Alpha and the b***h

Chapter 16

"What a nice way to ruin the day jackass"

Ngumisi lang si kuya at binato ako ng kung ano. Mabilis ko naman iyong sinalo sa ere ng hindi siya nililingon.

Naghahanda ako para sa pagtitipun mamaya. Hindi ko alam na nag handa si daddy ng isang pekeng pagtitipun para sa pekeng anak niya. After being my real self I was able to remember most of my memories in the past.

Hindi ako anak ni daddy. But Mommy and him had a relationship. Nagkamalay ako at the age of 4 and I do remember him seeing us in the old house. Charlie himself is not my real brother. But he is , for me. Walang magbabago sa kung ano ang kinamulatan ko. From America ng makabalik ako ay hindi ko inakala na magkakaroon ng pagtitipon sa muli kong pag balik. A show off maybe. Alam ng lahat ang pag alis ko sa poder ni daddy, and after he won the election he's been doing all the good and fatherly things to make his name sounds better.

Bumalik ako ng bahay a week ago. I just have to go back to where I should. I can't live like an unpack werewolf and a hungry vampire. I have to live like a normal human being.

At inasahan ko naman ang dalawang araw na sermon mula kay charlie. Daddy just told him to let me be dahil malaki na ako.

Muling nanumbalik sa aking repleksiyon ang isip. I wear a red velvet long gown. Its almost bare in the chest because of the V shape down to my abdomen, wala lang. The old Cassandra loves black and using monochrome wardrobes. But there's the word old. So hindi na ako nagsusuot ng iisang klase lamang ng damit o kulay man.

I grow mature in all aspect and I love it. Everyone does.

"Hindi kita nakilala."

May lamlam sa mga mata ni Charlie. "Something changed. What happened sister?"

Hindi man sabihin ng labi niya naririnig ko sa isip niya ang kanyang nga katanungan.

"People grow. People die. People change Charlie. At may iba gumaganda."

Nginisihan ko siya at natawa lamang siya.

Tinignan ko ang maliit na kahon na ibinato niya kanina.

"Ano to?"

"A gift. Pinag alala mo ako ng umalis ka ng walang paalam. Kahit.. alam mo ng hindi tayo. Mag.. kapatid. I'm still happy you came back Cas. I love you. Its a welcome back gift."

Malamya at sinsero ang mga mata at ngiti niya so I bit back the warmth growing beneath me. I'm a monster now. No touch of human. Hindi ako dapat maging emosyonal.

Dahan dahan kong binuksan ang kahon at tumambad ang isang maliit na kwintas na may maliit na pendant. Its a full moon.

"Hindi ko na nakita na suot mo ang bigay ko noon. I replaced it with a new one."

My hands shake a little. I looked at him. Wala siyang iniisip ngayon but I can sense it. He knew something.

"Thank you Charlie."

Dahan dahan siyang lumapit at isinuot sa akin.

Habang pinapanood ko siya sa salamin I just knew siguro nag imbestiga siya sa pag kawala ko. He must know something. Or everything.

"Alam mo."

Its a statement.

Tinignan lang niya ako. At tumango.

"I knew this day would come. Tara na. Nag aabang na ang mga bisita. Oras na para mag paka plastic."

Natawa ako pero hindi maalis sa akin isipan ang sinabi niya. So all along alam niyang iba ako sa kaniya? Sa kanila?

"How?"

Naka abrisette ako sa kanya at naglalakad kami papuntang hagdanan. I notice the red carpet from the pathway down the stairs.

"Mom told me. To take care of you because you're different. And I must always remind you that nevertheless you're still my baby sister and I love you and you will not do anything that would harm you and people around you."

We stare at each other.

Nabasag lamang iyon ng marinig namin ang masigabong palakpakan mula sa ibaba ng mahabang hagdanan. There are many people wearing beautiful dresses and suits . Some are familiar faces pero mas marami ang hindi.

