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A/N: You guys might notice that my vocabs aren't that good and to be honest, I'm no good in describing the setting of the story but I'm trying really hard.

My point is, why would I put such deep words in my story if my readers wouldn't even understand it without looking at the dictionary? And I'm trying to be realistic as possible, cause admit it, we don't use such deep words when communiating in everyday basis.

I'm hoping for your consideration, as this is my first time writing a book.

Photo: Ms. Dawn Zulueta as Maria  Grande (Angelo's mother)

Enjoy!

Chapter 10

Angelo's P.O.V

"Whoa! Did you mean my mother was your first contractor?" I asked, amazed by my butler's revelations.

I couldn't believe that it had been two hours since we started our one-on-one conversation.

He nodded, standing from his seat, his back facing me. He then walked to the bags and gathered all the things I need for the ride back home. "That's the whole story of my life sir, and I plead that my loyalty now only belongs to you."

"I'm glad I've met you Sebastian. I feel safe with you." And that was the truth. I trust Sebastian with all my life and I feel like no one's going to hurt me as long as Sebastian is on my side.

I stood up from my bed and stretched my stiffened body. I changed into my favourite black converse shirt which I bought from the Mall of Asia before I moved in to Australia. I pulled up a skinny jeans and a pair of violet high cut Converse shoes.

"I'm ready to go." I grabbed my cap from the nightstand and walked out from the door, Sebastian trailing behind me.

Apparently, Sebastian contacted the manor's chauffeur to pick us up in the hotel. And as if right on the cue, the car stopped in front of us just after we walked out from the massive hotel glass door.

"Good morning, sir." said Harry. He was maybe on his 30's. From what I heard, he has been serving the family ever since he was a kid; same as his grandfather down to his great-great-great grandfather. Come to think of it, all of the servants in the manor have the same story as the others. It was generation after generations are the servant of the family.

Harry opened the door for me and I gave him a quick 'thank you' before slipping inside the car. Sebastian took the passenger seat next to Harry.

The whole ride was extremely quiet. You can hear nothing but the humming of the engine and the sounds of roaring car on the road. It took us an hour to get to the manor. Every metre we came nearer to the house, my heart was throbbing hard as if it wanted to explode. All the confusion and expectation were all mixed up within me and it was just waiting for the right time to explode.

The car stopped in front of a massive gold painted gate. Harry punched a code in the security intercom. The heavy golden gate opened revealing the thick green forest. The whole surrounding was quiet and I could honestly swear I was hearing my own heartbeat like a drum.

Harry once again started to drive down to the path going to the manor. After 3 minutes, Harry halted in front of the big house.

The manor has an old fashioned style like most of the British old house during the 1800's. On the roof of it were gargoyles sitting on the top as if they were watching and guarding the whole land from high grounds.

Sebastian opened the massive mahogany door for me. I only lived in the manor for a year and a half before I ran out from the family and I still couldn't help but to get amazed by the elegance of it. Though, the manor eradicated senility on the outside, the inside part was renovated into modern mansion with high-tech furniture and appliances.

The chandelier was shining and its brightness was amplified by the diamonds surrounding it. In front of the door was as staircase leading to the rooms on the second floor which was separated in two way- left and right. On the right side of me was the fireplace, shining more than silver can be, and on my left was the grand piano my mum and I used to play before the things got really messed up.

"Hijo! Anak, kumusta ka na? (Son, how have you been?) I miss you so much!" my mum excitedly screamed as she was descending the elegant stairs running towards me. I was still standing in the doorway when she enveloped me in a warm motherly hug. Sebastian was standing on my back right side.

I missed my mother's scent and her warm calming hugs. She kissed me in the forehead and on both side of my cheeks. She was wearing a simple long skirt; however, she somehow managed it to look sophisticated. She was wearing her gold necklace with a word "I love you mum" engraved on it. It was my gift to her for her birthday three years ago. She was already 42 years old but she looked like she was only in her 20's.

Though, we always talk to each other on the phone, I supposed seeing each other in person was still the best feeling in the world, especially when your world seems like falling apart bits and pieces.

"I miss you too mama. I'm very well." I hugged her back and kissed he forehead. I noticed that she was sniffing while she was hugging me. "Oh, don't cry, you'll get ugly when you cry and you know that." With that, she softly whacked my shoulder.

She let go on me from the hug. "I just missed you so much." She said, still sobbing while wiping her tears away with her white handkerchief. She then noticed Sebastian and gave him a curtly acknowledgment. "Sebastian." Sebastian kneelt on his right foot with his right hand stretched on his chest.

"Madam." Sebastian answered.

Mother smiled and said, "Rise Sebastian, I see now that Angelo is wearing the earring I trusted you. I believe that it only means you are under Angelo's contract now. Right?"

"That's right ma'am" he confirmed, now standing on my side.

"Well I trust you with all of my heart that you'll never let anyone hurt my angel."

"That, you can be certain of it."

"Mama, you know what I came for here." I jumped in to their conversation. Clearly, she noticed that I was being anxious just standing in there. I was actually edgy since I haven't seen my father yet.

My mother threw me a concern smile. "Your father will not be here until dinner. Though he knows you're coming. Thankfully, one of his client invited him to a business trip yesterday." She said, easing my worry just a little bit. I still had the feeling that my father might appear any moment just to lock me up in my room in like forever.

