Taming The Alpha (Taming Series 1)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Doon ako ipinanganak pero nang lumaki na ako, kinuha kami ng mga Lolo’t lola ko. Dito kami pinatira sa mansion na ipinatayo ni Lolo Oliver at Lolo Alessandro. Napagkasunduan kasi ng pamilya ng ama’t ina ko na magpatayo ng mansion para sama-sama kaming magpamilya. However, this mansion is just like a cage to us.

Malalim akong humugot ng hininga bago dumiretso sa ikalawang palapag. Napaatras ako pababa ng handan nang makita ko si Lolo Oliver na nakangisi sa ikalawang palapag habang ang mata nito ay nakatitig sa akin. Napalunok ako ng maraming beses dahil sa sobrang panunuyo ng lalamunan ko.

“Well… well… well, my dearest granddaughter. Why you’re in a hurry? Do you like the surprise at my party?” Umalingaw-ngaw ang tawa niya sa buong sulok ng mansion. His demonic laugh made my whole body shiver. I felt something of fear in my chest. Halos hindi ko na marinig ang aking paghinga dahil ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso ko ang tanging ingay. I froze.

“L-Lolo?” iyan lang ang tanging nasambit ko. My lips were shaking. I really don’t know what to do. I am afraid. I am afraid to lose my loved ones.

My knees were shaking in fear when he stood in front of me. “Do you think I’m stupid? I know what your relationship is with Lanz Alexander McMahon. That’s why you’re helping him, right?” he smirked.

I know fear was written in my eyes. I know he knows what I feel right now. I close my eyes and think about what I should do next. I felt something strange in my vain, my fear is slowly fading. Tapang ang aking naramdaman nang bumukas ang aking mata.

“Do you think I’m also stupid, Lolo?” I smirked. I tried to convince him of what I got now. I will fight you, Lolo. Hindi ko hahayaang lamunin ka ng kasamaan. “Really? What if I will tell the McMahon about your origin? What do you think, Lolo?”

“What?” naningkit ang mata niyang tanong.

“I know your secret, Lolo. Ikaw ay isang Mc–”

“Shut up, Veronica! Or else your loved ones will die one by one in front of you.” He cut my sentence. Ramdam ko ang kaunting takot nito pero pinilit na maging matapang sa harap ko.

Natakot ako sa salita niya pero mas nakakatakot kung maging duwag ako sa harap niya. I need to be a brave one. Buhay ang nakasalalay rito.

“Is that a threat again, Lolo?” I asked with a playful smile on my lips. I will play with your game, Lolo. I will risk my life to save my loved ones and innocent people you hurt.

“Do you think you can stop or fight me, huh? Give up, Veronica. Tulungan mo na lang akong pabagsakin ang mga McMahon.”

Kinuyom ko ang aking kamao. I gritted my teeth. “Why should I help you, Lolo? Are you worth fighting for?”

“Oh, c’mon… Veronica. That McMahon boy killed your mother. That McMahon boy tried to trap you in their mansion. That McMahon boy almost killed you.”

Naningkit ang mga mata kong nakatitig sa kanya. Hindi ko alam ang bagay na kinulong ako ni Lanz. Hindi ko alam na muntik na akong patayin ni Lanz. He can’t do that to me. Kung magawa niya man ‘yon, may mga malalim siyang dahilan.

Napatakip ako sa bibig ko nang maalala ko ang aking mga panaginip noon. The familiar voices I heard. He tried to trap me, hindi niya ako pinauwi. He tried to choke me to death. He bit my neck then everything went black. Hindi pala ‘yon panaginip lang. That was true and happened in my life? No way.

Naalala ko rin ang unang pagpasok ko sa mansion ng McMahon. I felt something strange there. Feel ko matagal na akong nakatira doon. The feminine room I occupied--that was my room. At ang unang pagtapak ko sa ikatlong palapag. I saw a portrait of my young version on the wall. Then, I also saw a portrait, a young version of Lanz that was full of scratches. Naalala kong inayos ko iyon at nang maayos ko, I saw his golden pair of eyes.