TW: Mention of sexual harassment and violence.

"Do you want to move tomorrow?"

When I heard that voice, my senses came back. I noticed a hint of worry in Prince's eyes as we strolled down the avenue heading to my condo. Hindi pa sana siya mapapaagang umalis sa party nang dahil sa akin. I don't know where else to thank him.

I took a deep breath before looking outside. Earlier, we talked about that I should just leave the condo I'm staying in, I'll just move to a new place to where Kuya Yvan won't be able to track me down. I can't believe I'm being taunted again after over a year of silence.

I didn't realize I'd gone to my past until my thoughts became more vivid... As I pleaded, my eyes were filled with fear. My mouth was gagged while I cried and begged for help. I don't know how to get out, and the dark corridor I am walking down appears to go on endlessly.

"Yshawn... Yshawn." Nagising ako nang maramdaman ko ang pagtapik ni Prince sa akin. Nagtaka naman siya sa inasta ko noong takot na takot akong napalayo sa kaniya. "W-Why? You alright?"

I adjusted my seat and looked around before nodding in response. It was pouring rain outside, and Prince seemed to have pulled over to the side of the road. No cars were passing by, and the trees on both sides told us that we were still in the middle of the avenue. The only source of light was the lamppost.

"Pawis na pawis ka," he said, reaching for the car's air conditioning to high up the volume. He helped me wipe my sweat away with his fingers. "You sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine... I just had a bad dream." His thumb stopped for a moment on my cheek at nag-aalala ang mukha niya bago siya umayos sa pagkakaupo paharap sa akin. "You asked me something earlier. Sorry for not answering. I fell asleep."

He nodded, and I noticed a shift in his expression, as well as a smile on his lips. "Yeah, right. You fell asleep... so I didn't wake you up for that."

"What is it then?" I asked.

"I was just asking if you want to move in early tomorrow," he explained.

I managed to turn my focus to the front. Before bowing my head, I was stunned for a second at the lamppost. I fiddled with my finger as I sensed him waiting for me to say something.

I want to tell Prince everything. I want to confess what really happened when my sister and I were young. That past has not been said to others.

I hid it for a long time and I never had any intention of going back to it, but the person who did it to me is the one who is reliving that past.

"H-He... he... he assaulted me." I sucked my lips and pressed them firmly.

When I looked at him, I saw that he was confused because my answer was so different from what he had asked. "Won? W-What do you mean that he assaulted you? When? Who?"

I diverted my gaze and couldn't stop crying, yet I forced myself to fight it so I could speak and confess something more. "I was only ten years old then, and Ava was six." I dropped my head and focused on playing with my own hands. "When Mom and Dad leave for work, he always comes home... He... h-he knows when Mom and Dad are not at home."

What had happened before came back to me as I said those words. I couldn't help but cry and scratch my skin with my hands. When Prince took my hand, I became peaceful.

When I looked into his eyes, they seemed to be speaking to me. Those eyes tell me that I don't need to speak those things if I'm not comfortable.

"Yshawn... you know... you don't have to tell me this. Okay?" he informed and I nodded as he spoke softly to me.

He advised me but did not forbid me... I want to disclose everything. At that time, I couldn't trust anyone to tell about that. I think if I voice out, they won't believe me just like what Dad did to me. Noong magsumbong ako, I just received a slap from him. And I don't understand why he even dragged me out of the house.

He repeatedly shouted that he would never believe someone who told a lie. And that someone... was his own son... me. Now that I'm older, I understand that he will always believe my older brother, Kuya Yvan, more than me because he is considered normal and I am not. Alam kong ganyan ang pananaw niya.

"He takes me to his room... and that room has a strange smell... a smell that I don't like. That every time I smell it, I know what will happen." My tears streamed down my face as I pursed my lips. I cried even harder at that point as I lowered my head and covered my face with my hands.

"I'm sorry... I-I'm sorry..." He apologized even though he didn't have to. I just felt Prince hug me after I heard him adjusting his seat. And that's when I saw myself tightly hugging him and crying on his shoulder.

"H-He threatened me... that... that if I didn't keep his word, he'd do to Ava what he did to me." My back was caressed by his hand, and he always brought me comfort this way. That's when I knew I made the right choice in telling Prince everything because it was clear that he was honestly concerned about me.

