Chapter 21

"I'm so sorry for your loss, Anna." Tito Cristophe said quietly. Kitang-kita ko sa mukha niya ang pagsisisi at kalungkutan. "Nahihiya ako. I was not there during my best friend's last minutes. Mas inuna ko pa ang negosyo ko."

"Wala po kayong dapat ikahiya, Tito Cristophe. I'm going to be okay." I assured him, swallowing the lump in my throat once again.

He nodded and went to glance at Papa's coffin. I arranged a respectable funeral service for my father. Sa tulong ni Atty. de Guzman ay naipalam din namin sa mga malalapit niyang kaibigan ang pagpanaw niya. Most of them came. We have no close relatives here so the service is full of strangers for me... Ang ilan sa kanila'y nakita ko na noong bata pa ako. Samantalang ang ilan ay talagang mukha ng estranghero para sa akin.

"What's going to happen to me? I'm so distressed to have lost my husband! Hindi ako alam kung anong gagawin ko!"

Napalingon ako kay Valerie na bigla nalang umiyak nang malakas. Her friends quickly came to rub her back and whisper soothing words. Umiiyak talaga siya. Naningkit ang mga mata ko at kasabay noon ang panghahapdi ng dibdib ko.

"Hindi ko alam kung anong mangyayari sa akin... sa amin ng mga anak ko! I have tw—three kids under my care... I wouldn't be able to raise them properly without Simone!"

"Don't cry, Valerie. I'm sure you're a great mother. You're going to raise them just fine. At isa pa, meron naman atang pera na iniwan si Simone para sa inyo? Nand'yan pa ang hacienda na pwede mong pagkakitaan..."

"Oh, I don't know... I might just sell the hacienda even though it means so much to me. We've lost a lot of money due to my husband's treatments and medicines. Importante ngayon ang mga anak ko..."

Hindi ko na pinansin ang sumunod niyang mga sinabi. Samantha is sitting silently, staring into abyss. Habang si Steve naman ay hindi mahagilap. I am now alone in this house full of strangers. Niyakap ko ang sarili habang papalapit sa kabaong ni Papa.

I don't know where to start now that he's gone. Valerie did not help me with the funeral service. It was all my initiative. She just mourned and cried and ruined her mascara and made sure that everyone sees her theatrics. Even though I am fuming mad at her, ayokong bastusin ang funeral service ni Papa sa pag-aaway naming dalawa.

"Anna..."

Naramdaman ko ang mahigpit na paghapit sa baywang ko at sinundan iyon ng malambing na pisil. Tracing the veined arms, I looked up and saw Blake. His eyes are weary, but he still managed to smile. Palagay ko ay galing pa siya sa trabaho at dumiretso siya dito.

"Kumain ka na ba?"

I nodded.

"Good. I just saw Dad. Sinabihan ko na siyang dito muna ako matutulog at babantayan kita hanggang sa mailibing si Tito Simone."

Sighing away, I nodded again. In the background, I could still hear Valerie wailing. Some of the visitors are disturbed while some more came to comfort her and tell her everything's going to be okay.

Nagkatinginan lang kaming dalawa ni Blake ngunit wala nang sinabi pa. Valerie stopped crying after a while, thank goodness, and the funeral service went on smoothly. Nang malaman ni Valerie na sa mansion matutulog si Blake ay wala naman siyang sinabi. She just looks tired... and irritated.

"Pagkalibing na pagkalibing kay Simone, tawagin mo si Attorney para sa reading of the will..." she said to me when I came down in the middle of the night for a glass of water. I found her sitting in the kitchen countertop, drinking a bottle of wine and looking a complete seductress. Parang hindi siya umiyak kani-kanina lang.

Inubos ko muna ang laman ng baso at pinagmasdan siya. Nang mailapag ko ito ay saka pa ako nagsalita.

"You don't waste any time, don't you?"

The corner of her red lips lifted in a smirk. "No, Anna dear, I don't. I want to talk to that attorney and see what's in the will. I'm sure we'll come to negotiate into something before deciding what to do now that Simone's gone."

