/3/
The Game Begins

---

PLAY: "Joke's on You" by Charlotte Lawrence

"AH, MR. Maccio! So glad of you to join us!" Professor Wyanna Perlita exclaimed as soon as the young man let out a deep cough, trying to compose himself.

Ann, who was amused at his reaction, scrutinized her disoriented rival.

"Miss Lobris and I were just having a splendid conversation about the evolution of the Writers' Schism throughout the years. But now that you're here, I think it's time for me to pull out the registration form." The professor grinned before pulling the drawer on her desk to reveal a few pens, folders and papers.

"You may sit opposite to Miss Lobris." The kind director of the Writers' Schism added as she rummaged through her vintage drawer.

"Thank you, professor." Rein said, clearing his voice as Ann watched him sit opposite to her.

Sakto naman ay biglang nag-ring ang kulay itim na telepono sa mesa ni Professor Perlita, na agad rin niyang sinagot. While the professor spoke to someone who seemed to be a parent, Ann was still smiling smugly at her rival.

"Never knew you were this interested in writing, Maccio." Ann remarked, a teasing hint on her voice. She felt that this was the perfect time to converse with him while the professor was busy.

"I never knew you were this interested either." Rein replied with a low chuckle, finally reclaiming his composure. "Although, I should have known you were joining. I read your piece from the PLUMA event the other day. Congratulations."

"Thanks." Ann said proudly, her legs and arms still crossed in a smug manner. "Being Castillo High's representative was a thrill."

"So it seems." Rein chuckled, fiddling with the Maccio family ring in his right finger. He knew damn well that Ann was being smug over besting him in joining two important writing competitions.

Nevertheless, he wasn't going to let Ann win any further this time.

Sakto naman na ibinaba na ng propesor ang telepono at saka binalikan muli ang paghahanap ng registration forms.

"O siya, balik tayo. Ano bang category ng Writers' Schism ang sasalihan niyong dalawa?" The professor asked the two absent-mindedly, seemingly still caught up with the phone conversation she just had.

"The full-length novel category, professor." Ann said quickly, flashing Rein with another of her fake smiles. Most of the time, it satisfied the young girl whenever she got the chance to be one step ahead of her rival. "It's more fulfilling to write a full-length story than it is writing a short novella, isn't it Maccio?"

Rein nodded with tense politeness before clearing his throat, trying to hide his amusement and annoyance that Ann was participating in the same category that he was going for. 

"Full-length novel category... Ah, here we go!" Professor Perlita suddenly exclaimed as she laid out a clear folder on her desk that contained the registration form of the Writers' Schism for the full-length novel category.

"Write your names and contact details on the form and both of you will be officially registered for the contest." Sabi ng propesor sa kanila. "After which, the board will then further instruct you along the way. Now, ladies first!"

The old woman then handed a fountain pen to Ann who gave Rein a wink, scribbling on the paper in a dainty manner. She then signed it with a flourish before handing the pen to Rein.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, but do both of your parents know that the two of you are joining the Schism?" The professor asked with a raised eyebrow, peering over them from her half-moon glasses that shone every now and then under the light.

"My father is aware, professor." Rein replied stiffly as he signed the form.

"Actually, ngayong gabi ko palang po sila sasabihan. Nonetheless, I'm sure they would approve of me joining a prestigious contest such as this." Sabi naman ng dalaga, flashing them both with a brilliant smile.

"Very well." Professor Perlita nodded. "The both of you have talent, so I wish you two nothing but the best of luck." Ngiti nito at agad namang tumayo na ang dalawa.

"Thank you for your time, professor." Ann said sweetly as Rein shook the professor's hand.

"No worries!" The woman assured them. "Now off you two go and enjoy the rest of the afternoon." She said cheerfully, guiding the two students to her doorway.

But just before Ann could step out of the office, Rein suddenly grabbed her hand out of surprise.

The young lady immediately flinched at their contact, slightly widening her eyes.

"Good luck, Ann." Ngisi ng binata as he shook her hand, his left dimple deepening.

