Chapter Two: First Warning

Kaagad nang nang nagpaalam si Howard pagkatapos naming kumain. He told me that his mother called him because of an urgent emergency. I smiled and said to him that he could go. I am aware that neither his mother nor his whole family don't like me. No, everybody doesn't like me, not even my own mother. And I know how he loves his mother so much. When we'd celebrated our first anniversary as a couple through a phone call, Simply because he told me that his mother doesn't want him to go. I told him I understood. He was very close to his mother more than to his father.

"Mam, lasing na po kayo." awat sa akin noong isang bartender dito sa counter. I don't know; I just want to drink, drink, and drink. I don't want to remember all those painful memories because it breaks my heart.

Alcohol is sometimes a good companion. They're right; misery loves company. I love too much, and it hurts me. It destroys my whole being. It tainted my name, my reputation, and my status as a woman. Do I deserve this?

"No, no, no... haha. I still can manage." I have a high tolerance, but tonight I've felt dizzy, and my head is starting to ache. But it never compares to what I am feeling tonight.

No, I don't want to lose you

No, I don't want to use you

Just to have somebody by my side

And I don't want to hate you

I don't want to take you

But I don't want to be the one to cry

I don't want to hold any grudges against him. But I can't deny it; I am starting to hate him. He made me cry and suffer silently.

That doesn't really matter

To anymore

But like a fool, I keep losing my place

And I keep seeing you walk through that door

I understand you, Liniea, because that is what I am feeling right now. Liniea is also a business partner at this bar. Aside from being famous, she is also a singer. She was born with a golden spoon on her lips. She is popular, talented, intelligent, and a heiress, living in a high-maintenance world yet desperate when it comes to love. She has a loving family and a successful career, but she has stuck to unrequited love. It sucks, while me. I have nothing to compare her to. But I never competed or envied her.

But there's a danger in loving

Somebody is too much

It's true; we are sick. We crave things that are bad for us. But is it a sin to love someone too much?

And it's sad when you know

It's your heart you can't trust

I heard the people here gasp. She's literally crying while I am dying inside. I can't comfort her because I don't even know how to comfort myself. I can't judge her or advise her to stop because I can't even touch my heart.

There's a reason why people

Don't stay where they are

As much as I wanted to cry, no. I have never cried since my father's death. That's why I can't hate all men, because my father was the most wonderful man I've ever had.

Baby, sometimes love just ain't enough...

Hindi ko alam kung okupado ang isip ko na tapos na pala ang kanta.

"I will offer my handkerchief to you, but I saw that you don't need it. So, I keep it to myself." mala-anghel na sabi ng katabi ko, pero akong lakas para lingunin siya. But I know he is a man.

"Much better; I don't even need it. Baka mas kailanganin mo yan," I coldly said.

Tumayo na ako at binayaran ko na ang bills ko. Walang pasabi na iniwan ko siya kung sino man siya.

Habang papalabas ako ay bigla akong hinila at isinandal sa pader. Hindi ko maaninag kung sino siya, pero para pamilyar ang pabango niya. Oh, the guy at the counter.

Mahigpit ang pagkakahak niya sa akin, pero nakakagalaw pa naman ako.

"What do you want? "I coldly asked this man.

"Leave him alone." I just raised my left eyebrow. Who? Is he gay? Lame thinking, Zyrene. But who the hell is he? Why is he threatening me? I don't even know him or what he is saying. He is wasting his saliva. As if I were threatened.

"What the hell?! "Kaagad akong naalarma nang may maradaman akong labi sa leeg ko. Napakislot ako ng mariin nang bigla nyang sinipsip at kagatin ito nang mapangahas na lalaking nagbabanta sa akin. Sa tanang buhay ko, ngayon na lang ulit ako kinabahan ng ganito. Dalawang beses niyang inulit sa magkabilang leeg ko. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi ko siya magawang itulak o umiwas man lang dahil wala na akong lakas para gawin iyon.

"Just do what I say. If I see her crying again, you'll regret it," he warned before he let go of me and stopped kissing my neck. He licked my right earlobe before he whispered to me.

"Don't test me... My beautiful angel." na nagpatulala sa akin.