Garden of Lies

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author.

Prologue

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“Sino ba ‘yang sinisilip mo?” puna ni Ayeselle nang humahaba na ang leeg ko habang nakaupo sa lounger ng pool at may gustong tingnan sa hardin sa umagang iyon.

“Parang noong papunta pa lang tayo dito, umiiyak ka. Tapos biglang ang sigla sigla mo. What’s with you?” taka niyang sabi.

Oo naman. That’s actually true. Her sudden mention of my frustration just echoed in my mind how I hated the idea of being in Lola’s place.

“Mom! Please convince dad na ayoko roon! I am a city girl!” Alalang alala ko kung gaano ako ka miserable noong araw na ‘yon.

My mother, who was in front of the mirror, putting lipstick on her red lips, wasn’t paying too much attention to me early in Sunday morning.

“I heard the rancho is like a golf course… It’s wide. You should invest in showing more interest in the land of your grandmother, Abrielle. Para naman malaki ang mamanahin mo,” she said nonchalantly.

I leered at her. “Mom! Naririnig mo ba ako?”

She smiled and stood, took a perfume, and sprayed it all over her. Noong binigyan niya ako ng kaonting atensyon, agad na hinawakan niya ang aking baba.

“Make sure you’ll be your lola’s favorite grandchild. Show her you are the best.”

My jaw dropped.

That was my main problem. Para kay mommy, minor case lang ang pagpapatapon nila dad sa amin sa probinsyang iyon. They said they wanted to teach us a lesson, but for me, they were just trying to shut our mouths from exposing how dirty our fathers are.

Naiiyak ako sa frustration, lalo na’t ang bumubuhay lang naman sa akin araw araw ay ang wifi at ang internet. I am not like Ayeselle, my stepsister, who’s fond of books. I am more of a sociable type. I like to hang out with my friends, roam around the city, drink some coffee in expensive cafes, sneak out for a house party, and do everything else that Manila could offer a city girl like me!

Kaya ngayong nasa van na at nakikita kong wala nang masyadong buildings, puro kakahuyan at malamig na klima, pumatak na ang luha ko habang tinitingnan ang bintana.

“Oa,” natatawang puna ni Ashtraia nang makita ang pagdadrama ko sa bukas na bintana.

I glared at her. She chuckled and brushed her hair backwards. Ayeselle looked at me worriedly and hugged me sideways, putting her head against my shoulder.

“Let’s give Lola a headache para ipatapon tayo pabalik sa Manila. Don’t waste your tears, you know,” kibit balikat ni Ash.

Among us four, she was the chillest one, while her other stepsister, Arkaine, was the most serious and mysterious one. Siya ang nasa front seat, kanina pa tahimik.

Malayong malayo kami ni Ayeselle sa kanilang dalawa. It was like they’re built with storms and thunders, while we were born during the sunrise while the breeze was swaying the flowers in the garden. Halos magkaparehas ang features namin ni Ayeselle: angelic and soft. Unlike the two that could almost intimidate someone else with their siren eyes.

“Eh paano kung hindi tayo pabalikin sa Manila?” si Ayeselle.

She shrugged. “Grandparents are softhearted toward their grandchildren. Hindi niya tayo matitiis.”

I bet not. Her pictures in the big frames in the mansion already scream intimidation; I don’t need to see her in person up close to know how scared she was in real life.

Iba ang naririnig ko kay Lola. She was strict, and she almost disowned her sons for repeating their father’s mistakes. Ang alam ko, walang mga mana ang tinanggap sa kanya, and the land remained its name to herself, while half of it was named after her daughter, Tita Vana.

At iyon ang mismong pakay ni Mommy, na sa akin maipamana ang lupaing iyon kaya hindi man lang tumutol na ipatapon kami sa Caraga.

As far as I know, the Donya, who was our grandma, a Ferrarin, is the most rich old woman in Caraga Region. Hawak niya ang malawak na lupain ng Falcata trees at puro kilala at bigating Engineers ang nag-aalok ng malalaking proyekto sa kanya.

She was a big deal. I’m not sure how wide her connection is, but even in Manila, her name was immediately linked to the Ferrarin clan if someone mentioned our surname.

