Not Me, Maddie

Chapter Thirteen

Saturday. I made sure Duncan went training before I came home. Sir Damon messaged me na busy siya buong araw kaya magfocus daw muna ako sa ibang subjects since marami pa naman daw akong araw to review accounting. So, that's what I'm doing. Reading books nonstop, away from the reality na parang the entire Philippines hate me, and Duncan and I are mad at each other. Uh, no. I'm never mad. I was just pissed because he put all the blame to Sir Damon who didn't do anything wrong. I just can't be mad easily. For me, anger is a deep feeling and it requires a deep reason before it comes out. I can't be mad at my brother knowing that he did all that because of me.

I turned off all my gadgets, including my laptop kahit nandoon pa ang mga notes ko. Magtyatyaga na lang akong magbasa ng librong hindi summarized kesa mahawa sa negativity ng mga tao. Kinukulit na rin ako nina Oura about Sir Damon eh. I never mentioned him kasi sa kanila kahit almost two months na kaming magkakilala. I mean, ngayon lang naman kami naging close. Before, hanggang tingin lang ako but now? I don't know. Basta, we're close. I won't put pressure on that. I'll just go and grow with the flow. Whatever happens, happens.

I stopped reading by lunch. Binuksan ko ang phone ko kasi may mga mahalaga rin inside it na I couldn't just neglect. Just like now, sunod sunod kong narereceive ang texts ni Ate Yannie na halatang kanina pa. Tumatawag pala siya but cannot be reached daw ako.

Ate Yannie calling...

"Yes, Ate?"

"Thank God you answered! What were you doing ba at nakapatay ang phone mo?"

"I was studying. Exam's near." I said. Ang dami niya pang sinabi but alam ko namang may kailangan siya. Tinatanong niya pa ako if may gusto raw ako at ibibigay niya raw.

I want Sir Damon. Will she give me that?

I rolled my eyes with the thought.

"What do you want, Ate?" I asked.

"One last guesting, please, baby."

She explained why she needed me. Mula noong latest guesting ko raw ay mas tumaas ang sales nila and may bago raw silang irerelease na product ngayon kaya kelangan nilang mag-endorse nang mag-endorse.

"And, just consider it as an escape from your stupid brother. That frog has always been a hindrance to your happiness. Well, I want you to know that Ate supports you no matter what, okay? I like the guy for you naman." nanlaki ang mga mata ko when she mentioned the issue I am facing right now. Kilala niya rin si Sir Damon?

"Of course, I know the heirs and heiress of the McLaren clan, baby. Our family has some partnerships with them. McLaren kids are all fine. In fact, the news came to Mom and Dad already and they seemed to be happy with it." I sighed. Nakapagconclude na agad sila just like Duncan.

Napilit ako ni Ate Yannie na magguest sa ilang youtube channels, at maging model ng billboard nila. I didn't agree being the model of their ads and commercials kasi busy ako sa studies. Hindi ko kayang pagsabayin ang pag-aaral at shooting.

I wore a dress na lang saka pumunta sa company ni Ate Yannie. Sana naman, hindi na masali pa 'yung tungkol sa mga hate comments about me kasi I'm really sick of it all. I mean, I may not be reacting because I never want to give them the satisfaction of seeing me affected, but still, I have feelings. I have a heart.

"Sir Damon and I... are not dating. So please, quit this nonsense. What's wrong with being with him? I mean, he's my instructor in accounting. He also tutors me, just like the usual. Malamang magkakasama kami." I explained. But Ate Yannie didn't seem to buy it. What now?

"I'm telling the truth!" I almost yelled, napatingin tuloy sa amin 'yung mga tao.

"Okay, okay. Chill, baby. But, Mom and Dad want to meet him already. Duncan might have told them an exaggerated story but they were happy for it. I'm sure he's pissed." she said laughing. That's why Duncan always annoys her to death, eh. Kasi annoying din si Ate Yannie. Like I said, my siblings are a group of scumbags except me and Kuya Ling, my favorite bro.