Embracing Khaos

Kabanata 2

Anastasia's POV

Huminto ako sa paglalakad at tiningnan ang sinag ng araw sa aking balat. Tiningnan ko ito animo ito ang unang beses na nakita ko ang ganito.

"Why did you stop?"

Hindi ko nilingon si Mikayla at pinagmasdan lamang ang liwanag sa aking balat. Why simple things like this fascinate me?

I laughed.

Ganto ba ang pakiramdam ng mga preso kapag malaya na sila? Like they're being reborn again? Na tila ang bawat paghinga ay mahalaga? Ang mga puno, mga ibon.

The beautiful scenery.

Why I'm so happy to see them again?

I'm like an alien. Being happy because I saw something new and something beautiful again.

"Asha, we will be late," Mikayla said and look at me from head to toe. "And why are you wearing a black outfit?"

Nilingon ko ito at ngumiti.

"What's wrong with my outfit? Isn't it beautiful? I'm like attending a funeral." I said while grinning.

She closed her eyes and sighed.

"Alright. Please, sumakay ka na sa sasakyan." Iritado nitong sabi.

Hindi ako kumibo at sumakay na sa sasakyan. I looked at the castle. It's my first time leaving home, again. I don't know but it feels right. Para akong nakawala sa matinding pagkakakulong.

Sa matinding lungkot.

I didn't see any light for the past six years because I hate it. I love seeing darkness because it gave me some comfort and warmth. And right now, the light gives me anxiety. And it feels good, why it feels good?

"Don't be scared. We just need to show it to your stupid uncle that you are still alive." She whispered.

"Who says that I'm scared? I don't fear anyone, Mikayla. I own that company and those jerks want it. What do you think should I let them or not?"

Nakatingin lang ako sa labas at pinagmamasdan ang daan.

"Are you crazy? You're right, it's yours so why would you give it to them?"

Mababakas ang inis sa boses nito na s'yang nagpatawa sa akin.

Should I fight that son of a b***h? I'm so tired of hearing his stupid name. He's my uncle but I know what kind of person he is. Hindi ko man ito nakikita but I know his stupid plans.

That greedy and selfish old man.

My father used to warn me about him. He has this aura that will make you feel scared. I'm not scared of that old man. Being scared is not my thing. I should face my enemy.

I like it that way.

"All I'm saying is, my niece isn't here. She's not ready to take responsibility for this company."

"Mr. Knight is right. Can we trust her puppet? How can we secure this company, if the real heiress is stuck in that haunted house?"

"He has a point,"

"So we will decide on a new chairman."

I almost laugh when I heard their conversations. Ang matatandang ito ay nakakatawa. Maybe they will entertain me. They want me to show up just because of their stupid jealousy and greediness.

I pushed the door at ang lahat ay natahimik. Inilibot ko ang paningin ko and I smirk when I saw my dearest uncle.

Tsk, he's still ugly.

Nakakapanget talaga ang pagiging masama. I can smell his anger and his desire to kill me. Pathetic, he looks shocked to see me.

"Who are you, Miss?"

"Yes. Please leave this meeting is important."

Ngumisi ako at naglakad papasok. Damn, I look like a grim reaper.

A beautiful reaper.

"You all want to see me, right? Haunted house? Can you live with me and find some ghosts?"

Their eyes are all widened in shock. At nagsimulang magbulungan na parang mga bubuyog.

"Miss Knight?

"Archie, you said that she's sick."

"Yeah, but why she's here? And she looks like her father so much."

I just grin and looked at my uncle.

"Do you miss me, Uncle?" I asked.

Tumikhim ito at saka humeral sa akin.

"Anastasia, you are back. I thought you are sick,"

Ngumisi ako.

"Why would you think that way? You should visit me to know. If you're curious." I said coldly.

Humarap ako sa mga ito at saka walang emosyon na tumingin sa kanila. While looking at them, I already know who's real or not. Kung sino ang kalaban o kakampi.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm Anastasia Rael Knight. I'm here to finally take full responsibility for my company. You are looking for me, right? Now, be ready because I'm finally here."

Tumango ang mga ito at nagbulungan ulit.

"Nice to finally meet you, Miss Knight."

"She looks like her father so much. I bet she also has his talents."

"We are looking forward to working with you, Miss Knight."

"Congratulations and welcome back."

Nagpalakpakan ang mga ito at saka tumayo upang yumuko.

That's right now that I'm here, the real battle starts.

-----

"So how is it?"

Pinaikot ko any swivel chair at saka tumingin ka'y, Mikayla.

"I want to go home already. But looks like there's a lot of monsters here."

Sumandal ako sa swivel chair at pinaglaruan ang ballpen na hawak ko.

