"That's not gonna happen." Agad na tumanggi si Chaos sa sinabi ng pinsan niya. "Hindi kami pupunta."

Guerdon shifted his weight while resistance was evident in his face. "Now that you found her, she needs to be there. As well as you. Kung may dapat man na kauna-unahang naroon, kayo iyon at si Rieselle."

Chaos shook his head, still firm in his decision that he won't go.

"Who would be there? The whole clan of Zaldivar? How about the Serranos?" Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili na hindi magtanong.

Chaos turned to me with his eyes narrowed a bit. Tila natanto na niya ang nasa isip ko at agad akong inilingan.

"Whole clan for the Zaldivar and just Rieselle's family for the Serranos," Guerdon answered that made my mouth turn into oval.

I cleared my throat and nodded my head. "Pupunta ako," deklara ko na agad na tinutulan ni Chaos.

"Marcia," Chaos called with a hint of warning in his tone.

Umalis ako sa pagkakasandal sa upuan at napatuwid ng tayo. "This is the reason why I came with you. So I can face them. If they want to sue me, then I'll accept it."

I heard a tired groan from Chaos. "You think I'll let them?"

"You should, it's your fiancee that I kidnapped," I said in a matter-of-fact tone. He eyed me with his annoyed eyes, like he's tired of talking about him having a fiancee when he denied it a couple of times already.

I don't know what happened to them. If they broke up or what, I have no idea. Though whatever he says, he still had a fiancee five years ago when it happened.

"There's a big possibility that they won't sue you. Especially when..."

I raised my brow and fully shifted my eyes at Guerdon when he spoke.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

But he ignored my question and glanced at his cousin instead. Nagtinginan ang dalawa na para bang nag-uusap ang mga mata.

Sa huli ay umiling si Chaos. "Hindi pa namin napag-uusapan iyon. I won't get it without her permission."

"What are you two talking about?" I asked, this time my voice sounds a bit irritated. Iritado na nagkakaintindihan sila habang ako ay walang alam.

"Tell her about it then. You should get her DNA sample as soon as possible-"

"I said, what the hell are you two talking about!"

That made Guerdon stop. He glared at me.

"Rieselle's saying that you're her missing twin. She wants to perform a DNA test between you and her parents," Chaos informed.

"What?" I asked as a low chuckle escaped my lips, tila bahagyang lumabas ang pinipigilang tawa.

The moment I heard it, I immediately conclude how ridiculous it was. I grew up with my parents, as a Quijano and no one can change it. I am a Quijano and I have no doubt in it. I've seen my pictures when I was still a newborn with my parents, Melissa and Nathaniel Quijano.

"Reason why no one knew, even Rieselle's parents, about what..." Chaos paused a bit. "You did to her years ago is because she believes that you're her sister. She's helping to look for you because she wants to prove it."

Marahan akong napakurap habang nakikinig kay Chaos. As I think of it, kung may nawawala ngang kakambal si Rieselle, hindi imposibleng hindi niya maisip na ako 'yon. We looked exactly the same and even our name sounds like we're twin. I haven't got a chance to ask my parents about the origin of my name because I'm not that sentimental especially on petty things.

"It's been five years and no one can find you."

My eyes turned to Guerdon when it's him who spoke this time.

"Last day, she told her parents about everything because she thought that they could help find you but Tita Estella didn't believe it when Rieselle told her about you being her twin, instead she went furious upon knowing what happened to Rieselle."

"Tita Estella leaked everything that happened five years ago in the press."

Marahan akong napahilot sa aking sentido. That explains why the news seems delayed. Ngayon lang sinabi ni Rieselle. And of course her mother would find her thoughts about me being her twin ridiculous.

"I am a Quijano and I don't have a sister," mariing ulit ko matapos marinig ang mga salita niya.

"Then give us your DNA sample to prove it," hamon ni Guerdon.

I tilted my head towards his direction and smirked. I nonchalantly nodded my head. "Sure," sagot ko bago binalingan si Chaos.

"I don't need to prolong what's meant to happen. Let me come with you later at the dinner."

Chaos doesn't have a choice but to allow me even if it's against what he wants. Wala namang mangyayaring masama sa akin doon- well, hindi naman ako siguro ako mamamatay, kung mayroon man.

