Your Lucky One

Chapter Eight: Who's that?

Trese Anaya's Point of View

It was just another day after a minor class, and, as usual, I found myself walking toward Ate Deuce's office. Minsan parang nakasanayan ko na ang tumambay doon at guluhin siya para lang magpalipas ng oras.

As I approached the door, I stopped in my tracks when I heard some shouting familiar voices. 

There, standing with his back, was Kuya Timothy, and facing him was Ate Deuce. The air between them felt heavy and charged, and it wasn't long before I realized that they were fighting... again.

"Dahlia wasn't there yet when that happened, Deuce!" Kuya Timothy's voice was calm but carried a defensive edge. Dahlia? Sino 'yon? The name sounded foreign to me. Who's that?

I froze, still outside the door, suddenly realizing that maybe just maybe Dahlia was the reason they broke up. Puta... Ano ba 'tong napasukan ko? Gusto ko lang naman magpalipas ng oras, hindi maging audience sa isang eksena, tapos sa ganitong eksena pa.

"I don't fucking care about that, Timothy!" Ate Deuce's voice rang out, sharp and angry, and I felt a chill run down my spine. Her words were laced with frustration and pain, the kind that only comes from someone who's been deeply hurt.

My instinct screamed at me to leave. Wrong timing, Trese, super wrong timing! Wala ka dapat dito!

I stepped back, but my shoe scraped against the floor, making a soft but unmistakable sound. Shit! Before I could react, they both turned and spotted me standing awkwardly by the door.

"Trese..." Ate Deuce's voice trailed off, her face shifting from anger to shock. Kuya Timothy's expression mirrored hers—surprised but tinged with regret.

"Uh... hey?" I tried to force a casual smile, but I knew there was no saving this moment. I'd walked straight into something I shouldn't have.

Para saan pa ang kapal na mukha na meron ako, no? Edi para sa mga ganitong sitwasyon.

Kuya Timothy cleared his throat, stepping back as if giving Deuce some space. "We were just... having a conversation."

I nodded slowly, my eyes darting between the two of them. "Yeah, sure. A very calm conversation, I see." My attempt at humor fell flat, the tension between them still thick.

Ate Deuce sighed heavily, rubbing her temples. "Trese, this isn't the best time."

"I can see that." I shifted on my feet, torn between wanting to run and wanting to stay. "Look, I was just dropping by, but if you guys need some space, I can just..."

"No, stay," Kuya Timothy suddenly spoke, his voice gentle but firm. He glanced at Ate Deuce with a softening expression. "We're done for now, right?"

Ate Deuce didn't respond right away. She just stood there, staring at him, her jaw clenched. Finally, she gave a small nod. "Yeah. We're done."