M A X E N E

Sinundo ako ni Pierre matapos ng late afternoon shoot ko, he knows my schedule and it's been quite a while since we see each other after the gala. I wanted to ask what keeps him busy the past few days, like any good fiance does, but every time I give interest to his life, he either would tell me that it's not my business or it's nothing I should be concerned about.

Nagpa-book siya ng dinner for two sa isang five star restaurant, kaya makakapag hapunan ako ng mas maaga aga ngayon.

"This is nice." I complimented him after the waiter took our order. He just chuckled. "I didn't expect that this is a dinner date."

"Well, kailangan kong bumawi sa iyo, ilang araw din noong huli tayong nagkita." he says with a familiar humor in his voice.

"So speaking of that last meeting," I paused observing him, "Hindi mo ba ako papagalitan?"

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay at patay malisyang nagkibit balikat. "What are you talking about?"

A firm line forms at my lips, "Well if you're going to pretend like nothing had happened, I want you to know that I'm sorry I snapped." I admitted, "Ayoko lang talaga na minamaliit ako ng ganoon sa harapan ng mga taong hindi ko kilala." I sighed, "Kahit na alam ko naman na kailangan kong makisabay sa unti-unting pagbabago sa mundo ko dahil nga ikaw na ang makakasama ko simula ngayon."

He keeps silent as he observes my reaction.

"Ayoko lang na magkaproblema tayo, iyon lang naman." I added.

"So iyon ba ang iniisip mo?" He asks with an amused reaction and curiosity obvious on his face.

"Oo, eh ano pa ba ang dapat kong isipin?" A firm line forms at my lips.

"I don't know..." he's trying to read my thoughts, "Maybe after seeing your ex, you're still affected by him?"

I shake my head as I put up a smile, "Ano ka ba, past is past." I paused, "You're not jealous are you?" I teased him as I started to see how his reaction changed.

"It depends on the context." Matipid niyang sagot na para bang may ibig sabihin pa siya sa likod ng mga salitang iyon.

I feel a sudden awkwardness between us. "What do you mean by-"

"What if I'm just being protective of you Maxene?" He cut me before I could finish my question.

"Wala ka naman dapat ikabahala sa kung anong meron tayo Pierre, my loyalty is with you." I tell him with certainty, isa pa, I have to make this arrangement work.

"Ayoko lang masaktan ka dahil lang sa para siyang multo ng nakaraan mo na biglang sumulpot na lang matapos ng ilang buwan." he says with a friendly approach. "Kung alam ko lang na magpapakita siya sa party na iyon, edi sana nagawan ko ng paraan para hindi mo siya makita."

I'm flattered seeing how he is overprotective of me like I'm his family, no wonder why Addy is protective of her brother too.

"Don't worry Pierre," I tell him with a small smile. "Ilang buwan mo rin akong tinulungan na makalimutan siya, tapos dahil lang sa sumulpot siya bigla, magpapa-apekto ako sa kanya?." I dismissed the funny idea and uttered, "Forgetting is a choice, right?"

Forgetting him is my choice.

He smiled like he's proud of me, "That's my girl."

I say nothing as I fix the table napkin on my lap.

"By the way, I'm sorry for being absent the past few days." He opens up a conversation, "But I'm thankful that you keep me posted about your affairs."

"Kasama sa usapan natin iyon, hindi ba?" I paused, "Para kapag tinanong ka ng Daddy mo, alam mo ang isasagot mo." I sighed, "Ayoko naman na madismaya siya sa iyo."

He shakes his head with a smile on his face, "Nasasakal ka ba sa set-up natin?"

His question took me aback, "No, of course not. I don't mind." I don't mind at all.

"You're a bad liar Maxene." Nakapangalumbaba niyang sambit sa reaksyon ko.

I shrugged just to dismiss his thoughts, "I wouldn't want to disappoint you, ganoon na lang."

"Oo o hindi lang naman ang tanong." Pilyo niyang banat sa akin. "We're friends, you can tell me anything."

