"Kaya mo ba ang responsibilidad na maging batang ina, Shey?!" Dumagundong ang boses ni Nanay kahit na sa tarangkahan palang ako ng bahay.My heart sank when my eyes landed to Shey. Her eyes are full of tears mixed with different emotions. Regret was deeply etched. And she seems helpless.This is when the moment I knew... that I have to defend her.I had to defend her even though it means I have to be slapped by my mother for accusing me that I tolerated this matter and not telling them after I found this out.After that day, Shey's been grounded. Kailangan ko pang magmakaawa kay Nanay para pigilan siya sa pagsugod sa pamilya ni Norman.Buti nga at pumayag si Norman na subukang kumbinsihan ang magulang niya na kausapin sina Nanay at Tatay. Nagkaroon ng hidwaan sa pagitan ng pamilya namin at maging si Tatay ay mayroong hinanakit sa akin at kay Shey. Naiintindihan ko naman kung saan nanggaling iyon pero ang sakit lang kasing isipin na parang

I hastily wiped my unending tears. My lips trembled and a sob escaped my lips. I was never a gold-digger... and the thought of taking advantage of Rafus' riches never ever crossed my mind.Why do they have to be this cruel? Just because my social standing differs from Rafus, doesn't mean I'm only chasing after his money. Why does people view this that way? This society is goddamn fucked up!Mugto ang mga mata ko nang bumalik ako sa pagtatrabaho. Nawalan ako ng paki sa estado ko ngayon matapos marinig ang mga salita ni Mrs. Cattaneo kanina. Oo, nirerespeto ko siya, pero sobra naman ata ang pagtingin niya sa akin. Nanliliit ako at kahit gusto kong ipagtanggol ang sarili ko ay hindi ko nagawa dahil nalunod ako sa sinabi niya.I ended my shift earlier and rushed to Tito Edison's house for confirmation about our land being purchased by the Cattaneo's."Oo, Slaine. Ibinenta ng Nanay at Tatay mo 'yong lupa niyo bago pa man sila pumasya na doon na manirah

"Slaine, are you okay?" I came back to consciousness when Crezst tapped my shoulders.I saw Rafus' eyes were on me and every seconds had passed, my nervousness doubled. I drank all the wine that has left in my glass before nodding at her question."Yeah, I'm okay."I simply glance at Rafus for the second time but I think it's a very wrong move because I meet his eyes again. Sa akin siya nakatingin kahit may kausap siyang businessman.Tamang tama ang pagdaan ng waiter sa table namin kaya napakuha ako ng dalawang wine glass na may laman at nagpa-refill ng wine sa basong ginamit ko kanina.Natawa si Crezst's sa tabi ko, "Hindi ka ba makapaghintay sa after-party?"Umiling ako at napasimsim sa wine, "Hindi na siguro, medyo pagod pa kasi ako sa byahe papunta rito kanina.""I thought you had your beauty rest earlier?" Helen asked me worriedly."Matapos mong umalis kanina sa hotel room ko, napagpasyahan kong pumunta sa

"Chan baby," I said and leveled my height to him as I gained consciousness. I cupped his face and smile to hide my awkwardness. "How did you know I'm home?"Chan smiled, "I've been waiting for you Mama then I saw you got out from the car so I've rushed towards here."Nakakapanibago dahil Mama talaga ang tawag ni Chan sa akin. I'm used of him calling me Tita, so I kinda feel confused. Tumayo na ako at nilingon si Rafus. Tahimik parin siya habang seryoso ang tingin sa amin ni Chan.Naglakad ako papalapit at kinuha sa kaniya ang duffel bag ko. I held his hand and stared into his eyes."Again, thank you so much for the ride Rafus."Hindi ko na hinintay ang tugon niya at tumalikod na ako habang inaakay si Chan papasok ng bahay."Shey, ano ba ang itinuturo mo kay Chan?" Tanong ko kay Shey nang tuluyan akong makababa sa hagdanan.Kanina ay hindi ko siya magawang tanungin dahil hindi umaalis sa kandungan ko si Chan at ngayon lan

"What are you doing here?" My brows furrow and my blood starts to boil. He didn't answer, he just remain there, standing while looking calm and collected.I took a deep breath and almost rolled my eyes on him. Kinuha ko ang grocery bags na nakalapag at binuksan ang pinto ng apartment ko saka bastang pumasok pero bago ko pa iyon maisara, pinigilan iyon ng malakas na kamay."Ano ba'ng problema mo?" Pinigilan ko ang sarili na huwag siyang pagtaasan ng boses.Titig na titig siya mga mata ko at hindi ko magawang umiwas. I can see exhaustion, pain, and longing in his eyes. In a snap, he invited himself in. He took the grocery bags from my hold and shamelessly walked towards my kitchen."Seriously, Rafus? What are you trying to do? Why are you doing this?" I followed him to my kitchen and took the grocery bag to place it on my countertop.I was taken a back when he wrapped his arms around my waist and buried his head between my neck and shoulder