I was holding my heart when I felt the pain again. My breathing increased because I thought I was going to run out of air in my chest. "Engineer Mergus, Ms. is feeling really bad. Ann," I heard my secretary say from outside my room. Is he here again? "Where is she? I want to talk to her." I slowly got up and leaned on the headboard of my bed. I closed my eyes tightly because my stomach hurt more. I took a deep breath and wiped the sweat from my forehead, I was still sweating even though it was cold inside. "Engineer Mergus..." The door opened loudly and I just waited for him to enter. "May Ann..." he uttered my name emphatically and I looked up at him. "What are you doing here?" I asked him coldly. Instead of answering me, he asked me, "How much do you hate your brother?" "What do you mean?" "Your sister is in the hospital and she needs a donor. You know your sister is sick and she was rushed to the hospital but you still stay here as if nothing happened? You are so angry with your sister and you didn't even go to see her?!" he shouted at me. I only felt worse because of the way he showed my anger. "Engineer Mergus..." I signaled Ruthy to go out first. He hesitated because he knew my situation. He did nothing but follow me. "Go to the hospital right now and save your sister, May Ann!" he shouted at me again. My jaw dropped. He is forcing me to go to the hospital just to save the girl he loves? And my brother? Even though I am hurt by what he showed me today, I will not follow him and I will not go to the hospital just to be a donor for my younger brother. "I don't want to," I said emphatically and his jaw tightened. He stepped closer to me and I bravely met his cold eyes. "What do you want? Do I still have to kneel in front of you just, so you can come with me to the hospital now and save Arveliah?" he asked. I wanted to smile at what he said. Is he really ready to kneel to me so that I agree to what he wants? "I am only human, Engineer Mergus. I'm not God so I can save my brother," I said without emotion. "It's just you... Your brother's only hope is you. Only you can save him. Your blood is compatible so you can also be his bone marrow donor... Help him... Put aside your jealousy and anger towards him... I'm the one begging you..." he pleaded and he did what he wanted to happen. Without a doubt he knelt down in front of me so I felt a pain in my chest. They are right, you will do anything even if your pride is stepped on. You don't care as long as the issue is the safety of the person you love. But even if I love him... Even if I love Mergus, I will not follow him. I will not give him what he wants. "No. I'm not mad at my sister and that's not the reason," I said weakly and held my womb. "May Ann..." "I can be his donor because once... I donated blood to him once when we were young but... But I can't help him right now. I'm sorry..." I said and avoided looking at him. "That's how you are... what a selfish person... You're a liar, that your anger is not the reason why you don't want to save Arveliah. You want her gone... You want her to never...get better... It's because of me, isn't it?" he asked me mockingly and I looked back at him. "No. No one wants to lose their only sister, Engineer. But now...I can't help her. You will not be blessed by me," I promised and he stood up from his kneeling position. "Save Arveliah... That's what I'm asking you... I'll do... I'll do everything you want... If it's my heart in exchange, I'll give it..." "I thought too... I thought I got that from you. But I was wrong. If it's not really for me, if it's not meant for me, just don't. We'll still suffer in the end and be hurt more... We can't force something that's not for me, that wasn't given to the two of us..." I thought I had won his heart because I could feel his gradual fall. It started with him taking care of me and appreciating me but... I only experienced that temporarily. "Of all the people in this world... You... you are the only one I know who is so selfish and doesn't care about people, even if they are close to you. You..." It's okay to be selfish, because of the two most important people to me, I'll choose the one who I know won't leave me in the end. That I know...he can love me as much as I love him. I will not sacrifice him just because the man I love and my brother want. I will stand up for my selfishness. "I'll ask you, Engineer... If two people... both are important to you... You would choose one of them, similar to our situation... Who would you choose? The first person you loved, appreciated and gave color to your dark world or the second person that you yourself are the reason why he came to this world and gave him life?" I asked him meaningfully which stopped him. He couldn't speak immediately and just crossed his eyebrows. I thought he wasn't going to answer anymore but...what he answered hurt my heart so much. "The person I first met and appreciated is still heavier,
Chapter 1 1
WITH ANN VALLEJOS' POV
I SMILED when I touched the piano keyboard. It feels good when my fingers touch it. Especially if I already hear a tone, which I myself create a sweet melody.
I remember when I was young. I was only five years old when I watched a girl play the piano. The beauty of that music calms my mood and lightens the weight in my chest.