Though he laid one condition and Guerdon informed the Zaldivars about it. The condition is, the only family that should be there at the dinner is the Serranos and Chaos's family. Not the whole clan of the Zaldivar.

They agreed, though the two old Zaldivar, the two I loathe the most, insisted on joining the dinner.

Dahilan kung bakit muli akong nakatapak sa isa sa mga ari-arian ng mga Zaldivar. I'm stopping myself from vomiting while walking inside the old Spanish mansion where Abacus and Timothea Zaldivar is living. There's nothing wrong with the mansion, it's just that, the people living here are, let's say a trash.

Years had passed but my hatred for them didn't even waver a bit. Though, this time, I felt like my anger is directed only at the two. Not on the whole clan. Pakiramdam ko, nagbago iyon dahil kay Chaos at sa ibang mga Zaldivar na maayos ang tungo sa akin.

Wearing a cream colored pantsuit and black clutch in my hand, I stood beside Chaos. Bumagal ang lakad ko nang unti-unting nahagip ng aking mga mata ang hapag. The long table is the first one that got my attention the moment we stepped in the dining hall. And when I say long table, it's really too long that it can accommodate the whole clan of the Zaldivar. While the servants are in a line near the table, waiting for someone to give them orders.

Even at a great distance, I saw Abacus Zaldivar sitting at the center of the table. In his right, even when I'm facing her back, I managed to recognize the evil wife, Timothea Zaldivar, who looked weak but still wicked. Beside her are Chaos's parents. Sa kaliwa naman ni Abacus ang pamilya ng mga Serrano.

Nang tuluyan kaming nakalapit ay noon bumaling sa amin ang mga nasa hapag.

My eyes landed at Rieselle as her eyes darted at our direction. Ngunit agad na nawala sa kanya ang aking atensyon nang tumayo ang ina niya sa kanyang tabi.

Estella Serrano, the woman who became my mother for a few months as I pretended as Rieselle, hastily strides towards my direction.

Her hostile glare were piercing directly on me while her lips were tightly pressed. Tila nagpipigil ngunit hindi sapat ang pasensya nang makita ang umagrabyado sa anak.

Her face is contorted with rage yet elegance is still can be seen in her every move.

The moment she stood in front of us, I, and maybe even Chaos already knew what will happen next. Dahilan kung bakit agaran akong inilayo ni Chaos ngunit mabilis ang kamay ng ina ni Rieselle.

I felt my face stung as Estella Serrano's hand swiftly landed on my cheek.

I heard Chaos's low curse but my attention is on my swollen cheek. I heard Rieselle's voice too, stopping her mom but the latter seemed deaf to anything.

I tightly pressed my lips and forced myself to shut my mouth. The moment I told Chaos I'll come with him to his grandparents' mansion, I already told myself I'll shut my mouth as much as possible.

Alam ko kung ano ang mga bagay na posibleng sumalubong sa akin dito at hindi nga ako nagkamali. I will accept their anger. Dahil talaga namang nakakagalit ang ginawa ko.

The next thing I know, the maids were getting out of the dining room while everyone in the table is now standing because of our arrival.

Rieselle's father is now staring at me. Walang emosyon ngunit walang bahid ng galit ang mga mata. But the way he stared at me seems like he's penetrating my insides. Tila kinikilala ako.

Sa bilis ni Rieselle, agad siyang nakalapit sa ina at hinawakan ang braso nito, pinipigilan sa kung ano pa mang balak gawin sa akin. "Mommy," Rieselle called.

Ngunit agad na pinalis ng ginang ang kamay ng anak. She pointed her finger at me.

"How dare you show up here like nothing happened after what you did to my daughter? Ang kapal ng mukha mo para magpakita pa rito! Sana ay ipinagpatuloy mo na lang ang pagtatago at nasisiguro kong iyon na ang mga huling araw na malaya ka. Because I swear, I'll sue you in every ways I can!"

Chaos tried to block the woman by advancing a few steps in front of me. Ihinarang niya ang kamay sa ginang. "Tita, let's calmly talk about-"

"I can handle this," I cutted his words as I lowered his hand.

I don't need the saving like I'm a fucking damsel in distress because I'm far from being one. Ayoko ring isipin nila na ginagamit ko na naman si Chaos para lang may kumampi sa akin.

