One Last Crime

Kabanata 7

Slap

"Is it true?"

He didn't speak first because our house maid came with the food and laid it on our table.

"Meryenda niyo po ma'am," she said. After that she left us alone in the garden.

I gaze on him. "Where are we?" I tuck some strands of my hair behind the back of my ears.

It's always like this whenever I'm in the garden, it's always windy. The breeze is fresh and earthy because of the flowers and plants here. Gardening is my mom's hobby, she's fond of it while I'm not that interested in gardening because it's dirty and messy.

Just the thought of the insects in the plants make me jump already, just thinking of it. I can't imagine myself getting sweaty and dirty just to plant or fix the garden.

We have gardeners for that, that's their job, they are better off to manage.

But mommy won't let them do all the work, she will help all the time.

One day she even asked me to help and organize the flowers, I wanted to but instead of helping them I just sat on this same chair and watched them do all the work.

"No it's not true, Chantrea. Hindi yon magagawa ni Daddy," mariin niyang saad.

I sipped on my juice as he speak.

"Everyone in our school are spreading rumors about Tito Adonis case. They said he did it, but I didn't believe them! They just hate Tito Adrian because he's planning to run as a mayor." Others are furious when they heard the news that tito Adrian, the vice mayor of our city will run as a mayor.

I've met the mayor at a few events because my mom and Dad are taking me to parties and important occasions all over the city. Daddy's a business tycoon so he gets invited at those events.

A lot of people like the current mayor because he owns charities and he's kind too. But I don't understand why they dislike Adrian's dad, the vice mayor. Tito Adonis is kind, every time he visited the mansion he had a gift for me.

Between the two of them, I like it tito Adonis than him. Maybe im a little bit biased because he is Adrian's father or because i know him better than the mayor but Tito gives me gifts while the mayor doesn't so I like him more.

"I know tito Adonis is a good person... Just like you, Adrian." I smiled at him.

"Nakakainis kasi ang mayor na 'yon! Kung hindi sana siya namatay, wala sanang problema ngayon!" asik niya.

Nasangkot sa Tito Adrian sa pagkamatay ng kasalukuyan mayor, siya kasi ang huling kausap nito bago namatay. Ang motibo daw ay ang posisyon sa politika.

Simula ng pumutok ang balita na tatakbo sa pag ka mayor si Tito ay maraming nainis sakanya dahil mas gusto nila ang kasalukuyang mayor na manatili sa posisyon nito.

Hindi makakaganda sa pag ngangampanya niya ang maraming galit na tao at taga suporta ni Mayor Tarsanto, matatalo siya kung ipagpapatuloy niya pa kaya mas minabuti niya nalang itong patayin para maging madali ang pagkuha ng posisyon mula kay mayor dahil pag namatay si Mayor Tarsanto ay siya ang papalit dahil siya ang vice mayor.

Mas mabilis at wala pang gagastusin, ayan ang base sa ulat ng mga pulis, mayroon ding ilang testigong lumabas na nagpapatunay na totoo nga ang akusasyon pero wala ang hatol ang korte.

"Let's just hope that Tito would win the case, Adrian. He have the best lawyer right?"

"He's the best lawyer in Riqueza, Chantrea. Wala ng ibang mas magaling pa sakanya kundi siya mismo."

"Abogado niya ang sarili?Ipagtatangol niya ang sarili sa korte?"

"Yes."

"Hindi ba mahihirapan si Tito non?"

"Chantrea, magaling si Daddy. Hindi siya magiging propesyonal na abogado kung hindi. Kung maari nga lang na ako ang mag tangol sakanya ay gagawin. If I could just finished a degree in a day, I would."

"But you can't!" I chuckled.

"I will, soon. Id be the best lawyer in the country, Chantrea. Your best lawyer. Ipagtatangol kita. Lahat ng kaso mo ipapanalo ko, hindi mo na ako kailangang bayaran dahil sayo palang panalo nako!"

"Are you crazy? Bakit naman ako magkakaroon ng kaso?!" I chuckled.

"It's not like I'm going to do bad things in the future. I maybe a rule breaker but I obey the laws. I'm not going to kill anyone, Adrian nor steal something because I'm an heiress I have everything, just like the things I need and don't need as well as likes and dislikes."

"I will not kill anyone or anything, it's not my thing."

"I'm just saying, Chant!" He chuckled. "Atleast you have a lawyer already."

"It won't happen!" I laughed.

