TW: Harassment

Kabanata 14

Metamorphose

We have no choice but to leave, Charm, alone.

She was crying with nothing but pain.

Charm looked elegant in her white dress. Tears in her face falling, they looked like pearls. In a field of flowers, she shined even in the darkness.

After few minutes of driving, I didn't realized tears were streaming in his face. He removed a tear from his face using his back hand.

"S-Sapph..." he said my name. He looked at me with grief. Grief that was cold--- colder than wind from any part.

He needed help from me, I didn't have a choice but to do it.

"I-I can d-drive..." pagmumungkahi ko.

He was about to pull the car when a fast and furious car was approaching us ahead, I then and there held the steering wheel without any doubt. I rolled it. Then I heard the loud bang of the crash.

"Are you okay?" agad kong tanong.

"I'm not," he rubbed his temple.

I looked outside to see the car crash. Hindi kami 'yung natamaan kun'di 'yung nasa likod namin.

I opened the back of the car at kinuha 'yung aking mobile phone. I dialed an ambulance then dialed Manong Ram and Roel to come pick us up. I then grabbed the first aid kit.

I looked at Timothee who didn't seem to be affected from the crash that happened, "Kuya Timothee, please wait here..."

He just simply nodded from what I said. Agad akong naglakad patungo sa car crash.

Habang papalapit sa car crash, mas nakita ko ng maayos ang paguumpukan ng mga tao roon, at hindi ang aksidente mismo.

"Pardon me," I excused myself at lumapit sa aksidente.

May ibang mga tao din ang lumapit sa bumuo ng aksidente at tumulong. As from what I heard the person is unconscious as well.

Only the driver was conscious, but he had many bruises and wounds, they were all bleeding. I went to the passengers and checked their pulses, it wasn't the best but I was happy they were alive.

"Sir, gamutin ko po..."

I tried to clean all the wounds pero bago ko pa man matapos ay dumating na 'yung ambyulansya.

Before I knew it nakauwi na kami. They saw tears falling past Timothee's long lashes, so many questions formed inside the faces of Manangs and Manongs. It was their first time to have a glimpse of Timothee crying.

"Sapphire, anong nangyar-" hindi natapos ang pangungusap ni Manang Elda.

"Sapphire, magpahinga ka muna," Nanay smiled at me.

I woke up from the messages sent to me, I opened my phone swiftly at agad bumulaga ang messages ni Seus.

9:18 pm

@perseusverg_

Bibe, gising ka pa?

Kakatapos lang ng school works na nakalaan for today.

Sorry, ngayon lang ako nakapag-update.

9:18 pm

@perseusverg_

Louisse is getting better every day.

She couldn't use her phone, sabi n'ya distraction lang daw.

She says she misses you. (ako din)

9:20 pm

@perseusverg_

Hi, bibe, mahal ko <33

Date tayo bukas. Art museum, ano G ka?

I smiled from his message. Nang nakita n'yang nag seen ako ay agad s'yang nag message.

9:20 pm

@perseusverg_

Yown! Active na si bibe ko.

9:21 pm

@ms_sapphiremerritt

Hi, pato ko ^-^ you woke me up... :p

9:21 pm

@perseusverg_

Sleep ka na. I can postpone the date... :3

9:21 pm

@ms_sapphiremerritt

I'll ask Tita Chandra, first. Mamaya 'di mo pa tapos 'yang mga school works mo :o

Bumangon ako at hinanap ang contact number ni Tita Chandra at agad nag tipa.

Ako:

Good eve, Tita! Sorry for the late message. Seus wants to ask me for a date, okay lang po? Amidst his school works na 'di pa po nagagawa at mga problems, baka bawal po. Hehe, thank you, Tita ^-^

Tita Chandra:

Hi, love! Ako ang nag suggest sa baby ko n'yan. I don't see any bright face that lits up the whole room anymore, and perfect timing since kailangan din n'ya nang rest.

Ako:

Okay, po, Tita. Hopefully, I'll bring that bright face back in his face again :>

Tita Chandra:

Please sleep now. Don't waste your beauty rest sa anak kong 'yan.

