Chapter 3

Lisa’s POV

Even though Mom was clearly confused and full of questions after what I told her, I invited her to eat. If I’m right, he might be arriving today. I wanted to go with Mom to the doctor to confirm everything. Whatever Fier or Sir Fier decides, I’ll take Mom with me to Manila for her treatment. Even if it’s embarrassing, this will be the first thing I’ll ask from him—to help me and my mother, especially her.

Right now, he’s our only hope.

I had to do a bit of convincing before Mom finally agreed to have a check-up. She said she’d just tell me everything afterward. But I’d rather hear it from the doctor, so I know exactly what to do. I also planned to ask which hospital in Manila would be best for her condition.

We returned home in the afternoon. We had lunch at a fast-food chain in town—a rare treat for us. Good thing I had just received my final paycheck, which allowed me to treat Mom and do a little shopping. We bought fruits and groceries for the house too.

While we were still at the clinic, Fier called and said he’d just come by tomorrow afternoon. He mentioned he’d already fixed some documents we’d need for the wedding. I didn’t even know what those documents were. He could take care of it—my priority right now is Mom.

It was evening when we heard a knock at the door while we were eating. Marie walked into our home, grinning, and placed a transparent container on the table.

“Friend! Long time no see!” she greeted in her high-pitched voice. I didn’t even bother to get up and welcome her. Even if I tried to kick her out, she’d still come in anyway.

“Visiting us, Marie?” Mom asked as Marie greeted her with a respectful gesture and handed her another plastic bag.

“I brought you something to eat. We just got back from my dad’s province. Here, I brought you some longganisa and delicacies. They're really good! My grandma makes them herself. They sell meat at the local market and make their own recipe of longganisa,” she said enthusiastically.

She sat beside me and started picking at my fried chicken. When she tasted it and was about to take the whole piece, I slapped her hand away. She pouted and rolled her eyes at me.

“You’re so stingy, my friendship! I brought you something but I won’t give it to you until you stop being so selfish with that food!” she said with a dramatic huff.

“It’s still in the box. I haven’t even opened it yet. But wow, sis! I feel like I just brought a balikbayan box. And guess what—I have new clothes and shoes, chocolates too, and all with fillings! My aunt sent them from Korea!” she added, making a heart with her fingers.

“Good thing my dad rented a jeep so we could bring all the goodies back. Last time, we just left everything there. Dad said we’d go back for them, but we never did. Now my old clothes and shoes don’t fit me anymore. It’s been two years! I used to be sexy back then—now I’m even sexier! We just gave my old stuff to my younger cousins.”

She kept on rambling. I just shook my head. So did Mom, who couldn’t even get a word in because Marie answered her own questions as she spoke.

That’s just how Marie is—nonstop chatter like a chicken clucking away.

“Oh! And guess what, sis! We’re moving to Manila next school year. My bachelor uncle who’s about to pass away is giving my dad his house there. But they say the house is kind of old and usually rented out, so Dad will go there to check it out.”

I paused mid-sip when I heard the word Manila. So we wouldn’t be far from each other after all. That’s good. At least I’ll know someone there. I hope it’s near wherever Sir Fier will take me.

But what about us? How will we act like we're madly in love? Our supposed love story started with me selling fish.

And the wedding? He said he’d come up with a more believable story. I was shocked when he suggested we just say he got me pregnant and we had to marry before my belly starts to show. I immediately refused. That’s a no-go!

Excuse me, Mister! Am I supposed to be the Virgin Mary now? Where exactly would that baby have come from?

So in the end, we agreed it would be a “love at first sight” kind of thing. He said he fell for me because the fish I was selling were so fresh and full. That’s it. I hope people buy that story—because, honestly, I do sell really fresh fish.

Marie looked like she had no plans of leaving. She even followed me into my bedroom. I was fixing my bed when she sat down and continued chatting. I think she already told me the whole history of her family. I couldn’t even remember the names anymore—there were just too many.

“If I were you, I’d tone down the talking. That guy might go deaf from your texts,” I teased when she started talking about her new textmate she met through a clan group. Those are popular here, especially with high schoolers. I don’t join them—no money for phone credit and no time either.

Unlike her, who’s always glued to her phone.

“Ha! Says the one with a love life,” she mumbled, lying down on my bed. I rolled my eyes.

“Whatever,” I said, throwing a pillow at her face. She yelped and threw it back.

“No, no, no boyfriend since your past life!” she complained.

“Still better than you,” I shot back, playfully hitting her.

Marie’s the type who constantly flirts via text. I can’t even count how many boyfriends she’s had—none of them ever meet in person. Just endless flirting and cheesy lines.

“Hey, girl!” she said suddenly, sitting up. She grabbed the pillow and sneakily pulled off her pink bra, tucking it under it.

My eyes widened. “Wait—are you sleeping here?” I asked, though I already knew the answer. This wasn’t the first time Marie crashed at my place. She used to do it all the time back in high school.

“I have juicy gossip!” she declared, ignoring my question.

“Go home! You’re gonna drool all over my freshly washed pillow. Out!” I said, playfully hitting her with the blanket and lying down in my spot.

She pouted and hugged the pillow. “So mean!” she said, turning her back to me, pretending to cry. I ignored her and pulled my blanket up when she suddenly turned to face me again.

“Anyway, sis! You’ll love this—there are some really hot guys here in town. Marcus the gay guy showed me their pictures. Gosh, they're so handsome and buff!” she squealed, grabbing my arm like she was about to faint from excitement.

“Hey! Keep your voice down. Mom’s already asleep,” I scolded her. She didn’t even flinch—she just sat beside me, grabbed the water on my nightstand, and chugged it in one go. I shook my head. All that talking really dried her up.

“They live in that huge rest house in the biggest home in town. Sis, if only you saw the photos—wow!” she said dreamily, slapping her forehead and squinting from the pain.

I laughed. If only you knew, my friend...

I was already half-asleep when I accidentally slipped and told her they were coming over to visit me tomorrow. At first, she didn’t believe me, but when I told her their names and where they were from, she started screaming and jumping on my bed. The bamboo frame creaked under her excitement like it was about to give way.

I slapped her mouth lightly—she was just too noisy. The only thing separating my room from Mom’s was plywood. If she wasn’t asleep yet, she definitely heard everything.

“You’re so lucky, sis!” she gushed, shaking my arm and making kissy faces. “Good thing I’m sleeping here tonight. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know hot guys were coming tomorrow! When are you working again? Can I come with you? I’ll even do their laundry—just their briefs! Oops, sorry!” she teased.

I pinched her side. She didn’t even know how to do laundry. She’s useless with chores. Her sister does all the housework—she just watches over their tiny store.

“But wait—why are they visiting you? What’s the real reason? And what—O-M-G!” she gasped and covered her mouth dramatically.

I just shut my eyes and tried to sleep. Let her imagination run wild like the gossip queen she is.