People see me as the ideal it girl of my generation. They like my engaging personality and natural beauty. Hence, at a young age, I became idolized and showered with endless praise. As I grew up, I slowly became a socialite and the superior of my circle. I admit, it was pretty sweet being the leader of the pack. I've never faced criticism or bullying throughout my life because people couldn't bring themselves to do it.

They looked up to me and followed my lead like loyal puppies. Something about how I carried myself commanded respect and admiration from my peers. Maybe it was my confidence or knack for making others feel included. Whatever the case, one thing's for sure: walking in my shoes certainly had its perks when it came to sidestepping negativity.

My thirteenth birthday ended last week, August nineteen. I received a lot of gifts from my family and other people. I like to believe that my life is perfect because of the happiness I felt at that moment. Although I caught people's interest by my appearance, the name I was carrying also played an important role. I loved my life this way; with my famous family name, loving parents, and enough wealth. I couldn't wish for more.

However, this greatness comes with a dark side. Growing up in a society that places tremendous weight on appearances has undoubtedly shaped me into the person I am today–constantly conscious and apprehensive about my public image. Whether it's the glossy magazine covers showcasing seemingly perfect individuals or the continuous stream of curated lives on social media, there is an unspoken pressure to meet certain standards. It often feels as if every move and word I make is being analyzed and scrutinized by unseen eyes.

Hence, I've become instinctively concerned with how others perceive me, constantly wary of saying or doing something that might tarnish my carefully crafted persona. I could never let anyone bring me down. I didn't want to lose this beautiful life. Sometimes, I mindlessly belittle others who don't fit my world. Sometimes, I do it to satisfy myself and impress my friends with my authority to control others. No one was brave enough to question me because they could never reach my level.

"Dad, where are we going again?" I asked because it slipped my mind.

Today was Saturday, and they asked me to go on a trip with them. At first, I didn't want to go because I initially had to do something today with my friends. When they told me this trip was planned for me, I gave in and immediately prepared. We got stuck in traffic which was fine with me. I brought a new makeup set with me; I got this from one of the gifts. I badly wanted to try it on, so I busied myself experimenting with it while we were on the way.

Mom answered instead, "In a private facility, Serin."

"Huh, why?" I chuckled.

I had no idea why they would let me visit a private facility. I never even went into one. I couldn't also think of reasons why. Now I want to go back.

"You'll know once we're there," Dad said.

They assured me with a smile, yet I wasn't convinced. It actually creeped the hell out of me. Hindi ko na natuloy pa ang ginagawa kanina nang napansing sa probinsya pa yata kami patungo. Hindi nila ako sinabihan kanina kung saan pero sumama ako dahil hinanda raw nila para sa akin. Ngayong nakikita kong hindi ito simpleng surpresa lamang, para bang nagsisisi na akong sumama.

"Uh, nasa province?" I asked.

"Yes, somewhere in Bulacan," Mom said.

"What kind of facility is it, Mom?"

"It's a private prison, Serin," Dad answered.

"Po? Wait lang, kinakabahan tuloy ako. Am I going to jail?"

I didn't mean it as a joke–I was genuinely worried–but it made them laugh. They cracked more jokes surrounding that topic. However, those temporary distractions weren't enough to calm my mind. I observed the emotion kept in their eyes, and it scared me.

I didn't notice we arrived at our destination because of my clouded mind. My eyes roamed around the place to see nearby houses or buildings, but the vast green field only had one square building in its center. It probably had four floors based on its exterior structure. The atmosphere was quiet as if it was a sin to create noises around. I noticed unfamiliar yet strong materials used as we went near the square building. Guns and probably even bombs wouldn't ever destroy this building.

"Let's go," Dad said.

I blinked twice and had no choice but to walk with them. I had a lot of questions running inside my head, and although I wanted quick answers, a part of me had no courage to ask. For the first time, I was scared of answers.

The entrance had a lot of scanners and passcodes I didn't catch. It was as if this was built to keep something or someone important safe. After many security checkups, the metal door opened that made my shoulders jump. Then, I realized things started to get intense. Sa pagpasok namin ay isang corridor lang ang dinaanan patungo sa isang automatic glass door. Kusa itong bumukas nang nakatapat na kami. Kung saan ang daan ay doon lamang ako pilit na pinalakad para siguro hindi mawala sa kanilang mga paningin.

We turned left as we entered, and I couldn't remember our path after that. There were no other doors, meaning this building had no rooms. Diretso lang talaga ang daanan. Ang lamig sa buong lugar at ang tanging ingay lamang ay ang mga sapatos ng mga naglalakad. We took a few steps down the stairs, and minutes later, we reached the end of the long straight path. I first noticed armed men as we walked near an elevator.

"Good afternoon, Sir," one of them greeted my father.

