This chapter is dedicated to: cvillaflor

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"I'm sorry for my girlfriend."

That was what I heard from Spencer before leaving them without saying anything. Hindi na ako nag-abalang itama pa ang sinabi ni Spence.

Tell me I'm rude but I can't stand Maverick's eyes. I can't believe him.

Muli kong naalala iyon nang makita ang bulto niya ilang metro lang ang layo sa amin.

Wearing a black three piece suit, he manly walked towards the slightly elevated stage in front. Naiwan sa kinauupuan nila ang babaeng kasama niya. The same woman earlier, now wearing a beige plunging neckline gown. Niyayakap nang gown niya ang bawat kurba ng kanyang katawan.

Wala sa sariling bumaba ang aking tingin sa aking suot. I'm wearing a midnight blue sweetheart strapless gown with a high slit on its side, complimenting Spencer's suit.

I'm wearing a nude lipstick and I'm not used in using one. Kaya naman binasa ko ang aking labi nang maramdamang nanunuyo iyon.

"You're really beautiful in that gown, Rylli," I stilled when from his seat, Spencer leaned on my ear as he whispered. The tip of his nose swiftly brushed in my jaw.

Nawala kay Maverick na nagsasalita sa stage ang aking atensyon dahil sa sinabi ni Spencer.

I saw my mother who's seating in front of me, with my father on her side, raised a brow on what Spencer did.

Kaming apat lang ang nasa table na ito. The table is near in front of the stage, just beside where Maverick and his girlfriend's seating.

I looked at Spencer, ignoring Mommy's stares. Kunot ang noo ko siyang tinignan.

"Sana araw-araw ka na lang nakagown, para araw-araw kang maganda." His lips tugged into an annoying smirk.

Namimilog ang mga matang inakmaan ko siya ng aking kamao. "Gusto mong suntukin kita?" Nagngingitngit ang mga ngiping angil ko.

"Amaryllis," naeeskandalong saway sa akin ni Mommy nang mahuli ang aking ginawa.

He chuckled. "Joke lang!" Tinabig niya ang aking kamay upang ibaba iyon. "Pero totoo, ang ganda mo, Rylli." Muling sambit niya. Hindi ko alam kung narinig iyon ni Mommy ngunit nahuli ko ang pag-ikot ng kanyang mga mata sa gawi ni Spencer.

Pinili kong ignorahin ang mga reaksyon ni Mommy.

My brow raised at him. "Hoy, Spencer. Alam ko 'yung mga salitaan mong 'yan. Umayos ka, tigil-tigilan mo 'ko, ha."

"Hoy, hindi kita type, kung 'yan iniisip mo," depensa niya.

"Really?" I smirked as I thought of something to annoy him.

Tumikhim ako. My hand slowly crawled on his lap. Hindi ganoon kalayo ang pagitan ng upuan namin kaya naman abot na abot ko ang kanyang hita.

I caressed his lap while my eyes are looking at him, still with a seductive smirk in my lips, I don't know if it looks seductive though. He's wearing slacks, I know he can feel my caress.

Namimilog ang mga matang nilingon niya ako. "What the fuck, Rylli!" Para siyang binuhusan ng tubig na napalayo sa akin.

Natatawa kong tinanggal ang kamay sa kanyang hita. He's a man, Rylli.

"Amaryllis, he's announcing the partnership."

Napabaling ako kay Mommy nang marinig siya. "Huh?" Nagtatakang tanong ko, hindi agad nakuha ang sinabi niya dahil sa pagkaokupado kay Spencer.

I glanced at the stage when I heard Maverick's words. "CEO of Lofranco Moving & Logistics, Amaryllis Lofranco." Iyon na lamang ang naabutan ko sa anunsiyo niya.

They applaud at Mav's announcement.

I rose like what my Mommy asked. A small smile pasted on my lips as I faced the crowd while nodding a bit without looking at a particular person.

After Maverick's speech, my parents rose from their seat. Ganoon din ang ginawa ng iba. Maybe to socialize and find for a possible future business partner.

Habang kami ni Spencer ay napatayo rin nang may lumapit sa aming table.

"Spencer, hijo." The man who I think has the same age with my father greeted before turning to me. "Miss Lofranco," bahagya itong tumango sa akin.

