Emiliana
It was already glooming outside when I got discharged. And just like what Nico said, he really did pay for my bills. Even Scott got me a place to stay. A unit in his owned condominium building, which we are currently in and at the reception area to take my keycard.
At first, I wanted to reject it since I also have my own unit–or I could stay in one of my parent’s properties, however Scott insisted with the reason that Clarence might come after me to explain himself.
I doubt that he would have a face to show in front of me after what he had done. But still, I considered Scott’s reason and accepted his help.
If it weren’t for this incident, I would not know that Scott and Nico are cousin’s, and Scott is from a wealthy family. That’s not all, he also has his own fair share of businesses even if he is still a high school student.
Well, it’s surprising after all since the boy is humble from head to foot.
“Oh, right! I have a question. Is Nico part of the basketball team? I have not seen him play in any of the games our school has participated in,” my curiosity sparked again earlier after seeing Nico at the hospital.
Scott inserted my keycard and punched my password in. I heard the door unlocked.
He then averted his gaze on me and shook his head. “No. He is part of the taekwondo team. He just substituted for Clarence in a friendly match this afternoon,” he says before twisting the knob and pushing the door open.
I walk after Scott. I couldn’t help but be amazed at how spacious the room is. It’s even bigger than the unit Clarence has.
“You’re going to be alright here, right?” Worry is still evident in Scott’s tone. Though he’s looking at me with a soft expression.
I give him a reassuring smile. “I will be. I would not dwell on this incident any further. Thank you for accompanying and helping me. Tell Nico as well that I’ll pay for the hospital bills. I caused you both inconvenience.”
I flinch in pain and rub the part where he flicked me with his index finger. “What inconvenience? Am I the only one who thinks that we are friends? I’m hurt, Emiliana!”
I watch him fake an offended expression. Friend? I did consider him as a friend, though we interact with each other a few times because of Clarence.
I felt somehow happy at the thought that he considers me as his friend. Not just his friend’s girlfriend, but a friend.
“You’re pretty when you smile. No wonder he fe–nevermind. You should smile often and not just look so serious, or look timid like you’re carrying the whole world on your shoulders,” Scott jokingly said.
I let out a chuckle. What he said is true. I am not good at expressing myself. And people would mistaken me as an aloof or snobbish person.
“But I was able to have friends and got myself a boyfriend, who in the end cheated on me with my own younger sister.” I said with a half smile.
Scott did not comment on what I said, instead there was a short pause on him before he said, “you should rest now. And don’t cry again. You’ve already shed enough tears for yourself.”
I furrowed, “did I cry?”
“You did. Are your eyes not hurting?” he asks, bewildered.
I shook my head and touched my eyes. Now that I felt them, they were indeed puffy and a bit aching.
“You should put cold compress on that. And I better get going. I still have some things to do. Sebastian will be here to give you your dinner. If you need anything else just give me a call.”
I nod and bid Scott goodbye. I watch him get inside the elevator before closing the door.
I walked to the living room and pulled my phone from my pocket. Sebastian went home to grab me some clothes and dinner.
While waiting for his return, I busied myself by scrolling through a movie app, not minding the continuous messages I received from my friends, ex-boyfriend, and sister.
Once the popping of messages stopped, I was ready to click the movie I wanted to watch when a call from my mother popped on the screen.
I have no reason not to answer her call but my guts telling me to swipe the green button. And so I did follow my gut this time. I watched the unanswered call end, but my mother was so persistent that she even called me again, and on her third call, I swiped the green button.
“Where are you?” Mom’s stern voice greeted me the moment I put my phone near my ear.
“Condo,” briefly, I answered. Based on the tone of her voice, she’s not worried about me. It’s nothing new. Really.
“Come home. Your father and I just arrived,” she said. Still with no affection in her tone. And with that the call ended.
I know why she wanted me home. We’re going to talk about what happened. My mother is someone who does not like arguments that are not settled on the very same day. Whenever she and father argued—their sweet bantering—but a real argument, they would not go to sleep until they said sorry to each other.
