Nine years later

"Dinner lang, Caice! Sumama ka na!" Patuloy na pamimilit sa akin ni Therese mula sa kabilang linya, mas inipit ko ang cellphone sa aking tainga habang inaayos ang hanay ng mga libro sa shelf. "Ang tagal na simula nang huli ka naming nakita ni Lulli! Seven years nga ba? After graduation ay wala ka na talagang paramdam!"

Totoo iyon. Nang umalis ako sa Pilipinas, I severed all the ties I had with them, sa lahat. Tanging sina Uncle Roy at Uncle Kurt lang ang nakakausap ko madalas. Kahit ang mga kamag-anak kong iba ay hindi. Well, especially my parents. I talked to Icen from time to time, pero bukod doon ay wala na.

"At malakas ang kutob kong hindi ka rin naman magtatagal dito sa Pilipinas," pahabol niyang dagdag nang hindi ko siya imikan.

Another truth, I didn't plan on staying longer than a month pero sa lahat ng nangyayari ngayon sa pamilyang minsan ko nang tinalikuran, may palagay akong hindi ako agad papayagang umalis ni Tita Chi. Well, or any of us for that matter. Masyadong maraming nangyayari ngayon at magkakasunod pa talaga.

"Titignan ko pa kung kailan ako puwede," I said, backing away from the shelf I just organized and taking the phone in my hand to focus more on the conversation I was having with Therese. "May reading pa bukas ng will ni Lolo Brad. Sasabihan kita kung makakabalik pa ako ng Manila o kakailanganin kong magtagal dito sa Soledad."

"Oo nga pala," her tone mellowed at the mention of my grandfather. "My condolences, Caice."

Last year, it was my great-grandfather, Lucas De Salvo, who died. Bumalik ako sa Pilipinas sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon sa loob ng walong taon to pay my respects to the De Salvo patriarch. Hindi ako nagtagal, bumalik rin ako agad ng Italy where I practice a double degree in Psychology and Marine Biology. Wala pang isang taon ay kinailangan kong muling bumalik, Zach's 'death' followed. We were made to sign an NDA, naging mahigpit ang imbestigasyon, and even his service was made private. Masyadong mabilis ang pangyayaring iyon na ni isa sa amin ay hindi magawang magtanong. We were all shocked to say the least.

Even that didn't make me stay for longer than a month. Umuwi ako ng Italy at tahimik na ipinagluksa si Zach. I didn't show any emotion, not because I didn't care, but because something inside me refused to believe he was truly gone. It felt as though, deep in my heart, I knew it wasn't the end for him. Acknowledging it would make the loss too unbearable, so I clung to the hope that this wasn't over.

And it wasn't. Zach didn't die. For some reason, he was alive. Hindi na ako nakabalik nang muling magpatawag ng family meeting sina Tita Chi tungkol doon. I wasn't there to welcome Zach back, sa mga kuwento lang ni Icen ako nakakalap ng impormasyon. He said Zach came back with what was left of him. Ang isipin pa lang ang mga sinasabi ni Icen ay nasasaktan na ako, paano pa kung nakita ko siya nang panahong iyon. Icen said Zach was frail, slowly regaining his weight, but it was clear he had been through a lot. Despite wanting to reach out, I didn't call or try to see him. Zach needed time to adjust. He had come back from the grave, after all. I still didn't fully understand what happened to him, siguro'y kung magkikita kami ay maliliwanagan ako. Sa ngayon, masaya na akong buhay siya.

Pero siguro nga ay talagang makasalanan ang buong angkan ng mga De Salvo, the joy of Zach's return didn't last. It was quickly followed by Lolo Brad's death. Noong isang araw ay inihatid namin ito sa huling hantungan. Sina Lola Cam at Kourtney ang higit na apektado sa lahat, and I so wanted to reach out to Kourtney, but I didn't know how. We drifted apart, ilang taon na kaming hindi nag-uusap at marami na masyadong nagbago at namagitan sa aming dalawa. It was just too sad because we used to be very close. She was the sister I never had.

"Sige, Therese, tatawagan na lang kita ulit." Nagpaalam na ako nang makita ko si Mama Nae na sumungaw sa malaking pinto ng library. She didn't look like she aged a day, ganoon siguro talaga kapag simple at masaya ang buhay.

Pinatay ko ang na ang tawag nang gantihan ni Therese ang paalam ko at nakangiting sinalubong si Mama Nae.

