyone murmured and muttered something ill about me. Huminga muna ako ng malalim at tinanggal ang pagkahawak niya sa akin.His name is Dean and he's a dickhead, an asshole, a brute, you name it. I knew him since I transferr
Chapter 5: Guess Our GuestVictoria Abbel's Point of ViewI don't wanna eat in the dining area again. Kaya naman ay nagpadeliver na lang ako ng pizza at kinain ito sa kwarto ko. I don't want to see Cainn today and I know he doesn't want to see me as well. I guess we don't really like each other. Kahit kami na lagi ang magkasamang dalawa ay madalas kaming mag-away. They say that it's normal to fight but both of us are not really on good terms. Maybe my parents are to blame for which they name us after the famous story in the bible which is the story of Cain and Abel. The only difference was, that I am a girl. Actually, Cainn was my favorite brother, but we grew up apart since that day.Morning came and I started cooking breakfast for two. Natutunan ko magluto simula nang magstay kami dito. We only have two maids, one for the laundry and one for cleaning the house. May specific na araw lang sila pumupunta dito. And I don't usually see them because I'm not at home always. I prefer going
Chapter 6: Such A HassleVictoria Abbel's Point of ViewThis day is literally not my day. Somebody just made some stupid prank on me. Pagdating ko sa parking lot ay nakita kong flat ang isang gulong at may nakatusok na folding knife dito. I removed the folding knife and throw it into the nearest bin. Nahilamos ko na lang ang aking kamay sa aking mukha. Unfortunately, I don't have any spare tires. I can't go home without a ride. Lalo na at walang busses sa ganitong oras o kaya naman ay taxi. If I want to commute, I should walk well for thirty minutes in order to reach the highway. And I hate walking. Whoever made this to my car really hates me so much and the only one who I can think of is Dean.I told him earlier that my lawyer is now fixing the mess he made. Saying my lawyer is something good to say and hear. I have never been this thankful to Nikos. Akalain mo 'yun, nagagamit niya ang kanyang pinagaralan.I fished my phone inside my pocket and scrolled down through my contacts. Sino
Chapter 7: Isolated Victoria Abbel's Point of ViewThe whole ride was awfully quiet. Ganon naman palagi, wala nang bago doon. He's the type of man who speaks fewer words.When we reached the garage, binilisan kong umalis sa loob ng kotse niya. I was really wondering why he's staying with us. Is this a lame joke? Trevor Dmitri is really living with us now? Akala ko ba ay sinusumpa niya ang pagkatao ko pero tingnan mo nga naman ngayon, he's here."Tori," he called my name when I'm about to get inside the house. Geez! Why does he keep on calling me Tori?! I'm now starting to hate my name. The way he pronounced my name is like he was seducing me with his words. And I told myself that I shouldn't fall for his schemes because I'm so done. Totoo nga ang sinasabi nilang may limit ang isang tao. Humans are weak, they get tired, and they get exhausted from something. I wish I have superior powers that can remove all the feelings I have for Trevor. Sana paggising ko, wala na siya sa isipan ko. S
Chapter 8: The Singularity2 days before Dean's deathVictoria Abbel's Point of View"Damien is staying here? Wow. That's new." Her name is Carla and she's the one who is responsible for cleaning the house. At ngayon naman ay nandito siya para maglinis ng buong bahay. May hawak itong trash bin na puno ng gusot na mga papel."I got a lot of trash from his room." Carla is a blonde woman and she's in her late fifties. Good thing she can still manage to do all the cleaning in our house. Palagi naman siyang may kasama maglinis, I don't know if it's her daughter or niece. I don't bother asking. That explains why she's holding a trash bin. That must be Trevor's trash.Ibinaba ko ang baso na may tubig at lumapit sa kanya."It's not Damien. There's another man residing here and now he's staying at Damien's room." Kinuha ko ang trash bin kay Carla at nagulat naman siya dahil sa ginawa ko. Kahit ako ay nagulat dahil sa ginawa ko."Ohhh, another brother of yours?" She asked while looking at me wi
Chapter 9: Fucked UpVictoria Abbel's Point of View"You bought a lot of things, should I still buy groceries?" Bungad sa akin ni Carla. May hawak itong purse at mukhang aalis na upang bumili ng stocks para dito sa bahay. When Trevor and I reached the driveway, I hurriedly went out and walk straight inside the house. That's where I saw Carla."Just go Carla, I bought this for myself." I said, niyakap ko ang mga binili ko at dumiretso sa loob ng kwarto. I put everything on my bed. I was planning to eat all of these. Maganda mag stress eating ngayon, lalo na sa sitwasyon ko. I open my laptop ang started watching a series in Netflix. Hindi ko namalayan kung anong oras na, kaya pagtingin ko sa orasan ay nagulat dahil alas diyes na ng gabi. Kaya naman pala, natapos ko na agad ang isang season. Oh shit! I mentally cursed when I realized that I forgot something. Hindi ko pa pala binibigyan ng pagkain ang nanay ko! She must be starving.I hurriedly went downstairs. Nakapatay na ang lahat ng i
Chapter 10: The CodeA day before Dean's Death Victoria Abbel's Point of ViewHanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin mawala sa isipan ko kung ano ang sinabi ni Trevor. How can he say that I am fucked up as he is? I didn't even know to myself that I am fucked up. Kahit habang naghahanda ako papuntang school ay iniisip ko pa rin ang sinasabi niya. Why is he always there, making my mind confused. He is so annoying and confusing at the same time.But the only question that I couldn't answer until now is: Why is he here?He can't be here. And why now? The idea of him being in the same place with me is chaos."I see you are spacing out in my class Miss Stanislaski." Nakuha ang aking atensiyon nang biglang banggitin ni Mrs. Roosevelt and apelyido ko. I didn't even know that I am spacing out. Nasa akin na ang atensiyon ng lahat and I started to become uncomfortable to my seat."Sorry." Sabi ko na lang at bumalik sa pagsusulat. Good thing I didn't saw any sign of Dean right now. Sa tuwing nakikita k