"All I know is, I'm not allowed to feel that emotion anymore." I say and notice something new in his eyes that I can't describe, "All my life, the more I act as myself, the more I am being suppressed by the world around me." I shrugged indifferently, "Siguro, sanayan na lang, plus iniisip ko na lang, respeto ko na sa partner ko ang sundin ang mga demands niya."

"So, you see me as your partner?" His voice is almost amused.

"Well, we're partners right?" I say with a smile on my face. "Plus we're in this arrangement, we should at least get along."

"Hindi ka naman napipilitan sabihin iyan sa akin?"

I shake my head, "No, why would you say that?"

He shrugged, "I know that sometimes, I can be an ass to you. It even took us a while to be friends with one another, tapos napunta pa tayo sa ganitong arrangement."

"I'm not going to ask you to change for me, Pierre." I tell him, "Tanggap ko naman kung ano ka, kahit minsan inis ako sa ugali mo." I tell him with candor since hearing him know his flaws already gave me a hint that I should reply with an honest answer. "I simply respect who you are, even if you don't demand it from me, kusa namang ibinibigay ang respeto sa tao, it's just a matter of give and take."

"But what if there are no givers, there are just takers?" He asks me as if he is giving me a riddle.

"Hindi rin naman mawawala ang mga ganoong tao." I said almost disappointingly, "Naturally, people simply act the way they are or the way they were taught." I smiled at him, "I always believe that everyone is born a blank canvas," I stated, "The colors within the canvas represents how one's life can be affected by one another," I tell him as I see him looking at me like an attentive child.

"Eh paano kung limitado lang ang mga pintura na ibinigay sa iyo?" He asks with a ray of desolation in his eyes, "Paano ka makakabuo ng isang larawan na gusto mo para sa sarili mo?"

"Sometimes, we may be restricted to pick what color we want in our life, but that doesn't mean we can't mix one color and another to achieve what we really want in the first place, right?" I say as I see a sudden spark in his eyes as if what I said suddenly gave him clarity.

"Alam mo, kakaiba ka rin talaga mag-isip."

I said nothing but shrugged and giggled. I noticed someone waving in my direction and seeing his face made me smile since I got to see him with his boyfriend...in public. "Hey there girlfriend, it's been a while." Bati sa akin ni Cyriel na kakatayo lang ata galing sa table nila.

"Hey there Cy." Nakipagbeso ako sa kanya at binati rin ang binatang kasama niya. "You must be Simon, tama ba ako?" He looks good, though he is a little taller than Cyriel. Hindi ko naman inakala na pasok sa category si Simon sa samahan ng mga tall dark and handsome guys. Nakita ko naman kung paano mag-holding hands ang dalawa sa harapan ko, kaya napahampas ako kay Cyriel. "Congratulations on being completely out."

"Hay nako, GF, hindi rin naman madali ang maging malaya, kung kailan nag-out ako, may mga tao man na suportado ako sa pag-amin ko sa totoong pagkatao ko, madami rin ang nang-bash sa akin kasi matagal-tagal ko din daw pinaniwala sa tao na lalaki ako."

"Bashers will always be there, as long as you're not doing anything wrong towards anybody, why mind what they say, right?" I commented with a smile, "Alam mo naman ang ibang tao, hindi open minded."

"Nako, tama ka dyan Maxene." Side comment ni Simon, "Lagi ko ngang pinapa-alalahanan itong si Cy na huwag magpa-apekto sa sinasabi ng iba."

"Alam mo kasi, ikaw lang din ang iniisip ko." Cyriel admitted bashfully.

"At kaligayahan mo lang din ang iniisip ko. Kaya quits lang tayo." Banat pabalik sa kanya ni Simon na dahilan kung bakit parang nahiya siya sa harapan ko.

Napansin nilang dalawa ang kasama ko sa table kaya pinakilala ko na rin sa kanila si Pierre, "He's my fiance," I look at Pierre and introduce Cyriel and his boyfriend, "Si Cyriel yung co-model ko growing up and of course, Simon."