"Chantrea."

Napalingon kami sa direksyon kung saan nangaling ang boses.

"Daddy! Mommy!" I rushed into them. "Your already back!" I screamed in joy as I hugged both them.

"Nag impake na agad kami ng malaman ang nangyari dito sa Riqueza Chant," saad ni Mommy.

Hinila ko si Mommy papunta sa lamesa namin ni Adrian, nagpatianod naman ito, sumunod na rin si Daddy.

Tumayo siya ng makalapit kami.

"Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Calejo," pormal na bati ni Adrian.

"Good afternoon iho," si Mommy.

Sinulyapan ako ni Mommy bago balingan si Adrian. "I heard you guys talked about about killing a while ago, what was that all about?"

"I just told Chantrea that I will win her case if there is any someday when I'm a lawyer already."

Natawa ako. "Pero wala nga dahil hindi naman ako magkakaroon ng kaso."

"Right, that won't happen Adrian. I raised Chantrea with moral and principles. She won't be like your father in any circumstances," mariing saad ni daddy.

"Miguel!"

"Daddy!"

Sabay naming saway sakanya. "I'm just saying, Adrian is worried that our daughter might end up like his father and I'm assuring him that she won't." sinulyapan niya si Adrian.

"Mag aral ka na lang ng mabuti ng mabawasan ang problema ni Adonis."

"Daddy! He's doing well in school! In fact he's here to tutor me."

"We can hire you a private tutor, Chantrea. You don't need a..." sinulyapan niya si Adrian.

"Miguel," banta ni Mommy. Hindi naman na sinundan ni Daddy ang sinasabi.

He never like Adrian for me ever since and his always like this when he is here in our mansion. He dislike him for being a Manansala. The most popular family in town because they won the lottery. The Manansala's became rich overnight.

Daddy believes that they're fortune will be gone easily. Why? Because they get the money out of luck.

He always told me that luck can't make you rich for life, hard work is.

"Ma'am may bisita po!" sigaw ng isang kasambahay.

Napalingon kami sa isang babae na naglalakad patungo sa amin.

I scanned her fully. She's tall and petite, her tanned skin are shining under the sun while her beach wavy long hair are bouncing as she walks towards us. "Hello! Magandang hapon po," nakangiting bati niya.

I get a full view of her face when she appeared In front of us. Her oval face matches her thin eyebrows that looks good on her droopy hooded eyes. She have pointed nose and curved lips.

"Good afternoon, bakit ka naparito iha? Wala naman kaming inaasahan na bisita."

"Ah... Taga bantay po ako ma'am," aniya.

Naningkit ang mata ni Mommy. "Guard? You look young for a body guard and you don't dress like one."

"Hindi po ma'am. Maid ho ako, bago palang po kaya wala pang uniform." magalang niyang saad.

I bet she's on her 20's. My eyes traveled on her big bust. My eyebrows raised when I saw her cleavage. My eyes wandered on her body, she's not that curvy. My eyes remained on her short thin skirt that hugs her petite legs. Is it appropriate for a maid to wear a revealing clothes like that on the their work? I don't think so... Maybe that's just her style. But no, I don't really think so.

"We have enough maids already."

"Ay hindi po!" natatawa niyang saad. "Maid ho ako ng mga Manansala, taga bantay ho ako ni Adrian."

I raised my right eyebrow. "Your his baby sitter?"

Sinulyapan niya si Adrian sa gilid. "Parang ganon na nga!" ngiti ngiti niyang, pasulyap sulyap pa ito kay Adrian na parang namumulang kamatis.

My eyebrows furrowed at them. He didn't told me about a baby sitter.

"Really Adrian? A baby sitter? Your already seventeen!" I exclaimed.

"He probably didn't have that chance to have one when he was a kid because they still poor Chantrea," si Daddy.

"Miguel!"

"What?" kunot noong tanong nito.

"You forgot are gift, go get it in the car." daddy nodded then walked out.

Mommy glance at the baby sitter. "Nag memeryenda pa ang mga bata kaya mag meryenda kana rin bago kayo umalis ni Adrian. Magpapahanda lang ako sa mga kasambahay," saad ni Mommy bago umalis.

"Sure po! Mukhang masarap panaman ang pagkain ng mga mayayaman!" nakangisi niyang saad.

