"In the heat of a dispute, choose your words carefully."

Chapter 5

"What again, Miss?"

Nakailang beses akong napalunok nang rumehistro sa kanyang galit sa kanyang mukha. Para kong kaharap ang demonyong kampon ng kadiliman sa sobrang sama ng tingin niya.

Should I fight back? Or I'll just take it back?

Bahala na nga!

"T-Tangina mo!" Sigaw ko rito, masyado nang nakakainis ang paninitig niya sa akin. Kung makatingin siya, akala mo naman ay sobrang laki ng kasalanan ko.

He sighed. "What?"

"Wala. Ang sabi ko napaka-arte mo! Saksakan ng arte!" I shouted at his face. I heard gasps and murmurs from my co-workers and customers in the cafe.

Because of what this moron is stating, I no longer believe in 'The customer is always right'. Except for this one, I've gladly received any comments from our consumers since I began working part-time.

And did he think that I wouldn't fight this dumbass? Ibahin niyo ako, Ms. Malcolm, yata 'tong kinalaban mo! I am strong, and I resist oppressors!

I stopped thinking as he closed his eyes, and my eyes widened when I saw the expression on his face. I can feel his fresh breath and smell the mint. I can see his flawless face, and all I can say is...

How handsome the idiot is!

Nakakainis! Daig niya pa ang mukha kong may bundok-bundok kahit saan.
Damn it!

"Miss, umayos ka, ah. Hindi mo alam kung sino ang binabangga mo," he whispered. I almost ran out of breath as he stared at me. How can this young man send chills down my spine?

"Kuya," I whispered. "I don't care kung kaninong anak ka pa. Ants in your food? Hindi 'yon nakakamatay... at napaka-sakit mo namang magsalita at sabihing shitty ang cafe na pinag-ta-trabahuan ko! Hindi mo ba alam na marangal kaming nagta-trabaho rito!"

He closed his eyes again, this time with annoyance on his face. Awkwardness flooded the air between us. Our position is quite awkward. Ang lapit ng mukha niya sa akin.

Damn!

"Ate," he said, trying to copy my voice. "I bite... pero mukhang ikakamatay ko ang hininga mo. . . at mas mabaho ang bibig mo."

Dito na ako napalayo sa kanya. Despite clenching my fist, I pushed him a bit. I closed our distance and punched him in the face.

Napadaing ako sa sakit dahil kung gaano kag'wapo ang mukha ng gago ay siya ring kinatigas nito. At parang wala lang sa kanya ang ginawa kong pagsuntok.

Everyone was startled, even me, because I did something unexpected. All of our audiences covered their lips in shock. Except for Levi, who didn't even respond to what was going on.

"You know what, Ate? Ang baho ng bibig mo! Pwe! Fuck off!"

Tangina!

He still had the urge to curse after I punched him. Bastos talaga ng bibig ng gagong 'to kahit kailan.

I clenched my fist again in anger. "Ang mabahong bibig ay may remedyo pa! Hindi katulad mo, ugali mong pabulok na ang sangsang ng amoy!" I screamed. Ate Lanie tried to reach my shoulder, but I just distanced myself from her. Because of my anger, I couldn't stop myself from pointing at him. "Hoy, porque't mayaman ka. Hindi ibig sabihin no'n ay tatapaktapakan mo na lang kaming nag-pupursige sa buhay. Tandaan mo 'to, hindi ka magkaka-jowa sa ugali mong 'yan."

I admit it, I sound like Malificient, who's putting a curse on him. I can't really hide my anger at his attitude. He's getting on my nerves, and I can't stand the chance of him calling me such names.

I hurriedly moved away from them and entered the café.

I sat in an empty chair and relaxed. I closed my eyes and took long breaths to relieve my rage.

That guy was the worst person I'd ever met!

It feels like my nose is on fire with rage. He simply pulled the trigger.

I simply shook my head, thinking of his incredibly gorgeous, foolish face.

Antagonists never disappear in stories. Sila 'yong tipo ng kalaban ng bida o mga taong nagpapahirap sa buhay ng bida.

It's just frustrating, because I believe I was the one who experienced shame earlier. I only wanted to protect myself against his violence, yet I was the loser. Why do we detest certain people? Why can't everyone just be happy?

I looked up when Ate Lanie and a few of our coworkers entered. Levi and Levinne are also here. I can't look them in the eyes because of the shame I felt earlier. I'd like to sit by the window till the sun goes down.

I heard Ate Lanie's heavy sigh.

"Sie, can we talk?" She asked seriously.

"Yes po, A-Ate..." I felt like burying myself. Ate Lanie's words were so serious that they made my hands shake.

She sat in front of me, hands down, as if she had been frustrated by what had happened.

"Um, I know, you are just defending yourself from what he said. I also know that his words are also offensive. But somehow, you just engaged with the son's owner... Mr. Sanchez is the one who owns this cafe. This is actually just a small business for them. And the one you fought with earlier is Mr. Demetrio Sanchez's son," she stated with a stutter.

Okay, I understand! If there hadn't been a problem earlier, Ate Lanie's voice would not be as awful. She's trying to reach me in order to prevent me from revealing what I can. But I just shrugged it off because I was upset with the guy.

And now I'm not sure what I'll do tomorrow. Or in the coming few days. Because of my actions with regard to that stupid person, it appears that I will be dealt a severe fate.