I looked at her, disgusted and wondering how she could say these things after the death of my father. This woman has no compassion at all!

"Did you really love my father, Valerie?" I took a step towards her, never breaking my gaze. Ginantihan niya naman ako ng matatalim na titig.

"What are you talking about, Anna?"

"Did you really love him? Or was it just his money?"

"I loved him, of course!" she said, setting down her wineglass. "Pero hindi na ako makikipagplastikan sa iyo. I loved his money more than him. That old racoon is not even good in bed! Que horror!"

Napakuyom ang mga kamao ko, nanginginig ang laman. I never thought I could be this angry to someone but I really am. Hindi ko alam kung may pagsisidlan pa ba ng galit ko sa babaeng ito.

"I know you don't like me, Anna. The feeling's mutual. But then again, if you want me to leave, it would take a good amount of money before you see me pack my things. And if you want me to stay here, then we'll have some fun making hell out of each other's lives."

"Talking back to you is not even worth it..." napailing ako at iniwan ang ininumang baso. I glanced at her once again, disgust boiling inside of me. "Good night, Valerie."

Kahit minsan ay hindi ako nagpakitang umiiyak sa harap ng mga estrangherong dumalo sa funeral service ni Papa. Nanatili akong matatag, gaya ng inaasahan ng lahat sa akin. Valerie introduced her children to some of Papa's rich friends and pretended that I did not exist. It did not bother me one bit. Some of his friends came to me and offered comfort which I gratefully accepted.

"You're a brave girl, Anna. Manang-mana ka sa nanay mo. Alam kong malalampasan mo 'to."

Doon pa lang ako napaiyak sa mismong araw ng libing niya. Watching him getting buried six feet underground is a painful realization that I am really alone in this world. From now on, no one's going to be by my side except for myself. Having Valerie in the house didn't help either. She is a walking nightmare.

"I'm so sorry, Anna. I couldn't do anything about Valerie. Technically speaking, she is still the legal wife of your father. She has every right to be in this mansion even though you're the heiress. You can only evict her once you turn 23. But for now, you'll have to live with her." Atty. de Guzman said, and I could feel my heart sinking. The annulment papers were arranged, but my father never got to sign it and Valerie has no knowledge of its existence.

"What if she brings another man into the house?" I moaned in horror. Kinausap ko muna si Attorney nang pribado bago ang reading of the will kasama si Valerie mamayang hapon. I thought I should give him a heads up. When he learned about the things that Valerie had said, he was as disgusted as I am right now.

"Wala rin tayong magagawa. You'll have to endure five years with her, Anna. Unless she leaves the mansion..."

"And she'll be forever a De la Rua?"

He nodded. "Yes. Even if she leaves the mansion, she's still a De la Rua unless she marries another man."

I rubbed my temple, already feeling a headache boiling inside.

"But maybe you could negotiate with her, Anna. Do something, pay her, I don't know... I'm sure she wants nothing of you now that your father is gone. A woman like her will surely look for other men to claw."

Iyon ang naging laman ng isipan ko hanggang sa magsimula ang meeting namin kinahapunan. Nasa drawing room kaming tatlo ni Atty. de Guzman, Valerie, at ako. Valerie is wearing an emerald mini dress from Chanel, showcasing her long legs and paired it with statement glasses. Samantalang ako ay simpleng jeans at sweater lang dahil nasa mansion lang din naman ako.

"Good afternoon... Atty. de Guzman, right?" masigla niyang bati at nakipagbeso pa kay attorney. I could feel that he's uncomfortable but he remained professional and smiled politely at her. "I heard so much about you!"

"Yes, and what might it be, Madame?"

"That... uhm... you work in a law firm!" she chuckled. Napapikit ako at napailing sa likuran niya. Atty. de Guzman managed to maintain a stoic face. "Why don't we start the reading, hmm?"

