Chapter 4

• "What should I do?" I pulled out my hair while resting on my soft bed.
• My freakin' card!
• It wasn't until after that that I realized what I had done earlier at the mall when I returned home. I've been here for about ten minutes, reflecting on the poor choice that was made over and over again. My mind kept replaying the scene, imagining how that man had looked at me with disbelief and, strangely, amusement. I could almost feel the embarrassment creeping back as though it were happening again in real time. The scenario twisted in my mind, each detail exaggerated, making my panic grow more intense with every passing second. I kept imagining the other shoppers who might have noticed our little scramble, judging me silently, and it made my cheeks burn in shame.
• I groaned and stomped my feet in the air. "What a dumb head you got, Khrystal," I blamed myself.
• What if that man reached the limit of my card? Damn, Daddy will definitely kill me! I pictured his face, the stern set of his jaw, and the piercing eyes that had the power to make even the strongest employees quiver. My imagination ran wild with the scolding that would follow, each word sharper than the last, each glare slicing into me like a physical blow. Even a single raised eyebrow in his presence felt enough to crumble my confidence. I flopped back onto the bed, gripping the sheets as if I could somehow shield myself from the inevitable disappointment.
• Even though nothing has occurred yet, I'm already crying because I believe my predictions will come true. I can handle Mommy Francheska's rage, but I don't want to let Daddy down or rile him up. I felt like a small child lost in a world of adults, powerless to control anything around me. My thoughts swirled in endless loops, each one darker than the last, feeding my fear with relentless persistence. I imagined every possible argument, every angry conversation, and the way my mistakes could be dissected for months. I felt suffocated by the weight of my own imagination, trapped in a nightmare that hadn’t even happened yet.
• Three knocks on the door caught my attention. When it opened, I quickly got up when I saw Mommy Francheska entering my room. Her presence alone commanded attention, and I felt the tension in the air immediately. I straightened my posture, hoping she wouldn't notice the trembling in my hands. Every step she took into the room seemed deliberate, making my heart race faster than before. I had learned over the years that her moods were unpredictable, and every movement was a test of my composure.
• "Mom," I uttered.
• "Prepare your things," she told me. "You're leaving tomorrow," she added.
• I did not immediately move from my spot and processed what she said. My brain struggled to reconcile the sudden shift in plans. I felt a flicker of hope intertwined with the dread of leaving the familiar, yet I couldn't ignore the sting of uncertainty that accompanied it. The notion of actually being allowed to move away from the suffocating atmosphere of Vista Querencia was almost surreal. It was as though a tiny crack of freedom had opened, and I wasn’t sure if I could step through without tripping over my own fear.
• She smirked when she saw my reaction. She mischievously crossed her arms and looked at me lazily.
• “Our company is located outside the Vista Querencia. Do you wish to travel an hour each way to work every day, Khrystal?" she enquired.
• I finally got her point after a while. Mom was right. If I stayed at home while working outside our province, it would be too much trouble. My mind raced with possibilities of what the new routine would look like—the commute, the unfamiliar people, the responsibility waiting for me. There was excitement buried beneath the nerves, though I kept it tucked tightly inside, cautious of showing any sign of eagerness. I also began imagining the people I would meet, the dynamics of the office, and the delicate dance of proving myself in a place where no one knew me.
• But...is this real? She's really letting me go.
• "But my last project at the firm is not yet finished," I said.
• "I will handle that. I will send someone there as your replacement. Focus on what you are going to do. Besides, you want this, right? Living apart from us," she said.
• I bit my lip and lowered my gaze. "It's not like that, Mom," I said softly.
• I felt a strange mix of fear, relief, and indignation bubbling inside me. The idea of independence was thrilling yet terrifying, and I realized that my life was about to take a drastic turn that could define my future in unexpected ways. I also felt the weight of proving myself, not just for Daddy’s approval but for my own self-respect, knowing that this task could either elevate or completely crush me.
• She smirked and walked into my window area. She looked outside while keeping her arms crossed.
• "Just do everything to get Mr. Revelar for the sake of our company, Khrystal," she stated seriously.
• That's when I remembered what Nexus and I had talked about. Even though I was afraid, I still had the courage to speak. I had to confront the reality of what she was asking, the weight of responsibility now squarely on my shoulders. It was a challenge that could either elevate me or crush me entirely, depending on my every move. Every instinct in me screamed caution, but somewhere, a spark of determination began to flicker.
• "Why me?" I asked lowly, enough for her to hear.
• She gave me a slow sidelong glance before arching her brows.
• I inhaled deeply and gave her a cautious glance. “I found out that he is neither a simple businessman nor an investor. He's a magnate tycoon. I am confused. Why did you pick me, a newbie, for this project?" I asked.
• "Because I want you out of our lives," she answered directly.
• The pain suddenly hit me. I have anticipated that. Even though I knew they didn't like me, it still hurt to hear it from the woman I thought of as my mother. A cold, bitter taste filled my mouth as I felt the sting of rejection like a physical slap. Her words weren't just instructions—they were a declaration that I had always been an outsider, a disposable piece in a world I thought I belonged to. I pressed my hands to my chest, as if holding myself together physically could stave off the emotional ache spreading through me.
• "I chose you so that I could get rid of you. If it weren't for my husband, I would have let you disappear from our path a long time ago. You are a sore in my eyes, in everyone's sight. If you fail to this task, I will have a reason to make people hate you even more. However, if you succeed…” She smirked as if it was really impossible to happen. “I still have a good reason for kicking you out of this house. I'll just claim that a deal has already been reached. that I recently gave you something you've been wanting for a while.”
• I just looked down and held back my impending tears. My body felt heavy, weighed down by the realization that even my achievements would be filtered through disdain. The unfairness of it all made a bitter lump rise in my throat, threatening to choke me. I felt small, insignificant, yet determined in equal measure, knowing that my success here could be my ticket to proving them wrong.
• “So, try to succeed in negotiating with Mr. Revelar. It's better to leave quietly, right?" she pointed out, and walked out of my room.
• The moment she closed the door, my tears streamed down my cheeks. I bit my lip and cried as I was reminiscing every word she uttered. The walls around me seemed to close in, reflecting my own fears and insecurities back at me. I curled slightly on the bed, wishing for comfort that would never come from the people who should have been my protectors. I replayed every harsh word in my mind, each syllable a tiny sting that made me feel undeserving of kindness or consideration.
• How did I become this worthless?