(Reese's POV)
I yanked my hair out of irritation. "Bwisit!" inis na bulalas ko at tinadyakan ang basurahang na sa gilid ko na buti na lang ay walang laman. Hindii pa ako nakuntento, pati ang dustpan na nasa tabi nito kanina ay idinamay ko.
"Kalma, Lincoln. Masyado kang hot," pang-a-asar ni Olive habang inaayos ang mga tinadyakan ko.
"Kalma?" Natawa ako ng pagak. "How could I freaking calm down after talking to that inconsiderate puppet of a businessman?!" Itinuro ko pa kung nasaan ang tinutukoy ko.
Sabado ngayon kaya walang kaming klase. Wala rin naman akong gagawing requirements kaya kaninang tumawag si Sister Dolores at sinabing pumunta kami rito, agad kaming pumunta ni Olive. Agad kumulo ang dugo ko nang makita ko kung sino ang nadatnan naming kausap niya sa garden—the young and most sought lawyer as of now, Attorney Alexander Martin. Kung wala lang si Sister ay talagang sinugod ko na ito lalo na nang ngumisi ito pagkakita sa'min ni Olive.
Mas lalo pang kumulo ang dugo ko nang malaman kung ano ang sadya niya na kahit alas-otso pa lang ng umaga ay naghahasik na ito ng lagim dito. Pasalamat siya at may respeto ako sa mga propesyunal kahit na kating-kati ang palad kong masampal siya. But I will never do that, masisira lang ang bagong manicure na kuko ko sa kapal ng mukha niya. That lawyer is getting on my nerves, big time.
"My client asked me to tell you that instead of a month, you now only have a week left to pay the dept." He's back to his serious self again but the way on how he looked at me, I know he's pissing me off. And he did pissed me off that's why I didn't stopped myself from exploding.
"Gago ka ba?!" I angrily hissed at him, giving him a murderous glare. I felt Olive holding my arm to calm me down but no effect. Sinasagad ng bwisit na abogadong ito ang pasensya ko.
"Iha, kumalma ka," paki-usap ni Sister pero hindi ko sinunod dahil halata ko ang munting ngisi ng kaharap ko.
"Ulitin mo nga ang sinabi mo kanina. Baka nagkamali lang ako ng dinig," I said with gritted teeth to suppressed my anger even just a little. Kapag hindi ako nakapagpigil na sapakin siya, ako riin naman ang mapapahamak lalo na at abogado pa man din siya.
"You only have a week to pay the dept."
Natawa ako ng pagak. "A week? Really, Attorney?" Tinanggal ko ang pagkakahawak ni Olive sa braso ko at humakbang ng isang beses palapit sa abogado. Hindi man lang ito natinag kagaya ng inaasahan ko. Sanay na siguro ito sa mga ganitong pagkakataon. "Isang buwan nga mahirap nang humanap ng isang daang libong piso, limang milyon pa kaya sa loob ng isang linggo?"
Talagang gago ang abogadong ito pero mas gago sa pinakagago ang amo niyang walang inisip kung hindi negosyo. Wala silang pakialam sa magiging kalagayan ng mga taong apektado ng kasakiman nila. Basta masaya sila, okay lang kahit may masaktan silang iba. What a heartless and inconsiderate creatures.
"Mahirap nga ba talaga, Miss Lincoln?" he countered with a playful smirk. "Sa pagkakaalam ko—"
"Wala akong pakialam sa nalalaman mo, Martin!" I hissed to cut him off. He chuckled despite the fact that I'm shooting him a murderous glare and so close to strangling his neck.
"Why are you so—"
"I'm going to break your jaw if you won't stop talking, Attorney!" I warned him. Kung na-apektuhan man siya sa sinabi ko, hindi ko alam dahil seryoso lang naman siyang nakatingin sa'kin. Pero dapat siyang kabahan dahil kaya kong totohanin ang banta ko. "Tell your inconsiderate boss to go to hell and never come back here ever again!" I walked away after saying that. Baka hindi ko na talaga mapigilan ang sarili kong sapakin siya.
"Bwisit talaga!" I whined clenching my fist. That guy really frustrates me every time I see him. "And he even know something about me, damn it!"
That jerk investigated me, no doubt. Hindi niya sasabihin ang gano'n kung wala siyang nalalaman. Baka nga 'yon pa ang dahilan kung bakit isang linggo na lang ang gusto nilang palugit.
"May kinalaman kaya ito sa pamilya mo?" Tiara asked.
