Fraud

I contacted Danica a week ago after I got back from Manila. I am back here in Ilocos. I told her everything that’s happened. From the wedding up to the incident where I lost a child and my memories. As expected, she cried like a pile of water. Up until now, I do not know how to pacify her. It is as if she’s the one who experienced those all.

“Tumigil ka na nga,” sabi ko sabay inom sa wine.

“H-How can I, huh? Y-You have been through a l-lot! I-I can’t imagine! Napaka walang kwenta kong k-kaibigan, Solaire!” she cried hard at napapalingon na sa amin ang iba pang customer sa pub ni Carlo.

I continued drinking.

“Napaka hayop talaga ni Arman Fernandez. Dahil sa kagagawan niya, nawala ang para sa’yo! Pinaghirapan iyon ng parents mo, eh!” Danica spat.

They are all gone. What should I do with my life now? Paano ako magsisimula?

“Tama! Sa’yo pa rin ang mansyon niyo, hindi ba?”

Umiling ako. “Kasama ang Gomez Residence sa in-acquire niya at trinansfer sa pangalan niya, Dan. Wala ng...sa akin.”

Muling umatungal si Danica. Halos mabasag ang tainga ko. May mga sinasabi siya pero hindi ko na maintindihan.

“Napaka dupang talaga ng damuho na iyon! I cannot!” iyak pa niya habang panay ang hugot ng tissue. “My Solaire... kawawa ka naman!”

Bumuntonghininga ako. Ang pag-aari ko na lang ay ang perang natira sa ATM ko at ng parents ko. At least, kahit papaano ay may magagamit pa ako.

The same day, Danica helped me contact my parents legal counsel. Hindi naman kami nabigo na makausap ito. Noong hapon, nakipagkita siya sa amin ni Danica sa isang coffee shop. Doon ay ipinaliwanag niya ang iniwang last will and testament ni daddy at ni mommy.

“Are you telling me na may maiinherit pa po ako aside sa company sa Manila and mansion dito sa Ilocos?” umaasang tanong ko.

Inayos niya ang salamin. May inilabas itong envelope at ibinigay sa akin. Agad kong binasa ang nilalaman noon.

Nagkatitigan kami ni Danica. She pouted.

“That property was acquired by Mr. Gomez twelve years ago. Currently, it has been taking care of my people for years. At kapag tama na ang panahon, maipamahala sa tunay na may-ari.” aniya. “Nakakapanghinayang lang at hindi niya nasaksihan ang iyong paglaki...”

Nangilid ang luha ko habang binabasa ang pangalan ko bilang sole owner noon. May parte sa akin na gusto lang manatili rito sa Pilipinas pero mukhang Siya na ang gumagawa ng paraan upang magbagong buhay ako sa malayo.

Emosyonal kong niyakap ang papel. Pakiramdam ko ay ang mga magulang ko ito. I’m so sorry, mommy... daddy. I hadn’t got a chance to make you proud.

I burst into tears. Danica caressed my back. Wala na akong pakialam kung makita ako ng iba pang tao. I reached my lowest point and I can do nothing but, for once, to feel it... to embrace my downfall.

“Hija, I am happy to serve your family. I am glad to see you alive, too. Huwag kang mag-alala, kahit nasa malayo ka ay gagawa ako ng paraan upang mabigyan ng hustisya ang sinapit ni Mrs. Gomez.”

Napatingin ako sa kaniya.

“Ang hindi ko lang masisigurong mabawi ay ang kumpanya niyo—”

“Don’t mind the company, Attorney. For sure, Arman Fernandez will not take over over it. Thank you... for this.”

He nodded, smiling slightly. “Mag-iingat ka, hija.”

Nagpasalamat kami. Matapos ibigay ang iba pang impormasyon ni Attorney,  iniwan na niya kami.

Ilang minuto akong tulala sa papel. Noong nagsalita lang si Danica tsaka ako bumalik sa sarili.

