Project Love: The Playboy's Brat (Completed)

THIRTEEN

THIRTEEN: You’re not worthy

Nandito ako sa SM Megamall, sabi ko kay Kuya Caleb may bibilihin lang ako sa NBS.

“Akiara...” sai ng boses sa likod ko. Humarap ako at may nakita akong halos kaedaran lang ni Kuya Caleb.

“Sino ka?” tanong ko. Kilala niya ako?

“I thought you wanted to meet me?” nakangising tanong niya

Siya? Akala ko... Oh well.

Malamang hindi lang ang taong iyon ang may apilyidong nagsisimula sa M at initials na K.M.

“Oh, I want to meet you. What I mean is who are you?” sabi ko

“Kero. Can we talk while eating?” alok niya. It won’t bring harm to me, right?

“Uh sure.” Sabi ko at pumasok kami sa loob ng isang restaurant.

“Why are you sending all those packages of chocolates, bears and this necklace?” tanong ko sa kanya pagkaupo namin.

“Mind ordering first, Akiara? It’s my treat.” Sabi niya.

Umorder lang ako ng salad at juice.

“So, can you answer my questions now?” Tanong ko habang nag-iintay ng order

“I am told to do so, young lady.” Sabi niya at seryoso akong tumingin sa kanya.

“How did you know my name? More or less my address?” dahan dahan pero may diin kong sabi. I need answers and this man in front of me has it.

“I forgot to formally introduce myself, Kayshin. I an Keiko Rosca Monteverde. The eldest son of Robert Monteverde and Arkisha MOR.BEL.QUE., your cousin.” Sabi niya and I felt as if the moment stopped and my heart stopped beating.

Tita Arkisha? Morbelque? My cousin? I will never forget her. Si Tita, she kept my parents updated of each other back then.

“Now does it make sense?” tanong niya at ngumisi ng nakakaloko

“My father told you, didn’t he? Where is he?” seryosong tanong ko sa kanya

“Why should I tell you? Your just his daughter.” Sabi niya and I suddenly felt my blood boiling. Just his daughter? I clenched my fist ang placed it on the table

“This DAUGHTER of his is willing to prove herself worthy.” Sabi ko at tiningnan siya ng diretso. I never had the chance to spend time with any of my biological relatives since Mommy died. I want to be with my father even just for now.

“Prove yourself worthy then.” Sabi niya

“Name it.” Matapang kong saad na nagpangiti sa kanya

Biglang dumating ang pagkain kaya kumain kami bago niya itinuloy ang sasabihin.

“Gun Assembling and target shooting.” Sabi niya. Wait what? Oh My Royals.

“Where and when?” tanong ko. Oh damn me and this uncontrollable mouth.

“I’ll bring you there after this.” Sabi niya.

Pumunta kami sa isang cliffside at ibinigay niya sa akin ang isang pistol gun.

“Oh. Disassemble then assemble. Shoot that bull’s eye.” Sabi niya like it’s easy.

What have I gone into? It’s so hard.After disassembling na halos 3 hours kong ginawa at magfa-5PM ko na natarget yung bull’s eye which made me sit on the grass.

“You failed.” Nang sabihin ni Kero yon ay bumagsak ang balikat ko. I FAILED.

“Here.” Sabi niya at pumunta sa likod ko. Siya ang nag-aim ng gun with my hands.

“Papaanong?” hindi ko mahanap ang tamang term for what he just did.

“You lack the knowledge and skills of a Morbelque.” Sabi niya and the fascination I felt earlier turned into getting pissed. This guy is trying to pull me down.

Not me. Not Akiara Kayshin Del Valle. I didn’t come here for nothing.

“Teach me then. Help me, Kero.” Sabi ko at nagkasukatan kami ng tingin.

“You’re really determined to meet your father, eh.” Pang-aasar niya

“Yes, Kero. I want to meet the only parent I have left.” Sabi ko na ikinatahimik niya. Checkmate, Kero. I knew that he didn’t know about Mommy’s death.