I stare at my dead phone. Contemplating whether I should follow mommy’s words or not. I don’t want them to worry about us but I also don’t want to see my sister’s snakelike appearance.
The memory of witnessing their affair is still fresh.
I received a message from my father. He also wants me home.
Well, I guess I could fake up the fact that I am forgiving Trisha for what she’s done.
When Sebastian arrived, he had nothing on both of his hands, no bag of clothes and food.
It appears that when he arrived at home, both my parents were already there comforting the crying Trisha, as Sebastian narrated.
I left a message for Scott informing him that I will not be staying at the unit he prepared for me. And that I left the key card at the reception area. Not long after, I received a reply from him, asking for the reason. Instead of telling him the truth, I replied with a thank you and sorry before turning my phone off.
All throughout the drive, I was just silent at the back and from time to time, I could feel Sebastian’s gaze through the rear mirror.
“Will you be alright?” he finally broke the silence between us. I meet his gaze at the rear mirror. He was looking at me worriedly. Now, this is new.
“Why wouldn’t I be? It’s not like I am the one at fault here. They will take my side this time.” I confidently blabber. But deep down, I am doubting my own words.
“But that’s not what I think this is.” Sebastian commented in a low voice, but it was enough for me to hear his words. I did not mind him and continued thinking of the possible scene that will happen once I arrive.
Questions sweep through my mind.
Would my parents do something about what Trisha did? Will they punish her? Or will they dismiss this incident and let us say sorry and forgive each other like nothing happened?
And just what I’d hope for, will they take my side this time?
The thought of them not siding with me caused a painful lump on my throat and a heavy feeling on my chest. That I wanted to vomit.
“Emilia? Where here!” I glanced at Sebastian when he cut-off my thoughts. I then realize that the car’s engine died down.
I brought my gaze outside the car’s window. The house is well-lit, a proof that my parents are indeed home.
I heave a deep sigh to ease the anxiousness that’s slowly corrupting me. My emotions and thoughts.
Sebastian was the one who opened the door for me and all I did was to get out and drag myself towards the huge wood door of our entrance.
I have not yet entered the house but I could already hear the sobbing of my sister and the sweet and soft voices of my parents as they comforted her.
“Mom! Dad!” I called to get their attention. In unison, they both turned their heads in my direction.
I stood from my place, waiting for a comforting hug from the both of them.
However, my expectation shattered the moment I saw my mother’s furious gaze as she stride towards me. And that did not end there as a strong slap hit my cheeks that put me in shock.I could feel my ears ringing because of the strong impact.
As I looked at my mother with a widened eyes and confused gaze, I held my throbbing cheeks while tasting the metallic aftertaste of my own blood.
“How could you raise your hand at your sister and push her down the stairs?” she shouted at me but I didn’t mind it as I was confused by her words.
Push? I did not push her do–I averted my gaze at my father’s direction beside him is Trisha, with bruises all over her face and arm. There was even a bandage on her forehead that made me even more puzzled of what’s going on.
“How did you–“
I was unable to finish my words because my mother cut me off. “Don’t pretend that you did not do that to her, Emilia. You were supposed to protect her because you’re the eldest but instead, you were the one who inflicted pain on your own sister. Did I raise you wrongly, huh Emiliana?”
“I didn’t push her down the stairs! You can even ask Sebastian!” I said, pointing outside, where Sebastian is.
“What’s the point? He might not tell us the truth in order to cover for you. You probably told him that he should keep his mouth shut!” Mom said in an accusing tone.
What?
“Is this why you wanted me home? To push the blame on me? I swear! I did not do that to her. Just this once, believe me! Listen to me!” I pleaded. Trying my best to not crack my voice.
“How can I believe you when the evidence is right in front of us?” Mother said, pointing at Trisha who was still shedding tears and looking pitiful in father’s embrace.
No! No! I really didn’t do–Scott and Nico. Maybe they can help me. “I have friends who witnessed the incident. They can vouch for me that I–“
“Save your reasons now, Emiliana! No one except you could do this to your sister. I know you are angry at her but that doesn’t mean you can push her down!”
