Chapter 2

Five years ago...

Staring at my reflection on the mirror, unconsciously, I smiled. I reached for the comb and gently combed the straight hair. 

The natural brown color of my hair complimented my brown almond eyes and fair complexion. It didn't make me look like my mother, though. She's tanned and has black eyes. That said, I inherited it from Dad. Based on the pictures I saw of him before, I think it's true. My father has a british blood. He's fair and has brown eyes, too.

After combing, I applied light lipstick to the lip. With my sky blue off shoulder dress, I was satisfied with my look for the night.

"Kaia, are you done?" Brenda shouted out of my room.

I would have said I was done but I stopped she entered without any notice. Her lips formed a little 'o' after looking at me from head to toe. I was shaken.

"Nice!"

"Stop me, Brenda," I scolded her once taking off my flat sandals there in the old cabinet.

"The prize is bigger now because the town's mayor is one of the judges. You're fine, huh?" He even tapped me on the shoulder. His smile widened even more. "The smooth skin! I'm jealous!" he giggled.

"I just really hope I win."

"How many contests have you won? Don't be nervous, girl! I know you're very talented! Don't worry, I'll cheer you up later!"

I smiled. We went out together. In the living room we found Mom. She also finished getting dressed. She always accompanies me whenever I participate in a contest. She was smiling when she saw me. Her black curly hair contradicted mine. I smiled back.

"Let's go," Mom said.

"Let's go!" Brenda laughed. He pulled me out. I was just drifting.

It's the annual festival of our town today. Leading the activities launched annually for the festival is the singing contest. Last year, I didn't participate because I was coughing and my voice was hoarse. Now is my chance to participate. Fortunately, I passed the elimination round that was held last week. I was nervous because I knew my opponents would throw something too. Some even came from other barangays.

When we arrived at the venue of the contest the other participants were already there. I went there in line. Lots of people and everyone looks excited. Who wouldn't be? It's the barangay's biggest singing contest of the year. And forty five thousand is the first prize. That's already big.

While waiting for the contest to start my cellphone beeped. When I saw a text from Livius I smiled.

Livius:

Has it started yet? We are close.

I typed a reply.

Me:

Coming soon. Where are you?

I frowned as I reread Livius's text. So he's not alone? Maybe with his friends? If anything, he was very close there with friends. I wouldn't be surprised if he brought some friends with him. It already happened a few times. I don't mind, though.

Livius:

I'll arrive soon :-)

Me:

Be careful driving.

Livius is one of my childhood friends. I was six when I first met him. That's what I remembered. We became close because Mama was a housemaid in their mansion then. Mom often took me there. Tita Almira didn't mind since she's fond of me. She doesn't have a daughter so she tells Mama to take me often.

Livius is just two years older than me so we immediately agreed. He's also jolly as a child. He treated me more than a friend, more like a sister he never had.

We bond together everytime I'm on their house. She is also close to Mama because she was her personal maid when she was young. He was the one who taught me how to play piano. But often, he plays the piano while I sing.

His family did nothing but to be nice to me and my mother. And to this day even though Mom no longer works with them, she still visits us. He did nothing but to be good to me, to us. He has also helped us many times. I was thankful for that. More than thankful, actually.

The crowd went wild when the first contestant was called. Smiling, a girl probably on my age went up on stage. She looked confident. I swallowed and looked at the eight other participants who would be my opponents. They looked confident, too. No matter how many times I dived into the contest I still couldn't help but be nervous.

When it's already my turn, Brenda's loud cheer was dominant. I smiled when I also saw our acquaintances and neighbors shouting my name. Mom just smiled at me. She was holding Brenda's arm while my cousin was busy shouting my name. With their warm support, my confidence boosted. I was determined to win this one. Money also helps us a lot in case I win. I can also pay half of the amount I borrowed from Livius.

I borrowed money from him when Mom was hospitalized last month. She was involved in a tricycle accident. We had nothing then so I covered my face to borrow money to pay. Livius offered to pay the bills. But I refused. He already helped us a lot of times. In the end, he just let me do what he wanted to happen.

The music started. I shared the sight with the audience. Where is Livius now? Did I think they were close?

"Share my life, take me for what I am. 'Cause I'll never change all my colors for you ..." The first lines of the song' I Have Nothing 'by the popular Whitney Houston made the crowd go wilder.

"THAT'S MY COUSIN!" Brenda shouted loudly.

I smiled. "Take my love, I'll never ask for too much. Just all that you are, and everything that you do ..."

Ever since I was a child, my passion was singing. I don't know where I got that talent, though. Mama doesn't sing. And according to him, my father wasn't a good singer, too.

"I don't really need to look, very much further ... I don't wanna have to go where you don't follow I will hold it back again ... This passion inside, can't run from myself. .. There's nowhere to hide ... "

I was almost deafened by the loud screams of the people. And the moment I started to utter the chorus part, I met a familiar dark eyes.

"Don't make me close one more door ... I don't wanna hurt anymore ... Stay in my arms, if you dare ... Or must I imagine you there ..."

Those eyes were cold, shouting in vigor and ruthlessness. I almost got choked when I realized who I was staring. He's one of Livius' friends.

Sage Mongreco.

I gulped. "Don't walk away from me ... I have nothing, nothing, nothing, if I don't have you ..."

Why did he go with Livius so often? He wasn't like that before. Plus he intimidates me. It's just, among them, he has this heavier and darker aura. Not that his friends seem nice and soft. But I don't know and I miss him too much. I don't like him. That's for sure. He's not my type of man. He's too serious and rough for my liking.

I continued to sing. From Sage, my eyes went to Livius. He's smiling while staring at me. Then he waved his hand. At the same time he shouted my name. They were also with Jonas who also shouted. As a result, few spectators turned to them. The group of girls who saw them giggled.

I only smiled a bit and continued singing. They can really attract girls' attention without even trying, huh?

They seem to have come straight here from school. It was obvious on their college uniforms. It also takes four hours to drive from Manila to Lucena. Livius didn't seem to mind the distance, though. Sometimes I also get embarrassed when he visits here with friends. It's a bit far.

I did my best for that night. But unfortunately, I didn't get the first prize. Although I got the second prize, it was only thirty thousand. Even so, I'm still thankful that I took home a prize. I was only dismayed a a bit. My goal is to win. Because of that, Mom and I need money. Better luck next time, I guess?

"You're great, daughter ..." I heard Mom's compliment when I went down the stage. I also receive praises from the people who knew me. Some even said that I was better than the first one. I just haven't commented yet. I respect the judges' decision. Also, I will not always win.