I was really brave enough to say that, I almost lost my mind thinking about that thing over and over. I feel the need to express myself since a million what-ifs formed in my mind, it baffles me, and I need an answer. What if other people find it out, how will they react? Will they hate me? Itataboy ba nila ako?

But all those what-ifs were answered. I didn't expect that Prince would still accept me even after I confessed. He understood, there was no hatred or any reaction that I could tell he was disappointed with me. He listened to me and understood that with all his heart.

Back then, every time I remembered that living hell, I couldn't imagine feeling any different from everyone else. Compared to innocent kids whose purity is evident in their faces, I felt dirty. Their laughter showed no trace of a dark past, only the extraordinary events they had experienced.

It's unfair.

Why did that happen to me out of all the bad people around the world? Why is it that all the evil things in the world have been thrown at me? I'm not a bad person, so why am I the one experiencing it, not them?

"Your brother did that to you, didn't he?" Prince asked me. 

When I raised my head, I saw his grip on the steering wheel tightening. I nodded, and I saw his jaw clenched.

I sighed, and my lips quivered. "I want to go home," I said while lowering my head and fiddling with my finger.

I recall a time when I had almost no one to ask for help and had to swallow my pride when Kuya Yvan offered me that. Nagpalaboy-laboy ako sa Manila ng ilang linggo. I had no choice. If I don't accept his help, I'll be picked up somewhere else.

But I didn't stick around that long in his trigger finger before he nearly touched me again. Nalabanan ko ang masamang balak niya at nagawa kong makatakas, at doon na ako humingi ulit ng tulong kay Ate Carra.

Buong akala ko ay doon na magtatapos ang pagkrus ng landas namin, so I was surprised when I heard someone knocks laudly on the door of my condo. He's pleading with me to let him stay for a while... And I did let him yet, he took the opportunity to betray my trust once more. And now that I will see him again... I don't know.

I'm not sure what will happen tomorrow. 

"How're you feeling?" he gently asked.

Halos hindi mapatid ang malalim kong paghinga. "Not feeling well."

Napalingon ako kay Prince noong bigla siyang lumabas ng sasakyan. Hindi ko inaasahan iyon kung kaya gulat na gulat ko siyang sinundan ng tingin. Pumaikot siya at binuksan ang pinto na nasa gilid ko.

"Anong ginagawa mo, Prince?" When I uttered that, I almost stammered. Because of what he did, he is now soaked from the rain. "Basang-basa ka na."

He reached out his hand to me and flashed me an enchanting smile. "Don't mind it. What I'm feeling now matters. The rain feels different, do you want to feel that with me?"

I turned to face the surroundings before taking his hand. I got out of the car and when I felt the raindrops on my body... that's when I believed what he said.

He smiled broadly at me, his eyes were calm, as though gently observing my reaction. I laughed at his countenance and so did he. Every drop of rain on my skin, the embrace of the wind, and warmth flowing from his palm... I felt at peace.

Dinala niya ako sa ilalim ng lamp post. He let go of my hand and excitedly held out his hand in the air as if he was filling his palm with raindrops. Tumingala siya at naiwan pa rin ang ngiti niya sa mga labi. I just watched him enjoying the rain.

Ginaya ko ang ginawa niya, tumingala ako at pumikit... Ngunit agad ring napababa ng tingin nang mag-flash sa alaala ko ang pangyayari... Ganitong-ganito ang nararamdaman ko noong unang araw na sinagot ko si Gino.

"Woohhh..." I opened my eyes and saw Prince with his arms wide open. He happily approached me and pulled me to run somewhere. When we stopped in the middle of the road he lay down. "Yshawn..." he screamed my name while his eyes were on mine.

Malamyos siyang tumawa at napangiti na lang ako. Maya-maya pa ay umupo ako sa tabi niya... Gusto kong humiga sa tabi niya ngunit gumugulo ang isipan ko, naaalala ko sa kaniya si Gino.

Umalis siya sa pagkakahiga at umupo sa tabi ko. When I looked at him, I was just stunned to see his smile while he parted the hair that was covering my eyes.

"Ang ganda mo, Yshawn." His smile has softened.