Rieselle's mother took a step forward while tilting her head. Nakaduro pa rin sa akin ang hintuturo. Some veins are visible in her forehead as she seething in anger.

"After everything you did, you came back for more. What's your name this time? Marcia Estelle?" She heaved a sarcastic breath while slowly shaking her head.

"You even have the audacity to use my deceased daughter's name." Ibinaba niya ang kamay at tumuwid ng tayo. "How much did you pay your doctor to copy my daughter's face, huh?"

"Mom, stop that." Bahagyang hinila ni Rieselle ang braso ng ina ngunit muling hindi natinag ang huli.

Her deceased daughter's name? And what? I didn't undergo plastic surgery if that's what she meant.

"Tita, there's no proof that she copied Rieselle's fac-" I caught how Chaos's jaw tightened when Rieselle's mother cutted and ignored his words.

"Must cost you a lot reason why you stole millions from the Zaldivars? What kind of person are you? Isa kang utak kriminal! Maybe your parents are criminals too. Kung ganoon, hindi na 'ko magtataka!"

"Estella, that's too much," Chaos's mother interfered, which Rieselle's mother instantly ignored.

Joaquin Serrano is now behind his wife, hawak na ang mga braso nito dahil sa pagtatangkang muling paglapit sa akin. "You're a wench and a gold digger! Sisiguraduhin kong mabubulok ka sa kulungan!"

I swear to myself that I won't say anything that will worsen the situation. But I heard something inside me ticked at her accusation at my parents. Para bang napigtas ang kahuli-hulihang hibla ng aking pasensya.

I don't care about what she wants to call me. Name it, criminal, slut, gold digger or whatever, I do not give a fuck. Pero ibang usapan na kapag ang magulang ko ang binanggit niya.

I know that my father owns an underground organization, he's a criminal. I shouldn't complain at what she said but I can't help it!

Bakit idinadamay niya ang mga magulang ko sa kung anong ginawa ko? They have nothing to do with it so no one should dare mention their name.

Ngunit para bang hindi lang ako ang naubusan ng pasensya sa mga salitang lumalabas sa bibig ng ina ni Rieselle.

"Tita, that's enough!" Chaos's voice roared that silenced the whole mansion.

Joaquin Serrano whispered something in his wife while caressing her arm. Tila ikinalma ito upang hindi na lumaki ang problema.

Too late though. My filthy mouth won't just shut up after what she said about my parents.

Hinuli ko ang mga mata niya at nang nagawa iyon hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili na hindi siya bigyan ng mariing titig. "Don't ever mention my parents name. You don't know what I can do for them," marahan ngunit puno ng diing sambit ko.

"Marcia." I felt Chaos's hand on my elbow. "Let's talk in a calm way."

Para bang alam na niya na ngayon ay sasabog na ako at hindi na mapipigilan ang sarili.

I'm still talking in a calm way though. Hindi nga lang kayang kumalma ng mga salitang lumalabas sa aking bibig.

My eyes remained at Rieselle's mother. "Don't you dare mention their name if you don't want any news about the Serrano's plummeting stocks just like what happened to the Zaldivars years ago because I can do it again," I threatened.

It won't be a mere threat especially if she won't stop mentioning my parents.

"What are you talking about, young lady?" Abacus Zaldivar asked like he had a hunch but still wanted to confirm it.

Timothea Zaldivar took a step forward and it seemed that I got her attention.

"Now that you asked, can't you remember me?" tanong ko. Ito ang bagay na sigurado ako. He can't. He can't remember who I am.

I turned to his wife. "How about you, Madame Timothea?" The sarcasm in my voice is very thick that I can almost laugh upon seeing her expression. "I bet you can't recognize me too, huh? Getting old, aren't we?" I smirked.

"You, disgraceful wench! What are you talking about?"

At the side of my eyes is Chaos's parents, habang sa kabila ay ang mga Serrano. Chaos remained beside me.

"Quijano Primes, does it ring a bell?"

Recognition immediately dawned on their faces, pati na rin ang mga Serrano. Of course, they heard about it.