"Ladies and Gentlemen the loving and gorgeous daughter of our one and only Governor Alfredo Novalez please around of applause to Cassandra Novalez!"

"What.the.hell?"

Mahinang natawa si kuya ng pababa kami ng hagdan.

"Smile sister . You wouldn't like to look like you're having a menopausal today."

"Gago" ngumiti naman ako pero hindi ko tiyak kung kaaya aya ba iyon sa mata.

May mga ilan na nakipag kamay at bumati sa akin habang nasa paanan na kami ng hagdan.

"Welcome back Cassy! " bati ng ilang mga ipokritong kamag anak.

"I really hate faking around you know THAT right?" Mahigpit kong pinisil ang kamay ni charlie. Napangiwi lang siya at iginiya ako sa mga ibang bisita.

Naramdaman ko ang presence ni daddy sa likuran kaya nilingon ko siya.

He got his genuine and sincere smile .

"Welcome back. Cas"

"Dad..." nagyakap kami. Mas matagal at mahigpit kaysa sa inaasahan ko. He practically raise me. Tho not his real daughter and not like a real daughter treatment utang ko sa kanya kung nasaan ako ngayon.

"Hindi mo naman kailangan gawin to Dad."

"Just felt the urge to do so. Buong akala ko hindika na babalik. Kahit gaano ka man katuso at sakit sa ulo. Ikaw parin ang aking unica hija."

Iniangat ni daddy ang kopita ng alak na hawak.

"A cheer for my daughter!"

Iniangat ng mga bisita ang mga hawak na wine bago masiglang sinabi ang cheers!

"Cheers! There you go! So welcome back Ms. Cassandra! The party is for you so here we go! To all the handsome gentlemen in this party you may now dance with Cassandra!"

Masiglang wika ng emcee.

"Ugh.."

Natawa lang si Charlie na iginiya ako sa dance floor.

"Shall I be the 1st dance?"

"Have it your way."

Nag umpisa kaming sumayaw sa salin ng "A thousand years" na musika.

"you grew bigger and more mature both physical and mentally. What happened cassy? Let me understand the things Mom have told me before."

"Mom" iyon ang tawag niya kay mommy. Ang alam ko lang , nakilala ni charlie si mommy ng mag kaugnayan sila ni Daddy. May plano na nga silang mag sama noon at ipakilala ako sa magiging kapatid ko pero biglang nawala si mommy.

"I became one of them."

Hindi ako makatingin sa kaniyang mga mata. Lumagpas lamangang tingin ko sa balikat niya tungong buffet table sa di kalayuan sa amin.

Hindi ko nais malaman ang nasa isip niya so I quit reading it

"One of them.. who?"

Naramdaman ko ang pag higpit ng kapit niya sa bewang ko

"I cant... no this is not the right time . I'll tell you soon" tinignan ko siya at tinapik sa pisngi. Bakas parin sa mukha niya ang pagtataka ng bigla kaming makarinig ng tikhim.

"Shall I dance with the princess, Charlie?"

A hot guy in tuxedo interrupted us. Charlie just rolled an eye.

"Gavin.. "

Gavin's eyes were fix on mine.

"Cas this is Gavin Montenara his father is a close friend of daddy and he's my highschool mate."

"Hi"

"Hello there princess." He bow a little.

"Take care of my sister. Uh no.. you take care Gavin. " hinabol ko ng sampal sa braso si Charlie na tatawa tawa lang kaming iniwan. Marami na rin nagsasayawan sa dance floor at namalayan ko na lamang na sumasabay na kami ni Gavin.

"I've seen you at some occasions Cassandra. But I haven't got the chance to meet you. "

"I wasn't focus then kasi hindi kita nakikita. You're unfamiliar to me. " hindi ko kailangan maging ipokrita

"Yes of course. The Cassandra I heard of was a untamed and rebellious chic. Hindi mo marahil mapapansin ang isang hamak na tulad ko."

I look at him in the eye. Nagbibiro lang siya but he's right. Hindi ko ugaling mamansin ng mga taong hindi ko kilala.