She laughed.

"Oh please. You don't how much I wanted to punch them in their face. And now that you're here, I can now breathe."

I rolled my eyes because of what she said.

This place suffocates me. I hate their stare. I hate everything about the outside world.

"And what the hell is this?" Tanong ko.

Ngumisi to and I'm telling you I don't like it. Like that grin is saying that it's now my turn to suffer.

"It's all the papers that you need to sign,"

What?

"But can we just stick to the other ways of signing?"

Umiling ito.

"Nope. We can't print your signature like we used to. You're already here, so go and have fun." Kinuha nito ang bag at lumabas na.

Damn that b***h.

I want to throw the papers outside.

Or should I burn them?

Ngumiti ako.

That's right. I should burn them. Tatayo na sana ko ngunit may kumatok sa pintuan.

"Good morning, Miss Knight. I'm your secretary and you have a meeting today."

I just looked at her with no emotions in my eyes.

"What is your name?" Masungit na tanong ko.

"I'm Candice Reyes and it's nice meeting you, Madam." She replied and bows her head.

"The meeting is all about what?" Tumayo na ko at hinanda ang aking sarili.

Binuksan nito ang pintuan para sa akin. Naglakad lamang ako habang ginagabayan ako nito.

"It's all about the authors that we will hire for the special events this Christmas."

Christmas?

How can I be so dumb? The Christmas tree outside is the sign that it's already here. Christmas is already here.

Why I'm so lonely?

In this season everyone is smiling. Enjoying the holidays with their loved ones. Tsk, what's good with Christmas? It's all about celebrating someone's birthday. I don't understand why we all need to celebrate because of that.

I used to love this season.

I hate birthdays.

"We're already here, Madam."

Binuksan nito ang pintuan. A lot of employees are here. Tumayo ang mga ito at yumuko para magbigay galang. Tumango lamang ako at naupo sa harap.

"Let's start." Maiksing pahayag ko.

They all sit with their chairs at saka tumango.

"So we come up with this proposal because we think that a lot of people enjoy writing. If we establish an event where everyone will write their books or story, I think that will be good. A lot of teenagers now have a colorful imagination. Let's just say that we will allow everyone to make their own stories and enhance their talents."

Tumango ako sa sinabi ng babaeng nagsasalita. Must be the team leader.

I smiled.

Writing their own stories?

How I wish na ganoon lamang kadali ang lahat. If you can easily skip chapters and rewrite your own life. Kung sana ay naging madali ang lahat sa akin. If only I can do that. If only I can write my chapter and choose an ending for me.

If only I can.

"What can you say about that proposal, Miss Knight?"

"Yes, please. Say your opinion about it."

"If that proposal will help people to write their own stories and apply that in their own life. I can agree with that. This company was built to help people to use their imagination. A story that will give hope and inspire people. This Christmas makes them feel loved and inspire. Create an author that will give people hope to take the pen and create their own story. Authors are not just a piece of creation, they are the creator. I will approve this project and show me what you've got. Update me as soon as it started. Do your best while doing this. It's my first project with all of you so do all your best to make it successful."

I rolled my eyes when all of them are just staring at me with shocked eyes. Nakanganga ang mga ito at kalaunan ay pumalakpak. They looked at me with awe and I hate it. Are they expecting that I'm not a good boss? Tsk, I am trained for this.

I am trained for our legacy.

"That was awesome, Asha!"

Tiningnan ko lamang si, Mikayla na nakangisi sa pintuan. She's looking at me with a big smile on her face. This is not a big deal but they're acting like a proud mother right now.

Tumayo na ko at walang salitang lumabas. I'm not used to this kind of environment. This is the first time that I've experienced this. Being the heiress of this company is not good but I need to protect it. This is my father's blood, sweat, and tears. I just can't let them take it.

Not on my watch.

The city lights are beautiful but I'm still not used to them. I crave darkness. I crave the calmness and safety it brings. I'm still here in the company since those stupid papers are still waiting for my sign. I look at my wrist. I want to see blood again.

Tss, why I'm the only one who's suffering? I want them to suffer too. I want this whole city to become a mess. I want to see chaos and blood all over the place.

I want them to cry too.

I want to see them begging.

Like how I suffered every f*cking night.

"Let's go home?"

Ngumiti ako at tumingin sa kalangitan. It looks so peaceful and beautiful while I suffer here.

"It's beautiful, right? What can you say? It's better than being stuck in the dark, right?" Mikayla asked.

"There's a myth that says if you smile at the sky every night before you sleep. The moon will give you beautiful dreams." I whispered and looks at the sky. "But why? No matter how big I smiled in the sky. The moon only gave me nightmares."