Mirror Mirror

Chapter 5: Meeting Harley ⚠️

She leaned back against the pillows, satisfied with herself, and watched the screen as the message delivered, knowing it would only add to Martina's frustration—and force another encounter between them.

Martina exhaled deeply, debating whether to go back into Alex's room and put an end to whatever game Alex was playing. She still had an hour before the surgery and could resolve this.

Inside Alex's room, nerves began to gnaw at her. The upcoming skin grafting surgery made her anxious—she knew the pain would be intense afterward. To distract herself, she opened Martina's phone, staring at the wallpaper. The temptation to browse through the gallery tugged at her, curiosity getting the better of her.

"Pictures lang naman. Baka tinitignan niya rin gallery ko ngayon," Alex mumbled to herself, justifying her actions.

As she scrolled, a particular photo of Martina on the beach caught her eye—Martina in a bikini, radiating confidence and beauty. Alex's eyes widened, and a flush crept up her cheeks. "In heat ba 'ko? Haist!" she muttered, quickly locking the phone, feeling a pang of guilt.

To distract herself, she checked the front camera of the phone she was holding. Her face, though slightly scarred, was still recognizable, but the burns covering her body made her feel frustrated and vulnerable. Lowering the phone, she noticed something long protruding between her legs.

"Harley, behave!" Alex exclaimed, addressing her... special part.

But then the door slowly opened, causing her to panic. She quickly covered her long member with a pillow, her heart racing.

"Hindi ka ba talaga marunong kumatok?!" Alex snapped, her voice edged with panic.

"Sorry. I got used to entering your room when you were unconscious," Martina said softly, clearly taken aback by Alex's outburst.

Guilt pricked at Alex; she hadn't meant to yell. Maangas ka, Alex. Maangas ka pero di ka masamang tao! she scolded herself internally.

"What do you want?" Alex asked, trying to keep her irritation and panic in check.

"I'm begging you. Give me back my phone, please," Martina pleaded, her voice quivering. "There's a message there from my baby sister, telling me that she's proud that I'm her ate. It's the last thing I read before going to sleep every night. It was her first ever text message when she got her first phone," she continued, tears welling up in her eyes.

Alex felt her resolve soften. Without saying a word, she raised her hand, holding up Martina's phone. As Martina reached for it, Alex pulled it back slightly, hesitating.

"Please, Alex."

"I'll give it back on one condition," Alex said, her tone serious but gentler than before.

"Anything."

"Scrub in during my surgery. I want you to be there b...because... I-I'm scared, Avril. I don't wanna be in pain anymore," Alex stammered, her vulnerability seeping through her usually cold demeanor.

Martina's heart raced as she pulled Alex into a hug, her emotions overwhelming her. The vulnerability Alex displayed made Martina's usual reserve crumble. For a moment, she forgot about the seriousness of the situation, focusing only on the warmth and comfort of holding Alex.

"Sshh, don't be scared na."

When Martina tried to pull away, Alex tightened her embrace, holding her close. Martina attempted to distance herself once more, but their faces were now inches apart. She could feel the warmth of Alex's breath mingling with her own, each breath heightening the tension between them.