Napaiwas lang ako ng tingin at hindi nakapagsalita. Hindi naman ako manhid, lalo na't aware rin ako sa nararamdaman niya kaya hindi na ito bago sa akin. Oo nga't hindi na ito bago pero iba pa rin talaga ang epekto nito sa akin.

"It's just sad that I didn't get the chance to introduce you to Dad and Mom." Mapait siyang natawa at napatingin sa kawalan. "I'll never be able to."

I found out that his parents died in a car accident. That was also the day I left Cebu at nadaanan rin ng bus na sinasakyan ko ang pangyayaring iyon. Ang hindi ko lang alam ay mga magulang niya pala ang nasa aksidenteng iyon.

"I'm still happy that you allowed me to get to know them," I assured him.

Napalingon siya sa akin, he looked deeply at me. Maya-maya pa ay gigil niyang ginulo ang buhok ko saka siya muling tumingin sa kawalan.

"There's no one here... It's just us..." He glanced at me. "You can shout your heart out."

"Gaya ng?" I smiled a bit.

He looked forward and put his hands on both of his cheeks, he would shout something, "Fuck you, Yvan!" Nang maisigaw niya iyon ay muli niya akong tiningnan at hinihintay ang magiging reaksyon ko.

My smile widened and I stood up. "Fuck you, Yvan!"

Nakita ko siya sa gilid ko na tumayo na rin at nang magtama ang tingin namin ay sabay kaming natawa.

"Kiss my fucking ass... You dumb! Fuck you so much, Yvan..." He shouted.

"Fuck you..." All the heavy things and whatnot that make me suffer, I shouted them out loud. "You fucking asshole! Ahhh..." Along with those words, I poured them out.

Tonight was strange, a lot happened that I didn't expect. It seems that the surprises are endless and the one I will never forget is this night... Masarap sa pakiramdam, hindi lang iyon sa una... And I did not feel guilty about myself as well.

Sinamahan ako ni Prince sa pag-uwi at doon din sa condo ko siya nagpalipas ng gabi. Nagising na lang ako nang makaamoy ako ng nilulutong pagkain. Papungay-pungay pa ang mga mata ko noong umupo ako sa kama and I immediately did my morning routine.

When I got myself ready, I left the room and saw him preparing something to eat on the table. Agad na bumungad sa akin ang malawak niyang ngiti nang makita niya ako. Umupo ako habang pinagmamasdan siya sa ginagawa niya.

He looks inviting in his long-sleeved polo shirt and an apron that covers his body. The two buttons on his chest were unbuttoned. He rolled up his sleeve and removed his apron which he hung to the side before sitting on the bar stool, facing me.

"I made roasted potato and chorizo hash, scrambled eggs, pancakes, pork chao fan, and last but not least... Sausage and egg sandwiches. And of course, the smoothie won't be missing," mahabang litanya at ngumiti.

"Bakit ang dami?" Halos malula naman ako sa dami ng niluto niya.

Nahihiyang napakamot siya ng batok. "I still don't know what you usually eat for breakfast so... I-I decided to cook these, just in case something knocks your taste."

I laughed a little. "Nilagang itlog na may toyo. That's what I often eat and cook."

Biglang nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya, mukhang ini-imagine kung ano ang lasa noon. Ganoon ang niluluto ko sa tuwing naghahabol ako ng oras. Madali lang kasi lutuin at maluto and that's why it became my favorite because of that routine.

"Boiled egg and... you mean it was dipped in soy sauce?" he confusedly asked.

"Hmm..." I nodded. "Masarap 'yon, paborito ko 'yon."

I can see the hatred in him.

"What does it taste like?" curious niyang tanong.

"Ha?" Napaisip ako sa tanong niya. "Ano... lasang nilaga saka toyo."

"Hey..." He uttered, chuckling and expressing disbelief at my response. "You're not for real, right?"

Natawa na lang din ako. "What else will it taste like then? Roasted potato and chorizo hash?" I smirked and shook my head.

"Your food combination is just... weird." May naaalala ako sa kaniya, ganitong-ganito rin ang sinabi ni Gino sa akin noong malaman niya na iyon ang paborito kong ulam sa umaga.

