I'm about to kiss the guy I met on the dance floor when someone fakes coughs on me. I clung tightly to the man's shoulder before standing up and following him.
Oh my god, he is so annoying!
"What?" I'm raising my brow.
He shattered my euphoria! That was Min Jae, the sexiest bachelor in South Korea! Oh, please!
"Your presence is important, and you will return home tomorrow."
LOL, I thought my presence in that house was like an ant? What's up?
I simply nodded to Vince in a monotonous manner. I wanted to go home some days, but they wouldn't let me, and now that I don't want to go home anymore, they want me back.
Isn't it funny how ironic it is?
I went home tipsy to my condo. I don't drink hard liquor because I have a low alcohol tolerance.
I don't want anybody to get into my heart, so I'll have nothing to lose since last week, all of Mommy's calls and messages haven't been answered.
They adopted me when I was ten years old. I didn't remain in their hearts for long since they discovered their daughter right away. I was first envious of Selena, their biological daughter, but then I realized that they dressed, fed, and educated me, so why can't I be grateful and glad for them instead of being envious?
Because of her, I have experienced a luxurious life, even for a short time.
I tried asking my mother where my real parents were, but she just shook her head and stood up. I don't want them back in my life; I just want to know where they are.
I still sense her love for me after she found her real daughter, and I am very thankful for that. She never got rid of me. As for Dad, we've not been that close ever since. He's always been out of town, but I cared for and loved him too.
I was eighteen years old when my mother sent me to South Korea. At first, I didn't agree. I didn't want to be away from them. They said that they wanted me to study here, but they still didn't want me to go home when I finished my studies.
"Call her now," he said, encouraging me.
I nodded before I happily dialed my mother's phone, and after so many years, finally, I would graduate! I can't wait for that day!
Vince left to buy a corndog. He wanted me to have some privacy too.
After five rings, she picked up.
"Hello, Sweetie..." she welcomed me with her sweet voice.
"Mom, I can go home. Finally! "
I don't know, but my shoulder dropped when I felt she did not react to what I said. Instead, she answered me with a deep sigh.
"W-Why?"
Sweetie, that's the thing. I want you to run the real-state business my sister left for me- "
"You promised, right? You're not about to break it, are you"
She laughed softly. "Sweetie, calm yourself down."
Damn, I didn't know I had my voice raised against her! That's why when I'm disappointed, I hate it! I don't know, but I sobbed when I saw Vince carrying a corndog and especially when he asked me about Mommy's answer.
Now that I'm 28, I'm old enough to raise myself, but I can't leave the modest company they kept for me because I always think of my gratitude to them.
*****
The next day, I found myself sleeping in the bathtub. I just planned to wash, but I dozed off. I had a good night's sleep, so I didn't wake up when Vince and I talked. He's now sulking while he's on his phone. We just missed a flight.
"Look what you did, Andra!" he shrugged when the call on his cellphone ended.
I bowed. I just let him rant at me, but we both know his anger can't last any longer. He can't be angry with me for long. Vince is my cousin and my secretary as well. He is assigned to take care of me. At first, we weren't very comfortable with each other, but now we're friends, not just friends, but best friends.
I wore a light pink coat, and inside it was a bandeau dress that hugged my curves perfectly. I matched it with a matte black stilleto.
When I asked when we could get on the plane, I asked, "Why do I have to go home?"
I heard him sigh. "Cause they miss you."
"We both know that it isn't the reason."
"I don't know either..." He almost crouched at the last word.
I tried to plaster a wide smile.
*****
Our flight was smooth. When we arrived at the airport, we were immediately greeted by the driver. While on the trip, his mouth was full of praise for me.
"Oh, I don't know when I last saw you, Andra!" he said cheerfully.
I smiled as our eyes met in the review mirror. I can't help but look at Vince. He's busy on his tablet, ignoring all the compliments.
"I remember back then. I got a job because of you and Delia-"
He smiled awkwardly, not finishing his sentence. That's even better because he's blabbering on.
Even though I have been lost in the Philippines for several years, I still remember where our house is located. So throughout the trip, I was confused because we were taking a different path. Though confused, I didn't ask Vince.
"Here we are," the driver announced.
"There is something wrong," I whispered in the air while looking at the old-fashioned house in front of me.
