Along the Shore (Samal Island Series #1: COMPLETED)

PROLOGUE

"Miss Marem, your orders from New York has been shipped already. Do you have anything else in mind? Perfumes, bags or shoes, perhaps?" Bungad ni Jennie, my personal assistant, pagkapasok ko pa lang ng aking opisina.

It's been a long day for me. I'm exhausted from the continuous shoots for today and I'm glad that my orders which was last month pa has already been shipped.

"Finally! I thought they will cancel it again. By the way, please add some shoes to be shipped and I want the Mondrian-inspired heels from Christian Louboutin. It's V's birthday next week and I think 'yan na lang gift ko. What do you think?" I said while looking at her with my usual poker face, and I can see how my assistant is smitten from my stares.

"Y-yes, Miss. I-I'll add that one. I think Miss V will like it naman po. She loves anything that's Louboutin so kahit ano masaya na po y-yun." Jennie stuttered as he slowly bow down and noted all the things I ordered and requested.

"Okay. You can go now. Just email me my schedule for next week and I'll check if may kailangan ba akong i-cancel." I said as I stand up and looked at the sight of the beautiful city lights of Davao.

How peaceful, I hope my life is the same. Being happy and at peace. I hope I could still fake them for a long time.

The beautiful night of Davao is very peaceful that the darkness doesn't crept the lights that's shining. I hope my own darkness will eventually fade. I'm tired pretending that I'm fine.

I'm really tired pretending that it's okay not to be okay because it's not.

As soon as Jennie left my office, I am back to my real self again. The sad and broken Mariana Emily is very evident and very unlikely to the fierce and sophisticated lady as to what other people see me.

Ako lang ang may alam sa nararamdaman ko. Natatakot akong malaman ng ibang tao kung gaano ako kahina at gaano ako nadurog noon na kahit hanggang ngayon, kahit tatlong taon na ang nakalipas, nandito pa rin ang sakit.

The pain I've felt long ago still feels like yesterday. Parang kahapon lang. Siguro kahit sabihin ko na okay na ako, na kaya ko na, na tanggap ko na ang lahat... hindi ko pa rin talaga kaya.

Mahal ko eh, mahal na mahal.

Fuck!

I wiped my tears as it slowly dripping down my cheeks. I'm strong and I should be.

I went home to my condo after that. Mabuti na lang at hindi pa traffic kaya maaga akong nakauwi.

It's already 8pm and I haven't eaten my dinner yet. I'm tired to even cook so I decided to just go on the building's restaurant. I just left my car keys and didn't change my clothes, I'm hungry so nagmamadali akong lumabas ng condo unit ko.

I got on the lift and pressed the right button. My phone rang and saw that V, my little sunshine bff, is calling me. She's very maarte but in a classy way. She's very annoying sometimes but I still love her. Katulad ngayon, for sure tumatawag lang to kasi gusto niya na naman yata mag party. Please, not! I'm tired.

"Guess what?!" Salubong niya sa 'kin.

"What?" I boringly said as I stared my reflection in front of me. I didn't noticed na aakyat pa pala ang lift. Gutom na gutom na ako. I didn't eat during my breaktime earlier. Kumakalam na tuloy ang sikmura ko.