CHAPTER 2

Zhe's POV

Kinubukasan

I woke up to the warm sunlight kissing my cheeks. I stretched, still half-asleep, before finally sitting up. After a quick prayer, I opened my eyes and began my morning routine.

Today is my little brother's birthday—which I almost forgot— I’m certain my brother would sulk if I didn’t show up. I glanced at the wall clock. 1 PM?!

"Shocks!" I muttered. Ang haba ng tulog ko kaya pala kumakalam na yung sikmura ko.

After ko mag-ayos, kinuha ko na ang paper bag na naglalaman ng regalo ko sa kaniya, binili ko ito last week pa.

Pagkalabas ko ng kwarto, agad tumama ang mga mata ko sa kwarto ni Caleb na nasa dulo ng hallway. Is he still here? Napailing ako. Malamang ay maaga na naman itong umalis kagaya ng lagi niyang ginagawa.

Bumaba na ako ng hagdan at nagulat nang madatnan ko siya sa living room. Kasalukuyan siyang umiinom ng kape. Bigla siyang napatingin sa gawi ko at dahan-dahang ibinaba ang tasa. His brows slightly furrowed. Wala ba siyang pasok ngayon?

"You're up late, buti nagising kapa. Where are you going?" His tone is flat, giving no hint of emotion—as usual. His gaze flickers to the paper bag in my hand. "Cafe? I thought it's closed today."

I cleared my throat before responding. "Good morning to you, too," I said with a small smile. "Actually, it's my little brother's birthday today. They were expecting me to come."

He folds the newspaper neatly before speaking again. "I heard Sophia is already back in town." His voice remains emotionless, but there's a slight hint of something beneath it. Interest? Curiosity? It’s hard to tell.

A sharp pang hits my chest at the mention of her name—Sophia, my sister.

I nod, forcing my voice to remain steady. "Yeah, that's what Mom said."

He suddenly stands up. "I'm coming with you," he announces before turning on his heel and heading upstairs.

I stand frozen for a moment, staring at his retreating figure. What?

Napakurap-kurap ako at saka natauhan.

He’s coming with me?

Is it because of Sophia? Well probably that's his reason.

Sophia is my sister—well, not by blood. She was adopted.

Tumingala ako at bumuntong-hininga as I hold my chest because I feel pain all of a sudden. Why the fvck I am hurt?

Napatingin muli ako sa hagdanan nang marinig ko ang yapak niya. He walk downstairs in a nice suit, his hair is perfectly styled looking like a million bucks. “Let's go,” he said, at naunang maglakad palabas, wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang sumunod nalang.

Pagdating ko sa parking lot at nakapasok na siya sa sasakyan niya. I open the passenger seat and hop in, I fasten my seatbelt at tumingin sa labas.

He starts the car and pulls out of the driveway, he drives silently. Nakakabingi ang katahimikan sa loob ng sasakyan at hindi iyon nakakatuwa.

Maya-maya pa ay huminto na ang sasakyan. “We’re here,” he says killing the engine and stepping out the car.

Bumaba narin ako, at inayos ang sarili ko.

Napangiti ako nang makita ko ang bahay namin, it's been 3 months since I left this house.

I see my mom and she immediately wave at me with a wide smile. “There she is!” She shouts happily, making my little brother see me, and he suddenly runs towards me. “Ate!” He shouts hugging me tight that makes me laugh as I hugged him back.

“Ang tangkad mo na!” Sabi ko na ikinatawa niya.

“Syempre binata na kaya ako!” he declared proudly.

"Baby ka pa rin! 17 ka pa lang kaya!" I grinned. He pouted, clearly displeased. "Ate naman eh! Hindi na ako baby!” aniya habang nagmamaktol, kapagkuwan ay napatingin siya sa kasama ko.

“Hey Caleb!” he greeted, making me lightly smack the back of his head.

"Ang bayolente mo pa rin, Ate!" he whined while rubbing the spot I hit.

"Para mo lang ka-edad kung tawagin mo siya ha?" I scoffed, only to hear Caleb chuckle softly, napatingin ako sa kaniya.

“Happy birthday little man” he said as he ruffled my brother’s hair. “And it's ‘kuya’ to you, got it?” His stern tone is belied by the gentle smile he gives to my brother.

Napangiti ako, kaya niya pa lang maging ganito?

Nawala ang ngiti ko nang makita kong nakatingin na sa’kin si Caleb. He arch his eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging in his mouth. “Something amusing?”

Napakurap-kurap ako at umiling saka ko hinila ang kapatid ko papasok sa loob.

“Akin ba ‘to, Ate?” he asked, referring to the paper bag in my hand.

Tumango ako at iniabot iyon sa kanya. His eyes widened before he hugged me again. “Thank you, Ate!”

“Saglit lang ha, asikasuhin ko lang mga kaklase ko” sabi niya at hinalikan ako sa pisnge bago umalis dala ang regalo ko.

I turned to see Caleb already sitting on the couch, talking to my mom. I was about to approach them when a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Ate.”

Napalunok ako at dahan-dahang lumingon.

