CIARA walked into her office, a warm, pleasant smile on her face as she anticipated the quiet afternoon ahead. The bustling sounds of the office faded as she entered her personal space, but her serene atmosphere was abruptly disrupted when she saw her stepmother, Jessica, and stepsister, Julia, standing with Nathaniel by the window.
"Ciara, nandiyan ka na pala," panimula ni Jessica. Her voice was smooth, but there was an undertone of curiosity that didn't go unnoticed. "Hindi ko alam na may kasama ka pala."
Julia, standing next to her mother, looked equally surprised. "Gusto ka lang sana namin bisitahin dahil hindi ka na pumupunta sa bahay."
Hindi mapigilan ni Ciara na kabahan lalo na nang madatnan ang ibang tao sa office niya. Hindi niya akalain na pupunta sila rito lalo na at wala ang
