Fate and Star *FSA Book II* [KiefLy]

Chapter 8

"Ate! Ate Ly! Gising!"

"Kian, ano ba? Antok na antok pa ako. Please naman galing akong trabaho eh." Alyssa whined then turned her back from her brother.

"Ate! Si Itay kasi na--"

"Bakit? Ano nangyari kay Itay?" She asked with worry in her face and was about to jump towards the door.

Kian was quick to grab her. "Ate relax, si Itay kasi nangungulit, gustong kumain ng daing. Eh umalis si Inay, may binili, nilutuan ko na, ayaw tumigil eh." Kian explained to which Alyssa exhaled a long sigh.

"Akala ko ano na, Kian naman eh! Tara na nga." She said and pulled Kian outside of her bedroom.

She gave her dad a peck on the cheek when she saw him by the table. "Itay, bakit ka kumakain niyan? Bawal di ba? Kulit naman eh."

"Pangtanggal umay lang naman, Ineng. Puro karne kasi handa ni Lope eh, birthday niya kasi kagabi."

"At talagang kumain pa kayo ng karne, tay? Ang kulit niyo po."

Ruel smiled to his daughter, his ever loving Alyssa.

"Naku ang dalaga ko talaga masyadong nag aalala sa akin. Dapat nagpapakasal ka na rin eh."

Alyssa laughed at the thought of Kiefer and his Lolo. "Pinapamigay niyo na ako Tay? Twenty five pa lang naman ako ah."

Ruel looked at her straight in the eye,  "Hindi naman sa ganon 'nak pero dapat kasi ngayon pa lang may nobyo ka na at nang makilala ko rin ng maayos, para pagdating ng panahon at handa na kayo magsarili eh makakampante na akong nasa maayos kang mga kamay."

Alyssa smiled and stood up. "Naku Tay gutom lang yan. Tulog po muna ako ulit. Mag aalas onse pa lang oh." Kian just laughed at his sister. "Uy Kian ha may sideline akong 5pm, patulugin mo ako." Kian plainly nodded.

"Basta pakilala mo sa akin Ineng." Ruel teased. Alyssa just shook her head. "Tama na yan Tay, bawal yan."

Alyssa kept on tossing and turning and when she finally closed her eyes, a knock on her bedroom door disturbed her.

"Ate! Si Itay!" Kian squealed.

"Ha bakit?" She asked and went out right away.

"Ineng, kailangan na natin dalhin sa ospital Itay mo." Her mom informed, trying to stay calm despite Ruel's continuous vomitting. Alyssa was quick to prepare the needed things to be brought.

The way to the hospital seem to take them forever. Alyssa didn't waste a second on praying, hoping that everything will be okay.

"Ate! Nay! Tingnan niyo parang ngumiwi yung bunganga ni Itay oh." Kian said. Lita and Alyssa looked at Ruel and Kian was right.

Lita tried to control her tears as she held her husband's hand. Ruel had a mild stroke a year ago and this was the same scenario. Alyssa on the other hand chose to close her eyes, masking the fear and worry she feels for her dad. She has to be strong for her mom, for Kian, for Ruel the most.

"Excuse me po Ma'am, pa fill up lang po ako nito at ito po yung sa cashier, for initial deposit." The nurse informed Alyssa as she handed her the papers.

"Ineng, alas kwatro na hindi ba may trabaho ka pa ng alas singko mamaya?" Lita said to Alyssa who was in her own world, mentally computing the amount of money they would need.

"Ly?"

"Ay nay, sorry po may iniisip lang. Okay lang po ba iwan ko kayo dito?"

"Oo naman at kailangan mo rin pumasok di ba. Huwag ka na masyado mag alala, malalampasan 'to ng Itay mo." Lita said, trying to fake a smile.

Alyssa smiled back. "Opo naman, si Itay pa ba. Bukas na po ako babalik Nay ha. Didiretso na po ako sa call center after eh. Dadalaw yun sina Kuya Paolo at Kuya Nicko mamaya."

"Magfocus ka sa trabaho anak, okay?" Lita said while Alyssa was hugging her.

+++++

"So any proposals yet?" Kiefer impatiently asked.

Everyone stayed quiet. They've been giving suggestions to Kiefer but he just won't approve any of them.

He took over their advertising firm from his Lolo Noel and since day one Kiefer has been hands on with everything. Right and left competitors have been rising and has put a lot more pressure on them.

"Guys, malaking kliyente, malaking produkto, malaking kumpanya ito. We just can't offer them cheap and common type of advertisement. I want a brand new set of proposals tomorrow morning so we could finalize things. Do it or sabay sabay kayong mawalan ng trabaho." Kiefer said in a commanding voice. Everyone just nodded in fear.

It was only past 5 in the afternoon when Kiefer went for a drink. To calm his nerves, to temporarily forget the pressure at work.
He was on his fourth bottle when someone called his name. He automatically turned his head, surprised to see Allen.

"Uy Pare!" Allen greeted him. "Kailan magsisimula negosyo niyo ni Von? Naku baka mauna pa ako sa inyo niyan." He said laughing.

Kiefer smirked. Ang yabang talaga.

"Soon Pre. May inaayos lang kami bago masimulan. Mauuna pa rin kami ni Von niyan." He boast in return. Allen talked non-stop to Kiefer of his plans and other things, but Kiefer just could not engaged himself in the conversation. His mind was all focused on his Lolo's offer, the money, the business, the marriage, and Alyssa.

He went ahead after a few more drinks. He knew Alyssa was in his unit and he won't waste the chance to convince her.

+++++

Alyssa kept herself busy cleaning Kiefer's unit, trying to suppress the thought of his Itay but Kian did not stop updating her. Of money matters, that is.

She was slicing the ingredients for the dish she's cooking when Kiefer suddenly came in to the kitchen.

"Wala pa bang dinner?" He asked her, pissed. Alyssa turned her gaze to him. "Wait lang, malapit na 'to."

He went near her. Alyssa could smell the alcohol from his breath. She moved a step backward, Kiefer moved forward.

Awkward. Alyssa thought.

"Kief, ano ba?! Hindi ko matatapos 'to." Alyssa complained.

Kiefer looked at her straight in the eye. "Ly, magkano?" He asked, his voice groggy.

"Ang alin? Magkano ang?" She asked confused.

"Marry me. Name your price."

Her hand instantly landed on his face.

"Gago ka rin pala eh." Alyssa said in disbelief.

xxxxx