Blazing Mirror

BM4

MANY of my features had been replaced with the features of someone else. Someone I've never met or even heard of.

My deep set eyes was now replaced by an almond set of eyes. My dark brown eyes was replaced by a light brown. My eyes is my favorite among all my features! My tiny face was now tinnier. My pointed nose and heart-shaped lips was still the same. Hindi ko alam pero pagkatapos ng operasyon ay hindi naman gano’n kalaki ang pinagbago sa akin.

It's so weird but I can still see myself in this face. I shouldn't felt this way, right?

Bumukas ang pinto at inilabas doon si Daddy. After the operation, I thought he'll grin ear to ear but he just look at me, emotionless. Ni katiting ay wala akong nakitang reaksyon.

He handed me a brown envelope, 'yung binigay niya na hindi ko tinanggap nung isang gabi pa.

"Andyan lahat ng information ni Astrid Claveria. Even the tiniest specifics about her should be read." He gave me a ziplock bag with some personal items inside. "These are the things I got from her. You should bring them back to the Philippines."

Tumango ako, before he exited in my room, I called him. "D-Dad, can you still s-see me?"

Hinarap niya ako, bothered by my question. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, can you still see the Alexandra on me? Ako kase—"

"No. I don't see Alexandra on you." Then he left.

Bumagsak ang balikat ko at muling tinignan ang sarili sa salamin. Am I hallucinating? Siguro nasabi ko lang 'yon sa sarili dahil hindi ko pa kaya bitiwan si Alexandra.

Damn me, hindi ito dapat ang nararamdaman ko! Damn! Damn!

I read Astrid Calveria's details to take my mind off things. I found out many things about her.

Her real name is, Astrid Gabriella Claveria, she's turning 28 this November 25. His father is Gaustavio Claveria, CEO and founder of Claveria Group of Companies, and Astrid is the only daughter. Her mother left them.

When I saw some fascinating things about her, the side of my lips grew. Besabella International School's Dean is Astrid Claveria.

"I never imagined planning vengeance could be so easy when you have all the connections," bulong ko sa kawalan.

Ariella, I'm not sure why, but I appreciate everything you've done.

THREE days passed before I went back to the philippines. Astrid Claveria is so easy to learn, her life is so boring. No boyfriend since birth. I think I already know what kind of woman she is.

She's a soft, pure, gentle, and simple woman. Well, hindi naman kami nagkakalayo. Actually, I'm a soft, gentle, and sophisticated woman not until Mom dropped a bomb on me.

Sabi ni Daddy, ito ang araw na nauuwi si Astrid galing Australia. We separated ways when we were at the Airport. Ang dami pa niyang binilin but nothing on them is about me. All of them are about Astrid, and I'm supposed to be gentle, kind, and happy in front of everyone who knows her. But I guess I'm breaking the rules already.

Pagkalabas ko sa airport ay kaagad kong isinuot ang aking shades. Dad said that I should wear simple clothes, ngunit nagpalit ako nang maghiwalay na kami. I just can't stand wearing simple jeans and a simple blouse.

I'm currently wearing an off-shoulder croptop with ruffled edges and black slacks, which I'm wearing with a red beret.

Hindi ko alam pero biglang nag-iba ang mood ko nang makita ang sarili sa salamin ng bintana ng kotseng dumaan sa harap ko. I collected myself and plastered a forced grin on my lips.

Bahagya akong napaigtad nang biglang bumukas ang bintana nito, it showed a man whose irritated based on his face. Nagalit ba siya dahil nakisalamin ako? Damn, magpasalamat pa nga dapat siya dahil maganda ang nakisalamin.

Inirapan ko siya at bahagyang naglakad nang konti para pumara ng taxi. I was about to hop in the taxi when a strong arm snatched my luggage.

"Excuse me? What are you doing?" iritado kong tanong at kinuha pabalik ang maleta ko but he didn't let me.

He didn't answer me, sa halip ay isinarado niya ang pinto ng taxi at kinaladkad ang maleta ko sa kotseng sinalaminan ko kanina.

Ano bang problema ng lalaking 'to?

"Yah!"

Napahinto siya sa sigaw ko. Lahat ng tao ay saglit kong nakuha ang atensyon.

He slightly massaged the bridge of his nose. "Astrid, please don't put me on the spot."

My eyes widened a bit but I immediately discarded it. Is she Astrid's friend? Bakit hindi ko man lang 'yon naisip? Damn, I'm such a fool!

I chuckled a bit. "Sorry."

He just frowned. "Pumasok ka na sa loob."

Kaagad akong pumasok at doon kinutusan ang sarili. Bahagya kong hinilot ang aking sentido. Ilang minuto ang lumipas bago siya pumasok at sinimulang paandarin ang sasakyan.

Hindi ko mapigilang mapatitig sa kanya. Nakita ko ang pag-igting ng panga niya, it flexed his perfect scuplted jaw. Ang kanyang buhok ay gupit "curtains". He got a pointed nose. His lips are a bit reddish, I wonder… Is it soft?

