Kabanata 1

The soon to be Senator

We started eating, and Ate Also closed the restaurant for the Employee to Join us. Ate fixed the room for us to have karaoke too. It was just me and my family and the employees of MERC Agency and Lunch Up. 

Dahil sa pagod ay bagsak ang katawan ko pagpasok sa loob ng aking kwarto, tinatamad na nga akong maligo eh. Pero duh, I interacted with so many people, and I feel so dirty. 

I’ll just soak myself in the tub to relax. 

Life was hell for me because I couldn’t accept what happened in the past, It gave me traumas. Missing someone from heaven is a different kind of pain, you can’t just talk to them, call them or even hug them. The closest that you can get is a picture of them or their grave. 

“Hi, Mom” 

For today, It’s just me and Dad. Cassie and Tita Ellaine decided to go to work today, sabi nila we need a family time muna. Days passed like a blur for me, noong matapos ang graduation ay bumalik agad ako sa pagtratraining ng martial arts. 

Good to say na hindi naman ako nangalawang, I even went to a firing station that my Dad owns to practice my shooting. Noong una ay medyo wala ako sa tutok, dahil nadin ata na matagal na akong hindi nakakapag-firing. 

“Hi, Hon” Dad greeted and kissed Mom’s Tombstone.

Looking at Dad, I think he loved Mom differently from Tita Ellaine. I couldn’t tell now, but despite what mistakes he committed as long as Mom accepted it, I would be happy for that. 

We spend time talking to my Mom and telling her stories of what happened during the time that we can’t visit her. It was a nice bonding, to be honest, It gives me peace of mind thinking that I’m still with my Mother. After eating and talking with Mom, we decided to go home to prepare dinner. 

“Wear something nice, we have visitors,” Dad said

“Ow, who?” Cassie ask 

“Family friend, Cass” 

Agad kaming pumasok sa kanya-kanyang kwarto upang mag-ayos. Wearing a white ruched corset-inspired backless dress with a slit partnered with a black braided design slide sandals. Naglagay ako ng kaunting makeup at nag-ayos ng buhok, I also wear some accessories to finish my look. 

Walking down the stairs I saw Cassie looking uneasy, lumapit ako sakanya at tinapik ang kanyang balikat. She jumped and held her chest in shock. I raised my brows and looked at her weirdly. 

“What’s wrong?” I asked her 

Namula ang kanyang mukha at agad-agaran ang pag-iwas ng kanyang mga mata sa akin. Umiling siya saakin at umupo sa isa sa mga upuan sa sala. 

“Are you sure?”  I asked her again and sat beside her “You are literally panicking right now, Cassandra”

She suddenly glared at me. My eyes widened as I raised my hands, saying that I’ll stop asking. I took off my phone and just asked her to take a picture of me so that I could post it on my I*******m. She just nodded and took my phone from me.

I just did simple shots and then we're done. 

Habang naghihintay sa family friend namin ay tumulong kami ni cassie sa pag-aayos sa sala. Cassie went to the kitchen to check if the food was good and ready, while I went to the dining room to check if the table was ready, I also did some final touches to make the table presentable. 

I was about to go out of the kitchen when a tall fine man with furrowed brows entered the room, wearing a white long-sleeve polo that was folded until his elbow, his biceps were protruding against his polo. Damn, who created you. 

Bago ko pa maalis ang tingin ko sakanya ay narinig ko ang munting pagtawa niya, tinignan ko siya sa kanyang mga mata at ganun din siya sakin, I raised my brows at him as he chuckled at my reaction. 

I was about to ask him who he was when a group of people entered the room with my family. I automatically smiled at the guest. I greeted them with a sweet smile. 

“Hi, I’m Savannah Elin S. Mercado” I introduced myself. 

Agad sumunod si Tita Ellaine saakin, Then Cassandra with a nervous face stepped forward in front of the guest. 

“Hi, I’m Cassandra Dior C. M-Mercado” she stuttered. 

I looked at her weirdly and she just avoided my gaze. 

“Your daughters are wonderful, David!” The woman exclaimed. 

My Dad let out a burst of loud laughter as he accepted the compliment. We smiled at her as we sat at the table. 

Looking at them they look like a well-known family.

"Sorry to be rude," The woman said "I'm Clara Monte-Reyes," she said and smiled. 

"Ito ang mga anak ko" 

She gracefully put her arm in the man beside him, The man smiled at us so I smiled back. 

"Raide," he said and offered his hand to my sister. 

Cassandra accepted it with shaky hands, which made my forehead creased. Raide chuckled and offered his hand to me which I accepted.

The man beside him arrogantly fixed his denim jacket and held his hands to my sister. 

"Clyde" 

He turned to me and showed me an arrogant smirk. 

"Clyde Oliver M. Reyes," he said and held his hand. I heard his brother laugh, but was immediately silenced by their Mother. 

