Nights Like This

Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Careful

I honestly thought I was fine holding out on my own with this new life that I have. But Kuya Nikko just had to ruin it. Totally, totally ruin it.

I admit it was really hard to move on from Rex Niccolo. Hindi siya madaling kalimutan, iyon ang totoo. Amidst all that's happened between us, I still can't completely write him off of my mind. Reason why whenever someone brings him up in a conversation, I immediately run for my life. I don't care who it is. Aalis ako at iiwan ko ang kausap. Except this sly brother of mine, unfortunately.

"I'm telling you, believe in him. I don't want you looking all regretful and shit when the time comes," dagdag pa ni Kuya Nikko.

I hate how he has a way of making me listen to him. Something that he's got since I basically became his responsibility. Sa kanya lang ako nakikinig dahil siya lang rin naman ang mayroon ako. He genuinely cares for me and I feel like I should give back by listening to him at least. At gawin din ang mga utos niya minsan. Mostly just driving off somewhere to meet people on his behalf or to pick up random things.

"Why... did he leave the country?" labag sa loob kong tanong. I mean, I'm curious but it's a war between my emotions and my mind. I'm completely being pulled to two different directions with this conversation we're having.

"Opportunities. Rex is a prodigy. Big companies abroad chased him to no end when they learned he's no longer in VLL."

"Nagalit ba si Papa sa kanya? Kasi umalis siya sa firm at agaran ding umalis sa bansa?"

Oh, wait. That's stupid to ask. Alam ko naman na sa akin nagalit si Papa at hindi kay Rex Niccolo.

"No. Papa respected his decision to quit. Hindi nagalit o kung ano man. If anything, he's proud of Rex for the new job that he has."

Of course, the two-faced person that he is.

"I see. That must be so nice..." Ang huling sinabi ay bulong na lang sa sarili. I'm not insecure with Rex Niccolo because I know he's worthy of my father's respect but sometimes, it just feels painful knowing my own father will never be like that to me.

Anyway, that's an old dilemma. I'd like to think I've moved on from all my family problems. Kung sana ganoon din kadali para sa sakit na nararamdaman ko sa puso. Unfortunately, the pain of a failed love lingers longer than I would prefer it to.

Damn it. If only Kuya Nikko hadn't started talking about this. E 'di sana, masaya ako na kumakain at hindi kumikirot ang puso.

Rex Niccolo left. If he's for real, I wonder if he left because he's hurt with what I did? Na kung totoo ngang hindi niya naman ako niloko, nasaktan kaya siya nang sabihin ko na ayaw ko na siyang makita? Did he leave because... he doesn't want to see me as well?

I hate thinking, it's just draining. Lalo na kung hindi ko naman alam ang sagot sa mga tanong.

To even solidify Kuya Nikko's claims about the apparent old video of Rex Niccolo, Anne also cleared up things with me. I don't know if it's just a coincidence that we happen to be at the same restaurant or what.

"I've wanted to tell you that the video I showed you before happened to be an old one but we're not exactly friends and I have no way of reaching you. Especially now that you're out of your socials. But yeah, it's the truth. It wasn't about you. I apologize for my mistake."

Tumango lang ako. Namamangha na pareho ang sinabi niya sa sinabi ng kapatid ko at mas namangha na kaya niyang humingi ng paumanhin sa pagkakamali. To me, Anne looks so proud to even admit a mistake but she actually did. For truth's sake. For my sake.