Sebastian's Obsession

Chapter 11

"How come you didn't tell me?"

I cleared the lump of my throat as my voice cracked."We were together for a couple of days after we returned from Cebu, but why didn't you tell me that you had also sold the house?" I inquired weakly.

She even had the audacity to come home with me. Sleep in my house. Ate at my house. And chill in my house before the final trial and yet...I wanted to shout and criticize her, but I felt so tired. I'm absolutely drained. So messed up as though I have no strength left. My heart had gone weak and my emotions were conflicted. I never thought we would reach this point. She is my family, yet she betrayed me first—so treacherous that I couldn't breathe in pain, anger, and in disappointment. My situation is tough. I'm struggling badly.

"I'm so sorry, Winter," she begged.

My trembling palms brushed my cheeks annoyingly. She's apologetic...again. How many times do I have to hear that fcking sorry? And still, that won't even help my predicament right now. Nothing will happen, no matter how many times she repeats it. A shallow word that can't patch up the mess. It's useless. It can't even heal the wound in my heart.

"Don't tell me you sold my car as well?" I asked in a firm voice. If ever, that's too much. And I don't know if I could still hold my sanity.

It's difficult to trust again. Once the foundation is broken, it will take time to repair the parts again. Sebastian is right, I trusted the wrong person. Was it my fault that I trusted her? Or hers for ruining my trust? All I know is that it is not wrong to trust just like it is not wrong to love. It would only be wrong if the trust was given to the wrong person and, in my situation, I regret trusting her too much. As it only ruined me. Now I have fully realized that even blood kin can deceive you and make a fool out of you. The world is getting messed up, or maybe it's just the people; relatives should be helping each other thrive, not the other way around.

"No, Winter," Aunt shook her head.

And should I be pleased with her response? In fact, it would have been better if she had simply sold the car and not the house. Because, despite the fact that the house felt sad, empty, and lonely, my parents left many memories there that I cherish to this day.

"Where will I live now? I don't have any money left either," I paused, "just...why did you do that? Do you want to torture me like this?"

I just don't understand why she did it. She has money because I pay her. She has free food, a house, a car, and whatever other luxuries she wants. I didn't fail; I gave her everything. But why would she do such a thing? Let's just say, her selling the company was payback for the six years that she was working, guiding, and helping me with the business. However, what she did was not quite fair.

First and foremost, I am her niece. Second, she has a familial connection to me. And, lastly, she is not a victim here because she reaped many advantages from the six years that she served as my guardian. There's no logic or enough reason to justify what she did. None.

"Is this what you want?" I added, after getting no response at all.

She remained silent. As though my questions were mere air. She heard but never answered. I still have a lot to ask and say, but the hourly visit is over and Aunt is returned to her cell. Frustration overwhelmed me as I got out of jail. My stomach eventually grumbled just as I got into the car. Then it dawned on me that I hadn't even eaten bread or milk yet.

My breakfast — problem.

My lunch — problem.

Although hungry, I ignored it. I'm a complete clusterfuck. It was getting late and I was still homeless. I was planning to rent a house but I didn't know where to. Being ignorant of what reality is, sucked me out. 21 years ago, I was living in the comfort of luxury and all of a sudden everything faded. Like autumn leaves weathered as the season changes. Though mine was sudden and unexpected. A bitter surprise in my furnished gold life. A present of doom.

I was digesting my momentum of bitterness until I got to Cana's house. Maybe I can spend the night with them today? And tomorrow morning I will immediately look for boarding houses or perhaps Cana can help me find one. This is kinda embarrassing, but I have no other choice left. It's either I'll sleep in the car, which could be dangerous, or I'll swallow my pride and ask Cana for some help. After all, she's street smart and knows more about life than I do.

—

"Did Sebastian really buy your house?" Cana inquired, still not convinced.

In answer to her question, I nodded. This was her third inquiry, and they were all the same as if she couldn't believe it. Well, me too. Everything still seemed like a horrible nightmare, and I wished I could wake up. However, no, everything that is happening is real. This isn't just a mere fantasy that I can simply escape. This is reality. My reality.

"Can you really live alone?" Cana said, examining the entire home. "You can live here if you want, maybe we can still fit in," Cana replied, scanning the entire house.