Agad na namula ang mukha ng dalaga. This was the first time that Rein had called her by her nickname. It was then that she realized he was trying to get back at her by embarrassing her in front of an adult.

Ann gave him a warning look, but then glanced at Professor Perlita who seemed to be amused and enjoying their interaction.

"The best of luck, Rein." Ann replied, giving him a fake, sweet smile as she tugged her hand out of his hold.

"Professor." She nodded to Professor Perlita once more, flashing the director of the Writers' Schism with one of her pearly white smiles before finally stepping out of the office with a chuckling Rein behind her.

"You think you're charming, Rein Maccio?" Ann muttered as soon as the two were out of earshot and were walking down the corridor. The sight of them together earned them a few, curious looks from nearby students.

Rein let out an attractive laugh. "So you agree?" He asked innocently before running his fingers through his dark, almost-black, brown hair. "You think I'm charming?"

Ann scoffed at his egotistic gesture. Once the two of them were alone in an abandoned hallway, she then spun around and to Rein's surprise, pulled him towards her using his necktie. The young lady then dangerously leaned close until her lips were next to his ear.

"I can see through your little game, Maccio." She whispered seductively, making Rein's skin tingle. "You want to play this game? Fine. May the best writer win."

She then gave him an enigmatic smile that could mean anything, before walking away from a bewildered Rein.

"Indeed, Lobris." He murmured, still taken aback by Ann's boldness. He then fixed his disheveled necktie as he watched her go.

"Indeed."

---

"HIYAAAA!" Ann yelled, pouring out all her stress towards her instructor who seemed to be surprised with her student's drive and energy this afternoon.

Kasulukuyan kasing nasa kaniyang personal jujutsu session ang dalaga, something that she looked forward to doing every single Friday. Dito sa kaniyang lessons niya natutunan ang mga self-defense techniques na pwede niyang gawin just in case she would find herself in trouble.

Or better yet, techniques that could help her beat Rein Maccio's ass.

"ARGHH!" She shouted once more, forcefully bringing her instructor down on the hard, blue mat, as sweat dripped down her forehead. She was releasing all her pent-up stress and frustrations through today's jujutsu session, which was now slowly starting to concern her instructor, Olivia Salceda, whom Ann liked to call as Ate Liv.

"Alright!" Ate Liv panted as the two helped each other up. "You're on a roll today! May nangyari ba?" She asked Ann who was now fixing her short disheveled hair up in a ponytail.

Napasimangot muli ang dalaga before rolling her eyes. "Just an annoying guy in my school Ate Liv." She managed to say.

"Oooh," Ate Liv's eyes twinkled in curiosity. "Boy problem naman pala. Care to share?"

Magtatanong pa sana ang kaniyang instructor patungkol dito nang biglang dumating ang isang matangkad na lalaki sa loob ng session room. The man had a large built, and was wearing a neat, white polo, a pair of shades, and an earpiece on his right ear.

As soon as the man had reached them, he then bowed in respect to Ate Liv, before turning to Ann.

"What's up Kuya Norms?" The jujutsu instructor grinned in acknowledgement.

"Kuya Norman," Ann greeted the man as well, which was no other than Norman Guinevra, their family butler. "Pinapauwi na ba ako?"

"Apparently yes, Miss Lobris." The man, who had been serving the Lobris family ever since she could remember, nodded, removing his shades. "Your father requested me to fetch you here. Hindi ka daw dapat nagpapagabi ng ganito."

Ann nodded before turning to hug Ate Liv. "Thank you for today Ate Liv, next Friday ulit." She smiled before rushing to get her things from a nearby chair.

"Of course! Ikwento mo na rin 'yang patungkol sa lalaki mo ha." The older female teased with a wink before laughing and waving a goodbye to both of them.

"Lalaki?" Kuya Norman asked mischievously, helping Ann with her things as the two of them walked out of the building.

Ann rolled her eyes. "Kuya Norman, wala 'yon. Wala akong lalaki, wala akong boyfriend. Ang meron ko lang ay lamok. Lamok na hindi maalis-alis sa buhay ko!"

