Chapter 04

Lumingon si Theo paharap kay Hazel at hinawakan ang mga kamay ng dalaga.

Makikita ang pag-aalala sa mukha niya. Hazel bit her lower lip, she knows that Theo only cares for Lauren as a little sister, but she can't help it. Her sister is beautiful, and she is jealous of Lauren. Nagagawa nitong kunin ang atensyon ng lalaki kahit wala siyang ginagawa.

“We all know how hard-working Lauren is. Therefore Hazel, as her sister you should remind her to rest." paalala ni Theo sa kanya.

“You know babe, I always talk to her about it, but she's hard-headed. She doesn't listen to me anymore. I don't know what to do with her. Our parents were also worried about her." Alam ni Theo kung gaano nag-aalala si Hazel para sa kapatid. 

"Maybe you need to talk to her again. Persuade her, maybe this time she will understand you. And if she's not still listening, I'm the one who will talk to her about it. I don't want you stressing yourself over a small thing." 

Theo hugged Hazel for her to calm down. She unconsciously tightens her grip on Theo's waist.

She shakes her head. “No. It's my responsibility so you don't have to worry about it anymore. I will surely talk to her regarding this matter."

What fears her the most was Theo talking to her sister and they will be closer to each other again.

Unknown to them, Lauren was just outside the kitchen - at the corner. She watches and listens to their conversation. Soon after, the couple left the kitchen. Doon na nakahinga ng maluwag si Lauren.

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Lauren finished all the tasks she needed to do. It was almost three in the afternoon when she had time to eat. She just quickly ate and was about to go to her room when Hazel blocked her way. Hinatak siya nito papunta sa kwarto niya.

Pagsarado pa lamang ng pinto ay isang sampal na ang sumalubong sa kanya. Sa lakas ng pagka-kasampal ng kapatid ay muntik pa siyang mawalan ng balanse. Napa-angat ang tingin niya kay Hazel. Kitang-kita ang pagka-disgusto nito sa kanya. 

“How many times do I need to repeat myself to you? I said not to roam around when Theo is here. Doon ka sa lugar kung saan hindi ka namin makikita. Dahil sa ginawa mo, baka akalain ni Theo na pinapabayaan ka rito." nagpipigil ng galit na saad nito.

"H-hindi na mauulit." Nakayukong saad ni Lauren. Napahawak na lang si Lauren sa kanyang pisngi. She winces when she feels the sudden pain.

“Hindi na talaga mauulit 'yon, dahil kapag naulit pa 'yon... ako na mismo ang magpapalayas sa'yo rito." 

Tumalikod si Hazel at naglakad palabas. Padabog niyang sinara ang pinto.

She reminded herself, ‘you must endure it… just endure everything for now’ It is just a matter of time. If her savings was enough, she would voluntarily leave this family and then live alone. Nang sa gano’n ay matahimik na ang pamilyang ito. 

A couple of minutes have passed. Lauren's phone suddenly rang. Her friend's name flashes on the screen.

She quickly answers the call.

 

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Nicole: “Lauren? Where are you?" 

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Lauren: “Why? Does something come up?"

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Nicole: “Yes. Kailangan daw natin pumasok ng maaga ngayon. Kulang ang staff sa club, - ah basta! Pumunta ka lang agad, dito ko na lang ipapaliwanag."

