He who she loves

Chapter 37

"OMG! Congratulations, Brielle!" I heard lot of congratulations after cutting the ribbon. There's a lot of people, my family, friends and Alexander family. Yes, dumating ang mommy ni Alexander kasama ang mga kapatid niya.

"This is for you iha. This plant will bring goodluck to your business" I can't help but to smile widely. She's so sweet.

"Thank you po tita"

Looking at these people around me, I can't help but feel overwhelmed. They really supported me all throughout my journey.

"We'll look around first."

I smiled and nodded my head.

"Ateee! You have a lot of designer bags! OMG!" Tili ni Alesandra at halos puno na ang cart na hawak niya.

"Look around marami pang maganda" nakangiting sagot ko.

"She'll probably use her 1 month allowance" umiling iling pa si Atasha.

"Well, she have you naman" panunukso ni Alexander sa kanya. Atasha rolled her eyes.

"Congrats bunso!" Niyakap ako ni Kuya Creed. Dumaan din sila mommy at daddy, pati na din si Kuya Hezekiah pero umalis din sila agad after ng ribbon cutting dahil may meeting pa sila.

"Help her out Mr. Babel"

Alexander smiled and nodded his head. "I will"

"I'm going to go na din. May seminar pa ako later. We're very sorry, Brielle. I hope you understand."

I smiled. I'm really okay this time. "Okay lang po. Ingat ka kuya!"

"Hoy! Bubudulin mo ba talaga kami? Bakit daming maganda?" Sambit din ni Ansella.

"Congrats! May dala akong plant, nilagay ko na dun sa table" singit ni Darrion.

Sobrang dami ni lang binigay na gift kahit Hindi ko naman birthday. Halos mapuno ng mga flowers ang table sa side.

"Thank you ah!" Lahat sila nandito, maging si Ciella. Hindi ko alam paano ko sya pakikitunguhan kaya hindi ko na lang sya tinitignan.

"Are you happy?" Tanong ng nasa tabi ko, na kanina pa naka buntot sa akin.

"I am" I answered.

Alexander gently tapped my head. "I'm proud of you"

"I know"

"OMG! I can't believe I spent a hundred thousand!" Reklamo ni Ansella. Knowing this girl sobrang adik niya sa shopping. I think I made the right choice choosing this type of business. Hindi ako malulugi kay Ansella.

Phoenix rolled his eyes. "Kulang na lang kunin mo lahat"

She pouted her lips. "Kainis. Bakit kasi andaming maganda?"

We have 30% off all our items because it's our first day. We also have some small token of appreciation for them. A

"Kahit ako ay nabudol mo, Brielle" Darrion bought sunglasses, shoes and a cap. While Liam and Ciella bought a couple shirts and shoes.

"Nawa'y marami ka pang magustuhan" natatawa ng sambit ko.

Sobrang dami ng tao, buti na lang ay malaki laki ang space namin. Hindi ko akalain na ganito karami ang tao na pupunta.

"Nauna na daw sila mommy, hindi na sila nag paalam sayo dahil mukhang busy ka na daw"

I felt bad. Ni hindi ko man lang sila na entertain ng maayos.

"It's okay," he whispered.

"Mauna na din kami, Brielle. You know, may mga work pa kami" paalam ni Darrion na tinanguan ko.

"Thank you! Sa susunod ulit"

Ansella sticks her tongue out. "Hindi na ako babalik. Kawawa ang wallet ko dito"

"Sorry, but I'm not going to let her come here again. Ubos pera niya" pagbibiro din ni Phoenix.

"Ay wait lang!" I remember na may mga gift nga pala ako na tinabi para sa kanila. It's wine and some keychain.

"Here," inabutan ko sila ng tig isa isa.

"Grabe. May pa ganito pa talaga. Anyway, thank you!"

Liam takes a glance before he walks out of the door.

"OMG! We hit almost a million today, ma'am!" Natutuwang sambit ni Ana.

Parang bigla nalang akong nabingi sa sinabi niya.

"Really?"

They all looked at me and smiled widely. "Worth it po talaga ma'am ang opening natin!"

Kahit sobrang pagod na pagod sila kitang kita ko na masaya sila, kahit ako ay hindi makapaniwala na ganun karami ang mabebenta namin ngayon.

If this is how business works, I think I'll be able to handle it.

"Here"

"Treat yourself for a nice dinner." I said while smiling.

"Thank you po!" Nakangiting sagot nila.

I'm really tired, like from the bottom of my heart. I'm so tired today.

I close my eyes and feel the cold breeze. Nasa harap lang ako ng boutique, waiting for Kuya Leon to pick me up. May biglaang lakad kasi si Alexander kaya umalis din ito pagkatapos namin mag lunch.

"Why are you still here?" Gulat akong napalingon kay Liam na nasa tabi ko na ngayon.

"Here" Inabutan niya ako ng Ice coffee.

"Thank you, but you don't really need to do this, Liam"

I felt bad everytime na ganito si Liam. I know it's really hard for him and I hope alam niya na mahirap din para sa akin ang lahat.

"Let me do this. Just this once, Mondragon." He took a deep breath and stared at me.

"Late na naman ba si Alexander?" Natatawang tanong nito pero kitang kita ko ang sakit sa kanyang mga mata.

"Spill it, Liam"

"After this, I'm really letting you go," he said.

I don't know why I felt my heart suddenly sink.

"I really wanted to end up with you, Mondragon. You who always love me even on days I feel unlovable. You who saw my scars and said that nothing could ever make you think that I am less than good enough."

He looked away. "But I guess, just like what you said. We're just really not mean for each other and I'm slowly accepting that fact"

It's hard for me to clear the lump on my throat. I have been waiting for this moment, where he can finally accept our faith

But why does it hurt so much?

"Life has its own way to make you understand why everything happened the same way it did and I finally understand it."

He gently grabbed my hand. "Let me hold your hand for one last time, Mondragon"

"I'm really sorry for everything I have done and thank you, because after all, you make me believe that love does really exist. Thank you my first love, and I .." he stopped for a moment, took a deep breath and held my hand so tight that I felt like my hand would break.

"I wish you all the best that life could offer because you deserve it."

"Liam"

"Shh. Don't say anything or else, I'm gonna run away with you" he's trying to make the mood less heavy to carry.

I don't really know what to say, I just stared at him the whole time.

"You're the most beautiful poetry that wasn't for me"