Immortal Promise

EVERYONE danced wildly, Reese continued to drop the beat until it satisfies everyone inside the dancefloor.

Reese can see clearly how everyone took over the dance floor as if it's their last. Some danced seductively, some danced wildly and some just danced 'til they can't anymore.

Nakaramdam si Reese na mayroong kumalabit sa kanya at nakita niya ang isa pang DJ na pumapalit sa kanya kapag ayaw niya na ituloy pa ang ginagawa niya.

Reese removed her headset and she looked at the man coldly.

"Manager wanted me to call you." Anito.

"What does Faith need this time?" Pagtatanong ni Reese dito at tinitigan nang maigi ang lalaki.

Umiwas ng tingin ang lalaki sa kanya at wala nang nagawa si Reese kung 'di bumaba at itigil ang ginagawa.

Malamig na binaba ni Reese ang headset at kaagad na bumaba sa DJ's Lair. She removed her hair tie and she immediately went over to Faith.

Kaagad na umupo si Reese sa stool ng bar counter at naabutan si Faith na naghahalo ng inumin.

"What did you call me for, Faith?" Deretsong tanong ni Reese sa matalik na kaibigan.

Faith rolled her eyes and gave her a drink.

"Hey, don't use that tone on me, Reese." Saad nito at bumuntong hininga. "You look like you have a problem, huh? You usually go to the DJ's Lair and stay there for an hour if you're annoyed or worst, angry. So, tell me my dear friend, what happened?"

Tinungga ni Reese ang inumin at mahigpit na napahawak sa baso.

"I have a bad feeling about the way my family acts." Mahinang wika niya at napahilot sa sintido.

"Ano naman 'yun? Care to tell your bestfriend about that something?" Bakas sa tono ng boses ni Faith ang curiosidad at wala rin namang intensyon si Reese na itago itong bagay sa kaibigan niya.

"I don't know anything about their ancestor thing." Sagot niya at bakas ang pagka problemadong-problemado niya sa bagay na ito.

She doesn't have any clue about this thing but she knows for sure that this thing is something she won't ever agree.

"Hindi mo naman pala alam kung ano yung bagay na 'yun e. You should not get mad, okay?" Faith comforted her. "I thought it was about someone..." Pabulong na wika ni Faith.

Hindi pinansin ni Reese ang binulong ni Faith at nag-pokus nalang sa kung ano talaga ang problema.

"I should!" Galit na wika ni Reese. "Isa nga ako sa pamilya na ito, but I was never exposed remember? I am the infamous eldest young miss of the Chen's. They could've just used Reema instead of me."

"Why? Why did they not use Reema instead? You have your point, Reese. Mas kilala siya kaysa sa'yo and it'll be much better if she's the one they'll use." Faith pointed out her thought.

"Not just that..." Mahinang wika ni Reese. "Sa aming dalawang magkapatid, kahit ako ang panganay, ni-kailan hindi ako nakinabang sa pera ng pamilya ko."

"I know, Reese. It's been really tough for you." Buntong hiningang wika ni Faith. "You're perfect, Reese. You are much better than your sister."

Umiling si Reese at mahinang natawa.

"I'm not perfect, Faith. Nakalimutan mo na ba ang self-called disability ko? It's the main reason why I'm no use to the family." Paliwanag ni Reese. "Just give me another glass of the drink you just gave me." Saad ni Reese na kaagad namang ginawa ni Faith.

She waited for Faith to finish the drink, when suddenly she saw her phone ringing and it was from her grandfather who knows nothing but to negotiate.

Reese ignored the call and she threw turned her phone down. Ayaw niyang bumalik sa mansyon na iyon, hindi alam ni Reese kung ano ba ang kakaiba sa kanya at bakit kakaiba ang turing sa kanya sa pamilya na 'yon.

Reese is certain that she's much better than her younger sister, Reema.

But, Reema is loved by everyone --- even Reese is the eldest young miss of the Chen family, they don't seem to care at all.

Of course, why would they love someone like her who has definitely something wrong with herself.

A disabled person like her is not worth of anyone's time.

Nilapag ni Faith ang baso sa harap niya at napansin ni Reese na tubig na lang ang ibinigay sa kanya ng kaibigan.

"Nakakatawa, Faith. Do I look like I need water —"

Hindi naituloy ni Reese ang sasabihin niya nang may ituro ito mula sa likod niya at alam na kaagad ni Reese kung sino ang tinuturo ng kaibigan niya.

Without facing her grandfather's secretary, she asked him. "What does he need from me?"

"Master Chen was asking for you to go back. There are some matters that the family needs to discuss." Sagot nito sa tanong niya.

