13 Chapter 11

When Renzo got out of his car I noticed that his eyes are red and his lips have a small cut. I could no longer restrain myself from hugging him.

"Are you out of your mind?! W-Why did you do that?! You made me worry.." I told Renzo.

I don't care if my cousins are now looking at us.

"S-Sorry, love. I won't do it again. Stop crying 'cause I'm already here." Renzo said.

"I hate you!" I shouted at him.

"Promise, I won't do it again." He said.

I glared at him.

"Tsk. Let's go inside, it's so cold here." I told him.

I immediately put my hand on his arms. Scared that he might leave again.

When we got in Brent pushed Renzo.

"You know what? You're crazy! Why did you leave without telling me where are you going." Brent shouted at Renzo.

"Okay, that's enough. Kiana, go and treat Renzo's wounds first." Tita Liza said.

"All right, Tita," I said.

My cousins went to our backyard, just like last Christmas we're going to eat in our backyard.

"The medicine kit is in my room," I told Renzo.

He nodded and followed me.

"Sit down first," I said.

He sat on the corner of my bed. I went to the Comfort room to get the med. kit and went back to him.

I begin to treat the wound on his lips.

"I hate you. I want to punch you." I said and I intentionally pressed the cotton hard on his wound.

"O-Ouch!" He shouted.

"Does it hurt? Do you want me to add another wound to your face?" I asked sarcastically.

It's supposed to be a joke but I was shocked when a tear escaped from his eyes.

"Do you want to know why I'm here in the province?" He asked without blinking his eyes.

"You don't have to tell me if you're not yet ready," I said.

He smiled but sadness is visible in his eyes.

"I went here 'cause I don't want to follow what my parents want me to do anymore. I want to live for myself. Not for my parents, or anyone else. Just for once, I want to feel free. I want to do what I want. I don't care what my parents think about me anymore. I want to do things without hesitations." His tears continued to fall. "Dad wants me to take a business course because I'll inherit his company. But the hell I care about that. I continued taking an Engineering course even though they're against it. Even though every day I receive hurtful words from my parents." He said.

I listened carefully to everything he said. He's been keeping it for a long time.

"Until one day... Everything I feel exploded. All the hatred and anger. Brent went to our house to help me pack my things. He's like my brother." He said.

I looked at the time on my watch, ten seconds before this year ends.

"Ten seconds before this year ends, Renzo. Forget all the sad and painful memories and make good and happy ones with us... With me. I'll lend my strength to you." I said.

"Let's be the strength of each other..." He said.

3,2,1...

"Happy New Year, Renzo!"

"Happy New Year, Lauriz!"

We greeted each other. I hugged him tightly.

"Come on, let's go outside. They're waiting for us. Let's face this year with them." I said and smiled.

"Let's go!" He said.

When we reached our backyard they're already greeting each other. They look so happy like they don't have any problems.

"Happy New Year!" We all cheered.

Renzo leaned on my shoulder while playing with my hand.

"Bert, can I borrow your guitar?" I asked my cousin Albert.

He looks surprised.

"It's in my room. I'll get it, wait." He said and run to his room.

When Albert returned he immediately gave me his guitar.

"A round of applause for, Kiana!" Renzo said.

They clapped their hands and screamed their lungs out.

I laughed and started strumming the guitar.

"Even though we're going through it And it makes you feel alone just know that I would die for you Baby I would die for you." I sang the chorus of the song.

I want Renzo to know that he's not alone. We are always here for him. We will always support him.

"The distance and the time between us It'll never change my mind, 'cause baby I would die for you Baby I would die for you." I continued singing.

I met Renzo as a cheerful man. I didn't know that he also went through a lot of struggles in his life.

That song reminds me of him. I'll die for him.

Aubrey is already crying and it made me stop singing. I gave the guitar to Albert.

Renzo held my hand so I looked at him.

"Thank you..." He whispered.

I smiled at him.

"Gosh, Kiana! You're making us cry!" Audrey said.

"What a cry baby. Do you want a hug?" Brent asked Audrey.

Audrey paused then she smiled.

"Seriously, I'm crying," Audrey said. "I want a hug." She continued.

"I've changed my mind," Brent said.

Audrey frowned at what Brent said.

"You're so unfair!" Audrey shouted.

We all laughed.

"Let's enjoy this day 'cause when the classes resume we're going to be stressed again." Ate May said.

"Let's make the most out of these days," Brent said.

Renzo and Brent are already drunk. When Renzo arrived here earlier he's already drunk. Brent has a low alcohol tolerance.

"Can you still drive?" I asked Renzo.

"Yeah, our house is not too far anyway," Reno said.

"Hey, I have a question. What is the brand of Jollibee's car?"Brent asked.

He's so drunk.

"What?" They asked.

"It's called Bee-M-W!" Brent said while laughing.

"Is that a joke? Ha-Ha-Ha, funny." Audrey said sarcastically.

Brent raised his middle finger.

"Shut up." He said.

Audrey glared at him.

"You're so annoying, Brent! Does your heart have a hole?" Audrey asked.

I thought Audrey will walk out again, like what she did last Christmas but after a while, she smiled.

"Cause I think I'm trapped, can't find my way out," Audrey said.

Smooth.

Brent's ears turned red.

"S-Stop it, Audrey," Brent said.

Audrey lifted her hand and formed her fingers into the letter "L".

"Loser!" Audrey said.

Brent didn't answer. Maybe he knew that it'll lead to an argument.

"Kiana," Renzo called me.

"Here we go again. Shut up, Renzo." Brent said.

Renzo ignored Brent.

"Why?" I asked Renzo.

"You and I must be inverse logical functions." He said.

Gosh, I hate math.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because I could compliment you all day..." He said.

I know that my face is already red. He's making me blush.

Those pick up lines are so flattering.

"Renzo, you seem to be traveling at the speed of light. Wanna know why?" I asked him.

"W-Why?" He asked.

"Because time always seems to stop when I look at you," I said smoothly.

I saw that in the love letters of Audrey's lover. That makes sense.

"Hell, you two are not even in a relationship." Ate May said.

I laughed at what she said.

It's already six in the morning when Renzo and Brent decided to go home.

I sent them outside our house. Audrey will stay here.

"Be careful!" I told Renzo.

"Yeah, I will. Happy New Year and Good morning." He said.

"Happy New Year!" I replied.

He hugged me before entering his car.

I went inside our house and helped Ate May wash the dishes before entering my room.

Audrey is already in my bed sleeping. I adjusted her blanket before going to the C.R. to wash my face and brush my teeth.

I heard my phone ringing so I answered it immediately.

It's Renzo.

"Hey, I'm already at home." He said.

"Good, sleep well," I said.

"You too, bye." He said before ending the call.

I'm ready to face this new year with them.

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