Chapter 15: Encounter

Yannie Ace Ruiz

I quickly checked my phone when it vibrated due to a received chat.

Rica: See you, Yannie! Take care of you and your friend (smiley emoji)

Me: See you, Ate. Take care, too.

After replying to Ate Rica, I looked at myself again in front of the mirror in the ladies' room of the mall where Veron and I agreed to meet. I had just arrived and immediately headed to the restroom to check my appearance once more. Once I finished, I left and grabbed my phone to send Veron a message informing her that I was already here.

Before I could type a message for her, her name suddenly appeared on my phone's screen. I quickly answered her call.

"Hello, Veron?"

"Yannie!"

"I was just about to text you. Where are you? I'm here—"

"Yannie, I'm sorry," Veron swiftly interrupted me from the other end of the line.

"Huh?"

"There's an emergency at home."

"Emergency?"

"Yes. I'm sorry, Yannie, but I might not be able to make it. Honestly, I've already changed, but my mom needs me at our ea