"You're beautiful. "

"So do you Gavin. Thank You "

I can sense his growing attraction. I felt his hand fall lower than my waist.

I'm too focus on pacing with him with the dance and I didn't notice his presence.

"Go lower and I'll break your fingers into bits. "

Vander

"Isn't it the famous young CEO Vander Laurent?"

May sarkasmo sa tinig ni Gavin. Natigil kami sa pagsasayaw dahil sa pagsulpot ni Vander. He's wearing a gray tuxedo and his presence is domineering. All attentions were drawn towards him. Ang mahaba niyang buhok noon ay ngayon bagong tabas na nagpa bata ng ilang taon sa hitsura niya. That handsome face is demanding for attention, who would have thought. I was one of the women who fell for this bastard. And I can't even believe I use the word "was" and before in describing my feelings for him. Could it be, I've really turned to cold blooded being?

Hindi ko maalis ang tingin ko sa kanya. He's looking at Gavin with intense eyes like a mad dog.

"I heard you'll be handling the marketing department of your company soon Cassandra? Then you should know this famous and young CEO here" he smirk

Naalala ko nga iyon. My father wants me to learn handling the company. Dahil hindi maaasahan si Charlie dahil sa kanyang serbisyo ako ang inatasan ni daddy na maging kanang kamay niya sa pamamahala ng mga business namin. And he wants me to start working soon! Hindi ko tatanggihan iyon dahil it could be my passport to live half a normal life regardless of what i am now. Just that hindi ko alam na isa ng CEO si Vander. That fast huh?

"I said put that filthy hands away from her."

Gavin laugh insulting.

"At ano ang karapatan mong sabihin ang mga yan ?" He snake his hand in my waist even more.

Vander's eyes met mine. As if telling me things.

I can sense his growing irritation. I can smell his anger. He can't make a scene right now!

Ako ang mismong bumitaw kay Gavin.

"Because, Vander is my boyfriend."

I smiled sweetly at Gavin. I dont like him either, might as well use the opportunity to get rid of hypocrite and egoist like him.

I felt vander's body become rigid.

"Thanks for the dance Gavin. Its my man's turn now."

Ako na ang humawak sa braso ni Vander at hinila siya sa gitna ng dance floor.

He's eyeing me thoroughly.

"What did you say?"

"Shut up!" I hissed.

Ipinulupot niya ang mga kamay sa bewang ko at inilapit ng husto ang katawan sa katawan ko.

"What are you doing here and try making a mess?"

Masamang tingin ang ipinukol ko sa kanya . Nanatili lamang niya akong tinignan ng masuyo at tila nangungusap.

"You grew prettier."

He comb his fingers on my now longer brunette hair.

"Your physique change after that night "

Pababa at pahina ng pahina ang boses niya. Like he's fighting turmoil deep him.

"Correction. Everything about me change."

I met his eyes. Sumasabay parin kami sa saliw ng musika pero I can feel the growing intensity with our stares and body contact that any near ice would melt.

"Not really. You're still you." Hinahagod niya ang bewang ko. Pinipigil ko ang urge na mag walk out dahil una mapapahiya ako lalo nat ramdam kong na samin ni Vander ang atensyon ng lahat ngayon, and lastly this could be my chance to face my past with him.

"I could strangle you to death you know that?"

A deep baritone chuckle came out from him. Nagulat pa ako ng idinantay niya ang ulo sa balikat ko.

"I miss you..."

I felt my body rigid. Hindi ko inasahan na sasabihin niya iyon. If my memories right, siya mismo ang nagpapalayo sakin. And it was him who broke the bond.

"Stop the pretenses Vander. Nakakasuka. You can act like a bastard jerk you used to act before me noon. Why the sudden change? Was there another dipshit prediction? Sinabi ba na isa akong threat sa uri niyo?"

He stares at me deeply. Amused and hurt.

