Devon

Chapter Thirty Eight

I might be gone for a while. Not sure when I'll be able to update and be able to finish this story. I've been struggling with some things and I need to fix them. So I need to focus on them for now. But I do hope you guys like this update even though I hadn't updated for weeks. Have a blessed Sunday! ❤

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"I love you but I can't have you." - Clementine

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Artemis POV

"Clementine." I said with a warning tone. She was covering her mouth but I knew she was really laughing inside. Her eyes were filled with mischief.

"Did you see her face? Priceless! This is gonna be fun." Napailing nalang ako sakanya.

"I don't know if I should kill you or say thank you." I said honestly.

"A thank you would be nice. It went well."

"Yeah except for the fact that my daughter keeps on asking questions while the two of you bicker kanina."

"Relax. It's working. But she did walk out though."

"Is that even a good sign?"

"Yup?" She answered unsurely. I rolled my eyes at her and she winked.

I was about to go when she suddenly grabbed my arm. I winced. Masyado talaga siyang observant. Hinila niya ko sa balcony kung san walang tao.

"You're still doing this? Unbelievable Artemis." She said as she inspects my arm.

"I never stopped." I said.

"Why?" Her voice cracked. I felt guilty right there and then. I told her I stopped but all I did was hide.

"It makes me calm."

"What did tita say about this?" She asked. I bit my lip. Mom was not impressed. We've been patching things up and I blew it off when she saw them.

"I just shrugged it off."

"You just shrugged it off?"

"She told me that I shouldn't self harm but I lied and told her that it was from missions."

"You do know na hindi siya naniniwala right?"

"I lied kasi alam kong magagalit lang siya pag inamin ko."

"I can't believe this. We've talked about this already. As if makeup can hide those."

"She didn't noticed."

"She was too focused on your face idiot."

"I hate you."

"Nah. You love me. But seriously. Stop."

"I'll try."

"You promised me and tita. I've never cried like that before don't make me cry again and wait for you to wake up. Wag mo naman kami lokohin. Pwede mo naman kami kausapin."

"I'm sorry."

"You are so unfair Art in so many ways."

"Am I?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry." She gave me a knowing look. She knows what I'm sorry about the most.

"Don't. I knew from the start it was always her. You may love me but it wouldn't be enough. I love you but I can't have you. It's like I'm taking you away from someone that you really belong to. I'm not that selfish."

"Thank you really."

"Don't thank me yet. She's not knocking on your door yet."

Jessica's POV

The nerve of that woman! Naiinis talaga ako pag naaalala ko ang nangyare kagabi.

"Calm down tiger. Kawawa naman yang hinahalo mo."

Napabuntong hininga nalang ako at tinigil ang pagmix bago tinignan ang best friend ko.

"I don't think it's a good idea na ligawan si Art?"

"You know. I think it's a good idea."

"Hindi ako marunong manligaw." I told her. Tinaasan naman ako ng kilay ni Frances.

"Magpaturo ka?"

"Seriously?"

"Are you just gonna give up? Akala ko ba mahal mo si Art? So hahayaan mo siyang mapunta kay Clem?"

Napasimangot naman ako. Alam ko ako ang mahal ni Art. Pero pag wala ako ginawa baka nga makuha siya ng babae na yun.

"No it's not that."

"Sis. Asan na yung best friend ko na go lang ng go? Yung hindi takot sumubok sa mga bagay bagay? Stop hiding and climb out of that shell of yours."

"I might make a fool out of myself."

"Mahal mo diba?"

"Oo." Sobra.

"Kung mahal mo kahit na magmumukha kang tanga gagawin mo parin. Ganun talaga sa pagibig. Tignan mo nga ako kay Alex. Nakakahiya man aminin pero nagpapababy talaga ako dun na minsan nagmumukha na kong ewan."

"Iba naman kasi ang sainyo. Normal na yun." Sabi ko sakanya at inirapan niya lang ako.

"Ganto sis. Magpadala ka ng chocolate at flowers sakanya. Ngayon na."

"Ngayon na?"

"Gusto mo bang maunahan ka?" Tanong niya.

"Hindi." Sabi ko. Ngumisi naman bigla si sis na ipinagtaka ko.

Inalis naman niya ang apron ko at hinila ako sa salas. Kinuha ang purse at car keys ko bago binigay sakin. Pagkatapos ay dinala niya ko sa front door. Naguguluhan akong napatingin sakanya.

"So off you go! Bumili ka na ng bulaklak at chocolates ah! Ako muna bahala sa pamangkin ko. Hindi ka makakapasok sa loob ng bahay mo hanggat wala ako nakukuhang balita na umakyat ka ng ligaw ngayon!"

And before I knew it. Wala na ko sa loob ng bahay ko dahil tinulak na niya ko palabas. Napatingin ako sa suot ko. Hindi man lang ako nakabihis. I clutched my keys and purse. This better work.