A sly smile spread across my lips as Sergio sat beside me. I loved the fact that he sounded so angry. "What did he say to you?" I wiped away the nonexistent tears from my face and shook my head. "He didn't say anything." "Nicole!" Sergio's voice was firm. "Look at me. Talk to me! Tell me exactly what he said to you!" That was my chance. I averted my gaze to him, making sure to fixate my gaze in his. Air fanned my eyes making tears instantly well up in them. "I don't know why Diego dislikes me this much. I thought we were getting along. I thought he liked me, but I've been wrong. This isn't even the first time he's treating me like I'm a nobody," I swallowed. "I know I'm not, but it still hurts when he reminds me of that all the time. He always finds ways to make sneaky remarks about me. Why? What's my offence? I didn't want to take your card but you insisted I do, I went shopping to get a few essential things I needed, and I end up being called a golddigger and a socia
Juliana's point of view Wow! Staring at the transcript of my result, I couldn't believe I passed. I did! OMG! I really did! Dad would be elated to hear of the good news - I smiled, reminiscing how hard I studied to be able to get a scholarship. My hard work did not go to waste after all. It paid off. I giggled to myself and gazed at the results again for the umpteenth time. I just couldn't stop myself from repeating the process. It seemed so... Surreal, even to my own eyes. Dad; he worked so hard just to make sure I succeeded. I could wait no longer to get home and present my results to him. Indisputably, he would be astonished and overjoyed at the same time. Frankly speaking, he was the reason behind my zeal to get a scholarship so badly. I wanted nothing more than to be able to take us out of the poverty I grew up in. To be able to give him a better life. A life he actually deserved. Ever since I was just a kid, the way loan sharks harassed him had never gone unnoticed by me.
Groaning, I regained consciousness and just like like, everything that happened a while ago came rushing back into my system like a flood. Hot, fat tears ran down my cheeks like a loose faucet. Right in front of me, my entire world came crumbling down and I couldn't do anything to help. I was useless! Like a raging bull, I got up and pushed open the door, but to my horror, I met an empty living room. "Dad? Dad?" I screamed for him, but my efforts were futile. Knowing they couldn't have gone far, I raced outside and true to my words, I sighted them, throwing his body in the trunk of a black truck. I raced towards them, but at that very moment, the vehicle began to move. "No!" I continued running after the vehicle until my legs became jelly and I fell flat on my face. "Give him back to me." I cried intermittently. The image of his lifeless body in the pool of his blood suddenly flashed in my mind. "DAD! DAD!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs until my voice croaked and began to br
Mia let out a gasp. She obviously couldn't believe what she just heard. How could she when I still couldn't believe it myself. "Bes." She called, her voice trembling. "I'm... I'm so sorry. Who... Did that to him?" She stuttered. "I don't know who they are. It was my first time seeing them at our house... They looked like thugs." My lips quivered as I spoke. My heart was breaking into a million pieces. "Why did you not call the cops, bes? You should have done that immediately." Mia admonished, grabbing my trembling hand in hers. "I couldn't do it, Mia." I shook my head aggressively. "I couldn't leave or take my eyes away from him even for a blink of an eye." More tears slipped out of my eyes. "I think I lost my phone." "They weren't putting on masks?" Mia caressed my hand softly, emboldening me to continue. "No. I saw their faces. All three of them." I replied. How could I possibly not? Their faces were engraved in my mind and I didn't think it would ever fade. I knew I would ne
"Do you really plan on leaving Cebu? Where do you plan to go, bes?" Mia inquired. I had finally been discharged from the hospital after a few days later and was busy packing my stuff. "Can't you please just stay?" Her voice was laced with genuine worry. It was evident she did not want me to leave the province, but there was absolutely nothing she could do to convince me. I was hellbent of seeking vengeance for my father's death. I couldn't be stopped. Not even by my best friend. "Please reconsider," she continued. "You're not in the right state of mind and knowing you, you might do something reckless."I would admit, she was not wrong about that — I had always acted on impulse, but this time around, my actions would be justified. "Don't worry about me, Mia," I smiled, tightly. "I will be fine. I won't stop, until I get even with those monsters that ruined my life." The promise was more to myself. It was a vow I was ready to do anything to fulfill. There will surely pay in a dreadful
It had already been three days since I arrived in the big city, Manila, and as you'd guess, it had not been easy for me. Upon arriving in Manila, the bustling city presented unexpected challenges and tested my resilience. I almost got raped by some drunkards, but narrowly managed to escape.I also didn't have money to buy food, nor could I afford a cheap hotel room to stay in. Desperation led me to seek refuge beneath a bridge, among a community of individuals facing similar struggles. It was a terrible experience. For two consecutive days, I had nothing to eat and it started taking its toll on me. I became weak; my vision was blurry and I constantly felt like passing out. I tried looking for part-time jobs, but no luck. I was desperate. I needed a job to be able to survive. If I don't survive, how will I ever get justice for dad? Luckily for me, I walked by a cafeteria currently hiring waitresses. The ads were neatly placed by the entry. That was my cue to go in and apply. Gently,
"I feel so uncomfortable in this dress." I voiced out, adjusting the neck of the navy blue dress I was putting on — the dress Rosa borrowed me, because obviously, I didn't have any decent looking dress that would suit the occasion. I felt really uncomfortable in the dress. I wasn't really used to getting all dressed up. Rosa had wanted to force me into painting my face as well, but I strongly objected. It wasn't really my thing. I felt I always looked ugly whenever I had makeup on. I was comfortable with just my nude lipgloss on. "Don't worry, babes, you look stunning." Rosa reassured. "To be honest, you look different. Like someone else." Of course — I mentally rolled my eyes. I wasn't blind myself. I looked like someone else indeed. The dress I was putting on was borrowed, the bag, as well as the shoes. What did she expect? I was practically a counterfeitress. "Yeah, right." I slurred. "Do you think I'm going to meet the one for me, tonight?" She emphasised, flicking her long eye
To Rosa's disappointment - and of course, mine, he walked past us and towards a very beautiful, tall, pale looking lady. For a brief moment, my jaw hung. I took the opportunity to take in the girl's appearance - she was dressed in a red, mini dress. She was heavily made up, just like Rosa, but hers was classier. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail. Her heels - it was just so beautiful beyond description. I would definitely love to own a pair...someday. It was a matching pair with her dress. Her expensive Michael Kors bag made my jaw drop even lower. I had always wanted the exact bag, but couldn't afford half the price. Dad had promised to get me one if I passed my scholarship examination. At the thought, sadness washed over me as I suddenly remembered he was gone, and I would never see him again. I missed him a lot. His memories were still fresh in my mind. Not a single one had been omitted. Everything still felt like a dream to me. A terrible one. Right at that moment, I realize