Silverius' POV
"You need to get her closer to you. The best way to do that is to let her enter the same Academy you're in."
My brows met in confusion when I heard him changing his own plans. No'ng una ay gusto niyang mapalayo ang babae at h'wag magkaroon ng kahit anong koneksiyon sa amin tapos ngayon ay gusto niyang mangyari ang kabaliktaran ng plano niya.
This man indeed has a complex way of thinking. Like a million piece jigsaw puzzle - nearly impossible to build. This, I think is a sign of getting into old age.
"I am not old, Tanso!" he spat.
"Could you please stop reading my mind? You're literally doing a mental trespassing. If only I could sue you for that," I said in annoyance.
"Why don't you try to sue me then?" panghahamon niya. His challenge was then followed by a thunderous laugh. "I can imagine the look on your lawyer's face kapag sinabi mong pumapasok ako sa isip mo nang walang paalam."
I did a face palm even though he can't see it.
Ang awkward nga kung sasabihin ko 'yon sa abogado ko knowing that they're non-gems.
"Why don't you start hiring lawyers with gems, Tanso? Tapos gumawa kayo ng sarili niyong korte para maisumbong mo na ang pagpasok ko sa isip mo."
Isang halakhak na naman ang narinig ko sa kabilang linya.
"Damn! That sounds like a cheesy pick up line," she said while wheezing.
He sounds like an old man with asthma.
"Ang layo kaya!" he argued.
I hate how he would always use his powers on me. Palibhasa he owns this powerful trait to let him keep his power until his last breath.
Sa amin kasi, isang beses lang namin pwedeng gamitin ang kapangyarihan namin. The very reason why we need to discover what power that our gems hold is that we only have one chance to use it. Thus, going to a specialized academy for proper training is a must.
However, there are rare instances where some of us are fortunate enough to be blessed with such ability to keep the power given by our gems. Isa na nga si Derek sa mga 'yon.
What a lucky old man he is.
"I am a lucky man, Tanso. Cut the - "
"Stop calling me that and stop reading my mind!" I said for the nth time. Hindi ba alam ng matandang 'to ang right to privacy?
"Only if you'll stop messing with my age," he bargained. "Plus, you're speaking your thoughts too loud kaya naririnig ko hanggang dito."
Hindi talaga siya magpapatalo.
"As I was saying, you need to guard her face to face right now. I already sent her the scholarship set that you made to give her a chance to enter the academy," he informed.
I sarcastically chuckled. "If you really want to get her in the academy, you could've just referred her to me. Pinababa mo lang ang tiyansa niyang makapasok dahil sa ginagawa mo eh," I laughingly discussed my point.
Kaming mga diamond-rank students ay pwedeng magbigay ng scholarship sa mga non-gems or most commonly known as the "pebbles" only to make them our slaves for the rest of the year.
My scholarship set consists of an application form that is intended to evaluate the life background of the aspirant which will serve as the first test. Afterwards, the aspirant will face a short twenty-item exam that they need to pass.
Unlike other scholarhsip sponsor, ako lang ang may pinakakaunting scholars. Not to brag pero wala pang sampu sa loob ng isang taon ko sa academy ang pumasa sa ginawa kong exam questions.
Marami ang sumubok pero bilang lang sa kamay ang mga pumasa. I think they need to hope that the mercy of luck will abide on their side because if they're not smart enough, tsamba na lang ang pag-asa nila.
"You're so full of yourself, Tanso."
Ugh! That name again!
"I told you to not call me Ta - "
"Silverius William Fulgencio."
The mention of my complete name through that baritone voice sent shivers down my spine. I dislike the fact of being called "Tanso" yet I'd rather hear that than hearing my full name from dad. Lalo na at tunog seryoso siya.
Don't get me wrong. I am not that afraid of my own father especially now that I have a good standing in our family. Or should I say.... I have a good financial share in the Fulgencio clan's financial ranking.
Takot lang akong mabuking niya kung sino ang kausap ko. Maybe I am became too reckless today.
Immediately, I kept the phone in my pocket and set myself on a poker face before facing him. I would always plaster a stern or poker face whenever I am in front of my father and any other human beings.
Wala naman kasing ni isa sa kanina ang karapatdapat ngitian.
Plus, there's just nothing to smile about in my life.
"What did I tell you about wasting time?" he asked with furrowed brows.
"I wasn't," I corrected him and that made his relaxed jaw to clench.
Sa bahay na ito, ako lang ang may karapatang sumagot sa kanya. Yes, it may appear weird pero siya ang magbibigay ng permiso sa kung paano mo siya pwedeng tratuhin. Even mom can't talk to him the way that I do.
Why?
At my age, I am already giving him billions. The primary reason why we are on top of the list when it comes to the diamonds. Mom may look elegant and sophisticated but her only share are those designer bags she create that only share millions. Malayong-malayo sa naibibigay ko.
In this house, our rights and they way we ate treated are based on our capability to make money. No, we don't respect by age. Our respect is based on the bills they make.
"What are you doing then?" he suspiciously asked.