She’s really not going to listen to me, is she? So be it!
I wiped the blood that’s sliding down from the side of my lip. I watch her with contempt. “Then mother, are you not even going to talk about how my younger sister fuck my own boyfriend in her room? Because I can give you a detailed story on how she wraps her legs on his waist, screaming in pleasure while meeting his every thr–“
“That’s enough, Emiliana!!” Father yelled.
I looked at my father, then on his hands that were covering Trisha’s ears. What can I expect from him? He favors Trisha more than I am. What’s so different between me and her?
I heard my mother’s sigh of frustration. “We already warned you not to enter into a relationship. You did not take our warning. And now look, you got hurt and even inflicted injuries on your sister. You also made mistakes, Emiliana. Can’t you forgive her? She’s just a child,” mother said, her voice toned down and pleading as she said those words about me forgiving Trisha.
And a child? Is she out of her mind? Trisha’s just a year younger than me! And what do they take me? An adult like them. I get it that I am the eldest, but I am also working to understand how everything works.
Yes, I also made mistakes. Mistakes that I needed to learn so I won’t repeat them again. But once in my life, I never made a mistake on coveting someone else’s boyfriend and fuck him. Not like what my dear good younger sister did.
“If you forgive her Emiliana, we will forget this incident tonight,” it was my father who spoke this time.
I let the warm water roll down from my eyes down to my cheeks as realization hit me. “Am I rea-really nothing to the both of you? M-mother? Father?” My voice broke as I watched them while crying my heart out. “I k-know she’s your favorite but…I-I am also your d-daughter!”
Why can't you treat us equally?
Emiliana My eyes never left them as I waited for their response. My heart sank when all I got was silence from my mom, and dad… he averted his gaze back at Trisha. Well, I guess this is my answer. They just proved to me that I am nothing to them. Maybe they never think of me as their daughter, but an expense and disposable asset when they have the chance to do so. I turned my back on them. I don’t care anymore if they view me as an ungrateful daughter. I know in myself that I have been a good daughter. I was always a good daughter. I always make sure to follow what they want. I didn’t get myself in trouble while growing up because I didn’t want them to worry. As I walked out of our house, my tears started making my sight blurry that I couldn’t help but halt my steps. I harshly wiped the tears in my eyes. “Let me send you back to the condo,” I hear Sebastian whisper to me. I felt his hands on my arms, guiding me back to the car. They didn’t even follow me out or yell for my nam
Emiliana Five years later~ “Over here! Look over here, Miss Vergara!” I smiled while posing for the camera and the never-ending flashes continued. Today is the launch of my cousin’s new business. And as the chosen muse of his company, I have no choice but to attend the after-party. If only I had a choice not to come, I’d be inside my study room and probably buried in a ton of blueprints. Once I felt that they had enough photos of me, I walked towards the entrance of the hotel where the party was being held. As soon as I stepped inside, I could already see some of the guests coming towards my direction. I had the pleasure of conversing with some of the women whom I saw at the launch earlier. I was present at the launch, however I was hiding in my cousin’s office. “Miss Emiliana!” The minute I heard the familiar voice, I roamed my gaze around and it did not take me seconds to find her. I immediately excused myself from the guests and slipped my way towards the woman dressed in
Nicholas “Are you going to Mr. Ambrosia’ new business launching tomorrow?” Scott inquire for the third time. Followed by a cuss after losing his game on his phone. And for the third time, again, I didn’t bother to give a response to him. I am too preoccupied with the pile of documents stacked on my office table. I did not plan on staying at my office for too long, but after seeing how my secretary was stacking these documents earlier, I quickly change my mind and now it’s already gloaming outside. “I heard Mr. Giordano will be attending. Aren’t you planning on expanding your hotel and restaurant in Venice?” I heard him speak again, from my peripheral view, I could see him typing something on his phone. What Scott informed caught my attention. I did not know that he will be present at the launch. Or maybe I was just too lax to inform my secretary to get me the list of attendees for the launch. And indeed, I was planning on expanding the business but because I don’t have anyone w
