TAKE NOTE: (this is the second installment of the Gorgyieds series; however, you can read this series as STAND ALONE, Hope you enjoy it!)

WARNING: This story contains mature scenes that are not suitable for young readers. Reader discretion is advised. Please do read the disclaimer and trigger warnings before you read the whole story. Thank you.

  -ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

new version.

PROLOGUE

"Babe! What's that? You look crazy," I said while laughing. Sinusubukan kong burahin ang pulang lipstick sa ilong nito.

Louie wrapped his arm around my waist, and we lay down on the bed together. Tinadtad niya ng halik ang aking buong mukha at hindi alintana na madikitan ng lipstick na nasa ilong nito.

"As long as my babe is happy, I can act crazy just for you," he said to me sweetly.

It felt like my heart was going to melt at what he said. Nagiging marupok talaga ako pagdating sa kanya. I smiled and gently stroked his soft hair. I traced my finger over his almond-shaped eyes and kissed his lips.

"I love you so much, Louie. Please don't leave me, okay?"

Humigpit ang yakap nito sa akin at sinubsob ang kanyang mukha sa aking dibdib.

"Hmm. . . I'll never leave you, Cheska. I love you so much."

Nagtagal kami sa ganoong posisyon ng biglang may nagtext sa akin. I knew Louie was already asleep because his breathing was deep. Hinayaan ko lang siya at tinignan kung sino ang nag-text.

Dad:

Cheska, Davis said you didn't show up. We need their help. Our business will fail if you don't stop being stubborn.

I sighed and turned off my phone. I placed it on the bedside table and hugged Louie tightly. Ayaw ko. . . Ayaw kong makasal sa iba. Gusto ko kay Louie lang.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

"Cheska!"

Kahit na mabigat ang talukap sa aking mga mata, ay pilit ko pa rin 'yong dinilat dahil sa sigaw ni Louie. What happened? I didn't expect our trip to the amusement park to end up like this. I was shot, and we have no idea who did it.

"Fuck! This is all my fault. Ang tanga ko! Hindi ako nag-iingat!"

I heard Louie crying, and he gripped my hand even tighter. Is there something he's not telling me?

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

"Daddy! I don't want to marry Davis! Please, I only want to marry Louie someday—"

"Our business is going to fail, Cheska, and the Alacantara's are the only ones who can help it grow if you'll agree to marry their son."

Umiling ako. "Daddy, please. Isn't it possible for us to bring our business back to how it was before without asking for help from them? Hindi natin kailangan ng tulong nila."

Humaba pa ang naging usapan namin tungkol sa malulugi naming negosyo. I almost felt hopeless when I found out how deep in debt we were. I didn't have a choice but to agree just to save our business, even though I didn't want to.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

I held Louie's hand and looked him in the eyes. I couldn't read the emotion in his eyes. They stayed blank, and for some unknown reason, I felt uneasy about what was going to happen tonight. Parang may kakaiba sa kanya. Wala ang kislap sa mga mata niya sa tuwing nakikita niya ako.

"Itakas mo 'ko, Louie. Mag-tanan na tayo. I don't want to marry Davis. Let's leave," I said with tears in my eyes."

It was already midnight when he suddenly visited our house. Thankfully, my parents were sound asleep.

I frowned and couldn't believe it when he carefully took his hand away from mine.

"Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin?" he whispered at me.

"About w-what?" I asked.

"That you're getting married," he replied and met my gaze.

It felt like millions of needles pierced my heart when I saw his almond-shaped eyes red and swollen. Hindi ako makapagsalita dahil parang may nakaharang na bigik sa aking lalamunan kahit na ilang beses akong lumunok. I tried to take his hand to hold it, but he hid it behind his back, and it hurt me even more because of that.

"Babe," I whispered.

"Let's break up, Cheska." He said it while looking down.

Bahagyang kumunot ang aking noo at pilit na ngumiti sa kanya kahit na ang mga luha ko ay nagbabadyang tumulo pababa sa aking pisngi. I went up to him and hugged him tightly while laughing nervously at what he said. I knew he wasn't joking about it. Kilala ko siya, hindi nagbibiro ng ganito si Louie.

"What's wrong with you, Louie? Don't joke around like that—"

"Marry him. You two are a better match," he said seriously and gently pushed me.

I was stunned and couldn't believe what he said. "Why did you suddenly become like that? Louie! What about our dream!? The things you wanted to happen in your life with me? We're still going to do that, right? Kaya sige na, please. Itanan mo na ako. Huwag yung ganito. Nangako ka sa akin na hindi mo 'ko iiwan, 'di ba? Pero bakit g-ganito?" I spoke weakly while crying in front of him.

Umiiyak itong umiling sa aking harapan. He couldn't hide his tears from me anymore. His tears are now shimmering on his cheek from the moonlight.

"Lagi ka na lang napapahamak dahil sa akin, Cheska. If you marry Davis, you'll be safer there—"

"I don't want that! I only want you, Louie. Paano na yung limang taon nating pagsasama? Ibabalewala mo na lang 'yon?" humihikbi kong sambit.

Why does it seem so easy for him to say that he'll break up with me!?

"Cheska!" He suddenly shouted at me and grabbed both of my shoulders.

"Hindi mo kasi naiintindihan. Sa tuwing kasama mo ako, lagi kang napapahamak! That scar on your chest! You know you almost died if you hadn't been rushed to the hospital right away! Then you're forcing yourself onto me!? Marry him! And you'll be safe in his care."

I couldn't answer what he said because I was crying in front of him, and he was crying too. For the last time, he wiped away my tears and gave me a warm kiss. Matagal 'yon, at ramdam na ramdam ko ang pagmamahal niya. Nang sandaling matigil ang halik, ay pinagdikit niya ang noo ko sa noo nito.

"Take care of yourself, Cheska. I hope Davis will take care of you. Build a family with him. I love you so much," he whispered.

After that he left me, brokenhearted.

SHANGPU