The Past Behind Us

Chapter 1

SIX YEARS AGO

JADE POV

I get out the bed and went straight to the bathroom at five thirty in the morning. My classes start at seven and my father, Patrick, brings me into school before he goes to his office at eight. It was our usual routine since school is only fifteen minutes away from my father's office. My father is the President and CEO of Montellone Furniture Inc.

If I was not mistaken, the company is over fifty years old now and has been one of the established furniture companies in the Philippines. The company was founded by my late grandmother Lucia Montefalco and her best friend Emilia Castillone with the help of their husbands when they were still alive. My father took over the company when Lucia retired, while Emilia's daughter, Emma, is working hand in hand with my father to continue the business. My Uncle Ben, Patrick's only brother, lives in Canada with his wife and three daughters who never shared interest in handling the company.

I am the only daughter of Patrick, since my mother died the day I was born due to complication of the heart. I am sixteen years old now and currently studying at Saint Vincent University, one of the prestigious schools in the Province of Bulacan. Sometimes I help my father in his office works especially when I don't have activities at school. My grandmother put in my young mind that sooner I will take over the company when my father retires.

I don't have a problem with that. My father's office became my second home since I was constantly going there since I was a kid. I also have a good relationship with Emma, who treats me as her daughter. Emma and her husband Luis have two sons; Grant and Luke, who are both now living in Manila.

Someone knocked at my door as I finished dressing up in my school uniform. Greta, my mother's distant cousin was the helper in our house since she was separated with her husband long time ago. Her daughter, Mariz, is already working in Montellone after she graduated college. She was one of the scholars of the company and became my father's secretary eventually.

"Your father is waiting for you at the dining room," Greta told me as I opened the door. The woman is in her early fifties and with a smiling face ready to greet everyone warmly. I picked up my belongings and went down the stairs straight to the dining room where my father is waiting.

Our house is huge – one of the oldest houses in our town. It has two rooms on the first floor, a library, four rooms at the second floor, and an attic. It still has ancient floorboards, solid oak doors, old mullioned windows set in gray stone walls, and grey stone chimney. My father didn't try to change the structure of the house or to modernize it. Aside from some repairs that need to be done, it was still the same old house my great grandmother owned. Many believed that some spirits live in our house; some refuse to enter with a fear that bad spirits may follow them up to their houses. But whatever others perceived as our house to being inhabited by spirits of the deceased, the love that I and my father shared in our house will dominate any negative vibe the house has, if there is any. The house will always remind me of my happy childhood, and my memories with my grandmother when she was still alive.

I saw my father having his coffee and Mariz was sitting next to him. I smiled at them and sat next to my father on his right side. My plate is already filled with rice, ham and egg.

"You always go down late," Mariz said in an unpleasant voice which she always has. I tried hard to ignore the animosity between me and Mariz. It's six o'clock and my school is thirty minutes away from home, we could get there just in time.

"I woke up late because of much homework," I replied in a casual tone.

Mariz is a typical strict sister I would ever have; constantly reminding me of proper etiquette, valuing other people's time, and telling me to grow up and be responsible. I would admit I was a spoiled-brat kid who always gets what I wanted because my grandmother gives me everything I asked for. My father, on the other hand, was always busy being the CEO of Montellone that when my grandmother died when I was twelve, it was Mariz who became my companion like she is my elder sister – or for me, a stepsister who always disagree with me.

"Are you having a hard time? You can ask Mariz to help you with your homework," my father suggested as if Mariz was my savior. I hated that idea but I can't tell it to my father.

"I could help you with anything," Mariz agreed all the more which made me wince. "When I was your age, I would always want to be on top of the class."

"I'm fine, Dad," I replied nonchalantly and tried to finish my breakfast as fast as I could. One thing that I was trying to avoid was to get help from Mariz. I don't hate her, but I don't like the way she was always so proud of herself.

My father walked out of the dining as soon as he finishes his cofee and went to the library which serves as his office. Minutes later, he was holding his attaché case and laptop bag and went straight to his car. I waited at the front door while texting my bestfriend Lira to wait for me at the main gate of the school. Mariz sat on the front seat of the car, leaving me no choice but to sit at the back. I was really pissed off but had to compose myself and ignore the ill feeling I have inside.

I pretended to be reading my book and texting my friend consecutively even if I was furious with how Mariz acted like she was the daughter of Patrick. While on the road, Mariz would discuss concerns in the factory which made my father commend her for being dependable and competent. At twenty three years old, Mariz was an epitome of a successful, responsible and hardworking woman – to my father or other people, at least.

