"Andito na tayo," Clover said, pulling up to the airport curb. "Thank you ulit. Balik ka na din doon, baka kailangan ka ni Addi," Mackenzie replied, her hand reaching for the door handle.
But before she could step out, Clover locked the doors with a soft click. She turned to Mackenzie, her gaze sharp and unwavering. "Gusto ko lang klaruhin. Kung hindi mo siya iingatan at aalagaan... hindi ako magdadalawang-isip na agawin siya sayo." Her tone was cool, but the weight of her words hung heavy.
Mackenzie met Clover's gaze, equally serious. "I get it. I appreciate everything you do for Addison, and I know she cares about you, too. But you don't have to worry about me-I'm serious about her. Totoo ang nararamdaman ko."
Clover sighed, her expression softening just a fraction. "Then stop with this nonsense. Ipakita mo na mahal mo siya-huwag na kayong magpatintero. Sayo lang ako magpaparaya... ngayon lang." She unlocked the door with a click.
Mackenzie nodded, offering a small, grateful smile. "Salamat ulit," she said, stepping out of the car and closing the door behind her, the weight of Clover's words still lingering as she drives off.
"Mackenzie!" A high-pitched voice rang out, making Mackenzie turn on her heel.
"Sab," Mackenzie said with a small smile, walking toward the girl. "Ang tagal mo naman!" Sabrina huffed as Mackenzie grabbed her luggage. "Daming reklamo, eh ikaw naman tong bigla-biglang nagpapasundo," Mackenzie shot back, dragging the suitcase effortlessly.
Sabrina rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Parang masama pa loob mo na andito ako." "Talaga, Oh, saan ka mag-stay ngayon?" Mackenzie asked, already pulling up a cab-hailing app. "Syempre sa condo mo," Sabrina said cheekily, wrapping her arms around Mackenzie's waist. A sudden flash startled them both. "Ah, sorry po, magpapa-picture lang po sana," a fan said nervously, clutching their phone. "Kanino?" Sabrina asked, eyebrows raised but polite. "Kay Mackie po sana," the fan admitted, shyly glancing at Mackenzie. "Ah, sige po, pero mabilis lang ha, aalis na kasi kami," Mackenzie said, managing a quick smile as she posed for the picture. The fan squealed and scurried off after the photo, clearly elated. "Bakit nagpa-picture sayo yun?" Sabrina asked, her confusion evident. Then, teasing, she added, "Wanted ka ba?". "Uto," Mackenzie muttered, shaking her head as they slid into the cab.
"Clo, shot pa," Gab said, sliding another glass toward Clover. She had just come back from her drive, but without hesitation, she downed it quickly. "Oh, parang humahabol ka ah," Jhai teased, watching Clover knock back three shots in a row. "Baka masobrahan ka," Mandy added, gently holding Clover's arm.
Clover paused and turned to her, offering a soft smile. "Salamat... sa lahat," she said quietly, her voice laced with gratitude.
Shan's phone buzzed, pulling everyone's attention. "Uy, may nagpost about kay Mackie," Shan announced, opening the notification. "Sino yan?" Mandy asked, glancing at the screen and spotting a photo of Sab clinging to Mackenzie's waist at the airport. "Ah, si Sab," Gab answered casually. "Sino si Sab?" Addison asked, trying to sound indifferent but failing to hide her curiosity. "Princess ni Mackie," Gab replied, laughing as she and Jhai exchanged knowing looks. "Nagpasundo siguro kaya biglang umalis yung isa," Jhai added, shaking her head in mock disapproval. "Ikaw talaga, inaaway mo na naman, lagot ka kay Mackie nyan" Gab said, playfully smacking Jhai's head.
"Dun ka na sa kwarto ko," Mackenzie said, dropping Sab's bag on the counter with a resigned sigh. "Talaga." Sab replied with a smirk, her tone dripping with sass. Mackenzie rolled her eyes, ready to snap back, when her phone buzzed repeatedly in her pocket. She sighed, pulling it out. "Hello, Dior? What photo?" she asked, her confusion evident. "Wait, wait, check ko," she said quickly before ending the call. "Si Dior ba yun? Friends pa rin kayo?" Sab asked, her voice tinged with mischief as she leaned on the counter. "Mang-aaway ka na naman," Mackenzie muttered, shooting Sab a side glance as she scrolled through her phone. "Anong pic ba yun?" Sab asked, craning her neck to peek at the screen. "Yung fan kanina... pinost niya yung picture natin," Mackenzie said, holding up the phone for a better look. "Hala! Ang pangit ko dyan!" Sab shrieked, snatching the phone from her hand. "Ipa-delete mo yan!" she demanded, her voice going up an octave. Mackenzie couldn't help but chuckle at Sab's dramatics, shaking her head as she leaned back against the counter.