Mabigat ang loob ko dahil ayoko sa kakahuyan niya, o sa lupain—o kahit ang rancho na ‘yan. I have no interest in it at all.

When we arrived and I’d seen the old money vibes of the mansion—its enormous pool in front of the big garden, the big rancho with its wide space that could already pass as a golf course and for equestrian, and the wide hectares of Falcata trees we passed earlier—I was slightly moved.

I have a little memory of the place since the last time I’ve been here was when I was a kid, and most of my occasions were spent mostly in Luzon. One reason I hated being here was definitely because of my grandma. She’s strict. Not the typical strict Donya, but strict like you were in the military!

I checked my phone to immediately check the wifi, and I confirmed there was none! Naluluha agad ako, pakiramdam ko, ito na ang katapusan ko. I’ll rot here like a dried flower in the middle of the desert—

My lips parted as soon as a topless man right in the garden just passed while carrying a sack, which I don’t know what for, while I got a sight of his thick furrowed brows, his disheveled jet black hair matching its color, the pointed nose that told me he’s a bit foreign…and his built that fascinates me with those dirty denim pants of his.

Parang naririnig ko ang pagkanta ng mga anghel sa langit, ang pagsayaw ng mga dahon sa kakahuyan, ang hangin na kinulit ang mga bulaklak sa hardin kaya marahang gumagalaw ang mga iyon habang hindi na ako kumukurap.

When he glanced my way, his serious and intimidatingly handsome face were fully revealed, and I felt like I would already fall on my knees when his ocean eyes—baby blue, like a sky with passing white clouds—made my eyes widen out of fascination.

Holy…shit.

“Abrielle.” Ayeselle elbowed me.

Napakurap-kurap ako, at doon napagtantong nakaupo na sa sofa ang matanda—si Lola, in her intimidating black dress till the floor while she looked at me seriously, made me clear my throat.

Tumingin ako ulit sa malaking bintana, para tingnan kung naroon pa ba sa hardin ang nakita ko, ngunit wala na. But I knew he was one of Lola’s men! He’s probably a gardener!

Tumayo si Lola. I smiled beamingly and walked toward her for a hug.

“I missed you so much, Lola. I’m very happy na nagdecide sila Dad na itapon kami dito so I could bond with you!” agad kong lintanya, ngiting ngiti at amoy na amoy ang magandang pasok ng mga araw ko sa lugar na ito.

Nalaglag ang panga ni Ayeselle. Ngumisi si Ashtraia sa akin.

“Ano ‘yung iniyak iyak mo kanina, tears of joy?” biro niya at bahagyang natawa.

Hindi ko siya pinansin at muling lumingon sa bintana nang ang iba ko namang pinsan ang bumati kay Lola, hindi gaanong masigla kumpara ng ibinigay ko.

Feelings changed. Isa pa, pwede rin naman siguro akong maging probinsyana. Yes, I am a city girl, but the horses here, the mansion, the rancho, the woods, the fresh air—I think I could live with this even for a lifetime. I am now embracing the changes.

I glanced at the garden again, checking if I’d see him again.

“‘Yung guwapong gardener ang tinitingnan mo?” kumpirma ni Ayeselle, sanhi para mapabaling ako sa kanya na nagpapahid na ng sunblock.

It’s been a week. Our first day was the worst of all, since I just confirmed that Lola wants to train us in her own rules. Sa sobrang dami, parang gusto kong gumapang agad pabalik sa Maynila, ngunit sa tuwing nakikita ang mga bulaklak sa hardin at naalala ang isa sa mga tauhan niya, napapawi ang miserable kong pakiramdam.

“Gardener?” I tried to shrug it off. “Lola has a good-looking gardener?”

Tumango si Ayeselle sa inosenteng paraan sabay nguso sa hardin. “Ayan oh…”

Mabilis ang lingon ko, ngunit nang makumpirmang wala naman, humalakhak si Ayeselle. Sinimangutan ko siya.

“Crush mo yata eh…” tukso niya.

“What? Ew. Gardener, Ayeselle?” I said defensively.

Nanliit ang mga mata ni Ayeselle sa akin hanggang sa tinampal niya ako.

