Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Is it possible to feel hurt about things you couldn't understand? To yearn for something you didn't have? To try and reminisce the memories you didn't know about?
This island is something else. I have never been here except for today but I was immediately attached to it that I think I've known this for eternity. It might sound crazy and weird, it might be just my wild imagination playing for my nonstop watching of fairytales and Little Mermaid but... this is something else. I couldn't even put what it feels like into words.
"Are you sure, Gab-Gab?" G's worried voice made me snap back into reality.
"H-Hmm?"
"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked me worriedly, "kasi we can go back to the ship and let you get checked by the physician."
"No," I reached for her hand. "I'm fine, really. Dapat you're more worried about Seb, it was him who drowned. I just did my best—even if I'm not good with swimming—to save him. I'm alright."
"Tss, why me mag-worry kay basher?" she asked me with a frowning face but then chuckled afterwards. "Charot only, I sounded like a mean girl. I checked on him na, he's fine he said earlier after he teased me. Basher as usual, for sure he's okay. Crabs naman siya kaya keriboom niya mag-swim."
I chuckled. I gripped my cousin's hand tighter that she took it as a sign and sat beside me.
"What's the matter, Gab-Gab? You're making me worried. You've been quiet for a while now, staring at the lagoon. What is it? You know naman 'di ba na you call tell me anything?"
"It's silly, G." I mumbled, still staring at the lagoon. "I have never been in this place. I've seen this in photos before but that's it. However, when we got inside and I saw that ship below and heard about Isabelle and Leandro I don't know why but my heart..."
I touched my chest and rested my head on her shoulder.
"My heart is aching. It felt like I lost something dear to me. I'm sad but at the same time, angry. How could those people of the palace kill the princess and the pirates? How dare them do that? Who gave them the right?!"
We heard the sudden splash of the wild waves on our yacht. We both gasped.
"Nakakaloka naman," she mumbled. "The waves are angry too but I feel you, Gab! I'm super galit din when I heard the princess and the pirate's tale, about the island, the sea witches... it is crazy! They just loved, what's wrong with it?"
I nodded sadly.
"How is it possible I could feel the rage, G?" I asked and touched my racing heart more before claiming the pearl pendant Seb saved for me. "After hearing that story, I wanted to sampal the people around. They're so annoying. Nakakainis!"
I stomped my feet angrily. G laughed and squeezed my hand.
"This island is magical," she mumbled. "We're in the modern world, the island's tale, the sea witches, the pirates and the princess seemed like it could only be found in our wildest imagination. It's fantasy, like you're watching a Disney movie or so. Non-existent, impossible. We could not know for sure if the tale's a fact except for the shipwrecks. It was a proof that maybe, somehow... there's a possibility the tale's true."
"I do believe in fairytales," I mumbled.
"And I do believe in happy endings either," G answered back as we smiled at each other.
"We didn't know how this world works. Maybe there are other entities or people besides us. Maybe they are mermaids, I've seen nga in YouTube na may videos ng sightings ng mermaids. Is it totoo?" I asked curiously.
"Hmm... Luci said not everything you're seeing on internet is real." She shrugged, "maybe true? Maybe not? We aren't a hundred percent sure but like you, I believed it's not only humans that's existing in this world. Dinosaurs are real nga before, eh, mermaids pa kaya?"
"Yes nga, 'no?" I gasped, a light bulb lit above my head. "Maybe, the tale's true?"
"Maybe..." she probed. "It's a matter of perspective. Some don't believe in it but some did, including us. I've experience it first hand, Gab. This might sound entirely crazy but you know that familiar feeling building inside you when you saw something entirely new but felt so familiar? Like a déjà vu. Parang you've dreamed of it first before it happened. It's so vivid."
I nodded.
"That's true."
"You've felt it, too?" she asked, looking at me and when I nodded with my eyes watering, she gasped loudly.
"Oh my... what is happening?" she asked when she saw my tear fell. "Why are you..."
"I-I hate them... how dare those idiots kill the princess and the pirates..." I sniffed, "they're super pakyu, G! I'm nagagalit! How dare them! Mga pakyu people!"
"Oh my God, Gab—"
"Anong ginawa mo sa Gabriela ko—" someone cleared his throat, "—terrorista?! Bakit umiiyak 'yan?" I jumped in shock the same time my heart did.
