Chapter 31 Trt

A/N: Pasensya if purp short cut hehehehe

Rhainne Jhammira Alethea Lopez

Months had passed.

Ang bilis ng panahon no. Dati close lang kami ni Miss Ma'am ngayon isang buwan ko ng Girlfriend.

Yes it was after the night that I had dinner with them. Kung hindi siya siguro inasar asar ni Crystal noon ay hindi siya mapapaamin at mang aangkin ng biglaan.

Hanggang ngayon natatawa parin ako every time na naalala ko yon.

I literally melt her cold gaze.

And she made me find love during my hatred phase.

Now how could I hate her? When she literally taught me how to open my heart to everyone-literally

She's the reason why I did why I did months ago.

"Hey are you okay?" Ate Ryleigh ask I just smiled at her and nodded

See what I mean?

"It looks like you're not" dagdag pa nito

"I'm fine Ate, where's Yana?" pag iiba ko ng usapan

"Talking to your Dad" tila labag sa loob nitong sabi at tumingin sa medyo malayong pwesto sa table namin.

Well today is naisipang mag paparty ni Lolo. I don't have any idea kung para saan o kung ano ba to basta they said na pumunta daw ako.

Hindi ko alam ang plano ni old man since I've been busy with my girl.

Invited rin lahat ng kasosyo niya sa negosyo at family friends of us.

"Parang hindi mo tatay a" sagot ko naman dito

"Hindi naman talaga" pabulong niyang sabi kaya hindi ko rin narinig

"Ha?"

"Allisha is looking for you kanina" turan niya

Asan nga pala ang mga yon?

Pati mga kaibigan ko ay hindi ko pa nakikita. Sabagay it's too early for us to be here.

"Alam mo naman yon halos ayaw ka ng pakawalan" dagdag pa niya sabay inom nung wine

Yeah right.

Masyado siyang dikit saakin.

Dumating sa point na pinag seselosan na siya ni Claire.

"Better hide me from her. Parating na sila Claire, with Crystal and Mama Cecil" sagot ko dito

Oh yeah they know.

Itatago ko pa ba e halata naman na

Hindi naman sila tumutol. Subukan lang nila

Wala na rin silang magagawa kasi I already decided

"She's just pissing your girlfriend Jham. Masyado kasing maiksi pasensya" naiiling niyang sagot saakin

"And you keep on messing with her. Kayo ng mga kaibigan niyo. You know na walang kapasensya pasensya ang kaibigan niya"

Tumawa naman ito ng bahagya sabay tingin sa taong papalapit saamin. Nandito na pala ang mga bruha.

"Sup Ulan. Ganda natin ah." bungad ni Amrielle sabay upo

Yung kakapalan ng babaeng to di na naalis.

"Kelan nga ba kita huling nakausap?" tanong ni Rayla saakin

Siraulo lang no

As far as I know nakakausap ko naman sila palagi hindi nga lang ako nakakasama tuwing mag babar sila. Alam niyo naman pag hindi pinayagan ng nanay—joke.

"Busy ang Ulan natin eh" sabat ni Jenaiah

"Hindi na tayo ang priority niya" madramang saad ni Amrielle at nag act pa na nagpupunas ng luha

"Stupid, you're never been the priority" sagot ni Rayla dito

Hanggang dito sa formal party dinala talaga nila yung pagiging warfreak nila sa isat isa. Kung titignan mo or kung hindi ko kilala tong dalawang to malamang iisipin kong nag aaway sila

"Di nakaiwas Amrielle?" Natatawang tanong ni Jenaiah

"Wow kala mo siya naging priority" Amrielle rebutted

"Will you both stop fighting?" ako na ang sumaway sakanila di kasi yan makikinig kay Jenaiah proket alam nilang di sila pagagalitan niyan

"Kasalanan niya kaya" pang sisisi ni Amrielle kay Rayla at may paturo pa

Hindi matatapos ang pagtatalo nila niyan.

"Bahala nga kayo diyan you're stressing me, both of you" inis na turan ko sa dalawa.

Maaga ako puputian ng buhok dahil sa stress sa dalawang yon na parang halos araw araw nag babangayan. Paano ko ba naging kaibigan yang mga yan.

"Can you stop arguing na stress na sainyo si Ulan and PLEASE STOP BLAMING EACH OTHER GHAD" hindi narin ata nakatiis si Jenaiah kaya nag salita na

"Yeah Whatever" sabay na sagot ng dalawa

Hindi naman talaga nag aaway yang dalawang yan nagbabangayan lang na may halong asaran.

