-Jenna-

"I'll fucking kill him! He's getting into my nerves!"

"Dad, please. Lower your voice." I rolled my eyes.

And I immediately regret it when I said those words because I already found myself getting chocked by my own father. I was trying so hard to take his hands away from my neck pero ayaw niya ako bitawan.

"You bitch! Stop blabbing! You don't know how irritated I am right now! So shut up!" He shouted so loud and tighten his choke on my neck, and I feel like I'm going faint already.

"Tito!"

Dad immediately let go of me when he heard Makki's voice, and I sat down on the floor while catching my breath. I was coughing so hard!

Makki just looked at me, before holding Dad to take him away from me. He didn't even helped me to stand up.

Well, what do I expect? Heartless Family.

I include myself for being heartless, because I just let them use my sister as a bait or what they call her for their mission! They made her die because of that fucking place! The underground!

I wanna burn that place down.

Because of the Silveria's money. Dad was ready to anything just to get those money, even their company. All of the things that belong to the Silverias he want to get it. He want the money.

Because of being blinded with money, he don't treat me as his daughter anymore. His always hurting me and blaming me of his failed missions, I never helped them for their fucking mission.

I don't wanna be bad as them. Makki was never like that, but Dad influenced him to be. And just like Dad, he was also blinded by money already.

A happy family, isn't?

***

-Alisha-

"Ano, Max? Car race na ba?"

"Anong car race?! Aalagaan ko yung kotse ko, no!" inirapan ko si Meagan dahil sa sinabi niya sakin.

"Sana all inaalagaan!" comment pa ni Mikka na naka-upo sa kabilang sofa. Nandito kasi kami ngayon sa bahay, syempre gabi pa rin.

Iniwan ko kasi agad si Leon pagkatapos niya ako halikan ng walang permission! It was so awkward to stay there so I went outside, buti nalang at nandito pa sila Mikka.

Kira and Vivian already went home, dun daw matutulog si Vivi sa palasyo ni Kira habang si Sean naman ay sa bahay daw talaga nila matutulog dahil baka ma bored lang daw siya dun sa dalawa. Sia and the others went home too after the incident happened.

"Asher-" sisigaw palang sana si Ashely pero mabilis na naka-lapit si Mikka kay Ashely at tinakpan ang bibig nito.

"Manahimik ka nga! Wala siyang kinalaman dito!" sabi pa ni Mikka at hindi pa rin tinatanggal ang kamay sa bibig ni Ashley.

"Di 'ba kayo na? Nabalitaan ko lang!" tanong ni Meagan kay Mikka pero agad na tinaas ang dalawang kamay bilang depensa dahil sasaktan na sana siya ni Mikka.

"Hindi, no! May Lia na 'yun."

"Ayun! May iba na pala." napapailing na sabi ni Meagan, at inirapan lang siya ni Mikka.

"Pa'no mo naman nasabi na sila ni Asher?" tanong ko sa kanya.

She sighed before she looked away, "They were together yesterday, and they were super close." she laughed.. bitterly. Maybe she really did have feelings for Asher, well halata naman.

Sadyang hindi niya lang pinaparamdam sa lalaki, pero pag kami ang tatanungin? Sobrang halata na may gusto siya sa lalaki. The way she looked at him. She looks so.. inlove.

"Do you like him?" And finally, Chesca asked her the important question.

"Hindi ko nga alam, eh." Tumawa siya.

"Anong hindi mo alam?" tumawa rin si Meagan, bago takang-taka na tiningnan si Mikka.

"Basta, hindi ko alam."

"Okay.." Chesca squinted her eyes a little to her. "If you answer our questions a yes, then you like him!"

"Sige nga," Mikka agreed. Parang curious talaga siya if gusto niya ang lalaki. I'm confused though, because when I like someone alam ko na agad yun. Ramdam ko na yun.

Maybe she's confused about her feelings, or maybe she's denying to her self that she likes Asher.

"First question!" Ashely insisted to ask the first question. "Do you think of him often?" She asked.

Matagal bago naka-sagot si Mikka, siguro nahihiya siya. "Yeah," she looked away.