There, I saw Sophia, smiling at me. She looked stunning in her cream-colored cocktail dress, her fair skin glowing even more. Before I could react, she suddenly hugged me, catching me off guard.

“Namiss kita, Ate,” she whispered sweetly.

When I recovered, I hugged her back. “Namiss din kita. How are you?” I asked as we pulled away.

She smiled. “Okay lang ako. Ikaw? Kumusta ka? Si… C-Caleb?”

There was hesitation in her voice as she mentioned his name.

Lumingon ako sa gawi ni Caleb He was already staring at us—no, staring at her.

Binalik ko ang tingin ko kay Sophie na ngayon ay nakatingin nadin sa gawi ni Caleb, naglalaban ang tingin nila, and a sharp pang hit my chest again.

“A-ahm Sophie, puntahan ko lang si Zhake huh?” Pag-agaw ko sa attention niya na agad namang tumingin sa’kin, kapagkuwan ay tumango siya habang nakangiti.

Pumunta ako sa kusina at wala sa sariling naghugas ng kamay.

“Nak” napatalon ako sa gulat.

“Mommy naman eh, papatayin mo ako sa gulat” maktol ko na ikinatawa niya, kapagkuwan ay niyakap niya ako.

Niyakap ko siya pabalik at bigla nalang tumulo ang luha ko. Pinatahan niya ako.

“Sabi ko naman kasi sayo eh, you can runaway naman I’ll help you, hindi malalaman ng daddy mo” aniya habang ina-alo ako.

“Pero kapag malaman ng daddy, malalagot ka, at ayaw ko nun” sabi ko habang umiiling.

“I’m so sorry my princess, dapat nag-eenjoy ka palang ngayon, pero hito at nakatali kana at the age of 24, at wala manlang magawa ang mommy mo” umiling ako at bumitaw sa yakap niya, I wipe my tears at tiningnan siya.

“Okay lang po ako mom, h-hindi niya naman po ako sinasaktan” tiningnan niya ako na parang hindi kumbinsido sa sinabi ko.

I pull myself together at nginitian siya ng matamis. “Tara na po sa labas, baka maabutan tayo ni daddy na ganito magiging OA na naman yun” biro ko at hinila na siya palabas.

“Oo nga pala, si Nathan nandito hinahanap ka, kaya kita sinundan sa kusina,” sabi ni mommy, dahilan para lumiwanag ang mukha ko.

“Omg! Nakabalik na ng Pilipinas si Nathaniel?”

Tumango si mommy at may tinuro sa bandang likod ko, and there I saw Nathan smiling and waving at me.

Tumingin ako kay mommy at niyakap siya ulit bago mag-paalam na puntahan si Nathan.

Dali-dali akong pumunta sa gawi niya, nakaamba na siya ng yakap kaya pagkalapit ko ay niyakap ko siya kaagad.

Narinig ko ang mahina niyang pagtawa. "Damn, I miss you too haha"

“Kailan ka nakabalik? Bakit hindi ka nagsabi sa’kin? Ede sana nasundo ka namin ni Ulan sa airport” wika ko at bumitaw sa yakap.

"Landed at dawn. Didn’t wanna bother you," he said, ruffling my hair.

I hugged him again, making him chuckle. "If looks could kill, I’d be dead right now."

I frowned. "Huh?"

Nathan smirked and tilted his head towards Caleb, who was staring at us with a murderous gaze.

I swallowed hard. What the hell is his problem?

“Pero handa akong mamatay kung ang yakap mo naman ang kapalit” aniya dahilan para marahan ko siyang itulak. “Pinagsasabi mo?” sabi ko at naupo, natatawa siyang tumabi sa’kin. I looked at Caleb and he's still staring at us, para siyang may papatayin sa titig niya na iyon. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin.

“How’s your oh so called husband?” aniya at hindi na pinansin ang titig ni Caleb.

“Tsk, yabang talaga ng Vasquez na yan akala mo naman kung sinong gwapo, eh mas masarap naman ako sa kaniya” aniya dahilan para matawa ako.

“Pilyo ka parin talaga! Nagpunta ka na sa States lahat-lahat, ganiyan ka parin”

Tumawa siya.

“Kasi totoo naman eh, gwapo lang siya pero hindi hamak na mas masarap ako sa kaniya” binatukan ko siya dahilan para matawa pa siya lalo.

“Sira ka talaga!” Masarap naman si Caleb eh– Ayy! Ano ba yang iniisip mo Zhe!

“Ikuha lang kita ng pagkain, sabay na tayong kumain” sabi ko saka tumayo, tumayo din naman siya.

“Samahan na kita” aniya at nauna siyang maglakad.

Tingnan mo to, sasamahan daw ako pero ako tong iniwanan.

Bago pa man ako makarating sa buffet ay may dala na agad siyang pagkain. Napailing nalang ako.

“Drinks nalang kunin mo” aniya at bumalik na sa pwesto namin.

Kukuha sana ako ng drinks pero sabi ng server ay sila nalang daw ang magdadala nun sa table namin.

Tumango ako at bago pa man ako bumalik sa table namin ay napatingin ulit ako sa gawi ni Caleb na ngayon ay walang emosyon na nakatingin sa’kin. Napalunok ako. Kumain na kaya siya? Lalapitan ko sana siya nang biglang lumapit sa kaniya si Sophie na may dalang pagkain.