Dad nodded. Sa tangong iyon, parang naintidihan agad ng mga guard ang gustong ipagawa ni Papa. They opened the goddamn elevator without telling me what was going on.

"Go inside, Serin," Dad said.

I was utterly confused. Bakit biglang ako?

"May I know why?"

"You'll know."

My patience wore off. "Seriously, what's happening? You should have told me earlier about this—"

"Calm down. Walang mangyayari sa 'yong masama, Serin. We own this place," Mom reassured.

My eyes widened. I couldn't process the fact this vast prison was ours, and it had something to do with me. They never gave me hints up until here. My mind refused to do what they asked because I was scared of whatever was waiting for me.

A familiar voice echoed, "Am I late?"

I quickly turned to see the man who just spoke. "Armageddon?"

I was stunned when I saw our oldest brother, Airand Armageddon Zorron, here. He was taller than the last time I saw him. He didn't attend my birthday because he had things to prioritize that day. I didn't think much about it because Armageddon usually doesn't attend parties anyway. Seeing him in one piece now was like seeing someone gone for years.

"Yeah, long time no see, Serin," he smiled.

"What's happening?"

"I'll be with you down there, don't worry."

Wala akong nagawa dahil pinilit talaga nila akong ibaba ro'n kasama si Armageddon. Matapos ang ilang minutong pangungumbinsi ay bumigay na rin ako at pumasok na sa elevator.

As the elevator descended, every second seemed like an eternity, exacerbating my already overwhelming nervousness. The mechanical hum in the confined space only added to the unsettling atmosphere, intensifying my apprehension. Each passing floor illuminated in a stark and unwelcome reminder of how far we were descending, casting deep shadows that danced ominously across the mirrored walls.

My heart pounded violently against my chest as if desperately trying to escape from this fragile vessel that housed it. The silence within the elevator was deafening, magnifying every creak and groan from the cables supporting our descent.

"Do we really own this whole place?" I whispered enough for my brother to hear.

"Yup, it's a private prison made by our family for a special person."

"A-At siya ang kikitain natin ngayon? Dito sa baba?"

Armageddon clicked his tongue. "Correct! Don't worry; this person is too scared to do anything. She won't harm you, at least physically."

"Who is she? No, forget that. First, I didn't know we were wealthy enough to own such a facility!"

Armageddon chuckled. "Well, I guess I must tell you where our father gets his wealth. Alam kong gulat na gulat ka na sa mga nangyayari pero tama lang na malaman mo na 'to ngayon. Serin, our family owns a private organization of great men and detectives. We're like an intelligence unit if compared to a government official."

"Intelligence unit? So are we related to the government?"

"Nah, we work on our own. Though we have many connections–Dad always updates his list of influential people," Gidon said, bored as if he was used to explaining it.

"A-Alam ba 'to ni Mia?"

Armageddon faced me. "No, and you're not telling her this."

"How about our other relatives?"

"Ang mga taong nandito lang ang nakaaalam, Serin, kasama ka."

I glared at him as I asked, "Kahit si Marcus, hindi 'to alam?"

Marcus is Armageddon's closest cousin. Gidon used to visit him when they were kids and play all day. There's no way he also kept this a secret from Marcus.

"Including Marcus, but he's built smart. He probably has a clue."

"And I am here today because? Gidon, please tell me already. Hindi ko na yata kakayaning lumabas sa elevator na 'to mamaya sa dami ng nalaman ko."

"You're close to the answers, Serin. I was ordered not to spoil anything, so no luck for you today."

My thoughts raced uncontrollably, envisioning worst-case scenarios and potential catastrophes waiting just beyond each buttoned floor. This agonizing anticipation prevented any respite or solace, tormenting me until the doors finally opened. My brother entered a code, and many scanning followed until the last metal door opened.

My expectations fell as I saw the opposite of what awaited me. It wasn't something horrible, just a woman in her thirties standing above the white-squared floor.

"S-Salamat, Air," the woman said.

She looked fragile, the kind that would break easily. Her face was pale, and if it weren't for her skin tone, I'd think she was sick and quarantined here. She wore casual clothes, and her dark brown hair was longer than mine.

"No problem. You may speak with Serin now. I'll stay here like nothing's happening," Armageddon said.

Did I go through all that to talk with a stranger?

The woman couldn't even speak properly as her tears formed in the corner of her eyes. I was confused why she started sobbing silently. We never met before, and my parents had no photos of her. I didn't know what to do but to stand and watch her.

"Do I know you?"

As I stood there, my gaze fixated on the tear-stained face before me, a swirling storm of confusion and frustration engulfed me. How was it possible for one to shed tears so freely, so uncontrollably? I couldn't grasp the concept; empathy seemed like an elusive trait beyond my reach.

