SEVEN

006

Gonna come back and take you home

"Where would you go now, Gabriella?" she mocked.

"It's none of your business." I glared at her. I wanted to pull every hair in her body.

Thanks God, I still have a bit of sanity left because I was thinking of killing her. Should I do it or should I kill myself instead?

"Oh, it's my business, my dear sister." She pursed her lips as she surveyed me from head to toe. "I'm thinking of where?" She circled her pointed fingers in her curls.

I ignored her and went straight to pick my things. Damn! The only person I could think of right now is Zee and my bitch sister was also thinking of her.

"I don't think you can call Zee," she smirked. "We're close with them, yet aside from the fact that Zee is living in a cage right now, I believe her family doesn't want to entertain visitors."

I cursed in my mind. She was right! Zee couldn't help me, not because she didn't want to. It was the fact that she couldn't even help herself get away from hell inside their house, and to save me? How?

I believe my parents told her mother not to accept me. Why do we need to feel this way? Couldn't we just be happy? Zee and I were really best friends with the same sentiments in life.

"Also, if you're thinking about Aae? You're not that friends, right?" She looked at me with amusement. It's expected, she hated me. I don't even know why.

She's been like that since we were kids. She used to have everything, but she still kept on wanting what I have even though she got the best...and I only have her leftovers. How ironic!

"Chad?" She shook her head. "You don't want to give his family trouble, same with Geralt, Charish, and Missy." She laughed like an evil witch. Duh! I sometimes wished she could be struck by lightning.

I shrugged and pretended she was a ghost while I was arranging my clothes inside the traveling bag. I don't have a lot of things to pack, but I still need a place to leave them. Where would it be? I need a new unit or an apartment. My locker won't be enough to hide my things.

The only hope I have right now is Zack. Yes, right!

"By the way, if you're thinking about..." She walked in front of me. She was about to grab my guitar when I shoved her hand away. She laughed. "Zack? Stop it, dear. He won't pick your calls or answer your emails because..."

"What did you do?" I raised my voice.

Calm yourself, Gab!

"What did you do?" I stressed every word.

"Nothing." She shrugged. "I remembered Mom talked to his family years ago, and..." She teased.

"And, what?!" I yelled in anger. I couldn't believe it. My family was really unbelievable!

"As you see, Zendaya Corporation was the only company who allowed you to work for them until now. You know how big and influential they are, so we can't bring them down." She stated.

"I know," I proudly said. I would forever be grateful with Zack and his family because they didn't let me down.

"Zack helped you. But why do you think you lost your communication with him?"

I felt my blood rushing through my veins as soon as her words sinked in. Shit! Crap! That's it! Well, now at least I know that he did that to help me. He's Zack, he would always choose what's better for me, for us, for Zee.

Zee.

I eyed my sister.

"Oh, no!" She defended. "I don't know about Zee."

Good to know.

"What's the condition you gave Zack?" I asked. "Why did you ask him to stop talking to me?"

She crossed her arms. "We know that Zack will always help you wherever he is, especially during these times." She looked around us then back to glare at me. "Feel free to have the job. But, without Zack around, no one can help you. I get to torture you like this," she cackled.

"Okay," I answered nonchalantly. "But what, what did you do in exchange?" I know Zack. Zack wouldn't agree with anything unless he knew that the other side would be in the worst situation if he would not take sides.

"It's a secret."

I stared at her for a moment before smiling. "Okay."

I pulled my travelling bag and held my guitar. "I will leave my things for a while because I need to go to work. If you have any ounce of care for your little sister, don't you dare throw it!" I walked.

"That's it? You're not going to say anything?" She looks surprised.

"What would you have me say?" I said without looking at her. "Do you want me to ask why are you doing this?" I shook my head.

I formed a smile before turning to face her. Her smiled faded away when I said, "Gwen, it's okay." I shrugged. "Well, to be honest it's not okay." I sadly smiled.

"But, if being not okay means I get to be free and do what I really want, then it's okay." I bowed my head. "I am happy to pursue my dreams, so this, whatever you're doing..." I stretched my arms. "This won't make me go home."

Before I finally walked away, I left her a question to ponder, "Do you really want to become a doctor, Gwenleah Wong Tan?"

I almost lost my balance upon entering the elevator. It was only then I realized how my legs were shaking. My tears started to flow, but it's okay. Let it out, Gab!

I was so proud of myself for standing against my sister. I only have myself, so I need to fight on my own.

I immediately wiped my tears as I reached the ground floor. I was surprised to see Loud standing outside the building. What is he doing here?

