Indebted: A Debt-p*****t Romance (English Version)

Chapter 7: Father

I woke up with an empty feeling inside me. I just feel exhausted and drained from the outside, but inside, I feel shallow. I tiredly darted my heavy eyes to the balcony. I want to greet the morning and thank Him for this new blessed day. I said my gratitude in my head instead. My body just feels so heavy to move to do what I am used to doing in the morning.

It's either I'm so tired or feel lifeless to do so, I’m not sure. I closed my eyes and prayed that I’d be back in my room in the apartment Dion and I lived in. 

I have tried it so many times but, of course, it’s impossible. Whether I want it or not, I have to continue fighting for this life given to me. 

Who am I to decline when it's His will to give me this stage of my life?

So with a heavy, tired body, I did all the usual morning rituals. I even took a bath hoping it would help me get rid of this negative energy that stuck on me early this morning. But it's not about my physical form. It is about what I am feeling within. The warm water from the shower is only a little help. 

I have been doing and experiencing it these past few days. I should at least get used to this. But because of what happened last night, I don’t feel like continuing on my day. I also don’t feel like leaving this room. 

But then again, it’s not possible. I am never the owner of myself anymore, but the people around me. 

Back then, when our family was complete and alive, I could do anything I pleased. I am the owner of my life. I am the controller of myself. But there's always a turning point to anyone’s life. And mine came after the tragedy that happened in our family five years ago.

 Dion eventually became my manipulator. This is my body, but he has control over me. If he wants me to suffer, then I will suffer.

 I am not complaining. Whatever he does, it’s all fine to me. I always tell myself that I deserve it all. It is indeed my fault why he was being like that and why our life became miserable. So, I have accepted anything he wants to do to me.

But in this case with the Montevalles family, despite trying to make myself believe it’s all for my cousin, I still feel the heaviness in my heart. The unwillingness to succumb. I understand that he is piled up with his debts. But is it justifiable to use me as a debt-p*****t? A settlement? 

I am sure they are aware of my cousin’s problem, how he is heading his life to something unforeseeable. But is it right to agree to his foolish decision? Taking advantage of his weakness for their own gains? 

For what? So, they can pretend that I belong to this family?

If Dion has known about how cruel this family is, he’ll be crazy with these people, too.

My exhaustion becomes worse after helping with the kitchen chores. Mang Imelda asked me what happened last night. I answered her properly and with what she was expecting to hear from me, like bringing Mr. Montevalle safely to his room. I told her all the necessary things, less what their señorito did to me. 

As the morning came, my nervousness grew. Any moment and the two heads of this household will go down. It’s a funny thought but I really want Mr. Montevalles to go down first before his son. His son is often quiet whenever he's with his dad. It’s better than hearing him say nonsensical things. 

 I think He heard my silent prayer. Suzeth came inside the kitchen and informed me that Mr. Montevalles was already in the dining area. 

I fixed myself as per Manang Imelda’s suggestion. But I still feel the sticky sweat because of the work I did in the kitchen. If only I could make Mr. Montevalles waited for a little while I fixed myself upstairs. 

Sighing, I went out and was greeted by Manang Imelda’s smile. She jerked his head in the direction of Mr. Montevalles who was sitting at the end of the long table. With enough strength I could regain,  I tried giving her the same gentle smile but I feel depressed as the señorito sitting on his  side of the table as well

Just like usual, he didn’t look up at me, his eyes remained on the food on the table. I reluctantly make a step towards them. 

"G-Good morning," I greeted any of them.

Mr. Montevalles turned to me. I nearly fainted with the big smile he directed to me. I halted when he stood to give a warm welcome through his embrace.

"Good morning!"

 I froze, not sure if it was because of his presence or his unexpected morning embrace. It's so welcoming and warm that it makes me think if he's sick. Or perhaps, it's the cause of his hang-over?

With his father’s arms wrapped around me, I took a peek at the son. He keeps that vacant look on his face, still unmoving, his eyes fixated on the table. However, I noticed how his hands clenched around the utensils. 

"Ate Ime told me you made breakfast?" he asked after breaking the hug. His genuine smile remained as he looked down at me. "And about last night, I appreciate it. Thanks for taking care of me."

I can't believe it. Mr. Montevalles actually knows how to thank. Am I dreaming? Or is this a nightmare? Is it because of what happened last night that I’m having this kind of dream?

"You okay?" he gently asked. The gentleness feels real as if it's really happening. But it's too good to be true. Too surreal.

Unable to find a word, I simply nodded my head. He gestured to my chair adjacent to him and across his son. I threw Manang Imelda a questioning look but I only received another sweet smile from her. 

"I really appreciate it when you cover me with my comforter at night," Mr. Montevalles sincerely whispered as he placed his hand over mine which was resting above the table. I jerked up in surprise but didn't try taking my hands back. I don’t want to ruin his morning. I don’t want him to think of hurting me again.

I turned to the son. He was actually the one who covered his dad last night, with the intention of harassing me. If he didn’t do it with that intention. If he only meant to help, I would sincerely tell him my gratitude. But after what he did, I don't feel the need to express my gratitude at all.

"So, let's eat?" Mr. Montevalles said with a smile that once again surprised me. I’m still not used to this. I have no idea my life here will start to change a little since last night. I have no idea that helping him while he's totally drunk could lead us to this.

I returned the smile of Manang Imelda. I put food on Mr. Montevalles’s place as one of her orders to me inside the kitchen. I didn’t entirely make everything this morning. They only gave me light tasks but I insisted on doing real work with them. I badly wanted to drift my mind off the events last night.

I gave Mr. Montevales a smile as well but I felt uneasy as he started giving that smile back to me.  It was full of sincerity, far way different from the real Mr. Montevalles I know. 

"I'd like that too," the son said in a monotone.

My body went rigid. His brows furrowed as he glared at his pate as if he intended to break it with that look. So as not to cause any trouble, I also put food on his plate. I even have to stand and bend a little just to reach his plate. 

Everything feels out of place. I know I don’t truly belong here even if I tried all of these. But seeing that something changed to Mr. Montevalles, it still makes me feel a bit comfortable. Instead of him always mad for nothing and throwing his anger out on me.