-to report a crime.

17

If I was in a drama, I could already hear the intense background music. Like what I've watched in the movies, all of their attention is on me, eyes meeting mine.

Literal na nakaawang ang bibig ko, namimilog ang mga mata. I could see myself with a devastating look, despair is visible on my face. Parang nanlalabo ang mga mata ko, hindi matutok ang tingin na pabalik-balik kay Felix at sa ama niya.

What? Why are they here? Am I in the wrong house? No, father is here.

Why . . . why is the Byrons' here?

Para akong nawalan ng lakas. Nanghina ang tuhod ko at bigla akong napaatras. Muntikan na 'kong bumagsak kung hindi ko lang naramdaman ang bisig ng taong nasa likod ko na agad akong inalalayan.

"Harlotte . . ." Ang mahina at puno ng pag-aalalang boses ni Nilus ang narinig ko.

I glanced at him to see his worried look. He's definitely suspecting something now, seeing my reaction.

"Harlotte!" Nakirinig ako ng pag-urong ng upuan. Doon ko nakita ang ina kong napatayo sa upuan at nag-aalala ring napatingin sa 'kin.

"Darling, are you alright?" My father's voice gave me a push to stand straight. 

Ilang beses akong napapikit-pikit, napalunok, at huminga nang malalim bago tumango-tango. "I-I apologize for barging in. I-I . . . I just wanted to see you."

Pinilit kong iangat ang tingin sa kanila, kahit hindi ko gustong maaninagan sina Felix at ang ama niyang nakatingin sa 'kin.

"Do you need something, Harlotte?" ani ama.

Napayuko ako, kaagad na nag-isip ng irarason. Napahawak ako nang madiin sa pangibaba ko.

"I . . . I wanted to apologize, father, mother." I took a deep breath. "I'm sorry for what happened this morning. I was wrong, it won't happen again." Mas lalong bumaba ang ulo ko. Alam kong nakatingin silang lahat sa 'kin.

I heard my father heaved a sigh. "I apologize for being rough as well, I was just worried. As long as you've learned your lesson." Umangat na ang tingin ko. "Please, let's just move on, my child. Join us for dinner."

I took all the courage I had to walk towards the table. Dinaanan ko si Nilus at binigyan ng nangungusap na tingin. A look that a smart man like him would understand, which he did. Umiwas kaagad siya ng tingin bago maglakad sa kabilang posisyon ng lamesa.

The only vacant seats are next to Lord Byron and his son. I had to choose the latter. Ramdam ko ang hindi mawalang tingin ni Felix na sumusunod sa 'kin. I heard his father chuckled. 

"My, my. Our lady Harlotte is getting wiser," he said. He tried not to make it sound sarcastic, but his intention was obvious.

Hindi ako kumibo hanggang makaupo ako, kahit hindi tinatago ng katabi ko ang pagtingin niya sa 'kin. The last time Felix and I talked, we had a short but heated conversation. And I make it obvious that my decision back then was real.

"Lady Harlotte," pagtawag sa 'kin ng kaharap ko. I glanced at Lord Byron who had a genuine smile. If I didn't know what he's up to, I might think that he is sincere. "Allow me to apologize if I hurt your feelings during our last dinner. That was rude of me. That day, I decided to quit drinking to make it up to you," he raised a wine glass that had water, still has a smile on his face.

I had to swallow my words, keeping it to myself until this dinner is finished. I faked a smile. "You don't have to apologize. It should be me for being too sensitive." 

His smile widened, liking my answer. I said what he wanted to hear. I know that he's still drinking and only putting up a show. Disgusting. 

"You really became wiser!" aniya. "Let's forget about the past, this lesson will make our families stronger! To the Adelaides and Byrons!" He raised his glass. 

My father slightly raised his and nodded, while my mother showed a smile. 

"Harlotte . . ." Mahina man, rinig ko ang pagtawag ng katabi ko. Hindi ko siya nilingon, ni pinansin. Parang walang tumatawag sa 'kin. I started touching the appetizer in front of me.

"Oh, maalala ko," muling sambit ni Lord Byron. Napatingin ako sa kaniya nang mapalingon siya sa gilid niya. "Young Lord Nilus, where's my wife?"

