decoding the boys ✔️

33 - overwhelmed || edited

My uncles wanted a news black out.

Too bad social media was ever made.

The very day after, kumalat na sa Facebook ang pagsugod ng daddy ni Zoey Chen kay Gian. Adding up her sudden drop-out issue, it wasn't hard to put two and two together. Syempre may clue na sila but as long as no one was confirming anything, they were left in the dark.

I'd seen some confessions, though. Mga nagagalit kay Zoey for leeching on my cousin. Pinikot lang daw. Maybe it wasn't even his. But there were also those who voiced out their support, lashing out on my cousin and his playboy attitude.

The rumor was circulating around our social sphere like rapid fire. I received texts from other people we knew, asking about the news. I only answered the texts from my closest friends, the rest I kept hanging as per Mom's instruction. That very night, tumawag sa 'kin sina Anjo, Maxxie at Hiro. While Ahron and Lhyle messaged me.

It astounded me to discover na nakarating na rin kahit kina Angelo. News really do travel fast.

Tazmanian Devil:

I'd say I'm worried but I know you lot. You'll push through. Kaya nyo yan Jamie V ;)

Me:

Crossed fingers!!

Angelo was right. So far, everything was under control. Successful si Tito Osen in keeping the media out of the issue kaya hindi pa pinagkakaguluhan. Usually naman, they wouldn't care about petty stories like this but since Zoey Chen is a popular public figure for being a model, my uncles kept a close watch and tried everything they could to stop articles from getting out.

"Look at this sick fucker. Parang walang nangyari, a?" Kuya Onyx commented with a laugh as we strode into Gian's house. Pa'no ba naman kasi, my closest cousin was currently engaged in the sofa, lazily playing his Wii lang naman. Nakasandal siya while his feet were resting on the table.

Wow. Parang hindi grounded.

"Yo, Gi," bati ko when we approached him.

Taken by surprise, napahinto si Gian sa paglalaro at mabilis na nilingon kami. A half smile crossed his face when he registered us, and he stood up to greet us.

Nag-fist bump sila ni Kuya. Then kami.

"Napabisita kayo?" he asked us.

"Naka-house arrest ka raw, e," reply ni Kuya Onyx, sabay tawa. "Being your most supportive cousin, I wanted to be the first visit."

I grinned, lifting my hand to mock a salute. "Second most supportive cousin here, reporting for duty."

Gian barked a laugh. "Mga baliw."

Actually, I texted Kuya Onyx kaninang umaga para samahan ako today. I wanted to see how Gian was doing kasi, especially since hindi pa rin sila okay ng papa niya. Normally, I would've asked my brothers to go with me but they were preoccupied with something else kanina. Only Kuya Onyx happened to be free today.

Gian went back to his seat. I plopped down on the couch beside him, Kuya Onyx taking the spot from across me. Sumenyas si Gian sa mga house help nila para kumuha ng juice.

Tumingin ako kay Gian. A pang of sadness hit me when I got a steady view of his face.

"I can't believe binugbog ka nang ganito ni Tito. Look at your face," sabi ko.

Gian arched his brows. "This?" Sabay turo sa pisngi. "Hindi si Papa may gawa n'yan. Yung daddy ni Zoey. Ito ang kay Papa." He moved his index to the cut on his lip. "Isang suntok lang naman. Normal sa pamilya."