My Guard for Life

Chapter 30

On Sunday, Tito Cleafe invited me to attend the mass with them. Gustuhin ko man na sumama sa kanila, nahihiya naman ako na makita nilang hindi kami nag-uusap ni Pierre. Ayaw ko ring makita muna si Kuya Renz. He had called me that night Pierre and I fought, but I refused to talk to him.

I need peace. So I called Mommy. I got more broken-hearted. She's starting to forget me because of her disease. Sinabi ko 'yon kay Daddy and it made him sad too. I spent yesterday crying. Hindi ako nagpakita sa kahit na sino. I was so in pain that I wished that I could disappear somehow.

I got a little bit better when I found out that Pierre initiated to delete Crissa's post. Still, Pierre hasn't messaged me yet. Baka ayaw na niya akong kausapin.

I let out a sigh. I was typing a new novel in my mini-library. Ngayon lang ulit ako magsusulat. I wrote a compilation of short stories back in New York. Wala rin kasi akong gaanong gana na magsulat do'n dahil nami-miss ko si Pierre. I don't think I can write today either.

I decided na sumama na lang sa pag-attend ng misa. My bodyguards took me to the church. I've informed Tita Cleafe that I'll be joining them. But not Pierre.

When Lawrence parked our family car, I saw the Castellano family beside the fountain. I guess they're waiting for me. Nakita ko si Pierre. Napalunok ako. Paano ko siya haharapin? Paano kung magtanong sila kapag hindi niya ako pansinin? Did I make the wrong decision?

"Get out the car, Kate Daesiree," Lawrence commanded.

Pouting, I darted my eyes at him. Nasa likod si Dave, ang isa pang bodyguard. I wasn't expecting na sasagot si Lawrence sa tawag ko kaninang umaga para magpahatid sa kanila. Hindi naman sila nagtanong pa.

"You've got to be kidding me."

I pouted more. That's his usual line. Nagsasawa na rin ako. He's so harsh.

"Sumama kayo sa 'kin," tugon ko.

He gave me a mocking laugh.

"Baptist ako, Ma'am," sagot agad ni Dave.

Sinulyapan ko siya saglit bago ibinalik ang tingin kay Lawrence, tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. Mas lalo ko siyang nginusuan, nagpipilit pa rin.

"Sumama ka na," udyok ng nasa likod.

I moved my eyebrows up and down rapidly until Lawrence gave his annoyed look and gave in. I laughed at his face. He looked defeated.

"Come on."

Lumabas na ako ng kotse. Saktong tumigil ang ulo ni Pierre sa parte ko. Nakita ko ang pagtingin niya kay Lawrence na lumapit sa akin. Nakita ko rin na nanonood si Kuya Renz.

I lowered my head and clasped my hands behind my back while holding my vegan leather black wallet. I paid attention to my outfit. I'm wearing a mini-dress, tie at the side, with balloon-style sleeves partnered with an open-toe nude stiletto.

Tiningnan ko si Lawrence na nakabusangot. I snapped my finger at him.

"Stop being grumpy. When you're going to church, dapat nakangiti," I lectured him.

He hissed. "You aren't."

Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata. Medyo bumagal ang paglalakad niya dahil inayos niya ang black suit na suot. That's his usual outfit. I haven't seen Pierre wearing one before. My lips turned downward.

"I look like those guys who take coffins in burials," he joked, but he's not smiling at all.

I couldn't help but snort. "You're funny when you're not trying to."

He shook his head in disbelief. "You're a crazy woman."

"Am not," I defended. "Crazy women don't wear dresses like this. Beautiful, right?"