The Billionaire's Switch

Chapter 8

"Sleia, where are you?! Alam mong it's been two weeks pero di kita mahagilap man lang!" Salita ng isang pamilyar boses mula sa kabilang linya na tila naiinis.

Hawak ni Sleia ang phone niya and hindi niya namamalayan na kaybilis ng mga araw and two weeks na siyang walang communication sa kahit sino even his dad.

Ngayon niya lang araw binuksan itong phone niya and her dad is the one who just call him non-stop.

Yung ginagamit niya kasing isang phone ay usual phone niya na walang contacts just for casual or freedom phone niya. Her socmed accounts aren't real and just some random accounts actually.

Halos marindi si Sleia sa paraan ng pagkakatawag sa kaniya ng ama nito. Usually anak ang tawag nito sa kaniya pero pag galit o naiinis or yung may wala siyang magandang nagawa ay talaga ng sasabihin nito ang pangalan niya.

"Dad, just calm down okay? I'm on a long vacation. Don't worry I'm not messing around just like you told me." Sleia

"Make sure of that Sleia dahil kapag may nalaman akong gumagawa ka ng kalokohan, ako mismo ang magbabalik dito sa mansyon!"

"Alright dad, enough with your threats." Sleia making her tone of voice like she didn't care.

"What's that tone Sleia. Di kita pinalaking bastos!" Napataas ang boses ng dad nito dahil sa walang ganang pagkakasagot ng anak nito.

"I'm not in the mood to talk dad. It's just 8am in the morning yet you are angry about me." Sleia making a deep sigh. She just controlling her emotion. Naiinis siya to be exact.

"What exact day or time you want me to call you Sleia. And what with this time? Long vacation for what?" Mataas pa ring sambit ng dad nito na animo'y he just want to clarify things with her daughter.

"Long vacation for my own freedom dad. I'm not longer a single woman after this right?!" Walang gannag pagkakasabi ni Sleia because her own life is never her to begin with.

"Uhm... Yes, I just don't want others to talk badly about you anak. You know how pathetic this family and how dirty they play!" Seryosong wika ng ama nito sa mababang tono.

Medyo nakaramdam ng guilt si Sleia because of what she heard. His dad is also just a puppet here, he can't do anything about his situation.

"I know that dad. I am really sorry dad for this rude behavior of mine." Medyo mahinahon ring saad ni Sleia making herself look more pathetic, malungkot siya ngayon eh, paki ba niya?

"Always take care anak. I also apologized for my sudden high tone." Naisambit na lamang nito ng ama nito habang makikita ang pagsisisi sa pagtaas nito ng boses.

"Sanay na ako dad sa pamilya nating ito. It was nothing new. same hate, same family." Tanging naisalita ni Sleia knowing their family situations. It was same thing again and again, walang ng bago.

"Basta mag-ingat ka. They always play dirty tricks on their sleeves." Pagpapaalala ng dad nito sa kaniya.

"Don't worry dad, takot lang nila. You know me, I'm not the one they want to messed up with!" Matapang na wika ni Sleia knowing her, hindi siya magpapaagrabyado sa mga sinuman lalo na sa family members nila.

"I know, I know, I know anak but be very careful. Ikaw nalang at ako ang kayang pumrotekta sa kapatid mo. Alam mo na yun."pagpapaalala muli ng dad nito sa kaniya ng may pagsang-ayon. Knowing their own secrets and also weakness will not be good thing for them.

"Yes dad, I'll always take note of that. Don't feel threatened about this matter." Sang-ayon na lamang ni Sleia habang mabilis na pinatay ang tawag.

This feeling again or same scenario again and again. Kahit kailan talaga, Family Montreal will be a family Montreal. History repeats itself.

Alam ni Sleia ito lalo pa't halos lahat na siguro ng mga baho o pagkakamali na nakikita ng mga miyembro ng magaling nilang pamilyang ito ay talagang wala silang pinapalampas. Mas mabaho, mas masaya para sa family entertainment nila and family hierarchy will shuffle again.

But one of the biggest weakness they have is about her twin. It was not her only weakness but also his father's weakness. Alam niyang malakas ang kompetisyon sa pamilyang ito. Daig pa ang gawain ng politika dahil sa dumi nilang maglaro ng baraha ng mga ito.

She'll protect Alice at all cost. I know this is a ridiculous plan but she knows that her Montreal Family are not gonna sit up while she'll do freely her move. Alam niyang may nagbabadyang panganib di lang sa buhay niya kundi sa buhay ni Alice.