My jaw clenched. "If their using us to get back to my family, I'll make them taste their own medicine!"
Bakit nila kami idadamay kung pamilya ko ang puntirya nila? Matagal na akong bumukod sa kanila. Are they expecting me to run to my family and ask help? Then they're wrong. I'm not going to ask help from them. Like Tiara said, we will figure out how to solve this problem without their help.
Hindi na kami bumalik pa sa garden kahit na tuluyan na akong kumalma. Hindi ko masisigurong mananatili akong kalmado kapag nakita ko ulit ang abogado. Nagtungo kami sa Autumn's Café pagkatapos naming magpaalam kay Sister Helen. Siya na lang ang magsasabi kay Sister Dolores na umalis kami.
"Can we really pay the dept within a week?" Tiara asked after we sat down on my favorite spot. May pag-a-alala ang boses dahil sa kinakaharap naming problema. "Saan naman tayo kukuha ng gano'ng kalaking halaga? Pwera na lang talaga kung katawan ang ibebenta." She laughed but stopped immediately when she saw my serious reaction. "That's a bad joke. Sorry!"
I nodded at her before fidgeting on my phone. I went to my contacts and swiped down to find the name I'm contemplating to call. "Even if I try to ask help from my family, there's no guarantee that they'll help me, Olive." I said as a matter of fact. I know my father will never help me right away. He'll surely use his intelligence and wickedness in business. Everything's like a business to him.
"We should still consider that as an option, Reese."
I nodded at her. She's right. We should still consider it especially now that those jerks had only given us a week to pay the debt. But I'll make sure to figure out something to solve the problem to avoid choosing that option.
Before going home, we went to the mall to buy stuffs for her practicum on Monday. I felt really tired—physically, emotionally and mentally—that I immediately fell asleep the moment I laid myself on my bed.
FIVE DAYS had passed that all I'm thinking is how to solve the orphanage's problem. Ginagawa naman ng mga nangangasiwa sa lugar ang lahat ng kanilang makakaya pero hindi pa rin maayos ang problema. We also tried talking to the sponsors but the money's still not enough. Ayon kay Sister Dolores, hindi naman daw gano'n kalaki ang utang nila noon. Lumaki lang daw ito dahil may ilang taon din silang hindi nakapagbayad at may interes ito. Hindi naman daw nila inasahang aabot sa ganito.
Now I'm standing here in front of his office after contemplating lots of time to choose this option. I couldn't bring myself to open the door despite hearing his Secretary urging me to do it. I can still back out but I don't want to lose the reason why I need to face him.
I can still remember the last time I went to this place, my chest was pounding hard in nervousness but I tried my best to act strong. Right now, I also felt nervous.
Think about the orphanage, Reese. The smiles of the children. You can do this, Reese!... I mentally cheered myself.
I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and held the doorknob before opening my eyes. The moment I twisted the knob, I know I can no longer quit because this is now or never. For me, saving the orphanage is like a matter between life and death.
Huminga pa muna ako ng malalim bago marahang itinulak pabukas ang pinto. Mula sa pagkakayuko sa mesa ay nag-angat ng ulo ang taong sadya ko. Walang mababakas na gulat sa mukha niya dahil alam na niyang darating ako, his Secretary informed him a while ago that's why. Hindi ko na rin naman inasahang magugulat siya dahil sigurado akong may alam na siya sa problema ko. Siya pa ba? He has eyes and ears everywhere—perks of having the money and power.
"Good day, Mr. Lincoln!" pormal at seryosong bati ko. I mentally congratulate myself for not stammering. I don't want to give him the opportunity to see me nervous and weak. Sabi nga nila, kung gago ang kausap mo, dapat mas maging gago ka. Let them taste their own medicine, in the extent of overdosing them.
"Rose Destiny," he acknowledged like I'm just someone who would be dealing business with him and not his own flesh and blood. Hindi ko naiwasang hindi higpitan ang pagkakahawak ko sa strap ng sling bag ko. Itinuro niya ang silya sa harapan ng mesa upanng maupo ako. Sumunod ako. Knowing him, he will never take no as an answer.
"I'll be straight to the point on to why I'm here," I began before I regret coming here. "I need your help." I waited for his reaction but he's just looking at me intently. I expected him to laughed at my words, thinking it's a joke, but he's just really looking at me. Yumuko at pumikit ng ilang segundo bago muling nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya.
Tumikhim ito at pagkatapos ay sumandal sa high-backed swivel chair niya. "Ano ang kaya mong ibigay para tulungan kita?" diretsong tanong niya.
