Deadly Beauty (Levrés Series #3)

Kabanata 20

"Don't worry, iha. Mukhang bumubuti na ang lagay ni Elliott. You can come home soon," Mama said softly.

She updated me about what's happening in the Manila right now. Mabuti naman at maganda na ang balita niyang dala. At umaayos na rin si Elliott. Hindi ko rin naman gusto ang nangyari.

"I'll talk to him when he recovered. Para hindi ka na magugulo pa ng mga fans niya. Because they are still looking for you. And the media still bugging us to get our statement about this issue."

"Are you okay there?" I asked worriedly.

"We are okay. Don't worry about us. How about you? Wala bang nanggugulo sa iyo riyan na mga fans niya?" tanong niya.

"Wala naman po. I rarely go outside," I said.

Pagtapos ko silang makausap, si Shyra naman ang tinawagan ko para makamusta ang shop. Maayos din naman ito. Wala namang fans ni Elliott na nanggugulo.

I saw Liyen walking towards me so I bid Shyra goodbye. They are going home later today. I'm a little bit sad because I'll be here alone again. Nandito naman si Emrei pero pumapasok siya sa trabaho niya. Hapon na umuuwi. Minsan gabi na.

"Hi!" I greeted her.

"We are leaving two hours from now," she said.

"I'm sad," I said.

Ngumiti siya. "Pwede pa naman tayo magkita kapag umuwi ka na ng Maynila!"

Tumango ako. I invited her to go to my shop. And she said yes. Susubukan niya raw magpalagay ng hair extensions since she has a short hair. And she will attend her bestfriend's wedding next month.

"Sorry, pumunta lang ako rito para makita iyong mansion niyo," she chuckled.

"Gusto mo ilibot kita?" sabi ko.

Inaya ko siya sa loob at nilibot. Namangha rin siya kung gaano kalawak ang mansion ni Tita. Tapos wala rin naman nakatira.

"Buti hindi naiisipan ng Tita mo ibenta ito?" tanong niya.

"Nah. This is their ancestral house. They love this mansion."

They grew up here. Gusto nga rin noon ni Mama na rito kami lumaki ni Kuya, but we just can't. They just can't. They need to run the company but they still want to take care of us. They can't do that if we are living here.

"Is this your grandparents? Both of them are breathtaking! No wonder you're gorgeous!" puri ni Liyen.

Nakatingin kami sa mga painting ng mga Lolo at Lola ko. It's true. They are both breathtaking. Nakuha namin ni Kuya ang features nila. We are more look like them than our parents.

Pagtapos namin lumibot ay umupo muna kami sa living room para magkwentuhan. Dinalhan naman kami agad ng juice noong mga kasambahay.

Tumunog ang cellphone ni Liyen. Tinignan niya iyon. May dumaang galit sa mukha niya bago kinancel iyong tawag. Naulit ulit iyon hanggang sa patayin na lang niya iyong cellphone niya.

"Nagmahal ka na ba?" biglang tanong niya.

Medyo nabigla ako roon pero sinagot ko pa rin siya. "Yes."

She looked up at me. "He was your first love or second love?"

"He was my first love."

"How do you move on? Are you okay now?" she asked, a bit worried.

"It wasn't easy at first. You'll find yourself forgiving him as long as he comes back to you. You'll find yourself coming back to him, even though all he gave was pain. Kapag unang pag-ibig kasi, wala ka pang alam kung paano ba magmahal ng tama. Kaya naman ibibigay mo lahat para sa kanya. Hindi ka magtitira ng para sa sarili mo dahil iisipin mo, ganoon dapat ang pagmamahal."