Fall From Grace (Del Griego Series #1)

Prologue

"W-what?"

Hindi iyan 'yung usapan! Wasn't I just supposed to go back home to attend Heirani del Griego's birthday party? Pumayag lang akong umuwi para roon, at babalik din agad! What's this all of a sudden?

Kenna folded her arms across her chest. Sa itsura niya ay halatang expected na niya 'yung reaksyon ko. "I know how your mind works, Sierra. If you were to stay here amidst the mess and we let you pretend like it's not affecting you, kukurap lang kami at mawawala ka na agad na parang bula."

Hindi ako nakailag sa sinabi niya. I shifted on my weight and stared at her desperately. "I-I already promised you I won't do it again. I won't run away again. Please. Kenna. Wala silang kinalaman sa mga issue ko rito. They're completely out of it—"

"You'll be better guarded under their supervision," pagpapatuloy niya na tila walang narinig sa 'kin, "Walang media na makakapang-harass sa 'yo roon, at hindi namin kailangang mag-alala sa mga padalos-dalos mong desisyon. Your stay there could also help disprove some nasty rumors. Isa pa, tutal ay nagback-out 'yung endorsements mo for the following weeks, might as well take advantage of this free time."

"H-hindi pa rin iyon sapat na dahilan para hingin ko ang proteksyon nila," I argued, "Sarili kong desisyon ang pagpasok sa magulong industriyang 'to. You know how I feel about dragging them into my mess, Kenna."

Umarko ang kan'yang kilay. "No, I actually don't, kid. You tell me. They're still your family. Stop running away from them."

Saglit akong natigilan. Kapagkuwa'y umakyat ang mapait na ngiti sa aking labi. Family? Now, that's funny. As far as I know, you're not supposed to destroy your family.

Nagpakawala si Kenna ng buntong-hininga. Her expression softened, if only a little. "Isa pa, si Tross del Griego mismo ang nakiusap na doon ka muna sa kanila."

I flinched a little at the name mentioned.

"This is a far bigger issue than just Irina Ballesteros. Alam kong alam mo 'yan. You will need the del Griegos for this, whether you like it or not." There was finality in her tone.

Bumagsak ang tingin ko, saka ko kinagat ang ibabang labi. A strained frown marred my face, my shoulders deflating, when I couldn't find a retort anymore.

Sa huli ay wala na akong nagawa. Inabutan ako ni Tiffany ng pamalit — simpleng shirt, shorts, at oversized hoodie. Paulit-ulit kong nililingon si Kenna, desperately hoping for a change of mind somehow. No such luck.

McKenna isn't only my manager. She is also my mentor and friend. Silang dalawa lang ni Tiffany ang masasabi kong pinakamalapit sa akin sa loob ng limang taon ko sa industriya. Kenna doesn't just supervise my career decisions, pero pati na rin ang mga desisyon ko sa personal na buhay. She's helped me time and time again keeping my shit together, so I know her insights are always worth their weight in gold.

But damn. Do I really need to involve them in this? After everything I did?

My bodyguards guided us out of the back exit of the condo. Sila, si Kenna, at Tiffany ang kasama ko sa byahe. Panic clawed in my chest the closer we got to our destination. And by the time a familiar high rise tower, grand and imposing, emerged into view, halos hindi ko na maramdaman ang sarili ko. In front is the name DEL GRIEGO, carved in gold.

Dumiretso kami sa rooftop helipad kung saan naghihintay ang chopper na maghahatid sa akin sa Cebu. "'Wag mo nang isipin ang mga nangyayari rito. We'll deal with it. And we'll keep in touch, don't worry," ani Kenna bago kami lumabas sa lift.

Inabot sa akin ni Tiffany ang luggage ko nang nasa rooftop na. Maliit at magaan lang 'yon. Hinarap ko silang dalawa. Si Kenna ay blanko lang pa rin ang ekspresyon.