Sinabi ko sa kaniya na maglalaga lang ako ng itlog habang kinakain naman namin ang mga niluto niya at pagkatapos ay ipapatikim ko iyon sa kaniya kapag naluto na. At first it seemed like he didn't want to try it but he just agreed with me in the process.

When it was cooked, I was about to start peeling it but he gently shoved me aside and peeled it himself. He ran the water over it in the sink, and after peeling it he set it in a saucer. Hiniwa ko iyon sa gitna at nilagyan ng toyo saka iminuwestra ang isang kutsara noon sa bibig niya.

"Try?" I said while smiling.

He just smiled and nodded before taking a bite. Habang nginunguya niya iyon ay pinagmamasdan ko naman ang reaksyon niya. Then I saw his reaction, as if he disliked it but was just fighting himself so I wouldn't notice.

"Hmm..." sambit niya habang ngumunguya. He then made himself chuckle. "It taste... Hmm... Taste, hm-hmm..."

"Tastes horrible." I continued what he had to say and he laughed.

Magkaiba sila ni Gino, noong pinatikim ko iyon sa kaniya ay nagustuhan niya naman iyon at parati niya pa akong sinasabihan na magtira noon. Kaya sa tuwing umaga ay tatlo ang nilalaga ko, isa ang akin at dalawa ang kaniya... Dahil kulang na kulang sa kaniya ang isa. That's how much he likes it.

"Uhm... I'm sorry." When I heard what Prince said, I slipped back into my senses. 

I saw his shame when I looked up at him. Hindi ko namalayan na masyado palang halata ang reaksyon ko na wala sa sarili at napansin naman niya iyon. Akala niya yata ay dismayado ako.

"Ah! It isn't what you think... I'm not upset, Prince. M-May naalala lang ako," pagdadahilang sabi ko.

His expression clouded, napayuko siya. "Reminiscing 'bout something? Or, someone?" he said coldly.

Hindi ako makapagsalita. Nahalata niya ako. Wala akong ideya kung paano iyon uumpisahan. Nalilito na rin ako, I've been like this for a few days. Ever since I heard Gino's name again, I've been feeling like this... I can't help but think of him.

"A-Ang ibig kong sabihin... May iniisip lang ako." Palusot ko.

He looked at me. "Was it about your, Kuya Yvan?"

Napatanga ako nang mapagtanto ang araw ngayon. Ngayon siya pupunta at hindi pa rin ako handa para roon. My thoughts were immediately clouded, and I was simultaneously imagining what may happen when I was in front of him. Upon thinking about that, I experienced fear once more.

"Is he... r-really coming today?" I'm stuttering.

Prince approached me and held my hands. "He can't hurt you, I'm here, Yshawn."

Nakaupo lang ako sa sofa at balisa habang si Prince naman ay nasa tabi ko, halata ang pag-aalala. Hinihintay namin ang pagdating ni Kuya Yvan, ayoko man sanang gawin ngunit nakababalisang malaman na pupuntahan niya ako para sa ganoong halaga ng pera.

Wala akong maibibigay sa kaniya. Panigurado pa na hindi niya ako tatantanan kung tatakasan ko lang siya. Kaya napag-usapan namin na harapin na lang si Kuya Yvan at sinisigurado naman ni Prince sa akin na hindi niya ako pababayaan.

Noong halos sumapit na ang gabi at sa buong magdamag na pag-aabang ay hindi siya dumating. But I'm not complacent. I'm still disturbed by the possibility that when Prince isn't by my side, ay doon lang siya susulpot. Hindi ko kakayanin iyon.

Hinawakan ni Prince ang kamay ko at napalingon naman ako sa kaniya. "I spoke with the helpers who will pick up your things. You'll soon be able to move."

"Paano kung... m-masundan niya ako?" I stuttered.

Umiling siya at malamyos na sinuklay ang buhok ko. "Don't worry. I made sure the community wouldn't talk about it. Besides, it's confidential to disclose and the place that you're moving to has strict security."

Naipit ko ang mga labi ko at pinag-isipan ang sinabi niya. Tumango na lang ako, naghanda at hindi rin nagtagal ay dumating na iyong mga tutulong sa pagkuha ng mga gamit ko. Isinakay iyon sa tatlong sasakyan at hinatid niya ako sa lilipatan ko.