Yes, I was so young to feel that. Especially, my parents and I don't have a good relationship.
So because of that I wanted to learn how to play the piano. Nothing stood in the way of what I wanted. I begged, I begged that girl to teach me and she was not mean to me. She's one of a kind that I will never forget either.
She taught me with all her heart and I never thought that she was... That she was my real mother. That Dad didn't introduce to me. Because...
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. My fingers began to move to create sounds that my heart also wanted.
This instrument became my... friend. Yes, this thing seems funny, that the piano became my friend and not a person. Because of this, it has been the witness of my whole being, it has been the witness of my sorrows, of painful experiences and also one of the witnesses of my happiness.
A new song started that I was the only one who could hear it because it was one... It was one of my secrets that no one else should know. Because...
Everyone knows, that the Vallejos family has never had an interest in music. Because they also know, that we only want to run the company and do business, that is in our hearts.
My fingers stopped and I opened my eyes. Even though my parents didn't want me to do it, I was still stubborn. I still did something against their will. I always disobey them when it comes to my friend.
"Why did you stop?" I was surprised when I heard a voice. It even echoed in the quiet music room.
I slowly turned around to see that person. A tall old man, he looked like a businessman. Just based on his clothes. He is old but his face still has the manly beauty of his youth.
"Alright, continue that," he insisted to me.
"I don't know how to play," I refused. I heard his weak laugh.
"Eh, I heard you from the beginning. Go ahead. I want to hear the music you've been creating lately. That's new to my ears," he said to me and slowly approached my seat. That's why I looked more closely at his clothes.
He's wearing a black suit, obviously those are going to be loved. Both his hands are hidden behind his back.
"Maybe it came from the hall," I said.
"Which?" he asked.
"The music you heard," I answered quickly and his laughter only got louder.
"The party is not here and is in the hall. So, what are you doing here? Instead you have fun there. Are you one of the guests of the youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs. Vallejos? The architect and owner of this mansion?" he asked. He was referring to my father.
"It's only one person and why are your questions so detailed?" I politely asked him.
"To be sure," he answered. I nodded and smiled.
"Is it you? Why are you here? The party is in the hall so... What are you doing here? Are you also a guest?" I asked him again.
"Yes, you're right. I was one of the guests and...just nothing. I just want to breathe fresh air. I was actually about to go out but I heard a beautiful and soft piano music. So, my feet took me right here," he continued.
"Are you interested in music? So...did you let your foot take you to this place?" I asked the old man amused. He nodded one after the other.
"Yes. I remember my youth, and especially when I first met my late wife," he answered and I felt something in my chest when I heard what he said about his late wife.
He doesn't look sad because his smile is sweet. He just remembers his past, the times when he was even with the girl he loved. His late wife.
"I'm not very good at playing the piano, but do you want me to present you with a...music that for the first time you will hear for the rest of your life?" I asked him smiling and he seemed to become a child because he nodded quickly.
He remained standing by the piano and just watched me. At that time it was also for the first time that I felt my importance in this world.
I'm used to... I'm used to being ignored by people. I'm used to always being behind my family. I'm used to just walking past crowds. Because it seems like I don't belong in this world and never deserve to live, a person who doesn't exist because I'm just the fruit of a mistake. My father...
After my mini performance, I guess. He even managed to applaud me and he's so happy.
"Bravo... You're good at it." My eyes widened when I heard what he said.
"You... Are you a Filipino, Sir?" I asked him in a surprised tone. He nodded.
"Yes. I'm from the Philippines, actually," he replied.
"Wow... That's good..."
"You?"
"We come from the same place, Sir," I promised.
"So... What's the title of that music?" he asked and he wanted me to give a title to my playing earlier. It made me think because I was the one who offered it to him and he said he remembered his ex-husband. Maybe the...
"The unforgettable love, Sir. Love of the past that still lives in the present. Are you like that, am I right?" I asked and he nodded.
"That's right. You're right about that," he said and his smile didn't even disappear. "Aren't you going to the party? Are you just going to stay here?" he asked with a voice mixed with curiosity.
"Pupunta rin po and you need to go too, Sir," I uttered and stood up from my seat. I extended my hand towards the door and he walked first.
"The Vallejos family's mansion is too big. Aren't you lost here?" he asked.
"No. I'm used to it. You will not get lost in your own home, Sir," I stated and he stopped to face me again. He looked at me with astonishment and was still observing my face carefully.