He said nothing but just nodded acknowledging their presence. Looking back at Cyriel I can almost see confusion in his eyes yet instead he asked me anything about it, he just smiled at me.

Ibang fiance pala ang kilala niya.

"We'll go ahead so you can enjoy your dinner." Simon says, "Nice to finally see Maxene's fiance in person and congratulations with your engagement."

I look back at Pierre and see him amused by Simon's reaction.

"Gogora na nga kami, daldal mo talaga Mon kahit kailan." Nahihiyang sambit ni Cyriel at hinila na paalis si Simon mula sa table namin ni Pierre.

"Well for sure I'm not the fiance that he's talking about." Pilyong sambit ni Pierre.

"Nandoon din si Cyriel sa debut ko." I don't know why I have to say it, I just don't want to make this awkward between us.

"I didn't notice that he's gay."

"Well, we have our own cages." I tell him, "Not being accepted by your family because of your sexuality also cages you from who you really are." I paused looking at him, "Ilang taon din itinago ni Cyriel ang katotohanan na iyon sa pamilya niya kahit mahirap, lalong lalo na sa tatay niya. Noong tinutukso ako sa kanya kasi nga halos sabay kaming lumaki sa trabaho, sinasakyan niya lang kasi iyon ang gustong makita ng mga magulang niya, lalo na ng tatay niya."

"So na-link ka rin pala sa kanya?"

"I can't say that. We're models, that's all, but I see him as my big brother." I tell him, "Wala kasi akong kuya, kaya ang magkaroon ng kuya sa katauhan ni Cyriel ay talaga namang ipinagpapasalamat ko. Gusto ko kasi talaga magkaroon ng kuya." I giggled.

"Kahit na bakla siya?" There's a little mockery in his voice as I dismissed him.

"Gay or not, he is a good person and that's what matters." I tell him almost defending Cyriel, "Mahirap kay Cyriel tanggapin ang katotohanan na iyon sa kanya, pero bago ka matanggap ng ibang tao, dapat mas tanggap mo rin ang sarili mo. Tulad na lang ng sinabi ko kanina," I paused, "We are a blank canvas, and how we paint ourselves a picture, will always be up to us. The colors were there, but it will always be our choice whether we'll stick to the colors that are given to us, or make something just to achieve what we really wanted in the first place."

"Good argument Maxene." He muttered, almost sounding melancholic. I wanted to ask him why, but our dinner arrived just in time and I am hungry. Maybe that's why I got a little cranky. Napadami rin ang daldalan naming dalawa simula ng dumating kami dito sa restaurant.

We enjoyed our dinner together until he took me home.

"Angel." He called my nickname right before I could enter the door to my house.

"Ngayon mo na lang ako ulit tinawag sa nickname ko ah?" I teased and saw him approaching me with uncertainty in his eyes. "May problema ba?"

He put out something from his pocket, a small box. But he didn't open it in front of me, "I'm not rushing you, but just so you know, if you take this, I wouldn't let anyone come near you and when you do wear this, you have to sign the prenup for formality."

"Teka, ano bang meron?" I couldn't keep my curiosity any longer but still I can see worry in his eyes as if he is having second thoughts about what he has to say to me.

"Nagkausap kami ni Travis matapos ng gala."

"Oh, eh tapos?"

"Sa totoo lang, hindi ko alam kung paano ko sasabihin sa iyo, ng hindi ka masasaktan." He paused looking at me with precaution.

I get it that he is worried about me, but what's the worst I couldn't handle? I've been through hell and back anyway. "Hay, ayoko ng paputol-putol Pierre, sabihin mo na lang sa akin lahat."

"Inaalala ko lang kasi ang magiging epekto nito sa iyo, kaya dina-dahan dahan ko, hindi rin naman biro ang mga nalaman ko tungkol sa totoong motibo niya noong kayo pa ang naka-arrange sa isa't-isa." Katwiran niya sa akin at kita naman sa mga mata niya na nag-aalala siya para sa akin.

Mas lalo akong nacurious sa kung ano ang gusto niyang ipahiwatig sa akin.

