The delicious and well-presented foods made the dining table alive, along with the luxurious ornaments. The ravishing smell of the dishes made its way to my nose, making me salivate to eat more. The clanking of the silver utensils against the glass plates was like a piece of music to my ears, but all of the perfect atmosphere here in the dining room crumbled. The witch's obnoxious and high-pitched laugh rattled the four sides of the chamber. It made the glasses shook—almost breaking. 

The tasty food became bland in my tongue, nearly making me spit it to her. Even swallowing the water became hard as Ms. Sally Roma continued spreading her filthy charm towards the two men inside the dining. I knew her kind. They are an ambitious little gold digger trying their luck to win over my Dad. And I also know how to play this kind of game excellently. I can not remember how many bitches I have driven out of here. 

Well, hindi naman sa ayaw kong mag-asawa ulit or makahanap man lamang ng girlfriend si Dad. But, so far, all those girls who tried were all fake and have an ill-intentions. I do not want those girls to put a speck of dirt into the Valez clan. 

"I heard that you are an excellent architect, Mr. Mate?" 

Napataas ang aking kilay dahil sa sinabi ni Ms. Sally. Her awful voice kept on ringing in my ears making me want to shut her up. Come on, Olivia. Don't show yourself here. You'll lose the game if you are going to be driven by your emotion. Sumubo ako muli ng pagkain para pagtakpan ang nakasimangot kong labi. 

"I am an architect, but I am still far from excellent." Atlas said and he smiled at Ms. Sally.

I hate it. 

Why did he need to smile at her?! P'wede namang sagutin niya lang nang maayos. Saka saglit nga. Architect pala siya? I didn't know that. I hated Ms. Sally more. Paano alam niya 'yon samantalang ako ay hindi? She really came here prepared, huh?

My Dad laughed after swiping the sauce in the corner of his lips, "Come on, Bud. You were covered by famous magazines, and all your works were featured too. Be proud."

Mr. Mate smirked at Dad, "Are you proud of me then?"

Why did that sound different? Perhaps, it was the way he said it. It was sultry and teasing. Almost making it seems like they have a different relationship. Oh, my God! Agad akong napalingon kay Atlas na siyang katabi ko. Is he gay? Well, I don't mind it. Gender and sexuality don't define a person. Their heart and mind will always make them who they are.

It just pained me that he has a different preference. Wait, anong 'it just pained me?' Umayos ka nga diyan, Olvia Valez!

Naubo si Dad dahil sa tinanong ni Atlas. Sinamaan niya ng tingin, na siyang kinatawa lang ng isa.

"Yes." parang labag pa sa loob ni Dad nang sabihin niya ito, na mas lalong ikinatawa ni Atlas. Gustong-guto talaga niyang inaasar si Dad. Parang hindi kompleto ang araw ni Atlas kung hindi niya maasar si Oliver Valez.

"So you are an architect." I said in a flat quiet tone.

"Hmm, why?" he also said quietly.

"Nothing."

He looked at me intently as he put a piece of meat into his mouth. Atlas's heavenly eyes didn't leave mine as he slowly chewed the food. My eyes dilated as I followed every move of his lip as he chewed the food. I even saw how the juice of the meat slightly slipped into the corner of Atlas's tempting lips. Even the way his lip licked it was alluring. It was hypnotizing. I even swallowed as he did too. 

"Did I pleased you?"

Napakurap ako nang bigla siyang magsalita, at itinagilid ang ulo para mas lalo akong matignan nang maigi. I could feel some sweat starting to build up in my forehead. Para niya akong nahuling gumagawa ng krimen, at ngayon nga ay ini-interogate. I don't even know how to fucking answer him. Why do I need to answer him anyway? 

A small smile was trying to make my lips stretch upward, but I tried my best not to. My heart was hopping from the little happiness I was feeling right now. I found Mr. Atlas Mate and I whispering to each other...intimate. Like it was only exclusive for us, and no one can ever join our little secret whispering. It made my heart flutter.

I just smile sweetly at him and faced my plate again. Once again, I saw Ms. Sally looking at me intently making me lose my smile, but I tried my best to keep it in place. 

"How old are you, Deary?" 

"Sixteen almost seventeen." 

"Too young then." her voice was sweet but full of venom. The way she emphasized young irritated me.

I wanted to spew 'leech' at her, but I choose not to. 

"Why? Does playing the violin has an age requirement? Seems like Dad picked an instructor who is..." I intentionally didn't complete my sentence and smile at her, then I continued eating like I didn't shade Ms. Sally a little.

I saw her gripped the spoon quite tightly, but her face didn't give away anything. 

"I'm confident that I can teach you to play excellently, Deary. I am qualified enough." I know that it wasn't just about teaching me how to play the violin, she was also making a pass that she is qualified to be my Dad's girlfriend. As if.  

"Are you?" I said those words a little too sweetly making it like an innocent question, but I know the witch knows what I meant. 

There was a tension building up in the air, but my Dad was oblivious of it. He just keeps on eating, and when I asked that he innocently answered my question for Ms. Sally.