"You... You resemble Mr. Vallejos," he said doubtfully and I nodded with a smile.
"He's my father, Sir," I told him and his eyes widened in shock.
"No offense, daughter. But your parents hate to hide you from us. He only introduced one to us and I thought... Ms. was an only child. Arveliah, it turns out she has a brother who is just as beautiful as her but looks more so." I just accepted that the last thing he said was a compliment.
"Because I don't like parties and meeting people," I promised.
"Tell me your name, please," he said. To everyone, this old man was just a stranger but I felt good about him. Because he makes me smile effortlessly.
"May Ann Vallejos, that's my name, Sir."
"May Ann... Wait, I heard that name before. Ah... I remember, you are the manager of V. Estate Company II?" he asked in amazement.
"Yes."
"I thought it was just the brother of Mr. Bercede, because your clients say... he's as good as you... You're his son."
"Yes," I said.
"Your parents are so lucky to have you as their daughter, hija... So that we can both be fair. I will introduce you. I'm Don Bril. Just call me, Don Bril," he introduced himself. I've never heard his name so I'm not familiar either.
"Nice meeting you, Don Bril," I said.
"Looks like... I already know my next grandchild," he said which I didn't quite understand. He says he will meet his next...what? Will be his grandson? Who is that?
"Why? Are you missing any of your grandchildren?" I asked with interest.
"Not like that. My oldest son is three years old and I know that he can be a child too," he said and my brow furrowed even more. I don't really understand him anymore. What is he saying?
"Excuse me, sir?"
"Kidding aside, daughter. I'm going back to the hall, and I hope... I can meet you there with your parents. I want them to introduce you to us," he said and I just looked at his back.
I shook my head and smiled. Don Bril also has some weirdness. Wow, it's the first time I've met someone from the Philippines.
I closed the lid of the piano. Even though Dad was against it, he did not completely close the music room and did not remove the instrument from it.
When I came out, one of our Filipina maids came up to me. "Miss Ann. Your daddy is looking for you. Get ready and go to the hall," he said and I nodded.
"Okay," I simply answered and he left in a hurry.
I took a deep breath. Dad wasn't the one looking for me and I know he's another partner or friend in the business world so... That's why he summoned me.
On the way to my room, I will pass the hall where the 24th birthday of my only sister, Arveliah, was held.
July 11, this special day of Arveliah is the death anniversary of my biological mother.
That's why I was in the music room because my chest was heavy because I remembered him, I remembered that I was only with him for a short time. That I wasn't even given much time to be with him while he was still alive in the world.
Yes, I am Dad's only child and the woman who taught me to play the piano is my biological mother. I am also one of the oldest and my youngest sister is Arveliah, who is often favored by daddy and my acknowledged mother. I don't know how it all happened.
My brother and I have a good relationship. She is not like our mommy who is very strict and just one mistake you make will get you scolded. They also discipline us differently but I know that they are like that only to me. Not Arveliah's.
"Miss May Ann, hurry up. Your daddy's friends have been waiting for a while!" he said confused and he actually looked back at me.
"Yes. Alright, you can go back to your work," I said and my smile disappeared when I saw Mommy. "M-Mom," I called her.
"What are you still doing here, May Ann? Go to your room and go dress up. Don't wait for your daddy," she said. I just nodded and then I left him there.
When I entered my room, I immediately saw my dress that Mommy had prepared.
I don't know if I'll be happy because on Arveliah's birthday Mommy prepares clothes for me to wear to the party or sad because... Because she really wants me to forget my Mom's death anniversary and so I don't remember it anymore yet the woman who gave birth to me in this world.
"It's not bad that I disobey him now, is it?" I asked myself and looked at my clothes. I'm still wearing purple office attire.
I just took my wallet and my keys and then I completely left my room. I went to the front door and I was about to leave but...
"Where are you going, Sister May Ann? It's my birthday today. Are you leaving again?" I faced my brother. He always keeps an eye on the front door because he knows. He knows that I always leave on his birthday. "Sister? There's a party there."
"Arveliah..."
"Please, Sister. Even today is my birthday. Don't leave yet, Ate May Ann..." he pleaded and hugged my arm but I was able to remove it.
"I'm sorry," I just said and left.
"Sister May Ann..."
I'm May Ann Vallejos, the eldest daughter of the Vallejos family. 28 years old and until now... I'm still unwanted daughter of my father and my Arveliah's Mom doesn't care about my existence, my father as well.
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