Nang marating ang lugar ay isa-isa nang ipinasok ang mga gamit ko roon sa magandang bahay. It's not that big, but the security is surprisingly well-good, especially it has too many CCTVs... a high walls and gates. Kahit papaano ay mararamdaman kong ligtas ako.

"Are you fine here?" Prince asked when he sat down next to me. Inabutan niya ako ng tubig na agad ko namang tinanggap.

"Hmm..." Tumango ako. "Salamat."

He smiled sparingly. "I have to go. Just call me if you need anything. You can call me anytime."

I don't want to send him gone, but he needs to go since he has business in his start-up to attend to. He should do well to concentrate more on how to expand his business since it has only recently opened. Knowing na may ganoong concerns pa siya, I don't want to be selfish either.

Nakaalis na siya at ilang oras din akong tulala habang nakahiga sa kama. I wonder what it would be like if those things never happened to me... What would that feel like? Is it peaceful? Wouldn't my life be like this, still hiding in the past and fear?

Ano?

"Ano pala nangyari sa party?" Napaangat ako ng tingin at nakitang inaabutan na ako ni ate Carra noong kape. Inaya niya akong magkape rito sa lobby at natiyempuhan pang marami akong tinatapos na papers at complaints. Tinatapos ko na lang ang mga iyon rito.

"Thank you," aniko at tinanggap iyon. Umupo na siya at nagpatuloy naman ako sa ginagawa.

"Ay, hala siya? Coffee break muna, magpaawat ka naman!" sita niya at napahinto naman ako sa ginagawa.

"H-Ha?" I scratched the back of my neck nang mapagtanto ang pinupunto niya. "Sorry, I'm just a little distracted."

"Obvious nga. Ano ba 'yang ginagawa mo?" tanong niya habang magkasalubong ang mga kilay.

Agad akong napakilos, I turned my laptop in front of her to show what I was doing. "This is the number of administrative concerns I'm finishing."

"Alam ko 'yan, ah?" She cocked her brow.

"Yeah..." I nodded in a sense of agreeing with her. I turned the laptop again, its screen was now in front of me. "Kagabi ko pa 'to tinatapos."

"Ano ka ba, hayaan mo 'yan! And as far as I know, that's not your job! Trabaho 'yan ng kabilang department, ah?"

Napangiti na lang ako ng malabnaw sa sinabi niya. Totoo naman na hindi ko ito trabaho at ibinaba lang ito sa akin. Ang rason ay nakita raw nila ang potential ko pagdating dito, and they can see that I'm careful with my time.

Inalis ko na ang mga daliri ko sa keyboard ng laptop at umupo ng maayos. "H'wag mo na lang intindihin 'yon. Ano nga pala tanong mo kanina?"

She hummed, thinking what I said. Maya-maya pa ay napairap na lang siya at sumimsim ng kape.

"Balita ko napaaga alis niyo ni, sir Prince. Ano nangyari?" maintrigang tanong niya.

When I heard that, my jaw dropped agape. Just a little stretch more, and when I hear rumors about me again, I wish I could have vanished. I can't believe someone else knows about that too. I suspect they have calculated my movement, and their eyes have followed me wherever I went.

"'Can't believe it..." Umiling ako. "They seem to enjoy hearing other people's lives, huh?" Napasimsim na lang ako ng kape.

"Uy, hindi ako kasali ro'n, ah. Narinig ko lang din 'yon." She defends herself.

We both turned to an employee who sat on the other couch. Ate Carra and I looked at each other and I knew immediately what was on her mind... I knew exactly what she was thinking since we were thinking the same thing.

Althea, matagal na rin siyang empleyado rito katulad ni ate Carra and many people are familiar with her attitude. And I knew who was spreading the rumors just by the way ate Carra looking at me. Siya lang din naman ang kilala ko na inimbitahan din sa party.

I smirked. "In twenty-four hours they have time to gossip. Let's say they have the interval to spend it, and the rest of it is for personal time, and the other time is for work, and the other is for gossip again. And so as estimated they wasted about half a day gossiping instead of allocating it to voting for a good president and focusing on a negative social attitude reform."

Nilakasan ko ng kaunti ang boses ko para sadyang iparinig iyon sa kaniya. Maya-maya pa ay narinig namin itong pakunwaring umubo at tumayo paalis. Napasunod na lang din kami ng tingin sa kaniya.

