Yannie Ace Ruiz"Yannie! Are you at the shop already?" Jenny greeted me with a question when I answered her call."Hello, Jenny. I'm on my way to the shop. There was an emergency at home, so I'm late—" I couldn't finish my sentence because Jenny started talking from the other end."Please tell the boss that I can't come in today.""Huh? Why? Is there a problem? Did something happen?""It's my brother, he was picked up by the police," Jenny replied, which worried me a lot."Huh? Why? What happened?" I asked anxiously."He was accused. His colleague is blaming him for scamming the complainant. Honestly, I don't really understand it either. So, my mom and I are going to the precinct now.""Okay, take care of yourself and your mom.""Thank you!"I gently put down my phone and rubbed my temples. I didn't know why it felt like problems were coming at me one after another. The problem at home hadn't even been resolved, and now my friends were having issues too.When I arrived at th
Yannie Ace RuizMy chest tightened as I finally exited and got away from that place. It felt like all the courage I had earlier suddenly abandoned me, causing my knees to weaken significantly.Once again, I felt the corners of my eyes start to heat up. I didn't know what I should feel after realizing that the cause of all the problems my family and friends were facing was none other than me. I was the reason all of this was happening to them. I didn't know what to feel, and I didn't know what to do.I didn't want them to be hurt and suffer. I didn't want anyone else to be involved just because of me. But... I couldn't leave Josh. I couldn't hurt him and let him go.I bit my lower lip as my tears finally started to flow. What should I do? I told Josh's mom that I would fight, but in truth, I didn't know how I could fight when all the people important to me were being affected.Am I bad because I'm selfish? Am I bad because I can't let go of the man I love so much, even though other
Yannie Ace Ruiz"Are you not coming with us, Ate?""Yeah, Ate. Are you really okay with leaving you and Kuya James here? What about us there?""We won't have an Ate beside us when we sleep."It feels like something squeezes my heart as I watch and listen to Yuri and Yumi packing their things.I don't want to be separated from them, but I really don't know what else to do. I want to run to Josh's Mom right now and beg her to stop tormenting my family, but... something inside me is holding me back from doing that, because if I give up on Josh's Mom, it means I'm letting Josh go from my life."Don't worry, everything will be alright," I told my siblings."How, Ate? They don't even want us to live here anymore. And we don't have any money left because dad and mom don't have jobs anymore," Yumi said sadly.I smiled faintly at my siblings. "Just trust that everything will be okay." I hope.Moments later, my phone rang loudly with an incoming call from an unknown number. My heart raced with
Yannie Ace Ruiz"That's not fully cooked yet. It needs more time, so just let it be," I heard Veron complain while I was busy arranging the things we would need later."Isn't this cooked already? It's almost burnt," Ramil replied to Veron."This isn't cooked yet. Why do you always think you know better than me? Like you're some expert chef.""I don't know how to cook, but I always eat. Besides, this is always served as a snack during our drinking sessions.""Oh really? You're such a party animal, huh?""Once you're my wife, I won't drink anymore," Ramil teased Veron, who blushed and was stopped by Veron. We all laughed because of that."Oh well, you two haven't changed at all. You still bicker like cats and dogs but really love each other in real life," Jenny teased, which Jomar agreed with."What lover are you talking about?" Veron snapped at Jenny. "We're not like that!""You just don't want to admit it yet," Ramil added, teasing Veron again, which made Jenny laugh and Veron blush a
Yannie Ace Ruiz"Yeobo, are you really sure about what you want?" Josh asked me, his concern evident as I insisted."Yeah. It's just this once, and I'm with you and my friends," I decisively replied to him."But, Yannie... you're not used to drinking. You might regret it," Jomar reminded me, a concern shared by everyone here."Hey, bro. I should be the only one concerned about my girlfriend," Josh told Jomar, which made Ramil and the others laugh."You're so overly jealous, bro! Can't someone be concerned about your girlfriend because they're friends with Yannie?" Byron teased Josh, joining in the banter."Yeah, bro. We're all concerned about Yannie here," Ramil seconded."Whatever," Josh grumbled in response."Alright, it's Yannie's shot now!" Ivory interjected, handing me a shot glass filled with alcohol.We were still at the picnic park, now in the late afternoon, and they had decided to drink. Luckily, drinking was allowed in this area.I really don't drink any kind of alcohol. Bu
Josh Rain Montez"Josh?""Josh...""Josh!"I abruptly woke up upon hearing Yannie's voice repeatedly calling my name. From a soft and calm tone, it escalated to what seemed like a desperate plea.I slowly sat up and immediately searched the room with my eyes for her. But my forehead creased in disappointment when I didn't see her beside me.Where is she?Everything that happened between us last night was crystal clear in my mind. I vividly remembered the warmth of the night we shared and how I had embraced her.My gaze fell on the bed, and there I saw traces of my embrace."My love?" I asked as I stood up and left the room. But silence greeted me outside, without any sign of her.Such scenes replayed in my mind, where I slept with her beside me but woke up alone. Could she have gone out again to buy food?I quickly returned to the room to change, then hurriedly left the apartment. I glanced around, hoping to spot her nearby, but she was nowhere to be seen. So on my way to the nearby s