"Have you forgot that the owner has a daughter?" I paused a bit while my eyes were directed at the old woman and acted like I'm shocked. "Oh! You can't even remember that you killed my mother. Paano mo nga ako maaalala?" I felt a bitter stroke in my throat.

"But after exposing what you both..." I paused and glanced at the two old Zaldivar and continued. "Did to my family, siguro naman naaalala niyo na? Well, it lasted for only a few months but what's important is, Zaldivar's stocks plummeted." I gave them a wide, sated smile. "At least you experienced it, huh? At ang mahalaga, nagawa ko at magagawa ko ulit."

"Y-you!" Timothea Zaldivar pointed a finger on me while trembling in anger. The veins become visible in her neck as her body wobbled.

I slowly shook my head. Too old. Too fragile.

"Nurse! Nurse!" Aero Zaldivar called his mother's personal nurse. Siguro, nang tingin niya ay hindi na magiging maganda ang lagay ng ina kapag nagtagal.

Agad na dinaluhan ng nurse ang matanda at ganoon din ang ama ni Chaos.

Sa galit ni Timothea, pati ang salita ay nanginginig na rin. "I'll f-file a case against you!"

I raised a brow. "Go on and let me expose what I know about your perfect family. How about your own granddaughter? Solace is the name, right? Someone's hiding- or should I say abandoned her just to maintain a perfect family."

I let out a low chuckle when the old woman's eyes widened a fraction. Sa reaksyon pa lang niya, alam ko na agad na tama ang ginagawa ko.

"Marcia," I heard Chaos called as he held my arm, like he wanted me to stop but I ignored him.

"Aside from that, I know something that can surely make the whole family crumble into pieces. You want me to continue?" I asked.

Timothea's mouth opened like she wants to say something. Ngunit para bang nahihirapan na itong huminga dahilan kung bakit walang boses na lumalabas mula sa kanyang bibig.

"Mama, calm down."

"How about-" My words are immediately interrupted.

Bukod sa kanya, tila nasagi ko rin ang kalooban ng asawa niya. Reason why Abacus suddenly burst. "Shut up! You fucking shut your mouth, lady!"

The corner of my lips rose for a satisfied smirk and can't help but chuckle a bit. I actually don't know anything. I have no idea if Abacus and Timothea were really hiding Solace but based on their reactions, there's a possibility that they really have something to do with what happened to Chaos's sister.

More importantly, there must be something more. Something bigger that can ruin them, dahilan kung bakit ganoon na lang ang reaksyon nila. I wonder what it is, dahil hindi ko naman talaga alam kung mayroon nga. I just said those, assuming that there's something more and I guess I hit the bullseye.

I nonchalantly tilted my head and genuinely smiled to annoy the old woman more, wala ng pakialam kung ano mang maaaring mangyari. "So if you want to sue me, see you in court, Madame."

"Baby, that's enough."

Mariin akong napapikit nang marinig ang bulong ni Chaos

Aero Zaldivar cursed and turned to his son who's beside me. "Ready the car! We're going to the hospital."

But Chaos remained still beside me, like he's hesitating to obey his father as he doesn't want to leave me here, alone.

"Chaos," his mother softly called and nodded her head, urging her son.

The next thing I knew, they're already escorting Timothea Zaldivar out, kasama roon ang mga Serrano. Estella Serrano even threatened me before leaving.

Sa bilis ng pangyayari, hindi ko na namalayan kung bakit ako na lang ang naiwan sa hapag kasama ang ina ni Chaos.

I swallowed after heaving a calm sigh. I gripped my clutch, like I can get strength in there. "I'm-" I trailed off and bit my lower lip. Sa buong gabing ito, ngayon lang ako nawalan ng sasabihin.

"Have you eaten your dinner, hija?" she softly asked and took a step forward near me.

I opened my mouth but nothing came out of it. I'm too astounded at her question that it took me a while to answer. "Not yet. I'll just have my dinner in the condo, Ma'am."

"Hindi pa rin ako kumakain. Join me, let's have dinner while you're waiting for my son." She gestured the long table where the foods are still untouched. Marahan ang mga salita niya at bahagya akong nginitian.

Isang taas at kumpas ng kamay mula sa kanya ay agad na naglabasan ang mga serbidora at agad na nag-abang sa kung anumang iuutos.

