A Hot Night with Uncle Travis

CHAPTER9

KASSANDRA JAYDEN’S POV

Timothy grew even angrier when I refused to answer him.

“What are you doing, Jayden?!” he demanded, grabbing my arm.

“I’m giving you your freedom, Timothy!” I shot back angrily.

‘What?! Are you out of your mind?! This wedding must happen! How am I supposed to face my father if it doesn’t?” Timothy said in rapid succession, which only fueled my anger even more.

“You should think about that, before I caught you with your woman in your lap!” I snapped at him sharply, not realizing that his father had overheard everything.

“What did you say, Jayden? Uncle Salvador asked me curiously.

I met his gaze without flinching. “Why don’t you ask him, Tito? Or better yet— you should watch this.

Mabuti na lang at mabilis na kumilos ang kasama ni Malaya kaya agad na lumabas sa big screen ang s*x video nina Timothy at Lavinia.

“Oh my gosh!” the crowd screamed, which only made Timothy even angrier.

“Sop it, Jayden, unless you want to get hurt!” Timothy ordered furiously, but I faced him without fear.

“You’re going to hurt me? Who do you think you are to lay a hand on me? You don’t provide for me, Timothy. You only agreed to marry me because of my money!” I shot back, my words making the crowd laugh at him.

Kanya-kanyang bulungan ang mga tao hanggang sa makita nila ang mukha ni Lavinia.

“She’s the girl on the video!” Malaya said, his voice was shocked.

Alam ni Malaya na half-sister ko si Lavinia at alam din nang buong sambayanan ng Tayabas ang ginawang panloloko ng mommy ko kay daddy. Nang mamatay ang daddy ni Lavinia ay humingi ng tawad si mommy kay daddy. At dahil nga martir ang daddy, nagawa niyang patawarin ang mommy. Ngunit ako’y hindi ko magawang tanggapin sa buhay ang mommy, lalo pa’t pinaramdam niya sa akin na hindi niya ako mahal.

Lingid sa kaalaman ni daddy pinaimbistigahan ko ang sarili kong ina, hanggang sa nalaman ko na baon sila sa utang dahil nalulong sa sugal ang lalaking minahal niya. At dahil hindi sanay sa hirap ang mommy kaya nilunok niya ang pride niya na humingi ng tawad kay daddy.

"Jayden, stop this right now! Don't embarrass your sister!"

My father's furious voice echoed through the entire church, each word striking me like a slap. Instead of showing concern for me— the one who had been wronged— he chose to defend Lavinia, my mother's bastard daughter.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips.

"Daddy, I'm your daughter. I'm the victim here. Why are you making this even harder for me?" The pain in my chest burned into anger as I looked directly at Lavinia.

Tumingin ako sa daddy ko. "If you're so determined to protect her, then why don't you ask her to marry Timothy instead?" I shot back. "They've been together for years anyway. Isn't that what she wants?"

The entire church remains silent and waiting for my dad’s response.

I refused to look away as Lavinia's face was drained of color. For too long, she had taken everything that belonged to me. This time, I wasn't going to leave without a fight.

Simula nang tumira sila sa bahay lahat ng mayroon ako, gusto niya mayroon din siya. Dahil sa pagiging martir ng daddy, tinuring niyang tunay na anak si Lavinia. Kaya ngayon mararamdaman ni Lavinia ang galit ko bilang nag-iisang heredera.

“They can’t— she is not a real Montevista. Everything rests on you, Jayden, if they are to reclaim Mondragon Corporation,” my father said.

I answered him with a smile so cold it might have belonged to the devil himself.

“So, this is what it comes down to? You are willing to sacrifice your real daughter to that fraud for the sake of that s**t Mondragon Corporation?” My voice rang through the entire church, sharp with outrage. “Dad, we are speaking of my future—not one more of your business arrangements. And let me remind you something: there is very little you can do when Lolo Joaquin left the entirety of Montevista Corporation and Montevista Industrial Park to me, after you chose to leave with your shameless wife over your own blood.”

Alam kong bunga lang naman ako ng arrange marriage na ginawa nina Lolo Joaquin na ama ni daddy at ni Lolo Facundo na ama ni mommy. Pero nang dahil sa ginawa ni mommy ay nasira ang pagkakaibigan ng dalawang matanda, hanggang sa dumating ang panahon na si Lavinia na ang paboritong apo ni Lolo Facundo.

Hindi agad nakapagsalita ang daddy ko nang dahil sa mga salitang binitawan ko. Sumama ang loob ko sa kanya, dahil hindi niya ako damayan sa sakit na nararamdaman ko. At hindi naman ako tanga para bigyan ng karapatan si Timothy sa negosyong pinamana sa akin ni Lolo Joaquin. Kung ang negosyo nga ng great grandfather niya na si Don Nicandro pinabayaan nila, negosyo pa kaya ng Lolo ko ang hindi nila pabayaan.

Magsasalita pa sana si Daddy nang magsalita si Lavinia.

“Jayden, I know you’re angry with me. But believe me or not, I’m a victim of Timothy too.” Lavinia held my gaze, a faint, calculating smile playing on her lips. Then her eyes drifted to my neck. “Oh! What’s that mark?” Her smile deepened. “Don’t tell me you spent the night with some call boy.”

Her words caught me off guard. I hadn’t even realized the stranger had left a mark on my neck.

Magsasalita na sana ako nang bigla akong hawakan ni Timothy.

Timothy seized my arm with bruishing force. “We’re not even married yet, and you’ve already humiliated me? Who put that mark on you?” he demanded, fury sharpening every word as his grip tightened painfully around me.

“Timothy, you’re hurting me.” I cried out, but he only answered with a smile so cold it sent a chill down my spine.

Lavinia let out a mocking laugh. “Oh, what’s this? Have you suddenly lost your nerve? Where’s all that fierce now?” she asked with theatrical sweetness.

“Who I was with last night is none of your business!” I shouted, struggling with all my strength to wrench myself free from Timothy’s hand.

Lalong nagalit si Timothy nang dahil sa sinabi ko, kaya mas hinigpitan pa niya ang pagkakahawak sa akin.

Ang pagpapahiya na plano ko ay napunta sa akin, dahil halos lahat ng tao dito sa simbahan ay nagbubulungan kung sino ang kasama ko kagabi.

“Let go of me, Timothy, please!” I cried, turning to my father. “Dad, aren’t you going to help me?”

“You’re really asking for it, Jayden! You—”

Timothy never got to finish. A familiar voice suddenly cut through the tension of the entire church.

“Take your hands off her.” The command rang out with chilling authority. “I was the one with her last night. And don’t dare make me hurt you for laying a hand of my girl.”

Timothy froze, shock flashing across his face. “Uncle Travis? You?”