Kung hindi ako tinuruan ng Proper Etiquette ay hindi ko tatanggapin ang kamay niya ngayon. 

I held out my hand and shake his. I was about to pull it, pero mas hinigpitan niya lang ang paghawak sa kamay ko. I pulled it again, harder this time. 

He smirked and let go of my hand causing me to fall in my chair. 

"Clyde Oliver!" his Mom exclaimed.      

My Dad laughed and looked at us with so much malice. I raised my brows at him. Mas mukha siyang matanda sakin pero ang childish ng ginawa niya.  I rolled my eyes and looked at my sister who started eating quietly. 

I leaned toward her and whispered, “Are you sure you're okay?” 

Wala siya sa sariling tumingin saakin, tinaas ang kilay na parang hindi narinig ang tanong ko. 

“Uh, yeah,” she said 

I sighed and started eating. Dad, Tita Ellaine, and Mrs. Reyes started talking about business and politics. I mean I could join because I think I’m already old enough but I choose not to until I am asked about my opinions. 

“My Youngest son is running for senator these coming Elections"

I suddenly look at my father with wide eyes when I realize something. He looked at me with authority so I pursed my lips and continued eating. Hindi na nga ata ako kumakain eh, linalaro ko nalang yung pagkain sa plato ko. 

Bakit kasi siya yung babantayan ko? Akala ko pa naman maliit na bata na tatakbo yung mga magulang sa politika kaya kailangan ng bantay. 

Pero eto? Mas malaki pa to sakin, maskulado pa, mas matangkad pa kesa sakin. Matangkad naman ako pero mas matangkad talaga sya kesa sakin. 

"Savannah Elin here trained martial arts for how many years but wants to pursue a modeling and singing career" 

I smiled at them as I was wiping my lips with the table napkin. 

“So you won't handle MERC Agency?” 

I smiled at her softly just like my Mom always taught me “Well, I can look at that once I’m settled in my chosen careers, Mrs. Reyes” 

“Ow, darling. Just call me Tita Clara” 

“I can handle it while doing my passion, or I and Ate Cassie share the responsibility in handling it,” I said 

 "wouldn't that be too much to handle, sweetheart? Why not marry someone who can manage that" 

I chuckled slowly, "I have no plans in marrying, Tita" I answered with honesty. 

Kitang kita ang gulat sa kanyang mga mata, I look at Dad as he nodded at me.

Naranasan ko naman ng makipagrelasyon noong mga unang taon ko sa kolehiyo, The second one even lasted for a year. But, unfortunately, It didn’t feel right. It felt like I was in a cage. Ayoko yung pinagsasabihan ako sa pananamit ko , yung pinagbabawalan ako sa gusto kong gawin. I didn’t even have close friends because boys flock in my way every time. 

That’s when I realize that committing to a serious relationship isn’t my thing, I don’t want to be scolded for the things I usually do, I don’t want to get jealous because of other girls, I don’t want to be insecure about my fellow woman just because a boy is giving them the same attention that only me could have. I don’t wanna ruin myself just to satisfy them.

But then, I thought about it again, Baka kasi hindi ko pa nahahanap yung ‘The one’

Funny but even though I said that I don’t want to get married, I still want to know if I’m capable of loving someone and if I’m wife material. 

“Are you sure about that?” she asked me, she turned to my Father with questions in her eyes. I could stop myself from letting out a small laugh. “Did you agree with this, David?” 

My Dad laughed a bit “Well. Nobody deserves my daughter’s” 

Cassie and I looked at each other and laughed. 

“But I wouldn’t die peacefully when no one will be there to look after them” 

“Dad!” Sabay na sigaw namin ni Cassie upang masaway siya, Tita Ellaine even smack his hand. 

"I'm that fully decided yet po, but if I run out of time, o kapag wala na po talagang pag-asa. I will decide at that point." 

We continued talking about that when that suddenly cleared his throat. Tapos na kaming kumain. 

"The main reason why we decided to have a dinner is to remind" he looks at me and the younger Reyes "Elin here will be your heard bodyguard starting tomorrow, Oliver" 

He smirks

I raised my brows. 

"You can fight?" he asked. Judgment is very evident in his tone. 

"Kapag ba napatumba kita, luluhod ka sa harap ko para mag sorry na sinabi mo yan?" 

He laughed, I scoffed. 

Dang, sayang. He was my type pa naman. 

Kaya nga lang ay epal at ewan, simula nong nagsalita siya ayaw ko na sa vibes niya. 

"Oli" 

"Elin" 

Sabay na suway ni Dad at Tita Clara. Kitang kita ko padin naman ang nakakainis na ngisi nitong bata Reyes na to. 

"You will stay at their place so you could monitor the parameter," he said with authority "I want you to check for death threats and possible shooting areas near their house. Also, check for possible entrance and exits" 

I nodded at my father and memorized what he said. 