Josh Rain Montez"What are you doing here?" I asked Arriane with frustration and furrowed brows as I found her in the house.She quickly stood up, wearing a wide smile as if she had been expecting my arrival."Josh, you're finally here!" She hurried over and tried to hug my arm, but I swiftly moved away from her."Where's Mom?" I demanded, irritation clear in my voice."Finally, my son is home," both Arriane and I turned to the voice, and Mommy stood walking towards us."Mom...""Welcome back, Son. I'm glad you've come to your senses," Mommy greeted me with a smile."Leave us alone, Arriane," I said firmly, keeping my eyes fixed on Mommy."What? But why?" Arriane questioned, her tone puzzled. Mommy raised an eyebrow at me. "Tita Rhiana invited me to be here.""I said leave us alone," I repeated, my voice firm and cold, still not breaking eye contact with my Mom.Arriane let out a deep sigh before she spoke again, "Whatever!" She turned away from us and walked out of the house."What n
Yannie Ace Ruiz"How many kilos for you?""Give me three kilos.""Sure!""I'll also buy, Ija. Two kilos for me.""Five kilos for me, Beautiful!""Okay, sure!" I quickly moved to wrap and weigh the fish they were buying. Afterward, I handed them over one by one. "Thank you. Please come again!""Are you okay, Ija?" Grandpa approached and asked me."Yes, Grandpa. I'm okay," I replied with a smile."Are you sure? Come, sit down, and rest. I'll take care of this.""No need, Grandpa. I'm fine. It would be better if you sit down and rest.""Monchito! How are you?" Both Grandpa and I turned to the person calling him. From what I could tell, he seemed to be around the same age as Grandpa. "Oh, you have a beautiful lady with you today. Who might she be?""Oh, my Friend Gener! How are you? This is my granddaughter. Martin's daughter!" Grandpa replied cheerfully to his old friend who arrived. Then he introduced me, "She's a friend and compadre of mine, Ija.""Good day! I'm Yannie," I introduced m
"Oh my gosh! This is it, girls! Finally!" Ivory exclaimed happily as she approached us."Yes, finally! Can you believe it? We all made it here," Jenny added."I'm so proud of us, girls! Finally, this is it! Congratulations to all of us!" Veron chimed in joyfully.I smiled sweetly at my friends. "Congrats to us. I'm so happy and proud of all of us," I said as we gathered for a group hug.Two fast-paced years have passed, and finally, one of the most awaited days has arrived. The day when we would march together to mark the end of our studies. Yes, today is our graduation day, and my heart is bursting with overwhelming joy. All the exhaustion, sleepless nights, hardships, and sacrifices are finally paying off.I still remember the part-time jobs my friends and I took on just to support ourselves and our families. And now, the day we've all been waiting for has finally come.In a few moments, the line where we stood started moving, as they began letting us in one by one into the venue."
"Yannie..." Ramil uttered my name with a hint of concern when he saw me entering Josh's room.I looked at him questioningly until my gaze landed on Josh's empty bed. My brows furrowed slightly."Where's Josh?" I asked Ramil and Byron. The two took a deep breath, and I could see the worry and concern on their faces. It seemed like they had something to tell me but were hesitant. "Why? Did something happen? Where is Josh?" I asked again.Before answering, the two exchanged glances, seemingly urging each other to respond. Eventually, Ramil met my eyes and spoke. "Josh left. We caught up to him, but... he wouldn't be stopped.""Huh? What do you mean he left? Where did he go? Did he go home? Was he discharged?" I asked, confused and bombarding them with questions."He insisted on being discharged by his doctor. He left and went to the airport... to chase after Arriane," Ramil replied."H-Huh?""Arriane told him she was continuing her studies abroad. So, he hurried off to the airport to cat
Yannie Ace Ruiz"Nice! Nice try, bro. But drop that joke," Ramil broke the silence that enveloped us after Josh asked who I was."What try? What joke?" Josh asked Ramil, confused."Bro—""I'm serious. Who is she? Who are they?" Josh pointed at me and Veron."Get it together, bro. This isn't funny—""You get it together," Josh quickly interrupted Byron, then looked at me again. His gaze was far different from how he used to look at me. It was as if my presence confused him deeply. It was as if he had forgotten everything about me—everything about us.Because of those looks, my heart immediately grew heavy. I couldn't explain what I felt at first."Son!" Josh's parents suddenly arrived. "How are you, son? How are you feeling now?" his father quickly asked."I'm okay, Dad. I just... don't understand why I'm here," Josh replied to his father."You don't remember... what happened?" Josh's mother asked in confusion."I can't," Josh answered simply, which made my heart feel even heavier and
