[Wattys 2021 Winner]
After discovering that her mother was alive and that she has an older sister, Candida Graciela Cordova, the proud owner of Avian Airlines, took off on a mission - traveling across Europe finding them, alongside dealing with thre...
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Prologo
How does one fly; achieve freedom?
I let the engine of my car rev until I reached the grand residence of the family that I despise, pero kahit na ganoon, pamilya ay pamilya.
Napalunok ako habang pinagmamasdan kung gaano kalaki ang bahay, even though I grew up here, this is unfamiliar to me.
Nagmumukhang walang tao sa loob, but I caught a glimpse of some maids in the corner of my eye. Maids that have been employed since she got here.
Nagpatuloy lang akong umakyat sa hagdan gaya ng nakasanayan na. I walked the hallway that always makes me gradually nervous as I approach the room at the end of it.
I went inside, ignoring how my hands are shaking right now. I took a deep breath before approaching the oak desk in the office.
I cleared my throat before I spoke, "I have decided," I spoke firmly as I stand in front of an office chair that's facing its back on me.
I stood straight with my shaking hands behind me. I played with my fingers and suddenly stiffened when the chair spun.
A stern yet authoritative face greeted me, "You've decided, what?"
"To go look for them."
From his lazy position, he leaned on the desk and looked at me in the eye. I fought back those gazes. Gusto kong malaman niya na seryoso ako rito sa desisyon ko.
"I am not giving you the permission." An evident slight shift in his face as if mocking me for even trying.
"It doesn't matter. I'm going after them."
"You don't even know where they are."
"Better start looking now."
"I need you here to take care of our business."
"There is no 'our', you have your own, I have mine."
"No, Graciela," he sternly said.
I fixed my stance and nodded, before turning my back on him. Alam ko naman na 'yon ang magiging reaksyon niya, pero gusto ko pa ring magpaalam, kahit na hindi niya ako papayagan.
I froze halfway when I saw another man in the doorway. My breathing hitched when our eyes met. I tried to suppress my disgusted look at him. Kalaunan ay siya na ang bumawi ng tingin.
He didn't budge, even if I'm already in front of him.
"'Yon lang ba ang pinunta mo rito? Walang kumusta, walang 'I miss you'?"
Gusto kong mapangiwi sa sinabi ni Dad sa likuran ko. How can he say that after what they have done?
"Are you staying for dinner? I-I can have the m-maids –" the man in front of me uttered.
