HE PICKED UP my blouse that was on the floor and handed it to me. I don’t know how to feel anymore, It is not the pain, it’s who it came from.
I said nothing you took and quietly put on while he just watched. I could feel the warmth of my two ears, as well as the underside of my eyes. My words to stick to my throat, these feeling of swings from most loved to most hated would be the end for me. I guess.
“Look, I’m sorry,” he sincerely said like there must be some mistake happened.
I couldn’t help but gasp because of the suppressed welling up of tears. Why am I hurting? I feel like my heart is squeezing because of what he said.
Come on, Cherry! don’t play victim to circumstances you created. You’re the one who said you can’t fall for someone like him but why do I seem to eat everything I said? Most of all I didn’t think I would get hurt a second time.
“It’s okay, I’m getting used to it.” Giving him a chortle.
I saw a disapproval gleamed in his eyes and clenching his jaw before quickly avoiding looking at me.
I swallowed the pain I shouldn’t have felt, so even though it was painful I forced everything to be normal with me.
“I have to go, thanks for inviting me here and I’d like to congratulate you on your success!” I said clearly without a paused.
He looked back at me with his always dark eyes. He swallowed but did not speak, so I smiled slightly.
“I have to go…” I started to walk to open the door but I felt its iron-like hand on my arms.
I stared at him with questioning eyes. I was suddenly worried that we should have something to talk about.
“We’re not done yet, Cherry.” He started.
“Go back to work, I need you tomorrow.”
I just opened my mouth to what he said. I was speechless again, I didn’t know what to answer because my tongue seemed to knot again in front of him.
“I-I need you…” he added.
My eyes winked in surprise, as if I wanted to send what he said again but I immediately restrained myself.
“I’m sorry, I’m already looking for a new job,” I shyly said.
I saw his forehead frown at me, so I quickly moved.
“But, don’t worry, I will pay my debt to you every month.” I tried to convinced him, but the line marks on his forehead would not disappear and he showed more of his frowned face to me.
“And how would you do that, huh? Tell me where in this world you’ll gonna find a million peso to pay me?!” he said that he seemed sure of what he said.
My lips parted at what he said. I feel like I’m shrinking from what I heard.
“I didn’t lend you my money with installments, so why would you leave me hanging for something you wasn’t so sure?” he said seriously.
I didn’t answer anything, even if I wanted to defend my rights, I couldn’t do it.
“I told your father that I will take you home,” he stated.
He just brushed up his hair using his fingers in front of me as if nothing had happened.
How he manages to act normally despite everything? We’ve been kissing each other, we almost end up in bed but it seems like this is just a game to him.
“Let’s go outside!” He took my hand out of the room again.
But that was the biggest mistake I made in my entire life because when we came out I didn’t expect the eyes to darted to us.
Their eyes were blazing like torches. It was as if I just wanted to faint and lose consciousness in front of them.
I tried to pull my hand away from Rexon but he held it tightly. I also want to blame my hair and even my blouse that I don’t button properly.
I could see from where we were standing the spectacles look of his date earlier.
Even some visitors were filled with astonishment at what they saw.
“Damn, I need to go!” I said stepping to my feet to leave but he held my hand more tightly.
“I have to sing for the guest tonight first, then I’ll take you home,” he whispered.
I bowed down my head because of the various emotions I was feeling. I feel like I have no choice in all the options I have. And I hate to admit that I end up following his order like fighting for my lives.
I woke up with a severe headache. I felt my throat was dry so I got up to look for cold water. I also feel my headache like it’s being torn apart. I tried to remember what happened last night but nothing entered my brain.
Suddenly, my leg went numb, trying to remember what happened last night. It was as if I wanted to go back to my own room so that I could mumble there all day. I can’t really remember what happened after we talked last night with Rexon.
“Aren’t you going to work today?” Dad asked me.
“What time is it?” I asked holding on to the aching head.
“It’s past one o’clock in the afternoon, your Auntie Melva is cooked your favorite kare-kare,” he answered.
I immediately found us in shock. Shit! why did I just wake up late! I ran to the bathroom to take a shower. I have to go to the boutique today to talk to Cindy. I can’t just leave my compromise with her on the air.
After taking a shower, I hurried up to my room to get dressed. I chose to wear a simple red dress and just pulled my hair high and lightly applied light lipstick.
“Eat first before you leave.” Dad stopped me from going downstairs.
“Ah – Yes.” I sniffed.
I couldn’t chew well my food because my father was staring at me while I was eating.
“Is there a problem Dad?” I couldn’t help but ask. I sat up to wait for him to speak.
“Why do you have to get drunk?” He begins.
Suddenly I was worried because of the fading sadness on his face.
“I’m sorry Dad, I just can’t avoid it because of work.” I explained.
“I’m already there, but I don’t want you to get drunk. If Rexon hadn’t send you home, you might have been picked up somewhere because of your drunkenness.”
There is a trace of worry on his face for me.
“I’m sorry Dad. I promised. It won’t happen again.” I forced a smile on him to let him know I was okay.
“By the way, you were asleep last night when he took you so he just handed me your salary.” He laid a white envelope on the table.
I frowned when I took a peek inside the envelope and that’s how my eyes suddenly widened.
“That’s too much for a month’s salary, I don’t want to investigate but it’s up to you if you explain.” He clasped both hands on the table and waited for me to say something.
“I’m sorry Dad, I’m also shocked. Let me talk to Rexon about it.” That’s all I could say.
Even I had no idea why I was paid so much even though I still had to pay what I owed him.