The Filthy, Rich Bitch

Chapter I

I usually go out like this, looking as scruffy as hell. People can look all they want. No matter what I wear, be it branded or bargained, I'd still look good. And besides, I don't want people to know that I am capable of buying their souls. As much as possible, I don't want to flaunt my wealth.

I am currently living alone as a commoner again. Laki akong mahirap so I know how to be one. With some stroke of luck and a lot of hard work and diskarte sa buhay, I became what I am today—a billionaire.

No. Hindi ako mayaman. Kundi mayamang mayamang mayamang mayaman.

But I don't want to be branded as one. Ayokong ipamukha sa tao na mayaman ako. Kaya lumipat ako ng tirahan. I went away from my relatives because they felt like they were entitled to my wealth. Akala nila, ang sa akin ay kanila na rin.

Ang kakapal lang ng mukha nila. Hindi ako ATM.

"MARKET MARKET!"

Tumigil si Manong driver malapit sa pathway ng entrance ng Market Market. I am here to shop till I drop. Magwawaldas ako ng pera dahil kakasweldo ko lang. And yes—I do work. I don't have all my money with me, though. Pakalat-kalat lang sila, nagpaparami. I have my own accountant who is also the biggest jerk in my life—Daniel.

I hate the guy to the core but I can't budget my allowance without him. Maybe because he's so good with money given that he's a billionaire and he takes no interest in my money too, so I keep him around.

Bumaba na ako ng jeep at pumasok ng Market Market. Madali lang akong nakalampas sa ladyguard dahil wala naman akong dalang bag. Pero kung makatingin yung mga kasunod ko, akala mo mga kung sino. Just because I am wearing a simple faded pair of denim shorts, a loose top and a pair of Banana Peel flip flops doesn't mean that I can't buy anything.

Kahit nga naka-pajama lang, pwede dito.

I headed to the ATM para mag-withdraw. Mygosh! Ang haba ng pila! But I waited impatiently for my turn. And then this girl came along at ang kapal lang ng mukha para sumingit sa unahan ko. I tapped her shoulder.

"Hey."

Lumingon siya at kinunutan ako ng noo. "Bakit?"

I glared at her. "You dare ask why? Nakita mo na ngang maraming nakapila and you even had the nerve para maningit?"

Aba't tinaasan ako ng kilay? Tinalikuran lang niya ako uli. Tinapik ko siya sa balikat. This time, I did it with an obvious rude intent.

"Ano ba!"

Pinamay-awangan ko siya. "Kung maniningit ka, huwag sa harap ko. Dito ka sa likod. Or better yet, umalis ka na sa pila."

I am well aware that people are staring. Some may disapprove or find it rude but I don't care. Kaya nga may pila, e. What's the sense kung sisingitan lang niya? Sanay na sanay kasi ang mga tao rito sa Pinas na sumingit sa pila. Ang dahilan, nagmamadali sila. Akala mo sila lang ang kapos sa oras palagi!

Irritated, padabog na umalis sa hanay ang babae.

When it was my turn, I withdrew all the cash from my ATM card. It's not that much anyway. I have my two credit cards with me just in case na kulangin ako but I don't really like using them. I'm used to buying stuff with cash unless I need a lot of money. Like I said, laki sa hirap. Nami-miss ko tuloy kasama sila nanay pamimili. Mahihilig silang tumawad. Tapos mahilig din sila sa SALE. Kapag may SALE, nandun kami.

My immediate family's not here with me. Nasa Amerika silang tatlo: sina nanay, tatay, at Enzo—my younger brother. Naranasan ko na dati na may mga kamag-anak ako na kapag hindi ko binibigyan ng pera ay sa pamilya ko naman lumalapit.