Ako:

Nightie po, Tita. Please take some rest din po ^-^

Tita Chandra:

Noted, Love! Will go now, may mga kaso pa akong kailangan asikasuhin. Then I'll take my beauty rest also.

9:24 pm

@perseusverg_

Ansabe, bibe?

9:24 pm

@ms_sapphiremerritt

Pick me up tomorrow. 6 pm sharp.

9:24 pm

@perseusverg_

Yown! Thank you, bibe! I love you na!

I woke up with a smile in my face, and prepared for the day. I checked my watch to see that it was exactly 4 o'clock in the afternoon. I then heard knocks on my door. Wondering who could that be, I answered.

"Sino po 'yan?"

"Pwede pumasok?!" Manang Elda rushed.

"Ye-" before I could even finish it ay pumasok na si Manang.

"S-si! Si Vance!" hingal na sambit ni Manang Elda sabay turo sa labas ng kwarto ko.

"What?"

"Vance and his family!" sabay tulo ng pawis ni Manang.

I gave Manang my water and instantly walked downstairs.

"Vance, why are you here?" tanong ko, with an awkward smile in my face. I glanced to the door when I saw Vance' family.

"Why do you look unhappy?" he touched my elbow softly.

I carefully removed it, "Why are you here suddenly? With your fam?"

I stared at him, he stared at me back. He looked more leaner and he's sporting a clean-cut which perfectly suits him.

"My lola misses you, not only her but all of them," he rolled out his eyes, "We just visited the Diaz' house. It's really a small world," he let out a chuckle.

"I miss them too," I smiled but it faded quickly, "but we don't have cooked food here, wala din si Papa at Mama, I also have some errands to do with my boyfriend," I sighed.

He tilted his head to analyze what I've just said, "Boyfriend?" he let out a sarcastic laugh.

"Sapphire!" Lola Luningning smiled with happiness. I hugged her softly at nagmano.

"Kamusta na, Lola Ning?" I looked at her, she's sitting in a ahweelchair. Just like before.

"Ayos lang ako. Napakabango at napakaganda mo naman!" mabagal na sagot ni Lola Luningning.

"Ate, Sapphire!" Vinnie ran to me.

I'm only few years older than him, but some times I feel like he's older than me.

"Kuya Vinnie!" I motioned my hands like guns. It was what we do kapag nagkikita kami.

"Pew pew pew!" ani n'ya.

"Long time no see, Kuya Vaughn!" sumaludo naman ako sa kanya. Gaya ng kay Vinnie, may sarili din kaming symbol ni Kuya Vaughn.

He saluted back at me, then smiled. "You still look cute, Sapph..."

I let my tongue out, "Inggit ka?"

"Cute kaya si kuya!" Vinnie commented.

I laughed, I then had a glimpse of  the shadows of Vance' parents.

"Good afternoon, Tita Via!" I hugged her a bit at nagmano.

"Ang ganda ganda mo pa din..."

"Good afternoon po, Senator Tito Vito!" Nagbless ako at pumanhik na sa loob ng sala.

Nanay then placed juice and coffees for us sa maliit na table.

"Thank you, Nay!" I smiled.

They politely nodded to Nanay.

We talked for what felt like hours. Vance was stealing some glances at me, with questions in his eyes.

"Hija, are you friends with Serene?" tanong ni Tita sa'kin.

I glanced at Kuya Vaughn who looked like he didn't like the topic.

I gave a thumbs up, "Opo, I'm friends with Ate Serene, even her sister, Sunny."

"'Yung Sunny ba ay 'yung, Alison?" Tito Vito interfered.

I nodded, "Opo..."

"Is Serene, kind? Can you tell us about her?" Tita fixed her posture.

"She's very kind po," I smiled. My eyes immediately travelled to Kuya Vaughn, I caught him rolling his eyes.

"She likes crocheting, she even made me a cardigan and headbands for my birthday!"