"But it's best if you hear this to yourself and you decide what's best for you. You are entitled to do yourself a favor after this and whatever your decision is, I'll support you." He handed me a small SD card. "It's late, take your rest and good night." He said with a smile and gave me a warm hug.

Before I went to bed, I opened the box that Pierre gave me and saw a ring. Hindi ko pa alam kung bakit hindi niya ito ibinigay sa akin kanina, kaya ba siya nagyaya ng dinner date, dahil magpopropose siya sa akin?

Well, hindi na naman na ako aangal pa, pero ano ang ikinakabahala niya?

I inserted the SD card to my laptop and opened an audio recording file.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong paghandaan pero dahil sa hindi ako matahimik, alam ko sa sarili ko na kung ano man ang laman nito, dapat malaman ko.

"You're not supposed to be here Travis." That's Pierre's voice.

"I'm not even here for you guys. I was here for Monique. I was her date." That was his voice. His proud and arrogant voice.

"Kayo na agad?" That's Gerard's curious tone and I just hear him laughing at him like he heard a joke from his friends. "Pero Travis, hindi ba, sabi mo dati--"

"I just needed someone to trigger Monique." He confessed to his friends, "Maxene is nothing but someone who'll do that job for me. Ayos ba?" His voice is almost unfriendly as I feel a sudden lump in my throat, "Kailangan ko pa siya noon, kaya kailangan ko pa siyang maniwala sa akin. Besides, you guys know that I hate immature girls, though I have to say, napakadaling niyang paikutin, bola-bolahin mo lang siya, makukuha mo siya agad."

Who is this person? Ito ba ang taong nakilala ko dati?

Ito pa ba ang taong minahal ko dati?

"Are you really?" That's Pierre's voice again.

"Parang hindi niyo naman ako kilala, besides, me and Maxene won't be arranged if she didn't picked me in the first place. I just played along since I have to act nice because her ex dumped her, she's that pathetic. Kung alam niyo lang kung gaano sumakit ang ulo ko sa babaeng iyan, kung hindi lang dahil sa reputasyon ko at sa paalala ng Mommy niya, malamang pinabayaan ko na yang babaeng iyan, I'm just glad that I was able to get rid of her."

So these were his thoughts all these time. I bit my lip as I held back my tears, I'm not going to cry for him anymore. I had enough.

"Eh paano yung nalaglag ninyong anak?" Muling tanong ni Pierre sa kanya.

"How sure are you that it was mine?" His answer caused a tear to fall from my eye as I felt something in my chest start to break from the inside out.

"Paano pala kung kay Mihara ang batang iyon? Si Maxene nga ang laging naghahabol kay Mihara. Hindi rin imposible iyon dahil may mga panahon rin naman na nagkikita silang dalawa. I had my fun, so I have nothing to lose."

Tila namanhid ang buong sistema ko, hindi ko alam kung bakit wala akong maramdaman kundi bigat sa dibdib ko ang marinig kung paano niya sagutin ang katanungan ng mga kaibigan niya.

Ano ba ang ginawa ko sa kanya para gawin niya sa akin ito?

Kahit ba sabihin ko sa kanya dati ang totoo, hindi siya maniniwala sa akin? Iniisip ba niya kay Kenzo ang dinadala ko dati?

Kung nalaman ba niya, ano ang magiging reaksyon niya, tatanggapin ba niya o tatanggihan niya ako dahil pagkakamali na may mabuo sa aming dalawa?

Pagkakamali ba si Hope para sa kanya?

Pero ano yung mga pangako niya sa akin dati, ano na lang yung pinagsamahan namin dati?

'Me and Maxene won't be arranged if she didn't pick me in the first place.' Those are his words. Totoo naman, kung hindi siya ang pinili ko, hindi naman siya ang ma-iaarrange sa akin.

Pero kasi...

Fuck, why is the truth this damn painful? What did I do to deserve this?

Hanggang huli, masakit? Bakit umasa ako?

Why did I let myself fall in love with someone like him?

