Chapter 2

Five months earlier…

The earliest memory Kaliya remembered was her mother’s warm smile. She knew she lived by the beach because she has memories of waking up and hearing the sounds of waves along with the chopping sounds that came from the kitchen.

Little Kaliya would then get down from the bed by herself and run towards the kitchen, where her mother is preparing breakfast. Her mother would scold her, saying running inside the house would make her stumble or fall.

The next memory of her mother was seeing her in a coffin. The kind lady next door was carrying little Kaliya in her arms, shedding tears while mumbling ‘you’re gonna be fine, dear, it’s all gonna be fine.’

Kaliya was too young to understand what’s going on. Why was her mom sleeping? When is she going to wake up?

The memories of the five year old Kaliya resurfaced as she stood by the white coffin. Her grandmother lay inside it. Even in death, the past household mistress of the Reyes family still looked elegant.

“Get some rest, Kaliya. Some people will soon be here,” her stepmother, Fiona Reyes, said quietly as she went near her. “I know you don’t like socializing so go on.”

If a person hears it, they will probably think that the two have a good relationship. But Kaliya knew the hidden meaning behind those words. Go to your room and hide until the guests leave. ‘They won’t like an illegitimate child like you.’ As the guests are not just ordinary people, she has to stay quiet and not cause trouble. She can’t help but grin inwardly. Someone died and her stepmother only thinks of socializing.

“Yes, mother,” she answered and turned to leave. She caught sight of her father talking with some known figure in the business world. Somehow, it didn’t even feel like someone died.

Instead of going to her room, she headed to the balcony in the east wing, away from the crowd. The mansion was still the same, even after all of those years.

She arrived in the east wing and turned to the left when she bumped into someone.

“I’m sorry,” she immediately apologized. There’s nothing nice to bump someone she doesn’t know. Much more if they are someone known in the business world.

“It’s okay.”

“I’m sorry.” Apologizing again, she hurried past him.

A young man watched Kaliya’s back as she scurry in a panic. The odd and familiar sensation of being with her made some of his memories resurface from the back of his head. He continued walking towards the hall where everybody was gathered.

“Ah, Caleb,” someone called him. “Hurry over.”

He walked towards his father with unhurried steps.

"My, he has your looks, Mr. Cruz."

Henry Cruz, Caleb's father smiled after he heard Fiona Reyes’ comment.. "I often hear that."

Henry then introduced Caleb to her.

"This is Caleb, my son. Caleb, she is your Uncle Francis' wife."

Caleb greeted her with a simple handshake.

"You have your mother's eyes."

Caleb hid his annoyance and smiled. "Yes, ma'am. Although, hers is lighter."

Fiona Reyes laughed, masking her embarrassment. "How old are you this year, Caleb?"

"I'm 28, ma'am."

"Oh, so two years older than my daughter. Do you know her? She's the successor of the company."

"I do, ma'am. We have a few interactions as well."

"Oh, that's good," Fiona clapped. "Amanda's over there talking with the investors. You should have a chat with her too."

A maid came and intervened, making Fiona frown in annoyance. However, after hearing what the servant said, she suddenly excused herself.

"I hope you are having a good time, Caleb," his father leaned to say those words and left to find his wife.

Caleb then turned to the direction where he bumped into a woman. A strange emotion rose in his chest.

The day of the funeral, dark clouds covered the sky, attempting to rain anytime soon.

Some close relatives were up in front of the grave; Kaliya chose to distance herself from them.

A priest was busy saying a speech, talking about heaven and death. A couple of journalists and reporters came.

"Kaliya, we should be in front."

A figure suddenly appeared beside her. Her half-sister, Amanda Reyes, who came late because of her work, was wearing her usual work clothes.

"I'm fine here," Kaliya said as she forced a smile.

Amanda gave her a small glare and grabbed her arm, dragging her towards the place where their parents were standing.

"Amanda," their mother hissed. "How could you not change into a more formal dress?"

