When the Beat Drops (Chasing Celestine #2)

Special Chapter

When the Beat Drops (Chasing Celestine Series #2) ends here. Thank you so much for supporting the second installment of this series!

So far, this is the heaviest book I've written. This is a story wherein social issues are tackled, especially sexual violence and abuse. This story aims to spread awareness of what happens around the world that can be experienced by anyone, men and women, rich and poor, young and old, and the LGBTQIA+ Community. The depictions of the chapters with abuses, harassment, and assaults exist not just today but also in earlier times.

Let us all be Chasing Celestine, Stephen, and Sabina to all the Phoebes out there.

This is a tribute to all sex workers, victims of violence, harassments, and abuse. You are all heard, seen, respected, and validated.

Keep safe and safe sex always!

Till the next,
themryus

***

SPECIAL CHAPTER

[Phoebe Celeste Revilla]

Lahat kami ay nakasuot na ng regalia at cap, nasa lobby ng auditorium kung saan nakalagay ang pangalan ng school. Gavin, Donovan, Karim, ako, Nori, Vienna, at si Kat na naka-semi formal attire.

Marami kaming mga litratong nakuha at sa lahat ng iyon ay yakap ako ni Karim.

"Ito, o," Pinakita ko sa kanya ang phone ko. "Noong junior high graduation."

"You took a photo of me?" Nagtaas siya ng kilay.

"Ah-huh... akala ko, last picture ko na 'yon sa'yo."

"Come here," Hinila pa niya ako palapit sa kanya at nilabas ang kanyang cellphone.

Pinindot niya ang camera at itinapat sa amin. We took a few selfies there before he put it down.

"At marami pang susunod, baby."

Tumango ako at ngumiti sa kanya. "Kasi... hindi mo naman ako hihiwalayan kapag naging tayo na?"

"Try me, Celestine. Pakakasalan kita at tatanda kang ako yung kasama mo."

Nagtataka nga ako, eh. Naka-graduate na kami ng college, hindi pa rin niya ako tinatanong. O ako na yung magsasabi sa kanyang sinasagot ko na siya? Tulad ni Kat kay Miguel?

"You two!" Lapit ni Kat sa amin, "Mayroon pang farewell party ng Chasing Celestine, right?"

"Oo nga pala!" Napaayos ako ng tayo.

Lumapit na kaming tatlo kina Gavin.

"Six pa magsisimula yung farewell party. It's... quarter to five," Ani Donovan habang nakatingin sa kanyang pulsuhan para sa oras.

"Kids, we'll go now, okay? Enjoy the party!" Sabi ni Tito Greg. "Phoebe, pumunta ka bukas, ha? Kasama ka sa pinaghandaan naming celebration sa graduation ni Karim."

Simula nang dalhin ako ni Karim sa bahay nila pagkagaling namin sa LA para kunin ang labi ni mama, naipakilala na rin niya ako kay Tito Greg. I came clean to Karim's parents about the five years and Tita Michelle helped me run Sunwood Limited. Siya ang naging CEO muna roon.

Tito Noel was shocked knowing about me, being the granddaughter and niece of his business associates. When he knew what happened with papa's family, he pulled out his shares with the Revillas. He said, they were great in business, but he couldn't stand how they treated their son, mama, and me.

Mula noon, hanggang ngayon, ganoon pa rin ang trato nila sa akin. Bilang kapamilya rin nila. They didn't ridicule me for being a stripper and a prostitute before. Akala ko sa oras na malaman nila iyon, hindi na nila ako matatanggap para kay Karim, pero niyakap nila ako at naki-simpatya, lalo na noong nalaman nilang wala na rin si mama at ako na lang ang mag-isang bumuhay sa akin, sa kabila pa ng pagkakakulong ko sa sindikato.