Still with my eyes swelling, I looked to the side and saw Sebastian approaching with his creased forehead.
My eyes watered more.
Sebastian ko...
"Hey, I didn't do anything! Judger ka!" G snapped but Sebastian strode towards me, knelt in front of me and cupped my cheek.
My heart flinched and swayed. My lips trembled as I met his black eyes staring intently at me with pure worry and concern.
"Anong nangyari? Bakit ka umiiyak?" he asked while kneeling in front of me. "Inaway ka ba nitong si terrorista? Anong ginawa sa 'yo, ah?"
"N-Nothing..." I shook my head, "s-she didn't do anything. I'm f-fine..."
"See?!" G gasped, "ikaw talaga, super judger ka!"
"Tss..." Seb tsk-ed then searched for my gaze again, "bakit ka umiiyak? Masakit ba ang ulo mo? Nalagyan ba masyado ng tubig alat 'yong mata mo kakamulat? Bakit namumula 'yang mata mo? Nasabugan ka ba ng dinamita?"
"Gago." A loud smack to his nape stopped Sebastian. It was Lucian, frowning behind him.
"Anak ka ng... binatukan mo ba ko, Cap?" Seb hissed, his face's immediately unreadable.
"Oo, bakit? Angal ka?" Lucian had this proud smile on his lips.
Sebastian frowned, slowly lowered his palms off my cheek until he looked to the side and smiled.
"Oh, Ma! You're here!" he suddenly greeted that Lucian's proud smile vanished in the thin air.
His eyes widened and spoke, bowing his head in panic while facing the direction. "Y-Your majesty—"
But no one was there.
Lucian froze. Sebastian and the boys started laughing and I, even with tears on my eyes chuckled with the terror written on Lucian's face.
"Takot ka, 'no? Sorry kayo pero 'di n'yo na 'ko maaapi pa sa mundong 'to!" Seb teased that Lucian mumbled something, lifting his feet in attempt to kick Seb but he waved again.
"Ma!"
"Your majest—" Lucian bowed again in panic but no one was there, again.
The place got filled with laughters. It was enough to lessen the heavy feeling living inside my chest. I smiled, I bit my lower lip before drying my dampened cheek with my fingers when a piece of soft cloth touched my skin first.
My mouth parted when I saw him. Gone was the humor on his eyes. Worry filled the gaps of those liquid black orbs and when our eyes met, my heart squeezed painfully.
"S-Sorry..." I mumbled while he's drying my cheek.
"Para saan?" he asked.
"I-I was careless," I whispered. "The necklace fell and you retrieved it for me. T-Tapos you almost drowned because of me. S-Sorry, I won't do anything to do you h-harm again, your m-majesty..."
He sighed. I sniffed.
"Seb," he mumbled. "I'm Seb, Gabriela."
I didn't answer and just bit my lower lip, in the verge of crying again because we're this close but I couldn't hug or even reach him.
"Hey, look at me," he tilted my chin up until our gaze met again. His stare's always been hypnotizing, I'd willing drown with it. I'd willing get lost with it. "Hindi mo kasalanan na gano'n, ako mismo ang gustong kumuha ng kwintas."
"But it fell, if I'm careful enough, you shouldn't need to retrieve it for me." I whispered, "this i-is nothing for you, right? You shouldn't put much effort in saving it. There tuloy, n-nalunod you..."
"Kasalanan 'yon no'ng mga reef doon sa ilalim. Sumabit ako tapos ayaw akong pakawalan, may crush siguro sa akin." My shoulders fell and stared at him seriously. He smirked and tapped my chin.
"Hindi mo nga kasalanan, Gabriela. Pero pagsabihan mo little mermaid, ah? 'Di ata nila alam na sidekick si Sebastian ng reyna nila..."
My lips pursed after hearing it, the memories from before came coming back to mess with my head like what it's been doing for all those years.
"Stop crying, princess," he whispered.
"H-How c-could I?" I mumbled, "I'm still scared seeing you drowning like that. I can't, I shouldn't put you in harm's way, not anymore."
He stared at me intently then his cheeks reddened. My eyes widened.
"Are you..."
"Tss... ano ka, guard?" his lips thinned, "oo na, sige, aamin na ako. Kinikilig ako kapag overprotective ka pero mas gusto kong manakit ang ulo ko kakaintindi sa pagkaka-conyo mo kaysa sa 'di ako makahinga sa selos kapag 'di mo ako kinakausap..."