They all nodded, nakakabit ang ngiti sa kanilang mga mata.

After a few minutes of talking about Ate Rein, Manang Elda came up to me, "Sapph, si Seus, ando'n na sa labas."

I checked my watch, Alas singko na ng hapon. He's early!

"Hija, are you expecting a guest?" Tito Vito commented when he saw me looking at our gate.

"Not just a guest po, If you'll excuse me, saglit lang po 'to..." I smiled as I confidently paved my way to Seus.

"Gwapo ng mga sasakyang naka-park bibe!" bungad n'ya.

He hugged me softly then kissed my forehead with a cute smile on his face. He gave me a bouquet of tulips.

"Thank you, my Pato..." I embraced him, I closed my eyes to feel his warmth.

"Ganda naman!" sabay ikot n'ya sa'kin.

He looked at my outfit before ending his vision to my eyes, after a few seconds of staring at each other he spoke, "You're bewitching me again..."

"I am?" I blushed cutely.

"Mh-hm..." He patted my head.

"Vance and his family are here..." Tinaas ko ang tingin ko sa kanyang mga mata.

Before he could even utter any word I stopped him, "Ipapakilala kita," Inayos ko ang hibla ng buhok ko.

I gave him my hand, he gave his hand to me, I softly interlocked it. He smiled from it.

Ginulo n'ya 'yung buhok n'ya.

"Hello, mga lodicakes!" he looked at each and every person and ended his vision kay Tito Vito.

"Bibe, parang may hawig 'yung si Sir lalaki..." he whispered at me.

"He's Vito, our Senator..."

Napahawak naman s'ya sa kanyang labi.

I saw Vance looking at our interlocked hands.

"This is my boyfriend po, Seus..." Saad ko nang makitang medyo awkward na ang pangyayari. They were taken aback from what I said.

"I think I made it more awkward!" bulong ko nang mariin.

"Ako po si Seus, hehe..." he wrapped his hands on my waist.

Lola Luningning almost stood up from her wheelchair pero agad na pinigilan ito ni Vinnie. Napaso naman si Tita at Tito sa kape na ibinigay ni Nanay. Lumapit ako pero Tito and Tita motioned their hands to stop me.

I travelled my eyes to Vinnie, "Really, Ate?" Vinnie tilted his head. I gave a cute thumbs up.

I then looked at Kuya Vaughn who seemed happy, "That's nice, Sapph..." Kuya Vaughn politely nodded to Seus and I.

I swiftly proceeded to Vance who was just staring at us.

"Upo muna tayo..." Seus smiled at Vance to cut the tension.

"So... kalian pa 'yan, hija?" Tito smiled with uneasiness.

"He courted me, January pa po, then kakasagot ko lang po sa kanya this month..." I looked at Seus. He's wearing his cute ghost smile again.

Tita and Tito nodded, "Mh-hm..." ibinaba ni Tita ang kanyang kape, "Seus, your name is Seus, right?" tanong n'ya kay Seus.

"Opo, ma'am," he chuckled.

"That's a very odd name," she whispered.

"You can call me Seus or Amiel, Ma'am Via. Whatever you're comfortable with," diretsahang tugon ni Seus.

"Seus, Amiel, huh?" nag isip isip pa si Tita.

"I'll call you Amiel, your name 'Seus' is not it-" naputol ang panlalait ni Tita.

"Are you a Vergara?" sabat ni Tito Vito.

Seus let out a deep chuckle, then he silently nodded. Tito stood up and gave his hand, Seus shook it when he's left but to.

"What Vergara?" Tita looked dumbfounded.

"Vergara, Via. He's the son of Zeus! Son of Chandra!" Lingon n'ya kay Tita. Tito Vito smiled apologetically at us.

Tita Via touched her lips, Tito Vito went to Tita Via, "They own Vergara Engineering and Roto Dynamics Inc."

After a few minutes of silence, Vinnie decided to end it, "Ate Sapph, mauna na kami, thank you sa oras mo..." then he silently motioned guns in his hands, I returned it to him as well. He cutely giggled. Nauna nang lumabas si Vinnie kaya sinundan na s'ya nila Tita Via at Tito Vito. Lola Luningning went to me.