"Stop frowning Love,hmmm" bulong ng kung sino sa kanang tenga ko kaya naman napalingon ako muntik na mag tama ang labi namin.

Napangiti naman ako ng wala sa oras"You're here. What took you so long?"

"It's Crystal's fault" she said at sinamaan ng tingin ang kapatid niya na ngayon ay busy makipag usap kay Amrielle

Baka sila talaga ang para sa isa't isa

"Yes, Kim?" tanong ni Ate sa kausap niya sa Cellphone niya

"Okay"

"Sorry Celine but can I borrow Rhainne Jhammira Alethea for a second, a minute or an hour? Basta ibabalik ko rin sayo yan." Tanong nito at hindi na hinintay makapag salita si Claire at hinila na ako.

Paladesisyon siya kahit nag paalam.

"San tayo pupunta?"

"Our Family"

"They're here, Master A" Butler Kim said

What's happening?

Parang lahat ata ng Alvares nandito.

"Ate Rhainne? Is that you?" One of my cousins said

"Now we're complete"lolo

"Is this some kind of reunion?" One of my tito

"Maybe yes maybe no" makahulugang sagot ni Lolo

At isa isa na silang yumakap kay lolo at bumalik sa table nila. Hinintay lang talaga nila kaming pumunta rito.

"Bakit ganyan ka makatingin kay Papa, Ali??" tanong ni dad

Kami nalang pala ang natira dito

Lolo smirked "Jhammira, Wala akong gagawin okay" he said at itinaas ang dalawa niyang kamay

"Huh?" Sabay sabay na tanong ng tatlo

Dad, Yana, Ate Ryleigh

"Pinag dududahan ako ng ANAK mo" he said emphasizing anak habang nakatingin kay Ate Ryleigh hindi kay Dad

"L-lets go na Ali,Yana" Ate said at hinila na ako bago pa ako makapagtanong what's wrong with them?

The room was buzzing with the kind of energy that only a high-profile party could generate—laughter, clinking glasses, and the soft hum of gossip circulating. The lights above cast a warm glow over the sea of perfectly dressed people, and the music in the background had a laid-back groove that made everyone feel just a little bit more important than they probably were. I was  here with the woman I loved and my friends sitting. But then, suddenly, the music cut out, and a voice boomed from the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention, please!" The emcee said na nagpaagaw ng attention ng lahat

The guests immediately quieted down, and I turned to look toward the stage where the emcee stood, a sharp smile playing on his face. He adjusted his tie and took a moment to let the suspense build.

"Tonight, we have the incredible honor of introducing to you all a very special guest. This man needs no introduction—he's a titan in the business world, a visionary who took Arvez Corporation to new heights, making it one of the most successful corporations on the planet. Please join me in welcoming the head of the Lopez family and the greatest CEO of our generation… Mr. Arven Lopez!"

A round of applause erupted as the tall, distinguished figure of Arven Lopez—my one and only Lolo stepped into the spotlight. The crowd went wild, their admiration obvious—tsk sa pagkakaalam ko investment ni Lolo ang habol ng karamihan sa mga taong to. He was everything you’d expect from a CEO composed, and showing authority without even trying. He waved at the crowd with a polite smile, his gaze scanning the room as if taking in all the power and influence that surrounded him. But just as everyone started to quiet down, he raised his hand for silence.

"Thank you everyone. Thank you for coming. I know you're wondering why all of a sudden I make this party well yes this is a business party to know people around this industry but that's not the end of it.....there's more than that. And now, I’d like to take a moment to introduce someone very dear to me," Lolo said, his voice deep and steady, but there was something more personal about it. "She’s not just my successor, my right hand—she’s the future of this company. The one who will lead Arvez Corporation into the next chapter."

I froze.

The room fell completely still, as if the air itself held its breath. I glanced around, noticing the faces of everyone in the room—some confused, others expectant. My heart began to race, my pulse quickening in anticipation.

Lolo's smile widened as he turned toward me. "Ladies and gentlemen, I’m proud to announce that the next CEO of Lopez Company is none other than… my grand daughter, Rhainne Jhammira Alethea Lopez."

There was a sharp intake of breath from the crowd, followed by a silence that felt too heavy. I could hear whispers spreading like wildfire, the shock and disbelief is visible in their eyes—especially in my Ate and Dad's eyes as if they're not expecting this to happen, mas lalo akong kinabahan sa tingin nilang dalawa. I didn’t know what to do. My palms felt suddenly cold, and for a moment, I almost thought I was going to pass out. I didn't expect that he's going to tell that. Alam kong delikado ang pagiging heir ng kompayang yan kaya hindi ko gugustuhing pumalit sakanya sa dami competitor na napataob niya impossibleng walang kumalaban sakanya. Although he taught me how to fight —physically.