The older man grinned in amusement, shaking his head with a chuckle as the two had reached the family limousine. He then decided not to push the conversation. Alam naman nito na totoo ang sinasabi ng dalaga. Taking care of Ann for most of his life, the butler knew that Ann's priorities never included having a love interest.

"Good afternoon, Kuya Jed." Ann greeted their family driver as soon as she had entered the car. Just like Kuya Norman, Jed Sampaloc was another person that had been serving the Lobris family ever since Ann could remember.

"Good afternoon, Miss Lobris." The thin, lanky driver greeted back.

"Balik na tayo sa mansyon, Jed." The butler told him after placing Ann's things in the trunk. "Baka maabutan pa tayo ng rush hour."

The family driver immediately nodded, and as soon as all three of them had settled in the car, agad na pinaandar nito ang kotse pauwi sa tahanan ng mga Lobris.

The drive home wasn't that long, and after passing through the heart of the city, Ann soon saw the large, fancy gates of the Lobris' mansion, automatically opening as it made way for the family's dark vehicle.

They then passed by the gardens of the mansion, as well as the gorgeous fountain planted in the front yard before finally entering through a neatly-tiled driveway.

PLAY: "Price of Perfection" by Katherine Lynn-Rose

https://youtu.be/rTsqIdQHr3g

"Mom?" Ann immediately called out as soon as they had entered the mansion, feeling so small in her own home. "Mom? Are you home?"

"I believe they're in the dining area." Kuya Norman, who was following right behind her, informed Ann. Tumango naman ang dalaga at tumungo sa hapag-kainan na magarang naka-set up na pala para sa dinner.

Though instead of her mother sitting in her usual spot, Ann was caught by surprise nang madatnan niya ang kaniyang ama na nakaupo na sa dulo ng lamesa — na para bang hinihintay ang pag-uwi nito.

"Dad." Ann acknowledged him, awkwardly stepping forward to give her father a kiss on the cheek.

Hindi sanay ang dalaga na maagang umuuwi ang ama nito lalo na't madalas ay busy ito sa kaniyang trabaho.

"Buti naman at nakauwi ka na." Her father remarked, raising an eyebrow at her. She can see her father's large tummy almost bulging from his polo. "Hindi ka dapat nagpapagabi ng ganito, Annaliese Gracielle." He added, calling Ann by her first two names.

Ann grimaced at the sound of her full name rolling off from her father's tongue, but nodded her head diligently. "I was just practicing jujutsu." She managed to defend herself, sitting adjacent to her father.

"That is no excuse." Her dad said calmly, sipping from his own wine glass. "The world is a dark place, Annaliese. I should know — I experience it on a daily basis." He scoffed, and Ann grimaced, gripping her skirt tightly under the desk.

Of course her father would know. He was none other than Senator Alejandro Maurice Lobris, a famous politician in the world of politics; which was another reason why the Lobris family wasn't just any another ordinary Filipino household.

"Just tell him to look through the financial statements!" A familiar voice suddenly snapped out of the blue, and Ann didn't have to look to know that it was her mother who had entered the dining room, with her phone attached to her ear — as usual.

"What do you mean he doesn't know?! That man took up a business course!" Her mother rolled her eyes as if nakikita siya ng kinakausap niya sa telepono, before reaching out to kiss Ann on the cheek.

"Hi honey, I thought it was you who had arrived." Her mother said dearly, sitting in front of Ann and not even acknowledging her husband's presence.

"Just get right to it, Stella!" Her mother barked once more to the person she was talking through on the other end of the line, and Ann couldn't help but smile bitterly.

That was her mother, famous corporate lawyer Gabrielle Lobris, another household name in the industry that made the family name further shine under headlights. 'Yun nga lang, kung gaano ka-sikat ang kaniyang mga magulang, 'yun naman ang kabaliktaran ni Ann sa kanilang mga mata. Halos wala na kasing panahon ang dalawang ito para sa kaniya.

