Love Thy Neighbor (Completed)

Chapter 5 - Trip to Quezon

South Luzon Express Way

It was six years ago when she left Candelaria to try her luck in Singapore. It was a painful goodbye between her and her Tatay Teddy as she left her father alone in order to save their business. Since her mother died, it was only her and her father who took care of their grocery business. She was forced to try her luck abroad to pay their debt that was used for her mother's treatment. Her father used their business as the collateral for that loan.

Her stay in Singapore were not easy as all her earnings were used to pay the debt so that they can keep the store and her father can continue to earn something for himself.

She decided to try her luck in Paris when Beverly convinced her and her friend Katrina to be trained as a fashion model in Paris. Where she faces another challenge of surviving in Paris, good thing she was with her friend Katrina and her ever supportive agent Beverly. Slowly all her hardships were paid off as she started to be known as one of the prime models in Paris.

She tried convincing her father to live with her as soon as she makes it big in the fashion industry in Paris. As much as possible she does not want to go back in the Philippines anymore specifically in Candelaria, Quezon where most of her heartbreaks started.

"You can sleep Sunshine, mukhang wala ka pang tulog eh, may jet lag ka ba?" Jorge asked while they are on their way Candelaria.

"I'm fine Jorge. I was able to have a good sleep last night, not exactly my usual eight hours sleep but that's fine" Sunshine replied

"Have you had your breakfast?" Jorge concernly asked and Sunshine shook her head smiling. "Would you like to have some breakfast at the stop over first?" Jorge asked and Sunshine shook her head again

"I'm fine Jorge, relax ka lang" she said

"Ako ba dapat ang mag relax? Baka naman ikaw" Jorge said

"I wonder where that statement would lead to" Sunshine replied

"You did not tell me that you are staying in the same building with Benji" Jorge said.

"I did not know either, last night ko lang nalaman na dun din sya nakatira" Sunshine said

"You haven't forgiven him" Jorge straightly said.

"I already did sobrang tagal naman na nun. But that does not mean that we can be friends" Sunshine said

"Hay naku Sinag Obispo, niloloko mo lang talaga ang mga tao sa paligid mo, lalo na ang sarili mo. I know you too well to and I know you haven't forgiven him, because if you do I won't feel your awkwardness whenever he is around. Just like earlier. Do you think I did not notice? You tried to be nice to him, pero nagsusumigaw ang poot sa puso" Jorge said

"Akala mo lang yung Jorge" Sunshine objected

"I really hope so, sana nga Sinagtala, akala ko lang ang lahat ng nakita ko kanina" Jorge said and Sunshine choose not to argue anymore. If there are people who could read her easily Jorge is one of them.  He, together with Katrina as one of those few people that she trusted so much.

"Are you sure we are not staying there overnight?" Jorge asked to sway their topic as he sees that Sunshine is not comfortable in their discussion about Benjamin Rosales.

"This trip is not included in the agreed itinerary. Mabuti na lang pumayag ang RHC na dalawin ko muna si Tatay bago ako mag-umpisa ng training ko" Sunshine replied

"Do you really have to do this?" Jorge asked

"Gusto ko namang dalawin ang Tatay ko bago ang lahat, sya naman ang dahilan kung bakit ako umuwi" Sunshine replied

"That's not what I mean. I am referring to this training, are you sure you want to do this?" Jorge asked

"I will do this for Tatay, but I haven't change my mind about selling the business and have Tatay live with me in Paris" Sunshine said

"Then why are you doing this? How can you convince Tito Teddy to live with you in Paris if you will take over in managing the business for six months" Jorge asked

"Because I think, managing the business would help me to convince Tatay to completely sell it and leave with me in Paris" Sunshine replied

"How will you do that?" Jorge asked

"Hindi ko pa alam, but I am confident that this time I can finally convince him to leave the country" Sunshine replied

"Goodluck then, mami-miss kita when you finally settles in Paris" Jorge said

"Puro ka naman mami-miss mo ko, pero kapag nandun ka naman sa Paris, halos wala ka ring time sa akin" Sunshine complained

"Ako pa talaga ang walang time, ikaw nga itong laging may show. Hindi ko na nga mabilang kung ilang dates natin ang na-cancel because you were prioritizing your work. May I remind you Sinagtala Obispo, hindi piso fare ang pamasahe ko papuntang Paris" Jorge objected

"Sorry naman na, you know I have to do not only good, but my best always. I love my career and I will do everything to keep this" Sunshine said

"You don't have to apologize. I know that your career comes first before me. Accepted ko naman na yun. Pasalamat ka talaga mahal kita at nandyan si Katrina to keep me company" Jorge said

"And I love you too Jorge" Sunshine quickly replied

"But ...." Jorge said

"But my career comes first" Sunshine replied smiling

"As always" Jorge said smiling. "Anyway, excited na akong makabalik sa Candelaria, simula nung pumunta kaming buong pamilya sa Manila, medyo matagal na rin akong hindi nakakadalaw sa lugar na kinalakihan natin. Punta tayo sa SCHS" Jorge added

Sunshine just remains talkless when Jorge mention about their high school alma mater where she graduated as their batch's First Honorable Mention. SCHS stand for St. Catherine High School, the place where she experienced the roller coster ride of emotion, happiness, excitement, anxiousness and heartbreak. Who would want to come back to the place that would remind you of the past when you had your first heartbreak that almost ruined the bright future ahead of you?

"I would like to spend the whole day with Tatay Teddy. I will be starting my training tomorrow hindi ko alam kelan na ako makakabalik sa Candelaria, after today" Sunshine explained

"It's alright, there is always a next time anyway." Jorge said

"Thank you for understanding Jorge" Sunshine said

"You are always welcome my dear" Jorge replied.

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Anong meron sa alma mater nyo dati na ayaw mo nang balikan Sunshine Obispo??? 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

Thank you guys for the reads and votes 😚🤗😚🤗😚🤗