Escaping Strings

Chapter 37: Cheat

Natapos ang pirmahan namin with the naughty Chezca and we are just having a talk about the organization.

“Oh, and who's the other one in the club?” tanong niya nang mapag-usapan ang mga partners ng company ng mga Fortalejo at Mondragon.

“Matthew Mondragon, pinsan ni bakla,” sabi ni Cara, “And Martina's fiancé.”

Agad siyang napatingin sa akin matapos marinig ang sinabi ni Cara. What? As if I made a crime.

“Kaya ba tinanggihan mo ang pagiging Chairwoman?” Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay.

Franchezca Hamilton, napakamaintriga mo talaga. Lahat kailangang alamin eh. Well, she has the right to know.

“Of course not. I am one of the biggest shareholders of the entire company kaya hindi ko na kailangang magpakapagod pa by overlooking all. I'm fine from being the CFO. At least, aside from holding some financial statements, wala na akong ibang proproblemahin pa,” paliwanag ko rito. Napahawak ako sa tiyan ko at napangiti.

Napangalumbaba siya saka sinundan ang tingin ko, “Oo nga pala, you are pregnant.”

“I changed my mind, 'wag na tayong mag-convert into a partnership. Stable naman na tayong lahat kaya walang magiging problema,” Iris announces. “Sigurado rin naman akong hindi kayo magwi-withdraw sa huli, no matter what happens. Subukan niyo lang, I'll make your life a havoc.”

Iris is right, why would we be converting into a partnership? What ever made us think that we should? Naniniwala naman ako na walang magwi-withdraw ng contract dahil sa kami-kami lang din naman ang head and once we converted into a partnership type of business, mas magkakaproblema 'pag may nag-withdraw.

“That comes to terms, I second the motion,” I coincides.

Napailing si Cara bago sumang-ayon, “Tama 'yan para less hassle na rin.”

“Fine with me. I need to go!” Biglang tumayo si Diane at nagmamadaling tumakbo sa wash room.

Natahimik ang lahat sa inakto niya. Ilang araw ko nang napapansin 'yang babaeng 'yan. The signs that comes out naturally from her are the same as mine.

“Ayos lang ba 'yon?” hindi ko mapigilang tanong.

“Baka tinawag lang ng kalikasan,” may halong birong saad ni Iris na mukhang kinakabahan din.

Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ba ako, pero kasi iba na talaga. Knowing that something happened between Jac and Diane weeks ago.... Hay! Please tell me I'm just overthinking. Hindi naisara ni Diane ang pinto sa pagmamadali at rinig na rinig namin kung paano siya magsuka. Positive.

“Jacob, pasukin mo na,” natatarantang utos ni Cara at kabadong tumingin lang sa kaniya si Jac, “Go!”

Mukhang hindi naman niya alam kung papasukin ba niya ito or what. Oh, Diane needs somebody.

“No, ako na.”

Pumasok ako sa loob ng wash room para sundan si Diane. She's done vomiting, and she is crying on the floor. Lumuhod ako sa tabi niya at niyakap siya. I hate seeing any of them crying.

“Diane, mumsh, tell me everything, please. Just a bit more of hiding, magtatampo na talaga ako. Isa pa, I am also your bestfriend.” She shook her head and I added, “And cousin.”