My Beautiful

Chapter 5

POVs may differ per chapter, as in this case. Please take note of that. 

For all those reading this story, a million thanks! 

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“So, how was it?” Karen asked as she opened the door of her condominium.

“I don’t actually know,” I answered as I entered, not really sure what to tell her. She wasn’t a fan of Xian, and I was sure anything I would tell her about my coffee meeting with him would only give more excuse for her to dislike him further.

“Ano, hindi mo alam if good or bad yung pagkikita mo sa ex mo?”

“I’m really not sure how to explain what just happened, Kai.” I knew I was being vague, but I was still trying to get my head around what just happened myself.

“You need to tell me everything. Now.”

And so I did – every little bit of it.

She remained silent the whole time, only eliciting an occasional sigh and a snort to give away what she felt. It was only after I finished did she say something.

“Sinabi ko na nga meeting him wasn’t a good idea.” She wasn’t angry, but I could hear the frustration in her voice.

“I know.”

“I can’t believe he did that, Kim.”

“Did what?”

“Yung pinakita pa nya sa iyo yung ring,” she said exasperated. “Unfair naman yun noh.”

“I-I … nabigla nga ako. He caught me off guard when he showed it hanging from his neck.”

“Hindi ko malaman kung maiinis ako o matutuwa. It’s either he’s being very romantic or he’s playing some kind of mean game with you.”

“You think?” I asked, chewing on my fingernails in nervousness.

“I hope mali ako,” she said. “Kasi if he does something more to hurt you, I’m going to kick his–”

“Hindi naman cguro,” I said, folding my legs underneath me on the couch, “but I think whatever his reason for telling me … okay na rin yun. Pinagbigyan ko na sya sa kanyang request na mag-usap kami so siguro naman hindi na nya ako kukulitin after this.”

“I highly doubt that, Kimmy.”

“Sa tingin mo hindi pa sya satisfied dun sa meeting namin?”

I searched her face, wanting her to say yes.

“Hindi ko alam … but feeling ko lalong lumabo.”

“Bakit naman?”

“Kasi,” she said, leaning back on the couch as she looked at me, “Xian is the son of Anton Lim-Uy, and that alone should be reason enough for you to be wary. Alam mo naman na Xian doesn’t do anything half-assed. His request to see you had to mean something to him.”

“I’m sure he just wanted to explain … so ayun, nagawa na nya.”

“I’m guessing since you walked out on him, hindi pa niya natapos ang pag-eexplain. Kaya nga ako kinakabahan eh.”

“Karen, ayan ka na naman ha. Tapos na yun sa amin ni Xian. Matagal na.”

“You know, you’re so clueless.”