(Reese's POV)
COZ drove us home immediately with complete silence between us. Nakabantay ako sa mga social media accounts ko in case may balita tungkol sa nangyari kanina. Pero hanggang sa makarating kami sa bahay, wala kahit isa.
I was about to open the door when Coz talked.
"Reese." I looked at him. Nakatingin ito sa harapan at nang mapunta ang tingin ko sa mga kamay niya, pansin ko na mahigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa manibela. "Stop worrying."
(Reese's POV) "5...4...3...2...1. Merry christmas!" Alice happily exclaimed. We laughed at her adorable reaction. She's swirling the lusis like a wand. "Yehey!" I was looking up the sky and watching the fireworks with a wide smile. Coz was beside me since we went out of the house. Alice handed me a lusis earlier but I declined so she gave it to Coz who accepted it. "Merry christmas." I removed my gaze on the sky and turned to my right, still with a wide smile. Coz was watching Alice and Echo happily playing with the lusis but when he felt my gaze, he turned to me that wiped my smile. But the moment he smiled, my smile came back immediately. This guy... Na-miss ko ang ngiti niya ng sobra. Lagi na lang kasi siyang naka-poker face kapag nagkakasalubong kami. Pero kasalanan ko naman yata kaya hindi ko siya masisisi. "Merry c
(Reese's POV)"ANO'NG nangyari d'yan sa kamay mo?"From the fruits that I'm arranging, my gaze went to Alice who's frowning at me while chewing the banana she's eating."Bakit kanina pa nakatago sa bulsa ng hoodie mo?""Wala lang. Trip ko lang at saka nilalamig kasi," I honestly said. Totoo naman kasing nilalamig ang mga kamay ko at kung hindi ko lang kailangang ayusin ang mga prutas, hindi ko sana ilalabas sa bulsa ng hoodie ko ang kanang kamay ko.Pinaningkitan niya ako ng mga mata. "Sigurado ka?" I nodded. "Wala kang itinatago?" paninigurado pa niya.My forehead creased as I stare at her. Ano naman ang itatago ko? Wala naman akong dapat itago na nasa kamay ko. And to prove to her that I'm not hiding anything in my hands inside the pocket of my hoodie, I pulled it out and held it to her so that she can inspect it."Sabi ko
(Reese's POV)I was left inside of the library dumbfounded and alone after Coz hurriedly followed Echo outside. Coz was a bit annoyed or angry after what Echo said before going outside.Tell the truth before it's too late... That's what he said. What truth? And to whom will Coz tell the truth?First, it was Lex who confused me when someone sent him to warned me. Until now, that's not yet clear for me. Who the hell will sent him? And why the freaking hell would that person wanted to warn me?Then Echo mentioned something about why I was chosen by someone. And he didn't told me who's that someone.And now, he uttered something again about telling the truth before it's too late. Is everything that's confusing me and causing chaos to my mind connected after all? Ang nag-utos kay Lex at ang tinutukoy ni Echo, iisang tao lang ba?Bago pa akp mabaliw s
(Reese's POV) ONE week. That's how long I'd been avoiding Coz. Sa t'wing nakikita ko ito, bumabalik sa isip ko ang nangyari noong gabing naglasing kami. That kiss...My cheeks immediately heated up. That should never happen again. Una sa lahat, hindi naman dapat nangyari 'yon. Huminga ako ng malalim bago yumupyop sa desk ko. Ngayon na-iinis na ako sa t'wing may vacant kami ever since that night. At ang pagbabanggit ni Alice kay Coz kapag umuuwi ako sa bahay ay hindi rin nakakatulong. We had a deal na walang gano'n na mangyayari. I can still clearly remember that. At kahit na ano mang mangyari, hinding-hindi ko 'yon makakalimutan. But why did he did that? Why did he kissed me? And it's not just in the cheeks. It's in the lips. LIP
