Face-off

Jarvee Marcelius Real

THE world can be cruel sometimes. Just like living in a world where every inch of your move is always monitored by your parents. I was homeschooled from kindergarten until I graduated from high school. I felt like I was being locked up in a cage that no one should enter.

Throughout the years, I'd stayed home without even visiting a school ... market ... mall ... or even a single park. I grew up alone and surrounded by responsibilities as an heir to my dad's company. I can't interact with other teenagers because of my parents' strictness.

Now, I'm having difficulty socializing with others. I don't know how to start a conversation. I can't find the words to say. It's so difficult!

"Jarvee, ready ka na?" I saw Manang peeking her head at the door while waiting for me. I glanced in the mirror before nodding..

She smiled sweetly.

I really find Manang Rosalie cute when she smiles. She really warms my heart that's why I always wanted to be at her side. After my accident, she began working on us. Her hiring is the sole reason I am always happy inside the four walls of my room.

I stood from where I sat and exited the dressing room.

I was quite nervous while walking through a quiet hallway. Our footsteps echoed around the white walls. It was so peaceful.

"Naku, Jarvee, huwag kang kabahan sa speech mamaya mo. Nandito lang ako. P'wede mo akong tingnan kung ayaw mong ilibot ang paningin sa lahat ng tao sa loob ng venue," I was holding her hands. And I knew that I was shaking and cold because this is the first time that I'll be facing a crowd.

"Nah, Manang. I'm not nervous. "Maybe I should just relax..." I said with a feeling of unease. This feeling of seeing different faces makes me uncomfortable. Paparazzi outside the hotel. And non-stop gossip from people spreading rumors about our family.

Dad's company was also embroiled in a scandal when one of his employees died in an accident and he did nothing. The truth is, it was my mother's fault when she wandered around the new site while we were silent. And an accident occurred when my mom pushed a few buttons, resulting in the unimaginable loss of our employees.

At the time, Mom denied everything, which caused our employees to file a resignation letter. I was there. And that house was an extension of our mansion.
II just don't understand why people choose to lie rather than tell the truth when we are all going to die on this planet.

That's why I really hate Mom's existence. I wish that she would be forgotten forever and that I would be taken care of instead. Because my father cares more than my evil mother.

As we reached the backstage area, Manang Rosalie gave me a mask covered in dark diamonds. It's just simple and the diamond shines when light strikes it.

"What's this, Manang?" I asked hesitantly.

"Masquerade ang theme ng party mo. Tatanggalin din 'yan pagkatapos ng anunsyo." She answered then assist me to wear it and tied the black strings of the mask.

After that I heard my name being called which made me nervous. I managed to fix my necktie before I headed out of the backstage.

Crowds of applause filled the venue. Cameras are everywhere. Visitors wear glamorous masks and expensive clothes.

All of them smiled as they saw me. But not all of them were really happy with my presence.

After I smiled back at them, I sat down next to my mom. She smiled as if there was money laid out in front of her. I used to say this, but I really hate how my mom drools over her money. She would rather have the safety of money than our lives. And she's really a fucking golddigger!

"Jarvee, don't do stupidity..." I heard her whisper even though the venue was too loud.

Basically, I disagree with what she said.

My eyes scanned inside, seeing guests with partially hidden faces. It may seem impossible, but why do I see danger in this celebration? I can feel my chest beating so loudly. My heart was racing as there was danger around me at the time. I felt really frustrated by this feeling. Sometimes, when I'm nervous for no reason, something bad happens around me unexpectedly.

In case of any suspicious movement, I kept my gaze raised and alerted myself. The program basically consisted of just announcements and chit-chat from dad's business partners. I lost my attention to the program because I was more focused on what might be happening around me. "And tonight! As we celebrate the decade of Hades Company! We will also meet its next heir," my father announced.

I can't focus on the program because I feel so goddamned sick.

My dad screamed, "Jarvee Marcelius Real!" It echoed around the venue and guests' whistles filled the night. I was frozen looking at my father's face without a mask. He smiled from ear to ear while looking at me. Once I recovered from the shock, I quickly approached him.

At that moment, I was astonished to see the figure of a waiter from a distance. Holding a gun and aiming its muzzle in my father's direction.

My whole world stopped. I don't know what I should do.

"Dad!"

I screamed at the top of my lungs. And the next thing I knew, a loud bang was heard. And there I saw, my dad was holding his right shoulder where it bleeds.