"Dumating na ang Mommy at Daddy mo, Caice," malumanay niyang sabi, tila tinatantya ang magiging reaksyon ko.

My whole family knew what I had to go through with my dad, and even after everything, every pain I had to endure, I didn't come running back to him. Lahat ng ako ngayon, ang buhay na pinili ko matapos ang lahat ng gulong iyon, hindi siya kailanman muling naging bahagi. I never accepted any help from him. Si Uncle Roy ang tumulong na makapagtapos ako, dito ako sa villa tumira. And when I graduated, Uncle Kurt helped me get into the best schools abroad for my masters and doctorate. Lahat ng oras na meron ako ay buong pagkakagusto kong itinuon sa pag-aaral ko. When I attained all the degrees needed, I moved to Italy and started a life alone. Simpleng buhay, malayo sa mga gulo na nakakabit sa pagiging De Salvo. I even dropped it from my legal name and used my mother's instead. Kaya ang mga dokumento ko ngayon ay puros Cara Venice Sandejas. Kung hindi lang sa mga nangyayari ay wala naman akong balak bumalik na ng Pilipinas. My life in Italy was peaceful and simple. Iyon ang gusto ko, doon ko pinagkasya ang sarili ko.

"Naayos ko na po ang buong library," iminuwestra ko pa ang kabuoan ng silid kay Mama Nae nang mas pumasok siya sa loob, sapat para maiwasan ang usapin tungkol sa aking mga magulang. "Everything is set for the reading."

"Thank you, Caice," may sasabihin pa sana si Mama Nae nang biglang pumasok si Tita Chi sa loob ng library, kasunod nito ang asawa na si Uncle Red.

Agad akong lumapit sa mga ito upang magmano at humalik sa pisngi, it was almost automatic sa aming mapipinsan na tuwing makikita namin si Tita Chi ay kinakabahan kami kahit pa hindi naman ito mahigpit at mabagsik.

"Darling," ganting bati nito sa akin bago ako hagurin ng mapanuring tingin. "How have you been?"

"I've been better," tipid kong sagot atsaka sinulyapan si Uncle Red na tinungo na ang mahabang lamesa. Naghila ito ng silya sa kanang bahagi ng kabisera at doon naupo.

"Your parents are already here, Caice," may pasimpleng saway sa tono nito, marahan pang pinisil ang aking braso. "I want this day to be over as quickly as it started. Huwag na sana kayong magtatalo ng daddy mo sa gitna ng reading."

Tumango ako. The last reading we had for Lolo Lucas, that happened. Hindi ko napigilan na hindi patulan si Dad, kahit na alam kong hindi ko na dapat pang ginawa. I took aback, agad kong naramdaman ang kamay ni Mama Nae sa ibabang bahagi ng aking likod, parang ipinahihiwatig na nandyan siya sakaling kakailanganin ko.

"Lakawan mo rin sana ng kahit kaunti lang ang pang-unawa mo sa daddy mo," may pakiusap sa tonong ginamit ni Tita Chi nang magpatuloy. "We just lost our father, at sa aming apat alam nating lahat na siya ang higit na malapit kay Dad. Hindi man niya tahasang ipakita, I know my brother is hurting. And honey, I'm not expecting you to comfort him or anything. Just... Just don't rub salt in the wound."

"I understand, Tita Chi," iyon lamang ang aking naging sagot sa sinabi nito.

She was right. Si Dad ang higit na malapit kay Lolo Brad sa apat na magkakapatid. He was supposedly his successor, lahat ng tungkol sa pamamalakad ng hotel ay kabisado niya. Hindi nga ba't lahat ay ginawa niya mapalawig lamang ang sakop at kapangyarihan ng mga De Salvo. That truth felt like poison creeping into every fiber of my being, only deepening my hatred for my father.

Iyon lamang at tinungo na nito ang kabisera, she even ran her fingers through the mahogany desk checking for dust out of habit. Metikulosa si Tita Chi, isa rin sa dahilan kung bakit ako na mismo ang nagpresinta na tutukan ang gagawing paglilinis sa library. Not that it wasn't well-maintained, but Chiara De Salvo-Santa de Leones held a different standard when it came to these things.

Nagsimula nang mapuno ng magkahalong henerasyon ng mga De Salvo ang library. Sinadya kong hindi balingan ang puwestong inokupa ng aking mga magulang at pumirmi lamang sa kaliwang bahagi ni Uncle Roy, si Kade naman ang sa kabilang gilid ko. I would really need people like them to be around me in times like this.