“Marseille, France?! I mean... you have a house there, Solaire?! Woah...” manghang aniya. “Not just a house... but a ranch! E, haciendera international ka pala, e!”

I sighed. Itinago ko na ang dokumento. I am happy with this piece of paper. But sad at the same time.

“Desidido ka na ba talagang umalis? P-Paano si...”

“We broke up.” malamig kong sinabi. “At oo...aalis ako. Gusto kong... makalimot.”

Danica sighed and hugged me. “Kung ako lang masusunod, gusto ko dito ka na lang sa tabi ko. Pero kasi... sa tindi ng pinagdaanan mo, deserve mong lumayo. Muna.”

I chuckled. Hindi ko alam kung babalik pa ako. Kung nagustuhan ko roon, baka hindi na. I would make sure I will make myself busy so I cannot think any of these shits.

“Danica...” my voice almost broke.

“Ano ba ‘yan! Kanina pa ako iyak nang iyak, ah! Mahal ang skin care ko... shet naman, Solaire!” she bursted out.

I laughed. But tears are joining. Damn. How pathetic, Solaire.

Pinawi ko ang luha. Dinukot ko ang maliit na envelope sa aking hand bag at inilahad sa tapat ni Danica. Bumuhos lalo ang luha niya.

“Parang tanga naman, oh!” aniya habang nagpupunas ng luha.

I smiled. “Pakiabot kay Geon. B-Baka kasi umalis na ako... nang mas maaga.”

“Ihh, best friend naman!”

Lumapit ako kay Danica upang yakapin ito. Ngunit lalo lang siyang umiyak. Tumawa ako ng bahagya. Kahit kailan talaga ‘to.

“I will miss you...” I whispered. “Ikaw na bahala magpaliwanag kay Carlo pagbalik niya.”

“Tangina naman, Solaire. Huwag ka na nga magpaalam! N-Nakakainis ka naman!”

Hindi na rin nagtagal ang aming usapan. Gumagabi na rin at kailangan ko pa mamili ng mga gamit ko. Mabigat ang loob kong naglakad mag-isa sa loob ng mall. At sa tuwing may nagugustuhan ako, titingnan ko ang presyo pero kapag lumampas sa one thousand, iiwanan ko na.

Kailangan ko magtipid ngayon. Hindi na ako nakatira sa mansyon. Hindi ko na mabibili agad ang anumang gustuhin ko hindi tulad noon na kahit walang tinginan sa presyo, kaya bayaran.

“Do you have a smaller size, miss?” I asked the sales lady about the t-shirt.

“Naku, Ma’am. Iyang size na po ang pinakamaliit. 999 po, sale.”

I smiled. “It is costly... thank you na lang.”

999 for a single shirt? That’s mahal, ha. Kung sabagay, I’ve spent two thousand pesos for makeup before. A million in a week. That was the worst. I remembered my mom was very angry at me.

Gusto ko pa man din ang kulay at design ng damit. Siguro, magtatahi na lang ako ng tulad noon. Tela na lang ang bibilhin ko mas makakamura pa ako.

Matapos ang ilang oras na paglilibot at pagbibili, napagod na ako kaya nagbiyahe ako pauwi. Right now, sa hotel muna ako nag-stay since hindi rin naman ako magtatagal. Bukas ay luluwas ako ng Manila. The next day, baka lumipad na ako papuntang France since wala naman akong problem sa documents ko.

Binuksan ko ang television pag-uwi sa hotel. Natigilan ako nang makita si Eurus at Geon sa news. Umupo ako upang mas mapanood ang balita.

“VRB Company, as one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines in terms of market cap. invested in Trieescapes and El Superior Development Corporation...” the reporter said. “The giant firm also owns famous powerhouses in the country, including Fourth Revenue, and  Impact Prime Holdings Inc. VRB makes income from its retail, property, banking, and portfolio investment businesses with an impressive net income of 1.1 trillion...”

