Dario quietly watched the drama unfold in the dining room. He knew Domingo used to be close with Mariposa when they were younger. So much so that it became a problem for Don Sandro. They had more freedom when they were younger, the leash was longer. But as they got older, it became shorter and shorter.

Totoong kapag anak ka ng pinakamayaman at pinakamakapangyarihang tao sa buong bayan ay pwede mong gawin ang kahit anong gusto mo. Walang kakalaban sa 'yo. They have everything they could ever want, but just not the things they already want.

The short leash choked Domingo first. He left right after his mother died. Hindi na ito bumalik lalo na nang nalaman nitong nakatira na siya at ang kanyang ina sa mansion. He didn't think Domingo would ever come back as long as Don Sandro is still alive.

Domingo wanted to think that he could hide his emotions well, but being in the same room with Mariposa immediately gave those emotions away. Dario was lucky he has had more practice at it than his brother.

"Pagpasensyahan mo na si Sir Domingo," pag-aalo ni Bobet sa dalaga. "Pagod lang siguro sa byahe."

Tipid na ngumiti si Mariposa. "Ayos lang. Aalis din ho ako kaagad pagkatapos kong kumain."

"Kumain ka nang marami," utos ni Bobet. "Kumain kayo nang marami."

"Yes, boss!" Danilo said with a salute. Bobet laughed and patted his shoulder. "Carlota!" tawag nito sa katulong.

Agad na lumapit si Carlota kay Danilo. "Yes, Sir? Ano pong maipaglilingkod ko sa inyo, Sir?" magiliw nitong tanong.

Danilo let out a laugh. "Sorry, wala akong pasalubong sa 'yo."

She pouted and took a few steps back. "Ah sige, Sir. Kaya mo naman na sigurong pagsilbihan ang sarili mo."

Napangiti si Dario sa biro ng dalaga. Danilo found it amusing too, and laughed with Carlota. Bobet didn't look happy with the exchange. He cleared his throat and threw dagger looks at Carlota. The latter quickly amended her attitude.

Bobet was a stickler for rules. Noong mga bata pa sila, madalas silang magkakalaro. Domingo was the aloof one, but he still played with them when he was in the mood. Walang amo o katulong. Pantay-pantay sila.

When Bobet became the caretaker of Don Sandro's estate, a line was drawn between the sons and the help. The line grew clearer as they grew older. Bobet would sometimes let it slide, but sometimes he had to remind all of them of the clear difference in their social status. Lalo na si Carlota.

Being the only girl among the guys, Carlota was close to all of them. Lalo na kay Danilo. She treated him like her younger brother, and Danilo still kept that affection towards Carlota even when he went away. Kapag umuuwi ito, palagi itong may pasalubong kay Carlota. And in turn, she would treat him more special than the others.

Not that Dario was jealous.

"Where is dad, by the way?" tanong ni Danilo maya-maya. There was already a mountain of mussel and shrimp shells on his plate. "It doesn't smell like death here. Is he really dying?"

There was a loud gasp from the helpers. Mariposa also stopped eating upon hearing the question. Bobet dismissed all the help around the dining area. Bumuntong-hininga muna ito bago sinagot ang tanong ni Danilo.

"About that..."

"He's not dying," Dario said dryly. "Di ba nga, ang masamang damo raw matagal mamatay."

Danilo frowned at both of them. "So walang lamay na magaganap ngayong weekend?"

He shrugged. "Can't say. Baka meron."

Bobet clicked his tongue. "He's not dying yet, but he really wanted to talk to you guys about your inheritance."

"Uh should we be discussing that here?" Danilo glanced at Mariposa. Yumuko naman ang dalaga at nagkunwaring walang naririnig.

"We shouldn't. Mamaya, mabibigyang-linaw ang lahat. For now... don't tell your brother."

–

So Domingo just went home for his inheritance. It made sense in Mariposa's head, but she still couldn't believe it was the only thing that could make him come home. Ilang taon na rin itong hindi umuuwi. She was still a teenager when she last saw him.