"I'm sorry, Mom. Should I have canceled the meeting then?"

Their mother gritted her teeth, then turned to Kaliya with a fierce gaze. "Where were you? Do you know that you should have been here earlier?"

Finding nothing to say, Kaliya replied, "I'm sorry."

She then heard a snicker at the side and saw her cousin Melody grinning ear to ear.

The ceremony finally ended and it was time to bury the coffin. The family was required to see the dead one last moment before it was to be buried. Kaliya then picked up a white rose and put it on the glass, looking at her dead grandmother who seemed to be sleeping peacefully rather than being dead. The flowers were nearly covering the coffin.

"Goodbye, grandmother."

Other close relatives then took their turn.

As the coffin was being lowered to the grave, some wailed loudly and some just stood there.

Her father looked rigid, as if he was frozen. Her Aunty Rose was crying silently and her Uncle Theodore looked like he was preventing to be fine.

Her stepmother wiped her tears which she knew was fake and beside her, Amanda had an indifferent look, blankly staring at the coffin.

When it's time to go home, her sister excused herself. Remembering the suffocating ride she had with her parents earlier, she excused herself too, reasoning that she will meet up with a friend.

"Why don't Amanda take you there?" their father asked. "Amanda, would you mind?"

"I don't."

"Then, Kaliya, go with your sister."

"Yes, father."

She followed Amanda on her way to her car.

"Sit on the backseat," Amanda said as she climbed into the front. Her secretary greeted Kaliya with a simple nod in the driver's seat.

"Aaron, straight to the company. Where are you headed, Kaliya?"

"Drop me there. I'll manage."

With that, the car started to move. As Kaliya was busy gazing outside, Amanda would talk with Aaron about the company. Even if Amanda was just a successor, she stood up as the company's representative if their father wasn't there.

'At least, she got Father's attitude.'

It would be worse if it wasn't.

"I didn't know you had friends."

Kaliya was speechless for a while, doubting whether Amanda was talking to her or not.

"You're smart enough to lie to Mom that you have friends."

"Why do you care? They don't even care if I have one or not."

"But Mom will probably investigate whether what you said is real. You should stay low, Kaliya."

Staying low was always what Kaliya did. It was kind of suffocating too.

"Don't worry. I'm not a fool."

"Are you going back overseas?" Amanda asked her.

"I’m going back since I left abruptly but, Father told me to stay and help you in the company."

"Is that so? How about acting?"

Kaliya unknowingly clenched her hands into a fist. "I'm planning on quitting."

"I see."

The conversation ended after that and did not continue.

Before getting out of the car, Amanda called out to her. "Mom said she wants to talk with you at the weekend. Cancel your plans and just go."

She was planning on going back overseas this Saturday to clean up things since her grandmother's death was sudden and she just went home after spending five full years abroad. It was a mess.

Given a command she can't say no, she answered. "Yes."

The weekend came pretty quick, much to Kaliya's dismay. Today, her stepmother was waiting for her at the Reyes mansion. Her parents moved since her father officially is now the head of their household. Neither of his siblings disagreed with that.

She stepped out of the car and walked to the mansion. The scent of flowers wafted to her nose as she passed the garden. An employee of the house greeted her and told to follow her. She was new. Kaliya didn't recognize her face.

"Where are we going?" she asked when she realized that they were going to a familiar direction.

"The Madam is at the pavilion."

The pavilion was located at the east side of the estate. There, her grandmother would relax and drink tea. Sometimes, she would invite some of her acquaintances and chat there.

On her way there, she encountered two men that were led by another employee. The fact that they came from the pavilion means that they were guests of her stepmother.

"Oh," the taller one stopped and grinned. "It seems that the second daughter of the family finally arrived."

Normally, if Kaliya encountered someone cocky, she definitely would avoid them. Yet for someone she recognized as an acquaintance of her parents, she needed to grit her teeth hard and endure being with them.