Nicholas The after-party was organized in a more grandeur style than the launching event. There were even more guests in attendance than earlier. I could sense that Valentino must have organize this set up to attract more connections. A sea of paparazzies also appeared outside. I was glad that I came earlier than them. They were not able to take at least a photo of me. That’s the last thing I want to happen tonight. Scott messaged me earlier that he won't be able to attend the after-party as Melanie was already throwing tantrums. The woman was already drunk from the champagne she had at the launching event. Scott also did not forget to remind me of why I attended the launch event and after-party. I know. I came here because of Mr. Giordano, but my plan on meeting him is not as important as seeing her again. I can still meet Mr. Giordano by scheduling an appointment with him. Right now, as I am seated on my table... alone. My eyes never left the entrance of the hotel. Valentino s
Emiliana I started my day stuck in a phone call with Maximillian. She’s already in the office and she wanted to let me know that my office phone is getting so much calls. Its ring after ring. Because of the party last night, I had a hunch that people might have known who I am, not just Valentino’s cousin and the face of his modeling agency but as one of his trusted intern architects. Though I am still an intern—well it was my choice in the first place to not leave the position as an intern—Valentino and Team A which was headed by Mr. Williams were kind enough to let me help in some big projects. And I always make sure not to leave my full name on the credited architects. Valentino said an initial will suffice. “Mr. Takashima wants an appointment with you, Miss Vergara.” Informed Maximillian in a polite tone. “Does he want an appointment today?” I inquired. Putting the call on speaker, I laid my phone down on the side table. I listened to her as she filled me in while I brought my
As we headed out from my office, I could feel my teammates gawking at us. I even saw Tania giving me a thumbs up when I turned to her direction.She was clearly enjoying this scene I’m serving her.But there’s no harm in letting them enjoy as this would never have a second chance. I know men enough to not trust them anymore.Once they show interest in you, they will do everything to get your attention. And when they had enough of you, they’d treat you coldly. They would start hiding secrets, and even worse, cheat on you.But I wonder if Nicholas is different from them. I look up at the man who’s walking beside me. Lost in my own thoughts as I watch his blissful expression.Will he also get tired of me if I won’t let my walls break? Like the other men who wanted to date me. They had given up the second day when I turned down their invitations.I wonder if he would last a month or two. Or even longer than that.“Miss Vergara!” I snapped back from my thoughts when I heard Mr. Williams vo
Emiliana“Mr. Williams will be the one who will accompany you to Barcelona, Spain.” I explained to the man over the phone call.I played with my pen while attentively listening to him speaking, “are you not coming over? Wouldn’t it be better if you also participate in facilitating the construction of the living area? You mostly did the design for it.”I let go of the pen and swirl my chair before I stood up and walked over to the glass window. “Mr. Williams knows what to do. He’s more suitable to be at the site than an intern like me. He is much more informative than me, Mr. Zevallos. With Mr. Williams there, I am confident that he can provide a more detailed information’s to the contractors we’ve partnered with for this project.” I convinced him, professionally and patiently as I could ever be.It’s been a week and four days since my unexpected love confession from Mr. Zevallos. After the man left, Nicholas and I simply had our lunch and afterwards he brought me back to the office.
NicholasAfter Emiliana left me for her pasta, I turned my back and leaned at the bathroom’s door. I watched my future-wife as she enjoys the pre-heated pasta in front of her.She was already beautiful with make up on that I fell in love all over again when I saw her at that after-party, but now, I felt my breath being taken away when I saw her bare face earlier.She’s hiding her natural beauty behind those cosmetics. And staring at her right now, makes me want to fall in love with her all over again. In every second; every minute; every single hour, every day and night, and for the rest of our lives.I saw Emiliana turned her gaze towards me. With one brow up, she watched me puzzled. “Aren’t you not going to eat?”“I’m already full after seeing your beautiful face.” I answered with full honesty, but the woman only rolled her eyes up. And seeing her do that lit a fire within me.“Don’t roll those eyes on me right now, Emiliana. I want them to roll when your pinned down beneath me…on b