Sikat na modelo si Domingo sa Maynila. He had been traveling a lot. Palagi kasi itong pinagtitsismisan ng mga kapitbahay nila kaya hindi niya maiwasang hindi makasagap ng balita. Nakalabas na rin ito ng Pilipinas, ilang beses na. Hindi kagaya niyang hindi man lang nakakalabas ng rehiyon nila. Bilang lamang sa daliri ang panahon na nakalabas siya ng bayan nila. All those trips were short and forgettable.

Sana ay umalis siya agad nang umalis ito. She didn't really feel like eating earlier. Kaya lamang, sa dami ng utang nilang mag-ina kay Don Sandro, natakot siyang may masabi ang matanda kapag tumanggi siya sa gusto nitong mangyari. Even things as simple as eating brunch...

Tuloy, sumasakit ang tiyan niya ngayon. Bukod sa sapilitan siyang pinakain nang marami dahil sobra-sobra ang niluto para sa mga anak ni Don Sandro, hindi rin maganda ang energy na nakuha niya sa bahay, lalo na nang nandoon pa si Domingo.

It was a good thing that the house was big and the land surrounding the mansion was even bigger. They offered to bring her back to the market but she needed to walk to hopefully alleviate her constipation.

Pababa na siya ng hagdan papunta sa driveway nang mamataan niya si Domingo na nakatayo sa may fountain. Mariposa stopped on her tracks and looked around to see where she could walk through without being seen.

Kung ayaw siya nitong makita, mas ayaw niya itong makita.

Huminga siya nang malalim at maingat na bumaba ng hagdan. Nakabakya siya kaya dahan-dahan siya sa pagbaba. Thankfully, the water in the fountain was making enough noise to cover her steps.

At least that was what she thought.

He had his back on her and had his phone on his ear. Naka-itim ito mula ulo hanggang paa, except for the dark blue button up shirt na ginawa nitong cover up.

Muling tumigil sa paghakbang si Mariposa nang magsimula itong maglakad. She could hear him speaking but couldn't make out the words. When he turned to the other side, she began walking faster. Napatigil siya bigla nang lumingon ito at namataan siya.

Her heart was pounding so fast, she was afraid that he would sense how nervous she was.

Pilit siyang ngumiti dito, then she gingerly resumed walking. Hoping... praying... that he would not pay her any attention.

"I'll call you back."

Ilang beses nang nagpabalik-balik si Mariposa sa mansyon pero ngayon lamang nagmukhang napakalayo ng daan mula sa may fountain hanggang sa gate.

Muli siyang napatigil paglalakad nang tumikhim ito.

"Nabusog ka ba sa pagkain?" tanong nito.

Huminga siya nang malalim saka ito nilingon. "Ah, oo. Salamat sa pagkain," sagot niya na may kasamang pilit na ngiti.

She couldn't see his eyes because he was wearing sunglasses and a cap over his head, but she could imagine that they have nothing but contempt towards her.

"Hindi ka nagbalot ng tira? Para may pagkain pa kayo ng nanay mo mamaya."

"May pagkain kami sa bahay," she retorted.

"What's the difference? Galing din naman dito ang pagkain ninyo sa bahay ninyo. Even the house you're living in isn't yours. So what's stopping you from taking more?" He started advancing towards her in a mildly threatening manner. She knew he was not the type who would physically hurt a woman, but he also has anger issues. It was something he has not learned to manage yet. "Do not think for a second that you would fool me again, woman."

Marami siyang gustong sabihin. Marami rin siyang gustong isumbat. But all Mariposa could do at that moment was hold her tongue and walk away.

–

Alas tres ng hapon nang tipunin ni Don Sandro ang tatlo nitong anak para pag-usapan ang tungkol sa hatian ng mana ng mga ito. Bobet had been tapping his foot for five minutes while waiting for Domingo to arrive. Dario and Danilo were already sitting on the leather couch inside Don Sandro's study.

Ilang taon na rin mula noong huling magkakasama sa isang kwarto ang magkakapatid at ang ama ng mga ito. It was a private meeting that even Dario's mom couldn't attend. Kanina pa siya nginangarag ng ginang to convince the old man to grant her access to the meeting, but Don Sandro was firm with his decision. Sa tatlong anak lamang nito planong hatiin ang mga ari-arian nito.

