Obsession

Chapter 12- Unravel

Pop

"ANTHONY"

Akala siguro ng lalaking iyon makakaligtas siya. Akala niya hindi ko napansin na nilagyan niya ng chili pepper powder yung spaghetti ko. Lagot ka saking lalaki ka kapag nahuli kita

"Pop? Andiyan ka pala, kanina ka pa?" May konting ngiwi sa labi niya nang makita akong nasa likod niya. Akala siguro ng lalaking ito maiisahan niya ko. Aba! Kahit pa maraming hindi magagandang situation ang nangyari noong mga nakalipas na linggo ay hindi ako ganoon ka daling lokohin. One thing is for sure, mapagmatiyag pa rin ako.

"Kakarating ko lang, ano 'yang hawak mo?" Agad niyang binaba ang hawak na container. Akala niya maitatago niya sa akin.

"Chili pepper yan hindi ba? Alam mong ayaw ko sa maanghang diba? At bakit pala andito ka? Asan si kuya? Pano ako napunta rito? Sinong nagpalit ng damit ko? Anong balita ka Treywen? Nahuli ba sya? Nakasuhan? Si Chester nahanap na ba? May lead man lang? Anong—"

"Gusto mo bang kumain?" He looked at me with disbelief in his eyes. "Ha?" I looked at him with confusion. Sa dami ng tanong ko, iyon lang ang sasabihin niya? Kung gusto ko raw bang kumain? Can't he see how distressed I am with this situation?

"Ang sabi ko, gusto mo bang kumain? Andami mong tanong. And you asked them all at once! How am I supposed to answer everything when you just kept asking and asking. Let's eat first. Alam kong wala ka pang kinakain. I'll try to answer them all." He went to the dining table and brought the spaghetti platter. I kinda felt guilty somehow. He's the only person in here with me. He's the only person I've got who can answer all the questions in my head, and I felt like I harassed him way too much. Nagmamagandang loob na nga iyong tao, inabuso ko pa.

"Anthony, you know I don't like chili. Why put them there." Nagmamaktol ako pero may hawak akong mga plato ar kubyertos sa kamay ko. Nilapag ko ito sa lamesa at kumuha ng tubig sa ref.

In all fairness, this place is well-equipped and clean. It was like it was well-maintained. I had no idea this place looks immaculate. We rarely go here when mom and dad were still alive. We were all busy, and we usually go out of the country for vacations. Who cleaned and maintained the place, that's a question for me as well. Maybe I can ask kuya when he comes back, or Anthony.

"It's to help you explore more cuisines. And somehow, it's a light way of toughening you up. People change, and so do their taste in every aspect of life." There was something about what he said. It felt so deep kahit na very generic naman ang sagot niya. But I guess there's nothing wrong with giving it a try. Maybe I'll like spicy food now.

"I'll give it a try. Where's kuya? Bakit ikaw ang nandito?" I said while I was getting some of the spaghetti he made. I was still so skeptical of trying it, but oh good Lord! It tastes divine. Ang galing niya talagang magluto. That's what urged him to take up Culinary. It was a really simple dish, but it tastes so good in my mouth. That's when I only realized I really haven't eaten up a single thing since I passed out. How I ended up here is also a question lingering on my mind pero mamaya ko na itatanong.

"Your kuya asked me to come here. Man was it a long drive to get here. He said I needed to protect you. He needs to finish some unfinished business back home and he can't risk being with you there dahil nga on the loose pa si Treywen. He's in hiding. With their connections and power, for sure he'll be cleared out in no time. I just don't see any strong motive for him to kidnap my cousin on your wedding day. He's also cousins with Chester for Pete's sake. Kahit pa magkabilang side nga lang kaming pinsan ni Chester ay hindi ko pa rin maatim kung bakit niya gagawin iyon. I know he likes you but I think that's not enough reason for him to go ballistic." He explained while munching on his food.

