Chained to the Past

Chapter 27

#ChainedtothePastWP

Chapter 27
Happy

"Everyone, once again, this is my daughter, Clementine Laureen Guillermo." Since there was no positive engagement from the crowd earlier, my mother had to repeat her words.

This time, the hall was slowly filled with the sound of applause from the invited guests. I could see their faces filled with amusement apart from my father. He was still frozen on his feet, while staring at me with disbelief, even when some of his friends were talking to him, probably asking about me.

"Darling, say something to everyone..." Mom smiled and passed me the microphone.

She already told me the things that I should say. It's one of the things we talked about during lunch. She wanted me to just say my name and tell everyone personally that I'm alive and I survived the kidnapping incident. No need to say the details. I have to be vague.

Trying my best not to embarrass myself and my mother, I channeled my mother's grace in my blood and chanted inside my head, 'I'm Caroline Kate Zapanta's daughter, I can do this.' I did that a few times before I decided to speak.

"Hello, everyone," I greeted the guest with a confident smile on my face. "My name is Clementine Guillermo, the daughter of Caroline Zapanta and Napoleon Guillermo―"

Still not through with my words, everyone started to clap their hands after my short introduction. I was just standing on the stage, but it felt like I was teetering on the edge of the cliff, while looking over the sea of people acknowledging my presence here on stage. They were looking up to me like I was some kind of a Goddess.

After a shortwhile, the applause finally subsided. I remained smiling, not showing any sign of nervousness to all these strangers, even when I could feel the whole zoo running around my stomach, and I feel like throwing up.

"Thank you for the warm welcome," I said. "I'm here in front of everyone, the guests and the media, to tell you all that I'm alive." I returned my yearning gaze to my father with tears flowing on his cheeks. "I survived the kidnapping incident. The kidnappers failed to kill me because I was able to escape. It took me more than a decade, but I'm back now."

I'm on the verge of tearing up, while looking at my father.

"I'm back..." I whispered those words as sincere as I could.

Mukhang napansin ni mommy na medyo nagiging emosyonal na ako kaya kinuha na niya sa aking ako mikropono. "As much as possible, I want my daughter's life to be private. And this is the reason why I asked press and media to attend this event," sabi niya sa lahat. "She grew up in a quiet and private environment. She's not used to the exposure. This will be the first and last time she'd be exposed to the media. If I see anyone violating my daughter's privacy, rest assured that I will resort into filing legal charges."

After her reminders and request to the media, mommy turned to me and held my back gently. I leaned towards her to hear her whisper.

"Go with Kalcifer now and return to the lounge."

I nodded at my mother and bid one last smile to the guests before I turned my back on them and started walking out of the stage. Kalcifer was waiting for me to reach him. Determined to go back, I walked faster. But that determination was shuttered when I heard someone shouted, in the midst of my mother concluding her speech.

"Clementine!"

Hearing my father's voice, I stopped on my tracks. The pain on his voice stabbed my heart.

"Clementine, don't go, my princess! Let's talk!"

Unti-unting nanlabo ang aking mga mata. Nawala sa aking paningin si Kalcifer dahil sa paglabo nito at lalo na nang nilingon kong pabalik ang aking ama. I saw him trying to go up on the stage, but Kalcifer's men were trying to stop him from doing so. Another group of men appeared, trying to protect my father. It must be his bodyguards.