"It's not like that I don't want to see him. I just couldn't face him right now. With all the confusions eating inside me at the moment, I don't think I can take anymore of him." I said, looking down the floor.

"I understand dear one. Now come. I prepared your favourite strawberry cheesecake. You can eat while I'm answering all your questions." she dragged me to her office, Sebastian trailing behind us.

I stopped just when I was about to enter the room. "Sebastian, stay here while I talk to my mum. Don't worry about me, I'm gonna be alright." I told Sebastian.

"Yes, sir." He answered.

Mother nudged my side, smiling, "Getting used to Sebastian giving order eh?" she teased.

We seated on the living area in her office. She handed me a piece of cheesecake in a plate while she was drinking her tea.

"You may start asking now love. I promise I'll answer every question you wanna ask." She said, taking a sip in her cup of tea.

"My eyes." I said. She then suddenly halted from drinking her tea. Her expression was rather surprised than scared. "My eyes turned black yesterday. It was all black and it scared the hell out of me, mum. What am I?"

Just when she was about to answer, we heard a noise coming from the outside of the room. I heard Sebastian saying 'Sir, please you can't come in for now.', and a man's voice- my father's voice saying 'move, servant!' just before the door of the room flew open revealing my father, standing, all mighty and proud.

I looked at my mother, who at that moment had the same expression as I had- a mixture of stunned and worried look.

We were standing there like a deer caught in the red light for like an hour when it was actually a couple of seconds, before my mother broke the ice.

"Honey!" she said, flashing her stunning smile to father. "I thought you won't be here until dinner?"

"I thought so love. But I came to realize that my prodigal son is back. So why not surprise him." My father said, expressionless,fixing his spectacles in place. He was standing on the doorway, his two bulky body guard standing on his back. He motioned to one of his body guard to close the door, leaving my butler behind it outside.

"We are really surprised, indeed." My mum looked at me with a pain expression in her eyes, probably sensing my worry about the situation.

"Please dad, not today. I have a lot of things on my mind. Let me talk to mama alone." I pleaded.

"Oh deary..." he answered, "there's no need to rush. You'll get a lot of time to talk to your mother for you will never leave this place anymore." he smirked.

My heart started to sound like a bass drum inside my chest as my blood rushed through the top of my head. I was starting to get nauseous from the feeling of being trapped with no one else to help me. I closed my eyes as I tried to calm myself down.

"But honey, our son is doing his degree in Brisbane. It would be a waste if he'll just drop it, don't you think?" my mama tried to reason out.

"Money is not a problem love. And I can always arrange any institution that suits our son very well as long as he stays here." He deadpanned.

Finally, I regained my composure and I spoke up. "I am never going to stay here. You don't have any control over me. You are just my father. You don't own my life. I will do what I want. I...."

SLAP! I was cut off by the stinging sensation from my right cheeks. My eyes started to get teary but I held the tears and showed him that he cannot affect me in any way.

Even so, I felt my blood rushing through my veins and my anger kept on growing, as if I was going to explode anytime soon. And I did.

I look up straight to my father's eyes. His eyes- it was black but not as black as mine. His was like a fading black.

I heard my mother gasped. My father was stunned like a deer caught in a red light, and he stepped back away from me. Even the body guards had a surprised expression painted on their face.

"Angelo, your eyes." My mother noted me.

From that moment, I knew what she was talking about. I knew that my eyes turned black once again. As if it was triggered by the way I was feeling.

"It can't be. H-how? W-when?" my father stuttered.

"You know the family tradition Nicholas. You don't have any power over him now as per say. Now, leave him alone." My mother stated, as if it was something natural.

"No. It can't be! I am still the head of this family!" he screamed. Everyone in the room was surprised by the sudden outrage of my father. "Guards, take him and locked him up on his room!" he ordered to the two bulky guards standing on his back.

"No!" my mother cried as she stood in front of me, protecting me from whatever was about to happen.

I started to panic as the two guards remained standing on their spot, as if they were contemplating whether they'll take the order from my dad or not. That gave me time to think on what I can do. And it did.

From the top of my lungs, I screamed the name of one and only person that sworn to protect me. "Sebastian!"

Just as before the two guards started to marched towards me, Sebastian appeared on their back with a knife drew on their throat, ready to slit and take away their bloody life.

"Master, I was just waiting for you to call me." he said.

"What's happening here?" my father asked in confusion.

"Father, let me introduce to you, Sebastian di Angelo. He is my butler and he is willing to kill as long as I ask him to do so." I told him in a calm voice. "Now, I don't want any blood to stained this manor so I ask you to LET.ME.GO." stressing every word to let him know that I was dead serious.

He gulped.

"Sebastian, put the knife down and take me away from here." I ordered Sebastian. He put down the knife and marched in to my direction. He then escorted me out of the room and closed the door behind us.

After a few seconds, mum was walking out of the room with a smile plastered on her face.

"You really have grown up my angel." She said, kissing my forehead. Naturally, that kissed made me calm more. "And Sebastian..." she said, looking at Sebastian, "That was really cool. I know you can protect my son. I appreciate it."

Sebastian responded in a curtly nod.

"Now, I'm coming with to the hotel that you're staying and we'll resume that Q and A portion that your father just interrupted."

With that, we drove back to the hotel, leaving the manor once again.

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