That’s my man, oh! I am so proud of you, babe! I smiled all by myself. He is as successful as his brothers. And I’m sure he will be more successful years from now.

Nawala na ang balita tungkol sa kanila kaya pinatay ko na rin ang tv. I checked my phone pero messages lang ni Danica ang naroroon. Hindi ako mako-contact ni Geon dahil nagpalit ako ng phone at number. Sinimulan ko ma lang ayusin ang mga gamit na dadalhin ko bukas. Hanggang sa nilamon ako ng antok.

Tinanghali ako ng gising kinabukasan. Kaya dali dali akong gumayak. Hindi ako sanay mag biyahe mula Ilocos at kailangan ko pang magtanong mamaya para makaluwas sa Manila!

Simpleng white t-shirt, denim jeans, at converse shoes lang isinuot ko. Sinipat ko nang mabilis ang sarili sa salamin. Medyo humaba na pala ang aking buhok at itim na itim. Noon ko lang natanto ang singkit kong mata ay lalong sumingkit dulot ng pagod sa pag iyak. Olive eyes... Sayang ang ganda ng kulay ng mata ko kung lagi akong umiiyak.

Gaya ng plano, nagtanong ako ng sasakyan paluwas ng Manila. Hindi naman ako nahirapan. Bandang ala una na ako ng hapon nakarating sa hotel na tutuluyan ko.

My flight in Paris, France tomorrow will be four in the morning. So, I need the energy. It is a sixteen hour flight or less. The ticket is costly, too.

I sighed. Though I trust my parents’ bank accounts, I cannot just use it every now and then. Kaya pagtapak ko sa France, magwo-work ako for a living.

Mula sa veranda ng suite ko, natanaw ko ang isa sa pinakamatayog na gusali rito sa Manila. Hindi ako maaaring magkamali na VRB Company iyon. Masaya ako na kahit sa maikling panahon, naging parte ako nito. I am impressed with the way Variejo manage their people as assets. For them, human capital is the most powerful asset they can use.

See that, baby? Your daddy is a good leader. You must be proud of him... I am, too.

Before I put myself into sleep, nagtirik ako ng kandila sa veranda at ipinanalangin ang aking anak. I closed my eyes. Ipinanalangin ko na sana maging maayos ang lahat, magbayad ang dapat magbayad, at maging payapa ang buhay ng nagawan ko ng mali.

I sighed as I opened my eyes. I stood up and proceeded to my flight the next morning. My heart is heavy while walking away from the airport. It feels like... I left something. For the last time, I looked back. But maybe it is just my imagination that I see Geon from afar, watching me walk away.

We never know how strong we are. Until being strong is the only choice we have. And being strong sometimes means... being able to let go.

I put on my shades and stepped on the plane. I set my mind that I will never ever come back to the land of my misery. That I should prioritize my growth and peace now.

I realized... We attach ourselves so strongly to people. And when they’re gone, a part of us is gone, too.

Now, I have no choice but to continue living alone. No Geon on my side. No parents to guide me. No friends to help me. I have only myself... at the end of the war.

I smiled bitterly. Tama nga si mommy. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko kung wala sila. I think I learned my lesson the hardest way, e?

After a sixteen hour flight, I landed at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. I already booked a hotel, so I went straight there to rest for the meantime.

On my way to my hotel, passing through the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, I saw a peculiar billboard of a powerhouse named Variejo Regal Bloodline. The Rise of the New Generations, it read. There are six men on the billboard. Three of them sat on a black porch while the others stood behind them. All are wearing black suits. I don’t know, but my eyes automatically fixed on the man in the middle because his eyes are dangerously inviting, though cold.

I smiled proudly. Dungeon Elixor Variejo is really powerful even if he sits amongst the powerful men. I cannot be prouder.

“Miss Solaire Anja Gomez, this way, please.”

Pagkarating ko sa hotel, inasikaso na ako agad ng staff. Ibinagsak ko ang katawan ko sa kama dulot pagod. My head is spinning, damn! Ilang minuto lamang ay hinila na ako ng antok.