I rolled my eyes at her statement. Why does mommy have to invite her for snacks? She'll just ruin my time with Adrian. I can believe her parents hired a baby sitter for him. I don't even like a baby sitter, I don't have one when I was a kid. I find them irritating and noisy and now I have to deal with Adrian's baby sitter.

Umupo ito sa tabi sa tabi ni Adrian. Binulungan niya ito ng kung ano, nahihiyang sinulyapan ako ni Adrian. Nanliit ang mata ko sa dibdib ng babae na tumatama na sa braso ni Adrian.

Napahalukipkip ako. Hindi ko alam kung sinasadya niya ba 'yon o ano.

"Here's your wish Chant," malambing na saad ni Daddy saka nilapag ang isang paper bag sa harap ko.

I felt the excitement rush in my system when I saw the name written on it, Channel.

Is this the new designer bag that I want?

My shoulders slouch when I saw what's inside. It's the designer bag that I want but it's not in my favorite color.

When I heard them taking about a business trip to new york last week, I asked for the designer bag of channel, I told them that I want a red of of it.

Mommy came in together with two maids behind her. "Do you like it, honey?"

I sighed as I put down the bag on the table.

"What's wrong, Chantrea?"

"This is not what I want Daddy!"

"That's what you told us honey, the new designer bag of channel."

"I said I want it in red! This is yellow mommy!"

Yellow!" I shouted.

"Chant, that is just the same designer bag."

"It's not Mommy! I want it red not yellow! This is not my favorite color! I don't want that anymore. I'd rather burn it than use it!"

"Chantrea!" si Mommy.

"All of my things are red mommy! How can you forgot that my favorite color is red? Why would you bought a yellow bag for me?!"

"Oh common, Chantrea!"

"Chant, maganda naman ang bag," si Adrian.

"It's not pretty if it's not red!"

Binalingan ko si Daddy na nakapamulsa sa gilid ko.

"Buy me another one daddy, please?" I made puppy eyes.

"Oh Miguel!" Mommy sighed heavily.

"Chantrea, mahal ang bag na yan, pagtyagaan mo nalang. Bagay naman sayo ang dilaw na bag dahil maputi ka." si Adrian, hindi na nakasiksik ang dibdib ng babae sa braso niya ngayon.

"Its not expensive and worthy if it's not red!"

Mommy knows I'm obsessed with red and pink, my room and my things are all red and pink, so how can they make this mistake?

Mabuti pa sana kung pink pero hindi.

"Mahal parin yan, itsura palang oh! Baka nga limang taong sahod ko na 'yan!" natatawang saad ng babae.

I rolled my eyes at her. Why is she interfering at our discussion, she's not even part of the family, not even part of this household.

I pushed it away.

"Put that in the trash, I'm not pleased by its color." saad ko ng may dumaan na kasambahay.

Inilingan siya ni mommy kaya umalis. "Chant, honey..." malambing na tawag ni Mommy.

"It's no even pink, mommy."

"Ang sekretarya na ng Daddy mo ang bumili niyan dahil nagmadali na kaming umuwi."

"Chant, yan na ang gamitin mo. Sayang naman kung itatapon mo lang, mahal panaman, walang ibang gagamit niyan kundi ikaw," si Adrian.

"Chant, Adrian is right."

"I don't use the things that I don't like mommy."

"Bilhan niyo na ma'am mukha namang mabait ang anak niyo, Chantrea diba?"

My eyebrows furrowed at Adrian's baby sitter. Thats the only right thing she did I'm her life I guess.

"Chantrea's kind but shes..." a brat. Maybe that's what mommy is trying to say. I already now that and I'm okay with it, because honestly, I am.

"Minsan lang naman maging bata ma'am, hayaan mo na." Oh gosh! I'm not a child anymore but if that's the word that will make them buy me the red one, then I'm fine with that but only for this one. Im not a child anymore.

I'm turning eighteen next year, meaning I'll be a fine lady.

"Chant..."

"I want the red one!"

"I already told my classmates about the that! I told them it's red not yellow! Do you even think how would they make fun of me for lying about its color?! No! Because you're not the one ashamed for it!"

"Are they the children of my business partners?" I nodded at daddy's question.

"Then I'll get you another one, Chant." My eyes widened when I heard him said that.

"Really? Daddy you will?" na e-excite kong tanong.

"Of course, Chantrea. You're my only daughter and you deserve everything. I won't let your friends look down on you because of a bag," natatawang saad niya.

Tumayo ako mula sa upuan at niyakap siya.