"Narito ka pa rin, huh?" Tinaasan ako ng kilay ni Kade, may magaan na ngiti sa kaniyang mga labi. "Ang akala ko'y babalik ka na agad ng Italy."

"Na parang papagyagan iyon ni Tita Chi," I rolled my eyes. Isa pa, I planned to visit Zach kahit bago man lang ako umalis.

"Ganoon talaga, Caice. We missed having you around." Kahit nakangisi ay alam kong sinsero siya sa sinabi niyang iyon.

Isa sa mga huling pumasok ng silid si Kourtney, behind her was her boyfriend. I knew Marco Cervantes from childhood, hindi ko lang inaasahan na she would settle. She wasn't the type. Then again, what did I know? Ang kilala ko ay ang Kourtney noon. We didn't talk anymore, and as painful as that was to admit, it was the truth. Pero hindi ibig sabihin ay hindi ako nakikibalita. Lahat ng gusto ni Kourtney mga bata pa lamang kami ay nakuha nito—the glitz and glamour of life. She entered show business and proved herself worthy of the attention. Hindi sumikat si Kourtney dahil lang maganda ito at dala ang pangalan ng pamilya, she was really good. Ilang pelikula rin nito ang napanuod ko na.

Kourtney's head turned in my direction as she walked in, but I couldn't tell if she was looking at me. Her butterfly sunglasses obscured her eyes. She was dressed in an all-black ensemble—sleek black trousers, a fitted black blouse, and a long black trench coat that accentuated her tall, slender figure. Her outfit was completed by black stiletto heels. Kuhang-kuha ang lungkot na sigurado ako namamayani rito ngayon. Gustuhin ko man itong lapitan ay hindi ko alam kung paano.

Marco guided her to the other side of the long table, where Uncle Kurt and Tita Corrine were sitting.

"Nagkausap na ba kayo?" Pabulong na tanong sa akin ni Kade.

Umiling ako, nilingon siya. "How is she coping?"

"Terribly," sumandal siya sa kaniyang upuan nang pumasok ang dalawang abogado na magbabasa ng will ni Lolo Brad. "He was her hero. Inasahan ko na ito sa kaniya, sana lang ay hindi makaapekto sa kalusugan niya. Pero tiwala naman akong hindi siya mapapabayaan ni Marco."

"Gusto ko sana siyang lapitan kahapon, but I didn't know how." Pag-amin ko, tumuwid na rin ng upo nang suyurin ng tingin ni Tita Chi ang buong silid. Muli ay nagtama ang aming mga mata, there was a silent warning in hers.

"Subukan mo," Kade leaned closer, nagsisimula na rin kasing mag-discuss ang abogado nang makalapit ito sa kaliwang bahagi ni Tita Chi. "Ngayon mas kailangan ni Kourtney ng kaibigan."

I knew that, and I so wanted to be that friend for her.

I diverted my attention back to the lawyers as they began reading the will my grandfather had left. The room fell silent, ang lahat ay tutok lamang ang atensyon sa nagsasalita.

The attorney, a sharp-looking man in his mid-fifties, adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat. "I appoint Chiara De Salvo-Santa de Leones as the executor of this will. It is my wish that she carry out the provisions of this will faithfully and in accordance with the law. I bequeath my entire estate, both tangible and financial, to my beloved daughter, Chiara De Salvo-Santa de Leones. I trust her to carry on our family's legacy with wisdom and grace. To my children, grandchildren, and the rest of my family, I hope you understand that this decision is a reflection of my deep love for Chiara and my belief in her abilities."

A stunned silence filled the room. My aunts and uncles exchanged bewildered glances, while Tita Chi remained composed, her expression revealing nothing. Kami namang magpipinsan ay tahimik lamang na nag-o-obserba at naghihintay sa mga susunod na mangyayari.

Nang matapos sa lahat ng sasabihin ay tahimik na nagpaalam ang abogado at lumabas ng silid para bigyan nga privacy ang mga dapat mag-usap. It was so like my grandfather to pull something like this, even in death. He had four children, and he entrusted all his belongings to the most capable and fair judge. That was Tita Chi, unquestionably.

"Did you know that Father had done this?" Sa tahimik na tono ay binalingan nito si Lola Cam na naka-upo sa kabilang dulo ng lamesa.

Malungkot itong ngumiti at sinalubong ng namumugtong mga mata ang tingin ni Tita Chi. "Yes, honey, I was aware of your father's intentions. It was his way of showing his faith in you, his belief that you would continue the family's legacy."