See! Dun palang sobrang halata nang gusto niya ang lalaki!

"Okay, next." I said. "Do you feel nervous when he's around?" I asked.

Natanong ko yun kasi yun ang nararamdaman ko pag nasa paligid ko si Leon, I always feel nervous. But that was before, kasi when I'm around him now. I feel.. relaxed.

"Super!" she answered.

"Hala, we don't need to continue na!" sabi pa ni Chesca. "We already know that you like Asher!" She rolled her eyes, jokingly.

"Siguro nga," She was even hesitant to admit it!

"Pero may advice ako," Ashely talked. That's why we all looked at her. "If you feel like he likes someone else or he's dating someone, you should confess. In that way, you can move on easily."

"Natatakot ako, Ashley." She laughed, awkwardly.

"What are you scared of?"

"Rejection." She bit her lips.

"Oh my god!" Chesca laughed at her, kaya sinamaan ko agad siya ng tingin. Dahil seryoso si Mikka dun, hindi lang naman siya.

"Maka-tawa ka! Parang hindi na reject dati ni-" Chesca immediately went to Mikka and covered her mouth. Bakit parang wala akong alam dun? This is not fair ah!

"Oo na! That's why I'm not scared na nga eh! Immune na ako." Chesca said confidently, she even waved her hair to the back.

"Ah.. talaga?" Mikka sarcastically asked with innocent eyes. Obviously pissing Chesca off.

I just let them be. Why would I stop them if their happy on what they are doing, right? That'll just made me look like a Bad guy. And I don't want that title for me.

"Shut up nga muna kayo!" si Ashely na nga mismo ang sumaway sa kanila, and sumunod naman agad sila.

"Bakit ba?" mahina pero halata ang pagka-inis sa boses ni Chesca.

"May itatanong ako kay, Maxine, okay?" Ashley rolled her eyes at her, before she faced me. And I just waited for her to say something.

"You can ask her while-" Mikka smiled beautifully at us after she covered Chesca's mouth. Napailing nalang talaga ako sa kanila.

"What are you going to ask me?"

"Kayo na ba?"

Maybe, If I was just eating something right now! I should've chocked, I was glad my mouth was empty! Bakit ba kasi ganun nalang agad ang tanong niya?! I thought It would be something important!

"Anong kami na?" I tried to act blind, baka pala gumana diba.

"Boyfriend mo na ba si Leon?" She asked again.

And I swallowed hard, not knowing what to say. Our relationship is still not clear to me. Wala naman kasi siyang sinabi na kami na... We just confessed to one another, and after that, he began to treat me as though I were something he was scared to lose. Nevertheless, occasionally... He treats me coldly, which made ms understand that he's giving me mixed signals!

He sometimes treats me coldly or in silence, and I'm not sure what I did to deserve it. Naiisip ko na nga lang minsan na pinag-lalaruan niya lang ang feelings ko, I know there's a chance that it's true. But I hope not.

"Hindi no! Hindi ko nga gusto yun eh."

Once more, I lied about my feelings.

"Sus," tumawa sila sakin and I just rolled my eyes at them. "Pero that's good!"

My brows furrowed of what Chesca just said. Anong 'that's good?' May alam ba silang hindi ko alam? 

"What do you mean?" 

"May gusto ka kay Leon, Ches?!" The three reacted too, pero hindi yun ang nasa isip ko. And because of it, that made me think. May gusto ba si Chesca kay Leon?

"What the hell! No! I just saw him hugging a girl and kissing her on the forehead kanina! And they look good together eh.." Chesca explained right away.

My jaw almost dropped because of her information. Thoughts started to fill my mind again. Hindi ko talaga siya maintindihan kahit kailan, ano na naman to? He already confessed to me right? Bakit may pa ganto na naman? Why are you doing this to me, Leon?

"Look, I took a picture of them!" Sabi niya pa at hindi lang ako nag salita, nakatulala lang ako at iniisip kung bakit pa siya umamin sakin kung may babae  na pala siya? It's just so confusing!

Everything about us is confusing! I don't know what to feel anymore.