At the moment when Ann felt like she just wanted to return to her jujutsu sessions, sakto namang dumating na si Kuya Norman, dala-dala ang kanilang masarap na pang-hapunan. It was Ann's favorite: grilled fish sided with caesar salad.

"Thank you, Kuya." Ann said gratefully just as her mother had finished her phone call.

"So!" Her mother clasped her hands together. "How was your week, darling?"

Bubuksan pa lamang ng dalaga ang kaniyang bibig para magkwento nang bigla namang sumingit ang kaniyang ama na nauna nang kumain.

"To be exact, how is your studies? Have you been topping your class?"

Ann's throat instantly went dry. She then immediately cleared it with a cough before nodding her head. "So far so good... dad." She replied dryly. "I joined the Writers' Schism by the way."

Her father's eyebrows shot up at the statement and Ann was quick to regret announcing it.

"Isn't that another writing competition?" He asked begrudgingly. Aba, kakasali mo lang sa isang writing competition last week. Hindi ba makakasabal 'yang pagsusulat na 'yan sa pag-aaral mo?"

"When has any extracurricular activity bothered my academics, dad?" Ann asked, trying to mask the irritation in her tone.

"Well, if you'll be joining, just make sure you win." Her father pointed out in an authoritative tone, wiping his mouth using the table napkin.

"Sasali ba diyan 'yung anak ni Maccio?" Tanong muli ng kaniyang ama and Ann instantly wanted to disappear then and there at the mention of Rein.

"Yes." She answered stiffly.

"Then that just gives you more reason to win." Her dad sniffed. "Hindi ka dapat nagpapatalo sa binatang iyon, Annaliese. He and his arrogant ass of a father deserves to go down. Masyado silang mayabang. Hindi porket halos lahat ng korporasyon dito sa Ylando ay pagmamay-ari ng pamilya nila eh may karapatan na silang magmayabang."

"Yes, dad." Ann replied monotonously once more, watching her mother ignore the conversation as she replied to a number of emails on her phone.

The scene was all too familiar for Ann. Halos kada pag-uwi niya dito sa mansyon tuwing weekends, ganito ang nagiging usapin nila. It was always about academics — always about winning, and always about staying on top.

To Ann, it seemed as if mas kinukumusta pa nila ang kaniyang standing sa honors kaysa ang kalagayan niya.

Dati, pinupush lang ng dalaga ang pag-aaral ng mabuti para mapansin siya ng kaniyang mga magulang; until her dad pressured her to continue her excellent academic standing for the betterment of their family's image, all because Ann's father felt the need to defeat and bring down the name of their rivals — none other than the Maccio family.

Ann remembered it all clearly. It was an ugly feud between the Lobris and Maccio families that started decades ago because of their great-great-great grandfathers. Because of this, ever since she was just a little girl, each and everyone of her relatives from her father's side have told her to be bigger and better than any Maccio.

Over the years though, the feud between the two families had quieted down — not until a certain incident that reinstated the Lobris' hate and disgust towards the Maccios added flame to the fire.

This particular incident was publicized throughout Ylando city for everyone to feast. It involved Rein's father, businessman Ryder Elias Maccio, declining an unknown business offer instigated by the senator — an offer that Ann's father refused to talk about even until now.

Many members from the Lobris side of the family immediately reprimanded Ann's father for even thinking that all was finally good with the Maccios and that they could be trusted with a business offer. As per the words of her tita Celine Lobris: "Always be suspicious of a Maccio."

Because of this humiliation which was further amplified by the press, Senator Lobris vowed he would do anything to finally bring the Maccio family down to the ground.

Kaya kahit hindi naman talaga gustong masama ng dalaga sa kaguluhan, ay tinupad niya ang hiling ng kaniyang ama na talunin si Rein sa lahat ng pagkakataon. But if she were being honest, the only reason why she was still doing it was because she explicitly craved for her own father's approval.

Gusto lang ni Ann na maging proud ito sa kaniya, and not nitpick her every flaw every time she would come home to the mansion.

But alas, Ann had learned it the hard way that when success is expected, there was no room for mediocrity — especially in a family obsessed with validation and reputation.

