The Gangster Princess

Chapter 20

Chapter 20 : Before You Go

Aisha Fancy Lee

It had been three days since we came back from the beach resort-Reid's family's private place na parang dream escape. The memory still lingered: the ocean breeze, his hand holding mine, the way his eyes softened every time he looked at me when he thought I wasn't watching.

But today felt different.

I was sitting on the edge of the bed, twirling the hem of my oversized hoodie-his hoodie-when I glanced at Reid from across the room. He was pacing slowly, phone pressed to his ear, brows slightly furrowed. His voice was low, calm, but I could sense tension behind it.

Then, he turned to me. His expression unreadable.

"Aisha," he called, voice gentle yet firm.

I looked up at him and gave a faint smile. "Yes?"

He hung up, walked closer, then knelt in front of me.

"I need to fly to Korea," he said.

My smile faded.

"You're leaving?" My voice came out softer than I intended, almost a whisper.

He reached for my hands, holding them tightly. "Just for a week. Business matters. Something urgent came up."

I tried to nod, to be supportive. But it felt like the warmth in my chest had slowly been replaced with cold air. "So, I'm not going with you?"

He shook his head slowly. "It's a closed trip. Meetings lang. No time for anything else."

I looked away. "Right of course."

"I'll be back before you know it," he added, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

But I pulled my hand back gently. "Bahala ka sa buhay mo."

Then I stood up and walked toward the stairs, trying not to let the tears in my throat show in my voice. "I'm going to bed. We'll talk tomorrow."

I closed the door behind me, locked it, then leaned against the wood, swallowing the lump in my throat.

☽ a//z ☾

The Next Morning

I took my time in the bathroom, letting the water run longer than needed. I didn't want to see him. Not yet.

But when I walked into the living room, he was already waiting. He stood up the moment he saw me, hopeful eyes searching mine.

"Aisha," he said.

I kept walking past him and sat on the couch without a word.

"Please," he followed, crouching beside me. "I can't leave like this. Not when you're upset."

"I'm not mad," I said, my voice flat.

"Aisha, I know when you're upset. You may not say it, but your silence screams."

I met his gaze, finally. "I'm not upset that you're leaving. I'm upset because I feel like you already made the decision without really talking to me. I wanted to feel involved kahit man lang konting tanong if I'd be okay."

He took a deep breath and looked down, guilt slowly crawling into his features. "I'm sorry baby." He whispered as I feel his warm hug.

I didn't reply.