"Do I really have to be there? Ayokong marinig ang mga gagawin niyang desisyon —" Hindi naituloy ni Reese ang sasabihin niya dahil biglaan nalang siyang tinaasan ng kilay ni Faith.

"Pumunta ka na, Reese. If you don't want the condition, then reject it. Matanda na ang lolo mo." Payo nito sa kanya.

Reese rolled her eyes and she immediately stood up, liningon niya ang sekretarya ng lolo niya at binigyan ito ng malamig na tingin.

Nilagpasan lang ito ni Reese at kaagad na lumabas sa bar.

She closed her eyes and heaved a sigh, she saw the car that her grandfather owns.

Pinagbuksan siya ng pinto ng sekretarya ng lolo niya.

"Young miss, let's go —

"I'm not riding with you. I can drive myself." Wika ni Reese at kaagad na lumapit sa Ducati niya na nakaparada sa tabi lang ng kotse.

She wore her helmet and turned her Ducati on.

Without waiting for the car to move, nauna na si Reese na puntahan ang mansyon.

Twenty-four years of her existence, this is the first time she's been needed like that.

She's never been loved by her own parents, they don't treat her like the eldest granddaughter of the Chen family.

Does having a disability makes you really worthless?

She's much smarter, she's much better and she's much useful than her younger sister who only knows how to scheme and flirt like a mistress.

Why does her family get too proud on Reema who doesn't even achieve anything?

Buong buhay ni Reese ay tinuring siyang hindi tao ng mga magulang niya. Reese clearly remembered the day that changed her attitude towards her own family.

Getting caged for three days because of a simple mistake she did not do.

Habang lumalalim ang mga iniisip ni Reese, hindi niya alam na mas bumibilis ang pagpapatakbo niya ng Ducati niya.

Nang makita niya na ang mansyon, kaagad niyang ipinasok sa loob ang Ducati niya at kaagad niyang tinanggal ang helmet na suot-suot niya.

"Welcome back, young miss." Nakayukong bati sa kanya ng isa sa katulong. Bumaba si Reese mula sa Ducati niya at binigay sa katulong ang helmet niya.

She just gave the maid a cold shoulder and she immediately went inside the mansion.

Siya nalang pala ang hinihintay na dumating, she's not surprised to see those lifeless look on her.

As if it's saying that she's an unwanted guest.

Umupo si Reese at binigyan ng nakakalokong ngiti ang mga ito.

"Anong kailangan niyo sa akin? Is there anything you want to ask me for?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Reese at umaktong tila ba may naalala. "Oh yea, I forgot. The ancestor thing, am I right?"

"Can this child be a bit serious about this matter?" Narinig ni Reese ang mahinang bulong ng amain niya.

She can hear them clearly and that what makes everything funny for Reese.

"Now that I'm here, let's get straight to the point." Seryosong wika ni Reese at sumandal. "Ano ang kinalaman ko sa bagay na kailangan ng pamilya na 'to?"

"Reese, don't talk as if you're not the eldest granddaughter of the Chens." Suway sa kanya ng ina.

"I did not let you all gather here to quarrel in front of me." Sita ng lolo niya. "We have to talk about something that this family's been doing since then."

Nakita ni Reese kung paano namutla ang mga magulang niya at napansin ni Reese kung paano hinawakan ng ina niya si Reema na tila ba natatakot ito sa maaring sabihin ng lolo niya.

"And what is that, papa?" Pagtatanong ng amain ni Reese.

"We have to arrange the young miss of the Chen in a marriage." Sagot ng lolo niya.

Mahinang natawa si Reese.

"In a nutshell, it's a political marriage. Correct me if I'm wrong." Seryosong wika niya. "Mukhang mayroong crisis na hinaharap ang kumpanya kaya niyo ginagawa ito, tama ba?" Pagtatanong ni Reese at tinignan ang ama.

"Yes. You're right, Reese." Bumuntong hininga ang lolo niya. "I don't want to do this, but... Mas mataas ang tyansa na si Reema ang ---"

"Hindi pwede!" Reema suddenly objected. "I can't, grandpa... Not me! I don't want to get married, I'm just in my twenties! I'm not the eldest granddaughter, then why does it have to be me?!"

"Papa, alam ko ang pinupunto niyo. Pero hindi ba't masyadong bata pa si Reema para sa bagay na 'yan?" Pagtatanong ng ina niya.

"Reema's still in University. We can't let that affect her studies, right? And, she's the second young miss. Isn't it much better if it will be Reese?" Ani ng amain niya.

Reese rolled her eyes. They really love Reema to the point they are willing to beg grandpa to change his mind.

