Bits of Chemistry | ✓

Kabanata 39

I was in the medical field for pete's sake! Although, I could still try my luck to go the directors, alam ko naman na magiging mahirap 'yon dahil wala naman akong relasyon o koneksyon sa kanila. It's a risk that I'm willing to take for Mareena. Iniisip ko rin na kausapin si Adren pero dehado rin 'yon. He might not listen to me because I'm taking Mareena's side.

Sumsakit ang ulo ko dahil sa mga desisyon nila. Agad ko naman ginawan ng aksyon kung paano ako sisingit sa problema ng mga Reverio. I planned it all for only a week. And the result was either a complete failure or if luck permits, it could at least prolong the absurd decisions of Danayara and Alfos.

I choose to wear the remaining pearls that I have. Ito lang ang hindi ko magawang ibenta dahil si Etienne mismo ang nagbigay nito sa akin. I trace the jewelry using my fingers and sighed. I slowly put it on my neck and made sure it would emphasize my collarbones. Sinuot ko rin ang pearl earrings ko.

I wore a sleeveless white dress and partnered with a simple black blazer. I looked modest enough as I applied a touch of mascara on my eyes. I even applied foundation on even if my pale cheeks would only look chalky because the makeup brand that I had in stock wasn't in its best state. I ended the look with the application of red lipstick on my lips.

"Hindi namin kailangan ng tulong mo," angil ni Dayanara nang makita ako sa loob ng bahay nila.

Hindi ko naman ginustong maging matapobre. Pero umikot ang mata ko at napagtantuan na ibang-iba na rin pala ang buhay nila. The house was relatively small compared to the Reverio mansion. Hindi ko inakalang makakayanan ni Alfos na umalis sa karangyaan na binigay sa kan'ya ni Lolo. So, Adren probably has the mansion now, huh?

"Ayokong umasa sa anak ng isang pokpok. Bakit? Gagamitin mo na rin ba ang katawan mo upang tulungan kami? Gaya ng nanay mo?" pangaakusa sa akin ni Dayanara.

I winced as my eyes flashed with anger. Ang kapal talaga ng mukha ng isang ito. Hindi ko kinakaya kung saan siya kumukuha ng supply ng kayabangan.

"Mommy. . ." Mareena said, almost pleadingly. "Nandito si Ate Sol kasi nagmakaawa ako. Siya na lang ang makakatulong sa atin. You know that the directors will not take me seriously. I'm still young and. . ."

She's a woman. Parang may bumabara sa lalamunan ko. I know where she's coming from. Kahit may binatbat naman siya, mamaliitin siya ng mga nandito dahil lang sa babae siya. Pero hindi dapat, I know that Mareena is also capable if only she learns more about business. Sana lang ay doon siya pinag-focus ni Dayanara. If only people could see how opportunities were not given equally — it always favors a certain person, group or a particular side.

"Ako na muna ang haharap sa directors at investors, pero may nakausap naman na ako na p'wedeng maging spokesperson ni Mareena. Although, you have to pay for the service. I could not give any financial help —"

"Hindi rin naman kailangan," matigas na giit ni Dayanara at nagawa pang humalukipkip. "Hindi kami tatanaw ng utang na loob sa iyo."

"I never asked for that. What I asked in return is Mareena's freedom. For pete's sake, Dayanara. Bata pa lang si Mareena! She still has a life even if you were the one who conceived her! Let her freaking live!"

She glared at me. "Ano bang alam mo, ha? Ikaw itong nagtago dahil sa kahihiyan! You're probably also the reason why Kaiaria died, huh?! Balita ko ay nagkakamabutihan kayo ni Caer ulit. Malandi ka rin talaga tulad ng nanay mo! You even killed Kaia—"

My palm felt like scorching after it harshly landed on her cheeks. Natigilan ako dahil sa nagawa ko. It just felt wrong to hurt her. But why did she have to spit those words at me? Hindi n'ya alam ang naranasan ko. Ni hindi nga ako nanghingi ng tulong sa kanila noon!