The Billionaire's Son

Chapter 10

"Ssh... It's okay, it's okay." She stroked my hair as I cried hard that night.

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Bumuntong-hininga ako. Sa tuwing pinagmamasdan ko ang mga kamay ko ay sumasagi sa isipan ko ang ginawa ko ng gabing iyon. I still can't believe it happened.

Ganun din ba ang klaseng galit na naramdaman ni Sage nang malaman niyang pinagtangkaan ang kanyang girlfriend?

The anger that would drive you to do anything for the one that you love?

Sigurado akong ganun ang naramdaman ko ng gabing iyon. All I could think is how I could protect my mother from my monster of a stepfather.

Ihinilamos ko ang aking mukha sa palad. Kanina ko pa hinihintay si Leon at Sierra pero hindi pa rin sila dumarating. I glanced at my wristwatch. Kinse minutos na silang wala.

Grumbling to myself, I decided to read a book instead. Gusto kong alisin ang mga pangyayari ng gabing iyon sa isipan ko.

"Mallory!" ngingiti-ngiting nilapitan ako ni Sierra. Sinimangutan ko silang dalawa ni Leon.

"Ang tagal niyo."

"Eh itong si Sierra, ang bagal kumilos." Leon complained. "Tara na, Mallory."

Tumayo ako mula sa kinauupuan ko at isinilid ang libro sa aking bag. Whatever this party may be tonight, I know I'm just going to sit in a corner and read a book to kill time.

"Hindi ka man lang nagbihis nang maayos, ano ka ba!" tinampal ni Sierra ang aking braso.

I glanced down at my ripped jeans and maroon shirt then shrugged. "There's nothing wrong with what I'm wearing, Sier..."

"Ewan ko sa iyo. Isang taon nalang gagraduate na tayo sa kolehiyo pero para ka pa ring manang manamit!" iniling-iling niya ang kanyang ulo. Then she elbowed Leon. "Diba, Leon?"

Ngumiti lamang siya sa amin at sinulyapan ako. "I think she'd still look beautiful no matter what she wears."

"Sus! Sinasabi mo lang iyan kasi gusto mo si Mallory!" humalakhak si Sierra. Both of our cheeks flamed. Walang sumagot sa aming dalawa ni Leon. Ang kaibigan ko lang ang panay salita hanggang sa makarating kami sa villa house ng blockmate kong si Cassie.

I felt uncomfortable all of a sudden. Glancing around the pretty college girls in their bikinis and boys in their board shorts made me feel out of place. I'd rather stay inside my room and read a book than to be here.

Some of my classmates greeted me. Most of them are engaged in a conversation with their group of friends. Anak si Cassie ng mayor namin kaya naman isa siya sa mga kilala sa maliit na community college. Despite her wealth, the girl is friendly and down to earth. She also knows how to have fun by throwing parties like this every after exam.

Humigit ako nang malalim na hininga. Even Sierra slip out of her dress and revelead a daring black bikini underneath. Naghiyawan pa ang iba sa mga classmates ko sa nakita. Over the past years, Sierra had slowly came out from her shell. She started using make-up, change her entire wardrobe, made a lot of friends but still stayed as my best friend. Ganun pa rin ang kanyang ugali at nagpapasalamat ako sa kanya.

"Mallory! Sierra!" bigla kaming inakbayan ni Lysander, a bottle of whiskey on his right hand. "Ang magkaibigang 10. Fancy a drink?"

Inalis ko kaagad ang kamay niya mula sa balikat ko. "Uh, I don't drink." I murmured.

"Akin na nga yan!" Sierra snatched the bottle from him and took a swig. Lysander cheered.

"I feel like a proud mother bird sending her baby bird off the nest. Ang laki na talaga ng ipinagbago mo, Sierra."