Her offer is pretty enticing. And I'd want to somehow accept it. However, it's pretty awkward for me to do so. Because I still have a lot of things in the car, and if I put everything here, there would be no room for them.

I still have some shame left in myself and I also don't want to be a burden to them. Like me, they're struggling too. Cana didn't say anything, but I know she was. Aside from that, I'd want to have my own space too. So, I refused.

"There's a boarding house next door, maybe there's still a vacant space. I'll accompany you there tomorrow before I go to work," Cana declared brightly. "I can't order Larabeth and Janice to come with you there since they're busy at school. They're on internship right now."

Cana's face lit up with joy as she recounted the status of her siblings. She exudes pride. Well, I bet everyone would be proud if they were able to have their siblings obtain a university degree without anyone's help. I know all the sacrifices Cana made just to make her siblings' lives better. And for that, I commend her.

"Just tell me where the boarding house is. You don't need to come with me. I can do it."

Cana shook her head in response, apparently not liking what I had said, prolly objecting to my proposal.

"No, Winter," she declared, "people here don't know you very well yet, so the price they'll offer could be too expensive for you. Not that you can't afford it, but I know you're budgeting now. Plus, you still look extremely rich because of your features and complexion, and when you're rich, the price is high, too."

She had a point. Especially now that I’m saving money, I need a lower price. Once I had a place to settle down. I will also look for a job. Perhaps there are construction companies that need an engineer. I can apply. So that I could make use of the course I take in college.

"Okay, Cana," I agreed.

As I previously stated, Cana knows more about life, charge to her experiences, and how to approach it appropriately. She's a reliable one. Yes, it’s hard to trust again, but there’s always been an exemption to a rule. And in my case, Cana is an exception. Besides, there's nothing left in me for her to betray—everything is gone, so what else can I be afraid of?

A moment of silence echoes amidst the peaceful ambiance. Cana suddenly glanced at the clock and tapped my thigh before standing up. "I'm going to leave you for a bit, okay? I'm just going to cook our food since it's almost seven o'clock and my siblings will be coming home any minute."

To be honest, I don't know much about cooking, but it would be humiliating if I didn't pitch in. As a result, I stood up and followed Cana into their cramped kitchen.

"I'd like to help," I offered.

If I don't help, I'll be left with nothing to do. I'll probably just stare at their ceilingless roof with some cobwebs in it and their messy walls. A lot of notes are taped to the walls, and while it may seem to be aesthetic, I can't deny how untidy it appears. I understand, though, because the notes were from her sisters' pre-studies. I've been at that pace too...putting sticky notes filled with lessons on the wall. The only difference is that I had the privilege of getting a personal office in my house. So, even if I filled it with notes, the house would still appear clean and organized.

"Don't do anything; you could be hurt," she warned. "Just sit there; I promise I won't take long."

"Let me see what you're going to do," I boldly pleaded. "This is part of my training."

Cana gave me a serious stare. Because I am persistent, she ultimately sighed and consented. I gave her a kind smile as she reached for something from their refrigerator. They don't have a television, but they do have a refrigerator. I suppose this is what it means to be practical.

Cana inquired as she soaked the chicken in water, "Do you know how to chop onions?"

I'm not sure what she's going to prepare. However, I believe it will be delicious. Home cooking is, for some reason, more expensive than restaurant cooking. Because it was made with love and tender care.

"Yes," I proudly replied, though I had not tried it before.

However, I believe I am capable of cutting onions. I'm not that ignorant that I can't even chop onions. That is the most basic of all. Or at least that's how I thought until Cana shrieked while staring at my onions.

"Oh my gosh, what did you do to that poor onion? It looks like it was butchered," she exclaims, stunned.

I examined the onions and discovered no flaws. I sliced it according to her instructions.

"Are you going to convert it into a powder?" she said, shaking her head again. "It should be sliced into circles like a full moon."

She didn't say that. Are there different types of cuts? Perhaps I should study culinary now. This is embarrassing.

"You should have told me," I whispered, staring at the failed onions, "I'm sorry."

This is so hard. I even shed tears while cutting it down. Only to find out it wasn't right. I think I'm just plain ignorant. A bitter pill to swallow.

"It's okay, Winter. Failure is always part of our life."