"Jonas Lopez, it's nice seeing you."

Jonas is the third son of one of the investors of the Reyes Company. Rumors had it that the Lopez family is involved in a mining business but that news suddenly died so it hadn't become a hot topic.

She extended a hand. "Likewise," Jonas replied as he shook hands with her.

"I apologize but my Mother called me so I had to hurry and go to her.

"No worries," he said as his grin grew deeper. "I will have a lot of conversations with you in the near future."

"Pardon?"

He leaned closer and studied her face. "As a half, you aren't bad."

"..."

"You have a decent face, at least. Tho, not as pretty as my type. I think you're prettier than Amanda. She always frowns so I got the impression that she's the one who nags a lot."

"What are you saying?" Kaliya pulled her hand back. The situation was hard for her to follow.

Jonas. She heard that he was annoying and seeing him in person confirms all of that.

Jonas followed her in his gaze as she stepped back and distanced herself.

"I like you. You are not like every girl out there. Feisty, but not that feisty. You are the type that just blends in your surroundings. That's why I like quiet women. Amanda's too much for me to handle."

"Excuse me," she finally stopped him. "I don't think that I personally know each other to be this close. You are crossing the line."

He laughed, seemingly amused. "Oh, sweetie. You don't know yet, do you?"

"Know what?" She glared at him.

"That you and I are potential marriage partners. What's more? Maybe our engagement will be held in a month or so."

He smoothened his ruffled sleeve and stood straight.

"Now, I will excuse myself and leave."

Kaliya was left alone with the employee. She felt her anger soaring.

Me? Marriage? How come I don't know this?

"I can go to the pavilion myself," she announced to the employee and walked hurriedly to the pavilion. But after walking for some time, she realized that it was useless to succumb to anger and kept her head cool. With slow, unhurried steps, she arrived at the pavilion.

Her stepmother smiled as soon as she saw her. "Have you met Jonas?"

Kaliya purposely ignored her mother's statement.

"Why did you call me?"

"Have a seat, Kaliya."

"If it's something unimportant then I'm leaving."

"Have a seat first, my daughter."

Forced to sit down, she gave a small glare towards her stepmother.

"Are you going back overseas?"

"My belongings are still there. There's a lot left behind that aren't organized yet."

"Have you discussed with your Father your plans?"

"He said that I should help my sister handle the company here," Kaliya said as she took a sip of the tea that was poured for her.

"Good. And quit acting. Being an actress won't help the family. Instead, you'll just drag down your family name and get involved with scandals and rumors."

Kaliya remained quiet as she let her stepmother lead the conversation.

"Do you know the Lopez family? They have multiple businesses overseas and one of the investors of your Father's company."

Kaliya stiffened as she guessed where the conversation was going.

"So a partnership can be made between us and the Lopez―"

"Do you mean marriage?"

Her stepmother smiled sweetly. "The first son is married and so is the second. You must have seen Jonas earlier. He is the third son."

"I'm aware. But I don't think that Mother would organize such a sacred thing all by herself. Are you disregarding my opinion?"

Kaliya gripped her hands under the table. The thought of marrying someone she doesn't even know is exhausting. They didn't even bother to tell her until now.

"Kaliya, you understand Mother, right? Me and your Father can't bear the thought of you marrying just anyone. That's why we interfered."

"Father knew this?" she asked in disbelief.

"Of course. He even agreed in the first place. Now that you know, it would be better if you and Jonas meet often. Get to know each other. The Lopez approved, so the engagement ceremony will be in three months."

After a moment of silence, she drank her tea in one gulp and stood up.

"If that's all, I will take my leave."

Her stepmother smiled. "Why don't you stay longer? You only come during your vacations and it was hard to see you. Surely, you missed being here, didn't you?"

She left without a word.

The Reyes mansion once was a warm place for her, but not anymore. On her way back, she quickened her pace as if fleeing. And looking at the seemingly distant mansion last time, she left.