"Hmm," her mother hummed. "How about college, dear? May naiisip ka na bang course na kukunin mo? You're nearing the end of your tenth grade now. Malapit ka nang grumaduate ng high school."

"Well, I was thinking of taking up law." Ann answered quietly, dabbing her mouth with her napkin.

At that remark, both her parents looked up from their plates to stare at her in surprise. Ann shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"That's a fine choice." Her father nodded, wiping his chin. "What pre-law course do you plan to take?"

Kumurap ang dalaga. Hindi ineexpect nito na sasang-ayon ang kaniyang mga magulang. She then took a deep breath before replying with more confidence this time. "AB Journalism."

This made her father drop the knife in his hand, and Ann's confidence immediately subsided.

"Journalism??" Her mother repeated, furrowing her brows and trying to process the thought of her daughter taking up the particular course.

"At ano namang gagawin mo sa journalism?" The tone in her father's voice was raising. "Write nonsense news for the media?"

"Why not accountancy? I heard a lot of companies are looking for freshly-graduated accountants. It's the most popular pre-law course right now!" Her mother intervened.

"It's because of those books she keeps on reading!" Her father thundered. "Kung ano-ano kasing libro ang binibili mo para sa kaniya, planting derilious ideas in her head." He muttered, glaring at his wife.

"Aba, at ako pa ang may kasalanan, Alejandro?" Ann's mother snapped angrily, letting her utensils crash loudly on her plate.

"Well it doesn't matter now, does it, Elle? Mukhang buo na ang kalooban ng anak mo." Ann's father retorted.

Ann dropped her face into her hands in frustration. None of them were eating now and the senator faced their crestfallen daughter.

"You will be a penniless beggar in the future if you take up a meaningless course such as that." Mabigat na sambit ng kaniyang ama, and Ann had never felt so inferior in her life. "Besides, hindi mo magagamit ang journalism sa pagpapalago ng pera natin."

"But it's what interests me." Ann said coldly, her hands crumpled into fists on her lap. "Hindi ba ako pwedeng mag-desisyon para sa sarili ko?"

"It's a dangerous path to take, honey." Her mother said, in a disappointed tone. Ann wanted to throw up. She hated hearing the disappointment in her mother's voice.

"Maraming journalists ang nagiging target sa mga masasamang-loob dahil sa nature ng kanilang trabaho." Dagdag ng kaniyang ina, making her scoff.

"As if our family isn't receiving death threats everyday." She replied sarcastically, her fingers shaking now.

"Annaliese." Her mother said in a warning tone, throwing down a napkin on the table. But Ann ignored her.

"As if our safety has never been compromised with BOTH of your careers!" Ann yelled with a shaky voice, standing abruptly from her chair.

"Annaliese!" Her mother exclaimed, horrified at the sudden outburst of her daughter.

"Enough." Her father said in a cold tone, and Ann immediately regretted her actions. Slowly slinking back to her chair, Ann felt defeated.

"How about I make you a deal." Her father said in a calculating tone, as he took a sip from his porcelain cup. Ann's eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"I'm your daughter. Not one of your shady dealers." She mumbled to herself, resisting the urge to spit it out loud for the whole neighbourhood to hear.

"If you beat Ryder's son in that writing competition you've joined, only then we'll allow you to freely choose whatever strand you want to take in your senior high, as well as whatever course you want in college. But if you fail to do so, your mother and I will decide for you. Do you understand?"

Ann smiled bitterly. "As if I have a choice." She muttered, halatang sakal na sakal na sa pamamaraan ng kaniyang mga magulang.

"Good. Now, no more word of this until the announcing of winners for the Writers' Schism." Striktong sabi ng kaniyang ama. "Ako mismo ang aattend ng seremonya para siguraduhing hindi mo ako iniisa. Am I making myself loud and clear?"

When Ann silently nodded in reply, he then stood up from the table and left the room without another word.

Ann's mother gave her a sad, sympathetic smile — the kind of smile that Ann loathed. Ayaw na ayaw niyang may naaawa sa kaniya. She was not to be the subject of anyone's pity, even if it was from her own mother.

