Unseen Strings

Chapter 1: L'inizio

And till now, I always received things from an anonymous person—even Cherrel doesn’t know I always receive those things from someone.

Pero this time, I know it's not from a person na kakilala ko.

“Yes, of course! And they probably did that para hindi umalis si papa sa company nila, but he still did.”

“I don’t think so though...” my brows arched in confusion. What is she trying to say? Does she know something?

“What do you mean? You know they like Papa so much, kaya ayaw nilang mawala siya sa company nila, that’s why they tried everything to change his mind in order not to leave that ‘trash’ company.”

“Totoo naman ‘yan, pero that’s too suspicious. Dapat kung gano’n e dapat puro kay Papa lang.” I sighed in annoyance as I tried to understand what she’s trying to say.

“Cherrel, Syempre, anak tayo, and you know that his boss knows us! Since we were just kids! T’saka, bakit ba tayo na punta sa usapan na ‘yan?”

“Wala ‘no, I just found out na may gwapong anak pala  kasi ‘yung amo ni Papa dati!” She said, jubilantly, while I just scrolled down through my phone in disinterest.

“And? You’re interested?” She sighed, trying to calm down in frustration.

“Please, Ate. Please be interested, even just once! Or just pretend like you are, pa’no kita makaka-chika niyan!”

“T’saka kabahan ka nga! may asawa na ‘ko ‘no.” she added.

“Ano bang gagawin ko kung gwapo ‘yon, Cherrel?”

“You should try flirting with him, Tita.” I glared my eyes at Leila, this kid. She doesn’t talk like a 7-year-old kid, gosh.

“Excuse me? Why would I? Baka ang tanda-tanda na niyan”

“as far as I know, lahat ng anak ni Mrs. Chevalier ay matatanda na, I don’t need a sugar daddy!“ dagdag ko pa.

“Oh! Bakit mo alam? Uy, uy, you searched it up.” Nang-aasar na sabi naman ni Cherrel, ito talagang mag-nanay na ‘to, lagi akong pinag-kakaisahan.

“T’saka, bakit sugar daddy agad.” She added.

“Shut up, Cherrel” I retorted.

I couldn’t say that I really didn’t look it up on the internet, but back then I was too curious; I’m young! Of course I’ll get curious about everything—pero hindi ko pa talaga nakikita ang anak ni Mrs. Chevalier, ang amo ni Papa dati nung mga panahon na nag-iipon pa siya para makapag-patayo ng sarili niyang kompanya, and it happened.

and now he’s one of those successful businessman in the world.

Back to Mrs. Chevalier’s son’s, I never seen them in my life. But all I know is they’re probably old as fuck; who needs a sugar daddy if you’re already wealthy, right?

At isa pa, ni-isa sa mga anak niya hindi ko kilala, yeah, I searched it on the internet, pero nakalimutan ko na ‘yon sa sobrang tagal na.

“Don’t deny it, why would you know about them if you didn’t? Hindi ka ba naka-kita ng picture? Pogi nga! Parang ‘yung mga nasa magazine!” I rolled my eyes in irritation.

I really can’t bear this. I hate talking about a man! I stayed silent and just glared at her.

“Fine, fine, I’ll zip my mouth.” I crossed my arms and just leaned on the sofa.

“As you should.”

But after that talk, my mind filled with so many questions, distracted by the thought that someone was still sending me some packages, letters, and gifts even though our father stopped working at that company.

Kaya alam ko na ang lahat ng ito ay hindi galing kay Mrs. Chevalier, but someone anonymous—if Mrs. Chevalier wants to send me a gift, she’ll probably go to my dad and give what she wants.

Tsaka, bakit naman ako bibigyan ng ganito ni Mrs. Chevalier. hindi naman niya ako ka-ano-ano, we're not related to eachother. at hindi kami gano'n ka close.

So who could be this anonymous person is? How did someone like him know my name and my favorite things?

It’s giving creepy vibes at isa pa, ano ba ang kailangan niya sa’kin? Ang alam ko ay wala naman akong utang sa kahit sino, so who is this man!?—yes, It’s a man, halatang-halata na sa sulat pa lang, not too neat, and lastly, his handwriting is inscrutable.

Parang Kinder ang nag-susulat! Pero, lahat ng binibigay niya sa’kin ay mamahalin. Does a wealthy man really write like this, or is it just him Nevermind, I’m not interested in him, and I wouldn’t use all of these things.

Balak kong ibalik ‘to lahat, but I don’t know how...I don’t even know where these things came from and who’s this anonymous man, and why does he spends like this just for me, for what...?

I can’t help but be curious about who he is, ang tanging alam ko lang ay ang nickname niya na laging naka-sulat sa papel tuwing pinapadalhan niya ako ng mga kung anu-ano.

- Von, That’s what I always see whenever I receive something from that creep.

What do you really want from me?