"'Yon, oh!" Romeo whistled. "Grabeng kilig!"
Seb froze and blushed harder.
"Tang ina n'yo ba—"
"Kapag si Baste ang humirit, pati tumbong namimilipit!" Lucian said out loud, whistling and even if I couldn't understand it quite enough, the way he said it made it so much funny I ended up chuckling and clapping my hands.
"Hala, tawang-tawa, Gabriela?" he spat, "sige nga, naiintindihan mo ba?"
It made me stop but I smiled and shook my head, "no, eh. Pero funny ang pagkaka-say, it's making me tawa but what's tumbong?"
They watched me, wide-eyed.
"Oh, Oh, I know!" I cheered, "It is food! Sugar cane, right?"
I am expecting them to agree, to say I'm great na in Tagalog but they just stared at me like lost kids.
"H-Hindi, Gab. Hindi 'yon—"
"Y-Yes, yes..." G nodded after he hushed the blushing Ian. "W-Well, uhm, don't say it out loud na lang—"
"Can I have tumbong, then?" I asked, "I heard it's yummy!" I showed them a wide smile and they just blinked, horrified.
"Guys...?" I called, "did I say something mali?"
"Gabriela, ganito kasi 'yan," Seb called but my attention's on the couple.
G smacked Lucian who shook his head immediately, "w-wala naman, prinsesa." He laughed awkwardly.
"Anak naman ng... mabuti sana kung kayo ang nanakit ang ulo!" Sebastian sighed exasperatedly after, "sige, sige! Dinagdagan n'yo na naman ako ng problema! Ipapatapyas ko na 'yang ulo n'yo sa kilala kong assassin! Makikita n'yo!"
The talk got cut off only when all the guests arrived from lurking around the hidden lagoon. The couple welcomed them back while I remain standing on the back hidden side of the yacht, watching the massive and sharp rock formation surrounding the lagoon.
"We're going to Zarina now," Seb's voice filled my ears. "Are you sure you still wanna come? I could go to the ship with you if you aren't feeling well."
"I'm fine, I told you already. It was you I should be asking about this, if you are well..."
"Tss, nasa dagat ako buong buhay ko, Gabriela. Bago pa ako nakapasok sa barko sumisisid na ako. Sa kakalangoy ko kulang na lang akong ng pangsipit matutuluyan nang alimango 'to. Bago ako makapasok sa trabaho pinapalangoy kami ni Cap kasi 'di ba, anong silbing crew ka ng barko kung nauna ka pang nalunod sa pasahero?"
I stifled a laugh. He shot his brow up to look at me, amused.
"Tawang-tawa na naman 'tong shokoy na 'to, gets mo ba 'yong sinabi ko? Mabilis 'yon, ah?"
"Yes," I nodded. "Easy lang naman to understand, don't underestimate me, I'm a smart girl kaya!"
"Smart girl..." he smirked at me, "sorry, Globe ako."
"Huh?" my forehead creased in confusion, mostly when he bit his lower lip to suppress his smiles.
"Wala, ang cute mo kamo, Gabriela. Na-miss kitang awayin, ihulog kaya kita sa dagat?"
"Mean boy..." I eyed him sharply.
"'Di ko talaga makuha bakit baliw na baliw ako sa 'yo," he said, lifting his hand. I flinched in shock when it touched my cheek but it immediately relaxed when his finger grazed upon my skin before gently taking the strands of my hair to put it behind my ear.
My eyes shut close. The air was cold but his presence and the way he touched my skin gave me warmth.
"Isabelle..." he mumbled.
My heart started beating rapidly. In familiarity. Slowly, I opened my eyes to meet with his intense gaze.
"Gabriela, sa tingin mo ba kailangan ko na ng doktor?" he asked.
"Huh? Why?" I panicked and touched his cheek, "are you sick? Did the reef wound you? Let me see!"
Out of worry, I didn't listen to his answers, lowered my body in front of him to check on his leg for any possible wounds. I knelt, checking his leg.
"A-Anak ka ng... tumayo ka d'yan, Gabriela!" he called and reached for me.
"Wait!" I said, "let me see your wound! Don't be mad—"
"Kapag 'di ka tumayo sinasabi ko sa 'yo may ibang magagalit!" he said, dragging me up by pulling my arm gently.