Chesca turned her phone to us and I saw the picture of them, laughing and being happy together. And I started to get jealous, my heart is burning so bad. Chesca kept swiping her phone, looks like she took a lot of pictures. Hanggang sa maka-dating kami sa picture where Leon is hugginng and kissed her forehead, they look so good together..

The girl also looked pretty even though I can't see her face properly. 

"Di 'ba they look good together? Buti nalang talaga at wala kang gusto sa kanya, sis! Masasaktan ka talaga." She laughed, and I chuckled a little so they wouldn't notice that this information hurts me so bad.

"Yeah, buti nalang talaga." I smiled bitterly. Napalingon ako saglit sa kwarto ko kung saan nandun si Leon na natutulog. 

Why are you doing this to me, Leonel? Bakit ang hilig mong saktan ako?

I immediately looked away when it opened and lumabas dun si Leon na nahihirapan mag lakad dahil sa sugat, I was about to stood up to help him when Tita Meisha ran towards him to help him. Buti nalang at nauna si Tita dahil ayaw ko muna siya kausapin. Baka mas lalo lang akong masaktan.

Bumaba sila and dahan-dahan silang lumapit samin kaya tumayo agad ako para pumunta sa kusina at lumayo dun, nakita ko pang napalingon sina Mikka sakin pero hinayaan ko nalang. Hinanap agad ng mata ko si Mama at nakita ko siya sa backyard namin na nililigpit ang kalat kaya tinulungan ko agad siya.

"Umuwi na sina Mikka?" tanong ni Mama at umiling naman agad ako. Ewan ko sa mga yun kung anong ba sila uuwi, may pasok pa naman kami bukas.

"Sinulit na ata nila, wala kayong pasok bukas diba." sabi ni Mama kay gulat akong lumingon sa kanya.

"Huh? Sino may sabi?" naguguluhan na tanong ko.

"Nag message yung Sir niyo! Pitong araw ata kayo walang pasok," gulat pa rin akong nakatingin kay Mama. Grabe naman yun! Kakabalik pa nga lang ng pasok ay wala na ulit.

"Bakit daw?"

"Aba! Hindi naman sinabi!" sagot ni Mama at nagpatuloy sa paglilinis. Napa-tango nalang ako at hindi na nag tanong, tinulongan ko na rin siya mag linis para matapos na rin agad.

When we went back inside. Si Tita Meisha at Leon nalang ang nandun, parang umuwi na yung apat. Buti naman at wala nang maingay dito sa bahay.

"Elise," tawag ni Tita kay Mama nung makita niya kami na pumasok mula sa backdoor. I saw Leon sitting on the couch, and I can feel him staring at me.

But I did not meet his stare, ayoko siyang kausapin. Wala akong gana na makipag-usap sa kanya.

"We'll go home na ha," narinig 'kong paalam ni Tita kay Mama habang nag liligpit ako ng mga hugasin. I looked at her when she called me. "Happy Birthday again! Here, idagdag mo." bati ulit ni Tita bago ako binigyan na naman ng 3 thousand pesos! "Shop wisely!" She winked playfully.

"Thank you, Tita!" I thanked before I hugged her.

"It's my pleasure, bebe. Babye, alis na kami." paalam niya ulit bago sila umalis na ni Leon, hindi ko na tiningnan ang pag-alis nila at nag focus nalang sa ginagawa ko.

When they finally left, Mom went to me with confusion written on her face. Napataas naman agad ang kilay ko. "Himala ah.." She uttered. Which made me so confuse.

"Anong himala?"

"Hindi ka nag paalam kay Leon," sabi niya pa at kinurot ang bewang ko kaya napatili ako.

"Hindi naman kailangan," sabi ko pa at nag patuloy sa ginagawa. I heard Mom scoffed like I said something funny.

"Talaga ah? Ano yung eksena nung nakita mo si Leon na sugatan." pagpaparinig niya pa at napa-pikit naman ako sa hiya nung maalala yun. I was about to cry non! And they were all watching me!

"Sinong hindi mag-aalala sa taong nabaril diba?" I swallowed hard.

"We know, Alisha. But earlier, you looked like you're going to kill everyone that will touch Leonel." Napalingon ako sa sumulpot sa usapan namin ni Mama at nakita ko si Papa na parang bagong ligo lang.