"Tito, I didn't know that you'll come here," he slightly tapped the man's shoulder.

He formally introduced us and learned that the man is really his uncle, his father's brother.

They kept talking while I'm beside Spencer. "I'll just go to the restroom." Bulong ko kay Spencer dahil sa palagay ko ay magtatagal pa ang paguusap nila.

"Samahan na kita--"

"'Wag na. I can handle, Spence."

I gave his uncle a smile. "If you'll excuse me, Mr. Altabida."

"No problem, hija."

Binalingan ako ni Spence bago pa tuluyang makaalis. "Susunod ako."

Tinanguan ko na lamang siya. I headed towards the restroom without wanting to get anyone's attention.

The restroom is a bit far from the crowd. Walang tao sa hallway patungo roon kaya naman dire-diretso ang aking lakad.

Nang makarating sa restroom ay nakita ko ang bulto ng babae sa loob. She's wearing a gown too, that made me assume she's one of the guests.

I stopped at the wall mirror as I opened the faucet. Binasa ko ang aking kamay at hinayaan lang iyon sa loob ng ilang sandali.

The whole party's suffocating me. Napapanis ang ngiti sa aking mga labi sa tuwing may kausap doon.

Nag-angat ako nang tingin sa salamin nang maramdamang natigilan ang babae sa paglalagay ng lipstick sa kanyang mga labi.

My lips parted as I met the woman's eyes through the mirror. Tinanggal ko ang aking kamay sa ilalim ng faucet, ilang sandali lang ay kusang nawala ang tubig na umaagos mula roon.

All I can hear is the soothing soft sound of the sound system from the celebration outside.

"C-Chaileigh," my voice trembled as I called her name while looking at her eyes, this time not through the mirror. I immediately offer her a smile that I thought she'll gladly return but she didn't.

Agad na tumalim ang mga mata niya. Malamig nitong ibinaba ang lipstick bago ako matamang hinarap.

"Why aren't you wearing suit and slacks?" Puno ng sarkasmong sambit niya sa akin.

"Cha, what are you--"

"Don't... you dare call me that," may diing sambit niya sa bawat salitang binitawan.

"Cha--" My chest tightened as the sight of her cold eyes, so tight that I want to clench it.

"Shut up, Amaryllis! I didn't give you the right to call me that! After leaving without even telling me anything? Like I am nothing, like I'm not your friend, your bestfriend, Rylli? I even tried to reached you through calls and messages but never even once you did reply."

I bit my lower lip when I felt the tears at the side of my eyes, 'cause she's right. I can still remember how I ignored everything from everyone back then when Mommy sent me to States. "C-Cha, I'm sorry--"

She blinked and I caught a glint of longing in her eyes. "We're friends for I don't know how long. Ang tagal kong inisip kung may nagawa ba 'kong mali para gawin mo sa'kin 'yon. Wala naman, Rylli, 'di ba?" Nagsusumamo ang mga matang tinitigan niya ako.

"Tapos ano, mababalitaan ko kay Romulus na... that you're a lesbian? That's why Tita Dahlia sent you somewhere. Are you fucking kidding me, Rylli?" Sa bawat salitang sinasambit niya ay patuloy sa pagtaas ang kanyang boses. "I know you're not! Damn, I saw how in love you are with Maverick. Kaya ang hirap paniwalaan ng kapatid mo."

"Cha, please, you don't understand--"

"Because you won't let me! You're fucking selfish, Rylli! You won't tell me anything, how can I understand, huh?" Her voice raised as a shed of tear escaped her eye.

"And when I saw you one time, wearing those loose clothes, so you'll looks like a man. It makes me think again, what the fuck happened to you, Rylli?"

I swallowed the big lump on my throat as I avoided her gaze. Marahas kong pinalis ang luhang naglalandas sa aking pisngi. "I feel strong wearing those clothes."

How thankful I am right now that no one's inside the restroom aside from the two of us.

"Strong-- what?" Hindi makapaniwala niya akong tinignan, na para bang isang kagaguhan ang sinabi ko. She let out a sarcastic breath. "What the fuck? Are you saying you feel weak in that gown? Huh, Rylli?"

"Yes--"

"Bullshit!" She stared at me like I've said something ridiculous.