(Reese's POV) PAGDATING ko sa bahay ng mga magulang ko—their home, not mine because the moment I moved out of it, I no longer considered it as my home—ay agad kong tinanong ang isang kasambahay na naabutan ko sa sala kung nasaan si Mommy. She told me that she's in the garden, watering her plants. I gave her a thankful smile before going to where my mother was. Maybe she felt my presence that's why even though I was still meters away from her, she already turned to face me. She had this sweet smile plastered on her face. "Destiny..." she said as she walked towards the table and chairs they're using when they want to relax here. "Sit down." Itinuro niya ang isang silya para umupo ako. "Hi, Mom!" I put down my wallet and phone on the table before pulling the chair and sat down. "Whe
(Reese's POV) DIGGING my own grave... That's what Coz had told me. Ipinagsawalang bahala ko lang ang sinabi niya at nilampasan siya. Alam ko kung ano'ng pinasok ko. Why would I go to a war without a plan? Bakit ako susugod sa isang labanan kung hindi ako magiging handa sa kalalabasan? We ate dinner, only hearing the sounds from the utensils. The kitchen was filled with awkwardness. Alice wanted to break the awkwardness but stopped herself, knowing that it will just be useless. No one uttered even a single word. Nagpapakiramdaman lang kaming apat, waiting who will talk first. I was the one who finished eating first. Tumayo ako at inilagay sa lababo ang pinagkainan ko bago walang salitang umalis sa kusina at pumanhik sa kwarto ko. I went to the balcony of my room to breath in some
(Reese's POV) I stopped typing when I heard someone knocking on my bedroom's door. With the thought that maybe it's Alice because I asked her to bring me snacks earlier, I went to the door and opened it with a wide smile plastered on my face. Kanina pa ako nagugutom pero dahil marami akong ginagawa, hindi ko magawang bumaba pa sa kusina para kumuha ng meryenda. That's why I asked Alice to do it for me. But the moment I opened the door and saw who's standing in front of me, my smile immediately faded. Echo was looking at me with a bored look. Then seconds later, he held out the brown envelope he's holding to me. I know what it is because it's been a week since I asked a favor to him. "One week, just like what I told you," he said after I accepted it. "Hindi ko na tatanungin kung saan mo 'yan gagamitin. Just promise me one thing." "Promises are meant to be broken."
(Reese's POV) AFTER I left my parents' house, I went to the orphanage to calm myself down. I don't want to go home yet. Magulo ang isip ko ngayon. Mas lalong gumulo dahil sa confrontation na naganap. Maybe Echo was right, that this isn't the right time. And maybe Mommy was right, that I should have waited for her to get proofs. But regardless of that, who would blame me for doing that? Gago ang mundo kaya dapat maging mas gago ka... That's what someone told me. And that's right. Walang mangyayaring maganda sa'yo kung hahayaan mong gaguhin ka ng ibang tao. Now that I already found out that my father was one to blame, I can already execute the next step of my plan. Kung ayaw nilang sabihin sa'kin ang mga gusto kong malaman, ako ang gagawa ng paraan para makuha ang mga ito. Sabi nga nila, kung hindi madaan sa santong dasalan, daanin sa santong paspasan. "Sigurado ka ba na ok
(Coz's POV)PINANOOD kong unti-unting nawawala sa paningin ko ang kabaong ng kapatid ko. Just the thought of not going to see her again smiling made me clenched my fist. Bakit siya pa? What did she do wrong for her to suffer these things? She don't deserved to be in this position. Whoever the reason behind this will pay...big time.Dumiretso kaagad ako sa opisina pagkaalis ko sa sementeryo. I have lots to do and I want to know who did that to my sister. I'll make that person's life a living hell. Hindi siya makakatakas sa ginawa niya.After some minutes, my Secretary entered together with someone I really know. Kaagad itong may inilapag na envelope sa lamesa ko. Sinenyasan ko ang Secretary ko na iwanan muna kami na kaagad namang sumunod."Nand'yan na po lahat ng gusto niyong malaman sa pinapaimbestigahan niyo, Sir," aniya.With gritted teeth, I opened the envelope and pulled out the documents. My eyes squinted at the words I'm reading. He's right. Narito na lahat ng kailangan kong m