I attempted to clear my throat, but something got stuck in it.

"Sienna, you are one of my trustworthy staff members here. And if Sir Mendeeleev tells his father what happened earlier, there is nothing I can do if you are terminated. Just pray that Mr. Demetrio is in a good mood and Sir Mendeeleev will not remember what happened a while ago. Just pray for your safety, okay?" Ate Lanie reminded me before getting up and heading to the counter once again.

Napatulala na lang ako sa kawalan. Para akong nawalan ng ganang pumasok sa susunod pang mga araw. Ito na nga lang ang trabaho na meron ako ta's mawawala pa.

Sana nga lang malimutan ng gagong 'yon ang nangyari kanina. Sana nga.

Lagot talaga ako neto 'pag nagkataon. I was really upset when it happened.

I just sunk down onto the table, ignoring what had happened earlier. It's as if I lost my strength when Ate Lanie confessed the truth earlier. Sometimes my mouth takes over, and I have no idea what I'm saying.

I was deep in concentration when I heard a chair shift in front of me.

"Hey, Sie, don't worry. Hindi naman mukhang palasumbong si Mendeeleev, 'di ba?" It's Levinne.

I didn't pay attention to him and sank myself more and more into the table. I was really overcome with shame, and I was really shocked and broke down.

"Hindi nga palasumbong. Eh, baka bantay sarado naman ng papa niya. Kahit nga siguro ultimo paghinga no'n ay alam ng magulang niya," I said. I'm like a whining child, not knowing what to do.

"It's alright. Hindi naman gano'n si Tito." Levi's frigid voice sounded from behind me, and I looked up. Seriously, he is the only person I know who does not smile. A robot is a fool's pawn.

"Paano mo nasabi?" I questioned.

"Tito Demetrio is a strict father. But he's not like Mendeeleev, arrogant and stubborn. They're both different from each other. And I'm pretty sure, p'wede kang maging bahagi ng plano ni Tito Demetrio." His words echoed through my entire being.

What? Part of Sir Sanchez's plan?

Why do I have the impression that something is amiss with his words? Bakit parang may masamang plano silang gagawin sa akin? What are your plans for the future?

Will they use me as a guinea pig in their studies and experiments? Or can I join a group and become the bait?

Oh my goodness! I'm expecting that my condition will get better after hearing what Levi said. That made me feel even more anxious. He is also a smartass.

Levi's final words surprised us. Another thing: he is manipulating my mind so much that I'm not sure whether I'll be glad, terrified, or unhappy about what will happen.

After Levi left, Levinne left me and went to the place where he was.

And here I am. I'm still wondering if I still have a job for the next few days.

Whatever.

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I awoke this morning feeling heavy as a result of what happened yesterday. There was not an update on the confrontation yesterday, but I still feel ashamed about not knowing how it turned out.

I felt heavy as I fastened myself. I cannot feel freezing water anymore, and I don't care.

As soon as I got down, I noticed my sister's heavy presence. Until now, I have been hesitant to reconcile with Ate Sierra. And only Kuya Siello is capable of communicating with both of us.

And what I really dislike is when Ate and I are alone and our atmosphere is quiet and reserved, like if we are in a cemetery, for instance. So uncomfortable!

Kuya Siello is currently eating breakfast, while Ate Sierra is having coffee.

"Bunso, kain na. Baka maubos ko 'tong agahan natin," Kuya said while gulping down a hot dog.

I sat down to eat with them. I feel anxious while eating. Kuya was looking alternately between Ate and me. Nobody talked, and all I could hear was the clinking of spoons and forks. Kuya, on the other hand, just chewed and swallowed.

We finished breakfast, and Ate Sierra cleaned the plates away.

I was about to stand up from my seat when Kuya Siello grabbed me by the wrist. His act was unforeseen, but I avoided revealing it to him.

"B-Bakit, Kuya?" I asked.

"OA nito. May panginginig ka pa sa boses mo. Akala mo naman wala naman akong gagawin sa'yong masama. Here," he handed me the white envelope. "Use it when problems come."

I frowned at what he had said. I just put what Kuya gave me in my backpack before exiting the house. Kuya can be helpful at times, but the oddity remains.

I rode a jeep and, thankfully, missed Deidera, who was also waiting for a jeep.

After a few minutes, I arrived at the university. The security verified my ID and belongings before permitting me to enter the building.

Fortunately, my first session was at 10:30 a.m., so I had no problems. While strolling, I couldn't help but feel irritated by some students staring at me. Others are babbling as if I committed the worst sin.

This almost happened in a story; that type of character becomes the talk of the town on campus since they have been thought to have done something wrong to someone. The next step is to take vengeance on its opponent. I can only determine whether what I am thinking is accurate.

I approached the room despite the fact that it was completely silent.

That's how shocked I was when three men dressed in black formal attire and shades approached me, listening to something in their ears for communication.

However, the man in a red tuxedo piqued my interest, and he appeared familiar to me. Sitting like a king on a monobloc chair with his legs crossed.

This guy speaks with authority.

"Hi, Ms. Malcom. Finally, I have met you. Take a seat and hear my deal."

That was when I discovered the familiar visage was the gago's father.

His name is Mr. Demetrio Sanchez.

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