Pilot Chapter: "The Princess and the Monster"

"I have an important announcement. I want to continue my studies in a normal public school this year."

EIGHTEEN WORDS, and the whole dining room were suddenly filled with deafening silence as I utter my thoughts in a stoic manner. All five of them stared at me with shocked expressions painted on each of their faces. The clock seemed to stop abruptly because they did not move immediately within that particular moment.

"Did we just heard you right, darling?" mama instantly asked so I nodded.

"Are you sure, lil sis?" I shifted my gaze towards my older brother, Matthew. But just as what I replied to mom, I also shook my head yes to him in response.

"Tell us a good reason why we would we allow that," Papa spoke in his deep, baritone voice. He even dropped the cutleries he was holding above his half-empty plate, which simply implies that he is ready on listening to what I'm about to explain.

I swallowed the tenderloin meat I was chewing as I meet his firm gaze, formally wiping the side of my mouth off first before speaking. "Well, earlier this morning I started to realize that I would like to study in a new environment. I want to study elsewhere." There, I said it.

"Then let me take you to Japan next month. I will enroll you there this fall."

"Geez, that's not what I meant Papa. No thanks." I refused his offer by shaking my head. "All I wish is a little change. I need a diversion. I want to experience something new."

"Do you not like it in Ambergold anymore, hermana?" Ate Monice chimed in mid-conversation which made the both of us face her direction. She's referring to my previous school where I have gone for Junior high school in four straight years. Kuya Terrence, whose one of my older brothers, is quietly eating beside her in all ears. "I mean, not to mention but that's the number one elite academy here in our country. It provides the best quality education and exquisite additional services. And most of the outsiders are dying just to go there!" she exclaimed.

"But I'm not like them Ate, I am different. I wanna study in a normal school. I wanna experience a normal student's life. I wanna be normal!"

"Pffft—the fuck?!" Kuya Matt spilled the juice he was drinking. Dad scolded him immediately.

"¿Perdon?" My sister gawked at me as if she could not believe what she just heard.

"Dios mio darling, are you sick? Shall we take you to the hospital?" Mama even covered her mouth with a table napkin before she breathes hysterically. All three of them looked very shocked while Kuya Terrence and Papa remained silent. I mentally slapped my cheeks and made a pouty look because of their reactions.

This is what I'm talking about. I should've known better, especially the fact that I wasn't born from a normal family is an enough reason for them to be overdramatic in this issue. Although I can't blame them, perhaps I would be surprised by what I said either if I was in their situation. I mean who would have thought that in the middle of a quiet dinner, I'd suddenly break the silence by declaring something they never imagine I would say? Surely, they must have thought that I'll be asking for physical things, like free tours in other countries, or maybe get the opportunity to meet my idol celebrities — but it turns out I didn't.

Obviously, I was born with a filthy rich, middleclass family of professionals. My dad's a corporate lawyer, my mom's a statistician, kuya Terrence is a businessman, Ate Monice is an international fashion designer, And kuya Matt is an electronics engineer despite of being a shameless dork. We all had a good reputation in the society. We can have everything we want through money. We have the power over anyone who's in lower level than us. We're envied and praised by a lot of people and we neither suffer nor feel hunger because life is just too easy to handle, like that of a piece of cake. However, what seems to be the problem isn't about them or about my status. It's all about me. I myself am the problem.

I've been wondering plenty of times before why I got into this type of life anyway, when I don't think I actually deserve it in any sort of angle. I was even considered lucky compared to others, but for me having almost everything is still lacking something.

I guess I'm really sick. And this disease, is a severe case already. You may have thought I was bluffing but to be honest, I was starting to get bored with this life, as in literally bored as hell. Ever knew the feeling of playing chess over and over and you just always win 'cause your opponent is using the same technique every single time? It just happens over and over again, it's like we're running on a kaleidoscopic film, as if every flow of the story is scripted, prophesied. I don't even feel the challenge or thrill anymore because things are always easy and convenient.

And not to boast but in fact, I have never experienced suffering out from severe lack of needs such as food and financial dilemmas — not even once. Maybe this is the reason why no matter how much I buy, to satisfy my material self, I still couldn't give them any practical value. Probably because of too much, the taste of my life gradually became bland at some point. And to tell you what, this kind of life is not something you would rather wanna have.

"But lil sis, you know how unsafe it is for us to go in such public places nowadays right?"

"Big bro, you don't have to need to tell me about that. I know," I confidently retorted and tapped my hands twice above his shoulder. "I'm just going to study there, I wasn't planning to live separately from you guys, atleast not yet. Besides, nothing can go wrong as long as I have securities. And Papa is with me, right?"

"Well, if that's what my baby wanted then who am I to not agree?" My lips slightly curved into a small, triumphant smile after hearing his answer. If there's only one thing that I honestly love in my life right now, that would be my dad who loves to tolerate my decisions.