Where is the Reyes' mansion that always makes you look in awe? I know Vince feels my confusion, but he didn't bother to ask why.
The driver guided us inside while holding our luggage. While I'm at it, this house is kinda…
"Andra..." came a gentle voice that made me look back.
"Mom..." I can see her tiny white hairs now and her eyes are so deep.
Is she stressed?
I approached her and immediately hugged her. When I heard her little sob, I instantly unclasped our hug. I could see the depth of Vince's sigh in the distance as he spoke to Selena's handmaiden, who was crying while carrying the bags.
What's going on?
I touched both of Mommy's shoulders. "What happened? Tell me the truth, Mom!"
"S-Selena…"
*****
With all that has transpired in the years that I have not been home, I have become an idiot.
Our company is now on the edge of a cliff, and the company I run is the only thing the Reyes family expects now, but that's not the important thing here.
Selena killed someone... And now she's in another country, fleeing. Her father has sent her to a country where only her father knows where. A lot happened when I left, and Mom went through that all alone.
In my arms, she's sobbing. She was sleep-deprived. I'm so fucked up! I would have answered all of her calls if I had known!
I sobbed, "I'm sorry if I wasn't there, Mom. Selena takes care of you when I'm away, right? "
She wept and trembled even more "Andra, Selena has changed. She's a drug addict and a user..."
"What?" I exclaimed, my mouth gaping agape. How could a sweet young lady become something like that? I can't believe what I'm hearing! I knew Selena couldn't put herself in that situation, even if we weren't close.
I softly said, "What happened? Why would she kill someone?"
"I don't know either, Andra. Remus just told me that Selena k-killed someone. I have no idea how! She just sent your sister away," she struggled to explain.
I immediately picked up my phone. I hope she still didn't delete her accounts. "I'll try to contact her..." I said goodbye to her before standing up and looking for a signal.
"Oh! She answered!" I immediately saw a little joy in Mommy's eyes.
"Selena, it's me, Andra."
She laughed. "I know." I heard the crack of the bottle as she stood up. Is she drunk?
"Mom is concerned," I said over the loudspeaker.
"S-So now you're home? My little impostor is with my family now at home." She's drunk! Is there a party? A welcome party?"
Mommy and I looked at each other before she sighed and gently snatched the cellphone from me.
"Selena..."
She was acting as if she were surprised. Oh, M-Mommy! Are you happy now? Because now your oh-so-called daughter is in your arms again?"
What is she saying? She was acting like she was jealous of me!
"Hey, Andra! I killed someone brutally, "she said before breaking the bottle. Mommy and I both flinched because of that. "Are you happy now..."
"What are you talking about?"
"Andra, shut up! Don't even clean up! I'm sure you're delighted about what happened to me today!"
I snatched Mommy's telephone from her grip. Oh, fuck, I'm getting irritated! Mommy was unable to do anything but weep.
"Please give me a reason to be happy—"
"Because Mommy's attention is on you now! Well, all the time you haven't been there, Mom has been worried whether you're sick! Because you have all her attention, she forgot that you're not her actual kid! That she has a real daughter who is thirsty for her attention!" her voice quivered.
"That's not t-true, Selena…"
"Do not even lie to yourself any longer. Won't you ask why I'm like this? Because of you! You never looked at me the way you gaze at Andra! God knows how hard I tried to attract your attention, but I failed in so many ways! I'm sick of it! I'm sick of Andra!"
I could feel the tears trickle down my cheeks slowly. Is she envious of me? Isn't she aware that I, too, am envious of her? I'm envious of her also!
"That's not true; I adore both of you..."
"I don't want to be on the same level as her! I'd like to see more of myself because I'm your biological child! That's not her! Me!" she roared like a lion before crying like a baby.
My mouth fell open. That was harsh! That made my mother break down. She cried so hard, mumbling a thousand words, and I only understood one.
"I'm sorry. I was unfair."
I wanted to express my mysticism to her too, but I don't want her to feel any more pain. I know she spent a lot of money studying with me abroad. I know she just wanted me to have a bright future, but I hope she at least knew that's not what I wanted! That was enough for me to be with them as a family.
I consoled her. As we were crying, my dad went into the living room where we were. Behind him was Vince, with a sore lip.
"My daughter, Andra!" Then he welcomed me with wide arms.