I noticed because, earlier while we’re eating he asked me if I told anyone I’m meeting him

“But Tita Akira... She’s dead?” parang nagulat siya nang sabihin ko iyon.

“Please, Kero. I want to meet my father.” Sabi ko. Halatang nag-aalangan siyang mag-desisyon and I know why. Kilala ko si Daddy, he won’t like to involve me in this.

Napabuntonghiniga siya bago nagsalita. I knew it. Di niya ako matitiis. None of them can.

Being a child who was separated from her parents and grew up in someone else’s family made me strong enough to face anything but it made the people around me to pity me.

“I will pick you up at 4PM everyday. If you really want to prove that you’re a real Morbelque descendant.” Sabi niya at bumalik ang nakakalokong ngiti.

“Well, that is, IF you can hide things about this from your BROTHER.” Nakangising saad niya. And here’s the catch.

“I can.” Sabi ko at ngumiti siya bago ako niyakap.

“I knew you’d say that. Just like what he had predicted.” Sabi niya at humiwalay ng yakap. Pumunta na kami sa kotse niya.

Pagkasakay namin ini-start niya na yung engine ng car.

“Akiara?” tanong ni Kero more like tawag.

“Bakit?” tanong ko. Let me guess, another trick question.

“Tell me your identity.” Sabi niya na nagpaconfuse sakin but still sumagot ako.

“My identity? I am Akiara Kayshin Del Valle, since you said I haven’t proven my right as a Morbelque yet I am currently using my foster family’s lastname which is Imperial, I am 23 years of age and I am an architect. I am the only daughter of my parents.” Sabi ko sa kanya. If only Mommy lived...

“Why not only child?” tanong niya at napatingin ako sa labas ng bintana sasakyan

“I could have had a younger sibling if Mommy didn’t die 15 years ago.” Sabi ko

“Tita Akira’s pregnant?” takang tanong niya

“Yep. Sadly she died in the fire.” Saad ko habang nakatingin sa labas.

If Mommy lived, may kapatid na sana ako. Hindi sana ako nag-iisa ngayon.

If ever we did lose her I will make sure I’ll give my younger sibling all the love I can give.

“Sorry. I guess wounded hearts never healed.” Sabi niya at umiling ako.

“They heal, Kero. They just leave deep scars I’ll have forever.” Sabi ko at humarap sa kanya. Nakita kong napaiwas siya ng tingin.

“Why didn’t you appear before? Why just now?” tanong ko

“A father can never forget about his child. Years ago he ordered me to watch over you when you were in highschool. Your father wanted to be with you. Tito Kairon really wanted to but he can’t. You’re not ready yet so I swore to myself that I will prove to him that you can be, so here I am.” Sabi niya at itinigil ang kotse sa tapat ng bahay namin.

“Thank you. Kuya Kero?” sabi ko sa kanya ngumiti lang siya at ginulo ang buhok ko.

“You should go. Your beloved BROTHER is knotting his forehead already.” Natatawang sabi niya na nagpakaba sa sa akin.

“Nag-aalala siguro.” I said to ease the nervousness I’m feeling. Oh My Royals.

“Our deal, Kayshin. No one else should know or else they’ll be in danger.” Paalala niya bago ako bumaba ng kotse. Tumango ako at ngumiti.

“I won’t forget about it, Kero.” Saad ko at isinara ang pinto ng kotse.

Pagkapasok ko sa gate nun ko lang nakita ang galit na mukha ni Kuya Kero. Uh oh.

Magse-7 na and ang paalam ko is either 5 or 6 ako makakauwi.

“At saan ka nanggaling, Akiara? Bakit ngayon ka lang?” kalmado pero galit na tanong niya.

I’m super duper dead. Galit si Kuya Caleb.

He’s not easy to calm kapag he’s really mad.