"Thank you Daddy!" binalingan ko si mommy.

"You're my favorite parent!" saka dinilaan si Mommy na natawa na lang sa ginawa ko.

Daddy pulled away from the hug. "I'll call my secretary now, Chant." saad niya bago umalis.

"I don't know there's a competition for the favorite parent honey," natatawang saad nito.

"There is now, mommy."

"Then I'll buy you the pink one!"

I gasp in shocked. "Really?!"

"Mrs. Callejo, hindi naman po sa pangingelielam pero parang sobra naman na po ata yan para kay Chantrea," si Adrian.

"It's fine, iho. Miguel's right she's pur only daughter and she deserves everything. Wala naman na kaming ibang pag gagastusan kundi siya lang."

"I'll make a call now for your bag, Chant." I gave her a kiss on the cheek before leaving.

"Chant, madami kapa na bag hindi ba?" si Adrian. Nasa harap ko na ito ngayon, hindi ko man lang napansin na umalis na siya sa tabi ng babae.

"I want new bags, Adrian. You know me."

"Oo kilala kita, alam kong hindi mo naman kailangan ang nga yon, isang beses mo lang gagamitin tapos hahayaan mo ng maalikabukan sa kabinet mo."

"Hayaan mo na siya, Adrian. Gan'yan talaga pag mga batang babae, lalo na pag nag iisang anak, nasusunod, diba?" nakangiting saad ng babae. "Mag gagabi na, umuwi na tayo, Adrian."

"Alright, I'll go get my things inside." Akala ko ay susunod ang babae sakanya pero nanatili ito sa tabi ko.

Binalingan niya ako. Ngayon ay wala an ang ngiti sa labi nito. "Ang arte mo din no?"

My right eyebrow raised at her. "Palibhasa anak kasi ng mayaman kaya gusto lahat nakukuha."

Kinuha niya ang bag mula sa lamesa.

"I want it red mommy! Daddy I want it red buy me one!" she mocked me.

"Pwe!" sinukbit niya nag bad sa braso.

"Kala mo naman ang ganda ganda mong bata ka! Iisang anak daw kaya nararapat sayo ang lahat?" Bumaba ang tingin niya sa kanyang palad sala iyon hinaplos haplos na para bang may pinapahiwatig.

"Nararapat palang sampalin kita sa kaartehan mo?" she smirked at me.

Sa wakas ay lumabas din ang tunay na kulay ng babaeng ito.

I knew from the start that something is off with this girl. The way she talk and move with Adrian.

Pinasadahan ko siya ng tingin.

"Why don't you try?" hamon ko. Nangunot ang noo niya sa sinabi ko.

"Aba, nagtatapang tapangan, akala mo naman matapang! Baka pag sinampal kita humandusay ka ha? Walang body guard dito sa garden niyo, prinsesa. Walang makakita. Sa itsura mo palang mukha kanang sumbongera!" natatawang saad niya.

Naginit ang buong katawan ko sa sinabi ng babaeng ito. Para bang may kumukulong bulkan sa loob ko. Wala pang nag balak na sampalin ako, kahit mga kaklase kong ingit at naiinis sa akin ay hindi sinusubukan dahil takot sila sa akin, lalo na kay Daddy dahil isang making kilos lang nila o pakikitungo sa akin ay mag pu-pull out na si daddy sa kumpanya nila.

Palibhasa ang isang ito ay hindi naman anak ng business man kaya malakas ang loob na sabihin yan sa akin.

I crossed my arms on my chest.

"Slap me." Hamon kong muli.

"I'm maarte right? I have everything that you don't have. The price of that bag is your five year salary right?" she glared at me. I know how to deal with this kind of girl. I'm not a brat for nothing.

"To tell you honestly, even though I don't like that bag, it's more worthy than you. How poor, you're picking on a seventeen year old girl."

I saw mommy coming near our direction. I glance at her. "Gan'yan ba talaga ang nagagawa ng ingit?"

She raised her hand in the air.

There. I push her last button.

"Ouch!"

"Mommy! Mommy help!"

I saw her eyes widened when I screamed. "Chantrea! What happened?" mommy asked.

I cupped my right cheek. "Mommy!"

Palipat lipat ang tingin nito sa aking dalawa.

"S-she slapped me!"

"Ma'am hindi! Wala akong ginagawa sa anak niyo! Siya nga itong matapobre!"