Ang tigas kasi ng ulo Maxene! I blamed myself as I cried my heart out for the last time.

I regret meeting you.

I hope I didn't meet you.

I regret loving you.

If I could turn back time, I wouldn't have picked you.

I hate you Travis! I wish we hadn't met!

ONE MORNING CAME and I suddenly feel that I wake up as a different person. Tulad ng sinabi ni Pierre dati, kailangan ko sanayin ang sarili ko sa sakit para mamanhid na ang puso ko.

Gabi-gabi man ako umiyak matapos ko marinig ang naging usapan nila ni Travis, pero ngayon, parang may kung anong switch sa utak ko na nagpapaalala sa akin na: lahat ng kung anong meron kami ni Travis dati ay naikot lang sa naging arrangement namin, no more, no less. Emotions tend to betray one person's heart and I let him betray mine.

I was his willing victim and I get it all now.

I learned my lesson the hard way, this time, I know I have to harden my heart, for the truth is stranger than fiction. I should grow up from my fantasies that there won't be a prince charming that would climb at my tower and save me with a true love's kiss and we'll live happily ever after, because that's all bullshit.

This time, the princess should learn how to fight to keep her heart safe and secured, for love failed her twice already, love is fiction.

I did my routine before heading out of my room. I'm not sure when I started to organize my day, but whatever happens today, will be all according to how I make my day.

"Good Morning Maxene." Mom greeted me as I gave her a small smile.

"Nauna na po ba sila Trix at Maxwell sa school?" I asked after kissing her cheek, I noticed my sibling's untouched plates. "Si Dad po?"

"Yung mga kapatid mo, may programme daw sa school kaya maaga umalis, ang Daddy mo naman, nag-out of town kasama si Senator." Mom answered me as I ate in silence. "Maxene what's that in your-"

"Nagpropose na po si Pierre sa akin, Mom." I tell her, ilang araw din ang nakalipas ng ibigay niya sa akin ang singsing na ito, kaya sinuot ko na, "I'm going to sign the prenup soon."

Mom looked at me in disbelief, "Pinilit ka ba niya tungkol dito?"

I shake my head, "I am the one who wore it myself, Mom." Totoo naman.

"Maxene--"

"This is what's best for me, Mom, for us. It's like hitting two birds in one stone." I tell her, as refined as I am supposed to be, "This is my decision, Mom."

"May nangyari ba Maxene?" My mom's voice is a little worried. "Akala ko ba ang usapan ninyo, after graduation niya, tsaka kayo magiging official?"

"Eh doon din naman po ang kahahantungan ng arrangement namin, bakit pa po namin ito patatagalin?" I say impassively. "We're already dating anyway, so it's just normal for us to end up being together, besides, it's what most likely the talk of the people." I chuckled inwardly trying to humor the situation, "Daig ko pa po ata ang prinsesa ng royal family tungkol sa balitang ito, Mom. Pero sanay na naman po ako, kaya huwag na po kayo mag-alala pa."

I see my mom gulped as if she couldn't believe what she's seeing. I put up a smile in front of her, "Don't worry Mom, I'm okay." I tell her as my phone vibrates, "I have to go Mom." I kissed her cheek and headed out.

After my shoot, I went inside the coffee shop and ordered myself some coffee but an unexpected person caught my attention, as she received my order.

So Monique is still working here?

"Frappuccino. To go." That's all I have to say to her as she gives me the receipt and change. "Keep it." I told her and left but she ran after me.

"Sukli mo Maxene."

"I didn't even tell you my name, bakit napaka feeling close mo naman ata? Ganyan ka ba sa customers mo?" Tiningnan ko siya mula ulo hanggang paa.

"I'm just doing my job." She replied with a small smile on her face. "Sobra kasi ang bayad mo sa akin, kaya tama lang na ibigay ko sayo ang sukli mo." Dagdag niya pa na akala mo ang bait bait niyang tao.