"Most certainly." He gestured towards the chair and sat down. Saka isa-isa niyang inilabas ang mga papel galing sa envelope. I've read the will earlier, and have even memorized every line of it. Alam na alam ko na kung ano ang sasabihin ni Atty. de Guzman ngayon.

He started reading the declaration, the background information, and the executor appointment. I could tell Valerie is not interested, as she keeps on checking her nails every now and then. I'm sure she just wanted to hear the declaration concerning the properties of my father.

"In the event I am the sole parent or legal guardian of my non-adult children at the time of my death, then I herby nominate and appoint Valerie Cristine De la Rua as legal guardian of my children."

Tumaas ang kilay ni Valerie sa narinig, pero walang sinabi. Nagpatuloy si Atty. de Guzman sa bequests at requests. Valerie straightened her back and listened intently.

"After payment of all of personal debts, expenses and liabilities, I request and direct that my property be bequeathed as follows: I give, devise and bequeath all of the remaining and residual property I have ownership in at the time of my death, whether real property, personal property or both, of whatever kind and wherever situated to Savannah Brielle De la Rua, absolutely and entirely."

Nangunot ang noo ni Valerie sa narinig. She stared at me with open jealousy before she turned to the lawyer again.

"That's it?"

"A token of 500,00 will be given to my wife of two years, Valerie Cristine De la Rua, for taking over the responsibility of being the legal guardian of my child. She should act to supervise and guide my child in the operation of the hacienda and other related businesses until she turns 23 to be legally authorized to handle all properties."

"Five hundred fucking thousand?" she spat. "That's just a pair of Balenciaga shoes!"

We both ignored her as the lawyer continued reading the will.

"Should my inheritor falls sick or not be living, then I give, devise and bequeath all of the remaining and residual property I have ownership in at the time of my death, whether real property, personal property or both, of whatever kind and wherever situated to Valerie Cristine De la Rua, absolutely and entirely."

"I don't understand a shit about anything you said, attorney!" Valerie exploded. "Bakit 500,00 lang ang ibinigay sa akin ni Simone at napunta kay Savannah ang lahat?!"

"Madame, you will act as her guardian until she turns 23. The 500,000 is just a token."

"Don't I have any properties under my name? That token will never be enough!"

"I'm afraid Simone did not give you any of his properties."

Valerie gritted her teeth, her eyes blazing in anger. "You mean to say this bitch has to die first before I get all the property?"

Natahimik kaming tatlo sa sinabi niya. It suddenly dawned on me... that the will might've been my death sentence as well. Unti-unti ang pagkabog ng dibdib ko at halos hindi mapatingin kay Valerie.

"Please watch your language. It can be used against you should anything happen to Savannah." The lawyer said calmly.

Natauhan din si Valerie sa narinig. She blinked, and then sat down. Tulala pa rin siya at hindi makapaniwala sa narinig.

"It is only for formalization, but Simone chose me as his trustee. After five years, I can transfer the name of the properties officially to you, Anna." Isang maliit na ngiti ang sumilay sa labi niya.

"Thank you, attorney."

He nodded. Binalingan niya si Valerie. "Do you have any more questions, Madame?"

"What if... what if Savannah gets sick? Sinong magmamanage sa hacienda?"

"The responsibility as her legal guardian falls into your shoulders. If Savannah is unavailable to manage the hacienda, you are entitled to operate as long as it is within the bounds of the business policies and of course, with approval from Savannah as the sole owner."

"Why does everything have to be about this girl? Ni wala nga siyang ginawa!"

"Savannah is the rightful owner and inheritor of the De la Rua properties, Ma'am. I see no error considering that she's the only child of Simone and Anastasia."

She continued to mumble angrily.

"Is there any more question? Anna?"

"Wala na po. Klaro po sa akin lahat, attorney."

"Okay. I'll be going then. Good day to you, ladies." He said and politely excused himself out. Nang makalabas na si attorney ay galit akong binalingan ni Valerie.

"Masaya ka na?"

"Bakit ako sasaya? Kakamatay lang po ng Papa ko, at wala pang isang linggo pero pera na kaagad ang pinag-uusapan natin."