Kabaliwan man ito but she wants to switch places of her twin sister. She must do a well done job without any mistakes. Batid niyang sooner or later, those bad guys will discover Alice existence. Even her dad didn't know about this and he'll never know about this risky plan dahil he will not agree with this.

Labas si Alice dito at kahit hindi papayag ang dad niya ay gagawin pa rin niya ang naisip niyang plano. She is Sleia and we'll never bow down to her enemies. This is her chance to do what's best for dad and safety of her sister. Tanggap na niya ang kapalaran but not with her own blood twin and real dad. Ikakamatay niya at makakapatay siya, yun lang ang maaaring maiganti niya kapag wala siyang nagawa.

Kita naman ni Sleia na bumukas ang pinto ng kusina ng condo niya. Yes, they are in her own condo unit. Talagang si Alice ang naging chef niya for this week. Magaling itong magluto and she is also a great cook but Alice presented herself. Nag-away pa sila lalo pa't gusto niyang maging feeling guest ito but Alice insisted. She also knew already about her twin's broken heart kaya hinayaan niya nalang. It's for her own good naman.

"Good Morning kambal!!!" Masayang saad ni Alice habang makikitang nakasuot ito ng apron at may dalang tray na may mga iba't-ibang mangkok.

Amoy pa lamang ay nakakatakam na. Aba'y mana ito sa kaniya na magaling magluto.

"Good Morning din kambal. Ano na naman ang niluto mo for today's video?!" Ani ni Sleia sa kakambal nito.

"Oh, it's was the classic filipino dish ma'am. The kare-kare, some herbs and special soups that is light and rich in vitamins and minerals." Litanya ni Alice habang may accent pa ang englishing nito.

"Wow, that was perfect little Marrionette. And please join me in this pleasant meal of ours." Straight english ding saad ni Sleia at di talaga ito papakabog sa englishan. Her English with that tone of their country is so perfect na kahit si Alice ay napanganga.

"Enough with this gurl. Kain nalang tayo, walang binatbat yung american accent ko na english sa'yo. Slay girl!" Sambit na lamang ni Alice habang inayos ang mga pagkain at ulam nila sa malapad na mesang meron dito sa condo at umupo na rin matapos tanggalin ang apron nito.

Talagang high class talaga ang kakambal niya ay nasa itaas na bahagi ng alta sociedad ito.

"Plus one point for me. Atleast nakabawi ako, inunahan mo kasi ako kaya I won this early in the morning hahahaha!" Maarteng wika ni Sleia para inisin ang kapatid nito.

Di naman nabigo si Sleia dahil di maipinta ang mukha ng kapatid nito habang makikitang mabilis ang pagsubo nito ng pagkain sa bibig nito.

She is Sleia kaya, kaya wag hamunin ang katulad niya.

Nag-usap naman sila ngunit ibang topiko naman kaya medyo natagalan ang pagkain nila pero masaya ang breakfast nila nitong araw na ito.

...

Kasalukuyang nasa fitness attire sila ni Alice at Sleia lalo pa't ngayon ay nagjo-jogging sila sa malawak na oval dito sa malapit sa condo nito.

30th Floor ba naman ang condominium building dito at nasa 25th Floor ang condo unit ng kakambal nitong si Sleia.

Gusto din nilang mag-jogging dahil wala naman silang gagawin. It's been two weeks at tigil muna sila sa galaan.

Now they do relaxing at nagja-jogging. Hindi boring at masasabi ni Alice na malamig ang temperatura dito kahit na sumisikat na ang haring araw. 7:45am na kasi and it was great to do this kind of exercise.

Nasa middle of conversation sila and Alice began to change the topic.

"Kambal, do you mind sharing your problem to me. Care to share?!" Panimula ni Alice habang iniba ang topiko nila.

"Uhm, I don't think it's a good idea. You know, it was something big." ani ni Sleia habang di nito kinaklaro ang kanilang sinasabi.

"Gaano ba kalaki yan? Just share it with me. Malay mo matulungan kita or I can give an advice. I'm psychologist right?!" Pangungulit pa ni Alice sa kapatid nito habang nakakapit na sa braso ng kapatid. Ambilis nitong mapatid ang distansya nila. Knowing Alice, minsan lang itong maging clingy.

"Talaga lang ha? I'm not ready to do share it but I think I can spill it now." Saad ni Sleia na pilit pinasisigla ang boses nito.

"Sure, I will listen carefully."nakangiting turan ni Alice.

"It's about me Alice, I will have someone to tie with." Seryosong sambit ni Sleia ng direkta.