I flinched. I can't look at Nilus, but I felt his glance. Napatikhim si Nilus bago sumagot.

"I apologize, Lord Byron. I haven't made it to your manor." He didn't startle, nor showed any suspicious gesture. He straight-up lied! 

The lord's forehead furrowed. "And why is that?" His tone changed.

This time, hindi na tinago ni Nilus ang pagtingin sa 'kin. "A lady stole my attention."

I was taken aback, eyes widen as I look at him back. Dahil sa sinabi niya, muling napunta sa akin ang lahat ng atensyon. 

"Ohh." The lord teasingly said. "It seems like I won't have to look for your husband."

My father glanced at me, before looking at Nilus. "I understand that you and my daughter have a relation, but I didn't think that it was something more than friendship." Halos mamula ako sa hiya. I don't if it's because of everyone's reaction, or because of how can Nilus say that with a straight face!

"But still, young lord, you have a responsibility. This is not how you should act," my father added.

Nilus bowed his head in defeat. "Yes, sir. I apologize. It won't happen again."

"Oh my, please, don't be so harsh, Lord Howard! Let the youth be." Lord Byron tried to lighten up the mood. He gave Nilus a friendly tap on the shoulders.

I remained quiet, not trying to defend myself nor justify Nilus' answer. Well, he did change the topic, I owe him that. Not until I got a glance at the person beside me, forgetting that I was acting like he didn't exist.

Sumalubong sa akin ang kunot noong si Felix, hindi makapaniwala sa narinig. Before he could open his mouth to say anything, all of our attention went to the person who entered the room.

Doon na 'ko nanlamig, tila nawalan ng lakas na hawakan ang kutsara.

"I apologize, I'm late." Wearing a violet long-sleeved dress with corset. Hair tied up, with accessories. Lady Stella stole all of our attention the moment she entered the room. Lips curved, eyes malicious, look cold. She gave me a look for a second, but I felt the heat.

Seeing how my parents and everyone in the room welcomed her with smiles and greetings, I knew that she knew for sure that I hadn't spilled the beans.

"You're just in time, my love," Lord Byron greeted her back as she walked towards the empty seat beside him.

As everyone is already seated, I felt the suffocating atmosphere. Doon bumigat ang magkabilang balikat ko, parang may mga nakadagan. Nanatili akong nakatingin sa plato sa harapan ko, hindi maangat ang tingin.

"Let's eat, shall we?" my father said, as if his words were a starting signal. But rather than a race nor the beginning of our dinner, it's like the start of a big war for me.

The maids entered the dining hall with our dinner, I don't know any of them. Even the butlers who I got a glimpse of outside, I don't know them. They're not working for the Adelaides.

Naplunok ako nang malalim. They're for the Byrons.

We . . . are all surrounded.

Despite being at our manor, it felt like we were on the enemy's territory.

Where is Melissa? Where is Sir Druce?

"Well, Lord Byron, how's business?" My father started a conversation. Parang may umihip sa batok ko.

"I'm glad you asked. It's doing well, we will hit our goal soon, just a little longer." They exchanged answers and questions, while both of their wives smiled and chuckled.

My head remained in front of the now plate with food. The thoughts are filling up my head.

"Yes, we are distributing goods in every town."

"Certainly, we will give good news soon."

"Just a little more."

Hindi ako nakaharap sa kanila, hindi ko rin sila nakikita. Pero tila nakatatak sa isipan ko ang bawat pagbuka at paggalaw ng kanilang mga bibig at labi. Kasabay ng salitan nila ng mga salita ay ang pagbilis ng tibok ng puso ko.

Parang kada banggit nila sa negosyo nila, si Hilian ang nakikita ko. Ang mga drogang ginagawa nila na nakasira sa buhay ng ibang tao. There I heard the rain started pouring. I bit my lower lip.

I can't act normal in front of my sister's abductors . . .

Hilian . . .

"You should-"

Ang kalabog ng lamesa ang napagtigil sa lahat, kasabay ng pagkulog. As if my body have its own mind, I just found myself standing behind the man beside me, holding a knife from the table, pointing it at Felix.

Nanlilisik ang mga mata kong nakatingin sa mag-asawang Byron.

"WHERE IS HILIAN?!"

𓉞✎🕊