I searched for my phone and cursed when I saw 58 missed calls from him. Wow, I don't know if I would be mad or happy. Well, let's say I appreciated the glow he was trying to give me.

"Sir," I talked to the guard. "Can I leave my things here for a while? I'll come back for it after work."

"Sure, Ms. Tan," he sadly smiled. "I'm sorry."

I shook my head. "No worries. It's okay."

"Someone is waiting for you. I couldn't let him in, so he's waiting for you." He pointed at Loud.

I wiped my tears and slapped my face a little. I won't be able to hide my flustered cheeks and my puffy eyes. Shit! Anyways, nevermind! Who even told him to wait for me?

"Hey!" I grabbed and pulled him away from the building. It was a struggle because he was strong and I was holding my guitar.

"Wait, what is this? I'm not yet ready to run away with you," he giggled.

I choked. I was about to let go of him when he entertwined our fingers. What the! I quickly stopped and looked at him. He gave me an innocent look as I tried to pull my hands.

"Oh, why? I thought we are going to run away?" He smiled. I know that smile and I know it's one of his silly ideas. "Let's go then!"

Without warning, he carefully grabbed my guitar and yanked me to run.

"Idiot!!" I screamed.

"Where are we going?" I panted. We stopped in front of his car.

He opened the door for me. "Let's go."

"I need to go to work!" I emphasized. I've been missing my work these past few days every time he appeared in front of me. I know Zack, and I don't want to take my job for granted just because I know they won't fire me. "I've been missing my work a lot because of you, so let's stop here."

I stepped back, but he was too quick to hold me. "I'll drive you to the bistro," he softly said. "And, I'll wait for you and drive you home again."

I melted upon meeting his eyes. I almost broke down because I was too overwhelmed by what he was doing, that I was afraid to take it because I might wake up tomorrow and realized it's just a dream.

"Why? Why are you doing this to me?" I moved my head sideways.

"Why can't you just let me do it?" he replied. "Let me take care of you. Let me be here for you. Why can't you just accept it, Gabby?" He gently whispered. I felt the desperation in his voice and seen the sincerity in his eyes.

"It's too much," I answered. "I can't handle too much and..." I held my tears. Damn! Why am I crying? "I don't have anything to give you back."

He laughed a little. "I never ask you to give anything back."

"Still--"

He hugged me. Damn! His warm breath against my neck and his coffee aroma lingering on my nose made me cry.

Or, no. It wasn't that.

It was the fact that for the first time I felt like I have someone to hold on to. For the first time, I felt like sharing my burden with someone. I just felt like it's okay to cry because someone would hug me so tight.

"Hush, Gabby," he whispered as he caressed my hair. "Ssssh, I am here. Let's cry together."

He tightened his grip. He gently brushed my hair. Like a baby, I clung to his shoulder, cried..and cried until I ran out of air.

"I don't know why you cried and I won't ask." I jerked when he wiped my tears. "But if you need someone to cry on. I am here," he smiled as bright as ever. "Remember, I am your everglow."

I know, and I was afraid that I might take all his glow, leaving him with nothing.

--

I woke up listening to Var's voice, singing Vanilla Twilight from his favorite band, Owl City. He was sitting on the couch when I opened my eyes. His guitar was lying on his leg.

"Don't disturb me, Maquess!" I said, irritated. "It's Friday," I lazily said. "I don't have class and my work starts at 9 am."

"It's already 10 in the morning, Tan," he plainly replied.

"What?!" I immediately rushed out of the couch and ran to the bathroom. "Why didn't you wake me up?!" I yelled and was about to take the shower when he laughed.

"I was kidding!" He held on to his stomach and continued laughing. "You still got two hours before your duty!"

I sensed my blood boiling down. I grabbed the pillow and threw it in his face which he easily caught. He should thank me that I care for his guitar because if not, ugh, I already ruined his pretty face.

"What are you doing here? Did you skip your tennis practice?" I frowned. I was still sleepy because I studied and written a lot of papers last night. Some of those papers belonged to a guy named Var Maquess.

"You know what, I stayed the whole night writing your papers," I put my hands on my waist and scolded him. He shrugged with a silly smile on his face. "Why do you need critique papers? What do you even do with them?"

"I read them, and come on!" His dimple on his left chin showed when he smiled. "I pay a lot," he said as he waxed his chestnut hair to the side.

"Fair enough. If you need them, really need them," I emphasized the last three words. "Just get them on the table," I said as I folded my blanket and arranged the couch where I was sleeping for the last week.

"I bought you food. Let's eat." He offered the latte and lasagna on the side table. "I also arranged the songs we're going to sing for the Battle of the Bands." He showed me his music notebook.