Bobet was fussing with his binders for the nth time when Domingo finally arrived. Umupo ito sa one-seater na malapit kay Danilo.

"You're late."

"Am I? He's not here yet."

Bobet opened his mouth to speak but decided against it when he heard the sound of Don Sandro's cane. There was a quiet tension in the room brought by the familiar sound. Napansin niyang napahagod si Danilo sa binti nito.

Lahat silang nandoon sa loob ay nakalasap na ng palo ni Don Sandro. It was his way to discipline the kids living in the mansion. Si Carlota lamang ang bukod-tanging hindi nito napalo. Because she was a girl, that was what the old man told them before. They were boys who would grow up to be men, so they needed to be tougher. He used to resent the old man for that.

Umayos ng upo ang tatlo nang dumaan sa harap ng mga ito si Don Sandro. He stood in front of the mahogany table, tapped his cane for the last time, and slowly leaned on it. The old man took his time observing his sons and they were all squirming quietly under his piercing gaze.

Maya-maya ay ngumiti si Don Sandro. "It's good to see you all home again," bungad nito. Sinenyasan siya ng matanda para ipamigay ang binders na ilang araw niyang ginawa para sa meeting na iyon. He gave the three binders to the three sons.

"As you may have heard, idi-discuss ko sa inyo ngayon ang tungkol sa inyong mana. I am willing to part ways with my estate and my money, but... I have to know that you are worthy to receive what you will receive.

"So... kung sinoman ang mauunang ikasal at magkaanak na lalaki ay siyang makakakuha ng pinakamalaking mana."

"Are you fucking kidding me?"

Napasapo si Bobet nang magsimulang umalma ang magkakapatid.

"But we had an agreement!" sigaw ni Dario sa ama.

"I'm too young to get married, Dad!" reklamo naman ni Danilo.

Don Sandro started whacking his cane on the floor until the room fell silent again.

"Mga anak, granted that you are still young, but I am not getting any younger here!" dahilan nito. "I was younger than you when I got married and even younger than that when I had you, Dario."

"But I did everything you asked of me. Wala na nga akong kukuning mana, di ba? Why can't you grant me that one little thing?!" Dario retorted.

"Why do you think I would want to raise a child in a world where you still exist?" Domingo asked coldly. Tumayo ito at itinapon ang binder sa sahig. Bobet winced when the binder hit the ground. All those late night hours of work... wasted. Ni hindi man lang nito sinilip ang laman.

"I WILL NOT DIE UNTIL YOU FUCKING GROW UP!" the old man bellowed. "NOW SIT THE FUCK DOWN AND LET ME FINISH!"

Panandaliang natahimik ang mga ito. Bobet was already prepared for the worst. Nasa kabilang kwarto lamang ang doktor ng matanda. He had a feeling the talk wouldn't go well. It never does. Kapag ang magkakapatid ang involved, lalo na't kasama si Don Sandro sa usapan... walang gustong magpatalo o magparaya.

Nagpakalma muna si Don Sandro. Nakailang beses itong nag-inhale at exhale bago nito ipagpatuloy ang gusto nitong sabihin.

"The first one to get married will get 50% of everything. The second one, 30%, and the last, 20%. Pagkatapos maisaayos ang kasal ay ibibigay ko ang kalahati ng porsyento ng mamanahin ninyo at ibibigay ko ang natitira kapag nagkaanak kayo na lalaki.

"Bobet..." The old man pointed to the binder on the floor. Bobet picked it up and forcefully pushed it into Domingo's hands. Napalakas yata talaga dahil napaupo ito bigla. Domingo glared at him but Bobet didn't care. Si Don Sandro ang backup niya. Bakit siya matatakot? "I have chosen the women who are worthy enough to carry our name. Siguraduhin ninyong magiging maganda ang pakikitungo ninyo sa kanila. You are not only marrying the woman, but you will also marry into her family."

Don Sandro looked at all of them, but lingered his gaze at Domingo. "It is time for you to grow up, my sons."