Chapter 2 Sacrifice

I draw and anchor the bow. I let out a sigh as I released the arrow. I smirked as I looked at my score of 10. I heard Reed clapping his hands.

"Nice shot, Sadie," he said, smirking at me.

I shook my head as I watched him aiming the target. He scored 9. I smiled playfully and gave him a thumbs up.

"Too bad, bro. When Sadie hits a perfect score, you'll lose," Kyle said.

I fixed my grip on the handle and aimed the bow. Then I released it.

"How's that?" I chuckled at Reed who was just smirking at me.

"Good job, Sadie. You're getting better and better. Maybe soon I'll always lose against you, huh."

"You're flattering me. But yeah, thanks to my great teacher," aniko at mahinang natawa. Reed is an archer so he's really good at this.

"You're welcome?" he said, smiling playfully.

Kyle, Reed and I did a high five as we finished. I took off my finger tab, arm guard and chest guard.

"You should go home. It's nearly late. You'll be scolded again," sabi ni Levi habang nililigpit ang gamit.

"You have class tomorrow?" Reed asked. I nodded and sighed. "Yeah."

***

"Sadie! Are you done with your class? Do you wanna grab some food with us?" Monica said.

I nodded. It's still early. We headed to the Starbucks near our University. They're just chatting and I remained silent, listening to them. I know that sometimes they find me awkward because of my behaviour.

"Leo is in a coma right now," Annie whispered, it's like she's telling a secret.

They gasped. "What? What happened? Why is he in a coma? He's a basketball player pa naman."

Annie nodded. "I know right. Mom and I visited him last night. Two weeks na siyang naroon. Kung nakita niyo lang ang lagay niya. Pilay at bali na ang braso niya. Even his face is full of bruises. He was tortured. Grabe ang lagay niya."

"W-Why would someone do that to him? He's such a kind and gentleman."

"Right. Hindi mahanap-hanap ang gumawa sa kaniya niyon. Maybe he's a powerful man, more powerful than Leo's family."

Monica turned to me. "Do you already know about this? Leo likes you. Did you already let him court you?"

I didn't answer. I just stared at my drink.

But honestly, I'm a little bit surprised. Leo likes me. He wants to court me but I rejected him. Because he's an assh*le. I remembered that night when I got traumatised because of him.

That night when he forced me to let him court me. I got bruises on my body because he's being aggressive towards me. I didn't tell my parents because his parents are my parents' business partners.

***

I let out a heavy sigh as I looked at Gina who's helping me to put my Corset on me. I groaned as she tightened it more. Gina is my personal helper. She's like my stylist, my makeup artist and everything.

"Kaunti na lang, Madame."

"Can I not wear this today? Just don't tell Mom," I convinced her. Ngumiwi siya at umiling.

"Just don't tell her," I said desperately.

"Sorry, Madame Sadie. Alam niyo naman na laging sinisigurado ng Mother niyo."

I nodded. "You're right. It's just tiring to wear this everyday."

I irritatedly looked at the door because of the knock. "Madame, pinapatawag po kayo ng Mom ninyo, sa office niya raw po."

Sinigurado ko na maayos ang buhok at mukha ko. I pouted as I looked at my pale skin. Lumabas na ako at tumungo sa office ni Mom.

"Mom, Dad," I said as I both looked at them. Bahagya pa akong nagulat nang makita rin si Daddy.

Taas-noong tumayo si Mommy at naglakad papalapit sa akin. I stood straight and looked at her cold eyes. I suddenly received a slap from her.

"You didn't meet my high expectations for you, Sadie. I'm very disappointed," she said.

"Bumaba ang grades mo, and guess what? You're not the top in your school. What's the problem with you?" she hissed.

"B-But I'm still on–" I stopped when she cut me off from talking.

"May mas mataas sa'yo. Are you proud of that? Gusto ko 'yong mas mataas ka sa kanilang lahat! Can't you see? Nalalamangan ka! Because you're not focusing on your studies." She took a deep breath like she's losing her cool.

But I did everything to get good grades. I studied hard for that. I tried my best so they will be proud of me. Pero mukhang hindi pa sapat.

"Don't worry, hon. She will do better next time," Dad said. "Right, princess?" he smiled.

I nodded and looked down. "Y-Yes. I'm sorry. For disappointing you. I will do better next time."

"As you should, Sadie. Everyone is looking up at you. You're Alvarez . Don't disappoint people. And us."

I cried and cried silently the whole day in my room after I heard my parent's words on my grades.

***

Years passed until I graduated. Graduation is a happy event to everyone but for me it's not. I didn't even feel the sincerity of my parents' congratulations to me. We had a family gathering with our other relatives to celebrate my graduation and also my other cousins.

Years passed again, until I turned 22. I'm now a model. That's what my Mom wanted me to be, since I have no interest in business. That's why I pursue being a model since that's what I think I wanted to be too. Minahal ko na lang din ang pagiging modelo ko.

My Mom was known as a famous model. But she's no longer a model now since she had me.

Until the day that made my mind go blank. I was so speechless. I feel like my whole life was destroyed. All of that because of what I've heard.

"You're going to marry someone. A billionaire."

"What?! Mom! Are you serious?" Hindi ko maiwasang sumigaw. And that's the first time I raise my voice at them.

"Don't raise your voice at your Mother, young lady! How dare you!" Dad shouted.

I let out a breath and closed my eyes. I feel like the world is spinning.

"Sadie! Hindi kita tinuruan ng ganiyan! Don't you dare disobey us! We're your parents!"

I looked down. Then I felt my tears pour.

"And you're now crying? Pathetic! Did you forget what I've taught you? This is unbelievable!" she shouted.

"Stop crying! For goodness sake, Sadie. You'll cry just because of this? We are doing this for you! Don't cry in front of me and stop being emotional!"

I calm myself even though I'm still panicking and my crumpled brain. Pinilit kong itago ang aking emosyon.

I heard Mommy sighed in relief when she saw my expression, and that satisfied her. She would rather see me without emotion than to cry and laugh.

"Listen. This company is one of the well-known companies in the world, not just in the Philippines. And now that their heiress is leading, their company has become even more powerful."

"I want a better man for you. And he's perfect for my standard. Hindi siya basta-basta pumapayag sa mga ganito. So we can say that you're lucky," she continued.

I looked down at my unfinished food. As if I'm interested in that man. I'm not even ready to settle down. I didn't even think about marrying someone. Not in my wildest dream that I'm marrying someone that I don't love and doesn't love me.

Just imagining it is like hell.