"Tie with? Wait, tama ba ang pagkakaintindi ko na - you'll be married soon?!" Medyo histerikal na saad ni Alice.

"Soon? It will be soonest as possible Alice. It was just like that."Seryosong wika ni Sleia na walang paligoy-ligoy.

"Anong just like that. Ano'ng soonest? As in bukas na?!" Mataas na boses na saad ni Alice habang aligaga ito.

"No it was not just tomorrow hahaha, you cutie." Saad ni Sleia na napatawa na lamang sa ikinikilos ng kakambal nito.

"Wait lang ha, natandaan ko pa na wala ka pang pinapakilalang boyfriend mo Ate, ba't ambilis naman ata."medyo nagtatakang turan ni Alice. Ambilis naman ata nito.

"You don't get it Alice, it was all an arranged marriage just like what Montreal Family's tradition." Pagkukumpirma ni Sleia kay Alice. Knowing Alice, talagang hihimay-himayin nito ang buong detalye.

"No way Sleia, it was already year 2030, arranged marriage is no-no for me and it was not a good idea!" Pagtutol naman ni Alice na kitang-kita na hindi ito pumapayag.

"Can you calm down Alice. Here's the water!" Pagpapakalma naman ni Sleia sa kapatid nito kahit na ang totoo ay mas kinakabahan siya. Alice was always calm and ngayon lang ito tila nag-exaggerate ng malala.

Kinuha naman nito ang mineral water na inabot ni Sleia sa kanya.

"Paano ako kakalma Ate Sleia. I thought my sudden visit here is exaggerated already pero mas malala pa pala ang problema mo. It was not only big but a very huge one!" Mahabang litanya ni Alice habang kitang-kita na tila hindi ito kumakalma. She feels guilty and small about her own selfishness.

"I know, I know Alice. I just don't want you to worry about me." Seryosong saad ni Sleia, she also don't want na sa iba pa malaman ng kakambal nito or worst ay magulat na lamang ito na wala na itong

"Not worry about you? Kailan mo to sasabihin sakin Sleia? Pag natali ka na doon sa lalakong iyon na pina-arrange sa'yo?! Nakaka-g*ga yun alam mo ba?!" Sambit ni Alice at di nito mapigilang makapagsalita ng di maganda.

"Watch your word Alice. Sasabihin ko sa'yo this days pero I-I am not that confident Alice. I know what reaction you could make on my situation. I don't want you to pity me or whatsoever. I'm not that weak. I am the strong Sleia."

"I will not caught back my words Sleia. Malaki na tayo pareho and we are already 27. Even you're a strong one, hindi ako manhid upang malaman na hindi mo gusto ito. My god, mukhang mababaliw ako sa problema mo. Alam na ba to ng magaling nating ama?!"

Natahimik na lamang si Sleia. Napayuko na lamang ito dahil ayaw niyang salubungin ang tingin ng nagpupuyos na kapatid nito. Alam niyang hindi ito kumakalma. Her father? She hit Alice hot spot again.

"Tama nga ako Ate Sleia. Napagaling nga niya talaga. He was the best right? He was my dream father since we parted, just WOW!!!" halos paos na wika ni Alice na halos magwala na dito buti na lamang at sila lang ang naririto sa part na to. The current Alice is becoming furious. Ano pa ang aasahan nito sa ama nila ni Sleia, that f*cking coward.

Mabilis namang napatingin si Sleia sa kapatid nitong si Alice habang lumuluha na itong nakatingin sa kanya. Kahit ayaw niyang tingnan ang nakababatang kakambal nito pero kinakailangan. She must be strong.

"Stop saying that Alice. Dad is always been good to me and taking care of me as best as he could. Just don't rub salt on your wound. If I know that you would act this, I wish you don't know my situation kasi ako ang nasasaktan dito Alice. I am not that good enough or a brave Sleia that you know." And for the first time, the brave Sleia crumbled in this open space habang umiiyak na parang bata.

Alice began to stop in her spot. Unable to move while seeing her twin sister crying on the spot. Mabilis niyang nilapitan ito at niyakap.

Hindi nga niya alam kung paano sila nakauwi habang unstable pa rin ang lagay ng damdamin nila. Feeling niya marami siyang kasalanan rito. She was insensitive all throughout this.

Paano ba niya naisip na siya lang ang may problema. Siguro nasanay lang siya na hindi ito nagsasabi ng problema sa kaniya habang siya ay puro problema ang naibabahagi nito noon sa Ate niya. She don't know what to do, she must think rationally now lalo pa't may kapatid siyang ipapapain ng pamilya nila para sa arranged marriage na tinatawag nila.