Gabi na nang magising ako. Una kong hinagilap ang aking phone. My forehead creased when I received an unfamiliar message, but it occurred to me that they might know me..

From: Unknown

Hi, dear. I heard you are in Paris, France. We have been wanting to meet you since your mother passed away but we really are old and weak to travel. We hope you come to visit us here in Marseille, Solaire. We will be very happy to see our grandchild.

For the longest time, akala ko wala silang pakialam sa akin. Dahil una, ang gusto nila maging apo mula kina mommy at daddy ay lalaki. Hindi rin nila gusto si Lyrea dahil napaka arte niya. Pangalawa, akala ko may habol din sila yaman ng mga magulang ko.

I debated myself. I see no wrong if I visit my grandparents for once, right? Doon din naman ako titira. But... Marseille is a long ride again. Argh!

At the end of the day, I sent a reply to my grandparents. I can feel the willingness in my heart to meet them, after years.

My grandparents are Portuguese and Italian. Their son is my late father. At sa pagkakaalam ko, following my grandmere’s tradition, ayaw niya ng daughter-in-law na hindi Italian o Portuguese. But eventually, they loved mommy Czarina who has Filipino-Italian blood. They were amazed when they knew she had an Ilocana accent, too.

My grandparents in mother side, on the other hand, is Italian while my grandfather is a Filipino. My lolo passed away due to heart attack, causing my lola to suffer depression. And if I am not mistaken, iyon ang dahilan kung bakit kinailangan ni mommy iwan ang studies niya sa Pilipinas at ipagpatuloy na lang sa Italy. For lola’s sake na rin... even if it means... magkalayo sila noon ni daddy (na sobrang mahal na niya kahit tutor niya pa lang iyon) ay wala siya sa posisyon magdesisyon ng para sa sarili niya.

And I remembered also that after seven years, they met again in Milan. And eventually got married and they had me. Their sun and air... their very own Solaire Anja Gomez...

Ako:

I will soon visit you, grandmere. I miss you. Stay healthy and strong!

In-off ko na ang phone since I have no one to communicate with. Kinabukasan, maaga akong nag-check out at gumayak para puntahan ang bahay sa Marseille. I will be riding my own car (this was delivered last night by our Attorney’s men which in included in my inheritance) kaysa sumakay sa train papunta roon. Hopefully, hindi ako maligaw on the way there.

After hours of driving, I reached my destination. All I can say was that it was a heck of a literally long drive! I could have been distressed, gosh! But anyway, standing proudly in the middle of vast land with tall trees and lush greenery, this outstanding ranch house welcomes me with a pompous french style house surrounded by rock exteriors, exposed wooden beams, and elegantly worn walls. This gave me a refreshing feeling. I might have forgotten that this is no fairytale.

“Woah... is this really... mine now?!” I asked excitedly.

Mr. Robert, one of our Attorney’s people, smiled and nodded. “It is indeed yours, Miss Gomez. And the whole ranch...”

“Gracious...”

Iniwan ko si Mr. Robert at nanakbo na papasok ng bahay. Para akong bata na giliw na giliw sa maganda at elegante nitong struktura. Mas maganda pa ito loob at mas malamig! Pwede na akong hindi lumabas ng ilang buwan dito, e.

“Everything you need is here, Miss Gomez. You can do whatever you want in here as well...” he followed me.

Nilingon ko siya. “How about the ranch? Am I the one who will do every labor—”

“Silly, not really. We have people to do that for you, as per your father’s request...” he became careful in speaking.

My smiles slowly faded.

“He knows you are not used to doing work. He valued you, Miss Gomez. That’s why he prepared everything ahead.” he continued.

I nodded. “Don’t worry, I will take care of everything here. I know that... that’s what my father wants, too.”