"I was just.. mad, Pa." I embarrassedly explained.

"And you're mad because they hurted the guy that is important to you." He smiled.

I was speechless, hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko. Dahil.. alam talaga nilang dalawa ang nararamdaman ko!

"Pa, hindi ko siya gusto-"

"Shh.. No need to deny it, It's okay to like someone. As long you know your limits."

Napa-ngiti ako sa sinabi ni Papa, bago ko sila niyakap. I thought they're going to forbid me to have a boyfriend or just a suitor. But they didn't, instead they're the ones who is keep insisting that I like.. someone.

"Okay, answer us directly. Do you like Leonel?" Dad asked again.

"Uh," I still don't know if I have to say the truth, or.. lie again! God, ang dami ko nang kasalanan.

"Aminin mo na," Mom teased me and tickled my tummy, and I laughed a little.

"Oo na.." I gave up and looked away, nakita ko naman na napangiti sila dahil napaamin nila ako.

"Hala, dalaga na anak namin." Tumawa si Mama at inasar pa ako. I just rolled my eyes at her, which made her laugh even more.

"Matutulog na nga ako," I pouted.

"Okay, goodnight, mahal ko." ngumiti pa si Mama nang nakakaasar bago ako umiwas ng tingin at umalis na dun.

Inaantok na rin kasi ako. I entered my room and went to my bed right away, I feel so.. tired. Even though, I didn't do anything that can tire me out.

I took my phone to open my facebook for a few minutes, because I'm not asleep anymore! Kung kailan nasa higaan na ako dun naman ako hindi aantukin. Ano ba to?

When I opened my facebook, nakita ko agad na marami silang messages sa group chat. And dun yung maingay ko saan lahat ng parte sa underground ay andun! It's already 11pm and they're still awake.

Mikka(PK): Helloo!!

Ashely (PK): Ingay naman

Lia (S): hii :)

Woah, himala nag message si Lia sa groupchat. She's more likely the quiet type of person, I'm glad she interacted with anyone.

Chesca(PK): uy Mikkaa
-replied to Lia (S) message-

Na gets ko agad nag pinaparating ni Chesca when she replied to Lia' s message. She really has the guts to these things!

Lia (S): huh??

Mikka (PK): gago ka, ches.

Chesca (PK): omg sorry LIA namali ako

Lia (S): Haha it's fine!

Lia is always understanding to everyone, kahit niya pa close yung tao! If you're to ask me kung sino ang favorite ko sa grupo nila, I'll pick her without hesitation. She's almost perfect. She's good at fighting, using guns, and she's good at computers!

I also heard that she is always the Top 1 in every grade level, and I admired her!

Asher (TK): uy

Harvin (TK): ingay mo naman tol

When the two showed up, hindi na agad nag chat sina Mikka at Chesca! Nag seen nalang yung dalawa. So, I did the move.

Maxine (PK): tulog na haha

Harvin (TK): ikaw rin :)

Ewan ko ba pero natawa ako sa reply ni Harvin sakin, sobrang seryoso naman ng reply niya! May tawa na nga yung akin diba!

I was about to send a message when someone sent first.

Chesca (PK): sleep, maxine.

It's Chesca! And her message felt cold and parang may pinapa-dating so I quickly messaged her to ask. Mukhang may galit siya sakin sa message na yun eh!

To Chesca:

hoyyy ano yng mess mo ha! ang I scary naman non!

From Chesca:

That was just an excuse! Don't worry! I'm not mad at you, babe Hahaha

I just reacted a laughing emoticon on her message and went back on our group chat kung saan ang dami ng messages! What the hell!

Harvin (TK): tulog na, chesca marie.

Chesca (PK): okay

Mikka (PK): staphhh @everyone

Lia (S): ??

Cedric (J): nu yon?

Harvin (TK): whatt

Hindi na ako nakisali sa nag rereply, ano na naman ba kasi to ang sasabihin ni Mikka?? At everyone pa talaga ang minention!

Mikka (PK): I'm sorry sa others ah! pwede na mag offline ang hindi kasali sa  Pretty Killers at Thunder Kings!