"I can't." Simpleng sagot ng lolo niya. "Hindi ba't mas maganda na si Reema ang ipakasal ko sa pamilya ng Lim? Mas exposed si Reema sa mga tao at siya lang ang pinaka kilala ng mga Lim."

"Grandpa! You see, I'm much more capable of doing anything that Reese!" Reema exclaimed, "I don't have her disability, she's much better to be some old man's house wife!"

Hindi na kinaya ni Reese ang galit niya sa sinabi ng kapatid. They are really looking down on her as if she's really useless.

Hindi niya naman kasalanan na makuha itong komplikasyon sa katawan niya! It was never her fault.

Reese stood up and she gave her sister a slap.

"Reese!" Sigaw ng magulang niya sa kanya at kaagad na niyakap ng ina si Reema.

Nabigla si Reese nang sampalin siya ng ama at napahawak si Reese sa pisngi niyang namamanhid.

"What's your problem, Reese?!" Halos pagalit na sigaw ng ama niya sa kanya.

"I've had enough." Mahinang wika ni Reese habang nakahawak sa pisngi. "Bakit ba parang kasalanan ko kung bakit may ganitong kondisyon ang pagkatao ko? Is it my fault to have this goddamn sun allergy?! You always look down on me because of this!" Sigaw ni Reese at halos ramdam na ramdam niya ang tindi nang galit na nararamdaman niya.

"Stop that!" Sigaw ng lolo niya at hindi alam ni Reese kung bakit nagiging ganito siya. She can't stop her anger to show like that. She's raging like a beast.

"We have to make our decision, now! The wedding will be two days from now on. We have to choose a suitable bride." Dagdag na wika ng lolo niya.

Reese smirked as soon as she thought of something she'll benefit.

"I'll marry into the Lim family as long as you fulfill my one condition." Saad ni Reese na ikinagulat ng lolo niya. "If Reema's not willing then what should I do as the eldest young miss?"

Bakas sa mukha ng mga magulang niya ang tuwa at miski si Reema ay napangiti dahil sa sinabi niya.

Reese's laughing deep inside. Let's see if they'll be able to keep those smiles if they'll hear her condition.

Bumuntong hininga ang lolo niya.

"We'll I have no choice but to follow your condition, Reese. Your sister's not willing to do it." Saad ng lolo niya sa sumusukong tono. "What are your condition then?"

Reese looked at her nails with a sinister smile.

"I want Reema to work for her own money from the day I'll marry into the Lim family." Saad niya. "In short, she has to work for her money until she graduates."

"What? No! I can't do that! Is that even possible?" Bakas ang takot sa boses ni Reema.

"No, you can't do that condition to your own sister, Reese. She's still on her second-year, how can she be able to do that?" Bakas rin ang takot sa boses ng ina niya dahil sa kondisyon na hinihiling ni Reese.

"I'll agree with your condition, Reese." Seryosong wika ng lolo niya. "Since she disobeyed what the family needs, then she'll have to face the consequences."

"What? Grandpa, no please..." Mangiyak-ngiyak na pagmamakaawa ni Reema.

"Grandpa, why... How can you just agree like that? Reema's also your granddaughter ---"

"Don't you understand what Reese just said? It'll be only until Reema graduates, can't you understand anything at all? Pasalamat kayo dahil hindi ko siya tinakwil." Seryosong wika ng lolo niya. "Reese, go to the study. We have to talk about something." Dagdag nito at kaagad namang umalis ang matanda.

"Yes, papa was right..." Mahinang wika ng amain niya. "We should be thankful that he did not do that to you, Reema. We spoiled you too much." Saad nito at umalis kasama ang ina nila.

Nang makaalis ang lolo nila at ang magulang nilang dalawang magkapatid, para bang konti nalang ay gusto na siyang ikulong ng kapatid dahil sa ginawa niyang kondisyon.

"You bitch —" akmang susugurin siya ng sampal ni Reema nang kaagad niya itong naunahan.

"It's time for you to taste your own medicine, Reema." Nakangising wika ni Reese, "What would you want? Earn your own money until you graduate or marry an old geezer?"

Nakita ni Reese kung paano natigilan ang kapatid nito sa sinabi niya.

Pero alam ni Reese na mas lalong pinatindi niya lang ang galit na nararamdaman ng kapatid sa kanya.

"See, as your sister, I'm already giving you a big hand. You can continue flirting with anyone you want." Nakangiting wika ni Reese at kaagad na iniwan ang kapatid na luhaan.

This marriage is no big deal. If that man she'll be marrying is someone old, then so be it.

It's not like that old man won't die. It'll benefit her more than her family will.

She knocked at her grandpa's study room.

"Come in."

Kaagad na pumasok si Reese at nanatiling blanko ang ekspresyon niya. Umupo si Reese at tahimik na hinintay ang sasabihin ng lolo niya.

