Chaos Series 1: Angel

12

"Mom... dad?" I peaked inside my parent's bedroom. Both of them raised their heads but not pay attention to me. Cause their eyes are still focused on their devices.

"Yes honey? Something wrong?" Mom softly ask, and this time, she finally look at me and smiled.

I smiled and entered their room and sat on their bed.

"Ahm... may ipagpapa-alam lang po sana ako." I said and both of them look at me.

"What is it sweetie?" Mom asked, I bite my lower lip.

"Ah... do you know Maravilla Corporation?" I asked and dad spin his swivel chair to look at me.

"Yes, our good friend." He said and my eyes widened.

"What?! Really dad?! That's great! Wow! I didn't know about that! Looks like history will repeat itself that your daughter will be friend with their inheritor. Good for the business right?" I said, my voice sounding excited so it will be convincing.

I saw dad fix his eyes glasses and raised his eyebrow.

"What do you mean?" He ask, his voice making me a bit scared since it sounded so bold and deep.

I smiled, "Dad I'm friend with their son too! You know Ace? Their youngest son? I'm friend with him. Isn't it great?" I said, smiling and my voice once again sounding convincing. I look at mom and dad to see their reaction. But it looks like nothing is working.

Oh God, I'm doomed.

I hear dad sigh, "Ace... their youngest son is not really into their business. Just like your sister, he did nothing but to party around. I like Richard the most among of their 3 sons." He said and my head tilted a bit.

"I have met him in a  business meeting when he was 17, and I clearly  remember how I  was amazed on him. Imagine at age of 17, he was able to speak up for their company so gracefully and confidently. He is really a great kid, he will be a great businessman in the future." He said and I slowly nod.

Shit, I used the wrong card.

Think Angel, think!

"Well its your lucky day dad! Kuya Richard invited me to have a party in their house. He said that its his twin's party, but he invited me." I said, loosing hope that I'll be able to find way on how my parents will let me go to that party.

Dad raised his brows, "A party? Walang nasabi sa akin ang ama nila na mahilig mag party si Richard. And if he do, sigurado na hindi nito magugustuhan ang ingay ng isang party." He said and I pouted, losing words to say.

Damn! This feels like I'm in a class  recitation or something. Mas mahirap pa ngang sagutin ang mga tanong ni dad kaysa sa mga prof namin.

I hear dad sigh, "Angel hindi kita papayagan na pumunta sa isang party. Go study and just focus on your academic. You're graduating soon and you should be the valedictorian of the class." Dad said and I slowly nod.

I stand up from the bed, "Okay dad, mom, I'll be sleeping now. Goodnight." I said and walk towards the door. I hear mom say a small goodnight before I fully close the door.

Before I reach my room, I pass by Ellie's room first. And I decided to knock even though I know she's still busy.

"Ellie? Can I come in?" I called from outside of her room.

"Yes! Come in!" I heard her scream and I take a deep breath before I open the door. There I saw her on her study table, papers scattered around the place while a speaker is playing some old, soft songs.

"Do you need anything?" She ask and I pouted before I dropped on her bed.

"Sinubukan kong magpaalam kila mom and dad by using the same thing I used sa food trip namin ni Ezekiel. But this time I used Ace as the reason, but it didn't work." I said while looking at the ceiling.

"You used the wrong ace." She said before chuckling a bit, I immediately get it which made me chuckle as well.

"Hey.., don't joke about it. Paano na yan? Hindi ako makakasama." I said, pouting and looking at her back. She turn around and furrowed her brows.

"Then sneak out, I have been doing that for almost every time. And sometimes, kapag magpapaalam ako, pinapayagan naman nila ako." She said and I pouted.

"And I don't get why, pinapayagan ka tapos ako hindi. Ang unfair naman nila! Ikaw lang love nila! Di naman nila ako love!" I whined, stomping my feet to the floor like a kid.

I hear her sigh, "You don't get it Angel. Love ka nila, but they do are unfair sometimes. But I think its better if you sleep muna." She said and I pouted before nodding.

"Okay okay, goodnight, see you tomorrow!" I said and leave her room and went to mine.

The next morning, we are peacefully eating breakfast when Ellie suddenly speak.

"Mom, dad, I'll be going to Ace's house tomorrow. He invited me to a party but at the same time, we will try to work on our research project." She directly said. While chewing on my foods, I  look at her, then to mom and dad. And it continued as we wait for dad's response.

"You're clearly just using your project to party around. But fine, what do I expect from you?" Dad said and I saw how Ellie smirked.

