Chapter 2

A surprise was evident on their faces, halatang nagulat sila dahil sa biglaan kong pag pasok at pag sabat sa kanilang usapan. I know it's rude to interject on their conversation but I just can't stand there knowing na baka mauwi sa away ang mainit nilang sagutan.

I look at the two when they didn't utter a word, so instead of forcing them to answer me- I stretch my lips into a smile.

"Dad didn't force me Kuya, everything is fine with me. As matter of fact, I am happy because I'm finally living with you all" I smilingly said to assure my brother that everything is fine with me.

Dad suddenly claps his hand na kinagulat ko and then he laughed.

"See? Your sister understands me more than you understand me Redniz" he said proudly and walk towards my direction spreading his both arms "Come here my daughter, give your father a hug" he said to me while smiling.

I suddenly felt a genuine happiness when I saw his smile and move my feet to approach him. Niyakap niya ako ng mahigpit and then he tapped my back gently before he pulled away.

"I miss you Dad" I can't help to utter expressing the longing that I've been feeling while studying abroad away from him and my brothers.

I was about to hug him back when he suddenly steps back avoiding me and then he looks away from me causing my smile to disappear instantly as I was stunned on my spot.

"Kausapin mo ang Kuya mo, hindi ko gustong maulit pa ito. I hate it when someone is questioning my decision, lalo na kung para sayo ang desisyon na yun " mababa ngunit madiin niyang sabi sa akin na may pag babanta before he walks away na walang paalam.

I blink my eyes and my gaze follows him still can't process what happened. I thought he miss me too that's why he hug me? But why does he sounds mad at me while saying those words?

"Lemonine, honey"

I immediately gaze at my brother when he called me and to my attention. I automatically smile to hide the disappointment I'm feeling right now and walk towards him. I giggle when he welcomes me with his tight hug and even squeezes me, but not too tight afraid that he might hurt me.

"Welcome home" he whispers.

I pulled away and smile at him even more. It's evident in his eyes that he is happy to see me far from how my father look at me a while ago. His flat expression full of strictness is not so welcoming.

"Thank you Kuya" I sincerely replied appreciate that he really welcomed me.

Ngumiti naman siya ng bahagya and nod his head back to his serious face na hindi na bago sa akin. Seryoso naman kasi lagi si kuya, he sometimes laughs and makes jokes. He is strict like Dad, but I must say that he is much considerate.

"But remember this Lemonine, don't hesitate to tell me once he tries to hurt you" seryoso niyang bilin sa akin causing my forehead to crease.

Hurt me? Who? Dad? Dad can hurt me? That's absurd.

I let out a small laugh and shake my head "You're thinking too much Kuya, Dad won't hurt me, he never did. Besides, there's no reason for him to discipline me through violence because I'm not planning to disobey him nor disrespect him" tumatawa kong sagot dito.

I can't believe him, paano niya naisip ang ganyang bagay kay Dad? Yes- given na talaga na masungit si Daddy. He is strict, demanding, and controlling. But despite with Dad, it never came into my mind na may kakayahan siyang saktan ako. Besides, I understand na kaya lang niya ginagawa ang mga bagay na yun for my own good.

Hindi naman siya agad nakasagot dahil sa sinabi ko. It took him a couple of seconds before he finally shakes his head and lifts his hand to massage his temple.

"Forget about what I said," he said lowly "Go to your room now, I know you're tired. I still need to discuss something with Dad," he said and tap my shoulder.

"Eline, tara na sa kwarto mo" Nana Rita intervene before I could ask more questions to my brother.

Hesitantly, I nod my head when I felt Nana Rita held my arm. My brother follows Dad making me sigh silently before I follow Nana Rita. She leads me the way and I was surprised to see how huge the mansion is although I already expecting this. I don't know how many living rooms we walk by before I finally saw the grand staircase.

The huge chandelier in the middle is so fascinating to watch that complements the marble floor and marble staircase. The vast open spaces are really screaming with luxury. The interior design is much extravagant than the exterior design and I shouldn't be wondering. Because as far as I can remember. This Dela Huerta Mansion is the ancestral house of Dela Huertas. Maybe Dad just modernized the whole mansion to preserve its beauty.

"Eline, tara na" Nana Rita called me dragging me back to my senses.

"Yes po" mabilis kong sagot and I follow her as she walks upstairs.

But I stop when I saw the family portrait that was displayed on the wall. I narrowed my eyes when I remember when was that taken. If I can remember it right, I was fifteen years old at that time. It was my summer vacation and Dad decided that I should spend my summer with my Abuela and Abuelo so I travel back to Spain. Surprisingly, Dad was also there to celebrate the wedding anniversary of my grandparents. And then, that portrait happens.

A smile forms on my lips seeing my both brothers smiling at the portrait before I start walking again to follow Nana Rita. The second floor of the mansion is as luxurious as the first floor.

