Prologue

A mother is supposed to nurture her child.

But she didn't even breastfeed me when I was a baby.

She's supposed to guide and mold her child, especially a daughter.

But it was a stranger working for money who took care of me as an infant, child, teenager, and adult.

She's supposed to be there whatever happens.

But she turned her back on me when my world was crashing down.

She's supposed to comfort me when I'm insecure, tell me I'm pretty when I don't feel like it, say that she's proud of me amidst my failure, and most of all, make me feel loved when I feel alone.

But she was never really there. I barely even know her.

Your father is supposed to be your rock when you feel weak.

But he was the kind of rock that I was never able to hold onto. The kind buried deep in greed, perhaps.

He's supposed to be your first dance.

But I doubt he was there when I took my first steps.

He's supposed to be the first man who'll wipe away your tears.

But he wasn't even there when I cried the most.

He's supposed to be by your side when you're facing the most formidable obstacles in life.

But he wasn't. He was nowhere to be found.

Both of them were never really there. Hell, I'm not even that familiar with their faces because I rarely see them. You'd expect rich people to have all the time in the world. What a lie. I have never, not even once, celebrated my birthday with them. Yes, even on my 18th birthday, they weren't there.

I'm pretty sure we haven't spent an intimate Christmas and New Year celebration because of some reason, they always throw a grand party for business reasons. Swear, I've never bumped into them on any of those occasions.

They're known to be invincible in this industry and to me, they're invisible parents. I'm not even sure if one can consider them as parents. Life-giver is more of an appropriate term. They don't act like parents at all.

Which is why it really puzzles me... why are they suddenly acting like they're really parents now?

"This isn't a reward." They shot me their stern expressions. "This is your punishment."

Why am I being punished? Have I done anything wrong? Have I inflicted harm on someone? I don't think so. But nonetheless, I don't care. It doesn't bother me at all for I have nothing to prove.

Pero ikaw 'yun eh. You're the worst punishment they could ever give. And they know that.