“Sshh… lower down your tone—”

“What? It’s disgusting. You think I’d have a crush on gardeners?” I mocked and laughed again just so she wouldn’t tease me for it.

Umiling muli si Ayeselle sa akin, sinubukan akong awatin, hanggang sa ilang sigundo lang, may aninong sumulpot, at sa hugis pa lang, kumalabog agad ang dibdib ko.

I saw his physique in my peripheral vision as he carefully placed the glass of lemonade juice we requested earlier on the stand table between our loungers. Ayeselle gasped as soon as her eyes locked into his.

“Thank you,” she thanked with amusement.

“You’re welcome,” he responded in his baritone voice.

Sinikap kong kumalma. He’s in his white t-shirt and jeans, and my first reaction to seeing him was still the same. Ngunit nang tumalikod na siya, at napagtanto kong isa lang ang binigay niya, mabilis ko iyong pinuna.

“Where’s mine?” I asked softly.

He didn’t even stop walking, and yet, I heard his fading response.

“Get yours,” he said in his serious, raspy voice, which immediately told me he doesn’t like me.

Chapter 1

Courtesy

“Trent Sanders…” I read the papers carefully.

Lola’s gardener—that snob who just ignores me is Trent! Pinaikot ko ang sarili sa swivel chair ni Lola habang hawak ang papeles na naglalaman ng impormasyon niya.

He’s been working for Lola for how many years now. Wala naman masyadong laman ang papel ng mahalagang impormasyon tungkol sa kanya. Just his handsome picture plastered on the side, which I kept on caressing and giggling about.

Guwapo siya. His eyes wouldn’t be too blue at times, but if you looked closely, you could definitely tell he had foreign eyes.

And hmm…he’s three years older than me. Nandito rin ang birthday niya. I’ll take note! Birthday ng crush ko so it’s important.

But…does he have a girlfriend? Pero paano kung seryoso lang siya sa pagtatrabaho kaya…

Umikot ang upuan at nakita ko siya sa labas ng bintanang nakabukas dito habang nagbubungkal siya ng lupa sa hardin ni lola. Inilapit ko lalo ang upuan doon at isinandal ang mga kamay ko habang nakaunan na ang aking ulo doon, tinitingnan siya.

The boys in Manila I met can’t match his stance—and even his intensity, in just the way his thick brows would furrow in the middle of the heat of the morning sunrise while he’s wearing his black t-shirt, screams something else.

He’s almost in his twenties. What’s his type of girl? For sure… ayaw niya sa mas bata sa kanya, but…does he have a girlfriend at the moment?

“Abrielle,” I heard someone’s voice, to which I smiled absentmindedly.

“Yes…” I answered dreamily with a smile on my lips.

I’ve seen Lola’s face level with mine as she looked at the garden as well, which immediately pulled me back from my own reality. Namilog ang mga mata ko at mabilis na tumayo, halos nababalisang itinago ang papel sa likod at ang isa kong kamay ay pinasadahan ng haplos ang buhok.

“Lola!” I called enthusiastically.

She arched her brow with the same hostility—cold and strict. Tumikhim ako at ngumiti.

“It’s so hot! But I’m up for a jog! Gusto mo bang sumama, lola? We could jog around the rancho!”

Humalukipkip si Lola, tumingin sa ibaba ng hardin, at noong ibinalik sa akin, ramdam ko ang pagiging judgmental niya kahit sa titig pa lamang.

“You mean around the garden?” she taunted seriously.

“Everywhere! It’s good for your knees! You’re old, and you should invest in exercise!” agap ko, kahit alam kong sa hubog at tindig ng katawan niya, malakas pa siya.

“You’re too young for him,” bigla niyang sambit.

“Uh…who?” maangmaangan ko.

“Sino pa ba? Ang pangit din kung sasabihin kong ang mga halaman sa hardin,” she answered bluntly, which made my eyes widen.

“Lola! You are jumping into conclusions! I like boys my age! At wala sa isip ko ang pagboboyfriend! And…he’s too far from my standards in boys! I don’t like him!”

She massaged the bridge of her nose and shut her eyes for a while. Dahan dahan kong itinago ang papel sa likod ko, sinisiguradong hindi niya mapapansin.

