The Second Time Around (The Starving Squad #1)

Chapter 6: Cousin Bridezilla

Early the next morning, Bullet called Fresia to thank her for letting him sleep at her apartment. He sounded refreshed. He seems to be in a good mood too. That's why she wasn't as surprised when he told her how much the renovation cost.

As promised, it's half the original price. Binawasan pa nito dahil pinatulog niya ito roon kagabi.

"I can give you back your key this afternoon. Bibili pa kasi ako ng bagong kurtina. That's on you, by the way."

"What's wrong with my curtains?"

"They don't go with the new design."

She grunted. Hindi siya ang pumili ng kurtinang sinasabi nito. It was given by her aunt, her favorite aunt. The only relative she actually likes. May sentimental value iyon sa kanya kaya kahit hindi bagay sa disenyo ng apartment ay ginagamit pa rin niya. When they were redecorating the house last night, she brought those curtains out. He didn't complain so she thought he was okay with it.

Now he wants to change them.

"Fine. But don't buy something too expensive."

Tumawa ito. "All right. I'll try."

Pagkatapos ng tawag ay nag-ayos na siya ng sarili para pumasok. Bakasyon pa rin sana siya ngayong araw kaso ay parating sa boutique ang intrimidida niyang pinsan. She can't let her aunt deal with her cousin alone.

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You cannot choose your relatives. If she could change any truth of the universe, she would definitely change that. It is so annoying that you're stuck with the people you don't like and you can't just disown them because they're family.

Fresia hates most of her relatives. In her opinion, they're stuck up and pretentious. Nakaka-pressure maging parte ng angkan nila. You have to keep a certain image.
It's either you become really successful or you marry someone who is.

Her family was once one of the most respected families among their clan. Doktor ang ama niya. Abogada naman ang ina. Fiona took up medicine in college... Siya lamang ang sumira sa magandang record na 'yon. She followed her dreams and became a fashion designer.

Her own family didn't support her. Nag-exam siya sa iba't ibang schools gamit ang sarili niyang pera at perang nautang niya sa mga kaibigan. Nag-apply din siya para sa scholarship. Ang kaso, dahil hindi kagandahan ang grades niya noong high school ay hindi siya natanggap.

Mabuti na lamang at nang malaman ng tiyahin niya ang gusto niyang kurso ay sinagot na nito ang tuition at allowance niya.

Her aunt Simone has a rebellious streak like her. Nakatapos ito ng psychology pero hindi iyon nagustuhan ng pamilya nito. They wanted her to become a real doctor. But her aunt wouldn't give them that satisfaction. Her real passion was designing bridal gowns.

Taliwas sa gusto ng pamilya nito, Simone pursued her dream. Eventually ay nagkaroon ito ng sarili nitong boutique. Pero dahil doon nito ibinuhos ang panahon at pagmamahal ay hindi na ito nakapag-asawa.

She's the closest to a daughter that her aunt could have. Kaya naman hindi ito nagdalawang-isip na ipamana sa kanya ang shop nito. Ito naman ay abala sa pagpunta sa iba't ibang fashion capitals para mag-aral, mag-disenyo at makipagkaibigan sa designers ng ibang bansa.

Kababalik lamang nito galing Paris noong isang linggo kaya nakapagbakasyon siya. Her aunt took care of the shop while she's gone. She was supposed to come in tomorrow, but she could not bear the thought of leaving her aunt alone with Izzy, her cousin bridezilla.

May appointment ito para i-check ang alterations na ginawa nila sa gown nito.
Izzy's just 21 and is already getting married. She could have gone somewhere else, even abroad, to get a dress. But she went to her shop instead, to rub the impending wedding in her face and also, to get a huge discount from her aunt.