He smiled. “You are really his daughter,”

Nagtawanan kami. Hindi na siya nagtagal. Umalis na rin si Mr. Robert pagkatapos akong igala sa rancho, sabihin ang mga trabaho roon, at ipakilala sa mga tauhan namin doon.

Bumalik ako sa bahay upang magpahinga hanggang sa gabi na muli nagising. Kumain lang ako bago inayos ang schedule ko simula bukas. Pakiramdam ko, kailangan ko na maging organized palagi at magsisimula iyon sa aking daily routine. Since, wala pa naman akong trabaho, pagkakaabalahan ko muna itong rancho. Pero, dapat ko munang bisitahin sina grandmere at grandpere.

“Grandmere...” sambit ko nang makita sila kanilang pinto at nag-aabang na sa aking pagdating kinabukasan. “Grandpere...”

Nilapitan ko ang mga ito at masidhing niyakap. Ramdam ko sa yakap nila ang labis labis na pangungulila. Sila na lang ang natitira kong pamilya dahil matagal na nawala ang lola ko sa mother’s side. I cannot afford to have a deep-rooted grudge against them just because they want me to be a boy.

Grandmere cupped my face smilingly. “Is that really you, our Solaire?”

I nodded and chuckled. “Yes, grandmere. I am Solaire Anja...”

Kaunting kamustahan pa bago kami tumuloy sa magara nilang bahay ni grandpere. Their house is that type of old money house. I remembered when I was passing through a prestigious residence, I felt like I am entering a new dimension.

That feeling is peculiar everytime I got a chance to go in Variejos Exclusive Residence. Prestigious... powerful... everything.

“Do you have somewhere to stay in, hija? You can stay here if you want.” Grandmere is old and may experience different pains every night, but her visage said otherwise.

“Daddy left me a house here in Marseille... and a car. I supposed, I kinda survived?” I chuckled.

Grandpere held my hand. “You are alone, hija...”

I smiled. “I will be okay. Besides, there’s so many things to do there. Cattle raising... horse-back riding... even planting crops.”

Nagkatinginan ang mag-asawa. Ngumiti sila at tumango tango. Gumaan talaga ang pakiramdam ko dahil sa kanila. Pakiramdam ko ay hindi ko kailangan mag-isa sa lahat ng pagkakataon gayung may natitira pa naman akong pamilya.

“Can you stay with us a little longer? We really missed you. I feel so bad for not taking care of my daughter and granddaughter...” si grandmere sa masamang loob.

“It is also my fault, hija. I should have just let you two live here rather than throwing Czarina away... she must be mad.” malungkot na pag-alala ni grandpere.

Umiling ako. “Don’t say that. Mommy is happy and holds no grudge against you. She loves you. Trust me...”

Para hindi na sila magdamdam pa, pumayag ako na manatili sa kanila ng ilang araw. Hindi naman nagkakalayo ang bahay namin nina grandmere. Pareho rin na rancho kaya marami kaming nagawa at napagkuwentuhan. Marami rin akong natutunan sa pagma-manage ng rancho at negosyo nila rito.

“Hija, when we are gone, this whole ranch and our other businesses will transfer under your name.” sabi ni grandpere habang namamahinga kami sa porch.

Kagagaling lang namin sa initan. Nagpasya kaming mamahinga rito habang pinagmamasdan ang malawak na lupain sa tapat ng bahay.

Pinangalahatian ko ang juice.

“Your father and Louis are our sons. Traditionally, the first child will inherit almost everything and eventually pass it on to their successor. They must be born an heir or heiress to continue our bloodline. However, his daughter, Lyrea, does not deserve anything from it...”

I looked at grandpere, confused.

“Louis could have been our successor if we did not find out the truth about the real existence of his daughter, Lyrea.”

What the hell is he trying to say? What is...going on?

“What do you mean?” hindi ko napigilan.

“Aren’t you curious why Lyrea suddenly appeared in your house and introduced herself as your cousin?”

