Red String of Fate

Chapter 1: Instant

Daddy. Alexa thought, and as usual, the word brought uneasiness to her system. Her mother's last words rang in her mind - He may not be a good husband, Alexa but he is a good father.

A good father? A good father never leaves his family for another; a good father never misses birthdays, graduations, and other important events; a good father does not give you a car when you pass the Law Entrance Exams because he couldn't be there to congratulate you himself. Good and father are not the words to describe Atty. Leandro Carbonel.

Sighing, Alexa exited the restroom and smiled at the other girls she passed by. The news dampened her spirit and she walked towards their table despondently. She sat down and motioned the waiter for a glass of iced tea. No, not iced tea. I need something stronger. She thought as she opted for a double scotch on the rocks. She gulped the contents of her glass in one go and shivered at its bitterness. She ordered for another. Sana nalulunod ng alak yung sama ng loob ng isang tao, siguro mas masaya ang buhay. She gloomly thought. She toyed with the napkin holder in front of her unaware of the eyes that followed her every movement. She glanced at her watch and groaned. Eleven twenty na at ala una ng hapon ang flight ko! Nasaan na ba yung mga babaeng yun? She thought as she craned her neck to look for her roommates. 

Alexander snorted in disgust as the girl beside him let her hand linger suggestively on his thigh. He was more disgusted that the nitwit is only sixteen and game. Mga kabataan talaga ngayon. He thought shaking his head as he ordered another glass of brandy. His brother had given him a week off to relax but knowing Nickolai, it was his way of making Alexander forget the 'incident.' More of the accident. He grumbled with irritation. He stood up prepared to leave when someone caught his eye. The girl was wearing a snug-fitting plain white shirt, a pair of faded denim jeans and she looked as bored as him. Mukhang may hinihintay to. Alexander couldn't help but think as the girl's shoulders droop after searching the dance floor again. Sino kayang kasama nya? Mukhang naligaw lang yata dito sa loob ng bar. Alexander observed as he tried to see the features of the girl as much as the dim lights inside the club would allow. Shaking his head, he stood up to walk towards the club's exit and saw her bow her head in what looked like a sign of obvious defeat. Changing his mind on the last second, he turned and walked towards the girl's table. 

"Hi." He said and nearly laughed when the girl scowled.... 

Alexa was cursing her housemates in her head as she continued to wait for them. Her irritation tripled when a jerk approached to ask her if she wanted to have a good time, she nearly whacked the guy's head with the glass she was holding. Her agitation rose when she glanced at her watch and saw the time. Ano ba to, mag-aala una na! She sighed loudly as she gathered her things to leave. Magta-taxi na nga lang ako! She was about to stand when a man sat beside her. Ano na naman? 

"Hi." The man said and Alexa glowered with displeasure.

"Look, I don't want to have fun and I'm tired so just leave me alone." She mumbled. 

"I just said hi." The man replied smiling. 

"Hello." She sarcastically replied with a wave of her hand. "Nice to meet you. Bye." She added standing up. 

"Do you need a ride?" Alexander asked as he stood up too and Alexa looked at him.  Anong akala nito sa akin? Poor?

"I can afford a car. I actually have one but I hitched a ride with my housemates on my way here and stupidly left mine at home." She answered haughtily and Alexander laughed. 

"I don't doubt that you can afford to buy a car." He said in an appeasing tone and Alexa bristled as she walked quickly towards the bar doors. Alexander followed her and she turned and arched her brow.