Oh my god! Pinagnanasahan ko ba siya?! Damn, ni hindi ko nga alam kung kaano-ano siya ni Astrid. Cousin? Friend?

Maybe a lover?

Lumipat ang tingin ko sa kanyang mga braso na nakahawak sa steering wheel. His biceps and muscles looked so tight beneath the white material of his shirt. Nakatupi hanggang siko ang puting button down shirt niya.

"Stop eye-r****g me," aniya at bahagya akong sinulyapan.

I immediately looked away.

"Bakit ba ang tagal mo?" kunwaring iritado kong tanong.

"You should ask that to yourself. Kanina pa kita tinatawag pero hindi ka lumilingon," sagot niya at pinanliitan ako ng mga mata sa review mirror.

Inirapan ko na lang siya at itinuon ang pansin sa mga nadadaanan namin.

Hindi ko namalayang nakatulog na pala ako sa boung byahe. Nagising lang ako nang marinig siyang may katawagan sa telepono. Halatang iritado siya ngayon dahil sa hulma ng kanyang makapal na kilay. Nang mapansin niyang gising na ako, nagpaalam siya kaagad sa kung sino man ang katawag.

"Let's eat lunch," aya niya at huminto sa isang fancy restaurant.

Pasimple akong tumango at naunang lumabas sa kanya. I stilled when I saw myself in the glass mirror. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa aking saddle. My jaw clenched, ngunit kaagad na nawala iyon nang mayroong humawak sa aking siko para igiya ako papasok sa restuarant.

Nilayo ko ang siko sa kanya at naunang maglakad. I don't feel comfortable when a guy touches me, even just small parts of my body. Kay Daven lang talaga ako komportable.

Nang pumasok kami ay kaagad kaming sinalubong ng babaeng manager para samahan kami sa room na binook niya. We’re on our way to the room when I saw Daven, in his corporate attire.

Anong ginagawa niya rito?

Napahinto ako. I was about to go near him when someone cleared his throat.

I'm not Alexandra anymore...

And that made me realize it. This isn't my life anymore, ang kaibigan ni Alexa ay hindi kaibigan ni Astrid at mas lalong ang pamilya ni Alexa ay hindi pamilya ni Astrid.

That's the thought that always keeps nagging on my mind, kahit na nasa harap na namin ang pagkain. Kanina lang ay gutom ako at ngayon ay hindi na.

"What are you doing?" tanong ng kaharap ko na mayroong baritonong boses.

"I don't like the food." I lied.

Tinapunan niya ng tingin ang pagkain bago bumalik ang tingin sa akin. "That's your favorite food…"

I immediately faked a cough. "Anymore." And smiled like I didn't care about his reaction.

"Have a try, Astrid. You look so skinny now," aniya sa isang ma-awtoridad na boses.

I looked at the food. Ang sarap niyang tingnan. This food is my typical food before, not until I met Daven who made me like korean foods.

"Ayoko." Sumandal ako sa bangko habang nilalabanan ang mga mabibigat na titig niya. I crossed my arms over my chest

He looked away. "Just eat the food—"

Who is him to make me eat this food?!

"How I wish that Daven is here," I whispered before I eat the food.

I heard him chuckle, more like stating that he wins, but that didn't last long. "Who's Daven by the way?"

I sipped a juice. This is the perfect time to know what's his status in Astrid's life.

"Oh, are you jealous?" tanong ko na mayroong mala-demonyong ngiti.

He ignored me before putting all of his attention on the food. Mas lalo akong nairita doon. How can he ignore me? I hope this man doesn't have a big character in Astrid's life!

Konti lang ang naubos kong pagkain doon, at mabuti naman ay hindi niya pa ito ipinagdalakan sa 'kin na ubusin. Dahil 'kong ginawa niya 'yon, talagang mag-aaway kami.

He's so bossy. I hate it.

Pagkatapos naming kumain, I lowkey find Daven but he is not there anymore.

ILANG minuto ang nagdaan bago kami pumasok sa isang village. So, laking Laguna pala si Astrid? Hindi ko mapigilng mapamangha nang makita ang mga bahay—mansion sa loob ng village. I couldn't help but look with awe at the modern mansion that proudly standing infront of me.

Claveria is really Tolentino's nightmare.

Huminto kami sa harap ng engrandeng pintuan pagkatapos kaming pagbuksan ng gate ng guard. May nag-aabangan sa amin na mga maids at isang matanda na nakasakay sa isang wheelchair.

Unang lumabas ang lalaki bago niya ako pinagbuksan ng pinto. Trees and flowers is everywhere in this house. Naalala ko tuloy ang dating bahay namin hindi man ganito kalaki but it has the same ambiance.

"Naku, ilapit mo ako sa aking apo! Gusto ko na siyang mayakap!"

Dahan-dahan akong lumapit sa kanya at niyakap siya. Maybe, she’s Astrid's grandmother. Una akong kumalas sa yakap at bahagyang lumayo sa kanila. Baka gusto rin nilang batiin ang lalaki.

But the old woman just glared at him, bahagya pang tinampal ang kamay nito na magmamano sana. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay nang lumingon siya sa 'kin.

