Novels by YuChenXi

Nakabalik na kami ni Rosalie sa dorm namin, nawala na ang sigla namin para sana sa pamamasyal matapos kumain. "Are you okay, Ate Avery?" Rosalie asked, gently cupping my cheek. Hindi maitago ang pag aalala niya sa kanyang mga mata, and I could see the hint of tears threatening to spill as she examined the bruise marking my skin. Caught off guard, I turned to the small mirror on my computer table, where I noticed the faint finger mark on my cheek. "I'm fine. Don't worry," I reassured her, trying to deflect her worry with a confident smile. "I'll just buy some ice pack to put on your cheek so it doesn't swell," she insisted, her determination evident in her voice. But I quickly stepped in, placing a hand on her arm to halt her movement. "I'll go, you just get the food we ordered later. I'll be right back." sabi ko sa kanya na nakita ko na hindi pa rin siya mapakali. "But…" she began to protest. I interrupted gently, "I said I’m fine. It

As we stepped into the university canteen, it felt as if all eyes were drawn to Rosalie and me. Mahigpit na humawak si Rosalie sa aking braso, hindi maitatago ang tila takot sa iba na tulad rin naman naming estudyante. "That's okay," I reassured her, gently patting her hand that clung to my arm. I took a deep breath and continued walking, trying to inspire confidence in her. Yet, just as we ventured further inside, a group of well-dressed men and women blocked our path. Their proud postures and confident demeanor made it clear they were among the wealthy elite, exuding an air of entitlement that made the atmosphere feel even more charged. “New face? A small and a chubby girl. What a perfect duo." A woman’s voice cut through the hum of chatter as she glanced up at us, nakataas pa ang isa nitong kilay, as though she were sizing me and Rosalie up. Her finger danced idly with the ends of her hair, betraying a sense of casual dominance.

Sinundan ni Danilo kung saan napako ang mga mata ko. "He's my boss," sabi nito ng makilala kung sino ang tinitignan ko na nakatayo ngayon sa may pinto. Binawi nito ang kamay na nakahawak at nakapatong sa balikat ko. Sa pagbitiw nito sa akin ay tila doon naman ako nakaramdam ng panginginig ng tuhod ko. Napakurap ako, suddenly aware of the man I hadn’t seen for nearly a month. Turning my eyes away from him, I directed my attention back to Danilo. "I’ll go first, Ery. I’ll just visit you later," he said, tinapik pa ni Danilo ang balikat ko bago niya ako tinalikuran at humakbang na palapit sa boss nito. I didn’t dare to look at them again until they were gone. “Mr. Hidalgo, I just said hello to my friend,” narinig kong sabi ni Danilo, na para bang kailangan nito na magpaliwanag. His words hung in the air, but there was no response from him. Ang tanging narinig ko na lang ay ang tunog ng mga hakbang nila palayo, at sa paglayo nila ay muli na naman akong nabalot sa katahimi

"Forget it."Napakurap ako ng marinig kong magsalita si Danilo, naputol ang pagbabalik tanaw ko sa nakaraan."I'm here to accompany my boss to survey the buildings here at the university," he explained, answering my earlier question about his presence."Is that so?" I replied, hindi maitago ang pagkausisa."Yes," he continued warmly, "if everything goes smoothly, he might approve the bid for other constructions right away."As he elaborated on the details, he suddenly grabbed both of my shoulders with a firm yet reassuring grip."So you, study hard. This university is good because I graduated from here," he encouraged, his eyes glinting with a mix of pride and recollection.I nodded, a smile spreading across my lips, feeling the warmth of his words.Ilang taon ko na din na kaibigan si Danilo, kaya komportable ako sa kanya, itinuturing ko siya na parang nakakatandang kapatid.We were just a year apart, and my brother, Jasper, was the same age as him.Yet, as he held my shoulders, pakir

"Mr. Hidalgo, this way." I remained silent, my gaze fixed intently on Mr. Tuazon. They’ve come to know me as a man of few words, one who speaks only when necessary. My demeanor is serious and composed, which has earned me a reputation for being difficult to approach. In fact, no one dares to approach me unless I personally instruct my assistant to facilitate the meeting. Sa sandaling umapak ang mga paa ko sa loob ng club na ito ay halos hindi ko na nais pang magpatuloy. Ang pinakaayaw ko pa naman ay ang maiingay na lugar, and my frustration grew as they insisted on meeting me here. I questioned their intentions; were they attempting to deceive me? We proceeded down the hallway, passing by every private box, isa sa malalagpasan namin ang private box na bahagyang nakaawang ang pinto, kaya bahagya akong napasulyap sa loob. My attention was immediately drawn to a young girl who was struggling as several men forced alcohol upon her, laughing insensitively at her embarras

I carefully packed all my belongings into the suitcase, each item a fragment of a life left behind. Again, iginala ko ang mga mata mo sa kabuuan ng silid na kahit sa huling sulyap na lang ay maalala ko ang ayos. This room had been my home for the past five years with Kendrick—the backdrop to my first experiences, including sleepless nights and whispered dreams, as I lay next to him. A bittersweet smile spread across my lips, a façade that couldn't mask the sadness in my eyes.Ang lugar kung saan nakasanayan ko na, at mga alaala na tumatak na sa akin isipan na ngayon ay iiwan ko na at kahit na anino ko ay hindi na pwedeng manatili. “You brought back so many memories for me,” I whispered to the empty space, my voice barely audible as if afraid to disturb the memories that echoed within the walls. After a lingering glance around my room, I let out a deep breath, the weight of my decision settling heavily on my chest.Nabaling ang mga mata ko sa envelope na nasa ibabaw ng kama.