"Really? That's nice!" I picked my comb and started brushing my hair. I missed my long hair during high school since I usually cut my hair short these days. I so loved my ebony hair that it's so close to killing myself everytime I cut them.

Var, on the other hand, hummed to the melody of our chosen song for the Battle of the Bands. I wasn't really going to join like I said to Victoria, but things got out of hand. I needed a place where I could stay while looking for a new place.

I've been staying in our club room since last week, hoping the admin won't notice it. Glad, my bandmates were so fine about it as long as I'd do the Battle of the Bands.

"Ela," Var called. "How long are you gonna stay here?" He handed me the latte. I dropped my comb and smelled the aroma.

I smiled a little when I remembered someone. I wondered how many missed calls he left for me last night? I've been avoiding him these past few days, since I cried like hell in front of him. I figured that I needed to stay away from him. I would be trouble in his life as much as he would be in mine.

I don't want to cross the line if I know I wouldn't be able to reach the end.

"I'm still looking for a place to stay," I sighed. "They're full." I lied.

I actually saw a lot of vacant condo units, but I couldn't afford them. Also, some of the cheapest condo units and apartments near the school won't accept me because they've been bribed by my bitch sister. If that would make her happy, then I guess I should let her be.

"You can stay at my place. I have a spare condo unit."

I sipped my coffee before saying no. "Don't worry, I'll find another one as soon as possible. Thanks for offering."

"Why?" He asked, confused.

"What?"

"Why do you always refuse my help or the help people wanted to give you?" I saw the hurt that crossed his ocean eyes. I drowned the first time I laid my eyes on them.

"It's because I'm fine."

He stared at me and shook his head. "We've known each other for years, so don't lie. I know you are not, Ela." He stood up. "I'll see you at practice later. I need to go to practice. Eat!" He demanded.

"When will you stop asking me to write papers for you?" I asked when he picked the folder in the table and left money on it.

"When you already know how to ask for help." He opened the door and stop mid-way. "Someone is waiting for you outside. I'll let him in."

Before I could say anything, Loud came inside the club room. Fuck! I cursed again and again inside my mind. I turned my back on him and wiped the sides of my mouth.

I didn't even realize I was still on my wake up look. What the hell is he doing here?

"You can't be here," I said. "It's only exclusive for the band members, so go away!" I shoved him. "I'm busy!"

"Lame!" He reacted. "Give me another reason aside from the statement busy because it's getting old, Gabby." He clicked his tongue. "If you want to avoid me, or you want me to stay away from your life, you better think of a very - very good reason."

"I'm not avoiding you!" I lied. "I was really busy-"

"I get it. You're busy, but you're not busy to hire a private investigator?" He sounds offended. "I get that you don't trust me enough, still, why do you need to hire a private investigator when you can just ask me?" He snorted. "If you want to know me, ask Gabriella. A-S-K!" He raised his voice a little.

"You won't answer it." I rolled my eyes. Why is he angry all of a sudden? It's his fault for not saying who he is.

"Have you tried asking other questions aside from Who are you?" He smirked. "Because I don't really know who I am, so how about just start asking simple questions like: when is your birthday? How old are you?"

He glanced at me. I remained speechless. I was surprised. I don't know what to say. Holy crap! How did he know I hired a private investigator for him? Is he a psychic?

I told the private investigator to make sure Loud would never know. Psh! Maybe it was the fact that I didn't pay him anything, so he failed. Grr! It's Maquess private investigator! Hah! Weak!

He tied his fringe, showing his forehead. I smiled. He looked like a pineapple.

"I am Lauyton Diem Israel Elarde," he started. "I'm a third-year nursing student at the University of Santo Tomas. My birthday is on August 12. I play chess and badminton."

He placed his finger under his chin. "Name the instrument, I'll play it. Give me a song, I'll sing you a lullaby." He winked.

"I like cashew nuts, mint chocolate ice cream, coffee, sinigang. I like to sing in the streets or malls just for fun. Your best friend Zee Zamora is one of my blockmates, she's my way to you. We both want to become a cardiothoracic surgeon in the future," he recited.

I almost stumbled when he added, "Though right now, you're the future, Gabby."

I gulped. Damn!

I hate my skin complexion. I could feel the heat burning my cheeks. I looked the other way and pretended to do something.

"Ugh, o-okay," I stammered. Holy crap! It's awkward. "D-do you want to eat?" I grabbed the lasagna and offered it to him. Why am I shaking? Gosh!! I felt ashamed of myself.

I turned my back on him. I bit my lower lip. Idiot! He's killing me!

"If you don't have any--"

I dropped the food when he asked, "Do you wanna find home in my trailer?"