The Only Hope for Me is You

Chapter 73 : A Story They Didn't Know

T R A V I S

"Pupunta ka sa birthday ni Addy." derecho kong utos kay Monique.

Alam kong pupunta siya doon at gusto ko siyang makita ulit.

Ilang araw matapos kaming maghiwalay noong araw na iyon, kahit pa sabihin niya na tigilan ko na ang paglapit sa kanya, alam ko sa sarili ko na kahit man lang mula sa malayo, makita ko siya.

Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit matapos ang araw na iyon, hindi ko na rin ma-contact si Natasha. Kung hindi siya ang koneksyon ko kay Maxene, kay Monique ako napipilitan kumapit dahil siya lang ang pwede kong maging palusot para mapalapit sa mundo niya.

"You know that we're no longer friends, she hates me Travis." paliwanag niya na alam ko naman ang dahilan. Umiwas ako ng tingin sa kanya nang magkatugma ang mga mata namin. "Anyway, last semester mo na dapat, napag-isipan mo na bang--?"

"May I remind you of why we are here, Monique," I cut her monotonously before she could change the subject, "We're just talking because you owe me a favor." I cross my arms as I lean on the chair while drinking my coffee.

Paano ako babalik sa school kung hindi maayos ang isipan ko? Anong mukha ang ihaharap ko sa school matapos kaming maghiwalay ni Maxene? Tapos makikita ng mga tao na fiance na siya ni Pierre ngayon.

Knowing the asshole, he'd use that against me in any way he pleases. To humiliate me, to torment me, to make me feel inferior against him. From the very start that's his game. He wanted me out so badly so that he could take Maxene from me.

He started a war with me and I'm not going to stop until I win. I'll make sure that he will have a taste of his own medicine. Pagsisisihan niya na tinuklaw niya ako patalikod gagong hayop siya!

"Nagkausap na naman kayo, hindi pa ba iyon sapat para maging closure ninyo?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Monique.

How the fuck did she knew about that? I didn't say anything as I read her. She let out a huge sigh and looked away.

"I told her about--" she gulps and blinks as she cautiously puts her thoughts into words, "About the whereabouts of her child."

Now that made sense. Sino pa ba bukod kay Monique ang nakakaalam kung saan ko inilibing si Hope? Minsan na rin siyang pumunta doon. Maganda man ang intensyon niya, pero naging defense mechanism ko na ata ang itulak siya palayo mula sa akin.

"Akala ko nagkaroon na kayo ng closure matapos ang araw na iyon." she let out a small awkward smile.

"Do you expect me to tell you 'thank you' because of that?"

Her eyes soften as she shakes her head, "I'm not expecting anything. I just did what's best for you. Akala ko pagkatapos noon, mapapatawad mo na ang sarili mo, Travis."

"Pupunta ka sa birthday ni Addy. Bumili ka ng regalo, tiyak ko na aasahan niya iyon." binigyan ko siya ng blank check.

"Para saan naman ito?"

"What you earn isn't enough. You need resources. Your father may have accepted you, but financially, you lack credibility."

"So, I work for you, ganoon ba?" If she's trying to humor the situation, I don't have enough time to listen to her.

"Ganoon din naman ang naging usapan ninyo ni Pierre, hindi ba?" I scoffed, "Pareho lang tayong nakikinabang sa isa't-isa ngayon, Monique."

She forced out a smile, "Oo nga naman." there's a hint of bitterness in her voice, "As long as I am needed, I am being used, right?" I choose to look away and noticed that she took the check, "I guess upgraded na ako, dahil nababayaran na rin pala ang serbisyo ko ngayon."