Yannie Ace Ruiz"Rhiana..."I quickly wiped away my tears and just as quickly let go of Josh's hands when I heard Ate Rica's voice.My heart immediately pounded with anxiety as I slowly straightened up and turned to face them. There, I met the gaze of Josh's mom. I struggled to swallow because it felt like the words I wanted to say were fighting to come out of my lips. I didn't know how to start apologizing to her for being here now.I knew I had promised her before that I would never show myself to her son again. I had promised her before that I would disappear from Josh's life, but... here I am now, crying in front of her son. It was as if, in an instant, all the promises I had made to her and my determination back then had suddenly crumbled. I wanted to kneel before her again and beg for her to let me be with Josh.I struggled to swallow again before starting to speak. "S-Sorry," I said weakly while trying to hold back my tears. "I just wanted to make sure Josh is okay." I looked d
Yannie Ace Ruiz"No! No, Yannie! No!" Josh cried repeatedly, holding me tightly in his arms."J-Josh..." I managed to say with difficulty. I forced myself to utter his name despite the intense pain caused by the bullet wound."Don't leave me, Yannie. Just hang in there, okay? You can do it, Yannie. Please, don't give up!" Josh kept crying to me."D*mn it! How did she get away from you? You idiots!" I heard the man who shot me yelling at his men."You bastard! I'll kill you!" Josh shouted angrily at the man."I'm the one who's going to kill you! Thank your girlfriend for taking the bullet that was meant for your head! If she hadn't done that, you would be dead by now, and she would be crying over you. But don't worry, you won't be around much longer because I'm going to finish you off too." The man pointed the gun at Josh again.I swallowed with difficulty, feeling my breathing become labored."D-Don't..." I whispered weakly, trying to protect him."Wow. That's touching. You love this
Yannie Ace RuizMy tears continue to flow incessantly while my chest keeps rising and falling with the intense anxiety I'm feeling right now. I hold my breath as if exhaling freely might bring something wrong upon me, even though I'm just sitting inside this car.I don't know how many minutes or hours have passed since these men took me. I don't know who they are or why they are doing this to me. Over and over again, I replay in my mind if I have wronged someone."We're here," said the man in front of his companions. He stopped the car, and they got out one by one.The man beside me opened the car door and stepped out, giving me a sharp look. "Get out," he commanded.I struggled to swallow and looked around at where we were. It was dark surroundings, but I could see tall grasses around us, with a large warehouse in front of us."Get out, I said," the man repeated his order."Who are you? Where are you taking me? What are you going to do to me?" I asked fearfully, one question after an
Josh Rain MontezArriane stood quietly in front of me after seeing whoever arrived inside the coffee shop where we were."Aunt..." she said as the footsteps approached us.I lifted my emotionless gaze to the person who came closer and faced me. I could see the deep concern on her face as she looked at me, as if afraid of what I might do after learning the truth from Arriane. Her throat moved repeatedly as tears seemed about to fall."I'm sorry, Aunt," Arriane broke the silence. "I did everything, but... he's truly, madly, and crazy in love with that girl. With Yannie," she said to Mommy, then sadly walked out of the coffee shop, leaving us behind.I avoided looking at Mommy and lifelessly stood and turned away from her. I was about to step away, but she quickly stopped me and blocked my path. "Josh..." she said my name. I didn't respond and instead continued walking past her. But I stopped when she spoke again. "Aren't you going to ask me about what you've learned?"I smirked sarcasti
Josh Rain Montez"Bro, that's enough. You've had way too much to drink," Ramil interrupted me as he reached for the alcohol I was drinking. But I quickly pulled it away from him."I'm okay, Bro. I'm not drunk yet.""But, Bro, you've been here drinking for a while now. And you've been doing nothing else but drinking for days. You might get into trouble.""Yeah, Bro. Who knows what might happen to you with all this," Byron added.I took another sip of my drink and replied to them, "Whatever happens to me, it's probably better than this.""Bro, that's enough. You're drunk," Ramil intervened again, successfully taking the alcohol away from me this time."What the heck? Why are you so persistent? Why are you meddling?" I snapped at him, getting annoyed as I stood up."Easy, Bro!" Byron said to me."You're already drunk, so stop drinking—""Damn it! So what if I'm already drunk? Why do you have to interfere? Can't you just leave me alone?!"Ramil took a deep breath and looked at me wearily
Josh Rain Montez"Are you drunk again?" Mom started as soon as I walked into the house. But I ignored her and continued walking past her. "Seriously, Josh? Until when are you going to behave like this just because of that worthless girl?!" I stopped walking after she said those words. "She's gone, Josh. She left you, but you're still wallowing because of her!"I slowly faced Mom. "Have you been in love, Mom?" I asked gently, which seemed to stun her momentarily."What?""You know what, Mom? I've always wondered if you've ever been in love with Dad. Because every time I look at both of you, I don't see love between you."Her jaw clenched. "Stop talking nonsense, Josh. Don't drag me and your Dad into your drama.""I guess you've never been in love. That's why you're like this, maybe because you've never experienced loving someone, especially getting hurt." My vision started to blur as tears threatened to escape from me.Several days have passed since Yannie blatantly rejected me, but un