Montepalma Series 3: A Paradise Between Our Distance

Chapter 4

I stared at his face for how many minutes. Trying to analyze his words to me. It's tempting to teach him so he could ask for help from his family. And he will even escape with me!

Until a door opened and it was Uno standing on the door way. His forehead creased when he realized that Hansen and I were standing so inches between us. He cleared his throat, which caused Hansen to look in his direction.

"Vivian said that we'll eat together in the dining room," Uno announced. His eyes drifted on mine. "Let's go."

Hansen smirked. "Good to hear some good news."

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. Anong good news kung kasama ko kumain si Vivian? Dati pa lang hindi na kami magkasundo, ano pa kaya ngayon?

Tahimik ako naglakad para sumunod na kay Uno. Nauuna maglakad sa amin si Uno habang si Hansen ay sinasabayan ako sa lakad ko. Nililingon niya ako habang nakaukit ang multo na ngiti sa labi niya. He looks so amused and playful.

"Think about my offer, Ivory," he whispered.

I narrowed my eyes on him. "Lower your f*****g voice."

I raised my forehead while walking straight to the hallway. Kahit papaano naalala ko pa rin ang pasikut-sikot sa mansyon ng mga Marseille. I used to play here when I was a child. Madalas ako dinadala ni Papa rito.

My eyes caught my attention. There is a picture frame of a Marseille gang before. My father is standing beside Raphael. They seemed like good friends but Raphael is evil.

"Ivory?"

Nilingon ko si Uno na naka pamulsa tila hinihintay niya ako. Napalunok ako at iniwas ko ang tingin ko. Naalala ko noon na palagi ako nilalapitan ni Uno dahil ayaw ako lapitan ni Vivian.

"Is there a problem?" he inquired.

I shook my head. "Uh… no. Let's go."

Dapat lalagpasan ko siya nang hawakan niya ang braso ko. Napatigil ako sa paglalakad at nagtataka na lumingon sa kaniya.

"Don't ever fall to his traps. He is dangerous and a Montepalma," he warned. Tinanggal ko iyong pagkakahawak niya sa braso ko. "I'm serious, Ivory."

"Your family is a monster. Not him or his family.”

I rolled my eyes. Baka nakakalimutan ni Uno na ang tatay niya ang rason bakit wala na akong magulang.

"I'm really sorry for what happened." Naging seryoso ang mukha niya at iniwas ang tingin sa akin. "You know that I care for you more than anything else."

"Help me to escape, then!"

"I don't have the power to do that." Umiling siya tila nawawalan ng pag-asa tulungan ako. "Dos is the only one who can access the program of your bracelet. It’s their decision to turn it off or not."

"Then do something!"

Lumapit ako sa kaniya. My teeth are clenching with each other in anger. My hands grabbed his collar. Dapat gumawa siya ng paraan kung mahalaga man ako sa kaniya!

I exhaled a heavy breath. "Do something, Uno!"

"Ivory…" his voice is almost like a whisper. "I'll try my best. Refrain yourself from falling to his tricks. Montepalma is known as the wisest and dangerous. Be careful."

I scoffed. Wala rin pala siya magagawa kaya binitawan ko ang collar niya. Nauna na ako naglakad papunta sa dining room. Alam ko na nakasunod lang siya sa akin.

Ang daming mapapait na alaala sa mansyon na ito. Kaya ayaw ko na bumalik man kaso hinahabol pa rin ako ng mga demonyo. Kung pwede lang ako lumayo ay nagawa ko na. Kaso wala akong pera para lumipad sa ibang bansa.

"Stay here, Ivory," Papa reminded me.

I gave her my sweetest smile while nodding my head. Kapag sinusundo ako ni Papa sa school ay dito niya muna ako dinadala kasi isa siyang tauhan ni Sir Raphael.

"May pag-uusapan lang kami na importante sa loob. Pahangin ka muna sa hardin," he added.

I smiled. "Okay, Papa!"

Tumakbo ako papunta sa hardin. Ang kanilang mansyon ay sobrang luma na pero masyado pa rin ito maganda. Napadpad ako sa malawak na hardin nila. Napangisi ako nang makakita ako ng mga paru-paro na lumilipad.