Magkasabay na bumangon ang kaba at pagtataka sa d****b ko. Kaba dahil ngayon ko kailangan ang tulong niya at pwede niya akong hindi tulungan kapag hindi niya nagustuhan ang isasagot ko. Pagtataka dahil hindi ko inasahang ito agad ang maririnig ko sa kanya. Akala ko ay susumbatan niya ako dahil pagkatapos kong umalis sa poder niya ay nasa harrapan niya ako ngayon, hindi man humihingi ng awa ay nagpapatulong naman sa kanya.
"I..." Yumuko ako at itinuon ang tingin sa mga palad kong nagsisimula ng pagpawisan na nasa kandungan ko. "I d-don't know." My voice was so small that I'm not sure if he heard it. I came here with a plan but I forgot about that matter. Of all things, why did I forget that one?
"I'm a businessman, Reese." Napa-ismid ako. "Look at me and tell me what you really want, Rose Destiny," puno ng awtoridad na utos niya.
I took a deep breath before doing what he said. I made sure that I matched the emotion in his face—seriousness. "Help me save the orphanage and I'll work for your company in exchange of it," tuloy-tuloy na sabi ko. Ito lang ang alam kong kaya kong ibigay kahit na ayaw na ayaw kong ma-involve sa business niya. Kaya nga bumukod ako para makuha ang kursong gusto ko dahil alam kong kagaya nang ginawa niya sa kapatid ko, siya rin ang pipili ng kursong kukunin ko—Business Management.
He threw his head back and laughed as if he heard a joke. I watched him with furrowed brow until he stopped laughing and looked at me with amusement. "You're kidding me, right, young lady?"
I crossed my legs, leaned my right elbow on the table and looked at him with steady eye contact and raised left eyebrow. "Just tell me if you'll help me or not." Disrespectful as it may sound but good conversation is never in his vocabulary—that's how wicked he is.
"An Engineering student will work for my company?" His eyes narrowed. "I got to say, I'm a little surprised. I thought you'll going to say you'll go back home." I rolled my eyes. "Your offer sounds good..."
"But...?" Alam kong may kasunod na 'but' ang sasabihin niya kaya inunahan ko na siya.
"I don't want you to work in my company."
"And what do you mean by that?" I asked with furrowed brow. And what he said next made me froze, stared at him with wide eyes and raised eyebrow.
"Marry someone for me."
(Reese's POV)"W-What?" I asked after I recovered from the shock because of what he said. "Marry someone for you? Really?" I laughed with no humor at all. Marrying someone for him doesn't even make sense. Is this old man out of his mind? "You know that I don't know how to joke when it come to business, Reese," he seriously countered. "Why should I marry someone for you?" I asked even though I already knew what he would answer. "Because that's irrational, you know?" "Irrational but it can solve your problem." He had this triumphant grin that made me nervous and unable to sit still. "Yes or no, Rose Destiny Lincoln." I rolled my eyes, not caring if he
(Reese's POV) NAKAKUNOT ang noo ko habang sinasagutan ang practice problems na ibinigay kanina ng teacher namin sa CE 151. Nakinig naman ako ng maayos kanina att na-gets ko naman ang gagawin pero hindi ako makapag-focus dahil wala dito ang isip ko. Hanggang ngayon, kahit kahapon pa nangyari, hindi pa rin maproseso ng utak ko ang mga nalaman ko. "Matagal pa ang mahal na araw pero biyernes santo na 'yang mukha mo." Nag-angat ako ng ulo at tinignan ng matalim si Olive. She's in front of me drinking her favorite drink. "Sapakin kaya kita?" walang kangiti-ngiting tanong ko. Wala ako sa mood makipagbiruan ngayon. Lalo na at hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa alam kung binayaran na ang utang ng orphanage, Ngayon
(Reese's POV) SATURDAY. The day to meet my future husband like my father had told me. I received a text message from his secretary last night, telling me that I should be there before 8 PM because my future husband hates wasting his time. As if namang siya lang ang nasasayang ang oras. Pati rin naman ako ay nasasayang ang oras dahil kung sinabi na nila sa'kin ang susunod na mangyayari, hindi na sana ako nag-a-abalang maging presentable ngayon. Hindi ko nga maintindihan si Daddy kung bakit niya pinasabi na dapat maging presentable ako. I'm not the kind of girl who loves wearing dresses and heels. I'm a jeans-and-shirts-kind of girl. Minsan nga ay pinagkakamalan akong tomboy dahil sa ayos ko pero pakialam nila? The most important thing for me when it comes to what I wear is comfortability. Aanhin k