(Reese's POV)WE'RE ENGAGED. It was an epic engagement but it's worth it. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa pinili kong desisyon. Sumugal ulit ako kahit walang kasiguraduhan na hindi na ako matatalo. Pero gano'n naman talaga kapag sumugal ka, hindi mo alam ang magiging resulta. Sana lang ay mapunta sa akin ang swerte at hindi ako matalo bandang huli.We're not perfect. Be both have our own red flag. But we're both working on that. He never ffailed to tell me how much he loves me every single day. At sa bawat hindi ko pagsagot, kita ko ang sakit sa mga mata niya pero agad din namang nawawala at napapalitan ng pagmamahal. Hindi ko intensyon na iparamdam sa kanya ang gano'n at hindi rin ako naghihiganti sa ginawa niya.I was back to my reverie when someone snapped in front of my face."Kanina ka pa tulala habang nakatingin sa singsing mo, marecakes," nakangising saad ni Audrina. "Nang-iinggit lang ang peg?"I chuckled as I caressed it. "Hindi pa tuluyang nagsi-sinc in
(Reese's POV)THE night of the surprise came. He told me to wear something comfortable. Kahit hindi naman niya sabihin, talagang 'yon ang gagawin ko. I'm into jeans, not dresses. Shoes and not heels. Ni hindi na nga rin ako naglagay ng make-up at basta na lang sinuklay ang buhok ko.When I went out of the room and walked down the stairs, his attention went to me. May kausap ito sa cellphone pero ang atensyon niya ay na sa'kin. That made me smile. I believe him.I talked to his mother last night. She explained what happened after I left. She made me realized lots of things. And I was shock that their love story was almost similar to ours. Tito also fooled her—her words, not mine. Hindi raw niya ako pipiliting paniwalaan lahat ng sinasabi ni Coz. Ang tanging gusto lang daw niya ay subuan kong intindihin ang mga rason niya. After this night, kung hindi ko pa rin daw kayang tanggapin muli si Coz, desisyon ko na raw 'yon at wala na siyang magagawa.Ilang oras akong nag-isp kung ano ang da
(Reese's POV)PIGIL NA PIGIL ko ang sarili kong matawa sa itsura ni Coz. He looks confused but he still managed to nod his head. That made me smile. Tumayo ako ng maayos bago kinuha ang cellphone sa bulsa ko at may tinawagan."Where the fuck are you?!" kaagad na bungad nito pagkasagot sa tawag ko. "Matinong sagot ang kailangan ko, Rose Destiny. Bigla-bigla ka na lang aalis ng walang pasabi kung saan ka pupunta. Letse ka talaga!""Relax, Olivia!" I said with a smile on my face as I stare at Coz who's still confused as to this moment. "I'm with him." There's no need to tell who I'm talking about. Alam niya kung sino ang tinutukoy ko. "I'll stay here for awhile. Don't worry about me.""Loudspeaker this phone right now!" she demanded like she's the boss of me. "Right now, Reese!""Chill. I'll do it," I said then did what she wants and put the phone above Coz's table. "She wants to talk to you." I mouthed to Coz and he just nodded."I know we're not that close, Taylor, but I want you to
(Reese's POV)WHAT he said caught me off guard. My eyes almost popped out as I stare at him looking at me softly. I can't believe that I'm seeing fondness in his usual cold eyes. Is this for real?Mapakla akong natawa. Mahina sa umpisa hanggang sa unti-unting medyo naging malakas. Hinila ko ang kamay kong hawak niya at tumayo. "Y-You..." Napa-iling ako habang natatawa pa rin. "T-That's a good joke," sabi ko.He pressed his lips as he stared at me. "I'm serious."Pinahupa ko muna ang pagtawa ko bago siya sinagot. "It didn't look as a joke to me." Seryoso siya? Mahal niya ako? Hindi ko alam kung nagpapatawa ba siya o nanggagago na naman para utuhin ako.I know it's not right to judge a person pero iba kasi pagdating sa kanya. I should be happy right now hearing him say those 3 words and 8 letters to me pero hindi. Sino ba naman ang hindi matutuwa kapag narinig mo mismo sa taong mahal mo na mahal ka rin niya? That your love for that person isn't unrequited after all?Every woman deserve