“You don’t like him, and yet you got his paper?” aniya habang nakapikit pa rin.

Namilog ang aking mga mata. When she opened her eyes, with my shock expression, I knew she had already cornered me.

“I-I’m just… curious!” agap ko nang umangat ang kilay niya.

Of course, she can’t relate because she’s already old! Girls my age are curious! Wala naman itong ibig sabihin. I just want to know his age or what his name is. That’s it!

“Play outside. My office isn’t a playground,” aniya at inayos ang upuan.

Play? Halos malaglag ang panga ko.

“Lola, I’m not a kid—”

“Then stop being childish and give me back the paper.”

How did she even know I took it? Dahan dahan ko iyong inilabas dahil baka importante din iyon at inilahad sa kanya. Her eyes screamed judgments that I just tried to ignore, but she smiled a little.

“Nasusungitan kasi ako,” depensa ko lalo na’t totoo naman. “He didn’t give me a drink…”

Umangat ang kilay niya. “Why would he give you a drink? He’s a gardener. He’s not your personal slave.”

Yeah right. I should have just kept it to myself. I bit my lips and nodded slowly, striding toward the door.

Trent Sanders… I smiled. Kaso nang maisip na masungit siya, medyo napawi ang ngiti ko.

Dumeritso ako sa kuwarto at nagpalit ng jogging pants at racer back so I could start jogging. I meant it. Talagang maalaga ako sa katawan. Kahit sa Maynila, mahilig naman ako sa gym. I want to take care of my body posture.

I sprayed a perfume after changing clothes. At mahilig din akong magpabango. Ayoko lang na amoy araw ako lalo na kung pagpapawisan.

I was too excited to come down until I slowly did some stretching when I went outside. Ngunit di pa lang ako nakakapunta sa hardin, natanaw ko na si Arkaine sa harap niya.

What are they talking about? I tilted my head while stretching a little and saw how he conversed calmly, his strong expression seemed relaxed, unlike how he seemed so distant when he looked at me.

When he smiled a bit, my hopes were crumbling. Ramdam ko ang interes niya habang nakikipag-usap siya kay Arkaine, at si Arkaine na seryosong tumitingin tingin sa halaman at napapasulyap din sa kanya, nakikipag-usap.

Tumikhim ako at nagjog patungo sa kanila. Arkaine glanced at me while the small smile on his lips vanished a bit.

“Arkaine,” I called softly. “Let’s jog?”

“I already did, Abrielle,” aniya.

I smiled and looked at him.

“Uuwi din ba kayo?” biglang tanong niya kay Arkaine.

I looked at Arkaine, who shook her head and stroked her long hair backwards until the strands of her hair fell to the sides slowly, like a daze.

“Hindi eh,” she shrugged absentmindedly, her eyes looking at the flowers.

Sinundan ni Trent ang galaw ng buhok niya, tumingin sa mukha ni Arkaine, saka tumango. I gulped a bit.

“Dito na kami for good. Why?” I interrupted.

He looked at me for a while, then turned his gaze back to Arkaine.

“So dito ka magc-college?” he conversed calmly.

Arkaine crossed her arms. “Depends. You?”

Kumurap kurap ako at nagpatuloy sa stretching, ngunit kakatitig sa kanila, medyo malamya na ang kilos ko. He licked his lips as his brows furrowed for a bit, like he was thinking about it thoroughly, then his muscles flexed when he did another rough movement on digging the ground using the shovel.

“May scholarship naman ako sa Lola mo,” he stated.

Mo… Isn’t it…Lola niyo? Kasi nandito ako? It was like I wasn’t included in their conversation, that he’s excluding me, or that he’s not acknowledging my presence.

“Really? Mabait pala si lola sa mga trabahador?” I interrupted.

He glanced at me, and his eyes suddenly changed color because of how dark they seemed. Hindi ko alam kung galit ba siya, o seryoso lang masyado makatingin kahit hindi naman mukhang galit.

Arkaine then glanced at me. “You’re not gonna jog?”

“Nags-stretching pa.” Saka ko muling tiningnan si Trent. “Kaya maging mabait ka. Lola is nice to you. You should be nice to us too.”

