I didn't return merely to get hurt once more. I strengthened myself with grief and hatred so that nothing could derail my plans at this time. I've learned my lesson, and I won't allow myself to lose the battle I picked.
Moving toward the private room I intended to walk into, I wore a face devoid of expression. Only the sound of my heels could be heard as I passed everything else in silence. It made sense given that it's a formal, respectable place.
A few seconds later, I finally stopped in front of a wide door. I lazily glanced at my wristwatch and just shrugged my shoulders when I saw that I wasn't late for the meeting. I took a deep breath before slowly opening the door. I secretly smirked when I got everyone's attention. The eyes of Daddy, Tita, and Eunice were staring sharply in my direction. Meanwhile, Zachary's look showed shock when he saw me.
What a happy family!
I ignored them and walked straight to an empty row of seats. They were all together on one side, while I was alone on the other. It's funny to think that if you look at us now, it's like I'm the suspect and they're the victim.
"Two-faced bitch. How dare you show yourself here as if you belong to the family. We all know that you're the one who did this to Dad," Eunice said emphatically, unable to hold back.
I laughed, then looked at her lazily. "Eunice, I know you're stupid, but try not to show it too much," I mocked. "Like you said, I was the one who did it, so I probably didn't come here to do family bonding with you guys, right?" I said sarcastically.
"You fvcking bit—"
"Sshhh. This is a court room, Eunice," I reminded her, cutting her off. "Learn where to place your classless attitude."
She glared at me and looked like she was going to attack me, but Zachary held her firmly by the arm. There are traces of anger and annoyance on his face; I just don't know what or who it's for. I just rolled my eyes and turned my attention back in front, completely ignoring their presence.
I had a hunch that Zachary might be here since he told me this morning that he'd be going somewhere, so it's not surprising at all. Although some part of me believed that he would take care of something else, maybe he wouldn't mess around here anymore. But who am I fooling?
After a few more minutes, everyone was complete: the jury, defendant, attorneys, etc. Following the introduction and pledge to be honest, the topic of my father's impending embezzlement was discussed. From time to time, I could feel my stepmother's rage at me, especially when Daddy was stressed about some questions to which I didn't bother to pay attention. I just laughed in the back of my mind, letting her get even more annoyed.
The discussion lasted for about an hour. From the very beginning, I expected that everything would not end in the first hearing, so when it was said that there would be more, I was not surprised. I stood up from my seat when my so-called family walked out first. I felt their annoyance and tiredness, which I secretly grinned. I first gave a smile to Attorney Monteflor, who was contesting my father's statements, before I followed the departure.
I didn't feel guilty, and I didn't even feel sorry for my father as I watched him save himself from the charges he was going to face. Like I said, I didn't come back for nothing. Before I set foot in the Philippines, I was determined to destroy them all; nothing can change that. Family? To hell with that.
"Oh, you're waiting for me?" I said sarcastically when I found them all not leaving the court room.
Eunice's nose almost blew a fire. I know she would love to hit me if only Zachary didn't hold her by the arm. I didn't expect Daddy to quickly cross the distance between us and forcefully slapped his palm on my cheek. I smiled lifelessly and slowly focused my attention on his burning eyes.
"You're so ungrateful!" he screamed.
Zachary was quickly alarmed. He quickly let go of Eunice and came to my side, ready to take me away from Daddy in case he hurt me again. I'm just snorted then focused to my father.
"Why? What have you done for me?" I laughed, challenging him.
My father's eyes became sharper, and he was ready to slap me again, but the man next to me intervened. "Sir, she's pregnant," he reminded him, as if that was the only way he could think of to calm Daddy down.
"I am your father, Atasha!" he said.
I scoffed. "You're just my father on paper," I responded. "Don't use it as a justification because you've never been like one."
"Your father supported you in everything, Atasha," Tita Ayna interrupted.
I couldn't help but let out a mocking laugh. "Oh? Is that schooling, feeding, and spending on my needs? Go ahead, just give me a list and I'll pay for everything. What a shame, that's what I owe."
"You're a hopeless case, Atasha," Eunice said in disbelief.
I moved my eyes toward her and looked at her from head to toe. "And you're a hopeful one?" I scoffed.
Her jaw tensed. Before we could fight again, Zachary interjected. He made my family go out first because it was not impossible to criticize us here and disturb another courtroom with an ongoing hearing. They didn't argue and just obeyed, even though there was resistance in Eunice's eyes.