"Amiel, don't hurt, my Sapph..." mabagal na saad ni Lola Luningning.

"S'yempre, po!" parang batang saad ni Seus.

"Ingat po, Lola Ning!" I hugged her, she hugged me back.

Kuya Vaughn pushed Lola Ning's wheelchair, then stopped at me.

"Thank you for your time, Sapph," He saluted, I saluted at him back.

Vance then looked at me, lumunok s'ya, "I'm happy for you, Sapph, I really do," He remained his grim lined lips.

He then patted Seus' back, "I'll go now, bro, please don't hurt her, my best friend..."

He nodded at him.

He opened the door, "Thank you, love!" saad ko ng makapasok sa loob ng kanyang sasakyan.

"Love?" he grinned.

"I love calling you 'Love'" I showed him a heart using my hands.

He chuckled. We talked every second sa sasakyan, 'di talaga s'ya nawawalan ng ikwekwento. I laughed at his jokes and jejemon words.

"I'm visiting my friend sa Hospital mamaya," he uttered.

I lifted my eyes to him, "What? Why? Who?" asik ko.

"Posessive masyado, love ko..." He smiled. I pouted and crossed my arms at him.

"He's a friend of mine, Si Thaddeus. May car accident na nangyari..."

I tilted my head, "I hope he's okay," I smiled.

"Sana nga..."

"Ang ganda ng painting!" turo ko sabay hila kay Seus.

I posed myself then he took a picture at me.

"I'll take a picture of you too!" sabay punta ko sa kanya.

He posed, showing only his side profile, I cutely smiled and took a photo of him.

"You look good!" wika ko.

"Let's take a selfie!" untag ko, he then clicked the camera button.

Naglakad lakad pa kami sa loob ng museum ng walang tigil. Every artwork showed creativity. I then stopped myself when saw this beautiful painting. Its glint of reality that showed a glow despite the darkness. Steady glow without any flame. The light radiated warmth on the rays of the sun, it gave a beautiful meaning to ones studious mind. You can see pain in every deep vicious wave. I felt calmness from the navy blue almost midnight blue wave, mirroring the sky beautifully. It's colors, were complimenting each other. Luscious frame elevated the whole look.

I'm not the best fan when it comes to paintings but this one hits hard.

"Ang ganda, 'no?" he smiled.

"It's very beautiful, the sea crashing to the shore, its little details. Everything and anything about the painting is beautiful!" saad ko. I stared at it for what felt like hours.

"Bye, Kuya Timothee," I hugged him.

Time flew so fast, one month passed by quickly. Araw-araw naming inaaya si Timothee na sulitin na ang Nueva Vizcaya pero palagi n'yang tinatanggi. He locked himself sa room n'ya at 'pag binibigyan namin ng meryenda ay puro libro ang hawak n'ya. He looked serious learning those aviation things.

I released myself from the hug, I then travelled my eyes to Manong and Manang who were crying continuously. Nanay covered her eyes but no tear was visible.

"I can't believe you're going away!" untag ko.

"I wish I could run from the responsibilities, and live simply, but Fly Airways depends itself on me, I can't let them down," diretsahang saad n'ya.

"Kalimutan mo na 'ko, Sapph. Just remember me as a stranger who annoys you with my books," he chuckled.

"Hindi naman ako na-aanoy sa'yo! You weren't cleaning your books after you finished reading it sa sala! Ang hirap kaya ayusin!" I crossed my arms.

Lumapit naman na ang maraming Fly Airways crew sa'min, sinusundo na si Kuya Timothee.

"A stranger who is an heir to Fly Airways," I whispered.

"I'll go ahead, please take care of Charm for me," he stared at me.

"Go ahead, Captain! Fly your wings freely and chase your dreams!" I smiled.

He nodded and never looked back at us again.

It was hard to all of us. Kuya Timothee was once part of our family, and now our fates doesn't even guarantee kung makikita ba namin s'ya muli.