"Funny," Tita Chi's lips curved into a humorless smile. "He had five decades to do that."

Nabasag ang katahimikan sa silid sa biglang pagtawa ni Uncle Red. It was uncalled for, bukod pa sa mabibilang lamang sa mga daliri ang pagkakataong tumawa ito ng ganoon. Lahat ay napabaling rito maliban kay Tita Chi na diretso lamang sa kung saan ang tingin, tila ba nag-iisip.

Yumuko si Uncle Red upang masuyong halikan sa pisngi ang asawa. "I fucking love you,"

And with that, he left the room na para bang wala naman na itong pakialam sa mga susunod pang mangyayari.

"Just let me know if you need me to do anything, Chi," si Uncle Exodus ang muling nagsalita. Ito ang nagsisilbing abogado ng pamilya kaya malaki ang maitutulong nito sa ganyang usapin.

"Even from beyond," tahimik na inilibot ni Tita Chi ang tingin sa paligid. Huminto ang mga mata nito kay Dad, walang mababakas na kahit ano roon. "He'd still leave me with a job to finish."

Gumawa ng ingay ang upuan ni Uncle Kurt nang iatras nito iyon upang tumayo at tunguhin si Tita Chi. She was the youngest, but she was also the bravest.

He leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to the crown of her head, squeezing her arm gently. "Baby, we're here for you,"

Hinawakan ni Tita Chi ang kamay ni Uncle Kurt na nanatiling nasa kaniyang braso tapos ay nilingon si Uncle Exodus. "Roy and I had talked about this. We didn't want any involvement with Cameron Hotel and Resorts. We're passing on our percentage to the eldest De Salvo in our family, my older brother, Vince. Kurt retains his share."

Gustuhin ko mang lingunin si Dad upang makita ang reaksyon niya ay hindi ko ginawa. I would rather die than letting him know I cared.

"Well, that makes Exodus and Vince each hold a thirty percent stake," si Uncle Kurt ulit iyon. Sa kaniya ko itinuon ang aking mga mata.

There had been a longstanding debate about who should be the successor of the hotel among the older generation. Lahat kami ay alam na walang ibang nararapat sa posisyon kundi si Dad. He had worked tirelessly to make the hotel what it is today. Kung hindi sa istilo ng pamamahala niya, it wouldn't have grown and expanded to its current stature. It was truly puzzling to us why Lolo Brad didn't just pass the hotel directly to him.

"If I were to transfer mine to Vince, he'd have the majority shares and the ability to lead the company for as long as he lives."

Natahimik lalo ang lahat sa sinabi ni Uncle Kurt, maging kami ni Kade ay nagkatinginan. There had always been a silent competition between Dad and Uncle Kurt, primarily because they were twins. Humina lang iyon nang magkaroon na ang mga ito ng kani-kaniyang pamilya. But Lolo Brad Lolo Brad never gave Uncle Kurt the validation he deserved, as his attention was more focused on Dad bilang ito ang panganay na De Salvo.

"But you won't do that," Tita Corrine stood up from her seat, nasa anyo nito ang pagtitimpi habang matapang na sinasalubong tingin ni Uncle Kurt. "Kurt isn't relinquishing his shares at Cameron Hotel and Resorts. We all know he's worked as diligently as Vince and earned his place within the company."

"Honey, we did discuss this,"

"Yes, and I didn't agree, did I?" Iginala ni Tita Corrine ang tingin sa lahat ng nasa lamesa, huminto iyon kay Tita Chi. "My husband has been overshadowed for years, but that doesn't mean he deserves any less."

She wasn't wrong. Uncle Kurt did earn it.

"I'm sorry, Vince. Truly, I am. But I must look out for my husband."

Bago may makapagsalita ay isang malutong na halakhak ang pinakawalan ni Tita Chi bilang sagot sa sentimyento ni Tita Corrine, tumuwid pang lalo ito ng upo at binitiwan ang kamay ni Uncle Kurt na nanatiling nakatayo lamang sa tabi nito.

"Is that what you think, Corrine? That you're the sole protector of my brother. Let me enlighten you, I've been looking out for him my entire life." Ismid ni Tita Chi, hindi nagpapatinag. "So, take a seat and let me make the decision. It was my inheritance, after all."

Tita Corrine's sharp glare met Tita Chiara's defiant gaze, but she eventually yielded and settled back into her chair.

