"Ah, Dad, I didn't realize I booked my flight so early, kaya nauna na ako," Mackie says, adjusting the strap of her bag, her tone casual but rushed.
Mr. Lim raises an eyebrow, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm sure you didn't notice, Mackie."
She forces a polite smile, ignoring the weight of his words. "Ah, I'll get going na po. I'm sure Sab has already taken care of everything for your stay here." She steps toward the door, her hand gripping the knob a little tighter than necessary.
As her hand touches the doorknob, Mr. Lim's voice softens unexpectedly. "Mackie, ingat ka sa Cebu."
Her steps falter. She turns slightly, masking her surprise. How does he know where I'm going? she wonders, her thoughts spiraling. But she tamps down the unease and nods, her smile tight. "Thanks, Dad. I will."
"Quinn, kain na!" Mrs. Arceta calls out, her voice echoing through the kitchen.
"Opo, Ma," Addison responds, sitting at the table. "Ma, pagkatapos ng breakfast, ilakad ko lang si Lingling sa labas."
"Ah sige anak, but be back before lunch, ha? May bisita mamaya," Mrs. Arceta says, adding a quick reminder.
"Hello, Gab?" Mackie's voice comes through the phone as she steps out onto the balcony.
"Oh, Mackie, touch down Cebu ka na?" Gab asks, his voice upbeat.
"Ah oo, are you with Shan or Clover? Can you ask how to get there?" Mackie asks, squinting at the hotel's unfamiliar surroundings.
"Ano ba yan, pumunta ka dyan, di mo naman pala alam kung saan. Wait, wait, I'll ask bebe," Gab says on the other end.
"Nako, Mackie, di din daw sure si Shan, but I'll send you Clo's number," Gab adds.
"Sige, sige, punta muna ako hotel," Mackie says before ending the call.
"Ma! Alis na kami ni Ling!" Addison calls out as she grabs her bag.
"Ok, don't forget about lunch, ha? Dyan ka na lang around the resort maglakad," Mrs. Arceta reminds her.
"Opo, opo," Addison says, hurrying out the door.
"Hello, Mack?" Jhai's voice cuts through as Mackie answers the phone.
"Oh?" Mackie responds, distracted.
"Mackenzie! Bakit pumunta-punta ka pa dyan para maligaw?" Sab shouts as she snatches the phone from Jhai. "Aray, Sab!" Mackie yelps, pulling the phone away from her ear.
"I messaged Clover na and asked for the address. Just trust me," Mackie says, trying to calm Sab down.
"Mackie kasi, sana umpisa pa lang..." Sab continues, but Mackie lowers the volume, letting her words fade into background noise.
"Uhm, Ms. Lim, unfortunately, the room is not clean yet," the front desk attendant says politely.
"Uhm, if ganon, could I just stay here in the lobby?" Mackie asks, her eyes scanning the resort.
"You're free to roam around the resort, po. There's beach access on that side," the lady informs her.
"Oh, ok, I'll leave my bags here muna," Mackenzie replies, walking away.
"Mackie? Mackie? Mackie? HELLO??" Sab's voice rings out again.
"Oh, hello, I forgot to end the call," Mackie says sheepishly before hanging up.
"Ikaw babae ka—" Sab starts, but the line cuts off abruptly.
"Good morning, Mang Ben! May lugaw pa?" Addison greets cheerfully as she walks along the beach.
"Aba, Addison, naka balik ka na pala. Para sayo meron, sandali lang," Mr. Ben says, nodding toward the kitchen.
"Salamat, Mang Ben," Addison says with a smile.
"Hi, excuse me, where can I go to have breakfast here?" Mackie asks the hotel staff, looking around.
"Ay, marami po, doon sa kabilang side ma'am may silog, sa kabila naman may lugaw, pero kung ayaw niyo po ng mabigat, may coffee shop din dyan," the staff explains.
"Thank you so much po," Mackie says, her face brightening as she walks away. Her phone buzzes again.
"Oh?" Mackie answers, distracted by the incoming call.
"Mackie boi, bakit mo naman pinatayan? Ako pa manunuyo ngayon eh," Jhai says exhausted from the other end.
"Oh Addison, dinagdagan ko para sa Mama mo," Mr. Ben says, handing over the food to Addison. "Salamat, Mang Ben," Addison replies, about to leave.
"Ling, tara na," Addison calls, but Lingling refuses to move.
"Mukhang tinatamad na pusa mo, ah," Mr. Ben jokes.
"I'm lost again," Mackie mutters, looking around in confusion.
"Saan ka ba papunta? Wala pa ba chat si Clo?" Jhai asks, concern creeping into her voice.
"Wala pa, I'll call after I have breakfast," Mackie replies, trying to shake off the frustration.
"Ahh, naliligaw ka? Ganito gawin mo..." Jhai starts mischievously, but Mackie cuts her off.
"What?? Are you crazy??" Mackie exclaims, baffled.
"Uto, teka lang. Hubarin mo shirt mo, tapos ibaliktad mo," Jhai continues, unable to hold in her laughter.
"What will that do?" Mackie asks, confused but intrigued.
"Gusto mo kumain na diba? You lose nothing by trying," Jhai says, still holding her laugh.
"Fine," Mackie mutters, rolling her eyes.
"Nako, Ling, hindi ka na ata sanay maglakad," Addison says, shaking her head as Lingling lazily trails behind her.
"Pag tinamad ka, baka gawin ka Siopao ni Mama," Addison teases.
She's so focused on Lingling that she doesn't see the person in front of her until it's too late. "Aray!" they both exclaim, stumbling back.
"Ford??" Addison exclaims, holding her head as she stumbles back.
"Addison??" Ford says, quickly reaching out to help her stand.
"Ang tangkad mo," Addison says, surprised, taking a step back to get a better look.
Before Ford can respond, Mang Ben approaches, squinting at the commotion. "Anong nangyari sa inyo dalawa?"
"Wala, Tay. Nagkabanggaan lang," Ford says, brushing off the moment with a casual smile.
Addison frowns playfully. "Mang Ben, hindi mo naman sinabing andito na pala ulit si Ford."
"Just got back from Japan," Ford says, adjusting his bag. "Ikaw, matagal ka na ba bumalik?"
Addison shakes her head. "Nako, hindi. Kakauwi ko lang din. Kamusta ka? Ang tagal na nating hindi nagkita, ha?"
"Jhai..." Mackie says, her voice quiet but heavy with frustration as she dials her number.
"Oh? Bakit, anong nangyari?" Jhai answers, her voice dramatic as usual.
"I can't believe I'm saying this..." Mackie sighs, her disappointment evident. "I'm too late."
"Ha? Anong late?" Jhai asks, confusion lacing her tone.
Mackie groans, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I'm too late," she repeats, a note of defeat in her voice.
"Late for what?!" Jhai insists.
"Sarado na!" Mackie snaps, her frustration bubbling up. "Ang dami mo kasing nalalaman! Pabalik-baliktad ka pa kasi ng damit!"
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2 updates dahil lang love ko kayo, later ulit. Comment if dapat na sila mag tagpo
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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...