"What?" I asked, searching for his eyes. He's blushing profusely now, frowning. "Let me just see—"
"Hindi!" he shook his head and pinned me on the barricade, his lips thinned in a straight line.
"Seb..."
"Hindi, Gabriela." He shook his head, pinning me in the barricade. He placed his arms in each side of my waist, leaning on me until he's towering me. "Be a good girl, okay?"
"Hmm? Why? I'm a good girl naman?" I asked. "Is it bad checking the wounds? I'm only worried of you, is being worried makes you a bad girl?"
"No, damn it..." he closed his eyes, heaving a deep sigh. "You're making this hard for me, hmm? Princess?"
"How so?" I inquired, still confused.
He sighed, "you won't understand..."
"How can I understand kasi if you won't tell me?" I slowly pushed his chest away from me, crossing my arms on my chest. He moved closer to me again instead.
"Move ka nga," I commanded. "I can't cross my arms properly tuloy! Look, oh! My chest's squeezing! You can see my melons na!"
His eyes dropped on my chest and shot his brow up.
"Dalandan ni Gabriela," he uttered. My mouth parted exaggeratedly.
"Hey!" I exclaimed, "how dare you make fun of my melons when in fact you enjoyed licking it before—" he covered my mouth, panicking.
"Shh!" he hushed, looking around, blushing profusely. "B-Bunganga naman nitong conyong 'to, h'wag mong i-shout out! Nasa labas tayo, hoy!"
I pulled his hand off my mouth.
"Then, explain." I pouted. "I won't get why you're suddenly blushing so hard if I'm just concern and checking if you have wounds from the reef somewhere then suddenly making fun of my dear melons..." I hugged my chest and shot him with an angry look.
"Gabriela..." he called.
"Your majesty..." I called back.
His jaw clenched.
"Sebastian," he corrected. "Stop me with that your majesty thing anymore, Gabriela. I was mad at you before after seeing you doing great while I was miserable. That is why I distanced myself, I built a wall in between us so you won't invade my system like I was only living for you."
I blinked rapidly, shocked. He cleared his throat.
"O-Oh, English 'yon, ah! Padugo na 'yong ilong ko, maawa ka kaya Sebastian na ang itawag mo sa akin." He commanded, still flushing.
"Mad before..." I mumbled, "you mean to say, you aren't mad at me anymore?" I asked in a hopeful voice.
"S'yempre hindi—ah, medyo!" he cleared his throat, "baka yabangan mo na 'ko n'yan kapag nalaman mong patay na patay ako sa 'yo. S'yempre, sakto lang. Medyo galit na medyo slight na hindi. Aba, hindi ako katulad ni Cap na nagpapabebe lang si terrorista biglang bibigay na. 'Di ako marupok, Gabriela!" he snapped.
"Ows?" I pouted, "why do you sound so defensive? Ang dami mong na-say I was just asking lang naman if mad ka?"
"A-And so?" he rolled his eyes at me, "gusto ko magpaliwanag, bakit ba? Gets mo ba 'yong sinabi ko, ah?"
I nodded.
"Nauubusan na ako ng dugo kaka-English ko kahit saan ako pumunta kaya maawa ka na sa 'kin. Quit with that majesty thing. I want you calling me Seb again."
"Seb..." I uttered, "alright but first, can you explain to me why are you so flustered when I checked if you have wounds earlier?"
He moistened his lower lip, "next question please,"
"Sebastian!" I hissed, "okay, sige, I won't ask you questions anymore, your majesty!" I emphasized, pushed him away and walked out.
"Gabriela..." he called softly when he caught my wrist. My smile rose but I changed my face immediately into a maldita one when he caged me back on the barricade, watching me closely.
"What?!"
"Ay, maldita girl yern?" he noticed. I rolled my eyes again. "Do I really have to explain?" he asked.
"Of course," I nodded. "I don't know if you are mad or something. Do you not want me worrying? I was just concern, trying to make sure you are doing fine tapos you're saying something else will get mad instead and I'm making it hard for you!"
"You said it yourself. Ulitin mo 'yong huli mong sinabi."
"You?" I asked.
"Hindi, 'yong bago pa 'yon."
"Making it hard for you?" I asked and that's when he nodded. "Huh? What am I making matigas to you—" then I froze on the spot. My jaw dropped.