"Huwag mo akong pilosopohin!" she grabbed my arm with force as her nails dug into my skin. "Matatamaan ka sa akin, Anna!"

"Get your hands off me or I'll report this as an abuse. I may not know a lot about the law, but I know for sure that Atty. de Guzman is by my side. You could end up in jail if I want to."

Terrified, she got her hands off me and glared at me. Kating-kati na siyang saktan ako. I ignored the nagging fear of the death sentence at the back of my head.

"I want you to leave the mansion, Valerie. You and your children do not belong here anymore."

"Ha! As if you can make me leave the mansion that easily..." she placed a hand on her hip as a cunning smile touched her lips. "Why don't we negotiate, dear Savannah?"

"There is nothing to negotiate. There's nothing at stake here. Ikaw 'tong walang pera at pwede kitang paalisin dahil ako ang nagmamay-ari ng mansion."

"Not when you turn 23, dear..." she wagged a manicured finger at me. "For now, I'll make sure to spend my days in making sure that your life is a living hell. But if you want me to leave, as I've mentioned before, it comes with a hefty price."

"Magkano ba ang kailangan mo?"

"500 million, Savannah. Not 500 thousand."

"You're crazy!" I shook my head, not believing my ears. "Even if I sell the hacienda, it will never be enough!"

"You have a trust fund, bitch. I know it."

"And I'm not giving you any of my money at all!"

"Then, good luck living with me. I'm sure the five years will bring us closer together." Dinampot niya ang kaniyang purse. Valerie then headed towards the door. Bago pa siya tuluyang lumabas ay nilingon niya ulit ako at nginitian nang makahulugan.

"Pero, mag-iingat ka ha? Baka bigla kang magkasakit at bigla kang mawala o di kaya'y maaksidente. I can be really creative in plotting someone's disappearance. Your death is worth millions to me. You don't think I can't do that?"

Tigagal akong napatingin sa kaniya. For a moment, cold fear ran into my spine. Parang ibang tao ang kaharap ko ngayon. I can't believe she's talking murder to me right now because of money!

"Pag-isipan mong mabuti, Anna. Mahaba naman ang pasensiya ko, eh. Pero hindi kasing-haba ng limang taon. Baka mainip ako, sige ka..." she said in a mocking tone before shutting the door and leaving me speechless.

Napaupo ako ulit, nanghihina ang mga tuhod. I can't believe I just heard it from her! As if she couldn't get any worse, now she's hinting that she's ready to kill me for money!

Rubbing my temple, I did a quick calculation inside of my head. The trust fund that she mentioned is for sustaining my college. If I sell this mansion and the hacienda, I'd be able to give the money she's asking me for. But I would be left with nothing. And it would break my heart to sell the hacienda. It's the fruit of hard work of my parents.

Naiiyak akong nag-iisip ng ibang paraan upang mapigilan si Valerie. I couldn't think of anything else. If I leave here, I would be declared dead and she would have all the properties. By the time I'm back, it would be too late. But if I stay here with Valerie, my life would be in grave danger.

I heard silent footsteps from a distance. Nag-angat ako ng tingin at nakita si Barin na papalapit sa akin. Smiling weakly, I lifted my arms and gestured for him to come closer. Mali ako nang sabihing ako nalang mag-isa ngayon. Barin is still here. And I know he's going to be by my side to protect me.

"Come here, Barin..." I whispered.

Nilapitan niya ako at idinantay ang kaniyang ulo sa hita ko. I slowly rubbed his head. Barin yawned and closed his eyes and demanded more strokes. Unti-unting gumaan ang dibdib ko sa init na dala ni Barin. I looked at the family picture still hanging in the wall of the drawing room. I'm surprised it hasn't been taken down since Valerie arrived here.

My chest swelled as I continued to stare at the elegant face of my mother and the strong, intelligent face of my father. Napapikit ako.

"Ano pong gagawin ko, Mama? Papa?" I said, almost inaudible, letting the wind carry my words and hoping it would reach my parents so they could help me right now.