CHAPTER TWO

“So how was school, hija?” (“Hija” in Filipino is a word that older people use to address younger girls) My dad asked as we gather at the dining table. It’s lunchtime and my family decided to gather when they heard Navia getting back. People in here are my Auntie who really favours Navia and Mommy’s sister, my grandmother and my father. The rest of the family that is not here are either dead or they just don’t care. My mom is not dead but she’s also not alive. She’s in a coma for three years now when she experienced a heart attack. She’s brain dead and the doctor said it’ll be a miracle if she would one day wake up. Of course, everyone love my mom so they always hoped for the best outcome for her.

“It was fun dad. How about Freya?” She smiled sweetly. Her face was one of her advantages, even if I knew her true personality she can just get through the needle hole with that angelic face of her.

I secretly gritted my teeth. She knows that I didn’t go to college after dropping out of high school yet she still dares to ask that?

Yet a part of me is angry at myself. It would be better if I was not that blind from falling in love with June and decided to continue studying. Part of it is my fault so I can’t really blame her.

“You know she’s a dropped out.” My auntie rolled her eyes as she fans herself from her fancy pamaypay. (“Pamaypay” is one of the local hand fans made by the Filipino.) I know my Auntie from the start, she dislikes me ever since I dropped out of high school. She loathes a person who catches feelings first rather than catching dreams so they could sustain themselves. I don’t hate nor dislike my auntie because her reason of disliking me is valid and I’m planning to change that.

“I thought we talked about this?” My father groaned in annoyance.

“Oh, I’m sorry father, that was insensitive to ask.” She took a glance in my way and looked at dad again, “But isn’t it concerning if the successor of the family is a dropout?” she asked sarcastically that I almost threw my fork at her. Still, I can’t help but agree with her statement. If I was in my old self, that wouldn’t hurt my feelings at all but right now that I’m aware of her evil intentions, it makes me want to gag. Before, I thought she was just concerned for me and the family. I was so dumb that it made me numb to insults.

“Father..” I sniffed. “I’m sorry if I can’t reach your expectations.” I fakingly cried. I won’t just stand by and watch her run her mouth insulting my well-being.

“Wh-what are you saying?” My father ushered me quickly. I wiped the tears on my cheeks that I forced to come out, “I’m a useless daughter.” I sobbed. I can see in my peripheral vision that Navia was surprised at my reactions. The sister who always idolized her and looked up to her is now crying. My past self was so dumb that I said ‘Let sister Navia run as the next successor.’ No way in hell that I would give this position to someone evil as her.

“Look what you’ve done Navia!” my grandmother exclaimed but I didn’t hear her answer. That’s right. Isn’t this the game you wanted to play in the first place? I’ll make sure to be the one laughing at the end while you suffer.

“Shh calm down. You’re not useless okay? I’m here to guide you and I’ll even find you a very excellent tutor so you can flourish flawlessly in handling our business,” my dad reassured me. I just nod while I continued acting pitiful. I heard Navia tsked and it made me secretly smile.

Maybe Navia forgot this, but almost all of the people in this household is on my side. I just need to play my cards right. Study my ass off, know more about what she’s planning and find out her weakness. I need to know the reason why she’s doing this to me. As far as what I’ve recalled in my memories, I and Navia never got into a fight when we’re kids. Like we always play together and do other stuff together. Where did it go wrong for her to hate me like this?

“Such a crybaby,” my auntie mumbled but I just ignored her. I know how to win her favour, starting from now on I’ll be doing my best to achieve the best version of myself and surpass this so-called intelligence of Navia. My old self was never fond of studying and is more focused on my relationship with June.

Speaking of June after dropping us off in our mansion he said he had an emergency at his house so he can’t join us for lunch. It’s okay and it doesn’t bother me at all. I have no plan on breaking up with June until I found out what Navia wants from him. June is clearly smitten by my sister.

The food arrived and I calmed down. I’ll start organizing my plan after a good meal.

My family is not one of the wealthiest in the world but that doesn’t mean we’re not living a lavish life. We can have everything we want.

Our house is large and very medieval themed. The glowing chandelier, the long big tables, hundreds of maids and bodyguards and wide hacienda. (“hacienda” in Philippines means ‘wide land’ mostly it has crops and other plants that can be harvested.) It means we’re rich.

Throughout the meal, my auntie and Navia was the only one exchanging questions with each other. Surprisingly she didn’t say any indirect harsh or insults to me.

My phone buzzed after the meal I had. I am in my room right now, laying in my bed. Thinking about what I should do next. I fished my phone out of my pocket dress and saw a text from June. He’s just asking what happened. I know this. It may look like he’s concerned about me but for sure he’s asking so he could know more about Navia. I didn’t realize his before because I’m stupid.

I need to get along with Navia’s tactics while moving secretly to find what she really wants and why she wants to ruin me. Changing some major events will lead to an unpredictable future and I might endanger my life even more. So the plan is to play as the same dumb, naïve and clumsy sister whose lovesick with her boyfriend from head to toe while planning how to stop her evil plans towards me or even towards my family.

But how? What should I do first?                                     

I closed my phone without replying to June and rolled over my bed. Brainstorming on what should be my first step. Sure I have the outline on what to do, but how do I do the other things under the major plans I have on my head?