But his words.. it sounded... harsh.

"See, I told you it'll be easy." Ellie said while we are inside the van.

"But Ellie... his words sounded so harsh. Didn't you realize that? What does he expect from you? Marami! You do great things! He should expect you to do good in acads too because you're smart and hard working! What does he mean when he said what does he expect from you?!" I exclaimed, my voice almost shouting but gladly the driver can't hear us.

"Angel, calm down, kumalma ka nga. Ang mahalaga, pinayagan ako. Now we have to think kung paano ka papayagan." She said and I pouted.

But the whole day, I think its just me who ended up thinking a way para payagan ako. But nothing seems really getting on my brain except sneaking out. Pero hindi pwede yon, tsaka hindi ko kaya.

Hanggang sa umabot ang lunch at naghihintay na si Ezekiel sa labas ng classroom namin. I lazily went to his side and walk with him towards the SSG office since he said he have to do some few things while eating.

"Hey... ayos ka lang ba? You look so down." He said in the middle of our meal. I didn't answer him and instead I just sigh.

"Don't worry, balita ko matatapos na ang project ni Ellie and Ace. I know they can do it within just 3 to four days. Ellie is smart, while Ace can be smart too. Ayaw lang niya mag-aral." He said and a smile formed on my lips.

"I know Ellie is, and I know Ace is a decent guy too. But that's not really my problem." I said and I saw him squints his eyes.

"Then what is it? I might help." He said and I chuckled.

"Your name already helped me once. Hindi ko alam kung gagano ulit this time." I said before once again letting out a short chuckle.

"Ano ba kasi yon? Just tell me." He said,

"Hindi ako pinayagan nila mom and dad na pumunta sa party. I already used Ace as a reason but it didn't turn out well. Then even though I'm not close with kuya Richard, I used him too, but still no. Si Ellie pinayagan na. Ako hindi talaga." I said before lowering down my head.

I felt him tap my hand which made my head snap up.

"I have an idea... this time... I'll use my name again." He said and my brows furrowed.

"Ezekiel hindi ka pwedeng pumunta sa bahay!" I exclaimed when we reached the parking lot.

"Ipagpapaalam nga kita! Then I'll use a special card para payagan ka! Trust me on this one Angel." He said and I shake my head before stomping my feet.

"You don't get it! They are very strict! They will think you are my suitor!" I exclaimed,

"Not if I'll say my reason why I'm there." He said and I flicked my tongue before looking around. When suddenly I saw our van coming.

"Oh God, go now! Go go! Just don't go to our house." I said before pushing him away.

The van arrived and we waited for Ellie for few minutes before we have finally went home.

Party is tomorrow, I'm not  party person but a part of me wants to go to that party. Maybe because its supposed to be the first party I'll attend and Ellie is there and so is my friends. Friends?

"Maam, ipinapatawag po kayo nila madame at sir sa baba. May bisita po kayo." One of our maids said. My eyes widened and I immediately jump out of bed.

Oh my God, Ezekiel!

And I'm not wrong, when I take  the first step of the stair, I can already see his back from this part of the house.

When I met dad's eyes, he's glaring at me.

Lagot na!

"Angel come here, may bisita tayo." Dad said and I nod before rushing him down the stairs.

When I arrived downstairs, I went to mom's side and I saw how presentable Ezekiel look.

"Ano itong ipinagpapaalam ka ni Ezekiel?" He ask and I opened my mouth but no word seem on coming out.

Ezekiel suddenly chuckled, "Tito baka kinakabahan lang po si Angel magpaalam. Its a party po sa mga Maravilla, its their eldest son, Raphael's party, I don't exactly know why he held a party, but he invited us since we are his friends." Ezekiel said and I mentally scold him.

Yari na, dad wont like this. I'll be grounded for weeks, or month. I'm doomed.

"Don't worry tito, I'll keep Angel at my side. Hindi ko siya papabayaan. Oh, and by the way tito, nakausap ko na ang secretary ni dad... " he said and I saw how dad remove hand crossed arms from his chest.

"What did she said?" Dad asked, and I can hear the excitement in his voice.

Ezekiel tilts his head, "She said... she said there's a big chance. She said we should give them some time. Pero kung... pero kung sasabihin ko po siguro na tanggapin ang meeting mula sa inyo ay papayag agad sila." He said and dad nods.

"That's great, that's great. But back to the party.." I once again tensed up, why do I keep on tensing up?

"What time will you pick Angel?"

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