"See?" he sighed, as if he's tired. "Didiretsuhin na kita, prinsesa. Sa ginawa mong biglang luhod sa harapan ko. Sa tingin mo, sinong hindi titigasan do'n?"
I covered my mouth exaggeratedly, "Mr. Crabs is angry?!"
"Mr. Crabs..." he snapped, "oo, Sandy. Galit si Mr. Crabs kasi ninakaw 'yong recipe ng Krabby patty, ano, masaya ka na? O baka gusto mong pakitaan ako ng bagong recipe—"
I screamed silently, blushing. He burst out laughing.
"You're bastos!" I exclaimed, "oh my gosh, Seb! My innocence has been tainted!"
"Ay, wow!" he frowned at me, "nakakahiya naman sa 'yo, hija. Kung makasabi ka ngang may royal visit sa Bikini Bottom para lang tayong namamasyal sa playground tapos nagtatanong lang ako ng bagong recipe, bastos na agad? 'Di ba p'wedeng curious lang?"
I smacked his arm. He bit his lower lip to stop himself from laughing.
"I hate you na! Hmp!"
"Eh, paano 'yon kung mahal kita?" he asked seriously, making my world turn upside down.
I blinked rapidly. Hyperventilating. I opened my mouth to speak but he did first.
"M-Mahal ang kumita! Mahal pa ang gasolina!" he then looked at somewhere, "C-Cap, ano na? 'Di pa ba tayo lalarga sa Zarina? Mahal ang gasolina!"
Before I could even ask Seb or talk to him, Anton and Owen came. Anton called me while Owen made his way to Seb to talk and we didn't have the chance to talk alone again.
Anton was so annoyed as he lamented and talk about Owen while I remained staring at the fading sight of the hidden lagoon. The rain has started pouring and I heard from Lucian they would have to check first if Zarina Island will be accessible in this weather.
Zarina island, as what I've heard from G before is what they refer as to the mermaid's island. They said, it was their kingdom, their home. Since the island shows itself but sometimes vanishes and will be hidden by the high waves if it pleases.
"He's just so loud, I'm pissed." Anton hissed while sipping on his BJ and we're side-by-side.
"Why?" I chuckled, "Owen is mabait naman. He's kind and yeah, a bit loud but they're always loud naman, eh. That made them very great companions."
"Mabait?" he frowned. "It's good, right?" I nodded. "No, I don't think so. He's pissing me off, for sure. He's boastful and annoyingly has a big mouth."
"Uh-huh?" I chuckled, "you'll get used to it." I assured him.
Unfortunately, Zarina isn't accessible because of the waves and the bad weather. Half of the island got swallowed by the waves already and it would be a hassle if we go that way. That's why, they rescheduled the visit there and to the nearby island and right now, we're on our way back to the ship.
I was on the other side of the yacht, locking eyes with Sebastian while he's resting his back on the barricade and moistening his lower lip.
His hair's been waving freely with the cold wind, the way its tips glided made him look like Prince Eric in Little Mermaid's story. Wearing a fresh white top, first three buttons are unbuttoned, wearing a black khaki and slippers. Very simple yet such a blessing in my eyes.
Sebastian's eyes resembled our Melody's.
Melody... they will arrive tonight. I will do my best to decide not just for my welfare but for Seb's and our blessing. I would have to make sure Seb would love our child, I would never want my daughter to experience the feeling of being rejected.
"Your majesty, can I stay here beside you? I'm feeling a bit dizzy with the waves, I feel like vomiting." I didn't want to judge but Catherine walking towards Seb while clutching her head is suspicious for me.
"Luh, ito na naman 'yong dugong, please lang..." he said but I heard it. I chuckled.
Catherine eyed me and so, I bit my lower lip and glanced at Seb's suspicious gaze.
"Tumatawa ka d'yan, bakit 'di mo ako tulungan dito, sirena?" he called.
"Sorry but I couldn't understand you, your majesty?" she called, "I'm sorry, I feel a bit dizzy to even understand—"
"The majesty's calling me, Cath. He's dizzy, too, he wanted to rest on my shoulder." I fixed my stance almost immediately. I walked towards them, lifted my hand to separate them from each other then placed myself by sitting in between.
"Puttana..." she cursed me, saying I was a bitch.
