Ruthless Beauty

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

The thought of being finally an adult thrilled me, as the stylist focused on applying my makeup. Inipit ko ang pang-ibabang labi. No one would call me a kid anymore.

I stared at the attractive stumble of my hair as smile crept up to my lips. The stylist made a good job on making me look very mature. Though I really miss Greta, I think she'd do a great job for more parties that she'd dress me up.

My phone vibrated. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa hawak na cellphone at nakita ang text na kaninang umaga ko pa hinihintay. I quickly glanced at the clock. It's already 8 in the morning. Kakagising lang ba niya?

Blake:

Meet me in the woods tonight.

Sumilay ulit ang ngiti sa mga labi ko. I could imagine him, sitting up on his bed, half-asleep and yawning while typing a text for me.

Kumalat ang init sa mga pisngi ko nang bigla kong naisip kung anong maaaring suot niya ngayon. Though I've never seen him in his pajamas before, I'm sure a man like him wouldn't bother wearing one when he's sleeping. He's probably topless... or maybe...

Ano ba, Savannah! Nakakahiya ka!

The stylist shot me a weird look when she saw me shaking my head by myself. Kaagad akong umayos nang upo at nginitian siya. I quickly typed an 'ok' reply and placed my phone atop the dresser.

Muntik na akong atakihin sa puso nang biglang mag-ring ang phone ko. Panic rippled throughout my body as I stumbled for my phone and cleared my throat.

But all the excitement disappeared when I saw the caller ID.

Papa.

Ilang segundo pa akong tulala at nakatitig sa phone ko habang tinitimbang kung dapat ko ba itong sagutin. My heart ached at the raw pain that's still fresh as it lingered inside of my chest. Nagkatinginan pa kami ng stylist na para bang nasa kaniya ang sagot kung dapat ko bang sagutin ang tawag mula sa amang iniwan ako dalawang taon na ang nakakalipas.

"Excuse me po..." I said silently, and pulled myself up after a while. I decided to be mature and accept the call from my estranged father. These wounds will never heal if I keep on running away from my past.

With shaking hands, I opened the big windows of my room to let the air in. Ang stylist ay naupo sa dulo ng aking kama at pinaglaruan ang mga makeup brushes niya habang may kinakalikot din sa sariling cellphone.

I could hear the heavy breathing from the other line, and even the hesitation.

"Savannah?" came my father's deep, baritone voice.

"Papa." I said in a clipped tone.

He let out a sigh of relief. "I thought you're not going to answer my call again..."

A pang of guilt hit my chest, which I decided to ignore. Nakatanaw lang ako sa abalang mga tauhan sa baba na nags-set up para sa party ko mamaya.

"Happy birthday, sweetheart." He said in a forced cheerful tone.

"Thank you po."

"You're 18 today, right? Ang laki mo na..."

Somehow, his brittle voice clawed a grave inside of my chest. I've never heard him this vulnerable. The last time I saw him, he was in pain and his eyes are full of regrets.

"Opo..."

"K-Kumusta ang Mama mo?"

My eyes unconsciously wandered to look for my mother. I found her talking to the young city mayor, laughing and exchanging pleasantries as she guided him inside the mansion. I've noticed that they've been seeing each other frequently, ever since she was spotted and featured in a local magazine. My mother's ethereal beauty never faded, and the young city mayor seems enthralled. She's already in her 40s, but there are times when she'd look younger than me.