But then, as if on instinct, I walked forward, trying to keep my composure. The eyes of every single person in that room were locked on me, like I was a rare exhibit in a zoo.

Lolo placed his hand gently on my shoulder, his grip firm yet reassuring. "This is the heir to Arvez Corporation" he said again, the pride in his voice unmistakable.

I forced a smile, though inside, I was screaming. *What the hell just happened?*

Bakit ako ang naging heir?

Bakit hindi niya sinabe saakin?

Anong plano mo old man?

Ang utak ko ay napupuno ng katanungan na alam kong siya lang ang makakasagot.

As I stepped away from the stage, the weight of the announcement was still heavy on my chest, so I tried to make my way through the crowd. The buzz around me felt like it was closing in, every whisper a sharp reminder of the eyes now on me. I just needed to escape, to breathe, to process what had just happened. But as I rounded the corner toward the back hallway, I heard voices—raised, heated.

It was coming from the room in this mansion just off the main event room. I froze, instinct kicking in. I could make out the familiar voices—Ate’s sharp tone, Lolo’s low, controlled voice, and Dad’s uneven voice. I hesitated for a moment, but curiosity won out, and I edged closer, trying to listen without being seen.

Anong pinagtatalunan nila?

"I told you, this wasn’t the right time," Ate's voice was laced with frustration. "What the hell were you thinking, Papa? Announcing her like that in front of everyone? She’s not ready for this kind of spotlight! Alam mo ang nangyari noon!" she continued, but her voice is crack this time

Ramdam ko ang galit sa bawat salitang sinabe niya.

Papa?

Bakit papa ang tawag ni Ate kay Lolo?

"Paano kung maulit ulit yon Papa?. Ghad what are you thinking?. Pinaubaya ko siya sayo!. Pinaubaya ko siya sayo para ilayo siya sa panganib ng mundo natin! and there you are! Announcing to everyone that's she's the next heiress of this fucking family!. Kaya ko nga siya pinalayo kaya nga hinayaan kong lumayo siya kaya nga hinayaan kong malayo kami sakanya para maprotektahan sila!" she continues

I hear her sobs.

Sinong siya?

Of course it has to be me.

Ako lang naman ang inannounce na heiress.

"Ryleigh, you don’t understand," Lolo’s voice was calm but firm, almost too calm.

"Fuck Papa anong hindi ko maintindihan! This is about her safety!. Alam mong kaligtasan nila ang uunahin ko!. Alam mo kung gaano kapanganib ang maging heiress ng Pamilyang to!. I'm not agreeing on that! Babawiin mo yung announcement Papa!." galit na saad niya pa

"This is not just about Jhammira. It’s about the company’s future, its survival. And I trust her. She’s more than ready. All those years that she's with me I already trained her trust your daughter on this"

Daughter?

Sinong daughter?

Ano pa bang hindi ko alam?

My mind was full of questions.

Ako? Anak niya?

That's bullshit.

"Trust her? Nagsisimula palang kami ulit Papa. We're just starting to know each other again since that fucking incident happened. Hindi mo man lang ba naisip yung mararamdaman naming magulang niya?. Hindi mo man lang ba naisip ang naranasan namin nung nalayo siya saamin. Hindi mo man lang ba naisip kung gaano ako nagpakatatag habang tinitignan ko siyang lumayo saamin at habang nagmamakaawa sakin si Allisha naibalik ko siya saamin?. Do you know how hard it is for me to approach her after that?. Alam mo ba kung gaano kasakit na tawagin niya akong Ate when she should be calling me Mom" she said in a low voice but I could feel the anger and pain in it.

I'm her daughter

Not my father's daughter but my Ate's daughter

"You’re playing a dangerous game, Papa," Dad’s voice broke through, low and full of warning. "You think they won’t come after her? You think they’ll just let a Lopez walk into that seat without a fight? You know how ruthless this world is. Pinapahamak mo ang sarili mong Apo."

Kaya ba hindi ko maramdaman na parte ako ng pamilya ni Dad because I'm not really her daughter. Kaya ba when I needed them hindi sila makapunta because they're not my real parents.

How foolish I am not to know that.