"Split it, Chi," ang baritonong tinig ni Dad ang nagpahinto kay Tita Chi nang may akma pa itong idadagdag sa sinabi. "If you and Roy don't wish to be part of the hotel, divide everything between Kurt and me."

Sinadya kong hindi lingunin si Dad kahit pa lahat ay napabaling sa gawi niya dahil sa bigat ng kaniyang sinabi. Never in my life did I think I would hear something like that from him. My father was the epitome of selfishness, a man who would do anything for power. The people of Matahom were enough proof of how greedy he could get. He had ordered the destruction of their homes, uprooting lives for the sake of hotel expansion, and now he was willing to share? What kind of twisted game was he trying to play on everyone?

Matapos ang lahat ng mga nalaman kong nagawa niya, I couldn't trust him. Nanatiling tikom ang bibig ko sa lahat ng iyon, but that didn't mean I had forgiven him. No amount of retribution could bring back the lives lost.

I watched as Tita Chi's gaze swept over each of her brothers, lingering on Dad the longest.

"You heard the man. Make it happen." Pinal na sabi ni Tita Chi kay Uncle Exodus.

Nagpatuloy ang diskusyon tungkol sa pamamahala ng hotel. They all agreed that Dad would retain his position as the CEO of both the Cameron Hotel and Resorts and De Salvo Group of Companies. Kasama rin sa napagkasunduan na mag-tutuloy-tuloy ang magkakatulong nilang paghubog kanila Oxygen at Icen bilang mga susunod na tagapamahala.

Doon ko na binalingan sa unang pagkakataon si Dad. His face was older than I remembered, the lines etched deeper into his skin. This wasn't the man who raised me; this was a stranger wearing my father's face. His sudden magnanimity was nothing but a façade, a tactic to manipulate and control the situation to his advantage. I wasn't buying it. No matter how convincingly he tried to sell his newfound generosity, I knew better.

Masakit man, pero iyon ang totoo. Masamang tao ang daddy ko.

As the family continued to discuss the future of the hotel and the inheritance, I felt a growing sense of detachment. This was a world driven by greed and power, a world my father thrived in but one I couldn't stomach anymore. I had seen the lengths to which Dad would go to secure his position, and I wanted no part of it.

Ang tanging nagpipigil lang sa akin upang huwag tumayo at umalis ay banta ni Tita Chi sa akin na huwag gagawa ng eksena, isa pa'y maaari pa iyong maging rason para kailanganin naming mag-usap ni Dad. Ayaw ko.

It wasn't me who stood up, but Kourtney. She hastily excused herself, her voice barely audible, and walked out without turning back. I wanted to go after her, but Kade beat me to it, standing up and following her with determined strides.

I watched them go, kahit nag-aalala ay hindi na ako sumunod. This must be harder for her than any of us. From all of us, she and Lola Cam were mourning the death of Lolo Brad the hardest. Paborito siya ni Lolo Brad at ganoon rin siya rito. They had a different kind of bond, one that was only theirs.

The room felt even more suffocating now. Nagpatuloy ang mga ito sa pag-uusap, habang kaming mas nakababata ay tanging pakikinig lamang ang nagawa. Tita Chi looked resolute, her jaw set in a way that brooked no argument. Sa lahat ay siya palagi ang may hawak ng pinal na desisyon.

"Kourtney's taking this really hard," sabi ni Uncle Kurt nang matapos ang usapan nila tungkol sa management ng hotel. Naunang tumayo si Lola Cam at nagpaalalay kay Reid pabalik ng silid nito sa itaas.

"Of course she is," Tita Chi said quietly, her eyes softening as she glanced at the door. "She was always Dad's favorite."

"Si Mommy rin, Chi. Nag-aalala ako sa kaniya," Uncle Roy said. "This isn't easy for any of us, but for them..."

He didn't finish the sentence, but we all understood. Kourtney had been so close to Lolo Brad, his pride and joy in so many ways. His death was a blow she hadn't been prepared for, a loss that left a void nothing could fill.

I wanted to follow Kade and Kourtney, to offer some comfort, but I felt rooted to my chair. Para bang wala na akong karapatang gawin iyon matapos ko siyang idamay sa lahat ng inawasan at nilayuan ko nitong mga nakalipas na taon.

How had we come to this? A family once so strong, now felt so divided. I thought of the days when we were children, when our biggest concerns were who got the biggest slice of cake or who got to sit next to Lolo during dinner. Those days felt like a lifetime ago, buried by our darkest truths.