"You were not the bride that I told the Lim family's son. Don't worry, President Lim's not what you think he is."

So, he's not an old geezer like what Reema just said? Poor, Reema. Look at what she just lost because of her goddamn stupidity.

"Good." Mahinang wika ni Reese. "I thought he's someone old."

"No, he's not. He's the young master of the Lim family. Once you get married to him, it'll benefit both companies." Paliwanag nito. "I also want to personally tell you something, Reese."

Reese looked at her grandfather with confusion.

"What is it?"

"Katulad ng sinabi ko kanina, hindi ka kilala ng mga tao sa paligid natin dahil masyado ka naming natago sa kanila. So, the Lim family thought the marriage will happen between their son and Reema." Anito, "Hindi ikaw ang gusto kong ipakasal dahil ayokong —"

"I get it, lolo." Mahinang saad ni Reese. "Is it about my sun allergy? Don't worry —"

"No, it's not about your allergy, Reese. What about Sebastian?"

Natigilan si Reese sa sinabi nito. Sebastian, huh? Matagal na silang tapos dahil sa isang pangakong hindi niya dapat ginawa.

"We're already done, lolo. Mula nung araw na pinaghintay niya ako sa wala. Remember what it cost me for waiting, lolo. It almost ended my life." Napayuko si Reese at bumuntong hininga. "Sorry, lolo. I'm tired, I have to go." Tumayo si Reese at umalis sa harap ng lolo niya.

Reese was about to open the door when her grandpa suddenly spoke.

"But, what if I tell you he'll be back?"

Napangisi si Reese at mahinang natawa.

"It has nothing to do with me anymore. If you want, since he's back, invite him to my wedding." Malamig na saad ni Reese bago lumabas nang tuluyan sa study room ng lolo niya.

It was hard for her to tell him but she never knew she forgot about Sebastian. It's been two years, why does he need to go back?

He should've just stayed in America. Reese hated him, but what can her hate do when she's still in love with him?

Reese went back to her room as soon as she finished talking with her grandpa. She immediately messaged Faith and told her about the marriage.

Reese just can't believe it, she's getting married because of her hatred from her own parents.

What a fun entertainment.

Umupo si Reese sa upuan ng study table niya at doon niya binuksan ang laptop niya.

She's a writer, she does it out of passion, of course, isa na rin ang allergy niya sa rason kung bakit 'yun ang pinagkakaabalahan niya.

Being the hidden eldest young miss of the Chen family is fun. But not until they decided to show her to the crowd.

She's been kept for almost all of her years, she's not been able to attend such morning activities.

This damn allergy ruined her life. It felt like a prison, all she does is to stay at her room and study. Her whole childhood was the that boring until she met Sebastian.

Sebastian's actually her neighbor when she was around ten or eleven years old.

The two of them were really close and no one can actually seperated the two of them, to the point that they ended up dating each other when they reached their high school days.

Sebastian was the only person who understands her, the person who did not criticize her because of her sun allergy.

In fact, he's much more supportive and caring than her own parents.

But, there was that time when Sebastian needs to go abroad to study further from his profession.

Reese did not become a hindrance for him and she supported him all the way.

Sebastian promised her that he'll be back after three years of his education in America.

The two of them had a deal that kept them stronger those years that they were apart from each other.

'Pag hindi bumalik si Sebastian pagkatapos ng tatlong taon, they had to break up. It was just a simple condition that he did not take seriously.

It left Reese hurt.

Reese was asked to fetch him the day he'll arrive, but Reese was tricked.

Hindi siya bumalik at ang malala, hinayaan siya nito na umabot hanggang umaga sa kakahintay.

It almost killed her. Enduring the pain while she's outside, waiting for him until he arrives just like how he promised her.

Halos ikamatay ni Reese ang paghihintay sa kasintahan pero ni-isang mensahe mula sa binata ay wala siyang natanggap.

She was sent to the hospital after being exposed to sunlight for a long time and her grandfather was furious because of her stupidity.

Napabuntong hininga si Reese at sinara ang laptop niya dahil hindi niya alam kung ano ang gagawin niya at tila wala siyang maisip na ideya sa lahat ng gagawin niya.

Tomorrow will be the announcement of the marriage, her grandfather already settled with the marriage announcement and he already chose the right time to handle the time of the said announcement.

Reese stood up and she went to her room's balcony and she heaved a deep sigh.

The mysterious eldest granddaughter of the Chen family will finally be exposed to the crowd and as far as Reese knows, ang alam ng pamilyang Lim na si Reema ang ipapakasal nila.

But who knows, right? This will be a big fun surprise to everyone.