"Grabe naman mga fans ni Dior sa comments," Shan said, her eyes glued to her phone as she scrolled through the latest post. "Ganyan talaga sila, pinipilit si Dior at Mackie," Gab chimed in, her tone dripping with amusement. "Kahit alam naman nilang ayaw nung isa."
The group erupted into laughter, with Jhai adding, "Paano ba naman kasi, ang panget pa ng ship name!"
"True! Basta ako, solid MaDdi ako," Shan declared, thumping her chest proudly before shooting Addison a playful thumbs-up. Addison chuckled nervously, her gaze dropping to the floor. "Bagay naman sila, I guess," she said softly. Then, forcing a smile, she added, "Pero parang mas bagay si Mackie dun sa girl na naka-pink." The room went silent for a beat before everyone burst into knowing laughter, easily catching on to Addison's jealousy. "Sige, Ate Ads, sabi mo eh," Shan teased, still laughing as Addison sank deeper into her seat, cheeks burning.
"Una na siguro kami," Mandy said, standing and grabbing her bag. "Ha? Aga pa, Ate Mandy!" Shan protested, frowning. "Kay Gab ka na lang sumabay, tiwala naman ako dyan," Mandy replied with a teasing smile, motioning toward Gab. Addison started to rise. "Sa inyo na ako sasabay." "Luh, mga ate, dalawang alagain iiwan niyo sakin?" Shan quipped, glancing between Jhai and Gab. "Bebe, di naman ako alagain-si Jhai lang," Gab shot back, feigning offense. "Akala mo lang yun," Shan replied, rolling her eyes.
Mandy slung her bag over her shoulder, looking at Addison. "Kaya ko na si Clo. Maiwan ka na din muna, Ate Ads." "Let's go, Mandy," Clover said, grabbing her hand and tugging her toward the door. Addison and Shan watched them leave, the faint sound of Clover's laughter trailing behind. "Hays, finally," Shan muttered, leaning back in her chair. "Ha? Bakit?" Addison asked, puzzled. "Finally, umuusad na din love story nila," Shan said with a grin, making Addison laugh. "Tara, iuwi na natin yung dalawang to," Shan said, gesturing to Jhai and Gab as they all got up to leave.
"Matutulog na ko, wag mo kong iistorbohin, ha," Sab said firmly, shutting Mackie's bedroom door behind her. "Paano-" Mackenzie started, but the door slammed shut, cutting her off. "Kainis talaga," she muttered, flopping onto the couch with a huff. The room was swallowed by darkness as she settled in for the night, but sleep didn't come easily. She twisted and turned, the eerie silence of the night amplifying every creak and rustle. Just as her eyes were about to close, a faint sound caught her attention-rustling outside the door. She shot up, her heart racing as she stared at the doorknob twisting and turning but refusing to open. Panic set in, her first thought jumping to a thief. Grabbing her golf club, she crept toward the door, holding her breath.
Before she could touch the handle, it swung open abruptly. Without thinking, she swung the club. "Aray ko, tangina!!" Jhai yelped, clutching her arm as she stumbled back. "Tangina mo, Mack, ano ginagawa mo?!" Gab exclaimed, rushing to help Jhai off the floor.
"Gago, kala ko magnanakaw!" Mackenzie shouted, lowering the golf club, her surprise turning into relief-and then exasperation.
"Aray!" Jhai yelped dramatically as Mackenzie dropped her onto the bed.
"Ingatan mo naman," Addison scolded, smacking Mackenzie's arm lightly. "Sorry na, matulog ka na dyan," Mackenzie said, as she adjusted Jhai's blanket. Together, she and Addison made sure Jhai was tucked in before quietly leaving the room. As they stepped into the hallway, Gab smirked and grabbed Shan's arm. "Oh, iwan na namin kayo," she teased, dragging Shan toward their room. "Uy, Shan, uuwi tayo," Addison called, her voice firm but laced with hesitation. "Ate, mag-uumaga na rin naman. Pahinga ka na lang," Shan replied quickly before slipping into the room with Gab, shutting the door behind them. Addison sighed, clutching her bag. "Uhm, sorry to bother you. Uwi na lang ako. Kaya naman na ni Shan bukas," she said, her voice soft but unsure as she turned toward the door.
Mackenzie's hand caught her arm gently. "Dito ka na magpa-umaga," she said, her tone low but steady, the faintest trace of something unspoken lingering in her words.
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Bawi na yan sa pang-ghost ko ha 🥹🫶🏻 Sumigaw lang po sa Araneta sorry na. Dahil layag sila ang next update ay.....
Next week
De joke.
To those affected by the typhoon I hope you all stay safe. Let's all pray for each other's safety, mana dapat tayo sa Bini.
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Player 1 | MIKHAIAH AU
FanfictionWhen a world-famous eSports champion pairs up with a clueless newbie for a livestream, sparks fly-but not the kind you'd expect. As Mikha patiently guides Aiah through game fails, fans can't get enough of their chemistry, pushing Mikha's management...