Since nasa Manila na kami, we agreed to visit the company. Papa was more busier than usual. I called Mama everyday, and every single time I called she picked the phone up, ngayon it was very rare. It awas their secretary, assuring us na okay lang sila, still we were worried.

"Good morning, ma'am..."

"Good morning, po..." I gave him a soft smile.

Nagpaiwan sila Manang at Manong sa baba, pati na din si Nanay. Kaya nagpasiya ako na ako nalang ang pupunta. I averted my gaze to them they were still crying from Kuya Timothee leaving. May isa namang worker ang lumapit at nag bigay ng kape sa kanila, I smiled when they looked happy drinking it.

I proceeded to go to the elevator, I heard the elevator opened with its sound. I greeted people who were working, they greeted back at me.

The secretary walked up to me with uneasiness, "Ma'am, Sorry po, bawal pa po kasing pumasok, busy po si Sir Donato."

"It's okay! I'll wait..." I sitted patiently.

A guy walked slowly dahil sa dose-dosenang mga dokumento na hawak-hawak nito. I stood up to help.

We walked together para ipasok ang dokumento sa loob ng office ni Papa pero pinigilan agad kami.

"Sir, Sorry po, bawal po kasing pumasok, busy po si Sir Donato," ulit ni Ate Secretary sa lalaki.

"Gano'n? Sige, mamaya nalang..." Mukhang naiinis na anas n'ya at umupo.

After a few minutes of sitting the guy was looking at me intently, "Sorry po, Sir, am I making you feel uncomfortable?"

"No! hindi! Ang ganda mo lang kasi," He winked at me.

I felt the immediate feeling of what's not good; I felt uncomfortable. 

He looked like he's the same age as my teachers in school.

I went to another seat, he tilted his head to look at me. I was wearing a hoodie and leggings, What's his reason na kailangan titigan ako?

"Single ka ba, miss?" he asked me.

I opened my phone and wore my airpods. Itinaas ko ang paa ko sa upuan at yinakap ito. I even wore the hood to cover my face.

"Sungit! Kala mo naman kung sino!" he rolled his eyes.

Inilagay n'ya 'yung mga dokumento sa upuan n'ya at tumayo upang lumapit sa'kin. He sitted next to my seat.

"Ano number mo?" he reached for his phone.

"No," saad ko sa kanya. I looked at the secretary na busy din. I'm guessing she's scheduling my Papa's agendas and errands.

"Ma'am, Sir, babalik po ako, may kukunin lang po ako," the secretary smiled apologetically at us. We nodded.

"Anong, No? May number ka kaya bigay mo na!" pilit n'yang tugon nang wala na si Ate Secretary.

I removed an airpod sa tenga ko at tumingin sa kanya nang masinsinan, "I don't have to repeat myself."

"Pakipot, gusto mo kaya ako! kaya nga tinulungan mo ako kanina!" untag n'ya. He placed his arms around me, I immediately removed it.

I stood up at lumipat muli sa ibang upuan, agad s'yang sumunod.

"Miss, single ka naman 'di ba? 'tsaka age does not matter! 37 lang naman ako, ikaw siguro mga 17..." he smiled na may halong masamang balak. He touched my thighs at nilamas ito, Inalis ko agad ang kanyang kamay.

"The hell?!" untag ko at tumayo. Hinawakan n'ya muli ang kamay ko.

"Mukhang masarap ka, miss, gusto mo sabay na tayo umuwi?"

I rolled my eyes, "You're harassing me! You're grooming a child! What the hell is wrong with people like you?!"

"Aba!" he almost slapped me but I stopped it.

Kinuha ko ang phone ko sa bulsa ng hoodie ko, he smiled, "buti at ibibigay mo na! masyado kang hard to get!"

Inilapag ko ang cellphone ko sa upuan.

"Ano na?!" naiinip n'yang wika.

"Gustong gusto pa naman kitang tikman..." he smiled.