"Uhm..." I turned to look at Ate Cara when I heard her voice. She averted her gaze from me and sneaked into the conversation, she just drank her coffee as if she didn't hear anything. Natamaan din yata sa sinabi ko.

"Never mind, I don't care about those cheaps either." I crossed my arms over my chest. "And yeah, napaaga ang alis 'niya' dahil sa 'kin."

Napaayos siya bigla ng upo. "Ay, talaga? Bakit? Ano nangyari? May nakakita nga rin pala sa inyo ro'n sa garden. Nagyayakapan daw kayo-" Bigla siyang napatakip ng bibig nang mapagtanto ang sinabi.

I closed my eyes tightly and tried to meditate. I exhaled and sipped my coffee. 

Pakunwari naman akong umarte na napapaitan. "Grabe ang tapang!" Padarag kong ibinaba iyon sa table. "Nanununtok!"

"Bakit parang may gigil ka yata?" Pilit ang tawa ni Ate Carra. "Hindi ako ang nagpakalat no'n! Basta hindi ako sabit do'n. Kalma?"

Napasandal na lang ako sa backrest nitong couch. "It's not like that there's thing happened. It's just... there was no malice at all. Just... something bad happened that night. Tinawagan ako ni... Kuya Yvan."

"'Yong adik na 'yon?" Her voice grew louder.

"Pero naayos na. Si Prince ang tumulong sa akin no'n."

She breathed a sigh of relief. "Buti naman. Diyos ko! Kailan ka kaya tatantanan ng kuya mo? Bakit kasi hindi mo pa rin kayang ipakulong 'yan?"

Bigla akong napaisip sa sinabi ni Ate Carra at napailing na lang. Hindi na lang din ako nagsalita pa tungkol doon. My reason remains the same, I'm afraid of fighting my brother and Dad. Sa simpleng galaw nga lang nila ay hindi na ako makakibo and I immediately felt a horror when I heard their voices. That's why I wasn't led to such a thought that I would fight them back.

"Bago ko makalimutan, Yshawn." I let go of the handle of the office door and faced Ate Carra. "No'ng isang araw may pumunta rito, hinahanap ka."

"Nagbigay ba ng pangalan?"

"Hindi, e. Umalis kaagad no'ng pagkasabing-pagkasabi ko na sa Monday pa balik mo."

I nodded slowly, processing what she said. "What does he look like?" I bet I might recognize the person she's talking about when I get an idea of ​​what this person looks like.

"Ay, oo, 'yon nga pala." Lumapit si Ate Carra sa akin. "Ang kulit kasi ng hitsura niya, mukhang hindi nag-aayos kaya ayon napagkamalan ni Althea na pulubi. Tinaboy niya."

Muli na naman akong napailing, wala talagang araw na hindi masama ang ugali niya.

"Did he provide a contact number so I can meet his concerns?"

Ngumiwi ang mukha niya. "Wala rin, e..."

"Okay, kapag bumalik gano'n na lang siguro if ever na hindi niya ulit ako matiyempuhan. Asked him for a contact number."

"Okay..." Tinalikuran na ako ni Ate Carra ngunit nakita ko pa siyang nilingon ako habang naglalakad paalis. "Update mo 'ko kapag sinagot mo na!" impit niyang sabi na inilingan ko lang.

That's exactly how the scene played out. I go to work, and when I'm not working or doing paperwork, I'm conversing with Ate Carra. That has also become a coping mechanism for my excessive thinking. I'm still afraid that Kuya Yvan will return kaya nililibang ko na lang ang sarili ko sa trabaho.

But, as time passed, I became complacent. For some reason, ay wala na akong nakitang mukha niya. Even my phone was silent, as opposed to before when it was constantly flooded with his menacing messages. I want to ask how it happened, but I'd rather be happy that he's no longer bothering me.

Months passed and I couldn't seem to get over my sadness. Many things occurred to me that even caused me to question my profession. Sa una ay masaya ako na malayo-layo na rin ang narating ko ngunit tila hindi pa rin iyon sapat para mawala ang bigat dito sa dibdib ko. It is heavy, and it also leaves me feeling empty at times.