"Tip." I say with a smirked, "Tip ko na lang sayo yan." I see how her expression changed as if I just insulted her. I was about to walk away but she's persistent to stop me, na dahilan kung bakit natapon yung frappuccino ko. "Now look what you've done? Thanks to you, I lost my coffee." I say rolling my eyes at her, "Bakit ba hindi ka na lang maging thankful at naging galante ako sa iyo?" I raised her an eyebrow. "Isn't it normal for you to receive a nice tip?"

"Igagawa na lang kita ulit ng kape." Mahinahon niyang sagot sa akin.

"Huwag na. Waste of time." I say with annoyance. "I don't have all day to chat with you."

"Miss Campbell," the manager approached me trying to calm me down, "I'm sorry for the inconvenience-"

"Hindi na lang ako babalik dito, kung palpak naman ang mga staff ninyo." I declared, but the manager is trying her best to make amends with me yet I am dismissing her argument as if she doesn't make sense to me. I turned my back on them and right when I did, I saw him looking at me across the parking lot, maybe he's waiting for her. I don't care, magsama sila.

I pretended that I didn't see him as I walked past the insignificant Travis Hayes.

Hinding hindi na talaga ako babalik sa coffee shop na iyon! Bwisit!

After Pierre's class he invited me to go to the bar since it's been a while since I last bonded with the boys. "Nag-out of town kasi si Dad, kaya maluwag tayo ngayon."

"So, kaya ba hindi kayo nag-geget together ng tropa mo sa bar, dahil sa ayaw mong mapuna iyon ng Daddy mo?" I teased him and he just chuckled playfully.

He holds my hand, "You're finally wearing it." His voice is pleased looking at the jewelry in my finger with pride.

"Why not." I say and he chuckled as if my reaction amuses him, "Isa pa, I'm over it." I told him and he immediately knew what I meant.

"That's my girl," His smile widened and traced my face like a soft feather. "You're making the right choice Maxene." He uttered next to my ear.

"Hala sila, may moment kayo, guys?" Tukso sa amin ni Joshua at inakbayan naman ako ni Pierre.

"Dahil nandito ka na, moment's over." Sagot naman ni Pierre sa kaibigan.

"Dahil ngayon na lang tayo ulit nagkasama sama, libre naman diyan Ge!" Tukso ni Joshua kay Gerard at napansin ko naman na may panghihinayang sa mga mata ni Gerard.

"May problema ba?" I asked him.

"Wala, sayang lang wala si Edie." Nahihiyang kwento niya, "Busy sa thesis."

I just gave him an uncommitted nod, "Ganun talaga iyon, support ka na lang."

He said nothing but chuckled.

"Woah, totoo ba iyan?" Muling tukso ni Joshua sa akin at napatingin kay Pierre, "Engaged na kayo?"

Pierre just smiled and shrugged.

"Hoy pre, bakit hindi mo man lang sinabi sa amin?" Muling tukso sa kanya ni Joshua.

"I like to keep things private." He looks at me with a smile, "Wala namang masama doon, hindi ba?"

"Ang bilis naman, but I'm happy for you guys." Gerard muttered with a half hearted smile.

"Congratulations on your engagement." Said by the new person approached our booth with a drink in his hand. He looks like a different person, far from the guy I saw in the gala and in the parking lot of that coffee shop.

There are few stubbles of hair noticeable on his face. His hair is a little messed up but still he had that annoying, smug and provoking demeanor.

"What a pleasant surprise." Pierre acknowledged his presence, "Are you even invited to be here?" He teased him and I saw him chuckled as if he didn't mind.

"I'm just around the area," Pilyo niyang banat sa mga kaibigan niya. "Matagal tagal rin noong huli tayo magkasama, hindi niyo ba namimiss?" Tiningnan niya ang mga kaibigan niya pero hindi makatingin sa kanya sila Joshua at Gerard.

I look at Pierre with a small smile telling him, "Don't worry, if you're thinking about me, I don't mind."

"See, even your fiance didn't mind." He seconded as if he was mocking me. Hindi ko maiwasan umismid. Bwisit. "Cheers!" He says raising his glass as he looks at his friends, "Josh, Ge, ang cold ninyo ha?" He teases.