My fisted formed, he stared at it and laughed, "Ano sasaktan mo 'ko?! Kayong mga babae masyadong maarte! Kala n'yo naman kayo n'yo kaming mga lalaki-"

I punched his face. He held his face. I then kicked his private part, he groaned from the pain.

"Misogyny," I whispered.

"Sapph?" familiar na mukha ang bumungad sa'kin.

"Kuya Ricky!" saad ko nang makita ko s'ya. He was holding a mop.

"Anong nangyari?!" he ran to me.

"He told me gusto n'ya ako matikman," I rolled my eyes, "I let him taste the hatred I have towards men..."

"'Yan b-ba ang b-boyfriend mo?! Pangit!" nasasaktang saad n'ya.

Magsasalita na sana si Kuya Ricky pero pinigilan ko na, "He's not my boyfriend."

"Hoy! 'di mo ba alam kung sino 'etong binabangga mo?" galit na untag ni Kuya Ricky.

"Kaibigan ko ang anak ng may ari ng company na 'to!" bulyaw n'ya.

"Tsk! Maniwala naman ako! walang makikipag kaibigan sa tulad mo, 'tsaka baka sisentahin pa'ko nang Dad n'ya! H'wag ako!" he stood up nung umalis na ang sakit.

"My father is Donato... I'm the heiress," I confidently stared at him.

He might be taller than me, older, "stronger", whatever it is. But doesn't he know? I am a woman.

"Sus! Masyado kang ambisyosa! Ang tulad mo ay 'di nababagay sa gantong mundo! Lalaki lamang ang bagay maging CEO! 'Tsaka masyado kang pakipot!"

I clicked my tongue, then suddenly heard my mom's voice. The guy went to the documents and organized it, he also fixed his posture, kahit iniinda pa din ang sakit.

I waved my hands at my mom.

Lumapit s'ya sa'kin at yinakap ako, "My daughter, Sapph..." she smiled as she kissed me on my forehead.

I looked at him fire and hatred in my eyes.

"Ma, fire him," I pointed him.

"What happened?" he looked at the guy at nakita ang black eye n'ya.

"I punched him since he couldn't take 'No' as an answer," I smiled.

"That's good, anak!" she hugged me again. "I'll tell your Papa to fire..."

"What's your name?" Mama asked.

"J-John Mark S-Santos po..."

"John Mark Santos," Mama repeated, "Ugly name," she made a disgusting face. I chuckled.

She called the secretary, "List his name, John Mark Santos," she smiled.

"Noted na po, ma'am..." She nodded at my mom then turned her face to me.

Ate Secretary smiled at me, "Sorry po ma'am, 'di ko po kayo nabosesan," she bowed.

I smiled at her.

"Oh, and you," Mama pointed at the guy, "You say sorry to my daughter in bended knees," Mama looked at him without any remorse.

He kneeled at me, "S-Sorry p-po... Sorry," he repeated continuously.

"Hm? Next time take 'No' for an answer," I chuckled.

My mom hugged me at ginulo ang buhok ko. We let out a giggle.

"Ma, I think Papa should hire more women, I barely see any of them in this industry..." I pointed out. We're in Mama's space, drinking coffee.

"Will, definitely keep that in mind, anak..." She smiled at me as she sipped from her hot coffee, "Sorry from what happened earlier, I'll put him inside the jail," She rolled her eyes at the thought of the guy.

"Yes, ma, please put him inside the bars!" inis na anas ko.

"Ma, should I continue modeling?" I asked curiously.

"Yes! Of course! 'yun ang gusto mo 'di ba? If you don't want to do it sayang, but it's okay!" Mama looked happy from the topic.

"I want to do it, ma, It's my dream..." I slowly smiled.

My smile faded it was short-lived, "If I'm going to pursue modeling, then how about this?" I pointed the people working outside Mama's space.

"Modeling isn't for long-term, 'nak... pero s'yempre alam ko na you don't want this kind of job..." she opened her mouth to utter but smiled cutely instead.

"What is it, ma?" I asked.