Bumungisngis ako habang inaamoy ang samu’t-sari bulaklak sa hardin ng mga Marseille. Masyado mawalak at makukulay ang mga bulaklak. Nagpapakalma talaga sa akin ang nature. Ang sarap pagmasdan kung puro berde sa harapan ko.

"You always like to stay here…"

Nagulantang ako nang magsalita ang lalaki sa likod ko. Pag lingon ko ay si Uno na nakatayo sa likod ko. Sinipat niya ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa.

I blinked. "I'm sorry…"

"No… no… no!" Tumawa siya habang umiiling. Napalunok ako. "I mean… it's nice to see you enjoying yourself here in the garden."

"I like flowers."

"From what I've noticed, you love daisies."

He glanced at me while a ghost smile stretched on his lips. Nag init ang pisnge ko habang nakanguso. Madalas ko siya makita na naglalakad din dito pero masyado akong preoccupied pagmasdan ang mga bulaklak. Ngayon lang siya naglakas ng loob.

He licked his lips. "Did I disturb you?"

"No." Umiling ako. This is their mansion, I have no rights to feel disturbed by an owner. "I can just leave if you want."

"Don't," he said. "We can stay here and unwind while waiting for your father."

"Are you sure?" I responded.

He grinned. "Oui. How's your school?"

"I hate doing my assignments!"

He looks amused. Pero pinigilan niya iyon kaya tumingin siya sa harapan. Naririnig ko ang kaluskos ng puno dahil malakas ang hangin at mga huni ng ibon.

"I can help you with your assignments if you want," he offered. Nilingon niya ako habang nakangiti "I'm not busy at all."

My eyebrow furrowed. "Why? You seem like a busy man."

"I can make some time for you, Ivory."

"Still no… I will not let you help me."

Masyadong nakakahiya kung papatulong ako sa kaniya. Tsaka college na siya habang ako highschool pa lang. Baka magalit sa akin si Papa kapag nalaman niya na nagpapatulong ako kay Uno. Ang kaniyang anak na lalaki.

He pursed his lips. "I'm… always available for you. It's no big deal. If you're scared that this might reach my father, I will shut my mouth."

His offer is still tempting, though. Napanguso ako habang nag-iisip. He has clean cut hair, tanned skin, and loves to wear black t-shirts. He is more approachable compared to Vivian and Dos.

"Let me help you, Ivory. I am willing to help and give you my time," he added. "What is your homework? Mathematics? Science?"

I scrunch my nose. "I hate science."

I heard him chuckle. He took a step forward to pull out some daisies. My eyes grew bigger when he gave it to me.

"That's for you, Ivory."

Kinuha ko naman iyon at muling inamoy. Oh my gosh! They all smell so good!

I giggled. "Thank you, Uno."

"What took you both so long?!" Vivian snapped.

Nakarating na kami sa dining area. Parehas kami tahimik at walang sinasabi ni isang salita. Habang nag uusap kami kanina, naalala ko kung paano ba niya ako nilapitan. Kung paano siya gumagawa ng paraan para makasama ako.

"We are just talking…" Uno admitted. He gazed at me. "About our past."

Bigla napatingin sa akin si Hansen tila nagulat siya sa sinabi ni Uno. Napairap si Vivian habang napapailing tila disappointed siya sa kaniyang kapatid.

"That f*****g w***e is just tricking you!" si Vivian. Ang sama ng tingin niya sa akin. "She really knows how to wrap her prey around her fingers like a puppet!"

My eyebrow shot up. "You seemed upset."

"Shut up, w***e!"

"Calm down, Vivian. It's not nice to shout in front of our blessings," ani Dos.

Yumuko si Uno habang nakangisi para itago niya iyon sa nagagalit niyang ate. Napailing na lang ako. Dumating na ang pagkain sa hapag at nanatili ako nakatitig sa mga pagkain.

Pansin ko si Hansen kanina pa ako pinagmamasdan pero sa tuwing magtatama ang tingin namin, iniiwas niya rin iyon.

