(GRIEGO COUSINS #1)
Seven years after his mother's tragic death, Angelus Griego's father, Simon Griego, made a life-changing decision to marry a wealthy businesswoman with a troubled past and a sick child. Angelus, known for his charm, intelligence...
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Ristan Escalante. He is the Philippines' youngest mayor. Because of his charitable work, the non-governmental organization he founded to support victims of domestic abuse, and his family's political links, he was able to win the election at the age of twenty-five.
At the time, I was gullible. I was your average attention-seeking teenager, willing to go to any lengths to win my parents' approval. Dad and Mom hardly ever came home since they were so busy with our business. That's when I met that jerk and started rebelling.
Pumikit ako at humigpit ang hawak sa doorknob ng kuwarto ni Kuya Angelus. I don't know how. But I am not stupid. He asked me what the name of the married man I was in a relationship with was. And earlier, he mentioned Ristan. He even asked me if I knew that bastard.
I opened my eyes and sighed. I'm wearing a pair of pajamas and a long-sleeved top. Just in case. Hindi ko pa alam kung anong sasabihin niya ngunit hindi na maganda ang pakiramdam ko roon.
Kumatok ako ng tatlong beses sa kaniyang pintuan. I thought he'd open the door, but after a few seconds, the deafening silence was the only thing I heard. Kumunot ang aking noo at muling kumatok.
"Kuya Angelus, I'm here," I said while continuously knocking.
But the brute didn't open up or even answer! Huminga ako nang malalim at binuksan ang pintuan sa iritasyon. Una kong nakita ang bookshelf niyang punong-puno ng mga libro.
"I'm coming in..." I said as I slowly went inside.
Maingat kong sinara ang pintuan at ginala ang paningin. His scent wafted through the air. His large window was obscured by beige drapes, and the bed was unoccupied. Tatawagin ko sana ulit ang kaniyang pangalan nang may mahagip akong pigura.
I looked in the familiar direction and froze upon seeing him standing in front of the statue of Jesus Christ and some angel figurines. May mga kandila roon, kaya naman kitang-kita ko ang kaniyang mukha.
With his eyes closed and his palms interlocked, he stood before the holy statue and figurines, dressed in a white shirt and brown linen pajamas.
He's praying...
"What the fuck? Is he being real right now?" bulong ko, hindi makapaniwala.
Basa ang bagsak niyang buhok at wala akong marinig na ingay maliban sa tunog ng aircon. Dinapuan na ako ng kaba nang manatili siya sa kaniyang ayos, nagdadasal nang tahimik.
Napalunok ako at walang ingay na naglakad papalapit sa kaniya. Sinilip ko ang kaniyang mukha. He looks serious. His fingers are intertwined together, and the tips of his hair are almost covering his eyes.
I looked sideways, slowly getting scared at the unusual sight and silence.
"Amen," he muttered in a low voice.
Napatingin ako sa kaniya. Dahan-dahan niyang iminulat ang madidilim na mga mata at pagilid akong tiningnan. Kumalabog ang aking puso nang dumapo ang ngisi sa mapupula niyang labi.
