All Chapters of She Didn't Know He Noticed: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako pumayag pumunta. Actually, alam ko. Ayoko lang aminin.Sabi nila bridal shower daw ‘to, parang mini celebration lang, pero sa totoo lang, mas mukhang sleepover party inside Maddy's bedroom kaysa kahit anong formal event. Sa isip ko pa lang, alam ko nang mali yung “normal” na inaasahan ko sa gabing ‘to.Pagpasok ko pa lang sa hallway ng dorm building nila, amoy ko na agad yung halo ng perfume, pagkain, at alcohol. May music na umaalingawngaw kahit hindi pa ako nakakarating sa pinto.And of course… nandito na naman ako.Sa lugar na hindi ako sure kung welcome ba ako o tinolerate lang.Pagbukas ng pinto, bumungad sa akin yung kwarto ni Maddy—malaki, well-decorated, fairy lights everywhere, pillows scattered on the bed and floor. Parang Pinterest board na biglang naging real life.Nandun sila lahat. Si Maddy nakaupo sa gitna, parang queen bee sa sarili niyang hive. At the corner, nakita ko si Seohyun—nakangiti, relaxed, holding a glass like she actually belong

“Ha?” maang-maangan ko.Hindi maaari. Was I too obvious?But I know I wasn't. I had always been careful. Every glance, every word, every smile, I rehearsed them all before showing them to the world. I made sure no one would ever recognize me. Especially him.But if he does know... Kailan pa?“Your eyes twitch when you are caught,” he said quietly.Then he smiled. Not because he found it funny. Because he finally found me.“How can I forget your voice?”His voice cracked on the last word. Parang may humigpit sa dibdib ko.No. No...This isn't Andre. This is Sevi. The same boy I left years ago.“Sev...”“I miss you saying that.” His eyes never left mine. “Where have you been?”My lips parted, but no words came out. What should I even say? That I died? That every single day, I wanted to run back to him but couldn't? That I chose revenge over him... and lost everything?“Sevi, I—”Before I could continue, a familiar laugh interrupted us. “Hon!”She appeared between us like she owned the r

Parang huminto ang buong ballroom. Hindi ko alam kung ilang segundo ang lumipas. Ang alam ko lang, nakatingin sa akin si Sevi. Hindi mapanuri. Hindi rin galit. Curious. At iyon ang mas mahirap sagutin.Napatingin si Maddy sa amin."Luke?" ulit niya. "Who's Luke?"Napalunok ako. "Wala..." Halos pabulong kong sagot. "Kaibigan."Hindi nagsalita si Sevi. Hindi rin siya nagtanong ulit. Tumango lang siya nang bahagya, parang sapat na ang ibinigay kong sagot kahit halatang hindi."Babe?" tawag muli ni Maddy habang marahang hinihila ang manggas niya. "Picture tayo with the family."Napatingin siya kay Maddy. "Yeah."Bago siya tuluyang tumalikod, muli siyang napatingin sa akin. "Good night, Diane."Ngumiti ako nang pilit. "Good night."Pinanood ko silang maglakad palayo. Magkahawak ang kamay. Magaan ang mga hakbang. Habang ako, parang naiwan sa iisang lugar.***"Ready na po ba kayo, Ma'am?"Napatingin ako sa valet na hawak ang susi ng sasakyan ko. "Ah... oo."Tinanggap ko ang susi at marahang

The moment we stepped inside the atelier, everyone seemed to flock around Maddy. One of the designers hurried toward her with a measuring tape draped around her neck."Ma'am Maddy, we finally received the French lace shipment."Maddy's eyes immediately lit up."Really?"The designer nodded enthusiastically."We need you for another fitting."She turned to us with an apologetic smile. "I'll just be quick, okay?"Before I could answer, she was already being ushered toward one of the fitting rooms.The showroom suddenly felt... quieter. Too quiet.I shifted my weight from one foot to another, pretending to admire the wedding gowns displayed behind the glass.Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Andre standing a few feet away. Hands tucked inside his pockets.Silent.Waiting.Neither of us knew who should speak first. To distract myself, I pulled out my phone. A notification flashed across the screen.Luke: Don't forget breakfast this time.A small smile found its way onto my lips befor

The walls of my apartment felt too small, too suffocating, but it was the only place I could run to.Pagkatapos ng nangyari sa roof deck, hindi ko na nakuha pang bumalik sa showroom. I didn't care what excuse Sevi gave Maddy, and frankly, I didn't care if Maddy noticed my sudden disappearance. Ang alam ko lang, tuluyan na akong binalot ng panghihina habang pababa ng elevator. I booked a ride straight home, my hands shaking so badly that it took me three tries just to pin my location.The moment I stepped inside my unit, I dropped my purse on the floor and leaned my back against the heavy wooden door, sliding down until my knees hit the cold tiles.“Sana natuluyan na lang ako! Sana hindi na lang ako nagising!”Naitakip ko ang mga palad ko sa mukha ko habang paulit-ulit na umuusad ang sarili kong boses sa utak ko. I screamed those words at him. I bared my ugliest, darkest truth to Sevi—the very things I couldn't even admit to myself on most days. Ang bigat sa dibdib ko na bitbit ko sa l