Captivating Aphrodite (UNEDITED)

Chapter 16

REESE

It's been 3 days. 3 sleepless nights. I feel so devastated inside but I'm keeping the strong-aura outside. Ayokong mag-alala sila sa akin.

Natatakot na talaga ako at this time, sobrang sobra na. Pakiramdam ko hindi ko na kaya. Every night, I think of possibilities. Worst possibilities na pwedeng mangyari pag nakita na si Spencer.

Hindi pa rin sya nahahanap.

3 araw na akong sumusubok na contact-in si dad but it's useless. I don't get it. Sabi ng sekretarya nya he's too busy sa Australia with his business. May deal daw kasing kailangang i-close. But is that more important than his son? Mapapalitan ba ng pera o deal na yun si Spencer? Parang hindi nya anak si Spencer eh. Nagpadala lang sya ng konting tao para hanapin si Spencer aside from the police.

If he really cares, he'll come dashing. Sya pa mismo ang maghahanap sa anak nya.

I felt my tears running on my cheeks again. Naiinis ako. Nasaan ka na ba kasi Spencer?

Britanny's very broken too. Sabi ng isang pinsan ko na kaibigan nito, palagi daw nagkukulong sa kwarto ito. Hindi na nga raw kumakain. Iyak lang ng iyak at palaging humihingi ng sorry. Naaawa rin ako sa kanya. Pero masyadong mainit ang tensyon sa pagitan naming dalawa.

I'm practically stealing his boyfriend in the kindest way.

I smiled bitterly. I remember the night he kissed me. I felt the best feeling.

Damien went back to States. Since the night we broke up, he didn't bother to talk to me again. We just had sex for the last time that night because he asked for it. I was hesitant at first but after feeling him, I know it's the least thing I could do. Ang iparamdam sa kanya ang pagmamahal ko, for the last time.

Someone knocked on my door. I was currently in my room. Nakabalik na kami ng Manila. Hindi namin naenjoy ang bakasyon.

"Aphrodite, are you there?" It's Terrace. He's my cousin. Sya lang ang pinsan kong tumatawag sa akin ng Aphrodite. Others call me Reese.

I immediately opened my door and found him in front of me. There was a glimpse of light in his eyes. Something in my system just sparked.

"They already found him."

*

Humahangos ako papunta sa kwarto nya. Wala na akong pakialam if I look stupid. I just need to see him. I need to know if he's alright.

If I don't, I'll lose my sanity.

I found him in a private room with white walls. He's sleeping. And there's Britanny watching him.

Nag-uuhanahan na naman ang mga luha sa mata ko. He's full of bruises. Lamog na lamog ang katawan nya sa pasa. Halos magkulay talong na sya all over. May benda sya sa ulo at may cast ang kaliwang paa at kamay. May mga aparatong nakakabit sa kanya.

Sinong hayop ang gumawa nito?

The sight shattered my heart. 3 days. All it took was 3 days.

But I'm still thankful because he's alive. Dahil kung nawala sya, gugustuhin ko na ring mawala.

It's funny how I realized my true feelings by his kiss. Nabago nito lahat. Nabuksan ang pagmamahal na matagal kong ibinaon. Akala ko wala na yun. Yun pala, it was never gone. I just forced myself to forget it. At hindi ako nagtagumpay.

I was having lunch with my friends at the cafeteria. They we're giggling because Yvo Solano, our section's heart throb gave me flowers and chocolates.

It's a usual scene. Araw-araw yata nakakatanggap ako ng bulaklak at tsokolate. Hindi lang isa. Tinatanggap ko naman ito bilang respeto sa mga nagbibigay pero walang nakakuha ng matamis kong oo, ni isa.

"C'mon, ikaw naman Reese nakakainis ka. You are so maarte! Ang gwapo na nga ni Yvo eh!" Ashley said. She was a friend.

"Oo nga! Hihihi!" Pagsang-ayon ng isa ko pang kaibigan. Halatang kinikilig pa ito.

Lahat naman sila gwapo, o may itsura. But is that enough? Sa itsura lang ba sila tumitingin?

I pity those people who can't seem to find beauty maliban sa mukha. They're superficial.

"Look, your brother is coming to our table!"

At nakita ko si Spencer. He was wearing the same uniform everyone wears. Pero umaangat pa rin sya. He's so handsome, so masculine.

He was carrying a boquet of flowers. I immediately smiled. I know it's for me. Lately he has this habit of giving me flowers. Maybe he's trying to be a sweet brother. And I'm the only one here giving...malice.

Yes.

I like my brother. In a way that my heart beats fast when he's around. That I stammer whenenever he smiles. I don't know.

I know it's wrong but my heart tells me it's the best thing I figured out in my entire life.

"Flowers for a beautiful lady," he handed me the flowers. I willingly took it and mouthed thank you. He smiled at me and I watch his sexy back as he goes back to his table with his friends.

How I love these flowers.

Mabilis na rin kaming natapos nila Ashley sa pagkain. We hurriedly went back to our class.

Nagising ang diwa ko ng marinig ko ang boses ni Britanny.

"Oh my God! I missed you!" At alam ko, nagising na sya that moment.

Lalapit pa lang ako ng marinig ko ang malamig nyang boses.

"Get her out of here." He said. His face didn't let any emotions out. All I can see was a poker face as I stood there, few steps away from him.

Naglakad ako. Isa, dalawang hakbang nang magsalita sya ulit.

"Get the fuck out of here. Now." His voice was weak yet authoritive. I froze.

I was not expecting this.

*