"Your Papa and I are having a dilemma about this..." she weighed her words.

"You don't have to say it, ma. Don't worr-"

"Your Papa and I want to have a child," Mama smiled uneasy.

I widened my eyes, "Really?"

"You do you, ma. If you really want to have a child, please do it..." I smiled.

"I really wanted to have a child before I even became a model- but being a model requires you to fit the beauty standards, and being skinny is on the top of that list. And I met you, I finally felt being a mother, I didn't think of having another child since I have you, but I've been thinking it for days. I'm old now, and pwedeng mapahamak ang bata... I'm in so much dilemma about this..."

"Do you want this, ma?" I asked.

"Mh-hm..." she nodded with no doubt.

"Go for it!"

"You can go inside Donato's office, Sapph, do anything you want there, mabilis lang 'yung naka appointment sa kanya today so..."

My Papa's office is cutted into two rooms na naka connect. I went inside, Mama left me to buy food for Manongs, Manangs and Nanay.

I travelled my eyes around, Papa's office looked dull. I raised my head to see a CCTV there, I waved cutely and even made funny faces. I walked closely to the door leading to Papa's official office, but heard him shouting.

I leaned closely to the door, he was angry about something, I couldn't pin point what, but it's something serious. I leaned closely when I heard people uttering their sorry, so Papa's not mad at himself but at people!

I walked to the couch when I heard Papa dismiss them, I sitted comfortably and wore my airpods.

"I should've never done that!" bulong ko sa'kin.

The people bowed at me. I just simply nodded, I saw some familiar faces, siguro sila 'yung ipinakilala sa'kin n'on.

I knocked to my Papa's office, "Come in..."

He composed himself when he saw me. He looked surprised.

"Pa, you need a break..." bungad ko, "Pa, I'm sorry for accidentally hearing you scream at them... I should've given you the privacy you needed..." I shyly bowed.

"It's okay, 'nak..." He smiled.

"Take a break, Pa..."

"Thank you for joining us..." Papa smiled.

We're having a family dinner with the Vergaras. This was my idea since, Seus' family and mine barely know each other. Seus and I love each other, our families are close to our hearts, so I think this is a good idea for them to bond.

"I'm Maria Alexandria Vergara. My nickname is Alex," Tita looked so fancy in her expensive dress.

"Vergara, Apollo Louis. Louis for short..." Tito looked dashing in his clean-cut hairstyle.

"Attorney Chandra Anneliese, call me whatever you're comfortable with," Tita Chandra looked so charming in her dazzling jewelries.

"Zeus Antonio, call me Zeus," Tito Zeus looked alluring in his tux.

"Hi, po! I'm Persephone Alielle!" Ate Alielle smiled cutely.

"Aeacus Aziel," Kuya Aeacus voice was full of authority.

"At s'yempre 'di ako magpapahuli! Ang pinakagwapo, Perseus Amiel. Seus nalang para mas madali baka mahirapan pa po kayo!"

"I'm Bethany Pearl, please call me Beth..."

"Donato Regorio," Papa smiled.

"Thank you po sa pagpunta!" I smiled with happiness. All of us deserves a rest and one of the best one is by spending it with the people we love.

"Always, for you, love!" pinindot ni Tita Chandra ang ilong ko. I giggled.

"Seus and Louisse had been busy because of their summer classes, minsan na nga lang nila nagagawa ang kanilang mga hobbies..." bungad ni Ate Alielle.

"Speaking of Hobbies, ano po hobbies n'yo? Maybe we could spend it doing together!" I exclaimed at kinagatan ang steak.

"Sapphire and I love Volleyball..." Tita Chandra smiled at me.

My Papa widened his eyes.

"Totoo 'yan, Tito, sobrang galing ni Tita Chandra!" wika ni Ate Alielle ng nakangiti.

"Magaling ako mag Basketball," pagmamayabang ni Tito Zeus, he smirked.

"Aba! Ako din!" singit ni Seus.

"Magpapahuli ba ako?" Papa chuckled.