"Are you sure about this, David? What about her safety? Mas natatakot ako para sa anak mo" 

"Panahon na para ipakita na nagmana talaga siya sakin"

My Dad laughed and I smirked. The elders decided to continue their conversation in Dad's office, so I was left with My sister and the Reyes brothers. 

The silence was awkwardly longThe silence was awkwardly long, para kaming mga batang nagkakahiyaan, sa totoo naman eh walang hiya itong batang reyes na ito.

Raide, If I remember it right. Cleared his throat. We all looked at him with questioning looks. 

“I need to go out,” he said and stood up. 

Tumingin ako kay Ate ng bigla din itong tumayo.

“Where are you going?” I asked. 

She looked around, she looks really nervous. She played with her fingers and tucks her hair and back of her ear. 

Tita Ellain said she does that when she’s nervous or when she’s hiding something. I raised my brows at her. 

“I’m going to my r-room” she stuttered “I’m kinda feeling sick” 

I just nodded. Agad siyang umalis sa dining area. 

"Basically I'll be your boss, huh?" The man in front of me asked. 

Well, Tama naman siya. He will be my boss, I will protect him because I have the ability too. Pero sobrang naiinis talaga ako sakanya. 

"Excuse me, I need to go outside" 

kahit hindi pa siya sumang ayon sa sinabi ko ay lumabas na ako upang makasindi. 

I opened my cigarette pack and got a stick to puff. 

“You smoke?” 

I rolled my eyes when I heard his voice. 

“Yes?” I said, I puffed once and looked at him with raised brows. “Makakasagabal po ba iyon sa trabaho ko?”

“Well, Yes,” he said and looked down on me, tumingala pa ako para mapantayan ang titig niya. “You see, I don’t like girls who smoke” 

I scoffed and smirked at him. Why is it such a big deal if girls, like me, want to smoke? I mean, I know it's bad but I also know my limits when it comes to smoking. 

“You don’t have to lecture me about smoking, Sir” I justified, mocking him with the word ‘sir” 

“And besides, you don’t have to like me while I’m working” I added “Unless you already like me. Love at first sight, I guess” I laughed hard when I said that. 

Hinarap ko ulit siya at tiningala. ‘

He gasped when I grabbed his hand that was about to touch my waist. 

“Sir. Don’t underestimate me.”

I twisted his arm to put it on his back. “I repeat-Ah” I screamed when suddenly I was the one with arms on the back. 

“Ano ba!” I grunted 

“I’m not underestimating you, young lady," he whispered from my right ear, I rolled my eyes at him.

Binitawan niya ang kamay ko pero nasa gilid ko padin ang mukha niya. I smirked and grabbed his neck to throw him to the ground. I laughed at him but suddenly he stood up and started throwing punches and kicks, iniiwasan ko lang lahat, uhgh! Katatapos lang namin kumain tapos ganito agad? 

How old is he again? baka mamaya may rayuma na to. We started to walk in circles, just like in the movies. 

"Sigurado ka bang kakalabanin mo ako? Baka mamaya may rayuma ka na pala?" sambit ko upang mainis siya.

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya "I'm only 28" he snorted "Sigurado ka din bang ikaw magiging head bodyguard ko? baka mamaya lampa ka pala?" he mocked and smirked. 

He suddenly grunted when I kick his left foot, I grabbed it and straddles him while my hands were on his neck. Hinigpitan ko ang pag-lock.

"Napatumba nga kita, mga kalaban mo pa kaya?" 

I removed my hold and stood up "Kaya siguro kailangan mo ng bodyguard kasi lampa ka" 

Hindi naman siya lampa ata, laki laki ng katawan tapos lampa lang. I rolled my eyes at him when I saw my Sister running to our garden and going back inside the house. 

"Did you meet my sister before?" I asked 

Umilng lang siya sakin habang hawak hawak padin ang leeg niya. I rolled my eyes at him again.

"Can you stop holding your neck?!" I exclaimed

"Hobby mo ba ang umirap? kunting-kunti nalang magiging puti nalang yang mata mo eh" 

I scoffed at him "Lahat pinapakilaman mo noh?" 

He just stared at me, I raise my eyebrows again because It was weird. 

"How can you say that you don't want to get married?" He suddenly asked.

sobrang random naman magtanong neto. I can't really say though, Pano ko nga ba nasabi? Takot ba ako? Takot maloko, masaktan, mapagpalit. Takot sa commitment 

"I'm scared" I informed and smiled "Maloko, masakta, maipagpalit." I added 

I sighed "My Mom was nice when she learned about Dad having a Mistress and having a kid with another woman" I began "She even befriended Tita Ellain" 

"But I'm nowhere close to my Mother's kindness, I will not forgive the man if he will cheat on me, I will not befriend the mistress, will not even accept the kid" 

"Love comes with pain" he started "You cannot love without hurting, Savannah. Your trust and faith will be challenged during those times but if it is meant to be it will be"