Fine, she is.

The car stopped at the front gate of Saint Vincent University. I kissed my father's cheek before I got out of the car, leaving no word for Mariz. I saw Lira waiting for me and I waved immediately to dismiss the irritation Mariz has brought me this morning.

"Your face looked annoying," Lira told me and grimaced. "Is it your cousin again?"

"I wonder why you even asked," I replied sarcastically. Lira is my childhood best friend whom I share everything that is happening in her life.

"Your boyfriend was looking for you a while ago," Lira smiled with eyes crinkled at the edges.

"Where is he?" thrilled in my voice as we walked through the school campus. Alexander is my boyfriend for a week now, of course – without my father's knowledge. It was an unexpected incident at the Foundation Day of the school where we were both locked in a Love Booth for almost an hour by our friends, he asked if I could be his girlfriend and I instantly said yes. He was my long time crush who just won Mr. Campus in the recent pageant in the university. Alexander is twenty years old college student taking up Hotel and Restaurant Management, a volleyball player, and a campus heartthrob.

"He said he'll see you at his game tonight at the sports center."

"As if I'll be allowed to go out beyond seven o'clock," I rolled my eyes in frustration. My father was strict when it comes to my time that I need to be at home before seven. I was sure Mariz or my Aunt Greta will not cover up for me to go out without my father's permission. I wasn't even allowed to entertain suitors, let alone having a relationship.

"Tell your father that we will have a sleepover. I want to watch the game as well," Lira said, trying to convince me.

"Can you tell my father?" I asked, hoping that if Lira would personally ask permission from Patrick, he would probably say yes.

"I can't! I don't want to lie to your father."

"Then we can't go," I answered helplessly. I'd wish I was years older so I can decide on my own and do whatever I want. I want to be with Alexander and keep other girls away from chasing my boyfriend.

My class starts at seven and ends at four o'clock, with lunch break and snack time in between. I was allowed to hang out with my friends until six o'clock as long as I stay inside the campus. A company driver would pick me up and brings me to my father's office and we would come home together. Mariz boyfriend, on the other hand, picks her up every day from office.

The school year is almost over. I could see most students relaxed and just having a chit chat. I sat at one of the benches under an old tree inside the campus, putting my books on my lap while sipping cola in a plastic with straw. Lira went home early to accompany her mother to the grocery store. I waited for a while, taking my chance to see Alexander and talk to him before I leave the campus.

Saint Vincent University is as old as my great grandmother. The building is made of regal bricks, accented with a beautiful fountain at the center. The first two buildings are for high school students, while the rest is for college. There are a total of eight buildings in the whole university, park bench under the trees were scattered along the grassy fields near the sports area. Alexander often hangs around here with his teammate.

To my dismay, Alexander was nowhere in sight. I decided to call my father to send the driver and pick me up which would take longer according to Patrick. An hour almost passed by me when Alexander showed up while I was waiting at the front gate of the university. He was in his volleyball uniform and Nike gym bag, his eyes locked on me with his smile that could make my cheeks blushed. This is the third time we saw other again after that Love Booth incident, the second was when Alexander had a game at the sports center one afternoon. Though we would exchange glances with each other during the play, Alexander immediately left with his teammates while I had to rush at the gate because the driver was waiting.

"Hi!" he greeted with smile, showing dimples on his face and his one arm wrapped around me instantly to my surprise. His teammate cheered, some booed, which made me more confuse on how to react the way his arm was around me. I saw my father's car approaching, but before I even move away from Alexander, he immediately kissed me in a brief but savage way.

"A-alexander," the only word came out of my mouth while my eyes speak confusion. It was my first kiss. He could have done it privately, but he chose to do it in front of his teammates and people passing by. It was ungentlemanly, I thought.

"See you at the sports center tonight, babe," he told me seductively.

"I. . .can't. My father won't allow me," I replied, avoiding meeting his eyes. I heard his teammates booed again which made Alexander's face dimmed. I ignored the look in his face.

"Ma'am, your father is waiting," said the driver who went out of my father's car.

"I have to go." I left him immediately and went inside the car. As I sit at the backseat, a pair of dark eyes quickly passed a cold-stare. I knew my cheeks went pale from burning red, my body was still shaking and I became mute.

Grant Castillone Miller.