My shoulders jumped when she shouted. Napapikit ang aking mga mata kasabay ng malayang paglandas ng mga luha sa aking pisngi.

She frustratedly run her palm in her hair. Bahagyang nagulo ang tuwid na tuwid na buhok niya dahil sa kanyang ginawa.

"Those are just clothes too. Walang pinagkaiba. Iniisip mo lang na gano'n, kasi 'yun 'yung pinaniniwalaan mo!Stop your delusions, its getting nonsense, Amaryllis!"

I wiped my tears before trying to reached her arm but she immediately took a step backwards to avoid it. "I'm sorry, Cha." That's what all I can say.

"You aren't a lesbian, right? Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against them. It's just that, I know you're not. You're a woman, right?"

Mariin akong napapikit at marahang tumango. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I met her pleading eyes.

"What happened?"

"I can't tell you, I'm sorry."

"See? How can I understand you if you won't let me know your reasons why? Can't you share it to me like what we're doing back then? I am still your friend, Rylli. Ikaw lang naman 'yung nakalimot--"

Marahas akong napailing. "I didn't, Cha. I just can't tell you--"

"Then, leave."

"Cha--"

"Leave, Rylli. Leave me alone." She cutted my words while pointing the door. "Umalis ka na."

Sana gano'n lang kadaling ibigay ang hinihingi niya. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ang hirap sabihin sa iba o kay Chaileigh. She's my bestfriend ever since I can't remember. I tried hard but I can't. Maybe because I just really want to keep it to myself.

I let the tear sprung free as I did what she want. Tahimik akong lumabas ng restroom at wala sa sariling naglakad palabas, hindi lang sa hallway kung hindi sa buong venue.

I was already riding the elevator when I remember Spencer. Hindi ko siya nakita o siguro ay masyadong okupado ang isip ko para hanapin siya.

Pinalis ko ang mga luhang naglalandas sa aking pisngi ngunit tila hindi iyon sapat dahil nanlalabo pa rin ang aking mga mata. Dulot iyon ng mga luhang walang tigil sa pamumuo sa aking mga mata.

Nakatungo ako nang bumukas ang elevator at hindi na nag-angat pa ng tingin habang papalabas. Kaya naman agad akong napaatras nang bumangga ang aking katawan sa matigas na bulto sa aking harapan. I almost lost my balance but the man immediately caught my waist.

"Careful, Mi--"

The man stopped as I cocked my head. Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba iyon sa mga luha sa aking mata o dahil ako ang kanyang kaharap.

"M-Maverick," I sobbed as I muttered.

I wiped my tears as I cleared my throat. Sinubukan kong bigyan siya ng ngiti ngunit agad iyong napalis dahil sa aking paghikbi.

He tilted his head. Tila sinisipat at tinitignang mabuti ang aking mukha. "Why are you crying?" He asked as his hand crawled on my arm. Marahan niya akong inilabas sa elevator at wala sa sariling napasunod ako.

"W-wala--"

"Why are you crying, Rylli?" Paguulit niya na para bang hindi narinig ang sinabi ko. Hinuli ko ang kanyang mga mata. Those were cold but seems like not for me.

"I'm alright, Maverick."

"Where's that fucking boyfriend of yours?" His rough voice made me blinked my eyes.

"Huh?" What boyfriend is he talking about? Do I have one?

"He shouldn't allow you to be alone when you're in this situation. Or maybe he's at fault that's why you're like this?"

I opened my mouth to speak but I immediately shut it closed when he spoke again.

"If I were your boyfriend, you won't cry. I won't make you cry, Rylli."

Those made me mummed as I felt my tears again in my eyes. Like those words are enough to make me weep.

I bit my lower lip, remembering if did I even once shed a tear because of him when we're still in a relationship. And tears rolled down my cheeks as I remember. He made me cry but not in pain, but because of overwhelming happiness.

"Have you ever wonder, what could be our situation if you runaway with me seven years ago?" Bulong niya ngunit sapat iyon upang kunin ang buong atensyon ko. His voice sounds soothing in the ear, it immediately made its way to my insides.

"M-Mav."

Parang pinipiga ang aking puso nang salubungin ko ang magsusumamo niyang mga mata. "If only you made it that day, Rylli. We could have been married right now."

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