"Don't give me that look." Ann said quietly to her mother, whose phone had rang once more.

The lawyer's gaze at her daughter then shifted from pity to apologetic, before standing up to take the call in another room, with Ann suspiciously watching her leave.

Her own parents may not know this, but their daughter was smarter than they give her credit for. Hindi nila napapansin na inoobserbahan ng dalaga ang kanilang bawat galaw, taking note of all the mysterious phone calls and suspicious meetings both her parents have been having lately.

"Choose my path for me, and I'll keep a close eye on both of you." Bulong ng dalaga sa hangin as she was left alone in the large dining room, the same way they had long neglected their daughter years ago.

---

"Pick up the call." Ann murmured as she paced back and forth in her large room.

Just like the rest of the Lobris mansion, Ann's room was wide and big with a grand queen-sized bed in the midst of it. Her room was filled with shelves and shelves of books, with a cozy sitting area and a fireplace in the middle.

"Pick up the damn call, Calista." Iritadong sabi ng dalaga, her phone between her ear and shoulder as she scanned the contents of the past issues of the Castillian Gazette.

Nang itatapon na sana ng dalaga ang month of August issue ng Gazette, ay sinagot na ng kaniyang pinsan ang tawag.

"What do you want?" Her older cousin asked smugly. "I'm a busy woman, Ann. Kung papahiyain mo lang ulit ako katulad nang ginawa mo ka—"

"What do the readers of the Castillian Gazette love reading the most?" Ann asked at once, interrupting her cousin.

The line was quiet for a few seconds before Calista let out a chuckle. "Wait — I'm guessing you joined the Writers' Schism?"

"Yeah, and I see nothing funny about it." Ann said dryly.

"I'm not even laughing!"

"I can hear you chuckling. Now please answer my question."

"Chismis." Calista replied, sounding as if she was smirking from the other side of the line.

"What the hell do you mean?" Ann frowned.

"Chismis ang pinaka-gustong basahin ng mga readers ng Gazette. And do you know which part of the Gazette caters to gossip?"

"The Confessions of a Castillian." Ann answered in disgust, remembering the anonymous comments about her.

"Bingo! The very section which you just dissed me about the other day." Calista remarked and Ann let out a groan before abruptly ending the call.

"ARGH!" Sigaw nito at saka hinagis ang telepono sa kaniyang higaan. Just as she had turned around, bigla niyang narinig ang pag-bagsak ng kaniyang phone.

With a creased forehead, Ann looked over her shoulder only to see that her phone had hit the hardbound cover of the Nancy Drew book she was reading the other day.

Ann's face immediately softened as she stepped forward to reach out for the book that was sitting on her bed.

"That's it." She murmured, gazing at the book's cover with a glint of realization before rushing to her laptop.

Whatever it takes, Ann was determined. Sisiguraduhin niyang mapapanalo niya ang Writers' Schism, at ang deal ng kaniyang ama — just so she could be finally free from her parents' suffocating control.

And she wasn't going to let anyone get in her way.

---

NOTE: Hi sleuths! If you like this chapter, follow me on my social media accounts for more updates. You can freely message and post on my FB page, tweet your thoughts to me on Twitter, or show me your fan arts and favorite quotes on Instagram.

FB PAGE:
IsadoraQuagmire13 or @isadoraquagmire13
https://www.facebook.com/isadoraquagmire13/

INSTAGRAM:
@isadoraquagmire13
https://www.instagram.com/isadoraquagmire13/?hl=en

TWITTER:
@isa_quagmire
https://twitter.com/isa_quagmire?s=09

Remember to use the hashtags #TheSleuthProject and #TSP aside from tagging me so that we can compile all TSP-related posts!

"Why do my achievements define me? Why does life feel so damn confining? When success is respected, there's no room for mediocrity. 'Cause I'm so sick of being stressed, working hard at your request. This family's obsessed with reputation and validation." — Price of Perfection by Katherine Lynn-Rose