Embracing the Troublemaker

Chapter Fifty

Jael's Point of View

Isang buwan na ang naka lipas simula nung pag amin saamin ni Ross. Hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa rin mapigilan kiligin sa tuwing bumabalik sa isip ko ang bagay na 'yon, para bang kahapon lang nangyari ang lahat.

Sobrang laki na rin nang improvement ni Ross. He's getting better day by day. Pati nang career nang banda nila sa industriya nang musika dahil pag labas palang nila nang mga album nila dati, agad itong nag trending.

Nanatili pa rin ang tensyon kina Ross at Rio pero kahit papaano naman kinakausap na rin s'ya nang kanyang kapatid kahit puro tango at iling lang ang sinasagot.

Isang buwan na rin kaming nandito sa condo ni Ross, ilang beses ko na s'yang kinausap na kung pwede ay bumalik na kami sa San Lorenzo dahil nahihiya na ako sakanya. Nakikitara kami sa kanya nang libre. Though, wala naman daw iyon problema sakanya. Hindi pa rin daw kasi safe bumalik saamin dahil hindi pa nahahanap si Apollo at kahit anong oras pwede ako balikan.

We've also returned to school, and Azure feels safer now thanks to Ross. Security personnel patrol the entire school, CCTV cameras are monitored, and there have been orientations for teachers due to recent incidents. Ayaw na maulit ni Ross 'yon.

"Tangina ni Kai, feel na feel mga fans n'ya,"

Nilingon ko ang kakapasok palang na si Bishop. Dere-deretso s'ya at sumalampak sa may sofa, naka sunod sakanya si Elmore na naka ngisi.

"Ulol! Kala mo naman ikaw hindi ah," ani Elmore.

"Dugyot mo."

"Mas dugyot ka."

"Shut up, you two," Ross interjected, giving them a stern look. "Don't you know how to knock?"

Nag katinginan yung dalawa at sabay na nag peace sign. "Chill, nalimutan lang." sagot ni Elmore. "Ano pagkain n'yo?" dagdag n'ya pa at agad na tumayo papuntang kitchen habang naka pamulsa pa. Mas tumalim tuloy ang tingin sakanya ni Ross.

"Have you thought about the offer, bro?" Bishop asked. I glanced back at Ross as he sighed, leaning against my shoulder.

"Not yet," he replied. "I'm still thinking about it."

Oo nga pala. Naka tanggap kasi sila nang offer sa mga malalaking music company pero hindi pa sila nakakapag desisyon kung tatanggapin ba nila ang ganoong alok. Although it was a big opportunity for the band.

"Safe ba tayo doon if ever na tinanggap natin offer?" Elmore chimed in from the kitchen, holding a plate of bread.

"I think so." Ross' said. "Do you want to accept the offer?" Tanong sakanila. They didn't answer. "We can accept it if you really want."

"What about you, do you want to?" I whispered to Ross. He gave me a subtle smile and kissed my forehead. It couldn't just be their decision, right? Ross needed to want it too.

"I want it... for Kuya. I want to accept it for him. It was his dream, and I want to continue it," he whispered back. I nodded happily.

"I'll accept it if you do too," he told them. They gave him a thumbs up.

I left them to talk downstairs and went to Rio's room. It took a few knocks before he opened the door, wearing reading glasses.

Kaya siguro sobrang talino ni Rio dahil mahilig s'ya mag basa nang mga libro. Parehas sila ni Ross kapag may free time. They love reading books.

"Why?" Mas nilakihan n'ya ang bukas nang pinto para makapasok ako. I sat on the coach. Umupo naman sya sa may study table n'ya. May tatlong libro doon na naka patong. Ang kakapal.