#DS7Unbalanced #InoCent #SMCouple #DaggerSeries

A/N: Thank you Franz Danah for the "asosasyon" idea :D

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: SURVIVE

TIARA'S POV

"He's holding my things hostage."

The woman on the screen looks tired, but she couldn't hide the amusement in her eyes. She shrugged, but she winced a little as if she were in pain. May mga kamay na humarang sa screen pero pinalo niya lang iyon at masama ang tingin na nilingon niya ang taong tila dumalo sa kaniya.

"Kapag hindi mo ako tinantanan babarilin din kita para hindi ako ang kinukulit mo."

"Ang sama mo talaga." Sumungaw sa screen ang mukha ni Trace at nakangiting kumaway siya sa akin. "Hi, Tiara! Broken hearted ang kapatid ko dahil sa'yo pero bati pa rin tayo."

I suck in a huge breath that didn't escape Lucienne's notice. Lukot ang mukha na dinutdot niya ng malakas ang noo ng lalaki para siya na lang ang kita sa screen.

"Aray! Concern na nga iyong tao sa'yo ang sungit mo pa," reklamo ni Trace.

Eksaheradong pinalambot ng babae ang mukha niya. "Thank you for your concern pero huwag mo ng uulitan 'yan ha? Papalagpasin ko ngayon kasi busilak ang kalooban ko."

"Ha?"

"Ang i-claim na tao ka. Baka ma-hurt ang mga kasamahan mo sa ASOsasyon niyo."

Their banter halted when a door opening sounded. Maging ako ay napatingin sa pintuan ng kuwarto na kinaroroonan ko. But the door stayed closed, just like it had been for the past nineteen hours. He even made someone bring me food instead of forcing me to go out of the room. Which, I guess, is something that I should be thankful for because I don't know how I'm going to act in front of him. Not now, when I feel like I'm drowning in the pandemonium of my situation.

"Tumabi-tabi ka Trace at baka maisipan kong pakuhanan ka ng dugo kay Nurse Franz." Nakangiting bumaling sa kabilang direksyon ang babae. "Hi, Nurse! Pwede na po ba akong umuwi? Wala naman pong masakit eh. Okay na okay na ako."

"Kanina lang napapangiwi ka—"

"Pwede pong pakikuhanan siya ng dugo tapos pakipasa na lang po sa pinakamalapit na beterinaryo? Feeling ko talaga may blood infection si Trace dala ng garapata."

I heard a woman laugh off the screen. Kung sa ibang pagkakataon siguro ay baka natawa na rin ako. Lucienne might look paler than her normal, but she looks much better than the last time that I saw her. The fact that she's awake and making jokes is a plus.

"Pahinga ka muna po, Mrs. Dawson. Babalitaan ko po kayo mamaya kung papayagan na kayong ma-discharge bukas."

Lucienne pouted, but she nodded. She's probably itching to go home to her children. Hindi niya kasi gustong puntahan siya ng mga anak niya habang nasa ospital siya dahil ayaw niyang makita siya ng mga iyon sa estado niya.

When the woman trained her eyes back to me, I gave her a small apologetic smile. "We're talking about me, but I should be asking you how you feel right now. You're the one that got shot."

She waved her hand with a roll of her eyes. "Do you know how much I've been asked that? Ginawa ko na ngang secretary ko si Trace dahil siya na ang pinapasagot ko sa mga tumatawag sa akin. Saka kaya cellphone niya ang gamit ko para tawagan ka kasi naiinis na ako sa phone ko."

"But really. How are you?"

"I'm okay. Mas masakit pa rin manganak kesa rito. Medyo disoriented lang dahil ilang araw din akong tulog." Kumislap ang mga mata niya ng may maisip. "Pakiramdam ko pwede na akong magtrabaho sa Dagger kapag wala na akong career sa pagsusulat. Marami naman akong ideas pagdating sa cases nila, willing akong maging taga-torture ng mga iniinterrogate nila, at naranasan ko ng mabaril. I have a scar to prove it." Inilagay niya ang kamay niya sa ilalim ng baba niya. "Pero come to think of it. Ang cool ko rin as a writer no? Saan pa sila nakakita ng writer na may first hand experience pagdating sa mga sinusulat niya?"