I was stunned by what I saw. Someone just tried to kill my dad.

The crowd panicked. Everyone was out of their seats running towards the entrance.

"Hades!"

"Dad!"

I immediately approached my confused father. He's losing a lot of blood.

"Help!"

"Vee, stay here! I'll call for help!" My mom shouted as she ran to the backstage.

I looked around and was so shocked when I saw the man holding the gun earlier and another man fighting with it. Both of them are throwing punches at each other, causing them to tumble to the ground several times. If you look at the two of them, it appears that one of them is the gunman, while the other is beating the opponent.

I looked back at Dad when I heard his low growl.

"D-Dad!" My voice was shaking as I saw him running out of breath. "Dad, don't die! Please be strong!"

I tapped his cheek several more times and I couldn't stop my tears from flowing. It seems like a nightmare ... my dad announced to the public that I am the new heir but things were not the same as I expected.

I expected this night to be filled with crowds cheering, never-ending toasts to guests and long chitchats with them. But it's the other way around. The venue was filled with panicked guests, gunshots, and a stampede.

This is the most terrifying nightmare of my life.

"Dad!"

"Tara, isugod natin siya sa hospital!"

I looked up when I saw the man who had beaten the gunman earlier. He was panting and his sweat was dripping. The mask strings were untied and I tried to carry him as much as I could.

"Let's do it together," he said while taking my dad's left arm and placing it on his left shoulder. I did the same for his right shoulder.

We supported Dad to get up and walk out of the venue even though we knew it was already difficult. My eyes widen as I recall his face as we walked down the stage and passed through the gunman. The floor was covered with blood, and broken pieces of glass wine were buried in his face and neck.

He is the brother of the employee who died because of Mama. If I'm not mistaken, he is Mang Caloy, brother to Mang Coco. He's here to get his revenge on his brother's death.

"Hey, are you alright?" I asked the guy who helped us as I heard him groan in pain.

"Okay l-lang ako," he said and there's a hint of pain in his voice.

Despite the commotion that accompanied the celebration. I'm quite relieved to see this guy, even though we don't know him very well, helping us.

When we were about to approach the entrance, he was released from papa's grip and firmly grabbed the back of his neck. He knelt, causing all of us to fall down on the floor. The mask that was rolling on the floor was removed.

He screamed in pain, and to my surprise I saw blood on his right arm. A wide cut caused by a sharp tool. And now I just noticed.

Where the heck is Mom?!

As soon as he looked up I was shocked by what I saw.

Wait? Am I not hallucinating?

Is this really real? Am I not fucking dreaming?

His pinkish small lips, his Chinito eyes, pointed nose and angular jawline.

It was all just like me.

What the f**k am I looking at?

Is this r-really fucking t-true?

There are two of us.

"W-Who are you?" My whole body was frozen in stunned amusement.

It feels like I'm facing a mirror. We have the same face and outfit. And I can't really deny the fact that he's like a carbon copy of mine.

There is a possibility that I'm an adopted child or that my parents conceal the truth about my true identity. And lastly, maybe we're just the same face.

I was about to approach him when we heard a series of police sirens outside the hotel. My eyes widened even more when the man with the same face suddenly collapsed.

I stood up in shock. I don't know what to do with them. Blood and wounds covered both of them as they lay on the floor.

I looked all around. I can clearly see the red and blue lights of the police car outside through the blurry glass. Even its annoying sirens irritate me.

I was even more nervous when I heard a series of rattles.

Because of fear, I quickly ran back to the stage and took the fire exit out of the building.

I took quick steps down the stairs. I even tried to conceal my face with my hand when I encountered people.

I hid somewhere near the front, where I could see what was going on outside the venue. There, I saw some rescuers carrying dad and the person that looked like me. Both of them were placed on stretchers and taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

As I ran out of breath while leaving my father inside, I really felt sorry for him.

Conscientious.

After the ambulance left, the police entered the crime scene. That's my signal to run off and take different paths.

Everything around me is new to me. I felt as if I was a foreigner just arriving in a completely different country. I was really amazed by my surroundings surrounded by tall buildings and colorful lights.

As if I was mesmerized by the beauty of the city, I felt as if I was under a spell.

As I took my first step forward, I did not notice that I had come into contact with a woman.

"Ow!"

"Sorry, Miss..." I said sincerely..

And the moment I met her gaze, I felt my heart race.

Because at that time, I found someone I could be with.