His brows furrowed for a while. Naninimbang din ang tingin ni Arkaine sa akin.

“Hindi ka dapat namimili. Imagine if Lola found out you’re too snob…mapapagalitan ka…”

Ngunit sa halip na tingnan ako, at pakinggan ang sinasabi ko, he continued doing his work. Kinuha rin ni Arkaine ang tingin sa akin at tiningnan ang bulaklak na kanina niya pa binibigyan ng pansin.

“Say…you should be friendly—”

“Ano pa bang mga trabaho mo rito?” Arkaine asked, which made my words stop and my lips hang open for a while.

“Mabait naman ako—”

“Sa hotel din,” he answered. His eyes looked at Arkaine for a while, which interrupted my words again.

Arkaine nodded. “Malaki ba ang bigay ni Lola?”

Tiningnan ko si Arkaine. She looked so chill and calm, but the intensity of her beauty is just too much, which is why the boys are so into her, especially the seniors.

I know that too well. She’s perfect—and given her age, the oldest among us, it was like she already got the first throne and we’re just her duplicates. Hindi rin…anak sa labas. Her mother died kaya naghanap ng next wife—or, let’s say, the mistress made her way to reveal herself with a child—Ashtraia.

Lalo na’t sa aming apat, Ayeselle and I bond like twins, but Arkaine and Ashtraia seem to have their own world. Mararamdaman mo agad ang kaibahan nila, kahit na parehas sila ng features. She’s just more intimidating and serious, unlike Ashtraia, who possessed a bad girl vibe.

If…she’s his type…I wouldn’t be shocked anymore, but…

Tumango si Trent. “You’d take over the hotel?”

Arkaine shrugged. “Up to lola…”

The more they conversed, the more the hollow feeling seemed to be growling in my stomach, telling me to just leave and save myself from embarrassment. Pero bakit ko naman iyon gagawin? As I said…I like boys who are my age, and I’m just being friendly since he’s one of Lola’s men. I’m just trying to show courtesy.

“Madalas ka sa hotel?” agap ko, sumingit nang makahabol sa topic nila.

Trent looked at me for a while, nodded a little, then looked at Arkaine again. I smiled when he responded that it was enough to converse more.

“At anong trabaho mo doon? Gardener din?” I chuckled lightly.

He looked at me coldly, like I was an unwelcome, annoying kid in someone else’s playground, and he didn’t want me there. Tumawa ako ngunit nang makita ang tingin din ni Arkaine, alam ko, pangit ang nasabi ko.

“What? He’s a gardener. Kaya nga ako nagtatanong kasi hindi ko alam?” I chuckled playfully.

When I heard Ayeselle’s voice, I took that opportunity to leave. Tumingin din si Ayeselle sa hardin at medyo kumunot ang noo habang iniaangkla ko ang braso ko sa kanya.

“Pansin ko kinakausap ni Arkaine minsan ‘yan,” she said.

Talaga? I don’t really have an idea of Arkaine’s types in boys kasi si Ashtraia ang bulgar sa kanilang dalawa pagdating sa lalaki. But it was so rare to see her taking an interest in things.

“Hardinero lang din naman siya. Arkaine’s type in boys is probably far from him,” kibit ko.

“Bakit mo nilalait ang crush mo?” she laughed.

I leered at him as I laughed too. “Excuse me? I said he’s not my type!”

Umirap si Ayeselle ngunit natatawa pa rin. I sighed inwardly, a bit regretful for what I said. I didn’t mean that as an insult! Hardinero naman kasi talaga siya!

Sa halip na mag-jogging, nawalan tuloy ako ng gana at sinamahan nalang si Ayeselle sa pangangabayo. We went inside the woods as the lights were passing through the leaves of the trees like rain.

It somehow calmed me down after what happened in the garden. Sure. I could sense he didn’t like me. I don’t interest him. Or he has his own types, and I was probably far from those girls he likes, but the least thing he could do is at least be nice to me! Bakit niya ako susungitan? Si Ayeselle hindi naman! Kahit si Arkaine! Kung pati si Ashtraia ay hindi niya susungitan, then he has a personal problem with me!