"Oh, talaga? Gaga ba you? Share mo lang, dugong? Pakyu." I answered back until she gave me an annoyed look and walked out.
"Yas, girl!" Seb whistled. "Palaban naman si Sandy! Desurv!"
I smirked proudly and folded my arms on my chest.
"Of course, me pa?" I flipped my hair playfully. He chuckled.
"Ang galing naman ng trainee ko! Ganyan ang tamang pang-aaway, prinsesa! Learn from the expert! Parang may glitters mong sinabi 'yong pakyu, ah? Good girl!" Sebastian smirked proudly at my entrance, tapped my head before resting his head on my shoulder.
"I'm magaling ba?" I asked playfully.
"Sobra..." he laughed, sighing as he rested his face more on my shoulder. "May gagawin ka ba mamaya, Gabriela?"
"Hmm..." I shrugged, "nothing naman, why?"
"Kain tayo," he whispered, slowly tilting his head from my shoulder to search for my gaze.
My heart pounded harshly. I nodded. "Sure."
We reached the ship when afternoon came and I was anticipating the dinner he asked me about. He told me to meet him on the upper deck, inside his cabin. We didn't talk much during the duration of our ride back but the connection's in there, it's binding us together.
Maybe... maybe our dinner later would be a chance for me to explain my side. I wanted to come clean. If he accepted my reasons and I'll see a chance he'll accept our Melody, I will tell him the whole truth but... if not... at least, I tried, right?
I was preparing for a formal yet not so extravagant dress for our dinner when the door opened and saw my mother and Catherine approaching.
"Mother?" I called but was only met by her loud slap on my cheek.
I wasn't expecting it so I was stunned. I looked at them both in confusion, not minding my aching cheek when I realized she was fuming mad and Catherine's been crying.
"How dare you hurt your cousin, Gabriela!" my mother screamed at the top of her lungs.
"What? What did I do?" I asked patiently, expecting more lies from Catherine.
"You pushed her!" she gasped, pointing me angrily. "Your cousin did nothing but be good to you and this is how you repay her, you wench?! She was there to work for you while you're being a disgrace and pregnant with your bastard of a daughter!"
"Don't you dare speak that way about my daughter, mother." I gritted my teeth, the patience I've been trying to maintain vanished the moment I heard her saying something about Melody.
"What? She's a distraction to you, Gabriela! Am I not correct? It should've been you working all those years but it was your cousin who did it in your behalf! And then, what? You pushed her? To drown? I heard you even tried to flirt with the prince, you imbecile! You are engaged to the Duke—"
"I am not marrying Anton, mother!" I raised my voice, "I've made it clear to you a thousand of times already. We are not marrying, we agreed to it way before and I will not marry merely for the crown's sake." I shook my head, eyeing Catherine.
"And what's your point for lying, Catherine? I pushed you? How? When? Do you have witnesses about that what you are claiming?" I spat coldly, "I treated you like a friend. You are a friend to me, Catherine. I gave you the benefit of the doubt because I trust you but..." I shook my head.
"Stop lying, Gabriela!" Cath snapped, "you are taking what's mine! You pushed me and flirted with the prince—"
"What about it?" I asked, "he's the father of my child, Catherine. Maybe you've forgotten that, too?"
Her forehead creased.
"Stop pointing fingers, Gabriela. We are not talking about you! We are talking about what you did to your cousin! You knew this already! You are engaged to the Duke and Catherine's soon-to-be-engaged with the prince!"
"You are unbelievable, mother." I sighed loudly. "You almost got Sebastian killed before because what did you say? He's a mere worker of that ship? That's he's low because he didn't have the title? What now, you liked him already because he's a prince? I respect you because you are my mother but Sebastian isn't a toy you could play around!"
"Do not raise you voice to the duchess, Gabriela!" Cath hissed.
"No, Cath. Gabriela is a brat, ever since she was a kid. She won't listen." She pointed out, "maybe she wanted the prince for herself. For what? For your daughter? No way the prince should know you two had a child. Think of what people would say to you, Gabriela! That you are disgraceful! Getting pregnant with no husband! No way, you will marry the Duke and Catherine will be for the prince! That will be my decision and you have no say on that."
"Didn't you two had any ounce of humanity left? Don't you feel ashamed of yourself? Huh?" I asked. "You planned to assassinate the prince while you watched the father of my child getting beaten up by your guards." I shifted my gaze to Catherine, seeing how shock filled with it.