"Why are you not eating?" Uno asked.

"I have no appetite at all," I replied. Pinagkrus ko ang kamay sa dibdib. "I'd rather watch you all eat."

"But… we are all eating together because you accomplished your first assignment."

"Uno, huwag mo pilitin kung ayaw," Vivian hissed.

Hindi ako kumikilos sa kinauupuan ko. Taas nuo ko siya tinitingnan. Sometimes in life in order for you to win against your enemy is to be silent. Because silence means victory. Victory means power. Power means money. That's how it works in reality. I'd rather judge her through my mind than saying it verbally.

Watching your enemy keeps spitting some acid in your face is a victory for me. She only looks like a f*****g fool trying to win against the lion who is the king and more powerful in the jungle.

"Do you want some turkey on bread?" Uno offered.

I shook my head. "No. I'll just need to catch some air."

Siguro nawalan ako ng gana. The memories are slowly flowing in my mind like a cinema. A memory that I'm dying to bury for how many years. A painful memory that keeps me fighting.

I don't want to die without accomplishing some goals. Dying without it means defeat, a wasteful soul just lingering in the world without a purpose. I want to die with purpose. I just have to win this game and forget everything.

I stood up from the dining table. I left them without a word. I just want to think alone.

Nung panahon na wala na akong connection sa kanila ay hindi ko naman na naalala muli iyong mga masasakit na alaala. The memories triggers when I saw my Papa standing beside an evil who is going to betray him, and also to destroy me.

I smiled bitterly. I don't want to feel this f*****g pain. I'd rather hide and run away. I want to turn back all these past that keeps chasing me all over again. I hate it.

"You're gonna be alright, Ivory," I murmured.

Tears cascaded from my eyes as I harshly wiped it. I hope my father never met Raphael at all. I'd rather live with a simple seeing them slowly vanishing away because of power and money.

After all these years… it is who I am that is gonna help myself. It is who I am gonna wipe my own salty tears rolling down against my cheeks.

"Are you okay?"

My whole body stilled when somebody spoke behind me. But this time, it wasn't Uno who was talking. The voice came from Hansen.

I sighed. "What are you doing here?"

"The bracelet turns red. You are walking away from me."

I fluttered shut my eyes while breathing slowly to calm myself. I forgot that we are not allowed to be away from each other. How foolish of me!

"I'm sorry," I muttered. "I can just stand against the wall so you can eat delicious food."

"Don't think about me, Ivory. I'm fine. How are you?"

Napalunok ako. Ayaw ko na nagtatanong sa akin kung kumusta ba ako lalo na't emosyonal ako. Ayaw ko rin na humarap sa kaniya. Ayaw ko maging mahina.

"Look… if you're hungry I can—"

He cut me off. "I don't f*****g care about the food. I just want to know how you are."

"I'm okay," I lied.

I heard him laugh with no humor. Matagal ako napatitig sa kalmadong kalangitan. Medyo kumalma ako nang panoorin ko ang hardin hindi gaano kalayo rito.

"I can sense when someone isn't okay. I'm good at noticing a person who is not okay."

I clicked my tongue. "Then if you can manage to notice it, why are you f*****g asking me?"

"I just wanna help you. I want us to work out as partners, Ivory," aniya habang naglakad para tumabi siya sa akin. "I remember someone who tried to hide the pain. Everyone thinks that he is okay because he is the playful and the happiest person in our family. But every night… he was not that type of person he used to face people."

He caught my attention. Kuryuso rin ako tungkol sa pamilya niya. Nakapamulsa siya habang tinatanaw ang tanawin sa harapan ko.

"I can feel his sadness overflowing when darkness is looming around him. He is hiding his pain behind his shadow," he continued. He swallowed hard. "It hurts to see someone that is carrying a heavy pain in their chest. So… I want to be there for them because I failed my brother."

"We are very much alike, I guess."

Nilingon ko siya. A timid smile slowly etched on my lips. I thought he was evil, narcissistic, and arrogant. That is how people describe them because he is a Montepalma. They felt what we feel too because they are also human beings.

"Don't ever walk away from me. You are chained to me, Ivory.”