"Fine. If your dad's okay with it, then I'm not gonna be against it as well. But just remember not to trust anyone so quickly especially those low-class individuals, darling. It's dangerous out there, especially in areas where there are a lot of commoners lurking around with such unspeakable intentions," Mama calmly stated but in a warning tone.

"Exactly mom. Remember what I told you last time about my Singaporean friend who got kidnapped for ransom? It's a bloody month-long experience of torture for her. Those malicious binbos are insane. They're vicious."

"You can't blame them, Monice." Kuya Terrence finally spoke from being quiet for a moment. "Poverty brings out the worst in people, that's why some of those riffraff always resort in doing such horrible measures in order to feed themselves."

"I know Kuya Trent, but I just can't help it not getting annoyed with that fact. Like duh, it's not our fault they were born poor though. If they die with the same state, they should blame themselves for it. We've already given enough for the charities, but until now it still seems worthless. They are just increasing in number."

"Well that's because they're too lazy to strive hard. Anyone can be rich but dumb people always remain at the bottom. They're a hopeless case."

"Hey, that's too much you guys. Stop degrading those poor fellas. They're still humans somehow."

"Don't act like you're some kind of a philanthropist, Matt. It doesn't suit you." Kuya Matt pouted after being scorned by his own twin.

"Yeah, and we're just stating facts. There's nothing wrong with it Matthew. If I know, you also think that way too."

"I don't! Unlike you two, our youngest and I weren't conceived out of resentment against the low-class." He lifted his chin to show confidence. "In fact, we're kind to commoners. Right, lil sis?" he added as he nudges my shoulders, asking for support.

"Enough of it you three, why not just finish your meals already rather than talking about other unnecessary things?" Dad chided which made the three of them quiet. Then, he turned to my direction, smiling. "And as for you baby, just tell me the details about your plan first thing in the morning tomorrow, okay?"

"Yes Papa," I replied before we resumed eating. Apparently, what they said earlier got stuck inside my head.

I understand where they are actually coming from. Being very rich and having each of their own successful careers, it is no question anymore why some of my siblings are prejudicial over average people. In their perspectives, anyone who has the will is always capable of being rich, if only they can accommodate it with hard work and strong dedication to pursue the higher level in society. That is why most of us rich people think that poor people are 'lazy bummers' kind of people, because there are countless of opportunities out there but they still chose to let themselves suffer in their current status. Some of them only depend on the assistance provided by the local government or donations from our riches when in fact they can do better than that.

That's how I used to think once, especially when I haven't understood the world very well yet. If it only weren't because of that little street boy I met several years ago, perhaps until now my view of the poor is still antagonistic.

As I recall, it was raining that time. I was on the backseat of our limousine, heading back home when I caught him on the street — stealing a bracelet from a woman who seems unconscious. I stopped the driver then I chased him, and that was the very first time I got soaked in the rain. I don't even know why I did that in the first place. But maybe it's because he reminds me of the story my nanny told me one night before that day. And it's a tale about a Princess and a monster.

***

"Yuck Anitha! Why would a pretty princess falls inlove with an ugly monster? Isn't monsters bad?" I even furrowed my brows while pouting at her. I told her to tell me a good bedtime story but she failed to do that simple thing.

"Not all monsters are bad. Yes, they maybe vile oftentimes but at some point of their lives? They just happen to be unfortunate and miserable creatures."

I crossed my arms. "Still, that doesn't sound sensible to me. They are pathetic but still flawed. You can't expect me to like them."

She smiled and gently caressed my face. "Young miss, you should learn how to love things not because of what you see on the outside, but because of their good qualities that lies within."

***

I don't know what exactly triggers me to remember those phrases but I'm pretty much sure of one thing: that there is more to life than meets the naked eye. And my nanny’s words actually got proven that moment when I was able to reach the street boy.

The reason behind why he stole the bracelet is because he wants to sell it and buy his hungry and sick younger sister some food and medicine since they don't have parents to support them anymore, and he had to shoulder all the burden for it. When I first heard that, my heart was instantly shattered to pieces. I couldn't imagine there were somebody out there who had such a tough life like they had. And judging by his appearance, it looks like he was just about my age during that time, so his sense of responsibility despite of his youngness is astonishing. I may not remember his face and name but I still remember the sadness and grief on his face.

But of course since I was young back then, I have nothing to give him aside from a necklace that is worth a hundred thousand which Papa gave me on my birthday. I told him that he could sell it somewhere else and use the exchanged money to buy what his sister wanted to buy besides their basic needs. I also didn't force him to return the bracelet that he stole, and good thing that the woman didn't seemed to care about it much anyway.

However, what he did next before I left is something that is truly unforgettable. He gave me his old cap and hugged me tight while crying due to happiness. He said that I was the only kind person in the world that he met right after their parents died.

