Capítulo 24: My Badass Aunt, Jac

At Jaclyn's secluded residence in Metro Cebu

"Oh, you are absent from school today? I see." Jaclyn gasped. She continued, "then that's great, can we meet? But I will have you fetched by my driver because I am sure you don't know where I'm currently at."

Seemingly excited, Chlea replied. "Yes Auntie, I will get ready now. I will call you once I am done. Goodbye, and see you!"

This house is probably one of the properties Jacylyn purchased. It was built and designed by the highly esteemed Uy Engineering and Architectural Firm in the country. The house is a combination of glass and cabin design inside a secluded area, almost on a mountain top.

It is Jaclyn's favorite place to stay whenever she is in Cebu City. She has always loved the picturesque view of the cityscape during the sunset and the night. Apart from Chlea, nobody else knows she owns this private house.

Jaclyn was supposed to fly for Korea yesterday but she thought of speaking to her beloved niece first. It was so long ago since they talked over a cup of freshly brewed tea or may it be over a hot bowl of ramen.

Jaclyn and Chlea have a lot of personal qualities in common. That is likely the explanation why Jaclyn is closer to Chlea than any of her nephews and nieces. When Regan cheated on Miranda, Jaclyn was one of the first people who went ballistic and for the first and last time of her life, went on a serious physical fight with Vivienne. That was the time Vivienne acquired bruises and deep scratches because Jaclyn had enough of her audacity in breaking her family.

Jaclyn loved her sister-in-law Miranda more than anyone in their family. Being asked why she often leaves so soon during family gatherings she would always answer, 'I can't fathom seeing and breathing the same air with adulterers for a long time. My psychiatrist said it's bad for my well-being.' She would often respond with sarcasm.

Like a pot of water at its boiling point, that is what Jaclyn feels whenever she sees Regan and Vivienne. If it weren't for her parents and other siblings, there is no way she would be putting up to this situation.

When Chlea was younger, there was one time when Jaclyn decided to visit and surprise her at their family home where Vivienne also resides. To Jaclyn's horror, Chlea's nanny was sobbing when she arrived. 'Ma'am, Madam Vivienne locked Sierra and Chlea in the storage room. The poor girl has been crying endlessly for a long time now. Please help them, Ma'am Jaclyn.' The nanny narrated.

Badass Jaclyn snapped out of her head and immediately went ballistic.

'OPEN THE STORAGE ROOM NOW OR ELSE ALL OF YOU HERE WILL BE TERMINATED! WHO ARE YOU MORE SCARED OF, ME OR THAT RASCAL VIVIENNE?!' Jaclyn yelled that made all the house staff shiver and had no choice but to release the children. Even if the housemaids wanted to release the children, they don't have a choice as they were threatened by Vivienne too.

After making sure her nieces were safe and sound, Jac hurriedly went to Vivienne's room upstairs and kicked the towering mahogany door open. Inside, Vivienne laying on her back while getting a foot massage by one of their in-house spa staff.

Without hesitations, Jaclyn fiercely grabbed Vivienne's waist-length hair and dragged her down on the floor down to the stairs like a trash bag. Vivienne's shout echoed throughout the house. 'Help me! Help me, why are you all just looking at me?!' With all her cries heard, no one dared to help as they are scared of Jaclyn most, everybody know how real crazy she gets. The original brat and the most short-tempered person of the clan, the precious youngest daughter of the Alcala conglomerate.

With the long staircase, a banging sound can be heard every step of it as Jaclyn mercilessly dragged Vivienne down. She was consistently trying to be free of Jaclyn's right hand on her hair but she's just incredibly strong, fueled by anger and remorse as to why this why freak is abusing her nieces.

Jaclyn let go of Vivienne's hair and kicked her to the wall, "I TOLD YOU TO STAY AT YOUR PLACE. I KEPT SILENT AS I TRIED TO UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION BUT YOU WOULD NOT LISTEN. YOU EVEN ABUSED MY NIECES, THEY ARE JUST CHILDREN FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE! THIS IS NOTHING COMPARED TO THE TRAUMA YOU CAUSED THEM YOU WHORE!" Jaclyn shouted at the top of her lungs.

And that was the last time Vivienne harmed Sierra and Chlea. Since then, Vivienne has been very cautious as Jaclyn has her eyes around and she will definitely know if someone is doing bad to her nieces. Jac is that one crazy person you would not want to mess with.

"Ah, this is life," Jac said to herself crossing her legs while sipping her morning coffee. The vast view of the city her mountain estate has is truly remarkable. She could not ask for more than being close to nature.

Moments later, Chlea arrived wearing simple jeans and a plain gray t-shirt. "Hi, Auntie Jac! Wow, this place is so nice! I never knew you had this property in Cebu." Chlea complimented while astonishing the surrounding.