Mommy checked my face. I'm sure she saw how red it is. I felt her warm hand on my cheek. I flinched in pain.

Binalingan niya ang babae. "Sinasabihan ko lang naman siya na wag masyado magastos dahil hindi napupulot ang pera kung saan saan!"

"You don't scold my daughter like that! I'm her mother and you're just a maid! You're not even our maid!"

"Ma'am hindi ko naman sinasadya na pagsabihan siya, ang akin lang kasi noong bata ako hindi ko--"

You don't tell my daughter what to do!"

"Hindi ko naman siya sinampal e! Pinepeke niya lang 'yan ma'am! Hinahamon pa nga ako kanina!"

Lumapit siya sa akin, mabilis akong kumapit kay mommy. "Akala ko ba hindi ka sumbungera?"

"Ikaw nga itong gustong masampal!"

"Wala kang karapatan na sampalin ang anak ko! Hindi ko siya inalagaan para lang sampalin ng isang babaeng katulad mo!" Nanlaki ang mata ko ng lumapat ang palad ni mommy sa pisngi niya.

Maski siya ay nagulat din sa ginawa ni mommy. Nanigas ito sa kinatatayuan.

Bumaba ang tingin ni mommy sa braso nito. "And why do you have Chantrea's bag?!"

"I can't believe this! I'm sure you want that bag! Kaya ba sinampal mo ang anak ko ha?" Napalunok ako sa sinabi ni Mommy.

"Guards! Guards get in here!" Mabilis na pumalibot sa amin ang limang body guards.

"Get her out of here! I don't want to see that girl again!" Mommy shouted.

I saw daddy coming at us. "Diñana, what's going on here?"

Napahawak sa ulo si mommy. "That girl slapped your daughter!"

"What?!"

"H-hindi po totoo yan! Ang anak niyo po ang---"

"Get her out of this mansion! Get her the f**k out! I don't want to see her ever again in this mansion!" Mabilis na kiladkad paalis ng garden ang babae.

Nakita ko sa Adrian na papalapit sa amin na nakakunot ang noo. "Ano pong nangyayari?

"It's all your fault! Kung wala ka rito ay hindi masasaktan ng babaeng yon ang anak ko!"

Binalingan ako ni Adrian.

"She slapped Chantrea, Adrian." si Mommy. "She even steal Chantrea's bag."

"I-im sorry po... Ako na po ang humihingi ng pasensya." nakayukong saad nito.

Base on Adrian's face, he is worried. "I'm sorry Chantrea."

"Adrian..."

"Aalis na ho ako, pasensya na po talaga."

"Mabuti pa nga!" si Daddy. Pinanood kong umalis si Adrian hanggang sa mawala na siya sa aking paningin.

"Ang kapal ng mukha ng babaeng yon! Unang beses niyang tumapak sa mansyong ito ay gulo na agad ang hatid! Sinaktan kapa Chantrea!" Lumitaw ang ugat sa leeg ni daddy, namumula rin ang buong mukha nito.

"Hindi kaba lumaban? Hindi ba sabi ko sayo wag ka mag papaapi? Callejo ka!"

"Miguel, that's enough."

Huminga ng malalim si Daddy. "I just don't want our daughter treated like that, Diñana." sinulyapan niya ako.

"I-im fine dad..." Lumapit ito sa akin saka ako hinagkan.

I faked everything. She didn't slap me. I slap myself before she can even touch my face, before mommy could even see it. I guess I've gone too far, I didn't know mommy would slap her but I don't feel terrible about it. She deserves it for being rude to me. No one can bully me. She's nice in front of my parents but she's not when they're not around.

"Sa susunod ay wag kana mag papaapi Chantrea. Ayokong nagpapakababa ka. Wag na wag ka mag papaapi."

I did, Daddy. 'Yon ang nakukuha ng isang ingeterang tulad niya. Sana sa nangyaring ito ay maalis na siya sa trabaho ng mawala na siya. Hindi ako magpapaapi dahil isa akong Callejo.

"I don't want to see her again. Baka saktan niya ulit ako."

"She won't hurt you anymore, honey." si Mommy.

"I want her out of my life mommy!" out of Adrian's life. There's something off with that girl and I think i know what it is, and it's not just being a envious b***h.

Dumating ang head ng body guards namin. "Sir, wala na po ang babae sa mansyon."

"Nakuha niyo ba ang pangalan ng babaeng nanakit sa anak ko?"

"Mariya Reyes po, Sir."