PROLOGUE

GUIECO CLAN SERIES 2

~MARCIELLA PERRER~

"Since we were kids, I've had feelings for you, Ashmer," Percylla confessed. "Even though I understand that all you can offer is friendship, I've come to terms with it. So, please, just let me love you."

I sighed as I overheard this conversation. It was Percylla, my best friend, talking to Ashmer Guieco, the head of our organization, the Guieco Clan. Ashmer happened to be Kenya Guieco's brother, and they were having this conversation by the poolside.

Alam kong noon pa man ay may lihim na na pagtingin si Percy kay Ashmer. Alam ko rin na lahat ng love poems at cookies na ipinapagawa niya sa'kin noon ay sa lalaki niya ibinibigay pero ayos lang naman sa akin 'yon.

Yes, ayos lang talaga kahit pa pareho kaming nararamdaman para sa lalaki. Willing naman akong magparaya dahil nangako kami sa isa't-isa na hindi kami magkakagusto sa iisang lalaki lang. Sadyang mapaglaro lang ang panahon. Malupit ang tadhana.

My heart skipped a beat as I suddenly witnessed them sharing a kiss. I instinctively clutched my chest, overcome by the pain coursing through me.

I froze in place, feeling as if the world had pinned me down. It was as though sharp needles of anguish relentlessly pierced my chest. The steady rhythm of my heart faded into the background, replaced by the startling realization that tears were streaming down both my cheeks.

No, Marciella! Maling-mali ang nararamdaman mong ito. Hindi ka dapat nasasaktan.

I slowly turned and went to my favorite place, GC's Garden. I really like flowers, so this spot is my favorite hangout. It's like being surrounded by all sorts of flowers that act like walls.

In the middle, there's a swing where you can sit all night and watch the sun or the bright moon and the sparkling stars when it gets dark.

It's super relaxing. Your worries fade away when you're here. But not for me, because this is where I might share my life's problems. I'm here to think, not to forget.

I took slow, heavy steps, and with each step, it felt like my chest was getting heavier.

Masakit pero kakayanin. Ganito naman kapag nagmahal ka, 'diba? Masasaktan at masasaktan ka talaga.

I hold no anger or grudge against Percy. There's no blame to assign, and I have no reason to be upset. Ashmer and I are not in a romantic relationship; we've shared a deeper connection, but it ends there.

Percylla is akin to a true sister, despite her being adopted. While my affection for her may differ from that for my twin sister, Gabriella, I regard them both as my siblings.

Maaga siyang naulila kaya naman mga magulang na namin ang kumupkop sa kanya. Naging best friend ko siya habang hindi naman gano'n kalapit sa kanya si Gab.

Si Ashmer na lang ang meron siya, aagawin ko pa ba? Ipagkakait ko pa ba ang kasiyahan na ninanais niya?

"Ell."

Awtomatikong nag-angat ako ng tingin. Kahit hindi ko pa man siya makita alam ko na kung sino dahil iisang tao lang naman ang tumatawag sa'kin ng gano'n.

Ashmer Guieco.

"Ash, ahh, magpapahinga lang ako rito saglit. Alam ko namang lungga mo ito," agad kong paliwanag.

"Na lungga mo rin naman," aniya at tinitigan ako. Ako na ang unang bumawi ng tingin."Urong do'n."

Sinunod ko na lang siya at pasimpleng napabuntonghininga. Napatingala na lang ako sa kalawakan at mataman na pinagmasdan ang buwan.

"Problem?" tanong niya pa.

Sinong hindi mahuhulog ang loob sa taong siyang madalas mong karamay dito sa lugar na ito? Na kahit hindi man namin sadyain na magtagpo rito ay pinagtatagpo talaga kami, kagaya ngayon.

"Wala naman. Masaya lang ako para sa kaibigan ko," makahulugan kong saad at lumingon sa kanya na sa akin din pala nakatitig.

"W-we shared a kiss."

"I know."

"Nakita mo?"

"Hmmm," tipid kong sagot ko sabay tango.

"Narinig mo kami?"

"Hindi. Napadaan lang ako, sorry."

"Gusto kita, Ell. Sinabi ko na sa'yo 'yan noon."

Mas lalo lang akong nasasaktan tuwing sinasabi niya sa'kin iyan.

"Pero sinabi mo rin Ash na mahal mo siya. Pwede ba ang gano'n? Sabihin na nating gusto mo ako pero mahal mo si Percy, 'diba? Kailangan ninyo ang isa't-isa," pahinang-pahina kong saad.

"Pwede bang pakinggan mo muna ako kahit ngayon lang, Marciella?"

"Could you please stop, Ash? I'm in pain right now. She's my best friend, my sister, my partner-in-crime, but that doesn't mean I should meddle in her love life. Ash, if I mean anything to you, please forget about me. Don't think about me. I'll be fine because I have my family and friends. But Percy? I'm sure you understand what I'm trying to say, Boss. Excuse me."

Tumayo ako pero napigilan niya ako. Napakuyom at napapikit na lang ako.

"Marciella, I love..."

"Please stop talking about it. You know why? Because it's always 'but' with you, Ash. You love me, but you love her more. You need me, but you need her more. It hurts me a lot, it's always breaking my heart. You have to decide between me and Percy, but I think you should choose her. I don't want to hurt her; we both care about her, so let's just be friends."

"Friends?" Sarkastiko pa siyang natawa at blangko ang mukhang tumitig sa akin at tumayo. "Mas gugustuhin ko pang ituring kang kaaway kaysa sa ang maging kaibigan mo, Marciella Perrer."

"Much better kung gano'n na lang talaga, Ashmer Guieco…"

Hindi ko na naituloy ang sasabihin ko pa dahil sa hinalikan niya na lang ako bigla. Sa sobrang pagkagulat ko ay parang naging tuod ako. Nang magising naman ang diwa ko ay bigla ko siyang naitulak.

"Ashmer, please, stop this."

"What if I choose you? Actually, never mind. Marciella, I want to choose you..."

I couldn't hear anything. Absolutely nothing.

"You kissed Percylla..."

"No, she kissed me..."

"And you kissed her back, so you need to choose her, Ashmer."

I headed back to my flat without turning around. I felt sad and guilty again when I saw Percy lying on my bed, looking up at the ceiling as if remembering something wonderful.

"Oh? Nandito ka pala," agaw ko sa kanyang atensiyon.

"You know what, Marci? I am happy right now!"

I am happy for you too, even if it hurts a lot.

"Really? Why? Did something happen?"

"Hmmm! We kissed, and he said he loves me too."

Parang nalunok ko naman ang dila ko dahil sa kanyang sinabi. "Wow, really? Well, I'm glad for you too. It looks like you've found the right guy."

Is he truly the one?

"Oh, thanks for your support, Marcie. I hope you find someone special too," she said with a smile.

"I hope so," I replied before going into the shower.

If sadness could drown, I might be gone by now.

God, why is this happening? Why just one man? Why?