There I stood, frozen in time, my heart encased in a glass barrier that prevented it from connecting to the raw emotions emanating from this sorrowful woman. Her anguish floated aimlessly within an impenetrable void while I remained trapped outside, an outsider looking in.

"I-I'm sorry, this is not easy for me. I promised Dominiko and Rhea to tell you the truth once you're thirteen, but I didn't realize it would be this hard," the woman muttered.

What truth? Knowing the truth of something that was kept from me felt frightening. It was as if reality had shattered, leaving behind a desolate landscape of deception.

"I-I am Atias Vazquezo. I am married to Resinio Vasquezo. He died years ago. It's a long story, but I'll try to keep it simple and easy to comprehend," Atias said. "The Vasquezo used to have a good relationship with the Zorron back then. We used to be part of their organization. However, the Vasquezo was nothing but a doll controlled by another man. We were sent as spies in the first place by one of Dominiko's enemies and were caught."

I wanted to evade where this was heading. The world I thought I knew crumbled beneath my feet, and the walls built on trust came crashing down with relentless force.

"We were hopeless until we reached the point where we couldn't go back anywhere. Dominiko decided to lock us instead while he thought of a suitable punishment. We were isolated, but we only thought of one thing: our daughter. We lost everything in a blink: houses, cars, and other wealth–but we only cared about our daughter left in my sister's care."

She paused to wipe off her tears. I wish my ears could automatically shut down at this moment. I didn't want to hear another word from this woman. I didn't want to know whatever the fucking truth was. I didn't need this. I never asked for this!

"Our daughter's name is Serin. Galing iyon sa mga letra ng pangalan ng aking asawa."

Serin. Each breath is laced with memories that slice through my heart like shards of glass, piercing my very being. I would rather live with lies than with a tragic past. Though it may seem cowardly to some, seeking solace in a world littered with lies rather than confronting the demons of an agonizing past is a choice taken out of necessity. What good is truth if it only serves to shatter what little fragments of sanity remain?

The woman awaited my reaction, but I was already lost even to move. I just wanted this to stop.

"Takot na takot kaming madamay ka sa problema namin kaya humingi kami ng tulong kay Dominiko. We asked him to protect our daughter, and to our surprise, he immediately agreed. My husband took most of the punishment, which led to his death. Dominiko told me people were still looking for us and our daughter until we weren't gone for good. I-I had no choice but to..."

I blinked several times, trying to wake myself up from his nightmare.

"I had no choice, your safety was on the line, and I knew I couldn't do anything. Rhea asked if they could adopt you instead. It was... it was a tough decision for me. I didn't want to lose you, but at the same time, I needed to give you away, Serin."

I turned to Armageddon and caught him listening. I gave him a blank look, and he nodded back. My heart sank into a pit of despair, grappling with the overwhelming waves of confusion and betrayal. The disillusionment hit like a thunderbolt, shattering the facade of my supposed reality.

"Dominiko and Rhea let me stay here after announcing my fake death publicly. They kept me updated with your life, Serin. Although you know nothing about me, I am happy to see you well and happy living the life I wanted but couldn't give you."

"Y-You're lying," I said, my lips trembling.

The woman's eyes widened as another batch of tears fell. I didn't care if this was hard for her. It was much more difficult for me. I was just thirteen–I couldn't understand.

"I'm sorry, Serin," she cried.

Every aspect of my life and cherished memory was now tainted by doubt as fragments of truth slipped through my trembling fingers. It felt as though shadows danced mockingly on the shattered remnants of what I once believed to be solid ground. The core of my being trembled with anguish at the realization that everything I thought I knew was nothing more than a carefully constructed web of lies.

"Armageddon, let's go."

"Anak, please—"

"Don't call me that!"

I had it all... or almost all... and in a blink of an eye? I lost everything they made me believe was mine. Hindi pala ako Zorron. Hindi ako tulad nila.

"What are you thinking?" Gidon asked as the elevator closed.

I was too weak to speak a word, but I needed to ask. "Totoo ba lahat ng sinabi niya?"

I heard him sigh. "Yes, Serin."

My heart clenched in an unbearable pain that was too consuming to bear, yet I could not surrender to the solace of tears. A heavy weight pressed against my chest, constricting my lungs and leaving me breathless. It felt as if a thousand shattered pieces were tearing apart the fragile tapestry of my soul, yet not a single drop cascaded down my cheeks.

Now I know why I am constantly threatened that somebody would take what's mine. In the depths of my soul, a dark force resided. It whispered sinister notions into my mind, feeding my fears and insecurities. It became increasingly clear why I longed to drag others down inside me, for it provided fleeting moments of respite from my self-loathing and doubt. The perverse satisfaction from watching others suffer allowed me a temporary reprieve from the torments that plagued my mind.

How could one escape a turbulent past that seemed etched into the very fabric of their existence?