"Halika dito hija"

Agad akong lumapit kay Nana Rita. Hinawakan niya naman ako sa kamay before she starts walking again. The second floor is full of hallways and corner tables, vases, and art paintings.

"This mansion is so big" I whisper and roamed my eyes around.

"Masanay ka na, dito ka na titira simula ngayon" tumatawang sagot ni Nana kaya napangiti ako.

We stop in front of the huge door and then she opens it for me. My lips parted a little and amazingly turn my gaze around seeing how capacious my room.

This is so nice... my room here is much bigger than my room in my Abuela's house.

"Nagustuhan mo ba hija?"

"Of course, this is too much actually" masaya kong sagot and then I walk towards the double glass sliding door.

The cold late afternoon breeze instantly welcomes me making me smile even more and I look at Nana Rita na nakatingin din sa akin.

"Mag pahinga ka muna hija, tatawagin na lang kita kung kakain na" she said.

"Salamat po" I said trying to steady my tone in tagalog but I failed causing it to sound slang and funny to listen.

Napangiti naman siya sa akin and then she nodded her head before she left me alone in my room. I turn back my gaze to the sky and step out on the balcony making me saw the whole front yard of the mansion.

I hug myself when the wind blows again causing the trees to sway on their own rhythm and sound. This is my life now, I need to do everything to make my father notice my worth. I need to seize this as a chance.

DINNER...

"Where is Kuya Vinz?" I can't help to ask when I only saw Kuya Red, Dad, and me in the dining room.

"He's in Manila, kailangan ko rin bumalik dun bukas" Kuya Red replied.

I press my lips together when I heard what he said. So it means, I and Dad will be left here alone? Bakit ko nga ba hindi ito naisip?

"How was your flight?" Dad voice out in a toneless voice that made me look at him.

I automatically smile although he didn't give me a single glance.

"It's a bit tiring, I didn't know that it took 17 hours to travel from Nevada to the Philippines" I answer.

I heard Kuya chuckle lowly while slicing the steak on his plate. Dad on the other hand remains serious while sipping his wine not interested in what I said. Instead of feeling sad, I just glance at my brother and smile at him.

This is not new to me, Dad and I never had a casual conversation. We are not that close, although he is my father- it seems like there is a barrier between me and him, a barrier that I shouldn't dare to cross or he will get mad at me.

"Life here in Tierra Veloz is just simple Lemon, far from your life in Spain and Las Vegas," Kuya said.

"Tama ang Kuya mo, sanayin mo na agad ang sarili mo dahil hindi ko gusto makarinig ng reklamo" Dad interjects in a strict tone.

I bit the inside of my mouth and nod my head "I can surely adjust. I'm not gonna complain too" I assure them.

I never complain about anything, they should have known that.

"People here in Tierra Veloz are nice and kind, you wouldn't have a hard time to adjust" Kuya agrees "But, you need to be fluent in tagalog dahil mahihirapan sila kausapin ka" he teased me.

I pouted my lips earning a low laugh from him.

He's so mean! I'm aware of how funny I sound when I'm speaking tagalog, but what can I do? Tagalog was not my first language. Although I know how to use it still I cannot straighten my tongue to pronounce each word correctly.

"That's enough. We need to discuss your studies" Dad interrupts us.

Kuya Red's face went serious and my gaze went to my father. I caught him elegantly wipe the side of his mouth using the table napkin and then he cleared his throat.

"You'll be studying at Velonzon University, as what I said to you over the phone- I want you to finish business administration program and help your brothers run our business," he said strictly.

"I understand Dad" I immediately replied.

"One more thing, you cannot leave the hacienda without your Nana Rita or Tobias. Same rules Elizabeth and I will add another set of rules, you know that I don't tolerate mistakes so do not dare to disobey me" may pag babanta niyang sabi na nakatingin sa akin ng seryoso.

I grip the fabric of my dress and smile politely at him "Yes, Dad" I obediently replied.

"Good" he nods his head " This is enough for this day, go back to your room now and rest. I still need to talk to your brother" he authoritatively instructs me that I quickly oblige.

Slowly, I walk back to my room while roaming my eyes around trying to familiarize every corner that my eyes reach.

I just get satisfied when I finally reach the second floor, because seeing those picture frames that were arranged on the top of every side table and corner table is so fascinating to look at. I can't help myself to reminisce every memory that the pictures remind me of.

I'm smiling alone entertaining myself until my hand landed on the picture frame where I saw my father, Kuya Vinzon, Kuya Red, and me. We are all smiling except for Dad, and Kuya Red is holding small cardboard with the written letters 'Dela Huerta Family'.

"This looks so nice" I whisper to myself and was about to return the frame when I suddenly notice something.

I creased my forehead and confusingly trained my eyes to those picture frames.

It's odd. I didn't saw any picture of my mother on the frames.