“Argh.” I abruptly sat up in my bed. I can’t think of anything. Am I this dumb? My head feels empty. I can’t even plan something properly.

Hmm...

To plan something smart, I need to be ‘smart’ and have knowledge which clearly are the things I’m lacking.

“Ah!” I remembered what dad said earlier. So I fetched my phone again and texted him since he left the house after his secretary called him for a meeting. My dad is busy but he always prioritizes his family over work. This is what makes him the best dad. Subjectively speaking only.

I asked dad for a tutor and told him to keep this a secret from the whole family over the text. Of course, he was confused but I just reasoned out that I want to surprise the other members. That was half true though. Dad sent me a reply to come to the company for more details and so I did. I changed to formal clothes and called one of my personal bodyguards to assist me. If I want to learn, I need to use all the help a person can give me.

When I came down to the living room, I saw Navia watching TV. She noticed my presence and gave me a very stupendous look. If I was my old self I would still be blind by her expressions that says a lot about hating me.

“Where are you going?” she asked but I just shrugged. She looked at me like I was some kind of alien. I gave her an arrogant look but then I changed it immediately, I need to control my expression.

So I smiled sweetly at her. She blinked her eyes multiple times and rubbed them. Maybe she thought she was hallucinating. I’m thankful that even though my auntie calls her a genius, she still have stupid sides.

“I’m going to see June," I lied because if I told her the truth, she would get suspicious and ask me a lot of questions that I may be not able to dodge. Her confused expression was replaced with a smug look. She still thinks of me as a girl who is head over heels for her boyfriend. Though in my past, she was right.

“Oh then, ingat.” (“ingat” in Filipino means  ‘take care’) She flipped her shining red hair and went back to watching TV. I almost rolled my eyes in annoyance.

I just continued walking to the car that’s waiting outside and in front of the entrance of our mansion. The maids bowed as I pass them. Without hesitation and full of determination to change my fate from the horrible ending of my past, I got in the car. When the driver started the engine, I can’t help but look back at the big door that was opened. I saw Navia standing there, grinning like a maniac. I knew what she’ll do next time. She’ll hide one of my grandmother’s precious pieces of jewellery and indirectly accused me of robbery. The window of the car is very tinted outside so I was free to express whatever I want without her seeing it. I raised my middle finger and waved it. Sucker, I know what you’re planning. You might be smart, but I know the future.

The ride was pretty smooth but I completely forgot to bring my phone. Augh whatever. June is not the important thing right now since the only reason why I carry a phone is to contact him but now it’s meaningless. Honestly, it’s not like I completely healed from the past. Part of me does love June but what he did to me was like ripping my heart in two and eating it. Nothing was left. My feelings for him doesn’t matter to me anymore.

When I arrived at the company, everyone was greeting me happy since I rarely come here. My dad’s business is managing a hotel and a casino. We have different branches all over the world so it’s a big business. The staff insisted on helping me to get to my father but I just shook my head. From now on, I should also choose what help I should be getting. If it’s beneficial or just entirely stupid.

When the elevator opened, I quickly got in and it was about to close when two pairs of hands stopped it. Ouch, that must’ve hurt. The elevator door opened again and it revealed a man catching his breath. He’s wearing a tuxedo and glasses. He have very curly black hair and brown skin like the sun touched him every time like he was the favourite of the sun. He has this flawless and clear skin.

I looked away when his eyes met mine. Those are the lightest brown eyes I’ve ever seen. He looks like he’s a mix of the Black and Caucasian race, or not. I really don’t know. He might just be light skin but he’s very charming and handsome. He might be one of those heartthrob crushes you see in a high school film on Netflix. Also, he has a great body –

My thoughts were interrupted when the elevator opened. What the hell am I thinking? I’m so shameless having those thoughts!

“Miss?” Goosebumps. When I heard his voice, all the hair in my body stood up. His voice is deep but not that deep where you wonder if it came underground, it was just deeper than the usual but not deeper than normal..get it?

“Miss, aren't you getting off?”

“Ah, I’m sorry!” I blushed when I realize this is the top floor already. Before the door closes in I made a jump. Since he got out first, he was outside and I almost bumped my head to his chest. Damn, he’s tall and his body is well built.

I quickly shook my head in embarrassment. Seriously what is wrong with me today?

I excused myself and ran to my dad’s office. Come to think of it, he looks weirdly familiar. Did we somehow meet in the past or maybe this time? I can’t recall clearly.

When I opened the door of my dad’s office I saw him sitting comfortably in the couch where he talks to his visitors most of the time.

“Oh, you’re here.” My dad smiled.

“Hi, dad!”

“Hello, Mister Karlos.”

I almost choked on my own saliva when I heard a voice behind me. It was none other than the person I’m having weird thoughts with.

“Hello, Mister Gin.”

Gin!? Gin Whinston!? One of the famous bachelors in this town!? So that’s why he looks familiar. He’s famous among the younger girls because of how smart and handsome he is.

“Oh, by the way, this is my daughter, Freya Monleon, the one I talked to you about. Freya, this is Gin, your tutor.”

My inner self screamed WHAT!?