"Aren't you embarrassed how pitiful you two are? I respect you, Cath, for standing for me in those conferences for Italy but your kindness was merely a terrible act." I spat.
"Catherine is far way better than you, Gabriela! Do not act high and mighty in front of me because you got your voice now! She became a daughter you should have! She became the daughter I wanted—"
"Then, be mother and child. The hell I care." I answered bravely.
Catherine's mouth parted. My mother was now seething with rage. I was trembling but I made sure I won't be fazed by her act of anger.
"You disgraceful brat!" Mother raised her hand, probably to welcome my face again with a slap but I caught it midair.
"You're gonna hurt me again?" I asked her bitterly, my eyes in the verge of crying. "When will I ever feel I have a mother, duchess?"
"You..." she hissed and pulled my hand from my grip.
"I did my best to please you," I mumbled. "You took my siblings away from me and I accepted it! Maybe I was bad for them, maybe I could be better so you'd treat me like your child! So I could feel the warmth of a mother but nothing! You burned my storybooks! You forced me to grow up alone instead of being a kid! And now, you're treating Catherine as your own instead of at l-least trying to understand m-me? How could a mother do t-that?"
"Simply because you are not my child, Gabriela." She answered me coldly.
I froze. It took me a while to process it entirely.
"W-What?" my voice trembled, "what a-are you saying..."
"You are your father's daughter to my sister before we got engaged." She answered me like it was nothing, "and why am I treating Catherine more of a daughter because she is my child. You are never mine, Gabriela. Just be thankful I accepted you and married your father."
I couldn't say anything. No words came out of my mouth.
Then what about what I knew... what she told me before? How is that possible?
"Now, you listen to me, child." She smiled evilly. "I could not hold the prince on his neck before because the bastard got so lucky but remember that I got your bastard of a daughter in between my fingers..."
My breathing labored.
"Don't you dare touch my daughter, Eleonor!" I screamed.
"You have no power against me, Gabriela," she shrugged. "Now, listen while I was still kind to you. Marry the Duke, stop flirting with the prince and let Catherine have her for herself. Aren't you concern of Italy? Catching two fishes will strengthen our house but that's... that's if you care for your daughter enough."
She turned her back on me. I even saw Catherine having this playful smile on her lips as she watched my misery and I swear, I swear I saw myself in her—just in darker version of me.
When they left, they made sure I was fully guarded. I didn't have the chance to meet with Sebastian that night and I didn't know what excuses they made to him.
I only got out when Anton let me know my baby is already on-board with my siblings and Hernando but when we reached the helipad, I noticed everyone is panicking.
My heart pounded when I looked around and saw my daughter isn't around.
"Hernando!" I called loudly, "where is my daughter?"
"She..." he sighed loudly, "I'm sorry, my lady. I asked her to stay while I unload our things but when I came back... she was gone."
And it sent me to a different kind of haze. I was dizzy, almost crying as I roamed around the ship to desperately look for my daughter.
We looked for her, separating to see her immediately in this massive ship. I wanted to ask for my cousin's help but that's my option if I failed looking for her immediately.
Then, I saw a familiar back while I was looking for her around the cabins.
"Melody!" I called and ran after her when she fell on the floor and dropped her phone.
"Oh, God!" I gasped, was about to step closer when I saw a man approaching.
"Uy, bata, hala! Bakit ka tumatakbo? Ayan, nadapa ka tuloy." I froze on the spot, seeing him walked towards Melody to help her up from the ground.
Oh, God...
He carried her gently so she could stand on her feet, smiling sweetly. Like you could trust him.
"Ang ganda naman ng buhok mo. Ayos ka lang?" he asked her gently, his black eyes soft. "Saan Mama mo, be?"
Melody stopped, just stared at him intently.
"Ay, baka Englisher ka pala." He cleared his throat, "where's your mother, baby?"
But Melody just stared at her, no words are coming from her mouth.
"Oh, nahulog pa 'yong phone mo," Seb then said, picking the phone from the ground and I've seen how stunned he is when he saw the phone and the movie playing in it.
"Bakit 'to..." he mumbled, lifting his face to look at her again. "B-Bakit na sa 'yo..."
"Pa..." she mumbled, started sniffing now. "P-Papa..."
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