"I was obviously on my phone, talking to some businesses partner. I am working beyond my working hours just to add more cha-chings to your account." Sinadya ko ang pagiging sarkastiko.
I swear I saw how his eyes shimmered with the mention of the money. Kung mayroon mang ilustrasyon ng "mukhang pera" ay ito na 'yon. Ito mismong mukha na nasa harapan ko.
However, he's good at switching and suppressing emotions that why his face went stern again.
"Let's just say I bought your lame excuse just to save time and energy because we have better things to talk about," he lazily said.
"Business?" I asked.
Psh, bakit ko pa itinanong 'yan? Kailan pa siya nag-isip ng hindi tungkol sa business or anything else that's related to making money?
"Better than business."
His reply caught me off guard. Ano pa ba ang ibang bagay na hihigit sa business para sa kanya?
Is there even such a thing?
He probablt noticed my reaction that's why the side of his lip rose to form an intriguing smirk. That look on his face tells me that he's up to no good.
"It's your birth month, remember?" Now his smirk has upgraded into a disturbing grin.
My brows met in suspicion. It's unusual for him to remember my birth month. Naalala ko pa nga mula nang magkamalay ako ay kailangan pang ipaalala sa kanya ng secretary niya or ni mommy na malapit na ang birthday ko.
He won't greet me or anything. He'll just permit me to do anything that pleases me since it's my day.
Kaya, nang lumaki ako ay hindi naman ako gano'n ka-interesado sa birthday or birth month ko. Ni hindi ko nga alam na malapit na pala ang kaarawan ko. If it wasn't for father's shocking gimmick, hanggang ngayon ay clueless pa rin ako.
There is a tradition for us, diamonds, during birthday celebrations but I don't give a damn about it. I'm just glad the traditional birthday celebration is not mandatory.
"It seems like you're still in a state of shock on how fast time flies. Isang taon na naman pala ang itinanda mo," his voice sounds insulting. "Lagi kasing nasa libro at negosiyo ang atensiyon mo. Try to look beyond papers, Silver. There's more to life than making money."
I can't help but to let out a sarcastic chuckle. He is nothing but a huge money-greedy hypocrite.
Siya ang dahilan kung bakit ako nagtratrabaho. I wonder how thick the walls of his guts are to say such words to me.
"Spill tha plan. You're too wordy, you're wasting my time," I said in a lazy manner.
Mukhang maling desisyon ang nagawa ko dahil imbes na ma-offend siya sa sinabi ko ay lalo pang lumawak ang ngisi niya. His grin makes me think that things are going according to how he planned it to be.
Confirmed. He's up to something mischievous.
"I'm planning to throw you the most elite ball ever - "
"Stop, dad. There is no way that I'll be celebrating my birthday that way," I stopped him even before he could finish the sentence.
He knows I hate those type of celebration. Hindi ko nga pinapaunlakan ang mga elegant bachelor's party or debut kahit pa mga business partners namin ang nag-aaya.
I just find it corny and unnecessary. Imagine spending millions of cash for one night just to have people to greet you a happy birthday. I mean people will still greet you the same way with or without that fancy ball. Gagastos pa ako ng ilang milyon para lang mapakain ang mga taong kaya namang bumili ng sarili nilang pagkain.
Isa pa ay mapupuno lang din naman ng nonsense gossip at payabangan ang buong lugar.
"Too bad you can't do anything about it," mapang-asar niyang sabi while flashing an evil grin.
"What?!"
That sounded more like an exclamation rather than a question.
"Shit..."
I can't help but to mutter a curse when I realized what I just did. My emotions tricked me into focusing more on tmy frustration rather than maintaining my cool.
Dad hates the act of being yelled at. Ayos lang sa kanya na sinasagot-sagot ko siya pero hindi siya pumapayag na sigawan siya ng kahit na sino.
Nawala ang ngiti sa labi niya at napalitan ito ng isang tuwid at mahigpit na linya. His eyes says the intense emotion he's feeling and I totally know that he's about to pour it at me.
I'm screwed.
"Silverius William Fulgencio..."
Damn! This one sounds more terrifying than the first one.
"You will attend that celebration whether you like it or not," he said with finality. Siguro ay napansin niya ang pagmamatigas at pagproprotesa sa mukha ko kaya sinekondahan pa niya ang desisyon.
"However, if you'll stay stubborn then you better prepare for the consequence..."
He sealed his threat with an evil smirk.
Ngayon ay lalo akong walang magagawa kung hindi ay sunding kung anong gusto niya. I may seem so tough and all when I am talking with him but dad gives the most dangerous and literally breath-taking consequences.
I don't wanna mess with his threats.
"Bwisit!" I exclaimed as soon as I made sure he's not going to hear me anymore.
Servants immediately went to clean the scattered broken pieces of the vase I threw.
Sobrang frustrated lang ako ngayong araw na 'to. I feel like people are joining forces to ruin all of my usual peaceful routine.
First, Derek just gave me a pain in the ass to guard. Second, this shitty birthday celebration. If the third day-ruiner will come, I will surely lose my sanity.