"I know exactly what I'm doing," Lolo said, a note of finality in his voice. "And so does Jhammira. She’s stronger than you think. Mas kilala ko siya kesa sa pagkakakilala niyo sakanya."

"But you didn’t even talk to her about it!. You didn't even talk to us about it!. I'm her Mom! I have the right to know it. I can't lose her just because you fucking announced to everyone that she's the heiress of this fucking family." Ate spat back, the anger in her tone making my heart race. "You just dropped that bomb on her, right there in front of everyone, as if her life doesn’t matter! What if—what if something happens to her because of this? Do you think they’ll let her just take the reins without trying to take her down first?. Kung ikaw nakaya mo yon wag mong idadamay si Jham. Wag ang anak ko Papa. I-I can't lose her. Not her Papa. All these years of protecting her, No. Ang daming panahon na tiniis ko na wag siyang lapitan dahil yun yung plano!. Ang daming panahon na nahirapan na akong makita si Allisha na nagmamakaawa saakin ibalik siya!." I hear her sobs

Anak?

Ako?

Ni ate?

My mind wasn't processing.

Hindi ko maintindihan.

Mas lalong bumibigat ang nararamdaman ko sa mga naririnig ko at nalalaman ko.

Everyone is lying about me.

Now, sino ba ako?

Sapat na ba ang nalalaman ko tungkol sakin?

I thought I know myself but I guess I don't

The room was silent for a long beat, and I could hear the muffled sound of Lolo exhaling sharply. "I’m not going to live forever, Ryleigh" he said, his voice uncharacteristically raw. "This company needs stability, and Jhammira... Jhammira is the future. I’ve seen her grow. She’s capable of handling it. Alam niya ang gagawin niya. I just need you to trust me and trust her"

"But you haven’t seen what it does to people, Papa," Dad said, his tone softer now, almost pleading. Dad ko nga ba talaga? "You’re talking about a war here. A war she’s not prepared for. People will try to use her, manipulate her—maybe even worse. Do you really think she can handle it? We need to protect her, not push her into the line of fire."

I felt my breath catch in my throat. *Protect me?* I wasn’t some fragile thing that needed to be protected. But I understood their concern, too. The world Lolo had built—the empire I was now apparently supposed to inherit—wasn't just a company. It was a battleground, and the very fact that I had been thrust into this position meant I was already a target.

Kaya ba ako tinuruan ni Lolo kung paano lumaban ng ako lang?. Kaya ba hinayaan niya akong makapasok ng Empire? dahil dito?

And what happened to the past?

Anong nangyari noon para ganon nalang matakot si Ate or should I say Mom?.

There was a pause, the tension thick in the air. I could hear Lolo shifting in his chair, maybe rubbing his temples. "I don’t have the luxury of waiting," he said quietly. "You know this as well as I do. The stakes are too high now. I’ve made my decision. At hindi ko na mababawi ang nalaman ng mga tao ngayong gabi. I'm sure that this is already in the news. I already trained her."

Naramdaman ko naman ulit ang patahimik nila

"Trained her what?" that's my Ate's voice

"She knows how to protect herself. You think hahayaan ko siyang sumabak sa mundong to ng hindi siya handa? I'm not that stupid Ryleigh para hindi siya ihanda sa mga pwede niyang harapin. She's capable of something more than you know. She's not a weak child anymore. Pinalaki ko siyang matapang, you don't know what your daughter is capable of. She can kill a person without even a second thought. She's a brutal one. She's a fighter and once I said to trust her, trust her. Yun ang kailangan niya. She don't need your protection. Hindi duwag ang apo ko hindi siya umuuwing talunan." mahabang lintaya ni Lolo kaya naman natahimi ang dalawa na parang nagulat

"You what? You taught her how to killed? Papa!" gulat na sabi ni Ate Ryleigh

"Now I'm blaming myself for that. I should've taken her. Dapat inako ko nalang din siya kagaya ng kay Yana" Dad said with his guilty tone

"It's for her best Ryan adn Ryleigh. She's strong but she's not that understanding. Hindi siya nakikinig sa opinion ng iba. Iba siya magalit and now I'm worrying pag nalaman niyang nagsinungaling tayo sakanya. I know what she's capable of" Lolo said

Should I cry?

Should I embrace this pain?

Hindi masakit saakin na ako ang heiress. It's all about lying to me. I hate liars.

Lying about my real family. Lying about my real self.

It feels like I'm shattered into pieces that I didn't even know how to pick up.

Hindi ko alam saan ako mag sisimula para buuin ang bawat piraso ng sarili ko.