Chapter 2

"Tapos mo na ba yung pinapagawa ko sayo, Rielle?" Mother ask, we are currently having our breakfast now, I, together with my father, mother and kuya Ry. I swallowed the food and wipe my mouth first before I talk. 

"Malapit ko na po sya matapos, maybe by the end of the week I can show it to you, M-mom" I replied. Mother is asking me to complete the financial report of her business in Makati, she have her own business there and she ask me to work for her in the mean time, I want to object because I'd want to work with my kuya in the firm, but who am I to disobey them? 

"You really is slow, I already said to you yesterday that do it as soon as possible." She said. Kakasabi nya lang kase noon sakin kagabi bago kami pumunta sa gatherings kila Tita Alona. And she expect me to show it to her now? Do I look like a robot to her? 

"I'll try to work for it later, maybe I can present it to you before day ends,... or tomorrow." I uttered. Maybe I should focus on it later, gusto ko pa naman bumisita sa firm sana ngayong araw, kuya Ry and Father is a well known engineer in the country, kuya Ry graduates architecture too that's why I want to work with him, but my father said I should take business other than that, for me to help my mother, and I don't have a choice but to follow him. 

"Make sure to do it, I want it tomorrow morning. Don't be lazy, you're not a princess here" She said and continue eating. I heard kuya Ry sigh just beside me. I saw him glance at me in my peripheral vision, I know what he is thinking now. 

"Okay, Mom." I replied. Pilit Kong nilulunok ang pagkain na nasa aking harapan kahit na gustong gusto ko na talaga umalis sa hapag. I feel so suffocated when I'm with them, I feel like when I am with them, I always received a hurtful words from their mouth. Sometimes I wished, lagi kaming nasa labas with other people around us, because in that way, they are acting like a very soft and good parents to me, na hindi nangyayare sa totoong buhay. 

We continue to eat our breakfast and sometimes father and Kuya Ry will talk about their business, until father said a words that shock my entire system, I know this day would come, but I didn't expect it to be this early. 

"By the way, I want to have H&k estate to be one of my business partner, I propose to Mr. Weinstein that I'll make my daughter marry his heir for the sake of our business collaboration." Father said. I know when this is going. Narinig ko ang marahas pagbagsak ng kubyertos ni Kuya Ry sa kanyang pinggan. My hold in my spoon tighten as I heard what Father said. Parang binenta nya ako para sa kapakanan ng kanyang kompanya. 

"What?! Dad, what the hell?!" Kuya Ry exclaimed. I want to have a reaction like him, but I don't have any permission to do that. Father look at my brother confused. 

"Why Ryan? It's a good opportunity to us, don't you think?" Father replied. Ofcourse he would do anything for his beloved company. 

"And that is to let Asher marry a stranger?" He asked, I saw how his jaw clench and how he fist his hand. I really appreciate how my brother cared for me. 

"Why? Asher will be in good state when he marry the son of Mr. Weinstein. And besides, para naman may pakinabang sya para sa kompanya natin." Father said and have a side glance at me. They are talking like I'm not with them. 

'para naman may pakinabang sya' those words. Am I that worthless for this family? For as long as I know, lahat ng gusto nilang ipagawa sakin ay ginagawa ko kahit pa nga labag ito sa kalooban ko, para patunayan sa kanila na hindi ako walang pakinabang gaya ng sinasabi nila. Pero ano nga ba naman ako sa pamilyang ito, hindi ba? 

"But—" kuya Ry was cut off by our father. 

"Don't bother to say anything. That won't change a thing." He said then look at my direction. I put down my utensils and sip in my glass of fruit juice. 

"You'll marry Khiel Weinstein, weather you'll like it or not." Father said with finality. 

"Yes, I understand." I uttered like I'm a puppet that being controlled by a puppeteer. 

"Don't worry, dear Asher. You're lucky with that man, imagine, you can act like a princess with him. Just wished that he will be contended with you." Mother said with a hint of sarcasm in her voice. Maybe they want me gone in this house that's why they really pushing me to marry now. And based in her last statement, I have a feeling what is my soon-to-be husband will be. 

I didn't answer after mother spoke. I can still feel the tension in my brother's presence after that talk. And a few minutes later father rose up from his seat and leave the table together with my mother. 

Para akong nakahinga ng maluwag ng makitang nakalayo na sila sakin. Pinakawalan ko ang buntong hininga na kanina ko pa pinipigilan. I drunk the fruit juice straight to calm my heart who is now beating so badly. I also heard kuya Ry sigh in stressed before he spoke. 

"I'm sorry." He said. I looked at him when he said that. He don't need to say that, it's not his fault in the first place. And I know this is my fate. 

"Hey, don't be sorry. It's not your fault." I replied and give a sweet smile. I don't want him to see what my true feelings is, I know he will feel more guilty. 

"I'll try to do something about it, I know you don't want that to do." He said in a desperate voice. I want to tear up when he said that, as long as I want him to do something for me, I also knew father's decision will not change, especially with the fact that we are talking about his firm. 

"No, it's okay. I'm ready for this, anyway. And don't worry about me, I'll be fine." I assured him. I can still see worry in his face eyes but he still nod at me. 

"Basta magsabi ka lang sakin lagi,hmm?" He said and I nod at him. He sigh again, alam nya rin kasi na wala na kaming magagawa pa ukol doon. 

Then suddenly his phone rang. 

"I'm sorry, I need to go now. I have a meeting conference this morning." He said when he saw who is calling on his phone. 

"Yeah, sure." I replied. He stand up from his seat and I do the same. 

"Maybe, I can't come to the firm this day, kailangan ko pa na asikasuhin ang pinapagawa sakin ni mom. I'll come some other day. " I stated, baka kase maghintay sya sakin na bumisita mamaya kasi napagkasunduan na namin iyon. 

"No problem, just come when you have time, you're welcome there. " He said. He messed my hair first that make me groaned but Iaugh in the end. 

"Take care." He said before leaving me alone. Bumuntong hininga muna ako bago nag pasya na pumunta muna sa kwarto ko para kunin ang gamit bago ako tumulak sa Makati. Bago ako umalis ay pinilit Kong alisin muna sa aking isipan ang balitang narinig kanina, but I can't remove to my mind the name of that man. 

Khiel Weinstein.....