Chapter 1: Homecoming

437 Words
Celeste POV: Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako kinakabahan habang nakatayo sa harap ng malaking gate. The cold metal felt unwelcoming under my fingers as I hesitated to press the doorbell. Masyadong tahimik ang paligid—isang malaking bahay sa dulo ng subdivision, malayo sa ibang mga bahay. This was my new home. Kahit hindi ko ginusto. Mula nang mawala si Mama at Papa sa isang aksidente, wala akong choice kundi lumipat sa tanging pamilya kong natitira—si Tito Lucas. Hindi ko siya gaanong kilala. He was my father’s younger brother, pero bihira ko siyang makita. Ang alam ko lang, he was successful, wealthy, and… distant. Naputol ang pag-iisip ko nang bumukas bigla ang gate. Napatigil ako. Then, I saw him. Lucas Montenegro. Nakasuot siya ng itim na long-sleeved shirt na nakatupi hanggang siko at dark slacks. Matangkad siya, siguro nasa six feet, at may presence na parang nakakakulong sa'yo sa isang invisible cage. His sharp jawline, dark eyes, and perfectly styled hair made him look like someone out of a high-end magazine. Pero malamig ang tingin niya. “Get in,” he ordered, his voice deep and emotionless. Napalunok ako pero tumango. Hinila ko ang maleta ko at pumasok sa loob ng property. Ang laki ng bahay niya—modern, puro glass at concrete, pero walang buhay. Tahimik. Parang hindi ito tirahan ng isang normal na tao. Nang makarating kami sa loob, isinara niya ang pinto at tumingin sa akin. “May mga rules akong ipapatupad habang nandito ka,” he said firmly. Napatingin ako sa kanya. “Rules?” “Yes.” Lumapit siya ng bahagya, at sa hindi ko maipaliwanag na dahilan, I felt something unsettling in my chest. “Number one: You will not leave this house without my permission.” Napakunot ang noo ko. “Bakit naman—” “Number two,” he cut me off, his gaze sharp, “You will follow everything I say.” Nag-init ang pisngi ko sa inis. “Hindi ba dapat—” “Number three.” His voice dropped lower. “Don’t test my patience, Celeste.” Napalunok ako. There was something dangerous in his tone, something that made my stomach twist in an unfamiliar way. “Understood?” he asked, his eyes locked onto mine. I wanted to protest. I wanted to tell him I wasn’t a child who needed to be controlled. But something in his stare made me hesitate. “Yes…” I whispered. A small, knowing smirk appeared on his lips—almost amused. “Good,” he murmured. “Welcome home, Celeste.” End of Chapter 1. ---
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