(Reese's POV) I was silently chewing my food. I remained looking down at my plate because I felt suffocated. I could barely swallow the food because of his presence. The intimidating aura from him is so much. Kagat ang ibabang labi ng hiwain ko ang steak dahil hindi ko maiwasang alalahanin ang nangyari bago kami nagpunta dito. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako makapaniwalang magkaharap kami ngayon habang kumakain. Every time I try to open up the reason why I'm here, he's just raising his eyebrows at me. Wala akong ibang magawa kung hindi yumuko na lang at tumahimik. "Have dinner with me, future wife." Kulang tala
(Reese's POV) THE wind blew gently and danced with my hair. Squinting my eyes against the harsh rays of sunlight, I ran faster towards Tiara who's holding an umbrella. We are here at the soccer field to get Gavin's car key. Na sa loob kasi ng kotse niya ang laptop niya na kailangan namin ngayon dahil itutuloy namin ang Lab Work namin. Gavin's part of our college's soccer team since freshman year and they're having a practice now for the upcoming University Games. "Anong sabi ni CEO?" Tiara asked when I got near her. Ngumisi ako. "Mahal ka pa rin daw." Umismid ito kaya natawa ako. "Comeback na kasi," pang-a-asar ko pa. "I love you but someti
(Reese's POV) I'm someone who wouldn't mind spending all day alone. Mas gusto ko pang magkulong na lang sa kwarto kaysa gumala sa labas. Mas gusto kong kasama ang mga libro ko kaysa makihalubilo sa mga taong mabait lang kapag nakaharap ka pero sanga-sanga ang sungay kapag nakatalikod ka na. I heaved a sigh and put down the fork on my plate. I felt the one in front of me looked at me. I looked at him and gave him a glare. But him being the annoying creature, he just smirked at me before leaning his back on his chair. "Ang yaman-yaman mo pero nagtitipid ka sa pagkain," komento ko. "Mabubusog ka ba sa mga ito?" Iminuhestra ko ang mga pagkain sa harapan namin. It's expensive but it's so small. Hindi ako mabubusog sa mga ito. Ilang kilo ng karne na ba ang mabibili? Aabot na siguro sa tatlo. "You should had told me earlier—" "Nagtanong ka ba kung saan ko gustong kumain?"panunumbat ko
(Reese's POV)Ang tunog ng alarm clock ko sa side table ang nagpagising sa akin. Kaagad ko itong inabot at pinatahimik. Istorbo talaga sa tulog kahit kailan. Nag-unat ako ng katawan bago bagsak ang dalawang balikat na bumaba ng kama. Inayos ko ang manggas ng suot kong oversized shirt habang naglalakad patungo sa banyo para gawin ang morning routine ko.Nagpupunas ako ng mukha gamit ang towel ko nang palabas ako ng banyo. Linggo ngayon at kahit gusto kong magsimba, hindi na p'wede dahil tapos na ang misa. Nakalimutan kong agahan ang alarm ko kagabi dahil na rin sa inis.Bigla na lang bumalik ang inis sa kattawan ko. Parang gusto kong manampal, manabunot at manuntok dahil sa inis. Basta parang gusto kong manakit. Nangangati ang mga palad ko. Kapag nakita ko talaga ang lalaking 'yon, mapagbubuhatan ko siya ng kamay. Wala akong pakialam kung mayaman at makapangyarihan siya."What? I'm asking you, wife."
(Reese's POV) "Reese!" I halted on my steps and looked where the voice came from. I had already an idea who called me based from the gentle voice. Kahit medyo may kalakasan ang boses niya kanina ay halata pa rin ang pagiging malambot nito. And I was right because descending from the stair was none other than Akxianne Vielle Dellacroce. I already knew her name because I searched it. She's a graduating student taking up Business Management course. She's close to Coz because they're parents are best friends. Ang nakapagtataka lang, bakit siya narito sa CAS? Ang layo ng CBEA mula dito. Umalis ako sa entrance ng lobby dahil marami ang dumadaan at nakaharang ako. I gave her a smile the moment she's already in front of me. Just like the first time I met her, she also had this sweet smile. "Hey there, Rosie!" masiglang bati niya. Tumaas ang kaliwang kilay ko dahil sa itinawag niya sa'kin. She gave me an a
(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