My first day of OJT is over. When I left the resort at eight o'clock, I had a half-hour travel time before arriving at the jeep terminal. While waiting for a jeep to arrive at the terminal, I briefly distracted myself from Facebook.But surprisingly, someone disturbed me from scrolling at my newsfeed... Who else is the first placer for disturbing me if not Israel?"What are you doing here?" I asked him in wonder."Do people do anything else at the jeep terminal besides riding jeeps?" He's pretty obvious that he's trying to tease me."Really?" I pretended to be surprised by his answer. "Don't tell me, you're also riding the same jeepney---""Why not?" he replied. "You don't want to, do you? You'll be going home with someone from now on."My forehead suddenly creased. "What are you saying?""Is that how you welcome your new villager?" He pouted at me, acting like he's baiting me to make me feel guilty. "We just moved a while ago to the same village where you live, so yes... I can always
"I live here too," he answered me innocently.And that's when I remembered what he told me earlier... that they had just moved here to our village. W-Well, I guess I’ve gone insensitive for a little while."I'm sorry if you're already irritated by what I'm doing, Irene. I just want to show you how sincere I am in courting you, but I'm not expecting my actions to be nothing but an irritation to you."His face was serious when he entered the gate of the house where we stopped walking, it seems like this is their house. Before he finally entered, he looked at me and smiled. "I don't want to cause an issue between us just because you are already irritated with me. From now on, I will limit myself from doing this that will irritate you. Take care, Irene."And just like that, he left me in front of their gate stunned.I should be happy with what I heard from his mouth... but it was the total opposite of the feeling I'm expecting. I was hurt, saddened by what Israel said. I feel like I'm thr
W-What? She saw her money in my drawer? I don't take anything from her and even more I don't enter their room, unless it's important. At that very moment, Stacy grabbed my attention. As before, she was still smiling at me.She's just giving me an idea that she sets me up.Why would I even think about something and how it ended up in my place? When in fact, there's this Stacy that will undoubtedly do this kind of shit. All I did was to zip my mouth, hiding my clenched fist."You can't answer now? Because my accusation towards you is true!” Aunt Gretchen said angrily. "I know that I have been cruel to you and I know that it is against your heart to hand over to me what you earn from your part-time job. But is that reason enough for you to rob me?!”"Mommy, I won't wonder why she stole your money," Stacy said. "She really wants to pursue her dream of becoming a superstar. Desperate act.”I glared at the demon Stacy. No matter how much I wanted to pursue my dream, it would never enter my
I didn't realize that I was biting my fingernails because my body is now shivering with nervousness and panic. I peeked again and tried to see Israel outside our gate. He's still there, he looks like he's there waiting for me to take him out. But I hadn't even seen him for a long time from the outside, when the rain suddenly came and poured heavily. Israel was empty-handed, it seems like he has no idea that it will rain today.I ran to my bedroom door and tried knocking again."Aunt! Can you let me out for just a moment? I'm begging you!""Please have mercy, let me out of here!""I promise I won't do anything you don't like again! Please, give me a chance to make up for it.""Auntie, please---""Stacy and I are watching a movie downstairs, you're so loud! The strength of your mouth reaches as far as the chin!" I heard Aunt Gretchen shout as she seemed to be approaching my room."Auntie, please. Get me out of here. I promise I won't be a stubborn anymore. I'll do whatever you want and
"Now where will I get money?" That's what I asked myself before sitting on a bench I saw in the park.I want to earn money but I hope I don't have to work anymore. I mean, I'll only do it for one day but I'll have money right away. Is there such a thing?"I never expected I'll see you here."I turned to the man next to me who was just sitting next to me... He was Alec."Oh, hi!" I greeted him.He flashed a smile at me, revealing his deep dimple in the left side. "I was working nearby, I often come here during our break time.""You? Why did you come here?" he asked."Ahh, I just went to see someone.""It was not my intention to overhear what you mumbled earlier..." he said. "You are seeking money, aren't you?"I immediately looked away with shame. It was embarrassing and he even heard that, I couldn't look at him."I can lend it to you if you want---"I shook my head violently. "No thanks, Alec. As much as possible, I don't want to owe any of you because I don't want you to think that
"Maybe you just stuck garlic in your armpit to make me believe you have a fever, do you?" I dreamed of him. "Don't you know anything but to tease and play?"He keeps on giggling. "Even if you smell my armpits, you won't smell any garlic." He raised his hand just to reveal his armpit. "Dare to smell it, Irene."I took the wet towel from the basin and threw it at him. "Take care of yourself!"I was about to leave his room when he suddenly said, "Don't leave.""I don't have time to joke with you, Israel. I have so many things to do, so please stop your childish game!" I glared at him when I faced him. "Even Delancy you fooled that you are sick... for what? To get me to come here?""Because I really have." His voice became serious and his laughter suddenly stopped. "Look, I'm just trying to be okay in front of you just so I could stop you from worrying too much for me...""But I think I expect nothing but the opposite," he added.At this time, I suddenly felt guilty for the words I uttere
"Do you ever think of leaving your own house?" I asked."N-No?""That's what I keep on thinking over and over again, Harold." I tried to smile. "I'm just thinking that if leaving our house would mean escaping my problems, then I think I should go."I was shocked by the way Harold held both of my shoulders. "Irene, are you still in your right mind---"I stopped him from talking nonsense as I slapped his face. "You don't know how hard and heavy I'm going through, Harold. So, it's easy for you to think I'm going crazy, huh."My eyes got teary. "My brain is still sane, so don't worry. It's too early for you to think I’m crazy.""That's not what I meant!"I didn't choose to argue with Harold, instead I decided to stay away from him for a while instead of choosing to answer him. I'm looking for someone to vent my anger to. I thought it was Harold, but he keeps on failing me.I went straight to the restroom to clean up a bit. I don't want to face our guests looking haggard, they might turn o
Harold and I left the pool area to go back to work. I went to the restroom first to change my uniform.I let out a heavy sigh. I looked at myself in the mirror after getting dressed. At this moment, I'm completely groomed... But my whole self is a mess. Why is one of the demons in my life following me up to this point? Is she trying to ruin my future? Trying hard to stop me from finishing my degree, huh?With all the abuse I went through at the hands of them, Stacy and Aunt Gretchen, I will not let them do the same to my studies. I've strived harder to get through my years in college... Never did I imagine myself giving up on my chosen degree."Did you know that girl earlier?"Once back in the lobby, Harold greeted me with a question that I think he had been thinking about the answer to for a while. He doesn't know that I have a stepmom and a step sister. Why should I even bother to share it with him? Even though Harold is my friend, I still have no one to trust."I don't know her," I