Give it to Lucienne to find a silver lining when it comes to what happened to her.

"Isusumbong kita kay Kuya Thorn. Cool ka pa riyan. Muntik ng gibain ni kuya ang buong ospital sa takot para sa'yo," singit ni Trace sa usapan.

Lucienne's face softened. "Normal lang 'yon. Mahal ako no'n eh." Bumalik ang ngisi sa mga labi niya at nag-peace sign pa siya. "Pero naniniwala ako na hindi pa ako gustong kunin ni Lord. Masyado pa kasi siyang busy na intindihin ang problema ng mundo kaya ayaw niyang pati sa heaven ay magkaroon siya ng problema—"

"Ang tanong sa heaven nga ba ang punta mo?"

Matamis na nginitian ni Lucienne si Trace. "May reservation na ako roon. Balita ko nga na-cancel iyong sa'yo." The man probably made a face off screen because Lucienne stuck out her tongue in his direction. Nang inayos niya ang mukha niya ay bumaling siya sa akin. "What were you saying nga pala? Domino has your things hostage?"

This time, it was me who tried not to wince. Hearing his name, I couldn't help but remember the look on his face when I told my father what I wanted. I could still remember the hurt that was clearly visible on his face when the senator called for security so that he could transfer me to his home.

I didn't even have anything on me. Tanging ang bag lang na dala ko ang meron ako dahil ang lahat ng gamit ko ay nasa bahay ng lalaki.

"Yes," I whispered.

"Kakaiba rin ang trip ng isang 'yon no? Kung hindi kidnapper, hostage naman ang trip." Naiiling na napapalatak siya. "Tatawagan ko mamaya. I'll text you if I'm able to convince him to return your things. Ano namang gagawin niya ro'n kung sakali? Itatago niya habang umaasa na babalikan mo ang mga 'yon at siya?" Inangat baba niya ang mga kilay niya. "Unless may balak ka nga."

My lips parted to answer her question, but for a moment I struggled with what to say to her. Every fiber of my being wanted to be somewhere other than where I am now. The moment that I decided to do what I felt like I needed to do, I felt a force trying to stop me from doing it.

"I think... I think I want to stay here. He's my father after all."

"Na hindi ka hinanap sa matagal na panahon."

Her words stung, but what she said wasn't a lie. I know she wanted me to see it too. Katulad ni Domino alam kong hindi niya rin gusto ang desisyon ko. She's just trying to be a friend, that's why she's not showing her opinion on the matter too forcefully.

"It felt right to do," I whispered.

"You wanted it to feel right because you feel guilty about what happened to me." Nang hindi ako makasagot ay napabuntong-hininga siya. "It's not your fault. Hindi kita sinisisi. I'm married to a Dawson. It might not seem like it, but it doesn't come without a price. They have a dangerous job. Marami silang nakakabangga. Kaya nga lahat ng puntahan namin may kasama kami hindi ba? That's why all the properties owned by a Dawson were all monitored."

"Lucienne—"

"When we forced you to let us be your friends, we didn't come in blind. We just don't care if there's a threat lurking around you. Dahil alam namin ang pakiramdam na malagay sa sitwasyon mo. Dahil pinagdaanan din namin."

"You didn't force me." I might be reluctant at first because I wasn't used to having people like them in my life, but I didn't feel like I was being pressured to accept them. I simply did it because they were wonderful people.

"Kung babalikan ko ang araw na 'yon, sasama pa rin ako sa event mo." Nilingon niya si Trace at mapang-asar na ngumisi siya. "Pero ihaharang ko na si Trace sa akin para siya ang nakaratay ngayon. Hindi naman siya masyadong mamimiss ni Lush Jr. at ni Ember."

"Asa. Five minutes lang akong mawala miss na miss na nila ako."

"Mabuti na lang nasa ospital tayo. Baka pwede nilang gawan ng paraan ang pagiging delusyunal mo."

Naagaw ang atensyon ko mula sa pagtatalo nila nang makarinig ako ng pagkatok ng pintuan. Sa pagkakataon na ito ay alam kong galing na iyon sa panig ko at hindi kila Lucienne.

I turned to the screen and I gave the woman a small smile. "Can I call you later?"

