sweetheart, where's my reward?

£3 - sweetheart, let's play detective!

Sumandal ako. "Alam na alam."

Nanliit ang mata niya sa akin, revealing the permanent lines around his face. "They could have surrogates or do In vitro Fertilization but then they chose you."

Imbis na mainsulto ay napangiti akong lalo dahil sa sinabi niya. "And I am eternally grateful for them."

Malalim na hininga ang pinakawalan ng matanda. "Kung matino ka lang sana, baka nagbago rin ang isip ko at mapamahal sa'yo." Medyo nangilabot ako sa sinabi niya kaya napagalaw ako sa upuan ko. "If you just do what we do, if you can continue our legacy, then you're really worthy of my family name."

Nalukot ang mukha ko sa narinig. "Ano ba talaga ang kahulugan ng pamilya sa'yo?" tanong ko. "Iba kasi ang tinuro nila Mama. They taught me that family is support and love. But for you, it's just continuing the family name."

"Hindi ba kaya ka nag-aanak para roon?" kaswal niyang sabi na nahihimigan kong wala man lang halong pagdadalawang isip. Confident siya sa sinabi niya. "Kung gusto nila ng aalagaan, mag-aso nalang sila. And that's how I see you, a dog." He looked at me up and down insultingly. "A wild dog who can't behave and do what she's told."

I gritted my teeth in annoyance. "I'll do what Mama and Papa want. I owe them to that extent. I don't owe you."

"Your Papa is my son. Of course you owe me."

Ibang klase talaga ang hulog nito. Ewan ko kung saan siya nauntog pero kapag nalaman ko, iuuntog ko siyang muli para bumalik ang common sense sa utak niya.

"Sige, bigyan kita ng credit doon." I nodded repeatedly. "So, maybe you could use that connection and help me."

Natawa ito. "You're really a crazy kid."

Ako naman ang ngumisi sa kanya. "Ikaw nag-brought up na Papa is your son. But I'm Papa's daughter—"

"Adopted daughter," pagputol niya sa akin.

"No, they don't call me that," pagtatama ko at mariing umiling. "You know why? 'Cause I am their daughter."

"How entitled of you to say that," he spat. "Shameless."

Ako naman ngayon ang natawa habang nakatitig sa kanya. "Hindi ko talaga alam kung pa'nong si Papa ay anak mo. He's far better of a person than you are."

"You brainwashed them," pang-aakusa niya.

"Okay, sure. Sabi mo eh." I shrugged casually.

He clicked his tongue, his face now showing more of his permanent wrinkles. "Ikaw ba talaga ang may kailangan sa'ting dalawa? You should learn how to beg."

"I won't ever beg for you." Mariin kong saad. "I'm just gonna show you what you lost."