"Si Kuya, hobby n'yan magbasa!" buking ni Seus kay Kuya Aeacus.

Kuya Aeacus rolled his eyes, "I read what interests me..."

"Ako, professional K-drama watcher ako!" tumatawang sambit ni Ae Alielle. We laughed after her.

"Ikaw po, Tita Alex, do you have any hobbies?" tanong ko naman.

Louisse haven't spoke simula nang nagsimula ang dinner, it was normal for us na tahimik s'ya, although miss na naming 'yung mga kabalastugang sinasabi n'ya.

"I love to sing in videokes..." she smiled after that.

"Talaga, tita?!" untag ni Ate Alielle. Even Louisse was surprised with what Tita Alex just said.

"Sample! Sample! Sample!" Seus chanted. I joined him, soon after everyone joined, even Louisse did!

"Calm down, I'll try to sing..." she inhaled.

"Twinkle, twinkle, little star..." kanta ni Tita. She looked at Louisse while singing it. I saw how Louisse' mood was uplifted. Everyone laughed, while I stared at them.

"Okay, I'll make it more serious..." She laughed.

She started a song, a-go-to song for filipinos, specially in videokes. "Ooh, take a look at me now, well there's just an empty space, And you coming back to me is against the odds, And that's what I've got to face..." Papa, Mama, and Tita Chandra knew the lyrics so they sang as Tita Alex' back up.

Her voice was angelic, sweet and soft. It was beautiful. Its melody, pitch and tune are perfect. I'm no good at music but her voice was very pleasant to hear- mellifluous voice, indeed.

We applauded with joy. Papa even made a sound using his wine glass and his fork.

"How about you, Louisse?" Mama asked when she saw how left out Louisse was.

"I-I like to s-sing..." she shyly bowed.

"Sample! Sample! Sample!" pangunguna ni Seus, we repeated after him.

"You betrayed me, And I know that you'll never feel sorry, for the way I hurt, yeah, You'd talk to her When we were together, Loved you at your worst, But that didn't matter..."

We clapped once again. Even Tito Louis and Tita Alex looked proud.

"Olivia Rodrigo, yarn?" Ate Alielle commented. We giggled.

"Alielle, you want to be a doctor, right?" Mama asked.

"Opo!"

"Board Exam nalang po, then Residency!" Masayang tugon ni Ate Alielle.

"That's good!" Mama smiled from what she heard.

I think our age gap is 8 years. Ate Alielle doesn't look like her age, sobrang cute n'ya kasi! She's also small and fragile.

"How about you, Aeacus?" Papa asked.

"Law, I'm taking Law," he smiled using his lips only.

"My dream is to become a Lawyer, even from the beginning," mababang saad n'ya, "ab initio," he added.

"Anong school pala, Kuya?" Seus asked.

"Ateneo," baritonong saad n'ya.

"Wow! Sana everyone!" He smiled.

"Ikaw, Seus? Sa'n ka mag aaral for engineering?" Papa asked curiously.

"De La Salle, po, Tito, hehe!" he chuckled.

"How about you, Sapph?" Tita Alex smiled.

"I'm pursuing modeling, po..." sagot ko naman.

"I didn't expect that! but go for it!" she smiled at me.

"Opo, bagay na bagay sa mahal ko ang modeling!" Seus smiled at me, I smiled back.

"You do like my, daughter, hm?" Mama asked with a grin on her face.

Tumayo si Seus at lumapit sa'kin, "Do you feel my cold hands?" He gave his hand to me with no hesitation. I took it and held it.

"It's not cold," I touched it softly.

"It's because when I'm with you I feel the warmth," He smiled.

I was about to remove my dainty hands from his almost like a rough surface hands, when he held it together- I couldn't help but to compare how different our hands are. His hands looked very manly, and is big. I smiled at the scent of his hands. He intertwined every finger and slowly placed a soft kiss on my hand. 

〰〰〰〰『𖤣𖥧𖡼..✎ ..𖡼𖥧𖤣』〰〰〰〰

sofiagii

Lovelots♡