"Remove all the unnecessary plates and cutleries. It's just me and Ms. Quijano for tonight's dinner," Chaos's mother authoritatively yet still politely announced and they all moved to obey.

Wala pang isang minuto ay ayos na ang hapag para sa dalawang tao.

"Have a seat." Itinuro niya ang upuan na katabi lamang ng nasa kabisera.

I instantly obliged as she walked towards the chair in front of where she asked me to settle.

We exchanged some formal conversation before we finally began.

When I decided to go here, I didn't expect that this is what will happen. I mean, me dining alone with Chaos's mother.

Sa kalagitnaan ng hapunan ay ibinaba ko ang mga hawak na kubyertos, hindi na nakatiis.

Cecille Zaldivar did the same as she turned her attention on me. Para bang inaasahan niyang may sasabihin ako dahil sa ginawang pagbababa ng kubyertos.

I cleared my throat as it feels unusual right now. "I'm..." I paused a bit. "I'm sorry for everything that I did. For all... the misunderstanding that I've caused, I'm deeply apologizing for it, Ma'am." I lowered my head afterwards.

"You used the money for your father's hospital bills," sambit niya na naging dahilan ng pag-angat ko ng aking ulo. "I know. I know where you used the money."

I nibbled my lower lip. I don't think I can weave for more words.

"I'm not saying that it's alright. What you did is certainly wrong."

Tumango ako. I know that.

She nodded too as she pulled the table napkin and gently pressed it at the side of her lips. Nang ibinaba niya ang kamay ay muli siyang nagpatuloy.

"I'll honestly sue you if not for Chaos, hija. Those money are nothing but you did something wrong and you should be punished for it. Kung ako ang papipiliin, kakasuhan kita. But I know my son, hindi man niya sabihin, alam kong siya lang ang masasaktan kung gagawin ko iyon," marahang sambit niya, hindi mababakas ang galit o ano pang emosyon, tila sinasabi lang niya ang katotohanan.

I tightly pressed my lips upon hearing her last sentence. I felt something pricked my heart that almost made me gasped. "I will pay for it, Ma'am. I'll return the money," sabi ko. Dahil iyon lang ang alam kong paraan upang mabayaran ang ginawa ko kay Chaos.

She tightly smiled, para bang may hindi ako naintindihan sa sinabi niya ngunit pinili pa rin niyang bigyan ako ng ngiti. "Like I said, hija. I don't need the money and I doubt if Chaos will accept it. I won't file charges against you but I hope you will reflect. At gusto kong malaman mo na hindi dahil nagsisi ka na at humingi ng tawad ay ayos na iyon. A crime is a crime. But for my son's sake..."

I know. But still, I want to return the money.

Pakiramdam ko ay may sumaping anghel sa akin. Hindi ko mahagilap ang mga masasamang salita na kadalasan ay walang prenong lumalabas sa aking bibig. Though I don't have plans to speak ill against her because she didn't do anything against me.

Kung sisigaw sigawan niya ako katulad ng ginawa sa akin ng ina ni Rieselle, pakiramdam ko ay kahit ina siya ni Chaos ay may masasabi akong masama.

But I understand Estella Serrano's fury. I know why she acted that way. Kulang pa iyon sa nagawa ko sa anak niya kaya't naintindihan ko ang galit niya.

Nga lang, kapag ganoon talaga na sinisigawan ako habang dinuduro at nasampal pa, talagang lumalabas ang mga masasamang salita mula sa aking bibig.

I simply nodded at Chaos's mother. "I understand, Ma'am."

She chuckled. "And drop the formality, hija. Call me Tita. That's what you used to call me before."

"That's..." I awkwardly chuckled. "When I'm pretending as Rieselle."

"Hmm, still. Call me that."

"A-Alright, Tita."

Her lips curled for a welcoming smile. Silence then consumed us for a couple of seconds before she decided to speak again.

"I know what my in-laws did to your family. It was something..." She paused a bit, like she couldn't even describe it in words. "Something inhuman." Umiiling na pagtatapos niya.

Mapait akong napangiti.

"I'm sorry, hija. Ako na ang humihingi ng tawad mga nagawa nila. My apology won't do anything but I want you to know that my husband and I aren't tolerating what they did. It was something unforgivable and if we can do something about it we won't hesitate to help."

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