Loved (Fin)

Kabanata 4

Paano

I woke up early even if I slept very late last night. Can't help. I am a morning person. And I hated that I am. For it means a lot of time to think about how fucked up my life is.

Hindi ko gusto ang mahahabang oras na hatid ng bawat araw. Because the moment I open my eyes for another day, I also open the wound of my past.

Matapos maghanda para sa agahan ay pumunta ako sa kumedor. I was surprised to still see dad after what happened last night. Syempre sa tagong parte ng isip ko, alam ko na hindi naman niya gustong ihandle ang isang tulad ko.

"Katarina. Sit down, kumain na tayo." This is one of the usual things dad wanted us to practice. Kapag nandito siya he wants us to eat with him. Since Drift is still in the US, I am to bear his presence alone.

Don't get me wrong, I don't despise dad. Nit that I consciously know of. But I lost the ache to feel him. I understand his place and feelings. He had me with a woman he didn't love enough. A woman who doesn't even feel the want to love him too. My mother is just after his wealth anyway. Di ko sigurado bakit dahil sa pagkakaalam ko nuknukan naman ng yaman ang nga Olivares.

I became the sole heiress of my Lolo and Lola's wealth because Mom is their only child. Sa papel ay kapatid ko ang tunay kong ina. Matapos ibigay sa kanya ang kanyang trust fund ay sa akin na ibinagsak ang lahat ng assets at properties ng mga Olivares.

I got my own company but I also manage Olivares Realty. Bukod pa ito sa Katarina Designs. Maaaring walwal ako pero kadalasab ay sa gabi ko lang iyon ginagawa. Sa umaga ay ginagawa ko pa rin naman ang trabaho ko. It is not easy to handle two big companies. Pero siguro'y ginawa ko na ring outlet ang mga iyon para mawala sa isipan ang lahat ng issues ko sa buhay.

"Do you have appointments today?" Tantya ni Daddy. I shugged my shoulders.

"I asked my secretaries yesterday to clear my whole day today because I am going to Lola, Tita Veronica and Marky later." I blantly stated.

"Do that after lunch. We will meet some people today at lunch." He sounded business like.

Nainis ako sa tono niya. I just said I will go somewhere anong malabo dun?

"I have cleared my day for a reason Dad. You can't just ruin my plans for today." Matigas kong sabi.

"No Katarina. You've been too laid back. We will meet these people and that's final." His jaw clenched as he said that with authority. Damn it!

Hindi na ako nagsalita para di na humaba pero hindi ko na tinapos ang agahan ko. Umalis ako sa hapag sa kabila ng pagtawag ni Daddy at dumiretso na ako sa mini bar ng mansion.

I got a bottle of Bacardi and sat on the floor beside the floor to ceiling glass window. I looked over the beautiful garden. Buti na lang at matiyaga si Nanay Josie sa pag-aalaga sa mga bulaklak kaya buhay pa ang mga iyon. I love looking at the flowers. It makes me feel at ease.

Ininom ko na ng diretso sa bote ang alak. Gusto kong lunurin ang kalungkutan.

"Katarina, hija. Ang aga naman niyan?" Nilingon ko si Nanay Josie na umupo sa single seater sa tapat ko. I smiled tenderly at the old lady.

Siya at si Lola ang nagpalaki sa akin. Kasama nila si Tita Veronica nang makilala niya ako.

"Nanay. Pasensya na medyo masama ang timpla ko eh." Sabay lagok sa bote.