"Of course, Darling. I will hire the best for you. You know how much I love you, right?"

"I love you, Dad!" I said in a fake happy tone.

When I said I love my Dad, I meant it. But right now, I wish he didn't answer that one. My question was intended to insult Ms. Sally. Parang nagsisi na tuloy akong nag-ask na mag-aral ng violin. Hindi ko naman kasi in-expect na ganito pala kukunin ni Dad. Ms. Sally, the witch smiled triumphantly at me like she won the battle. I hate her smile. I know that I can erase that sooner and later, and she will run out of this mansion with her tails tucked behind her. I can't wait to see it happen.

"But I doubt if she is." I whispered lowly at myself.

"That's not nice, Little Girl."

Hindi ko siya muling nilingon, at nagpatuloy na lamang sa pagkain. Baka kung ano pa ang masabi ko at mas lalong lumala ang aking mood. Prim and proper, Olivia. For the past few days, talagang hirap na hirap akong i-maintain ang image ko lalo na pag kasama si Atlas. Ngayon naman ay dumagdag pa ang stressor ko dahil sa witch na nasa harapan ko. 

The dinner ended unpleasantly, but I am thankful na natapos na ito. I don't want to see Ms. Sally Roma when I'm eating. Nasisira niya ang apetite ko parang masusuka ako pagnakikita siya habang kumakain. Nakangiti ko siyang hinatid kasama si Dad habang hinihintay ang sasakyang maghahatid sa kaniya pauwi. She even has the guts to hug me before she finally went home. Humiwalay naman ako kaagad sa kaniya na para bang nangdidiri, but I made sure that it was not noticable. 

Pabagsak akong nahiga sa kama at ipinatong ang braso as mata. Bumuntong hininga ako nang malalim. Nang makapa ng kaliwang kamay ko ang unan sa gilid, ay pagalit kong tinapo iyon sa kung saan. Nagsisigaw ako nang punong-puno ng galit habang ipinapadyak nang buong lakas ang mga binti. Tumalbog-talbog nang malaks ang aking higaan dahil sa ginawa ko kaya ako'y nahilo. Now, I'm even madder. 

Everything irritates me right now. Kahit ang inosenteng displays sa racks ko ay parang gusto kong ipaghahagis nang walang dahilan. Pati ang pagsayaw ng kurtina sa bintana dahil sa hangin ay kinaiinisan ko, parang gusto ko itong hilahin at punitin. Nagpupuyos ako sa galit at iritasyon, at wala akong mapagbuntungan nito. Pagalit kong binuksan ang pintuan ng banyo ko at naglublob sa bathtub. I didn't even bother removing my clothes off. Basta't pinuno ko ng malamig na tubig ang tub at binuksan ang shower. 

The cold water seeped inside my body, making me shiver. This is what I needed the most. This is how I control my emotions, besides wrecking and throwing things as I break my throat from screaming. When I finally calmed the demons inside of me, that's when I decided to take off my clothes and properly clean myself. 

Hindi nga ako napagod sa pag-sho-shopping namin ni Prim, pagkauwi naman ng bahay ako na drained. Now, I know that dealing with a witch was exhausting. 

I was wiping my wet hair when my phone rang. Liberty's name flashed on the screen. Honestly, hindi ko na masyadong nararamdaman ang pangungulila kay Liberty, perhaps it's because of the annoying old man residing temporarily at our mansion. I don't know if that was a good thing or not, but I'm glad that I wasn't so lonely and sad anymore. Ayon nga lang, pagkairita ang pumalit sa kalumbayan. 

"Oly!" masaya siyang bumati sa'kin na agad kong ikinangiti.

Whenever my friends are happy I can not help but be happy for them. I actually can not understand those people who can not be happy for their friends. I mean, why? Kaibigan mo 'yon, e. Bakit hindi mo magawang maging masaya para sa kanila? Unless you are not a real one. 

"Woke up on the right side of the bed?" I said teasingly.

"Uh-huh! I finally realized what I wanted to become!"

Seeing Liberty's ocean blue eyes shine as pure delight made its way to her, made my heart warm. Some may say that realizing what you wanted to become was just a small thing. But, it was never a small thing. Everyone one of us has a future to look forward to and knowing what you want for your future plays a big role in our lives. It will guide us to the paths we must take in our lives. 

"Oh, my God! What is it?"

Humiga ako sa higaan ko at itinaas sa'king mukha ang kamay kong may hawak ng cellphone. Liberty's smile got even wider because of my question. Her ponytail bounced as she bobbed her head while things run wild in her pretty head. 

"Well, you know how much I am pissed off to my Dad." Liberty rolled her eyes and flicked her hands. "He said that I am not his daughter! Come on, does he think that I'll believe that? Stupid."

"Sorry, but your Dad is a real jerk."

"O, you don't have to be sorry for telling the truth. I don't even know why my Mom loved him. Anyway, since my Dad is a well-known businessman in shipping lines, I also want to make my name in the industry, but not the same as his."