Jac grinned, "Of course, you know how I love areas located away from the city. So, coffee or tea?"

"Tea, Auntie," Chlea replied.

Chlea quietly followed Jac while her eyes looked around. Jac is on her way to the kitchen. Her house has an abundant amount of natural light coming from the sun since the walls are made of glass and the sun's rays effortlessly reflect inside. It was nicely built with a natural feeling of home even though this is Chlea's first time here.

Chlea noticed that apart from Jac's driver and personal assistant, there is nobody else around. Jac opened a beige metallic cabinet and placed two clear mugs on the table. Then, she placed three blue butterfly flowers inside and put hot water.

Immediately, the water turned blue and in Chlea's mind, it is probably the most vibrant-looking tea she has ever seen.

Observing Chlea's surprise, Jac explained. "This is often called Blue Tarnate tea, I have planted a flower outside and I simply pick it and put hot water. Blue Ternate tea is good for lifting your mood and eases anxiety." She said and gave Chlea her cup of tea.

"Wow, it's my first time to see this kind of tea." She took a sip and her eyes lit up. "Well, that's not what I am expecting it to taste like!"

Jaclyn laughed, "I know, 'right? It's so calming." Jac replied as she took a sip as well.

They are now sitting on Jaclyn's balcony which offers a great view of the city. The cold breeze of air is a perfect combination with hot tea. Jaclyn and Chlea were enjoying their tea when Jac decided to ask Chlea about something.

"I heard you agreed to the engagement. Did the news get to me correctly?" Jaclyn asked while gently stirring her cup of tea.

Chlea put her mug down to the table, "To be honest with you Auntie, at first, I agreed. But now I regret doing so in exchange I have now a temporary taste of freedom, away from them."

"Oh." Jaclyn shifted on her seat because it seems to be on a complicated side now.

"Auntie, I don't know how to say this but I think I better back out from the engagement before it is too late." Chlea wistfully said. She is getting emotional because Jaclyn is the only person in the world she could confide these things too.

"Come here, darling." Jaclyn hugged Chlea. Believe it or not, Jaclyn understands Chlea more than anyone not just for the mere fact that they are so alike but for the reason that Jaclyn was also once engaged to someone but not due to some pact created years ago by their grandparents. It was merely for expanding their family's business partnership with the Garcia family, an equally prominent clan on the island.

The only difference is that, unlike Chlea, Jaclyn showed her strong opposition to the engagement. She was clear and consistent to be against it from the very start. Apparently, that event in her life led Jaclyn to stay away from her parents and a free-spirited life, which her relatives would refer to as a nomadic life, traveling from one country to another. Never staying at the same place for a long time, nobody knows her exact whereabouts.

"So, mind to tell me what changed your mind?" Jaclyn asks.

"Well..." Chlea paused and fiddles her pointer finger around the handle of the cup. She continued, "I just realized how stupid I was to agree, I shouldn't have. I really shouldn't have. I mean, it's my whole life we are talking about. It was so stupid of me to exchange that merely for the chance to be away from them, to lead my own life at my own terms."

Jaclyn nodded in approval, this situation is absurd, she must say. She was hesitant to intervene until she thinks what Chlea's disposition about this matter is. And now that she learns Chlea is against it now, it's time to take action.

Even though Chlea knows her cool Aunt well, there is still a part of her that makes her hesitant, whether or not she will let Jac know she has a boyfriend.

Reading the confusion in Chlea's face, Jaclyn reassures. "You can tell me everything."

Chlea stared at the lush woods for a second, "Auntie, I have a boyfriend. But believe me when I say he is not the reason I am backing out. It's for the fact that I never knew I would love someone like this. And though I am not certain if he will be the one, it just feels so right to have someone you genuinely love spend the rest of each other's lives together."

Jaclyn looked away and wiped a tear that has escaped from her eyes. 'How hard must it have for her experiencing a lot of troubles as a child, dealing with her mother's death and an unattentive father?' Surely, Jaclyn will do anything for Chlea.

"Do whatever makes your heart at peace. Dear, know that I will always be at your back. I will support you, always my dear niece." Jaclyn reassured Chlea.

Chlea went silent, completely touched by her Aunt's support. All of a sudden, Jaclyn's executive assistant in corporate attire approached. The assistant is holding a tablet that has all of Jaclyn's schedule.

"Jac, we only have an hour until your flight. We better get going." She formally said. Jaclyn turned her head looking at her assistant and nodded. Instantly, Jaclyn stood up, got her handbag, and wore her sunglasses.

As Jaclyn was walking her way out of the house, she paused and looked at Chlea back. "Chlea, remember what I told you. I'll get going. See you soon!"

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