"Travis, bakit ka ba nandito?" A ray of discontent is obvious in Joshua's voice.

"Masama bang makita ko kayo ulit matapos ng ilang buwan?" He says smiling at them, "Ni hindi niyo man lang ako bini-"

"Bakit hindi mo kasama si Moe?" Pagpuna ni Pierre bago pa natapos ni Travis ang dapat niya sabihin sa mga kaibigan niya.

Travis chuckled, raising his eyebrow and smiled with pride, "What should I say, she's not clingy."

"Well, hindi ba dapat ngayon mas kasama mo ang girlfriend mo? Tutal sanay na naman kami na wala ka sa tuwing may get together ang tropa." Muling banat sa kanya ni Pierre.

"Ang gulo niyo rin ano?" He laughs as if his friend's reaction amuses him, "Noong may girlfriend ako," He looks at my direction not minding my fiance's presence, which made me feel a little bit uncomfortable, "Gusto ninyo, lagi niyo akong kasama, tapos kung kailan maluwag sa akin ang girlfriend ko, ayaw niyo naman akong kasama. Dinaig mo pa ang babae sa pagiging moody Pierre." He says, shaking his head.

"Dude." Gerard reprimanded him but he just messed with his hair.

"Real talk lang naman." Travis tells him, "We're cool, right P?" He eyes on Pierre again.

"Things changed." Pierre answered him with a little hint of admonition.

"After what changed?" He eyes on him.

"I'm just respecting Maxene's feelings now." Pierre defended me on my behalf and I smiled at him.

Travis laughed at him, "Biruin mo, marunong ka rin pala magbigay ng respeto sa kapwa mo? Akala ko kasi lagi mong idinedemand iyon sa iba."

"Enough Travis." Joshua warns him.

"Maybe he's just drunk." I mocked him as he met my gaze. "Kapag ang tao nalalasing, hindi nila alam kung ano ang sinasabi nila. Nakakailang baso ka na ba Travis?"

He laughed at me like I told him the funniest joke he heard in his life.

"Clown ka rin, ano Max?" he says sarcastically, "Sa bagay, artista ka, kaya sanay na sanay ka na sa tungkulin mong patawanin ang mga tao."

Nakakairita talaga ang pagmumukha niya!

I can say that he is drunk. Maybe he is really drunk. Sinungaling talaga kahit kailan, 'mataas ang tolerance ko sa alcohol', bullshit!

"Remind me again, why are you here?" I smiled in front of him as he looked at the people around me.

"Why wouldn't I, they're my friends." He looks at the three people in the booth, "Right guys?"

"Lasing ka ata Travis?" May pag-aalala at pag-aalinlangan sa boses ni Gerard.

"Naalala ko yan," natatawang sambit niya sa kaibigan, "Basta ang alam ko, hindi naman ako nalalasing, pwera noong gabing iyon." He looks at Pierre pointing his finger at him, "Naaalala mo ba iyon Pierre?"

"I'm not sure what you're talking about." Matipid na sagot sa kanya ng kanyang kaibigan.

"Of course you wouldn't, because you perfectly orchestrated that prank, right?" Nakangiting sambit ni Travis sa kaibigan.

"Tama na, bro." Saway ni Joshua kay Travis na pilit siyang inaalis sa booth, pero hindi nagpatinag si Travis sa kanya.

"Na-kwento niyo na ba kay Max iyon?" Natatawang tanong niya kay Joshua at hinarap ako, "Malakas kasi mantrip talaga tong mga ito eh."

"Siguro sa ibang araw na lang tayo ulit mag-get together." Matipid na sambit ni Pierre at niyaya na akong umalis.

Pero bago pa man kami makaalis ng booth, "Tanong ko lang Pierre, sino ang nag drive sa akin noong gabing wala akong malay? I'm sure hindi si Monique ang nagdrive sa akin pauwi ng gabi na huli tayong nag-inom."

