ALL OUT OF LOVE (COMPLETED)

PROLOGUE

ISLA DEL FUEGO SERIES #2

"ALL OUT OF LOVE"

PROLOGUE

ALTHEA Point of View

I WAS BUSY packing my things back to my luggage when suddenly my phone rang so loudly. I hurriedly stood up from sitting on the bed and picked up my phone inside my hand bag. When I glanced on the screen to see who's calling, I smiled widely when I saw his name. And so, I immediately answer his call.

"Hello?"

"How's the business deal, Althea Mari?" he asked in a lower voice but full of authority. Hmmm.. He's serious, I felt it. But still, I'm happy hearing his voice.

I took a deep breath and smiled widely again. "We end up the deal peacefully, Dad." I'm happily said. "Mr. Vazquez have nothing to do but to sold his other properties to us. His Coffee farm in San Sebastian, their hotel and resorts in Batangas and Makati... I am proud to tell you that we are now the new owner of those properties. And you know what, Dad? I only took thirty minutes of convincing and dealing with him." I am so happy and very excited telling him my good news. I know he's happy knowing that too. I'm sure of that.

But...I was surprised that Instead of hearing him proud and laughing, I've heard him sobbing and sighed.

What's wrong with him?

Nagtataka na ako sa sandaling pananahimik ni Daddy subalit hindi ko siya nagawang kulitin. I still respect his silence.

Ilang saglit pa nang marinig ko na ang mahina niyang pagtikhim.

"Hija? Are you still there?" tanong niya.

"Y-Yes po, Daddy. I'm here.. Dad, I've heard you sobbing.. Why? Is there something wrong? Are you okay? Tell me.." I worriedly asked. May kutob akong mayroon itong problema. And I know it's not about business. "Dad?"

Rinig ko ang mabigat niyang paghinga. Nadadala tuloy ako sa emosyon ni Dad sa kabilang linya kahit na hindi ko naman siya nakikita.

"Don't worry about me, hija. I'm okay."

"Then, why do I have this bad feeling that there is something happened, Daddy?"

"Hija.. Okay. Okay. It's just that, I've made a wrong decision for your sister but I know that is the right way for her to change her behavior." he took a deep breath. "I sent her to Isla Del Fuego, Althea Mari."

"W-What?? D-Dad... w-why did you do that?" nagugulat kong tanong. Bigla akong kinabahan at nakaramdam ng pagaalala sa nakatatanda kong kapatid. "She's not safe there, Daddy.."

I heard him sighed heavily. "You know her attitude, Althea Mari. She's too hard headed but she's brave..."

Umiling-iling ako. "But, Dad.. She does'nt need to be there. Delikado doon.. at baka.. sundan siya ni Mommy Verra sa Isla." I'm worried.

I know everything. I know what Mommy Verra can do to her. Everything about Mom is not a secret from me. Since she left years ago, Dad told me and admitted to me that Mommy Verra is not our real Mom. But, he never admit that to my sister Amirah, he never did because he's worried. So, my older sister have no idea on what's happening in her surroundings.

"She's brave, hija. And, she's safe there. May ipinadala akong magbabantay sa kanya roon. I was only worrying in her condition. She has a trauma, you know that."

"Yeah, Dad. And, I am worried too."

Muli akong napaupo sa kama habang sapo-sapo ang noo sa pagaalala sa kapatid ko. I can't blame Dad why he made that decision. My ate was too hard headed, she's stubborn and she always tripping and treating our biological mom so bad. Mommy Iana has a mental disorder and my sister didnt know that. My sister Amirah is a nice person—sometimes, but if you knew her already, you will like her. We had an opposite personality. Pero, malapit kami sa isa't-isa noong mga bata pa kami. Lagi kaming magkasama noon kahit saan namin gustuhing pumunta. Minsan nga ay napapagkamalan din kaming kambal ng kapatid kong iyon dahil sa halos magkamukha at magkasing-tangkad lang kami. We loved and treated each other so well.. But, when Mommy Verra disappeared... Everything has changed. My sister became so cold and harsh to everyone. She never talked to me and never cared about anything. Lagi na lang siyang nagmumukmok sa loob ng kwarto kapag umaga at kapag gumabi naman, parating laman ng mga bar at club. Napakalaki ng pinagbago niya. Kaya siguro, napagdesisyunang ilayo ni Dad kay Mommy Iana si Ate Amirah dahil lagi niya itong sinasaktan at pinagiinitan. Pero, kung malalaman lang niya ang katotohanan, magbabago ang pagtingin niya sa kinagisnan naming ina. At siguradong babalik siya sa dati.. Matatanggap niya rin ang lahat kagaya ko.

Napabuntong hininga ako saka tiningnan ang screen ng phone ko kung naroon pa rin si Dad at napabuga ako nang makitang nasa kabilang linya pa ito. "Kailan po siya pumunta ng Isla, Daddy?" nahihiya kong tanong. Pinaghintay ko pa siya sa dami ng pumasok sa isipan ko.

"Kaalis niya lang kanina, Althea Mari." sagot ni Dad kaya tumango ako kahit hindi naman niya nakikita. Pero sa isip ko ay may nabubuo ng plano. "So, when your coming home, hija?"

"I'll stay here for another one night, Dad." I response him immediately.

"Okay. By the way, I am so proud of you for doing a great job. You're the best CEO, I've ever had. It's not your job to handle that deal but because you want to do it on your own, I have nothing to do but to say yes. Thank you for that, Althea Mari." Saglit akong natigilan sa mga sinabing iyon ni Dad. Uminit bigla ang mga mata ko at pilit na ngumiti. Hindi ako makaimik. "Darating ang panahon na ikaw ang mamamahala ng kompanya natin at ng ibang properties dito at sa labas ng bansa dahil ikaw lamang ang may interes sa lahat ng pagaari natin. Sa iyo ko iiwan ang mga ito at nagtitiwala akong mas lalo mo pa itong palalaguin." patuloy niyang sabi na ikinabagsak na ng luha ko.

Why he's telling this to me already?

"Dad.."

"I'm sorry but I have to end this call, Althea Mari. You take care, hmm?"

Napabuntong hininga ako saka tumango-tango. "Okay, Dad. See you tomorrow. Bye."

"Bye." anya saka tumunog na ang end tone.

Ibinaba ko ang phone at ilang sandali akong natulala sa kawalan. Bigla kasi akong kinabahan sa mga sinabi ni Dad. Hindi niya ako kinakausap ng ganoon at hindi siya nagsasabi ng gano'n. Para na kasi siyang nagpapaalam. Ano ba 'yon? Sa kabilang isipan naman, naroon ang pagaalala sa kapatid ko. Nagaalala ako dahil baka mas lalo siyang ma-trauma sa lugar na iyon. Magisa lamang siya at walang karamay. Hindi naman niya kakilala ang mga naroon kaya't mahihirapan siya—no, mahihirapang makipaghalubilo sa kanya ang mga daratnan niya roon.

So, I made up my mind.. I need to follow her. I need to convince her to go back in the mansion. And begging her to stop tripping our Mom so Dad will not getting mad at her..No.. I told her everything, rather. She deserve to know the truth.

To be continued.....

Author's Note: Dumugo ilong ko sa iilang english na sinulat ko kaya sana 'wag na kayong umangal diyan. Pektusan ko kayo, eh! Kung mali-mali man ang grammar, pagbigyan niyo na. Tsk! Hahaha! Anywayzzzz... Thanks!

–Princess Bham ❤