CHAPTER 6: The Glass Shield
831 Words
The ride home was quiet. Habang nakatingin ako sa labas ng bintana, yung isip ko naiwan pa rin sa hallway ng mall. To the broom. To the way Rylan looked at me na parang ako lang si Yllana, yung dati, at hindi yung version ko ngayon na kailangang laging plantsado ang bawat kilos. Pagpasok ko pa lang sa pinto, hindi ko pa man lang natatanggal ang heels ko, may sumalubong na agad sa akin.
"AND SHE LIVES!"
Kylie was draped over the sofa, looking like she had been waiting there for hours. She had a bowl of popcorn in one hand and her phone in the other. "So? Tell me everything. Did he cry because of your 'detached' vibe? O napa-smile ka ba ng Luca-s***h-ideal-guy ni Dad?" I let out a tired laugh, dropping my bag on the side table. "He was a gentleman, Ky. Give it a rest."
"Gentleman is code for 'boring,' I knew it!" She hopped off the sofa and followed me toward the kitchen. "But admit it, he’s a 10. Kanina pa pabalik-balik si Dad dito sa sala, vibrating with excitement. He’s in the study, by the way. He’s been 'working' for three hours, which we all know means he’s just waiting for you to get back."
I felt a pang of guilt. That was Dad. He never wanted to pry or be invasive, but he cared too much to just go to sleep without knowing I was home safe. pumunta ako sa study and knocked lightly. "Dad?" He looked up immediately, his face lighting up with that genuine, warm smile. "Yllana. You’re back." He beckoned me in, closing his laptop.
"How was it, anak? I hope Luca didn't talk too much about business. I told his father to make sure the boy actually treats you to a good time."
"It was fine, Dad. Truly," I said, leaning against the doorframe. "It was nice to just... be out. Without the usual noise."
Dad walked over and tucked a stray hair behind my ear. "That’s all I want, Yllana. A little peace for you. I know things have been heavy lately with the competition. I just want to make sure you're surrounded by people who can keep you safe."
I hugged him, resting my head on his shoulder for a second.
"I know. Thank you, Dad."
"Go on, get some rest," he whispered. "Kylie’s been dying to grill you anyway."
"Tell me about it," I muttered, heading back out where Kylie was waiting with a 'spill the tea' expression. "Don't look at me like that, Ky. I'm going to sleep," I said, dodging her as I headed upstairs. "Liar! You're going to scroll through his i********: and realize he's a catch!" she shouted after me, her laughter echoing in the hallway.
I reached my room and finally shut the door. The silence was immediate. I sat on my bed, the "uncomfortable peace" I felt earlier starting to itch again. I wasn't scared of the stalker, I was just done with his games.
Then, the ping.
I picked up the phone, my expression flat. No shaking hands. No panic. Just a cold, focused annoyance.
1 New Message.
Unknown: Your dad has a big heart. It’s a shame it’s so easy to break. He thinks Luca is your safety net. But I saw who you were really looking at today. Rylan fits your 'boring' mood better, doesn't he?
Rylan? Ano namang kilaman ni rylan de vera dito? I haven’t seen him for years.
My grip on the phone tightened. My father’s warmth, Kylie’s jokes, this person was acting like our lives were a show he had front-row tickets to. He was talking about my father’s heart like it was something he could just toy with.
Me: You talk too much. If you're so brave, why are you hiding behind a screen?
The reply came almost immediately.
Unknown: I'm not hiding, Yllana. I'm protecting you from the truth your Dad is too scared to tell you. One word from me, and his 'perfect' reputation, and your 'safe' life, crumbles.
I didn't feel a flicker of fear. I felt a surge of protective rage. He could threaten me all he wanted, pero yung damayin niya yung pinaghirapan ni Dad? He crossed a line he shouldn't have.
Me: You touch my family's reputation, or you even breathe near my father's office, and I will find you. And trust me, I'm not as 'polite' as my father thinks I am.
Unknown: There she is. The real Yllana.
I threw the phone face down on the bed. I walked to my window and looked out at the streetlights. I wasn't the girl who needed a 'shield' made of glass or a gentleman to protect her. If this person wanted to bring danger to my front door, fine. But he was going to realize very quickly that I wasn't the one trapped in the house.
He was the one trapped in a game with me.
- Writer