On the other angle, that was the very first time I got appreciated not because I am rich, smart, or even talented. I'm not all good too but saying that I was the only kind one who approached him makes me feel so glorified as a 10 year-old kid whose been spoiled all of her life.

So since then, I've started to be kind especially to the likes of him. I lengthen my patience and understanding. From being a brat, I refrain myself from demanding too much. I also do not waste anything such as food products knowing that there's a lot of hungry kids out there. And when there are charity events that my family attends, I also join and sometimes I even volunteer myself to give my own toys to the unfortunate ones. Call me emotional because I can be easily swayed by simple words but you can't blame me either. I was born to understand their situation because I just came to realize that even though they're flawed and imperfect, they maybe evil too but at some point of their lives,

They just happened to be unfortunate and miserable creatures who only wants to get accepted.

After all, they're still humans like us.

"Are you really sure that you have no other reasons why you want to go to a normal school besides a change of environment? Or maybe you're just foreshadowing the idea of hoping that you could meet the young snatcher you met before?"

I stopped walking up the stairs when I heard Kuya Terrence's voice from behind me. I could neither look away nor answer what he just said on that instant.

I noticed how he lethargically climbed up until we're standing the same level of the stairs. It was only then that I decided to tilt my head to his direction.

"You might think poor people are all pure deep inside but that's just a made-up myth. I can not believe that until now you still believe in your nanny's foolish fabrications."

"What do you know about commoners anyway? You don't even understand them either brother," I defended, subtly grinding my teeth. I don't know where exactly did I get the courage to speak my mind out and talk back against our eldest and most respected sibling. He's the only member in the family that I never talked to casually due to our cold relationship towards one another. He always had that distant and revolting atmosphere surrounding him when I'm near his radar for as far as I can remember, and I don't even know why.

Nonetheless, instead of answering right away he just remained silent while looking forward. And right after he advanced two steps ahead of me, he turned to me and spoke with a mocking face.

"Too bad, but you will soon regret this decision. I've met a lot of those kind of people and trust me, they're all but a bunch of leeches and snakes. They can never be trusted, for they will only use you and what you have as a stepping stone to get what they wanted. Some of them even loathed us rich people and envy us for what we have. So, you can't guarantee a good relationship between our two parallel worlds if you're planning to change that constant status quo. Both parties could never understand each other."

"Then I'll prove it to all of you. I'll befriend someone who hates me for being rich and show you that what you said is just a false accusation," I replied which he did not answer. I frowned as I watched him leaving me. What is his problem?

"Forget about what Kuya Trent is trying to tell you, lil sis. He's just a giant prick who happened to had a not-so-good backstory with commoners, so let's just understand him." I was startled by the sudden appearance of Kuya Matt at my left side. It seems like he overheard our conversation earlier. "Besides, you already have my support so yeah. Just ignore what they all say."

"I'm not," I answered then he snorted.

"Anyway, why did you even announce something like that earlier at the dinner table, huh? I could've probably become a good help in explaining things to our family if only you informed me earlier about your decision today."

"Whether I tell you in advance or not, you'd still be on my side — both you and Papa. And even if you don't agree, I won't insist any further. At least I tried saying what I wanted."

He sighed and scratched his head. "What struck your head that you want to study in a public school out of the sudden, lil sis? It's too crowded and old-fashioned there. No air conditioners, no cool facilities, and each room is as small as the sizes of our bathrooms!" he exclaimed. "And sometimes, they don't have student lockers as to where we put our school and personal stuffs so you'd always have to carry a big, ugly backpack for your books and extra uniforms. They also don't have extra service there and the students themselves are obliged to maintain their campus' cleanliness and not the janitors," he added like an expert.

"I know that already, I've done my research. And that is why I'm eager to study in that place. I'm big enough to try something new, so maybe a little change isn't gonna make it as bad as it seems after all."

"Oh really? Are you certain that you're not secretly looking for a handsome, commoner lad you ideally wanna date with? 'cause if that's the case then don't expect that there's a guy out there that will exceed your standards. You can rarely see anyone whose good-looking in public places, I tell you. Usually they look like cheap, gorilla uncles. And speaking of good-looking, why not just date me instead? Aren’t your handsome big brother good enough for you — ow!" I smacked his head before he even finished saying anything weirder.

"You sure talk too much nonsense brother. Do I look like I wanted some good flirt? Don't compare me to you." He chuckled naughtily. I just shook my head before heading straight to my room rather than prolonging that stupid discourse.

"Are you really sure that you have no other reasons why you want to go to a normal school besides a change of environment? Or maybe you're just foreshadowing the idea of hoping that you could meet the young snatcher you met before?"

The statement which my older brother Terrence said a few moments ago suddenly came back to me subconsciously. I turned at the wall to my upper left at looked at a framed blue cap hanged near the doorway. Then, I shook my head to shove away my thoughts before shutting the lights off to sleep.