"Derrick, let go of her." David said.
"No. I won't. Not anymore."
"Let go of her." Ate said.
Derrick looked at me, asking me permission. I bury my face to his chest and hug him around his waist, as an answer.
"Karen, please." Ate plead.
"Can I just talk to her?" Derrick asked.
I can't see Ate's reaction. She was quiet for a few seconds. "Okay. But I don't want her running to us, crying. Understand?"
Derrick: "Yes, ma'am."
David: "Kristina--"
Ate: "David, please. She's seventeen. Let her be."
Derrick: "Seventeen?" he whispers.
Derrick tilts my head up. I close my eyes as he kisses my forehead. "Can we use your room?"
I blinked at Ate. "Sure."
He leads me to our room and locks it. He takes my wrist and massaged it gently. Oh. This is the second bruise he gave me.
I looked at him and he's looking at me.
"I hate reading your mind."
Oh. I'm confused.
"Come."
We sat on the edge of the bed. He takes my wrist again and examined it.
"Second bruise?" My heart leaped. He kisses my wrist, "Where's the first?"
"I.. Uh."
"K, tell me."
"Right here," I point my index finger near my left collar bone.
"I can't see it."
I exhaled and pulled the suit down, carefully. Oh. It's yellow.
He breaths out, "When did that happen?"
"You were drunk. You locked yourself in your room. I picked the lock and let myself in. I was welcomed by a flying bottle of san mig light pale pilsen."
"I.."
"You didn't know?"
He shakes his head. He touched it. I quiver. "Sorry."
"It's nothing compared to what I feel."
"Again, I'm sorry."
"I hate that word."
"Karen. I know you hate me but I--"
"I don't hate you." I pulled my hand back.
"K, I.."
"Why do you have to leave?"
"You're really asking me that question?"
I nod. "Why do you have to leave?"
"It's my dream."
"You dream of leaving.. What about me?"
"No. I.. Mom offered me to be the head chef in one of our restaurants in LA. You know I love to cook."
You love it so much, you're going to leave me.
"Karen."
"I'm okay."
"Last time you said that, you ended up crying."
"I love you and you left me, what do you want me to do? Host a party?"