So I guess there's really something deeper than just me. I mean, he did admit before that he liked me. But he never really showed any signs of aggression towards me or Chester even with the knowledge of Chester courting me back then. It was like he accepted defeat kahit na may mayat-mayang pang-aasar siya about me.

"I believe it's something more. He did say he liked me before. Pero wala naman siyang pinakitang suspicious actions." I was about to add more to my response when I remembered the locker incidents. It happened not only once but twice!

"On second thought, he may have done something." I looked at Anthony with a serious demeanor.

"What do you mean?"

"On the day I said yes to Chester, I received a letter. Something like I belong to him and it was just all creepy but it just had initials on the bottom. It says TMP. I received another one with bad smelling flowers with another note na super creepy rin. I didn't give it much thought because I thought it was just a prank. But now I think this can lead to why everything is falling apart." I know that there's not much basis but TMP is Treywen's initials right? How can I be so dumb? How did I realize this just now?

"Damn why did you tell me this just now? I think it's not just a simple infatuation. He could be crazy over you! Literally!" His eyes are now wide open. He clearly can't believe what I just said.

Kahit ako ay hindi makapaniwalang si Treywen iyon at maaaring may mas malala pa siyang gawin maliban sa mga pang-aasar at paglagay ng creepy messages sa locker ko. Why did he have to tale away the love of my life?

"I didn't know he's capable of kidnapping! Who knows baka may iba pa siyang pwedeng gawin! He could kill Chester! We need to tell kuya about this." I was panicking and couldn't even finish the food. It was all just speculations at this point but it could lead us somewhere. I do hope matulungan kami ng pamilya ni Chester, because right now I think they aren't doing anything much that can suffice the case.

I don't know if they're taking it lightly because the alleged kidnapper is Chester's cousin and their own family pero a crime is still a crime. I can't let him take away the love of my life. All I feel for him is anger at this point.

"Your kuya said he strictly can't take calls anytime soon. I don't know if he messaged you but he's also part of the search. I'm sure he'll come visit you when he can. He's as worried as you are about your safety right now, kaya nga dinala ka niya rito when you passed out. He even asked the cleaners to clean the place before you arrived. I think you forgot the part that you guys are crazy rich. Baka bukas ay may ipadalang security team ang kuya mo. For now, it's just the two of us." He answered one of my questions, but I still can't believe everything that's slowly unraveling. I just nodded in response.

"I'll take care of you. I'll protect you, Pop. I'll just be here. Everything you feel right now is valid. With your parents' death, the sudden wedding, Chester disappearance, and Treywen's alleged involvement on this, I know this is a lot to take. Allow me to be the shoulder you can lean on for now. I'll listen if you need someone you can talk to. I'm...your bestfriend." I was deep in trying to comprehend everything that's happening that I didn't notice Anthony coming up from his seat and now standing beside me while caressing my shoulders. I sighed deeply and for the first time in a while, I let my tears out and allowed the pain to come through.

"Cry it all out, Pop. I'll be here." He said with sincerity in his voice. I allowed my self to lean my weight on his. My shoulders were shaking uncontrollably and my heart wailed. For a second I felt safe in his arms. He truly is my best friend and I need him now. I wish kuya would be here soon, but I'm happy to have my bestfriend's company to keep me sane. At least, nasagot ang ilan sa mga tanong ko. I need to be strong because for sure, this only just the beginning.

8/17/2022

Hi loves! It's been 5 years since I first started this story and 3 years since I last updated. I barely even remember the plot of this story anymore but I'm back! I hope some of my old readers are still here. You may notice some changes of my writing style. If I ever finish this story soon, There will be major editing from the Prologue to the 11th chapter dahil sobrang nagcringe ako sa contents😭 I promise to improve this and make it something I'll be proud of one day. I'll try to update weekly or twice a month. I'm really excited for this, and sana 18 and above na yung mga young readers ko from before because there will be steamy scenes soon! Happy reading, loves!

-Jad🤍