Sweetest Downfall

Chapter 2

He'd been angry with my decision and did everything to stop me for singing and even for having gigs. He even made the love of my life stay away from me. I doesn't have any money because he cut my bank accounts, I don't have any choice but to forgot my dream, the love of my life and everything. I focused myself on handling our business. At first, It was never been easy to achieve this through but I know that God did everything for purpose. So I wanna thank you all for the trust and hope in me and in my company."

"Even if i gave up my dream to be a musician, I slowly learn on how to love and care for this company. Sweat and tears is what my late grandfather and my father put in this company to keep this company.

Marami man ang nanira at ginustong pabagsakin ang ating kumpanya pero nananatili pa rin itong matatag. And this all because of the people who keeps on trusting and putting up there best to make the company works.

Dahil sa inyong naririto ngayon na bumubuo ng ating kumpanya.

So as today we are all here to gather and celebrate the success of Royal Empire Group of Companies and I thank you all for joining us tonight." A round of applause fills the whole event.

I thought it was the end of the speech when he meet my gazed and then he looked at the guests.

"But before, I end my speech. I would like to acknowledge the presence of the person behind this event... I would like to introduce to you my long lost daughter, Ma. Helena L. Austria.." He smiled at me and someone encourage me to go the stage.

I heard some murmurs around and the shocked is written all over their faces at ang iba naman ay nakangiting nilingon ako habang pumapalakpak. The light focused on me as I walked through the stage and joined my father.

He welcome me with a smile and a kiss on my cheek.

I take a deep breath in before handling the mic.

"Good evening to all of you. I hope y'all enjoy this party as well as I am. Just enjoy the night and thank you for coming.." I smile as I can to send my gratitude to them.. Nag flashed ang ibat-ibang camera sa harapan.

May naririnig akong ilang pumalakpak at ang iba naman ay batid pa rin ang pagkagulat.

Nakahinga lang ako ng maluwag ng makababa kami ng stage.

"You're so beautiful, anak. I see the beauty of Heleen in you." His eyes become to water and then he hugged me.

Wala akong ibang nagawa kundi gumanti ng yakap sa kaniya. It feels warmth.

Maya maya pay nilapitan kami at binati ng mga taong kilala niya.

"Danrick, I didn't know that you have a beautiful heiress." She glanced at my father before her gaze meets mine.

"You're so beautiful iha..." she complimented and gave a kiss on my cheeks.

I just smiled shyly at the lady in mid 40's I think.

She eyed at my father.

"For sure ay dudumugin ka ng media dahil sa balita mong ito, Mario. You shocked all of us here." She said.

Bago pa magsalita ang aking ama ay nagpaalam na ako. I smiled at the lady again as a sign of courtesy.

Habang papalapit ako sa table kung saan nakaupo ako kanina ay narinig ko ang ibat-ibang pagbati sa akin ng mga taong naroroon and I just smiled at them.

Gaano ko man sila gustong batiin isa isa but I am having an anxiety attack in here. Akala ko ay magiging handa ako para dito pero hindi pala..

Hindi ko siya nakita roon. I roamed my gaze to see him but he's nowhere to be found. Siguro naman ay babalik din siya. Nag iisa lang din ako sa table na iyon.

I wouldn't want to interrupt for some matters kaya para hindi ako maout of place ay tumayo ako.

I want to explore this place. Yumuko para hindi mapansin ng iba at doon nagdaan sa alam kong walang makakapansin sa akin.

Sucess. I would like to shout dahil nakatakas din ako sa napakaraming taong nandoon. Hindi pa ako sanay sa atensiyon na nakukuha ko mula sa mga taong nakakasalamuha ko ngayon. I breath in. Ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang pagsakit ng paa ko. I remove the heels and massage my feet in a circular motion.

Di naman kalayuan ito sa event at di rin ako mag tatagal dito.

I just need some escape to calm myself. Pakiramdam ko'y di ako makahinga sa sobrang dami ng tao.

Nilinga ko ang paningin ko, nakaupo ako sa isang fountain.

Ngayon ko lang napansin kung gaano kaganda ang lugar na ito.

May ibat ibang bulaklak, halaman at mga puno pero ang mas nakakaakit ay ang langit.

I look up to see how the stars shines bright at night in the dark. Gaano man kadilim ang langit ay nakakaakit pa rin na tingnan mula sa malayo.

Ilang minuto pa akong nakatitig doon nang may nakita akong shooting star.

I closed my eyes and utter a wish in my head. Sabi nila once na makakita ka ng bulalakaw, you can make a wish to it dahil matutupad daw ito.

Napamulat ako ng may marinig akong ingay sa di kalayuan.

I can hear someone shouting.

Nag tago ako sa isang puno para di nila ako makita.

"R-ix, please hear m-e out first. I already said sorry it was nothing believe me. " the girl's voice broke.

I can't clearly see them dahil gabi na at madilim. Nagsisilbing liwanag na lang ay ang maliit na ilaw na nasa poste.

"Can you just forget it Rix please? And let's start new again." I can feel that the girl is about to cry in desperation.

I was seeing the back view of a man wearing tuxedo. He's too tall for the girl but I can see their shadows from behind.

The girl hugged him before sobbing on to him.

I decided to go back when my phone rang..

Mr. Austria calling...

Nataranta ako kaya napatay ko agad iyon. Fear embraced me nanginginig ako sa takot because I know that they hear me.

Bago pa man ako tuluyang makaalis ay may humablot na sa pulsuhan ko.

"What you are doing here? You're supposed to be in the party." Bawat salita niya ay may diin.

He's grip tightened around my wrist. Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig. I'm shaking because of fear.

"I j-ust went here fo-r a walk. I'm so-rry. I didn't meant to interrupt you." I can't stop myself from shuttering.

Ngayon lang ulit ako nakaramdam ng sobrang takot at kaba sa buong buhay ko.

"Anong narinig mo?" Tiningnan niya ako ng matalim. Kahit madilim ay pansin ko pa rin ang talim ng titig niya na animo'y papatayin ako anumang oras.

Dapat hindi kana nag punta dito. I tried to hide my fears but I can't.

"A-alis na ako." I try to remove my hand from his pero mas diniin niya ang kapit don.

I can't see myself but I know na namumutla na ako. My breathing is shallow and any minute, aatakihin ako.

"Na-rinig ko lang n-a may babaeng umiiyak at humihi-ngi ng tawad. Maliban doon ay wala na." I stop myself from crying di ko alam kung dahil sa takot o dahil sa higpit ng kapit niya.

Masyado na akong nasasaktan sa higpit ng kapit niya.

Wala akong narinig. Umiwas siya ng tinggin at unti unting binitawan ang kamay ko.

I run faster as I can. My eyes is also starting to be watery. I can't do this anymore.

I'm barefoot at dala dala ko ang heels ko habang tumatakbo at wala akong pakialam kung ano pa man ang matapakan ko.

One things keeps on running on my mind is to stay away from him.