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Lauren: “Alright. Mag-aayos lang ako."

~~~~~

She was really lucky at that time because she needs to go somewhere else especially when her sister is mad like that.

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It took fifteen minutes for Lauren to reach the club. 

She is working at Sky City Club as a waitress pero sa Sky City Resort talaga siya nagtatrabaho and that club was part of the resort. Isang linggo pa lang siya sa club na iyon. Kinulang kasi sa staff ng mga panahon na ‘yon kaya siya napunta roon subalit ilang araw lang ay babalik  na rin siya sa resort. Patapos na rin kasi ang training ng mga bagong empleyado na magta-trabaho sa club. 

Wala naman siyang rason para maging mapili sa magiging trabaho niya. Kailangan niya ng pera. Her father cuts off her allowance, when the truth is, Stella never gave her that allowance and she can't tell it to her father. Baka anong gulo pa ang mangyari.

“Thank goodness you are here." saad ni Nicole matapos makita ang kaibigan papasok ng building.

“May event ba?" pagtatanong niya habang tinutungo ang staff room.

“Unfortunately for you, yes. The club was closed to the public today because there is a private party later. Kaya kahit day off mo ngayon at overtime ka pa kahapon, kailangan mong pumasok."

Napatango na lang si Lauren habang nagpapalit ng damit. "Well, someone needs money…" pakanta nitong tugon.

“Wait, nasobrahan ka ba sa blush on?" takang tanong ni Nicole sabay pisil sa pisngi nito. Napangiwi na lang sa sakit si Lauren. 

“Ay! Anak ka ng pating, sinong sumampal sa'yo? Iyong kapatid mo na naman bang walang magawang matino sa buhay niya? Ha! Kapag nakita ko talaga 'yon, babangasan ko mukha niya!"

Hinawakan ni Lauren ang balikat ng kaibigan na mukhang handa nang sumugod anumang oras.

“I’m fine. This is nothing. Huwag mo na isipin 'yon dahil mai-stress ka lang. By the way, the party seems to be grand. They even pick the largest and most expensive room. Better watch yourself, we can't afford to offend those people." 

Alam ni Lauren na mahirap kung may ma-offend sila kahit isa lang sa mga ‘yon. She knows too well what kind of people they are if you offend them even if it was just a small thing. Better prepare your whole self because they will surely let you pay for it.

“Alam ko, 'wag kang mag-alala mahal ko pa naman ang trabaho ko. Ikaw rin mag-ingat ka."

Tumango na lang si Lauren at nagtungo sa banyo. Matapos niyang magpalit ng damit ay dumiretso na sila sa loob ng club upang doon naman mag-ayos.

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The sky turns dark. 

The weather looks good too. 

There is no sign that it will rain tonight. 

Soon enough, the people invited tonight are starting to arrive. The Sky City Club staff are also starting to serve drinks and food to the guests. Just by hearing their voices and loud music you would know that the party began.

Some of them started to dance on the dance floor, some casually drank and talked to each other. Surely… It will be a looong night.

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Kaizer was quietly sitting in a corner. He does not want to come to this party, but his friends won't stop pestering him. Thus, he reluctantly agrees with them. He silently and casually sipped a glass of red wine.

He just wants to stay for a bit and leave earlier than others. If it is him, he just wants to rest at his house or do some paperwork.

Young people nowadays seem to have no problems and all they can do is to party. 

Kaizer frowned when he saw his friends on the dance floor. If they want to flirt by having this private party, why would they pester him to come?

"Why are you alone here in the dark corner, Mr. Alvarez?" Kaizer looks at the woman who openly approaches him just to flirt with him. He did not answer, instead, he sipped his glass of wine and looked at the woman indifferently. He doesn't have any interest in them.

"Oh, ignoring me, huh? Aren't I good enough or do you want the both of us in private?" She courageously coquets with him.

There is a dangerous aura that emits in Kaizer after that woman bravely sits on his lap.

"Oh my, look! It's Kaizer Alvarez, that woman had the guts to sit on his lap."

"Surely she doesn't want to live anymore."

The scene causes others to talk and start to gossip about it. They talked as if he wouldn't hear what they're talking about.

Kaizer forcibly pushes the woman that is sitting on his lap. He threw a cold gaze at her. 

He didn't mind their stares. 

He stands up and walks away from that table.

"Why are you so rude? Do you think there is still a girl that would tolerate you? Ako na nga itong lumalapit ikaw pa ang may ganang tumanggi."

While the woman keeps on ranting, he continues walking as if he didn't hear those words.

What she said next made him stop.

 

"Maybe the rumors were true, you are gay!" napangisi pa ang babae matapos sabihin ang mga salitang ‘yon.

Ngunit unti-unting nawala ang mga ngiting iyon. The woman flinched when she saw the cold and blank expression on Kaizer's face. For some reason, she felt scared, but Kaizer didn't do anything and just left after that.

"Bro, where are you going? The party has just begun, you know."

"I'm already tired. I want to rest."

"Eh? But you only sit there in the corner!" Jacob seriously looked at him. He furrowed his eyebrows and said, "Wait, don't tell me you're affected by what that woman has just said?"

Siniko ni Marvin si Jacob dahil sa sinabi nito. Minsan talaga ay walang preno ang bibig nitong si Jacob.

‘What?’ Jacob mouthed.

 

"Seriously dude? Why can't you just enjoy the night?" Marvin suggested.

 

He even offered a drink to Kaizer but he was rejected.

"You're too loud. I gave you enough face tonight. I'm leaving."

He already wasted too much time on that place, and it did nothing good on him.