Brian Gil dela Vega dedicated himself to love and protect his first love Ariana, daughter of their housemaid, and promise to marry her when they reach the right age. But everything started to fall in a very wrong way when Brian's parents adopted the young beautiful Ariana Kate Soriano. Will he be able to keep his promise if Ariana also has the surname dela Vega? - Palpan University Series 1
Chapter 1 Intro: She's Forbidden
Brian Gil clenched his fist after hearing the statement of their family attorney. Along with all their family members, Atty. Guerrero read the approved document stating that Ariana Kate Soriano, the orphaned daughter of their deceased house maid, is now his official and legal sister.
His family approached Ariana after the announcement to welcome her into the family. But Brian Gil was just in the corner, sitting on the one-seater sofa, stunned and staring at nothing. He's trying to understand everything that's happened, everything that Atty. Fort Guerrero said.
"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. dela Vega; Ariana Kate is now officially and legally your daughter."
Those were the words kept repeating in his head. Ariana is now a legal member of their family, like him, she's now a dela Vega, his legal sister. How did things end up this way?
When he felt the wetness in his eyes, Brian blinked several times. He looked around the room only to discover that he was the only one left in his father's study room. Everyone who was with him has already left. They're probably celebrating in the dining room because they've finally managed to ruin his life! They are now rejoicing because they have succeeded in causing his heart to bleed.
Brian's dramatic moment was cut short when the door to the study room opened. His grandfather, Klimt, entered the room, followed by his father, Renoir. They seemed to be discussing something important and didn't notice him sitting in the corner. They just kept talking and sat in the lounge opposite his father's office table. His grandfather sat on the single-seater couch, while his father sat on the longer couch.
Brian faced the two men. The old farts! They didn't even consider his feelings! They made a decision without consulting him. How could the elder dela Vegas hurt his feelings so easily!?
"Brian son, what are you doing in the corner?" He looked at the two men, throwing them death glares.
"Heartless old farts," he whispered. Extremely upset with them.
His grandfather frowned. Klimt had no idea what grandson was saying. "What is your problem? Why is your face so glum?" Klimt inquired.
"Dad, don't mind that one; he's just making his drama, you know. . . He's against Chae and I adopting Ariana." His father shakes his head as he explains to his grandfather. Brian cursed under his breath. All this time his father knew he was against the adoption, but his father still did what he wanted even though it could hurt him in the process. His father truly has no heart!
"Oh, why not? Ariana is nice; why don't you like her?"
"I like her!" he shouted in response. He was like a child who hadn't gotten the toy he desired.
"See, Renoir? Our Brian here likes Ariana. My grandson doesn't do dramas." The old man waved his right hand. Every movement of its hand in the air seemed to pimp a fly. "Now go downstairs and welcome Ariana to our family."
"Just kill me, Grandpa! She's not welcome in our family, and I don't want to be her sibling!"
"Brian Gil dela Vega!" his father hollered angrily. "What kind of behavior is that? Your mother and I never taught you to be rude!" Brian frowned as his father lectured him.
"Don't act like a brat, will you? You know that Ariana is completely orphaned. She doesn't have a mother and she didn't know her father. She also doesn't know where her mother's relatives are. Don't you feel sorry for Ariana?"
"Of course, I feel sorry for her," he replied, pouting. He genuinely feels sorry for Ariana and feels bad for her, but-"But I can't accept her as my sibling! That will never ever happen, dad. Never!"
"Damn this kid!" His father stood up angrily. Renoir was about to strike him, but his grandfather stopped his father immediately.
"Brian son, come here," Klimt said calmly. He was hesitant to approach his grandfather at first because he feared tasting his father's fist, but when he saw the assurance in Klimt's smile, Brian knew his grandfather would not let his father hit him. He approached them and sat on the couch opposite his father, on the left side of his grandfather.
"Brian, I thought you liked Ariana? Could you please tell me why you can't accept her into our family? You know that everyone loves her, right?" Brian's bad facial expression worsened. He knew Ariana would be very welcome to them because their clan was desperate for a female member; after all, all of his cousins are male.
"I want her grandpa, as in I love her. How can I make her my girlfriend if she becomes my sister!" Brian whined. Klimt was surprised by his grandson's confession, he glanced at his son, Renoir, and shook his head. Klimt sighed. He had no idea how his grandson felt about Ariana. He now understands why Brian is behaving so erratically. Renoir did not inform him of this so he agreed to adopt Ariana. If he had known his grandson was in love with the girl, he would have requested a marriage contract rather than an adoption document.
"I understand how you feel, Brian, but we've completed the adoption; Ariana's documents have been approved, and she's legally your sister; there's nothing we can do about it." His grandfather's words broke his heart even more. Brian lowered his head as a tear dropped from his eye.
"I'm sorry, son. There are so many women in this world; you'll forget her eventually; you're still young."
"But I only want Ariana grandpa." His little cry became sobbing. "She's the only one for me!"
"But you can't have her." Brian Gil's sobs grew louder throughout the room. He didn't know how to stop the tears from falling. His sobs continued unabated. He felt an excessive pain in his chest due to the sadness and frustration.
"Find another girl, Brian. You can't love her like that. Ariana is your sister, she's forbidden, you must not have her," Renoir stated emphatically and authoritatively.