"I need to sleep," paalam ko bago sila tinalikuran.

Ibinigay ko sa isang kasambahay ang aking clutch at inutusan siyang sundan ako kahit na ang sadya ko lang naman talaga ay samahan niya ako sa kwarto ni Astrid.

Hindi ko mapigilang mapamangha ulit nang makita ang loob ng bahay. The furniture and exterior design are so very extravagant! But what caught my attention is their grand staircase!

Doon ay may isang malaking painting of Astrid and her father. Nakaupo sa isang couch ang kanyang ama habang siya naman ay nasa likod nito. Astrid smile is so wide. Sayang at hindi ko man lang nakita sa personal ang ngiting 'yon.

Nilibot ko ng tingin ang buong silid ni Astrid. Her room got a bohemian theme, and I found it kinda… lame. If I have time, I'll change this theme into minimalistic.

Dumiretso ako sa walk-in-closet, and I'm not surprised kung makakita man ako ng mga dress, jeans, and blouses. She doesn't have a taste in fashion.

Hindi ko mapigilang mapahilot sa aking sentido nang makitang imbis make-up ay mga libro ang nakikita ko. I'm really sorry, Astrid, but I couldn't stand a room like this.

Pumasok ako sa CR dahil sasakit lang ang ulo ko kapag tinitigan ko ang mga libro niya. Ni isang make-up ay wala akong nakita doon. Tanging powder lang at lip balm!

Kaagad akong lumubog sa bathtub, pagkatapos punuin ito ng tubig. So relaxing.

Bukas na bukas ay hahanapin ko si Daven upang maisagawa ko na ang aking plano kasama siya. Daven is the only person I trust right now.

My eyelids were about to close when a loud knock interrupted my chillin' time.

I tsked while wearing a black robe, I found on Astrid's walk-in closet. Hindi pa rin humihinto ang katok kaya naman binilisan ko ang aking galaw. Kakainis!

When I opened the door, the side of his lips rosed, mine too!

"Anong kailangan mo?" tanong ko habang nakakrus ang braso.

Pumasok siya at kaagad na isinara ang pinto. Napaatras ako habang siya ay pahakbang. His moves is stating a danger but I still act tough.

"A-anong kailangan mo?" tanong ko ulit ngunit may kasama nang pagka-utal.

His brows are about to meet, and he still manages to ask me in a calm way.

"What did you say to manang?"

"Ano bang… wala, wala akong sinabi!" Humigpit ang hawak ko sa tali ng robe.

Muntik na ako roon!

"You’re lying! The day before your flight, you confessed to me and I rejected you in a pleasant way I can, Astrid. Akala ko ba malinaw na sa 'yo? And now, your spewing shits on me to manang?"

Hindi ko mapigilang mapaawang ang aking bibig. This man is so vulgar and rude! Rejected in a pleasant way?! What a jerk!

"Pleasant or unpleasant way doesn't change the fact that you rejected me! Get out!"

Kumunot ang noo niya. Tumiim ang bagang ko sa reaksyon niya. I opened the door, dahil ako na mismo ang kakaladkad sa kanya. Ngunit napahinto ako nang makakita ng isang pamilyar na lalaki.

This man… He is Astrid's father! Siya ang taong nakita ko sa painting doon sa grand staircase.

"Tito…" untag ng lalaki sa likod ko.

"I'm surprised, that you and Sage had an argument too…" wika niyang halatang hindi nagustuhan ang kung ano man ang narinig niya.

Sage. That name…

"Saigon Griffin Besabella also known as Sage, the only heir of the Besabella International School."

'Yan ang lumabas, when I did some research about the school that I resented the most.

This man is Astrid's fiancé?!

"Tito, it's not what you think—"

Lumapit ako sa ama ni Astrid, and hooked my arms on his forearm, looking like a child. "Daddy, it's just a misunder—I mean a lovers quarrel… you know?" sadyang pinalambing ko ang aking boses. Sage frowned on what I did.

Astrid's father let out a loud breath before he nodded and smiled at us. He patted my head before turning his back on us, walang iniwan na salita. Halatang disappointed.

I glared at Sage but didn't last long when I remembered his role in my plan. A seductive smile appeared on my lips. Dahan-dahan akong humakbang papalapit sa kanya habang niluluwagan ang pagkatali ng roba ko.

Nag-iwas siya nang tingin ng makitang ilang dangkal na lamang ang layo namin, I can see how his almost perfect jaw clenched. Mas giganahan akong asarin siya, pikon.

"Let's restart everything on us—"

I stilled when his cold lips smashed on my lips. His tongue is trying to find a way inside my mouth. The hell, but my knees turned into a jelly. Before he could enter my mouth, I collected all the strength I have to push him away from me.

Napahawak ako sa bedpost ng kama, habang hinahabol ang hininga. My teeth gritted when I saw him smirking. He put his two hands on each pocket before leaning to my ear so that I could hear his whisper.

"You don't like it when I go rough on you," he warned in a gravelly tone before turning his back on me.

After five years… a guy finally affected my inner system again.