Alexander Miguel (REFRESH #1)

I. Queenie

"For today's breakfast, the kitchen prepared overnight oats with chia seeds, sliced mangoes and bananas, and almond milk. Enjoy your breakfast Miss." One of the helpers said as she was serving me the food.

I sighed as I stirred the oats. I wanted to sleep in because I just finished my sophomore year in college a few days ago but I know that if I'm still sleeping by 8:01 AM, lolo would personally wake me up. Like he has no idea how tiring Business School is. He would always say that someone who wakes up late is lazy and walang mararating sa buhay. I just woke up but I feel tired already.

"Ugh."

"Did lolo already have his breakfast?" I asked the helper who was standing behind me as I ate a spoonful. I hate him but he's getting older na and it's just the two of us here sa house pero hindi pa kami sabay na kumain. Napaka-haba rin ng table. Minsan sobrang awkward kumain nang mag-isa. My parents? They're probably somewhere on a business trip.

"The Chairman asked for his food to be served in his study. Secretary Martinez said the new family lawyer is already here. Ipapakilala rin nga po pala kayo mamaya."

I nodded as an answer and continued to eat. Recently nga lang pala noong nag-retire iyong huli naming family lawyer. It will probably take the whole day to discuss everything that needs to be discussed.

It's probably a good thing din na busy si lolo ngayon. Maybe he'll spare me a day. Kahit ngayon lang magpahinga muna siya sa pag-dissect kung ano bang mga "mali" sa akin na dapat kong ayusin pati ang pagpapaalala sa mga plano niya para sa akin.

Yes, mga plano niya para sa akin.

He already fulfilled some of his plans like where will I study and what program should I enroll in. I bet he already has a plan kung anong gagawin ko after I graduate. He would always say that he only wants the best for me kaya niya iyon ginagawa. Even my parents have no power to say no to him.

Best for me?

I scoffed at what I thought. Shouldn't I know what's best for myself? I tried voicing my opinion but it was ignored. Wala daw akong alam dahil bata pa ako. I tried rebelling too, but lolo said it just proves his point that I am not mature enough to know what I need and not what I want.

Kahit saan ako lumugar, talo ako. In the end I just let him control my life. What is the point of fighting if whatever I do just makes his hold on me tighter?

I shook my head and told myself to stop. There I go again with my thoughts and it's just 8 in the morning.

I quickly finished my food and excused myself. Umakyat ulit ako sa kwarto ko para makapag-shower at magkapagpalit ng damit. I was wearing an oversized shirt and sweatpants. Buti hindi ako nakita ni lolo kasi mapapagalitan na naman niya ako dahil hindi ako presentable sa mga tao na dumadating sa bahay. I usually take a shower before I go down but I was not in the mood when I woke up earlier.

After showering, I settled for a navy blue button down shirt tucked in an off white skort. Simple lang but can pass as smart casual. I just dried my hair and let it down then I did my skin care routine. Lolo doesn't like too much make up that's why I just had some concealer under my eyes and then I put on some subtle blush and tinted lip balm. I already had a lash lift and brow lamination para less hassle when preparing.

Mabilis akong bumaba kasi natetempt akong humiga ulit sa kama ko. Iniiwasan ko rin kasi na magusot ko iyong damit ko. Ayoko naman na ang first impression at memory sa akin ng bago naming lawyer ay iyong pinapagalitan ako ni lolo kasi gusot iyong damit ko.

I went straight to the outside living area by the garden and a helper was already following me kaya naman napatigil ako sa paglalakad. She told me that ipapatawag daw ako ni lolo anytime. Lolo doesn't like waiting kaya it's best if I stay close daw or better, inside.