"I'm not stupid Vander. I've travel half the world to know who really I am... I'm a threat to both your kind and the blood suckers. But you dont need to do this acts to prevent me from doing anything because I'm not interested. "

Tumigil siya sa pagsayaw kaya huminto rin ako.

I traveled from deep forest and mountains of maldives to arizona , nagtungo rin ako sa romania at saroah kung saan pinaniniwalaang nagmula ang mga lobo at bampira. Kailangan kong mag ingat dahil malakas ang kutob ko at salamat kay crucio na ipinaalam ang ilan sa mga dapat kong malaman. Hindi lahat ng bampira ay mabait sa kauri. May mga territorial at hindi magda-dalawang isip tapusin ako kung kinakailangan.

Lalo na ang mga lobo. I manage to stay put and unharmed. My blood. Dont have any smell. Maybe because I'm a half vampire and half werewolf. Nalaman ko sa mga legends at kwento kwento sa mga lugar na iyon na hindi normal na magsilang ang isang babae mula sa lahi ng lobo o bampira ng may dugong kalahati ng isa. All babies who were born such shall die because of a prediction which is a half blood would end the vampire race. Pabor iyon sa mga werewolves but vampires had manage to kill every half borns before they grow.

At mula sa nakilala kong unpack werewolf sa bayan ng maldives ng minsan akong nagtungo sa isang bar. Nakilala ko si Remus. I didn't tell him I'm a half blood but a pure unpack werewolf. I suspect him to be in my father's era.

"You ask too much.. but I'll tell you anyway. There's one actually. I dont know if he's still alive. Or she? Augustus brought his blood sucker wife outside romania after the king of vampire declared a bloodbath. If the child still alive he's probably in the small island of philippines right now. But I doubt it. He or she's probably dead by now. The king wont let the child live."

"Its a good thing you know things about you now Cassandra , but you don't know everything. I dont give a f*****g s**t about you being a threat to me or to every single living blood suckers out there. I am here because of you."

Dama ko ang bawat salita niya. He spoke so hard and deep na idinidiin ang bawat kataga. I can see both annoyance and ache in his eyes no. I can sense it. I can hear his blood flow running faster. He's mad. He's f*****g mad at me.

Bigla kong naalala ang mga sandali noon kung paano ko napapa hinahon siya sa tuwing nawawalan siya ng control. I'm tempted to do it but I stop myself. I should keep in mind that I have no any role in his life.

"Are you even listening?"

Biglang huminahon ang kanyang tinig.

"I... I can't blame you either. I've hurt you so bad.. I'm sorry. I will do everything to make it up with you "

Masuyo niya akong hinawakan sa pisngi. I felt the urge to close my eyes amd just delve in the moment buy my inner monster says a big NO.

Tinapik ko ang kamay niya at naglakad palayo sa dance floor.

"Cassandra!"

Narinig ko ang pagsunod niya sa akin. Malapit na ako sa exit door ng hawakan niya ako sa braso.

"No runaway this time. I won't let you."

Tinignan ko siya ng masama. Ano ang karapatan niyang sabihin at gawin ang mga bagay na ito?

"Vander? Mr. Laurent!"

Nilingon namin ang daddy na palapit sa amin kasama ang ilan sa mga board members ng aming kompanya karay ang mga kanya kanyang asawa.

"Oh I see! So you FINALLY met each other! So hindi na kayo mahihirapan in working together then?"

Tumawa si daddy. Nag ngitian ang mga ibang tao.

Working what??

Vander's looking at me intently.

"I told you to work soon. Vander is now the newest trusted young CEO of our company Cassandra, because you know I am getting old already and Charlie can not help me. he came from Mistletoe and been working with us for months now. He's perfect! Siya ang hahalili sa pwesto na nakalaan sana kay Charlie. You will be working with him soon. Work your way up daughter. "

He hold his wine up. Sumabay ang mga ilang nakapaligid sa amin.

I eyed Vander sharply.

"I told you. I won't let you runaway this time."