Mon Amour (My Love)

CHAPTER 35

ANGELO ROI

When Jason opened the gate for me, I knew right away that something wasn't right.

There was a pink Ford Fiesta parked by the foyer. It was my cousin Rose's car. It was already around midnight, so what the hell was Rose doing at our house at this hour?

"You missed dinner," Papa Allie said as I kissed his cheek. As if it was the first time I'd intentionally missed dinner with them.

"Yeah," I said. "I ate at the office before I went out tonight."

"You reek of alcohol," Papa Rodel remarked as I leaned in to kiss him. "Lagi ka na lang ganyan."

"Rodel," Papa Allie said, shaking his head.

"Yeah," I stepped back, deciding not to kiss Papa Rodel after all. I yawned. "I drank a little, so I guess I'll just sleep now. Oh, by the way, do we have guests?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer. I'd expected to see Rose in the living room, but she wasn't there.

"Yes," Papa Allie replied. "Rose is staying the night."

That didn't sound right.

"Why?" I asked.

"Your Aunt Charlie requested it. Magdedate yata sila ng Uncle Martin mo. You know, it's their anniversary." Papa Allie chuckled. "So she called and asked us if Rose could sleep over."

"What? Is she a little kid? Can't she stay home and behave while her parents are out?" I said sarcastically. Papa Rodel shot me a look, and I knew he was dying to say something if not for Papa Allie holding him back.

"Hayaan mo na," Papa Allie said, massaging my shoulders. "Minsan lang naman. Pinagbakasyon din kasi nila ang mga maids nila, so walang kasama si Rose sa bahay. Kaya pumayag na rin kami. Matulog ka na, Angelo. Alam kong inaantok ka na rin."

"Right," I said, turning toward the stairs. "Good night, Papa Allie, Papa Rodel."

The guest room was on the second floor, between Kyle's and mine. There were other guest rooms on the other floors, but my parents always let Rose use the one on the second floor when we were kids.

I don't know what it was, but something felt off. I decided to check it out once I got upstairs. I opened the door and flipped the light switch. I was sure that if Rose were there, she'd be pissed I barged in, but I was also certain she wasn't there.

I was right. The room was empty.

I shook my head. Maybe my parents let her use one of the other rooms. I turned off the light and was about to close the door when I noticed something. I turned the light back on.

The room wasn't totally empty. There was a backpack at the foot of the bed and some clothes in the wardrobe (which she'd left open). Rose was using the room, but she wasn't in it.

I didn't like the feeling I was getting. Something fishy was definitely going on. I turned and headed toward Kyle's room.

Rose shouldn't be there. She shouldn't.

I stood outside his room, my heart pounding. I had to see for myself that what I was thinking wasn't true. Kyle should be alone. Rose shouldn't be there.

I turned the doorknob and slowly opened the door. Then, I reached for the switch and turned on the light.

ENCULÉ DE TA MÈRE.

It felt as though my head had inflated and then exploded. It was like all the sounds in the world disappeared in an instant, and the whole house crumbled at my feet.