I have the day off from work and I intend to meet Tyra. She answered my invitation to her and we met at Green Tea—the best relaxation area where we could relax while drinking our favorite iced cold teas.

Hindi mahirap pakisamahan si Tyra, and unlike other friends of mine, she's my better half through and through. And even on my bad days, she's there to talk to and understand me, even on my rants.

Pareho kaming nakaupo, kaharap ang isa't-isa at masaya habang nagkatinginan. She always had a sweet and friendly smile.

"And finally, you already have your best partner in life," she gladly said. "I'm happy for you, Maddy."

"Thank you for staying with me, Tiara . . . for everything, and you know, you treated me like your real sister. You're so good to me."

"Congratulations and thank you, Maddy. Hopefully, you will still stay with me as my sister."

"So I will stay. Yes."

"I can't really wait to see you in a white gown, walking down the aisle and meeting your man in the holy matrimony," she added. "And, of course, meeting your second child soon."

She gave me a wink and obviously, alam niya ang isang bagay ba iilan lang din ang nakakaalam.

"Okay, just hold on." I tried to stop her from saying anything.

"No need to give an explanation, Maddy. Dahil kahit sabihin mo pa, alam ko na," pabiro niyang sabi. "And yes, I'm your private eye, and I'm watching you. So better not to keep anything from me."

"Aangal pa ba ako? Sa iyo pa lang, talo na ako," nakangising sagot ko at uminom sa aking baso.

"I remember the constant experiences before we had a pretty cool quarrel."

"So what is your point in reminding me of that again?"

"I will never forget you, Minder." I simply rolled my eyes and shook a little.

"If you don't forget me, then never expect that I'll forget you too." I scoffed at her. "We are both playing the same game, Tiara, and we both know how things really happened, just like how people treated us."

"Huwag lang magkamali si Rain na lokohin ka. Dahil kapag sinubukan niya, ako talaga ang makakalaban niya."
Silence spread for a moment.

"Cheating is a choice," I said, grinning, "and loyalty is a responsibility. And we both know that."

Pagkatapos naming mag-usap ni Tyra, nagkahiwalay na rin kami ng direksyon. I was walking outside when someone on my phone hit me up. Huminto ako at kinuha ang phone mula sa aking bag. I was a little worried when Megan, who has been texting me once, just hit me up with a call now.

"Yes, hello?"

"Pwede ba tayo magkita?"
I simply checked the time on my wristwatch at sakto naman dahil hindi pa ako gaanong busy. She sends me an address where we will meet.

Papasok pa lang alo sa Restau, pero dama ko na ang panlalamig sa aking buong katawan. Ganunpaman, hindi ako nahirapan lalo pa at agad ko naman din siyang nakita.

Nilapitan ko siya at nginitian saka umupo. Wala akong panahon para siya'y batiin.

"Hi," bati niya sa akin na tila may pagkailang. Tumango lang ako at tuloy lamang sa pagtingin sa kaniya.

"I'm sorry if I bothered you, and thank you for appearing at my invitation."

Tumango ako, "The last time you sent me a message, it stated that you needed something to tell me. So this is the time to tell a story."

She gulped and quickly averted her gaze from me. May kung anong takot at kaba sa kaniyang puso dahilan para mas lalo pa siyang weird at hindi mapakali.

"It's all about Rain," she coldly said. "He's having an affair with me. And we were five months into our relationship yesterday."

"So what is your point in telling me this?" She looked at me, trying to calm herself. My eyes remained, focused on her.

"I'm totally guilty . . . and I don't want you to be hurt, nor even destroy your relationship. I sincerely apologize, Ash. I didn't mean to be your rival, and I have no intention of taking him away from you."

"Do you've been together for five months?" She nodded, and I even smirked at it.

"How much do you love him?" I saw how she nervously looked at me. Ganunpaman, hindi ko inalis ang mga titig ko sa kaniya.

"I . . . I really love him."

"How many times did he do it to you? I mean, the sex."

"Several times."

"Are you good in bed?" Her jaw dropped on that question of mine. I put my hand on the table and made my fingers tap on it. She finally saw what I had that she didn't have.

"Yes, Megan. We are getting married." Her eyes were wet, and she simply bent her head down to remove them.

"I know."

"Did he tell you?"

"Everything, including your pregnancy."

"Then what can you say?"

"Congratulations on that. I'm . . . I'm really sorry."

"I understand," I patiently answered and suddenly stood up.

"Thank you for telling me this. And I hope you can move on. I'm sorry." I turned back and silently went out. I admitted that I was surprised by what she said, but I know myself very well, and I know how even Rain really loves me.

Sinalubong ako ng yakap ni River at halik ni Rain pagkarating ko sa bahay.

"How's your lesson, River?" tanong ko sa aking anak na tila kinikilig nang makitang nakahalik ang kaniyang ama sa akin.

"Yes, Mom. I'm doing well." Ngumiti ako at sunod na binalingan si Rain na panay pala ang tingin sa akin.

"And how about your work?"

"I felt a little bored about office work, but working on you is totally great."

"Oh, no. I'm sorry, but I'm innocent of that thing," River said, raising his hands as if surrendering and easily walking away. Rain smiled a little, looking at his son.

"Rain, I have something to tell you."

"What is that?"

"I played on you." Agad siyang lumingon sa akin. Sumeryoso aking mukha at ganoon na lang din ang kaniyang pagtaka. Ngunit ang inashan kong kaniyang maging sagot ay iba.

"Life is hard as fuck."

"Did you enjoy it?" panigurado ko.

"Those past experiences with you, Ashleigh Fortalejo, are the very things I could remember." Mariin siyang lumapit sa aking tainga at sinabing, "And that's how I played your games."

Saglit niya akong tiningnan saka hinapit aking baywang at binigyan ng halik sa labi.

"Don't play with me again, Ashleigh Fortalejo. You never know how fucking bad you're playing on Rain La Costa."

"Fuck that thing," sarkastikong anas ko sa kaniya at ngumiti ng nakakaasar.

"Damn you, queen, and there is nothing you can do now. You're already mine, right?" He gave me a wink, holding my hand, and I spoke again.

"So what?"

"What I'm trying to say is that I love you and you are mine. And never forget that."
I nodded and admitted that I shuddered at what he said.

Shameless love.

We headed to the living room where our son was and the three of us were happy.

Our family has been formed. That is because of the love and forgiveness that we have for each other.