Lahat ng Kabanata ng Terms and Conditions Apply: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

The first thing I get myself after receiving my first wage is a car. By noon on Monday, I was at a dealership in Queens, walking through rows of polished vehicles, sunlight glinting off windshields in the lot. City Line Auto was closer than I’d expected, and the cars on display didn’t look used at all, no scratch, no dent, just pre-loved as the salesman had proudly corrected.“So, this is the last one for the range you’re looking at,” the salesman said, pointing toward the end of the lot.I stopped grinning like a toddler in a bouncing castle and tried to compose myself.“Let’s see if this one changes my mind,” I told Tahlia.I had put her on FaceTime the moment I got to Queens and we already inspected Fords, Hyundai Elantras, Chevy Traverses, and a BMW SUV that she nearly proposed to. But they were either too bulky or just there. Perfect for someone else, but not for me.I looked forward, and my chest went light. My hand went to it reflexively as I gasped, switching the camera from

He let out a short, ridiculous laugh.Amber’s breathing grew louder as she stepped closer. “Say that again. I dare you.”“Or you’ll do what?” he shot back. “Pfft. I’m literally nauseous just staring at your face.”“You two,” he said, flashing a crooked grin. “Are ugly. Uglier than a frog in a crown. And I swear, no amount of botox in the world would fix that.”Amber’s jaw dropped. Her face flushed the same shade as Kim’s, fury swelling in her chest.“Excuse me? What did you just call me?”Kim jabbed her index finger straight to the middle of his forehead, pushing it back. “Ohhh no. You just opened the gates of hell, Felix!.”He nearly stumbled but covered it with a laugh.“What exactly do you want? You’re doing way too much for a pair of bargain-bin Barbies,” he scoffed.Amber crouched and grabbed his ear, giving it a sharp yank.He squealed. “Ow! Cut it out! Ugly trolls!”“You think you can insult me and my sister and get away with it? Not today, you little gremlin!”Felix, small but

***• Everett •***I choose not to believe that I just had that feeling again, after six whole years -the warm little pull in my chest making it hard for me to swallow, and the ridiculous urge to keep myself from staring like an idiot. Before Andrea even stepped foot into the building, I had already wasted a good amount of time scrolling through hundreds of photos on her Instagram page. It hadn’t been intentional. You know that annoying thing Instagram algorithm does? You add a contact, and suddenly it decides you’re soulmates. I was simply killing time, minding my business, and then she popped up - theandreathompson_Her page didn’t match the version of her I had met. It was alive, unfiltered, funny even. Every beautiful post came with atleast one unserious meme, and her dresses were dangerously sexy for the polished corporate girl she pretended to be.I had checked my wristwatch for the tenth time, before settling for my digital camera I hadn't used in months. At least that way,

*** • Everett • ***Family is one thing I don’t joke about. I could joke about money—you know, how much of it I could burn on a whim and never notice, or run on two hours of sleep, ignoring a pounding migraine, just to sign contracts worth millions. But you’re in for trouble when you hurt any member of my family, except unless for my father. I’d happily erase him from my life, the thought of sharing a surname with him makes me sick. I studied the face of my mother. She’s seated on a narrow metal bench, in the small, airless holding room, faking a smile as though she’s gracing a luncheon in a private suit not a police station. The light above her casted a pale glow over her features. She looked better than the gaunt state I had found her the last time. Still, her eyes are sullen, even the staged smile cannot hide them. She placed a palm on one side of my face. “You’re always in time, my boy. It’s safe to say you are my guardian angel.” I didn’t fall for those words. I’ve survive

One minute passed. Then two. The officer opened his mouth to speak, but Tahlia cut in smoothly. “Yes, she’s right. We went to Bloom’s Bar to have a night out.” She gestured lazily, then sniffed, her expression hardening. “That man, Jeremy, or whatever name he’s using latched on to us there.” “Pookie—” Jeremy tried to interrupt, but Tahlia shot him a glare that could knock that thought right out of his head. “Don’t,” she warned. “He’s asked me for money three different times. Always large amounts. He called it some urgent investment opportunity and swore it would double overnight. I was lucky I never had enough to give him everything.” The officer turned to Jeremy, brows raised. “I meant it,” he said quickly. “I needed that money for business. Legitimate business.” “So what was your intention?” I asked, folding my arms. “A fresh start,” he shot back. “I was done with that life.” The officer flashed a thin smile. “The law doesn’t erase prior offenses. You don’t get to walk a