"Let's go. Come home with me," he promised sweetly, begging when we were the only ones left.
I struggled with him and took my arm that he was holding. "Mind your own business, Zachary."
He heaved a deep sigh. "Come on, Atasha. Let's go home already. I will take care of the rest," he said softly.
My brows unintentionally furrowed. As I looked at him, a flicker of doubt danced within me. I couldn't help but question his intentions and the sincerity behind his gentle voice. I don't know what he's referring to.
"You heard me right, Atasha. The people you wish to bring down will be brought down by me. Just... just come home with me." He sounded as if he expected me to never return to Aunt Victoria's home, so he assured me that he would go to any lengths to make sure I would.
I blinked several times while staring at him. I have to admit, I wasn't expecting that. He really caught me off guard this time.
He gently took my hand and held it tightly. "Let's go home," he whispered while looking at me softly.
My heart skipped a beat. I averted my eyes and tried to ignore what he said. I know it's just a trap, but I can't help but be affected.
I tried to compose myself and looked at him blankly. "I don't need your help taking them down, and I can go home on my own. Perhaps you're forgetting something, Zachary. You are one of those people I want to destroy, just so you know." Then I broke off from his hold.
"Atas—"
"You don't need to fool me, Zachary. I'm going home to Aunt Victoria's house if that's what scares you," I cut him off, making his jaw clench. "Now, leave me alone. Go to your fiancé's family; they might be waiting for you."
I didn't even wait for him to answer, and I completely abandoned him. I could him following, but he didn't bother me again until we got out of the building. I raised an eyebrow when I saw Aireen outside her car, leaning seriously as she waited for me. Her eyes focused on my back for a moment, as if she were studying something.
"What are you doing out here?" I asked in surprise, then opened the backseat door.
"I've cracked the file," she replied differently.
I stopped when I was about to enter and stared at her.
"You're right. There's something unusual," she said.
I swallowed and didn't speak anymore. I finally went inside and immediately took Zachary's laptop to see what she was talking about. I can feel every beat of my heart; I don't know why. Aireen also got into the driver's seat quietly, and I could feel her watching me through the car mirror.
With my trembling hand, I clicked on the file, which now didn't have a password. My eyes widened when I saw various scanned documents there and some pictures. Unconsciously, I looked at them one by one.
"Why does he have these files?" I murmured.
"That's my question, too. Why does he have records of your father's corruption and images of your stepmother's adultery?" Aireen's second.
No matter what circumstances I tried in my brain, I couldn't get an answer. My mind was in a mess. Later, I remembered what Zachary had said earlier.
Is this what he's referring to?
I scrolled further through the documents and was stunned to see a familiar medical record. It was mine. It stated how I was hospitalized back then because I aborted my child.
I don't know how to feel. I am angry at what I am reading, but the confusion is eating me. I was even more stunned when the next record was about Eunice. I didn't fully understand that, but only one thing was clear: she was mentally ill.
Why does he have all this?
"As you asked, I took an effort to look into him. When I first saw it, I believed what I was seeing to be normal, but after reading that file, I noticed an uncertain connection," Aireen stated.
I looked up at her. "What do you mean?"
"Atasha, your ex-boyfriend meets in secret with your father's rivals in politics, and on top of that, he has other close relationships with powerful individuals," she answered. "I know he is a professor and a doctor, but his connection with those people is still very surprising. It was as if he really approached them."
"Why?" I mumbled unconsciously. "I mean, why does he do that, and for what? These files—where is he going to use them?"
"That's the big puzzle, Atasha. Either he's a keeper, which I doubt, or . . . he's also planning something."
"You mean destroying us?" I couldn't stop laughing. "We both know, Aireen, what he did to me and to my unborn child just for Eunice. I clearly saw and heard how he promised to love my sister while they were having sex. That's impossible."
"I know, Atasha, but what if...?" she stopped for a moment and met my eyes. "He's been fooling you all around since the beginning?" she added, making me stop. "Think about it, Atasha; you're pregnant, just like you show. Yes, maybe he's desperate for a child, but if he really loves your sister, why does he spend more time with you than with her?"
"T-That's absurd," I murmured.
Aireen let out a sigh and started the engine. "For now, be careful, Atasha. Maybe later you won't realize that you are the one he is trapping."