Prologue

This a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, events and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

—

Birds that can fly freely, dogs that can run around freely, fishes that can swim around freely, those are the animals that are free to do what they want--and those are one of the things that He created.

How I wish I'm one of those animals that are free because all my life, I've been prisoned on a four dark walls of my room--and on my dark world.

Everyone left me...

After they got what they wanted from me, they left. I wanna run as fast as I can just to stay away from those people who always pull me down.

I'm just alone. I only have myself. I talk to myself not because I have no one to talk to, but because I only trust me. I'm tired of getting hurt, I'm tired of being left behind. I just wanna be good enough for someone to stay no matter what. People hate me because I distanced myself from them. They'll always mention staying by my side, not leaving me, will be there when I need et cetera yet, they left. That's why I stopped believing to the love and care of people towards me because no one stayed as how they promised.

I wish I was better, I wish I was more social, I wish I could make friends without worrying or crying 'bout it. Maybe... maybe I was born to be alone.

"Kae, start na ng photoshoot,"

I looked at him. Gana was preparing for the camera. Mas malambot pa ang galaw niya kesa sa akin dahil bakla siya. "Kaloka! Late na ako nagising. Sorry, dear." He looked at me for a seconds, still preparing the camera.

"It's okay," tipid na sagot ko.

Hindi ko alam kung inaabuso lang ba nila 'yung ugali ko o nang-aasar lang sila. Sinabi nilang 7 am ang photoshoot pero 9 am sila dumating. Sila yata ang artista, e.

"Are you ready, Kae?" Brylle walked towards me, holding a bouquet of red roses. Yeah, courting again.

I just nodded and smiled. He gave me the roses as he finally came closer to me. "What is this for?" I asked, without emotion. I just looked at it. Nakakapagod makipag-interact sa mga ganitong tao. Brylle was known as a playboy. I'd rather stay single than to be with a playboy like him.

"I'm your suitor, Kae. Did you forget?" he smirked and sat beside me.

"I did not say yes. Stop courting me." I said as I stood up. I was about to walk but I stopped when he suddenly grabbed my wrist. Napatingin ako sa kamay niya pagkatapos sa kanya. "Bitawan mo 'ko,”  matigas kong sabi.

"C'mon, Kae. I know you like me. Everyone likes me. Stop pretending. Just say ye--"

"I'm not pretending, Brylle. I don't like you. Kailangan bang isampal ko pa sa 'yo 'yang katotohanan?" Binawi ko ang kamay ko at hindi na siya hinintay na magsalita dahil uumpisahan ko na ang photoshoot.

I was wearing a silver sleeveless fitted Dolce Gabbana dress and 7 inches transparent heels. My hair was just straight and it was dancing as I moved. Seryoso kong tiningnan ang mga tao sa harapan ko. Alam kong hindi nila ako gusto.

Ayoko mang sabihin pero marami akong kagalit na artista. Halos lahat yata ng artistang babae ay galit sa akin at alam ko ang dahilan. Because I was always a star. Wala namang dapat ika-inggit sa 'kin dahil popular naman sila. Sadyang makitid lang ang utak nila.

The photoshoot started. Mabilis din 'yon natapos at uuwi na sana ako pero nilapitan ako ni Ariana, she was my bestfriend but now, she's just only my co-artist. She faked her smile. "Do you wanna join? Yeah know, party," she then winked so I seriously looked at her.

"Thank you but I don't like parties." I said and started to walk.

"Mikaela!" she shouted and grabbed my arm.

"What?" I asked,  irritated.

"Hot headed? Come on!" she faked her smile again. Binawi ko ang braso ko.

"Stop acting like we're close, Ariana. Siniraan mo ako noon 'di ba?" I said emphatically and went out. Pagdating ko sa kotse ko ay pinagmasdan ko ang mukha ko sa salamin.

I shook my head. I felt kinda guilty for what I've told her. I shouldn't have said that because the issue was already done. Why did I suddenly bring up the past? Goodness, Kae. She used to be your bestfriend!

I shook my head for the second time as I started the engine. Tahimik na bahay ang bumungad sa akin pag-uwi ko. I threw myself on my bed and looked at the ceiling. Nakakabingi ang katahimikan...

Napatingin ako sa cellphone ko nang mag ring 'yon. Tiningnan ko kung sino ang tumatawag pero hinayaan ko lang na mag ring 'yon dahil hindi ko gusto ang tumatawag.

It was my Dad.

He cheated on my Mom that's why she died. Sa tuwing tumatawag siya sa akin ay naalala ko lang ang nangyari kay Mommy. I turned my phone off.

Napatayo ako nang tumunog ang doorbell. My house is a mansion but I'm just alone. Kahit katulong ay wala. Pinagmasdan ko siya at hindi na binuksan ang malaking gate.

"What are you doing here?" I asked her.

She smiled sweetly. "Let me in, siste--"

"I'm not your sister, Princess." I said. Hindi ako galit sa kanya, sadyang ayaw ko lang sa half-sister ko.

"I'm your sister, Kae." Nakangiting sabi niya.

Hindi ko siya matanggap dahil bunga siya ng panloloko ni Dad kay Mom. Damn cheaters.

"I'm asking you. What are you doing here?" tanong ko gamit ang matigas na ingles.

"Duh. If Dad didn't ask me to be with you, I wouldn't be here. Let me in." Napaatras ako nang siya na ang nagbukas ng gate at pumasok.

I immediately closed the gate and followed her. Ano ba kasing ginagawa niya rito? Wala naman kaming pakialam sa isa't-isa kaya bakit niya sinunod ang Daddy niya? Baka manghihing na naman siya ng pera.

"Princess, get out." I calmly said.

"Ang arte mo naman, Mikaela. Dad's company is sinking, he needs your help. Don't tell me hindi mo siya tutulungan? Wala ka nang utang na loob sa pagpapalaki sa 'yo." She said while getting my wine in the glass cabinet.

As if pinalaki ako.

"I'll help him. Now, get out." Mabilis kong sagot kaya tumingin siya sa akin pagkatapos uminom ng wine. She smirked.

"Give me your cheque, Kae." Pumalad siya kaya tumingin ako roon.

"I will give it to Dad myself. Now, get out." Kinuha ko ang wine sa kanya kaya pinagtaasan niya ako ng isang kilay.

"You brat--"

"Princess, I don't want us to fight. Just leave my house, please. I will help your Dad." Kinalma ko ang boses ko.

"Gaga. Kaya nga ibigay mo na sa akin 'yung cheque." Inis na sabi niya kaya napabuntong-hininga ako.

Fine. Palagi naman siya ang nananalo.

I went to my room and took my handbag. Kumuha ako ng cheque at nilapitan siya. "How much?" tanong ko para makaalis na siya.

"Ten million, Mikaela."

I quickly wrote ten million and signed the cheque. Nakangiti niyang kinuha 'yon sa akin at bumulong sa tainga ko.

"Very good, Kae." I felt her lips on my cheeks. She kissed me.

Tumalikod na siya at kusang lumabas. Napabuntong hininga ako.