Mikka (PK): sa mga kasali naman, mag message kayo sa isang gc!!

Napairap ako sa sinabi ni Mikka, pwede naman na siya nalang mauna mag message dun sa isang groupchat. Kailangan pa talaga sabihin dito? Hinanap ko agad ang groupchat namin at nakita ko naman agad kaya nag message na ako dun. Parang lahat ata kami online ah.

Harvin: kailangan mo?

Asher: nu meron?

Lucas: wassuppp

Travis: luh ano meron

Sunod-sunod na nag message yung Thunder Kings, habang ako hindi pa rin sinesend yung message ko. Hihintayin ko muna na may mauna sa grupo namin.

And hindi nga nag tagal ay nauna si Chesca na mag send kaya isesend ko na sana yung akin nung naunahan na ako ng apat.

Chesca: what's the tea sis

Ashley: ano yun? antok na ako bilis

Meagan: wth is the chicka

Ang tagal naman kasi isend ni Mikka yung sasabihin niya, hanggang ngayon typing pa rin siya. I also sent my message already.

Maxine: anong meronn

Leon: ??

What the heck! Sabay pa talaga kami nag send ng message ah, akala ko tulog na ang lalaking to dahil masakit ang katawan or something. Pero kita mo naman, gising pa rin!

Harvin: uy sabay sila shesh

Lucas: hey, myhoneybunch ^^
-replied to your message-

Travis: hala

-replied to Lucas message-

Leon: @Mikka make it fast, I'm tired

Asher: lagot ka Lucas! napagod nalang tuloy agad si boss tsk tsk

Napailing nalang ako sa mga pinagsasabi nila, lalo na yung kay Lucas! Kahit kailan talaga trip ako ng lalaking yun! Pag ako talaga maka bawi, tingnan nalang natin.

Hindi nag tagal ay nag message na si Mikka at muntik na ako mainis ng sobra sobra, dahil ang liit na message lang ang sinend niya! Tapos ang tagal niya?! Oano yun?!

Mikka: agree ba kayo na pumunta tayo sa isang exclusive na resort para mag pahinga muna? tommorow na agad para 3 days tayo dun!

Nag reply naman sila agad sunod-sunod, at walang sumagot sa tanong niya. Iisa lang ang mga sinabi nila.

Harvin: yan lang? pero ang tagal mo isend?

Asher: wow ang haba ng letter

Lucas: pwede ka na maging writer idol

Leon: the hell

Maxine: you're joking, right?

Ano na naman ba tong plano ni Mikka na maligo sa isang exclusive resort?! Dahil sa wlaa kaming pasok for a week ah! Pero balita ko na sa week ng pagbabalik namin ay finals week na! Wednesday din kami babalikdahil pitong araw kaming walang pasok. Kaya dapat hindi kami mag pachill-chill lang ngayong week.

Mikka: noo, walang halong joke sis hehe

Asher: tara guys mukang masaya naman

Leon: I agree, I wanna have fun a little

Napataas ang kilay ko sa sinabi ni Leon. May sugat pa siya tapos sasama siya sa kalokohan ng mga to?! Nahihirapan nga siya mag lakad kanina, tapos ngayon may have fun pa siyang nalalaman. 

Lagi nalang talaga siya ganyan pag nababaril siya or what, yung parang wala lang siyang sugat na iniinda at yung parang hindi siya muntik mamatay! Nakakagigil lang.

Asher: ay g ka boss? diba nabaril ka kanina

Oh diba! Pati si Asher nag tanong na dahil sa sinabi niya, nahihibang na talaga siya.

Leon: I'll be fine tommorow.

Napasinghap ako sa sinabi niya, wow bilib na bilib talaga siya sa sarili niya ah. Pag ako ang bumaril sa kanya, tingnan nalang natin kung makakatayo pa siya.

Mikka:  okay! sino pa sasama?

Hahayaan ko nalang sana sila at napag-desisyonan na hindi nalang sasama dahil tinatamad rin akong pumunta kahit saan. Mas pipiliin ko nalang mag study dito. Need ko maka-pasok sa honor's