It started with a knock.
Three soft taps sa pinto ng kwarto ko—sunod-sunod pero hindi demanding. Just enough to make my stomach clench.
Monique peeked in, face pale. Wala na 'yung usual energy niya. Even her eyeliner looked tired.
“Cass,” she said, voice low. “May… may tumawag. Malacañang. Urgent daw. It’s your mom.”
Agad tumayo ang balahibo ko.
Shit.
Tumayo ako agad, tahimik, halos madulas pa sa pagkaka-panic, sinusundan si Monique papuntang study lounge. My robe trailed behind me, the silk now clinging like nerves on skin.
Pagdating ko, andun si Atty. Denise—arms crossed, face unreadable, hawak ang iPad na parang warning.
“Cassie,” she said, handing it to me. “It’s them.”
Napakagat ako sa labi bago tinanggap ang iPad. I wasn’t even ready to breathe. At pag-angat ng screen—
Boom