"Sure! Matutulog din muna ako. Dito mo na lang ako sa phone ni Trace tawagan kasi malapit ko ng ibato ang cellphone ko sa labas ng bintana."

I said my goodbye to Trace as well before I turned to face the door. "Come in."

Sumilip mula roon ang ama ko. Senator Harrison Radley. He took a hesitant step forward. May dala siyang kahon at ibinaba niya iyon sa kama. I stood up from the window bench, and I walked closer to the box.

"A man from that security company came over to give you that."

There was something in the tone of his voice that I didn't like. I looked at him, but there was nothing on his face but a small, soft smile.

"Was he..." Napalunok ako. "Was he the one who was with me at the restaurant?"

Umiling siya. "No. It was another one. His name was Thorn, I think? Umalis din siya agad. Iniwan niya lang talaga iyan."

Binuksan ko ang kahon at nakita ko na ilang mga damit ko ang nandoon at mga sapatos. There was also one pointe shoes, my Minnie Mouse tumbler, and...

I touched the surface of the wood. My music box.

"You can throw them away. Hindi mo na rin kailangan kunin ang iba mo pang mga gamit. We can buy you new things—"

"I'll keep these." I looked at my father, and to soften my answer, I gave him a small smile of my own. "But I'm not saying no to shopping."

Kumislap ang mga mata niya. "That's great! Marcella and Emeric will come home before dinner. They're excited to meet you."

"Are they?"

Nag-aalangan man ay marahang tinapik niya ang balikat ko. "Marcella is a good woman. She doesn't blame you for the things your mother and I did. She's angry, but not at you."

"And Emeric?"

"He said he just felt guilty that he flirted with you." He chuckled with a shake of his head. "Don't take it to heart. That boy flirts with anyone. Any gender, any age—and trust me, I've even seen him flirt with a fish. It's just who he is."

I couldn't help the laughter that bubbled out of me at his words.

He gently tapped my shoulder again before stepping away. "Is there anything you like to eat? I'll tell the maids to make it."

Whatever trace of humor melted slowly from my face. I instantly felt something hollow in my stomach. I never found satisfaction with eating until Domino came into my life. He made it something to look forward to.

"There's nothing wrong with being independent. But I prefer that you depend on me."

Ipinaskil ko ang pilit na ngiti sa mga labi ko. "I'll eat anything."

"Great! I'll see you at dinner."

I watched him leave, and when the door was closed again, I turned my back on it and sank to the floor. Isinubsob ko ang mukha ko sa mga kamay ko.

I was uprooted by the life I had before, and I was put in one where I got to have Domino. But it didn't feel like this. Where it feels like the walls are about to crash on me and the floor I stand on crumbles beneath me. Like I would rather be anywhere else than here.

Maybe it was because, in the first place, I never really had roots. I thought I did, but they weren't really fully planted. That's why I was slowly wilting. Perishing day by day because I don't have anything to hold on to.

Until him.

I reached for the box, and I took the music box. Pinadaanan ko ng hintuturo ko ang ang pangalan ko na nakaukit doon.

"I'm really sorry," I whispered, even though only the wind could hear me.

I unlatched the hook to open the box, and the room was instantly surrounded by the soft tune as the ballerina emerged from the box. But for the first time, I couldn't appreciate its beauty.

Not when I saw that there's a golden necklace inside with a big heart pendant. A necklace that isn't mine.

Naguguluhang inilabas ko iyon para tignan. It looks pretty, and it even has intricate designs on its surface with a white crystal in the center.

I was about to turn them over when I accidentally pressed the crystal. There was a gentle click, and I stared in awe, captivated by the unexpected sight that unfolded before me.

Wow.

NAG-ANGAT AKO ng tingin nang maramdaman ko ang paghawak ng kung sino sa kamay ko. I found Marcella Radley looking at me worriedly. I blinked back at the haze that I didn't know had engulfed me while they were busy chatting.

"Are you okay? Is the food not up to your taste?" she asked.

"Oh." I looked at the food on my plate, and I didn't realize I was playing with it with my fork. "No. I like it. I was just thinking about something."

"Is it about the threat?" She tapped my hand gently. "Don't you worry about it. Harrison will fix it. And sometimes these things happen to people like us. You should get used to it."