"I'm not sure what you're talking about." I'm not sure whether Pierre is trying his best to maintain his cool in front of me or he is anxious of what Travis might say towards him.

"Okay," Travis says uninterestedly shrugging his shoulders, "I might forgive you from that first prank, but the second one really is something I didn't expect."

"Travis, ano ba?" Angil sa kanya ni Joshua. "Enough!"

"Let's just leave Maxene." Pierre muttered as if everything wasn't happening according to his plan.

"Sana Pierre, kung ipapabugbog mo ako, siguraduhin mong hindi na ako magigising." Travis taunts him. "Kasi, lintik lang ang walang ganti." His voice is sharp as if he is giving him a dreadful warning. He stared at Pierre waiting for him to look back and by the time he got the reaction he expected, he grinned.

Pierre approached Travis looking at him eye to eye, "Is that a threat?"

"Are you threatened?" Travis held his chin up looking down at him as if provoking his friend pleases him.

"You may not know who you are talking to Travis." Pierre talks with a strong authority like Senator Valentine.

"Are you even sure who you're dealing with?" Travis tilts his head beside as if he is amused by Pierre's reaction. "I'm pretty sure after this, you'll send someone to beat my ass up again, that's just so you." Kumunot ang noo niya at kita naman sa mukha niya na natutuwa siyang asarin si Pierre, "Bakit, dahil may hindi na naman nasunod sa plano mo?"

"So this is your play, what for?" Pierre impatiently asks him back, "To win back Maxene?"

"That's a waste of time," he scoffs dismissing the idea, "Wala naman akong pakialam sa ugnayan ninyo ni Maxene," mariin niyang sambit, "This is just between you and me."

I'm not sure how to intervene. Wala naman akong idea na may away ang dalawang ito. Hindi rin naman nagkukwento sa akin si Pierre. Though, alam ko rin naman na ayokong humingi ng updates tungkol dito sa kaibigan niya na ito. Pero-

''Dahil sa iyo, kinailangan niyang putulin ang ugnayan niya sa taong pinakamalapit sa kanya.' Bigla kong naalala ang mga sinabi sa akin ni Addy noon sa gala, ito ba ang ibig niyang sabihin? Anong kinalaman ko sa away nilang dalawa? Totoo bang nagawang ipabugbog ni Pierre si Travis? Ano ba ang naging gulo sa pagitan nilang dalawa na kailangan pang humantong sa ganoon ang lahat?

He is his close friend, why would he do that to him?

"Mabuti ng maliwanag, dahil respeto na lang sa fiance ko." Pierre declared in front of him. "Hindi rin naman biro ang ginawa mo sa kanya."

Travis chuckled and smirked at him, "What exactly did I do?" Patay malisya niyang tanong. Nakalimutan na ba ng gago na ito ang ginawa niya sa akin? Kapal talaga ng mukha ng taong 'to!

Pierre narrowed his eyes on him with a smile and walked towards me, it caught me by surprise that he grabbed my waist pulling me close and kissed me in front of them. It's fast, it's almost hostile, it scares me and he immediately faced him with pride.

"She's over you, Travis." I'm not sure why Pierre had to tell him those words and the jerk just laughed.

"Fact: You are not the only one who kissed that woman's mouth." he says indifferently as if he is telling his friend that he has nothing to be proud of. "You're just another person in the line." he speaks with pride, Pierre shakes his head scoffing, "You're just second to me." I looked at him furiously and approached him.

Nagdilim ang paningin ko at pinabayaan ko ang sarili ko na ilabas ang lahat ng naipon kong galit sa kanya.

I slapped him in front of his friends with all of my wrath. "Fuck you Travis!"

His eyes slowly meet mine as his eyes hide from his bangs, "I hate you." He said nothing but smirked at me. His eyes were blank and I'm not going to waste my time contemplating whatever he has to say or what he is thinking right now, but I'm not yet done, "You are the biggest mistake I made in my life."

I'm going to stand with pride. I'm doing myself a huge favor and won't allow him to step on my dignity. "I. Regretted. Knowing. You."