Chapter 22: Ready

Finally, I decided to step outside. Rea was staring at me, transfixed. I smiled at her adorable reaction.

Actually, he identifies as gay, though it's not apparent. He's attractive, it's just that his voice is deep and resonant. He's handsome, yes, but he yearns to be a woman. And there's absolutely no problem with that. We all have the liberty to choose who we want to be.

"You look like an angel, Miss!" he exclaimed cheekily.

Maybe a devil disguise in angelic face? Kidding.

I responded with another smile. I didn't stay long and soon left the place. I decided to dine in a Japanese restaurant, and after my meal, I headed towards Manila Bay.

I smiled as I felt the cool, fresh breeze hit my face. Manila Bay had changed so much; it was beautiful now. Gone were the piles of trash and polluted sea water.

Thankfully, the current administration had managed to clean up this place, which seemed almost older than me.

I removed my stilettos and walked barefoot on the sandy beach. The transformation of this place was truly remarkable.

Yet again, I felt the fresh breeze caress my skin. I smiled and surrendered myself to the wind. A few people were looking at me, but I didn't pay much attention.

As the wind played with my hair and made my dress dance, I noticed someone capruring a picture of mine using her DSLR cam.

I don't know what came over me, but I spontaneously smiled and flashed a peace sign. The woman taking my picture broke into laughter.

"You're so beautiful," she said as she approached me. My smile widened. She was also a student at UP Diliman, and judging by her ID, it seemed she was pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Photography.

"May I take another picture?" she asked.

"Why not?" I responded with a grin.

Her smile broadened.

She began to guide me on how to pose. A strong gust of wind made me close my eyes.

I only opened them when she let out a small squeal.

"This is perfect! Thank you! Now I have something for my project. You look divine!" she giggled.

She showed me all the pictures she had taken. The last one caught my eye. My hair was flying in the wind, as was my white dress. My eyes were closed and my lips were slightly parted, unintentionally.

"I'm Mariah, and you are?"

"Yvonne. Yvonne Herrer," I introduced myself.

Her eyes widened at my name. She even covered her mouth.

I laughed at her reaction. I stayed at Manila Bay for a few more hours before saying goodbye to Mariah.

I honked my car outside my house, and in a moment, the gate opened revealing my dad. He was wearing his black T-shirt and denim shorts.

I got out of the car once it was parked. Dad had already closed the gate and walked towards me.

My dad was looking around, bewildered. I couldn't help but facepalm at his confusion.

"Where is my real daughter?" he joked.

I rolled my eyes at his humor, which only made him laugh harder. His laughter irked me, causing me to lightly smack his arm in annoyance.

He stopped and stared at me. "You look human, my child," my father stated, trying to maintain a serious demeanor.

"Just kidding," he chuckled.

Scratching my head, I opened the car door to the backseat. My dad's eyes followed my movements.

"Six shopping bags?" he asked incredulously. "This is new!" he exclaimed in surprise.

"You're so melodramatic, Dad," I retorted, slightly annoyed.

I handed him my shopping bags, and now it was his turn to frown. He grumbled but took them nonetheless. I followed him inside after locking the car.

My mom was nonchalantly watching TV, seemingly uninterested in the commotion.

Her eyes landed on me, and she tilted her head, her gaze sweeping over my purchases.

"It's your first time spending your money recklessly," my mom casually commented. "More better," she added, causing me to grin and shake my head at her nonchalance.

"You look more gorgeous," my mom complimented, making me smile in response.

"Yes indeed. She looks like an angel in her outfit. That's how you should dress, not always in black as if you're going to a funeral," Dad chimed in.

"What's wrong with black, anyway?" I retorted.

"Nothing. I'm just being nitpicky," Dad replied with a grin.

I chuckled and nodded in agreement. So he's self-aware?

I excused myself to my room, leaving my parents in the living room to continue their television viewing.

Once I settled into my bed, I drifted off into a quick nap. When I woke up, it was already 5:30 pm. I got up and began to prepare for the evening.

I picked out my black dress and matching four-inch black stilettos. I ran my hands over the fabric of the dress, which fell just below my knees. It had long sleeves and was adorned with shimmering tiny diamonds and black roses.

A grin spread across my face. I was so excited.

I filled the bathtub and took a relaxing soak. After drying off, I slipped into a bathrobe and applied lotion to my skin. I carefully put on my dress, then stood in front of my large mirror, inspecting my appearance. I sat down at my vanity and began to apply my makeup.

I started with a light foundation, followed by fake eyelashes. I smiled at my reflection in the mirror. Then I reached for the new red lipstick I had bought.

I applied the lipstick to my lips. It was a bold, vibrant red - almost too intense, but undeniably perfect and sexy.

The striking makeup, combined with the elegant black dress I was wearing, made me look stunningly beautiful.

I never thought I could make myself look like this. I was used to not wearing any makeup and rarely fixing my hair. But now, looking at my reflection, I realized that stepping out of my comfort zone was a good decision. This was a new side of me, and I was excited to embrace it.

As I descended, I caught sight of my parents waiting for me. My father appeared somewhat perplexed, while my mother maintained an emotionless gaze directed towards me. Although I refrained from sharing my intentions with them explicitly, I knew deep down that they were already aware of my current course of action. After all, they are my parents, and there exists an unspoken understanding between us, as if we were birds of the same feather.

"I read in the invitation and it say that it should be bright, not black," I overheard Dad, but I chose to disregard his comment. It was ironic since he himself was not dressed in bright colors.

As I made my way towards them, the atmosphere was laden with unspoken tension. I could sense their concern and curiosity, yet I remained tight-lipped, allowing silence to fill the void between us. The air seemed pregnant with anticipation, as if awaiting the moment when I would finally divulge my plans.

My father's bewildered expression betrayed his inner thoughts. Perhaps he was grappling with conflicting emotions, torn between his desire to understand my actions and his instinct to protect me from potential risks. Meanwhile, my mother's stoic demeanor revealed little. Her eyes, devoid of any discernible emotion, pierced through me as if she were trying to glean my thoughts and intentions without uttering a single word.

Although I refrained from explicitly sharing my intentions with them, I had an unshakeable conviction that my parents possessed an innate understanding of my choices. It was as if our familial bond transcended the need for explicit communication. They had witnessed my growth, my aspirations, and my dreams, and while their reactions may have differed, they were united in their unwavering support for my journey.

As I approached my parents, the unspoken tension between us hung in the air. It was a pivotal moment, a juncture where unspoken words carried weight and meaning. The contours of their faces revealed their longing for a glimpse into my thoughts, a desire to understand the inner workings of my mind. And though I remained silent, the unspoken language of love and understanding flowed between us.

In that brief encounter, I realized that our bond as a family extended beyond the need for explicit communication. It was a tapestry woven with shared experiences, unspoken sentiments, and a deep-rooted connection. We were birds of the same feather, instinctively understanding each other's hopes, dreams, and aspirations. And as I embarked on my chosen path, I knew that their unwavering love would continue to guide and support me, regardless of the colors I chose to paint my journey with.

Observing my father's choice of attire, a black suit that contradicted the instructions stated on the invitation, I couldn't help but notice his mischievous nature and his tendency to defy conventions.

Gazing up at the somber night sky, a sinister smile crept across my face, reflecting my readiness. I was prepared, utterly prepared, for the anguish and torment that awaited them, relishing in the malevolence that consumed me.