(Reese's POV)GULAT ako sa nakikita ko at hindi ko napigilang umawang ang mga labi ko. Pero pagkaraan ng ilang segundo, nakabawi ako at naging blangko ang ekspresyon ng mukha ko."What are you doing here, Mr. Taylor?" I asked in a business tone like he always do every time he's talking to someone. "What's the visit for?"And the brute just smirked at me. I gritted my teeth and stopped myself from smacking his face. Wala akong pakialam kung gwapo pa rin ito kahit na basa na siya ng ulan. Alam na ngang malakas ang ulan, naglakas-loob pang lusungin ito. Akala mo naman ay waterproof ang hudyo."I'm here to pick up my wife," he simply said like he's just asking for a water."Maling lugar ang pinuntahan mo kung asawa mo ang hinahanap mo," walang emosyon na sagot ko. "Wala dito ang hinahanap mo, Mr. Taylor," dagdag ko pa. Bakit ba kasi ito nandito?"Wala?" Mapakla siyang natawa. "Why don't you let me in—""Gago ka ba?!" hindi ko napigilang isinghal sa kanya. "Let you in? Bakit, aber? Sino
(Reese's POV)MY MIND tried to processed what she said but it's declining everything. Naguguluhan ako dahil bakit ako ang dahilan? Ano ang kinalaman ko sa kanya? Ilang buwan na kaming walang communication kaya bakit ako damay?"H-Hospitalized?... L-Last week?... B-Because of m-me?" putol-putol na paninigurado. I can't formulate the exact words that I want to say because my mind was in chaos. "Narinig mo naman ang sinabi ko, 'di ba?" medyo iritang sagot niya pero binalewala ko na lang."W-What happened? Is he okay? Na-discharge na ba siya?" Sunod-sunod na tanong ko. Wala na dapat akong pakialam sa kanya, kung ano ang kalagayan niya, pero hindi ko maiwasan. Dapat kinakalimutan ko na siya pero hindi ko magawa.What happened? Ano na naman ang dahilan kung bakit siya naospital? Ano ang kinalaman ko? Okay lang ba siya?"Bakit ka nagtatanong ng gan'yan? Dapat kinakalimutan mo na siya, 'di ba? Bakit may pakialam ka pa sa kanya?""May pinagsamahan naman kami—""Pero niloko ka niya!" inis na p
(Reese's POV)"KANINO galing?" I asked Audrina after she handed me a box of doughnuts from Autumn's."Sa'kin malamang. Ako nagbigay, 'di ba?" She rolled her eyes."Kung isampal ko kaya sa'yo 'to?" I countered and acted like I was about to slapped the box to her. "Ano?" hamon ko pa.Instead of answering, she turned her back at me and even flipped her hair."Pikon ka talaga kahit kailan, Aurora." pang-aasar ko pa gamit ang nickname na ibinigay ko sa kanya."Tangina mo! Audrina ang pangalan ko, hindi Aurora, gago!" sigaw niya mula sa kusina na ikinatawa ko.Sa mga nakalipas na panahon, mas naging close pa kami. Minsan nga ay nagseselos na si Olive dahil mas madalas kong kasama si Audrina. Sabi nga ni Desiree, malapit na raw kaming magkamukha dahil halos kung nasaan ang isa, nando'n din ang isa."Tumanda ka sanang dalaga." aniya ng bumalik ito sa sala habang may hawak na tasa na sigurado akong kape na naman ang laman."Kape now, palpitate later." sabi ko nang maka-upo ito sa kaharap kong
(Reese's POV)AFTER knowing the news, hindi ko alam kung paano ko kinayang makauwi ng ligtas. I was shaking and nervous. Umiiyak ako dahil sa labis na pag-aalala.The news said it was not his fault but he was injured. At hindi nakatulong na hindi man lang binanggit kung ano ang tinamo niya. Nabalian ba siya? Nauntog ba? Wala. Walang nabanggit.The last thing I remembered before I fell asleep was that I cried so hard upon reaching my bed. Gusto ko siyang puntahan. Gusto kong malaman ang kalagayan niya. Pero wala akong ibang magawa kung hindi umiyak na LANG. Umaasa akong maayos ang kalagayan niya. That he's not severely injured or something.When I woke up, I found Desiree peacefully sleeping beside me and holding my left hand. Dahan-dahan akong umalis sa kama para hindi siya magising. When I checked the time, it was already 9 in the morning.I went to the kitchen as I scrolled through my social media accounts, trying to find some news about him. Medyo nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang may