/24/
Morse-Coded Apology

---

THERE WAS an air of festivity in the girls' dormitory that night as the three young women busied themselves in the bright kitchen, preparing their dinner. The sound of sizzling pans and warm laughter was enough for any passerby to think that someone might celebrating their birthday.

But of course there was no feast or occasion, just simply the aftermath of the the ladies' reconciliation.

"But why would Tyra be the culprit? It just—" Sera remarked, pausing as she chopped onions by the kitchen counter, shrugging her shoulders. "Well, it just doesn't make sense. She doesn't have a clear motive."

"That's true," Ann replied, gesturing to Sera before glancing at the ziploc on the table which contained the long strand of hair she had recently discovered inside the box that the culprit sent. "But all clues lead to her."

Kakatapos lamang ng dalaga na ipakita ang bahid ng buhok sa dalawang kaibigan, who seemed just as confused about Tyra's motives as she is.

"Pero kung si Tyra nga, anong connection niya sa cephalopods? Does the sea life interest her too?" Queenie asked as she sautéed the beef cubes in a sauce pan.

"Sa totoo lang 'di ko na-gets yung part na 'yun sa kwento mo." Sera admitted jokingly as she poured the chopped onions in the same pan that Queenie was cooking. "What do cepha-something even mean?"

"Cephalopods are marine animals. They represent any member of the molluscan class Cephalopoda, such as cuttlefishes, octopuses, and squids." Queenie explained as she mixed the onions with the beef cubes. Ann on the other hand, was preparing the garlic butter sauce for the meal.

"Baka nagkataon lang Q?" Tanong ni Sera, leaning on the counter with one hand on her hips. "Maybe she had some squid lying in her dorm room and was like, 'Oooh, I could use this!'"

Natawa naman ang mga dalaga, the room smelling like Christmas eve when families would gather 'round to cook a plethora of the most scrumptious meals.

"Parang ang convenient naman nun though? That Tyra would know about soybean oil and cephalopod ink as good components for writing bloody threats on the walls." Ann remarked teasingly as she poured the sauce in Queenie's pan.

"I don't know," Queenie shook her head. "But I'm convinced that it was intentional. Soon, malalaman rin natin."

"Yep," Sera nodded, before raising her hands. "BUT. The question first is..."

She then faced Ann who was now preparing the dining. Sera glanced at Queenie as she crossed her arms. "Tuloy ba ang imbestigasyon?"

When Ann felt the two pairs of eyes on her, the young girl guiltily looked up, facing her two friends. "I'm not sure about that part actually." She admitted, placing the last pair of utensils on her plate.

"'Di ko pa kinakausap si Rein, at mukhang wala rin siyang balak na kausapin ko." She said with a hint of bitterness in her tone, trying to hide her face behind her hair. "So, I'm not sure if we're still pushing through with the partnership for the Writers' Schism."

Natawa ng mahina ang dalaga, hanging her head low. "So yeah, all these new leads are great news, don't get me wrong. AND, I really appreciate both of you — but I'm not sure if I'm ready to... well, you know, work with him again."

Queenie shook her head.

"No Ann," the curly-haired girl responded with pursed lips. "You were always ready to work with him."

"Yep." Sera nodded. "You know what you aren't ready for?"

Ann looked up to meet their gazes, confused. 

"What?"

Sera sighed, dropping her arms to her sides.

"To trust him again." She said quietly.

Napakurap ang dalaga, staring at her two friends before looking down at the table once more. Ann's lips then curved into a small, sad smile, knowing that both Queenie and Sera were unfortunately, right.

"Well, we won't be forcing you to make up with him of course." Queenie blurted out loud, sharing a glance with Sera who immediately nodded.

"Kung 'di tuloy ang imbestigasyon, edi hindi." Queenie shrugged, lowering the gas stove's temperature. 

"HOWEVER." The spectacled girl continued, reaching inside her pockets to grab something. "Because our enemies may still be watching our every move and may still be thinking that we might continue the case, here's a little prevention just in case something serious happens."

As she spoke, Queenie then showed the two girls two small, dark devices resting in the palms of her hands — dainty items that looked like sim cards to a normal passerby.

"Is this another spy bug?" Kunot-noong tanong ni Sera as she and Ann picked each of the microchip.

Queenie scoffed in aghast, suddenly reminded of when Enzo figured out their schemes. "Of course not! It's a tracker." She then explained, pinning one of the chips under Ann's collar.

"Teka, para saan?" Ann asked in suspicion as Queenie adjusted the device.

"Just in case we find ourselves in a dangerous or sticky situation, you can tap the tracker and it'll send an alarm to my phone," Pagpapaliwanag muli ni Queenie as she waved her cellphone in the air. "It will signify your call for help, and we can easily come to your rescue since the tracker automatically identifies your location."

Ann let out a chuckle. "Q, this is brilliant and I love the sincerity behind it, but I don't think we'll be chased by the culprits now that we're out of their hair."

"I know but please," Queenie begged, clasping her hands together. "We still never know for sure. In fact, the culprit might be more dangerous than we think. Personally, I think it's better to be safe than sorry."

"Okay, sige, pero pa'no ka?" Concerned na tanong ni Sera. "Do you have a tracker?? How can we know that you're safe too?"

"I, well," Queenie stuttered, finally turning off the gas of the stove. "I haven't thought about that."

"But don't worry, gagawa pa naman ako ng iba pang prototypes. I'll be giving the boys their own trackers as well, so I'll keep in mind to make one for myself."

"You should." Tango ni Ann before glancing towards Sera who seemed to be thinking what she was thinking, something that was beginning to turn into an elephant in the room. There was a pause, and for a moment, the dorm's festivity soon faded.

"I..." Ann started, before heaving a sigh.

"I've seen your locker, Queenie." The petite girl finally said in a soft, cautious manner; causing Queenie to groan and look away.

"My locker's fine." She said, her cheeks flushing as she waved her hands furiously, as if trying to change the topic.

"I've also heard talks around the campus for years now." Sera added quietly. "Queenie, if anyone's outright bullying you—"

"No, no, no," Queenie said quickly, flapping her hands. "No one's physically bullying m—"

"But they've been verbally and emotionally destroying you." Seryosong sambit ni Ann, which was enough to make sensitive Queenie's eyes water.

"I mean," Queenie laughed, trying to push back the tears that were threatening to fall. "I've been — you know — trying to not let it get to me, the nitpicks about my looks." She gasped, heaving her breaths and biting her lips, all of which failed her as Queenie's whole face turned red and the tears started falling.

"Na pangit ako, or fact that they say I don't deserve to be here." She said bitterly.

"Look, Q, I know I'm not in the position to say this," Ann said quietly as she rubbed Queenie's back in comfort. "But don't allow other people to make you feel inferior. If you know in yourself that you deserve to be here in Castillo High, then you do. Their opinions will stay merely as it is: just opinions."

"You don't understand." Queenie mumbled. "Kahit naman 'di sila magsalita, I still feel insecure. Just look at myself." She laughed, as if taunting herself as she faced the kitchen window, looking at her reflection.

There in the glass pane, she could see echoes of her dark complexion, the few pimples here and there, her thick eyebrows, and her bushy, unkempt hair which were all so different from Sera and Ann's fair, clear skin, and gorgeous hair. 

"Nakikita niyo ba?" Tahimik na sambit nito. "I'm pathetic. Just look at me, compared to the both of you."

"Queenie you are divine." Sera snapped, roughly placing her hands on Queenie's shoulder and turning her around to face them. 

"Kailangan mo lang ng confidence, at alamin kung pa'no mag-ayos ng sarili." Sera said in a matter-of-fact tone, with Ann nodding behind her. Sera then heaved a sigh before straightening her back.

"You know what," She said with pursed lips. "I know just the solution that'll make you feel more confident." Biglang sambit ng dalaga, putting one arm on Ann's shoulder, and the other on Queenie's shoulder.

"Like what? Expel all the students who took part in bullying her??" Kunot-noong tanong ni Ann.

"Excuse me??, No!" Sera exclaimed in aghast, wrinkling her nose. "Would you do that?? God, Ann, that is definitely something you would do."

Ann merely shrugged her shoulders.

"Pag ginawa natin 'yon, then they'll take pleasure in knowing that they actually affected Queenie one way or another." Sera argued, emphasizing her point.

"Okay, Miss Expert-of the-Status-Quo." Ann remarked sarcastically, playfully rolling her eyes. "So what do you suggest we do?"

At that question, Sera's eyes twinkled in delight. Hindi tuloy alam ni Ann at Queenie kung dapat ba silang kabahan o matuwa. Whenever Sera was given the opportunity, she always opted for the brightest ideas.

"SPA DAY!" Sera exclaimed gleefully, clasping her hands together.

---

PLAY: "Hollaback Girl" by Gwen Stefani

https://youtu.be/Sfx1XoSHHGs

"Finally." Sambit ni Sera as she parked her hot pink convertible in the outdoor parking area right behind Ylando Mall. Right beside her on the passenger seat was Ann, and at the backseat was Queenie — to which both girls seemed terrified at the thought of shopping in the mall for leisure.

"What's up with you two? Para kayong nakakita ng multo." Sera asked the two as she leaned back to glance at her two friends.

Napailing lamang si Ann. "I'm not used to this kind of thing."  The girl said in a dazed tone, flitting her eyes at the entirety of the mall's exterior.

"Never akong nilabas ni mommy para gumala sa mall. She was always so busy. All my clothes were just given to me so I really had no fashion style of my own." Sambit nito, laughing awkwardly. "Now that I think of it, most of what I wear are skirts and white blouses — like a secondhand copy off our uniform." Ann remarked, feigning a smile.

"At least the clothes they gave you complimented your looks." Komento ni Queenie na mukhang hindi komportable. "All I have are secondhand oversized pants and baggy shirts that I got from Quinn. Alam niyo na, mas matanda kasi 'yon sakin ng ilang minuto kaya siya ang priority nina mama pagdating sa pagbili ng gamit. Mukhang first time ko rin ata na mag-shopping, kung 'yun ang gagawin natin."

"Are you girls serious??" Sera guffawed at them in disbelief, wrinkling her nose. When the two merely stared at her, napailing na lamang si Sera.

"Wow," She whistled, putting on her sunglasses. "Then it's a good thing that our professors scheduled our afternoon classes for independent learning today. I'm going to make sure you girls have the best day of your lives."

She then flashed the two a devilish smirk, inciting Ann and Queenie to give each other terrified glances.

"Okay so just to be clear, what we're doing isn't going to be some kind of makeover." Sera briefed her friends as the three of them entered the mall. They were still in their school uniforms since they had just gone from their morning classes that day. It was barely around lunch time as they walked down the glassy floors of the mall.

"We're just going to the spa for deep-cleansing," Sera started, raising one finger as if counting off the itineraries on their checklist. "Then a quick visit to my dermatologist — who's also my tita — which might help solve Queenie's low-esteem problems with her face. And then of course hindi tayo aalis dito nang hindi nag-sha-shopping. We're going to scour every store until you two find your aesthetic."  She said airily, emphasizing the last word.

"Aesthetic??" Ann frowned, walking side-by-side with the girls.

"Yeah, like your overall style." Sera responded, strutting with an air of confidence that the other girls lacked. Sure, Ann was more confident than Queenie whose shoulders were hunched, but the mall wasn't her territory and it was only right that they let Sera lead them.

"For example, I believe my aesthetic is old Hollywood." Kibit-balikat ni Sera as they enter a fancy salon named "Beauty Butter Spa" with an interior that seemed to be designed with diamonds and black marble. "I'm a vintage soul you see." She winked, and Ann couldn't help but snort.

"I beg to disagree." Ngisi ni Ann nang inassist na sila ng isang assistant na mukhang kilala na si Sera. "I know what your aesthetic is and it isn't old Hollywood, Seraphim Louise Madrigal."

"Sige nga, ano 'yon?" Pang-hahamon ni Sera before instructing the assistant to give them complete facial and skin care treatments, mani-pedis, and full-body massages.

"Your aesthetic is simply femme fatale. It's your whole vibe." Ann pointed out as a salon assistant started putting cucumbers on top of their eyelids.

"Now that you've mentioned it, I think  Ann has a point." Tawa naman ni Queenie, who loved watching 1940s noir films with femme fatale leads. Na-i-imagine niya si Sera na isang seductress wearing a red, lacy dress.

"O sige, kung anong gusto niyong paniwalaan." Sera rolled her eyes before snapping at one assistant. "Cher, please give my curly friend over there a chic hairstyle." Sambit ng dalaga at tinuro si Queenie na mukhang kinabahan. "I-wax niyo na rin siya."

"Wax??" Queenie repeated, her eyes widening like saucers.

"Relax Q. Pagkatiwalaan mo lang si Sera." Ann chuckled, seeing Queenie's frozen expression.

And trust was all Queenie did as the girls relaxed in the salon, spending the whole afternoon peppering their bodies with self-care. And even when Queenie had to see her shoulder-length curly hair styled and cut even shorter, even when she felt overwhelmed as the dermatologist decided to recommend her a few serums that may help her pimple problem, and even when her legs hurt from bouncing from one store to another; Queenie trusted her two friends — enjoying the rest of the afternoon.

"Remember, we're not changing you Queenie. We're just enhancing the qualities that you already have. Okay?" Sambit ni Sera pagpasok nila sa panibago nanamang store. By this time, the girls were already holding a ton of shopping bags in their hands.

"Sera please, ilang beses mo na 'yang inulit." Queenie groaned before laughing. It was true though, what Sera had said. Pakiramdam ni Queenie ay parang na-enhance ang outlook niya sa sarili.

The young girl now walked with more confidently, her shoulders more open and her back straighter. She couldn't help but feel that she smelled of burning sage and cleansing crystals. 

Maganda rin pala talaga maging feminine paminsan-minsan. Queenie smiled to herself.

"Sinisigurado ko lang!" Depensa ni Sera as they stopped in front of a wide mirror inside the thrift shop they've found themselves in. "Oh diba? You girls look amazing." She gushed, taking out her phone for them to take a mirror selfie.

It was already late in the afternoon and the girls decided to wear one of their bought outfits before they return to Castillo High, placing their uniforms in one of their shopping bags. Right now, Sera was wearing a dark, short, denim skirt and a bright red crop-top cardigan, finished with white sporty sneakers that seemed like a cross between the femme fatale and softcore aesthetic.

Ann on the other hand, was wearing a dark beige, plaid skirt, matched with a cream-colored turtleneck tucked inside the skirt. Her necklace dangled by her neck, and the outfit was topped off with brown loafers for her shoes, and a headband with the same plaid pattern as her skirt.

"Ann you look like a modern Nancy Drew." Sera grinned, nodding proudly as her stylist. "So dark academia."

"Yeah," Ann responded teasingly, rolling her eyes. "I'm ready to solve an old Victorian crime." Despite the sarcasm, Ann did like her style, and considered Nancy Drew one of her fashion inspirations growing up.

Queenie on the other hand, was a more softer version of Ann's outfit. Light Academia, as what Sera would like to call it. The curly-haired girl now had shorter hair, with bouncier, shinier, more kept curls who seemed to finally stay in place. The salon liked to call her new hairstyle as a voluminous curly pixie cut, which made Queenie felt more extroverted.

At dahil hindi sanay sa dresses at skirts ang dalaga, Queenie opted to choose blouses, pants and shorts for most of the outfits she had bought. 

Right now, she was wearing a fawn-colored, square pants, tied with a black, leather belt. Tucked inside it was a loose white, collared blouse with short sleeves. On the other hand, her shoes were dark pumps that made Queenie taller. But what was most prevalent with her new look was how her black, round, nerdy eyeglasses were discarded, and replaced with eyeglasses that were more square or oval-ish than round, having instead an elegant rose-gold frame that complimented the shape of her face. It was a simple get-up, but one that made Queenie stood out.

"Queenie, you look ah-mazing." Sera drawled, clapping her hands proudly. "You look like those runway models in fashion events that my parents usually attend. How're you feeling?" Ngutya nito kay Queenie na biglang namula.

"I feel great." Queenie said truthfully, much to Sera and Ann's satisfaction, tutal ang goal naman talaga ay para mas maging komportable si Queenie sa kaniyang sarili.

"And that's the only thing we want to hear." Ann nodded with a grin, to which Sera agreed.

Nang umalis na ang tatlo mula sa store na 'yon at akmang bababa sana sa escalator para tignan ang iba pang mga shops sa first floor, ay biglang napatigil ang mga ito nang tumigil si Sera sa paglalakad at saka tumalikod.

"Shit," Sera cursed, immediately putting on her sunglasses, and a hat that she had bought earlier. 

"What, are you suddenly scared of the first floor stores—"

"Jayson's there." Sera snapped grimly, causing Ann to narrow her eyes down the escalator. Her eyes didn't fail her as the petite girl saw Jayson I forgot his last name, with his group of friends.

"Oh wow, is this the mall, or a Castillian house party?" Ann remarked, but before she could say anything more, Sera grabbed the two by the hand and pulled them to the other direction. 

"Dito tayo. There's another escalator here." Matigas na sabi ni Sera, dahilan para matawa si Ann.

"Ano meron? May 'di ba 'ko alam?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Queenie nang naglakad papalayo ang tatlo, with Sera trying to look nonchalant, and Ann barely hiding her teasing grin.

"Don't you remember? Miss femme fatale here seduced Jayson last time to get information about the Writers' Schism." Pang-aasar ni Ann kay Sera na mukhang gusto nang umalis sa mall. "And now, I think Seraphim here ghosted him."

"I stood him up." Sera corrected, the three stepping out of the escalator and entering a pizzeria. "Nung kumukuwha ako ng impormasyon tungkol sa Schism, sabi ko sa kaniya na tuloy yung coffee date namin na dati pa niyang kinukulit sa'kin." Sera explained in annoyance.

"Let me guess, 'di mo tinuloy." Queenie laughed as Ann signaled for a waiter once they sat down.

"Of course not!" Sera exclaimed. "He's a creep, okay? Katulad lang siya ng lahat ng mga lalaki: arrogant assholes who think they can get any girl who looks their way."

"Spill that tea." Ann cheered, raising the glass of water that was on their table. Nang dumating na ang waiter ay nag-order ng isang malaking pizza ang tatlong dalaga na nagutom mula sa kanilang gala.

They didn't have to wait long for their order and by the time the pizza was served, the girls started devouring the snack as if they weren't the proper lasses that they were a few minutes ago. 

And just when Queenie felt like she wanted another round, biglang nanlisik ang mata nito nang nasilayan niya sa kalayuan ang isang pamilyar na mukha — a figure walking outside the glass pane of the pizzeria they were in. Agad na iniba ni Queenie ang direksyon ng kaniyang mata.

"Don't look now but Tyra's passing by." Queenie murmured, looking straight at her pizza to avoid suspicion. Ann and Sera glanced at Queenie before flitting their eyes out of the pizzeria's glass windows.

"Sabi kong wag niyong tignan!" Queenie hissed, facepalming herself.

"Whoops, sorry." Sera grinned. "But she seems to be alone though. Ano kayang pakay niya dito?"

"Well then," Ann shrugged, wiping her mouth with a tissue before smiling at the two girls, a hint of obscurity in her tone. "Why don't we find out? I mean, she is after all our number one suspect, hindi ba?" Ann whispered mischievously, leaving cash in their bill before heading out of the pizzeria. 

"WAIT, ANN!"

"HOY LOBRIS!" Sabay na sigaw ng mga dalaga, scrambling up to follow Ann who immediately caught sight of Tyra walking away from a distance.

"She is the most reckless girl I've ever met." Iling ni Sera, trying to catch up with Ann. But before they could, Ann had lost sight of their suspect who seemed to have disappeared amongst a large crowd in the department store.

Kunot-noong nakatayo sa harapan ng department store si Ann, palingon-lingon, with Sera and Queenie finally catching up.

"Don't tell me you lost her?!" Sera scoffed in disbelief, with Queenie panting right behind her.

"I could've sworn she went here." Ann told them suspiciously, narrowing her eyes. But Tyra was nowhere to be seen.

"Sera!" A voice suddenly exclaimed, prompting the three to turn around. Dito ay nakita nila ang iilang mga Castillians na ka-batch nila. 

Queenie in particular, stared hard at the girl who was front and center in the group. This young woman had loud curls and auburn highlights, something that seemed all too familiar for Queenie. Kilala niya ang babaeng ito, at ang ibang Castillians na kasama niya. 

"I knew we'd see you here." The girl, who Queenie was still scrutinizing, told Sera. "You look stunning! An actual trend-setter. Do you wanna grab a taco with us?"

Sera looked at her point-blank before flashing them a feigned smile. "Sorry, but I'm with my friends." She said dryly.

Nang makita nila na kasama ng dalaga si Ann at Queenie ay agad nawala ang ngiti sa kanilang mga mukha. Sa puntong 'yon, ay saka biglang naalala ni Queenie kung bakit sobra pamilyar ang kaniyang mukha.

"Oh, Lobris! Hi!" The girl said in surprise, glancing at them nervously. It was already a given that everyone in Castillo High either feared Ann, or was jealous of her; and as Ann replied with a forced smile, she knew in herself that this group seemed to be the former. 

"And, uh, who's your other friend?" Tanong naman ng isang babae na may straight na buhok na abot hanggang bewang.

"Hi, I'm Queenie." Sambit naman ni Queenie, extending out her hand with a smile. There was a flash of pettiness in Queenie's eyes that both girls have never seen before. "But I think you know me more as the... 'Geek Witch'?" The curly-haired girl added with a hint of sarcasm, much to Ann and Sera's astonishment.

"Uh," The leader said awkwardly, staring at Queenie's hand, before nervously glancing at Ann and Sera, whose eyes were now shooting daggers at the group. "Nice to meet you. Sige, Sera. Una na kami. We'll see you around!"

She then automatically turned around, with the rest of the group hesitantly following her, casually looking back at the three girls in a mixture of fear, surprise, and confusion.

"Nice outfits by the—"

Agad na hinila nung parang leader yung isa pang babae, cutting her off before the girl could compliment the three girls. Despite their distance, they could faintly hear their hushed whispers. 

"Sila ba 'yung nag-vandal sa locker mo?" Ann finally asked, raising an eyebrow and turning to Queenie once the other group was out of earshot.

"Not sure about the others, but the one with auburn highlights was definitely one of my vandals." Queenie laughed, surprised with her newfound attitude. "Sino nga ba 'yung mga 'yon? I just know them as the girls who gave me hell."

"I have no idea who they are. All I know is I don't ever want to be mixed up with them." Ann said dryly, the three girls finally walking once towards the mall's exit. "Sera might know her. Maraming connections 'yan."

"Charity's her name." Sera explained with a shrug."I think her mom was a model too — I'm not sure. She's been trying to befriend me for over a year now, but I can smell a two-faced bitch when I see one." Sera laughed, dangling her car keys in her fingers.

"Charity pangalan niya??" Queenie asked in disgust. "'Di bagay. Dapat 'Bully' nalang." She argued, the three girls laughing as they walked towards Sera's car, ready to head back to their dormitory.

---

PLAY: "The Great Unknown" by Sarah Geronimo feat. Hale

https://youtu.be/rH9yZzA3260

Later that afternoon, once the girls have retreated to their own rooms to rest after the girls' day out, Ann can be found typing away in her laptop, busying herself before she finds herself alone with her own thoughts again.

With a pause, the short-haired girl heaves a sigh and stares at the essay she was writing for their English class. Tahimik ang gabi at walang maririnig kundi ang mga kuliglig.

Momentarily, Ann closed her eyes, trying not to remind herself that sooner or later, she had to face her dilemma. 

Just as she was about to open them again to return to her work, her laptop vibrates with a soft ding! Agad na napaupo ang dalaga, blinking as she saw the email notification on the lower right of her screen.

With a frown, she then clicked on the notification, leading her to an email.

Reagan Inigo Macco <[email protected]>
to me 

Tuesday, October 18, 2016, 8:34 PM (2 minutes ago)

📎 Chapters 11-13

Napataas ng kilay ang dalaga, wondering why Rein would decide to send her new written chapters to continue their novel when they haven't even talked since last Friday. With a frustrated sigh, she then  opened the attached file, scanning the PDF with suspicion.

Nang nakarating sa Chapter 13 ang dalaga, ay mas lalong kumunot ang noo nito nang mapansin na may isang section doon sa kwento na naka-Morse code ang dialogue ng mga characters.

"What are you up to Maccio," she murmured, reading and easily decoding the codes. 

After a few minutes ay napatigil ang dalaga. Napakunot muli ito bago binasa ulit ang mga character dialogues.

"I'm sorry for the misunderstanding," she whispered, reading the codes out loud. "If you have time, and if you see this now, you can meet me at the school's rooftop. Only if you want to though. I want to apologize to you in person. If you'll allow me to."

Ann paused once more, blinking as she stared down at the keyboard, as if she could feel Rein staring right at her. Hindi alam ng dalaga kung ano ang mararamdaman nito. She was still mad at him, and the trust she had for him was non-existent by now; but there was a voice in her head calling to her — telling her to at least give him a chance to explain.

Napahilamos ng mukha ang dalaga, massaging her temples. With a sigh, she then glanced at her wall clock before standing up and grabbing her coat.

---

By the time she had entered the restricted rooftop, the icy breeze of the night bit her skin until she turned red. Agad niyang tinaas ang collars ng kaniyang coat, surveying the place. 

Payapa ang kalangitan at makikita ang iilang bituin. But Ann's eyes were drawn towards the figure that stood at the edge of the rooftop, leaning his elbows on the railings. Agad na bumilis ang tibok ng puso ng dalaga, kinakabahan sa kung anong maririnig niya mula sa kaniyang karibal.

Nevertheless, she put up a brave face, walking towards him.

"You came." The young man said quietly just as she stood inches beside him. She could see him watching the far away cityscape, his eyes clouded with thought.

Tumango lamang ang dalaga, waiting for him to speak as she too, stared at the distance.

After a few seconds of silence, she could hear him exhale, as if struggling to find the right words to say. 

"I'm assuming you read the chapters?" Tanong nito.

Ann couldn't help slightly rolling her eyes. Yes, doofus. Kaya nga ako nandito. She wanted to say, but she kept her mouth shut. 

Napatango ang binata, clasping his hands together as he looked down on his feet. 

"The recording," Rein started, unsure if he should start with that particular topic. Ann shifted uncomfortably beside him.

"The culprit must've lingered around and recorded me and my father's conversation to use it against me — or us." Tahimik na sambit nito, before finally looking up to stare into the distance again.

"That conversation between us happened when I brought you to Castillo High's clinic," Rein continued, a tone of nostalgia in his voice. "After we had broke into the abandoned house and got you out of there. Alam mo na 'yon diba, you berated me when you found out through the Ylando Bulletin newspaper that the culprit sent you along with your things."

Rein then slightly paused as Ann pursed her lips.

"Well, I guess it was my own foolishness to blame," He laughed bitterly. "Everyone saw me carrying you to the clinic. Rumors spread, our fathers came to the school, there was a big show down, the media went frenzy, and my father reprimanded me of course."

The Maccio heir then pursed his lips, flinching as he remembered his father punching him across the face at the school grounds that day. "He punched me." He muttered, and Ann could feel her breath shorten, but she didn't dare look at him.

"He has always been using me as his punching bag, but on that particular day, the punch was different. It was full of fury — pure embarrassment that I was his son." Rein said coldly, breathing into the cold air.

"So I had to earn his trust again." Sambit nito. "I had to make him believe that I was using you, be the perfect heir he wants me to be to avoid anymore suspicion from him." 

He then paused, before letting out a long, heavy exhale.

"Kung hindi ko 'yon ginawa, our case's investigation wouldn't have progressed because he would have never let me off my sight. To hell, baka pinalipat na niya ako sa ibang bansa kung hindi ko pa sinabi sa kaniya na pinapaikot lang kita." He chuckled sadly, now placing both hands deep inside the pockets of his dark jacket.

Silence. The quiet air between the two was all that could be heard as the trees swayed in the distance.

Hindi alam ni Ann kung bakit, but she wanted to cry. Reagan Inigo Maccio wasn't as different from her after all. Just like her, he was a child, just as trapped in his own hell the way she was.

"I'm sorry," He finally said, breaking the silence between them, and finally turning sideways to face the young girl beside him. "It's fine, really, if you won't accept my apol—"

"Maccio," she said sharply, her breath fogging the cold air. 

"Stop saying sorry or else I'd want to be your rival again instead of your partner."

Rein stared at her, blinking.

"You still want to push through with the partnership?" He asked in surprise, his forehead creasing as he stared harder at her; comprehending what she had just said. "With the investigation?" 

Ann heaved another breath before finally facing him, returning his stare.

"Do you?" She asked softly, throwing the question back at him.

"Yeah, but—"

"Do you??" She repeated, hardening her tone and emphasizing the two words. 

Napatigil muli ang binata, looking right at his own rival in the eyes. There was a pause in the air before small droplets of rain started falling from the sky. 

"I do." Rein responded, as genuinely as he could. And that was all the confirmation that Ann needed to trust him again.

---

NOTE: Before any woke hater gets the wrong idea, Queenie's transformation in this chapter isn't supposed to be the typical nerd to glamorous type. In fact, walang transformation na naganap. Just as what Sera said, they merely helped Queenie find her true personality and enhance it from there. She's still the same nerdy girl in terms of her attitude and even in her style, the same morena that brown Filipinas can still attribute their selves to. The only difference is that this time, instead of being against who she is, Queenie has grown to embody that nerdy aspect of her and make it her own — which I think is important. Hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon kailangan mo ng makeover. Minsan, glow up lang sapat na. Be unapologetically yourself, readers!

Also yes, less mystery in this chapter and more growth for the characters para seamless ang character arcs nila in this first book. Enjoy, loves!

If you like this chapter, follow me on my social media accounts for more updates. You can freely message and post on my FB page, tweet your thoughts to me on Twitter, or show me your fan arts and favorite quotes on Instagram.

FB PAGE:
IsadoraQuagmire13 or @isadoraquagmire13
https://www.facebook.com/isadoraquagmire13/

INSTAGRAM:
@isadoraquagmire13
https://www.instagram.com/isadoraquagmire13/?hl=en

TWITTER:
@isa_quagmire
https://twitter.com/isa_quagmire?s=09

Remember to use the hashtags #TheSleuthProject and #TSP aside from tagging me so that we can compile all TSP-related posts!