I should get used to it? To people getting hurt because of people who, for some reason, are after me?

"Mom." Emeric let out a sigh. "Don't say that. Of course she shouldn't get used to being in danger."

"That's not what I meant." Nakangiting binalingan ako ng ginang. "Ang ibig ko lang namang sabihin ay nangyayari naman talaga ang mga ganito sa atin na nasa politika ang buhay."

"I'm not in politics," I said quietly.

"You are now, sweetheart."

If it was harder to eat moments ago, it has become almost impossible to swallow now. I forced myself to do it anyway. I just wanted to get the dinner over with.

My father wasn't wrong when he told us that Marcella wasn't angry with me. She didn't even bring up my mother. She was welcoming, and she never let out the vibe that she was just being kind because I'm her husband's daughter.

The way she acts with me almost feels... disingenuous. Para kasing ang hirap paniwalaan na ganoon na lang niya kadaling natanggap ang tungkol sa akin at sa ina ko at sa kung ano ang kaugnayan namin sa asawa niya.

The dinner stretched longer than I wanted it to. I was ready to say my goodbyes to them and make an excuse to go to my room, but Marcella beat me to it. "Go with Emeric to the poolside. We'll bring desserts and coffee."

"Oh, I don't drink coffee."

"No matter. We have tea as well."

Wala na akong nagawa nang tumayo siya at dumiretso papunta sa kusina. Tumayo na rin ang ama ko na nagpaalam na may importante lang siyang tawag na hihintayin sa opisina niya.

Naiwan kami ni Emeric na nakangiting nagkibit-balikat. He helped me up, and he guided me in the direction of their outlandish pool area.

"Don't let them bother you too much." Nang kunot ang noo na nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya ay umangat ang sulok ng mga labi niya. "Dad will rather be buried by work. Mom doesn't care about anything except maybe spending Dad's money."

"I..." I shook my head, still confused. "They don't seem—"

"For now," he said, cutting me off. "For now, we appear like a normal family."

"Are they really that bad? They even gave you a grand party," I asked, reminding him.

"That party was more for them than for me. Karamihan sa mga tao na dumalo roon ay hindi ko mga kilala. There's always an ulterior motive when it comes to them. They will use anyone that can be of use."

"Why are you telling me this now? To scare me away?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "Of course not. I just want to prepare you because of your situation. They will use it to their advantage. My parents live and breathe politics." Itinutok niya ang mga mata niya sa malawak na swimming pool. "There's a reason why Damian and I are friends. Naiintindihan namin ang pinagdadaanan ng isa't isa."

Silence wrapped around us after his statement. For a moment, just like him, all I could do was stare blankly in front of me.

"Were you sure?"

For some reason, I know what he meant by his question. "Yes. He's willing to have our DNA tested. But the way he wrote my name and the things he remembered about me were all correct." Bumaling ako sa kaniya at sandaling pinakatitigan ko siya. "You don't want me to be sure?"

Hindi siya kaagad sumagot. After awhile, the corner of his lips went up. "No. I was just trying to see if you have any way out of this hell hole."

"I'm not easily scared, but I might if you don't stop," I said, trying to make light of the situation. "I don't know how bad it can get. I don't know them. He's your father, and I don't really know anything about him. But I've been with Yuliya Silvano for all my life, and she might not be in politics, but she can probably compete for the most difficult parent award."

We shared a knowing smile.

"I have a question too," I said when time seemed to stretch between us.

"Hmm?"

"Why weren't you surprised?"

Nagbaba siya ng tingin sa akin. "Because I've been Harrison Radley's son for thirty-seven years, and I wouldn't put it past him to do something like cheat on my mother. He'd done a lot of things, and at this point, I don't think he can do anything that can still surprise me."

That was sad and alarming at the same time. It might seem like he's not telling me anything with his vague words, but in fact, he's telling me a whole lot.

That I shouldn't put my guard down.

"Any tips then?" I asked as a joke.

The way he held my eyes tells me that he's far from kidding. "If you want to survive with your sanity intact, keep your friends. Don't lose them. Because there will be a time that it will get extremely lonely and messed up, and you would want people that can remind you that you're still you no matter what."