Hindi ba dapat maging masaya ako dahil hindi ko na iniisip ang pera? My time is paid and if I'm willing to work hard I will be rewarded fairly. I should be content with my profession, yet it seems that I don't... It seems that I'm still in a place full of questions.

I still feel like I'm stuck in the cycle of questions... Tama ba na ganito na lang ako?

Yes, Prince was there for me, who always reminded me of the value of doing business. He was also the one who encouraged me to create something for myself, which is good because it also ensures my well-being in the future. Whenever we're together, that's what he always talks about, money... money, money... and it seems that's where my life will run.

"When your business becomes successful... what if you open another branch in Visayas? I know a place where customers will undoubtedly flock to your business," he said to me as soon as we sat down.

He took me to his favorite restaurant, and I still haven't told him that I don't like being here. The food tastes odd, particularly one of his favorites, ginger pork, which he always orders because he thinks that I like it which I don't. It's salty and unpleasant to eat. But I can't tell that to him, because I don't want to hurt him.

"Hmm, yeah. That's a good idea, too," I just said.

"I know right... I'm happy that you trusted me with this matter, Yshawn." He's still the same, with the same big smile at me... He'll never forget to show it. "I will do my best to help."

"Thank you." I smiled tiredly.

"So, what are your thoughts? Should I call an assistant to find sites in Visayas? I'll just provide you with the data after that." He smiled. Masyado siyang advance.

But I just nodded to what he said.

"Uhm, Prince, can you ask for the menu first? I'm starving."

"Ah! Y-Yeah, sure. Sure," he said and firmly nodded at my request. He feigned a laugh and gestured to the waiter. "Where are we?"

That was the only subject we discussed that day. As time passes, I begin to see the differences between I and Prince. He prefers things that I do not, and I often find myself unable to keep up with his interests. There's nothing wrong with it, but I admit that I can't help but compare him to Gino.

Sinusubukan kong kalimutan ang lahat tungkol sa amin ni Gino pero parati akong natatalo ng kahit kaunting detalye na mapagpapaalala sa kaniya. And to be sure, I'm also doing my best to get to know Prince better and appreciate his efforts. Maybe I'm just being carried away by the weight I feel, which is why my decisions are messed up.

The day came again when I sat in the lobby in a daze, I can't make up my mind. Maya-maya pa ay nagising ako nang marinig ang alingawngaw ng boses mula roon sa counter. Napatayo kaagad ako at nilapitan ang gulo. It was Althea and the guards but I don't know the person she's yelling at.

"Hinipuan niya 'ko!" Sumbong ng babae sa mga ito. Punong-puno ng galit ang kaniyang mukha habang dinuduro ang lalaking nakatalikod sa akin. "Paalisin niyo 'yan! Napaka bastos!"

Lumapit kaagad ang mga guard sa lalaki at hinawakan ang magkabilang braso nito. Marahang pumipiglas naman ang lalaki sa ginagawa ng mga ito sa kaniya.

When I observed his appearance, what Ate Carra said to me immediately registered in my mind... May lalaking naghahanap sa akin noon at ganitong-ganito ang lahat ng mga dinescribe niya sa lalaking nasa harapan ko.

I stopped the guards and they faced me, but the man had no face to show, he just bowed his head. "What exactly happened?" I asked Althea.

"Ayan! 'Yang manyak na 'yan, hinipuan ako ro'n sa elevator! Tinake advantage niya pa 'ko dahil siksikan do'n sa loob!"

"How?" I only posed a simple question, but it still made her brows furrow.

"Really? Tatanungin mo pa 'ko kung pa'no? You won't even bring that pervert out right now?" She laughed for no reason, and when I didn't respond and kept staring at her, she put herself together. "Okay, fine! While I was standing in the corner, I felt his hand on my thigh. Ano, maniniwala ka na ba?"

"I didn't say I don't believe you... I was just trying to make things more clear," I simply said before facing the man. He couldn't look at me and it was obvious that he kept his face away from me. "Excuse me. Kung ano man po ang concern niyo, sir... hindi po namin kayo matutulungan dahil sa ginawa niyo sa isa sa mga empleyado po. And base sa ginawa niyo, pwede po kayong makasuhan ng-"

"She's lying," he said cutting me off and I suddenly lost my train of thought when I heard his voice.

*****