Yes, I clearly remembered that time. That was also the first time that we had a fight, because she ruined my favourite doll! My daddy gave the doll to me and it meant a lot to me. That bitch! As a countermeasure, I pulled Lyrea’s hair. Mommy scolded me for that. She deserved it anyway. I should have done worse!

“What about it, grandpere?” I asked curiously.

“Lyrea Gomez is an illegitimate child.”

Huh?! What—I mean, how?!

“W-What are you saying?” gulong gulo kong tanong.

Kaya ba ganoon na lang ang kagustuhan niya na mawala ako para mapasa sa kaniya ang lahat ng para sa akin? Kaya ba siya nakipag-ugnayan sa mga Fernandez?!

Grandpere sighed. “Louis’ first born died. We did not know about it. All we know is his wife is living somewhere in Milan, carrying a child with her estranged husband who she married. But she lost the child and she did not tell anyone about it, even to her husband. To make us believe she was still carrying our grandchild, she had an affair with another man and had Lyrea. She introduced her to us as her first born with my son, Louis...”

Wait? She is an illegitimate child? Kung hindi siya Gomez... sinong ama ni Lyrea? Ganoon ba kahayok ang ina ni Lyrea sa yaman ng asawa niya?! Kaya siguro sila naghiwalay ni Tito Louis dahil na rin sa sarili niyang kagagahan!

“Because of Chzeska, his wife, he committed suicide when he knew the truth.” malungkot na sinabi ni grandpere. “He was excited to take care of their child even though they were separated... but it turned out that Lyrea is not his real daughter. That his beloved wife lied to him for money.”

I caressed grandpere’s back to soothe him. It must be hard on his part that one of sons died after betrayal.

“How did you know about it?” I asked.

“Lyrea had an accident when she was six years old. She needed the blood donor, neither her mother nor her father matched...” Grandmere suddenly appeared and sat next to grandpere. I can see wrath in her eyes. “Suddenly, an unfamiliar man appeared and volunteered to donate blood for Lyrea... and they matched.”

“Suspicion got to us. Our Louis hiddenly exercised DNA. A week later, he had the result... saying he was not Lyrea’s father.”

Umaagos ang luha ni grandmere habang inaalala ang tagpong iyon. Masakit bilang magulang na mawalan ng anak, at naiintindihan ko ang sakit na iyon ngayon. Dahil nawalan din ako.

I hugged them for comfort. They are old, they should not feel any more burden. That can only make them sick. I can’t help but feel worried.

Pumasok sa isip ko na baka ginamit ni Lyrea ang apelyido namin para makapasok sa industry. Dahil kung tutuusin, wala naman talagang talent ang babaeng iyon. Maganda siya pero hindi hamak na mas maganda ako. Kayang kaya ko siya pabagsakin. Tulad ng ginawa nila sa akin.

“Lyrea is in the Philippines, grandmere. She’s in show business.” I informed them.

“I know that, hija. Chzeska used the influence of Gomez to make her name in the Philippine Industry. No one knew about their secret other than us and Louis. It is... after all... my son’s last request to keep their identity buried. To protect our reputation... and Chzeska from shame.”

My left hanging after the revelation I had heard a while ago. Tila pumapabor sa akin ang pagkakataon dahil dito. Hindi na uso ang magbulag bulagan at magpakatanga. Lyrea is a fraud. How dare her use our name for her own gain? Singkapal ng kalyo niya ang mukha niya.

I walked back and forth in my room. I continuously tapping my chin using my index finger.

Natamaan ng salamin ang aking kabuuan. Naningkit ang mga mata ko. May pumapasok na trabao sa utak ko. Why not?

I am tall. I have a celebrity body. I have the looks, of course, (Italian-Portuguese breed), and most importantly... I have the talents!

I smirked. I can be a model. I can be an artist if they want me. I can be a singer, too. If they ask me to dance, I can dance.

I might try my luck. After all, I am Solaire Anja Gomez. I can be everything which I believe.