“Maybe because of your judgmental mouth?” Ayeselle explained when I ranted it in the middle of exploring the wide land.

Mabagal lamang ang pagpapatakbo ng kabayo. Hindi masakit ang pagtama ng sinag ng araw sa aking balat at naririnig ko ang huni ng mga ibon sa himpapawid, ang paglalaro ng hangin sa mga dahon, at ang pagkakadurog ng mga sanga na naapakan ng kabayo sa lupa.

“Totoo naman ah? He’s a gardener!” giit ko.

“But the way you said it was a bit insulting,” aniya.

“Then I should apologize? I’ll bake him cookies and…give it as a peace offering?” suhestyon ko na ikinahagikhik niya.

“Crush na crush mo ba?”

My eyes widened. Umiling ako ngunit natawa rin. “Peace offering lang! I really didn’t mean to insult him!”

“Pero naririnig ko may girlfriend daw siya eh. Taga bayan? Hindi naman na nakakagulat ‘yon kasi guwapo siya,” ani Ayeselle na medyo nadismaya ako kahit iyon din ang iniisip ko.

So what if he has a girlfriend? And if he has a girlfriend, then why is he flirting with Arkaine? Then he’s a cheater!

“May girlfriend pero nilalandi niya si Arkaine,” medyo nasira ang ekspresyon ko.

“They’re just talking?” she concluded.

“I could sense he likes Arkaine. Titig na titig siya,” sabi ko.

Nag-isip isip nang malalim si Ayeselle pero hindi na nakapagsalita at tiningala lang ang pumapasok na liwanag sa kakahuyan na hinahalikan siya.

I could really see myself in her. We are both angelic. Her freckles dotted on the bridge of her nose are the same as mine, even the color of her eyes and the waves of our hair. We’re like twins with different mothers.

I was happy that Ayeselle doesn’t view me as the dirt of her father but as her equal. Labas kami sa maling desisyon ng mga magulang namin sa buhay. And I don’t think I would swallow her rage if she got mad at me.

Pero naririnig ko naman iyon, simula noong bata pa ako. Lagi kaming nakukumparang dalawa sa kabila ng pagiging parehas namin, na tila ba lamang siya lagi dahil legal siya na anak at ako ang galing sa pagkakamali.

My mother would always tell me to focus on myself, to nevermind those unsolicited opinions, but I would sometimes overthink it.

Naiisip ko, paano kung nahanap nalang ni Mommy ‘yung lalaking hindi kagaya ni dad? O paano kung hindi nagbunga ang pagkakamali nila? Will my mom experience a less cruel world and live her life to the fullest? Will she be the best woman as she is instead of being labeled as cheap?

I don’t tolerate her mistakes because I despise the life she has given me, a product of her mistakes in love, but it saddens me because I know she is better than being called a snake.

What is there in love that people suddenly get blind to despite how it burns?

“You’re baking,” puna ni Ashtraia nang pumasok siya sa kitchen kasama si Matilda, ang personal maid ko, na tinutulungan ako.

“I’m craving sweets…”

Pumasok si Arkaine na mukhang nauuhaw at napatingin sa ginagawa ko. Sumunod naman si Ayeselle na dala pa ang mango shake niya at napatingin na din sa pagiging abala ko roon.

“Nagdadalaga,” nguso ni Ashtraia at ngumisi.

Arkaine smirked at me as she took the pitcher out of the fridge.

“This is for me,” I said eagerly.

“Patikim nga. Baka mamaya may isang bangkay na sa hardin ni lola dahil nalason mo na ‘yung pinagbigyan mo,” she joked and tried to get a cookie.

Tinampal ko ang kamay niya. Kumuha si Ayeselle na hinayaan ko at kahit si Arkaine ay sumandal din sa sink at kumuha ng isa. I watched her take a small bite and nod.

“Tastes good, Abrielle,” she complimented.

My face lightened. Ashtraia cupped my cheek using her one hand, and my lips turned into a fish’s lips.

“You are so obvious when you like someone…” she uttered suspiciously, which made me leer at her playfully.

This is just a sign of courtesy! Wala namang masama kung maging mabait sa kagaya nilang malayo ang estado sa amin? At wala itong malisya!