Oo nga pala, andiyan nga pala si Sophie para asikasuhin siya. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at bumalik na sa table namin.

“Nauna pa yung drinks kaysa sa magdadala sana” biro ni Nathan, siniringan ko lang siya at naupo na.

“Alam mo, kumain ka nalang, nangangayayat kana. Ano bang pinaggagawa ng Caleb na yan sayo?” aniya at siya na mismo ang naghiwa ng steak para sa’kin.

Pinapaungol sa sakit at sarap.

Katapos niyang hiwain yun ay binigay niya ang plato niya sa’kin.

“Salamat”

“Sabihin mo lang sa’kin kung sinasaktan ka niyan, kahit pa mas malaki sa’kin yan, buhok lang ‘di sasakit sa kaniya kapag binugbog ko siya.” Aniya na ikinatawa ko.

Nagsimula na akong kumain pero napahinto din nang mapansin kong nakatitig siya ng seryoso sa’kin.

“Oo na, bubugbugin mo siya, sabihin ko sayo kapag saktan niya ako,” sabi ko habang natatawa.

“Babawiin kita sa kaniya kapag ginawa niya yun” seryoso niyang sabi dahilan para unti-unting mawala ang ngiti sa labi ko.

Pinagkatitigan ko siya para tingnan kung nagbibiro parin ba siya pero wala akong makitang any sign of biro sa mga mata niya, kaya pilit akong tumawa.

“Alam mo, gutom ka lang, kumain kana. Masarap yung steak,” sabi ko at nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

_________

Third Person’s POV

After finishing their meal, Zhe excused herself to get some dessert. She made her way to the kitchen, but as she stepped inside, she froze. There, in the dimly lit space, stood Caleb and Sophia.

They were standing close—too close. Sophia's hand rested lightly on Caleb's arm, her eyes soft as she looked up at him. And then, just as Zhe was about to turn around, she saw it—Sophia slowly leaned in, her lips just inches away from his.

So? May relasiyon nga talaga sila?

Something inside Zhe twisted painfully. Ayaw na niyang makita ang susunod na mangyayari. Without making a sound, she turned on her heel and walked away.

She didn’t stop until she spotted a server. "May alak ba rito?" she asked in a low voice.

The server hesitated before nodding. "Meron po para sa mga—"

"Pahingi," she cut him off, forcing a smile. "Kahit isang bote lang."

Moments later, Zhe returned to the table where Nathan was waiting, his eyebrows immediately shooting up when he saw what she was holding.

"Uh, I thought you were getting dessert?" he asked, clearly amused.

Zhe smirked as she placed the bottle on the table and grabbed two glasses. "Mas masarap ‘to kaysa sa cake," she said before pouring them each a drink. "Come on, let's have some fun."

Nathan hesitated, glancing at her with concern. "Zhe, are you okay?"

Zhe laughed—a little too loudly, a little too forced. “Of course! What? Bawal ba mag-enjoy?” Nathan is not convinced.

She took a long sip before flashing him a grin. "Never better. Now drink."

Nathan hesitated but eventually gave in, pouring himself a drink as well. “You know what? Fine. Cheers,” he said, clinking his glass against hers before taking a sip.

From across the room, Caleb watched, his fingers curling into fists. His jaw tightened as Zhe laughed—too loudly, too freely—with another man. Something about the sight made his blood boil.

What the hell is she doing? And why does it bother me so damn much?

His grip on his glass tightened as he saw Nathan lean in, whispering something in Zhe’s ear, making her giggle. A sharp pang shot through his chest. Hindi siya dapat nagagalit. He had no right to feel this way. Zhe wasn’t someone he loved—she was just his wife on paper.

Then why does it feel like he’s losing control?

Before he could stop himself, he was already on his feet, making his way toward them with dark, determined strides. Narinig niya pa ang pagtawag ni Sophia sa kaniya pero hindi niya ito pinansin.

Nathan looked up as he approached, his expression unreadable.

"We’re leaving," Caleb said coldly, his gaze locking onto Zhe’s dazed eyes.

Zhe pouted, clearly tipsy. "Ayoko pa," she slurred, reaching for another drink. "Nathan, ‘di ba may isa pa tayong shot?"

Nathan’s expression darkened as he met Caleb’s stare. "She’s fine. She can stay."

Caleb’s patience snapped. Without another word, he bent down and scooped Zhe into his arms, lifting her in a bridal carry.

"Hey! Put me down!" she protested, weakly hitting his chest. "I’m not done drinking!"

Caleb ignored her struggles, turning to her mother. "She’s drunk. I’m taking her home."

Her mom only nodded, concern flickering in her eyes, but she didn’t stop him.

As Caleb carried her toward the exit, Nathan’s glare burned into his back, and from the corner of his eye, he saw Sophia watching them—her expression unreadable.

But right now, none of that mattered.

All Caleb knew was that he needed to get Zhe out of there. And that for some reason, the thought of her being with someone else made his chest tighten in a way he didn’t understand.