A Fairytale's Mishap

CHAPTER 19: Agreement

It's been weeks since that night. Almost a month now. I don't know exactly what happened, but the fight didn't push through. Sabi ni Jake, hindi nagkakasundo ang dalawang kampo sa pera. So there were still a lot of negotiations.

Frankly, I was looking forward to that fight. I am so curious as to how they managed to give him that kind of skill. And to make him forget the rest. Sa bawat paglipas ng araw, nadadagdagan lang ng higit ang aking mga katanungan.

But I think I am being more patient now. I think I've finally learned how to wait for the answers. But deep in my mind, there's that fear. Fear for our safety. And I know we could never be safe. We never were.

I know I should be doing something to protect us. But my instinct tells me that I need more time. Besides, they could've already killed us when they wanted to.

"Kairi, we need to go in 10 minutes," narinig kong sabi ni Hershey mula sa labas ng kwarto ko.

"Yeah, I'll be coming right up," tumingin ako sa orasan saka ko nilingon ang bintana. It's already 10pm on a Wednesday night. Napakadilim na sa labas. Ang ibang katulad kong kolehiyala ay maaaring natutulog na o kaya'y busy sa pag-aaral. Pero kami ni Hershey ay lalabas pa lang, hindi para gumimik. We're going to an abandoned underground factory to witness the fight.

Yes, this is the night. Finally, they've settled an agreement. Sa mga nagdaang lingo ay nagkaroon na kami ng routine ni Jake. From the time we go to school to the time we go home. And on weekends, we lounge near the pool, swim, watch movies, cook, bake, anything that could give us a chance to spend time together. Surprisingly, nangliligaw pa rin siya.

Kahit may nangyari na sa amin sa cabin house, nanindigan ako sa sinabi ko na kailangan ko muna siyang pahirapan. It's fun though... the chase. Even the sweet simple things he does give butterflies in my stomach. But in between those moments, he trains. Kapag wala siyang klase ay sumasaglit siya para mag-ensayo dito sa bahay. He has his own coach, assistant, manager, and all the real deal.

Doon pumasok sa isip ko na seryoso talaga sila sa bagay na 'to. Hershey said big money was involved. But according to Jake, it's more than that. For him, it's more of pride and passion. It's like he really loves fighting. He said he's been doing it all his life. And that basically adds more to my ton of questions.

Next thing I hear is the horn of Hershey's car. Nagmamadali ko ng inabot ang bag saka mabilis lumabas ng kwarto.

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"Do you think I look okay?" patuloy kong pangungulit habang nagmamaneho siya. Muli kong tiningnan ang suot. I'm wearing a low-rise faded skinny jeans, a super tight black tank top, and black high-heeled killer shoes. Everything was tighter than my usual clothes, dahil pag-aari niya ang mga ito. Of course, I didn't want them. Pero mapilit siya. And she's the one who even decided that my hair needs to be ponytailed and make-up to be lighter but lipstick redder.

"Are you kidding me? Kairi, you look so hot! Besides, most girls there would even wear something skimpier. Yours look way more classy."

Sumulyap ako sa kanya. Kung sabagay, hindi rin naman nalalayo ang suot niya sa suot ko. "Hindi lang siguro kasi ako sanay."

Bahagya siyang natawa, "Well, sanayin mo na. You need to intimidate all the other girls, lalo na at alam nilang nililigawan ka ni kuya."

Napataas ang isang kilay ko, "Pano naman nila nalaman yun?"

"Kairi, mula ng dumating si kuya dito, any news that involve him spread faster than fire. Hindi mo ba napapansin kung pano siya tingnan ng mga babae? You're a girl. You should notice things like that."

Of course, I do. But I try to act like I don't care. "Pero hindi ba mas maganda na wag ko na lang silang pansinin. Besides, your brother should take me as I am... if he's really sincere. Right?"

"Wow. That's deep." Saka siyang muling tumawa.

Napangiti naman ako, "I'm just saying..."

"Yeah, I know. That's why I like you for him."

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It's a triple update, guys. :)