I got excited by it, "Are you planning to compete with his business?" 

"No, if I make a business on the same line it wouldn't be recognized as my own hard work, especially that I am a Kings. I want to build my own restaurant around the world!"

"Oh, my God! But wait... do you know how to cook?" may pagdududa kong tanong sa kaniya. Well, sa tagal naming magkakilala, never pa akong nakatikim ng luto niyo at hindi rin niya nababanggit kung marunong siya.

"After living here for almost a month, I learned how to cook for myself."

Napakunot ang aking noo dahil sa kaniyang sinabi, "For yourself? Why? Wala ba kayong cook diyan?"

Bumuntong hininga si Liberty at inihilamos sa kaniyang kamay sa mukha. "My Mom was always not around. She's with her elite friends burning our money on useless things." muli siyang bumuntong hininga at may pagod na ngiting sumilay sa labi niya. "I think our money won't last long. Kahit pa sabihing may sustento form Dad, and even though my grandparents sometimes gave us money, but with my Mom spending piles of money, only a cent will be left for me." 

"Maybe, your Mom is relieving her stress through shopping?"

"I think so too. That's why I'm not saying anything to her, but she needs to realized na hindi unlimited and pera namin unlike before. Lumalabas lang nang lumalabas ang pera namin, walang pumapasok regularly. Naiisip ko na nga ring huminto na lang at magsimula na ng business ko."

Nabigla naman ako sa sinabi ni Liberty, "Well, that's not bad, but mamaya ay nabibigla ka lang? Try assessing things first, kung after ilang months at wala pa ring pagbabago then decide." 

"I know... natatakot din naman akong huminto. Paano kung mag-fail ako? Tapos wala pa akong diploma, e 'di mas lalo akong tatapak-tapakan ni Dad. Should I finish my study first?" Liberty's eyes became distant and her lip was in a grim line. 

"Everybody wants a safety plan, but every path we will take has a risk. I want to say go on and do your thing, but if you can have security while doing your thing, then that's much better."

Her eyes lit up and she smiled meaningfully, "Are we thinking the same?"

"Yes, Babe." I chuckled.

Liberty glee in happiness and made a gesture like she was hugging me, "I love you! You're the best!" she kissed the screen, "Why didn't I think of doing it together. Studying and doing business at the same time sounds fun!"

Halos abutin na kami ng umaga ni Liberty kachichikahan sa mga nangyari sa'min. Pahapyaw kong ikinuwento sa kaniya si Mr. Mate ulit, at pati na rin ang witch na 'yon. Napuno ng tawanan at asaran ang aming naging usapan, hindi namin maisali sa videocall si Prim. Hindi kami sigurado kung bakit, baka may ginawa na namang kalokohan kaya bawal humawak ng gadgets niya. 

As the clock strikes three, my mind was more relentless. It's been an hour since we ended the call. I realized that I don't have a dream. I grew up with a silver spoon in my mouth, and I can get everything that I need and want instantly. Everything was already planned out for me, that's why future and careers never cross my mind for too long. I've thought of it, but not thoroughly.  

Alam ko na namang ako ang magmamana nang lahat ng pinaghirapan ni Dad. I realized that people who don't have anything they want, got the gift of dreaming. I think, pagwala ka ng mga gusto mo doon ka nagsisimulang mangarap para sa hinaharap, and nothing is more beautiful than having a dream and strive for it. 

I felt shallow. 

I don't have a dream.

How can a person move forward in their life if they don't have a dream? Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why I felt dejected and forlorn most of the time. 

Tahimik akong lumabas ng aking kwarto, and I didn't expect to see Atlas's broad and masculine back on the balcony. He was talking to someone on his phone. I know it's bad to eavesdrop but I'm curious. I quietly took step one at a time, and as I come near him I can hear the angry tone of his voice. He was angrily whispering that's why I can't hear anything clearly. Altas's voice was like a relentless whisper on the wind. 

My feet got rooted on the ground when he suddenly turned around. The darkness didn't fully cover the shocked expression on my face. The midnight cloud along with the full moon looks dangerously majestic on his back. It felt like a  rebellious fallen angel came down from it. The three o'clock shadow made him look devilishly beautiful like heaven punished him for being breathtakingly exquisite. 

Atlas Mate ended the call and looked at me sharply. He looks so dangerous now and I should be scared but fuck it! How can I be scared when he was looking at me like that? Like I am a sinner that should be punished for falling in love to a devil.

O, God! I don't want to be saved.

~TBC~

Talagang tinapos ko na gad 'to kasi baka hindi ako makapag-update sa susunod na araw sa linggong ito. To all my readers who haven't read SA#1, I would appreciate it if you guys do! P'wedeng basahin ang SA#2 without SA#1, but SA#1 will make you realize things here, at may mga pahapyaw tayo doon sa story-ing ito.

I didn't have the time to proofread this. This is a rough draft so please bear with me.

Feel free to share your thoughts, and keep safe everyone!

Love lots. :>>