Kabanata Apatnapu’t Isa    Pinunasan ko ang luha ko habang iniisip si Jacob at ang aking mga kapatid. "Good girl. If you had listened to me before, we would not have reached this point. Ngayon dumiretso at sundin mo lahat ng ipapagawa ko. Once you enter the bypass road, you will exit your car with no weapons. My boys are waiting in a white van. Jessica’s white van. No weapons or else you know what will happen to your friend.” Tumawa ulit siya bago mawala sa linya. Hinampas ko ang manibela ng maraming beses dahil sa galit.  Hintayin mo ako Jessy. Nakita ko ang pangalan ni Jacob sa screen ng cellphone ko bago ako bumaba ng kotse. I left all of the weapons that I prep

Kabanata Apatnapu't Tatlo   I still couldn't believe that Mina died because of my recklessness. Kinulong ulit ako ni Leo sa loob ng silid.  He just left a glass of water in a paper cup. Tinanggal ng kanyang mga tauhan ang lahat ng babasagin at metal na bagay sa loob ng silid.  I closed my eyes, thinking of my brothers. If I die in Leo's hands they will be traumatized for the rest of their life. I sighed as I think of ways on how to escape this hell hole. My feet and my one wrist were tied up again. I reached for the paper cup and drank all of the water. I need a clear mind now. Napangiwi ako nang makita ko ang mga sugat ko. Pinikit ko ulit ang aking mga mata at ini

Kabanata Apatnapu't Lima   I blinked two times to adjust my vision. I heard a commotion outside of the door. Nilibot ko ang paningin ko sa buong kwarto.  Wala sina Jacob at Jessy. I blinked again but my vision didn’t improve.  I raised my hand to see a needle in my arm. I pushed myself up. Nasaan sila? Sinubukan kong iunat ang aking likuran pero isang biglang sakit ang naramdaman ko. "Shit. It stings." I cursed. Nanunuyo ang lalamunan ko. The door opened slowly, Jacob walked in with an angry face. He looked straight to me. His

Kabanata Apatnapu't pito   "Hindi ka ba nagpaalam sa kanila?" Tanong ni Lindsey habang pinapatulog ang anak. Umiling ako at ngumiti lang. Jacob fist bumped Carlo and Calvin. Calen was on the side of his girlfriend.  He could walk again without the help of anybody. Jacob waved goodbye to my Aunt and Uncle as he entered his car.  Ngayon ang unang araw niya sa kumpanya namin. Uncle assigned him as the new acting CEO. I am so proud of him.  "Cindy, alam mong tatanggapin ka nila. Pamilya mo sila." Sabi pa ni Lindsey. Humarap ako sa kanya.

Kabanata Apatnapu't Siyam   Calvin and I laughed as I let him drive my car.  "I saw a stolen picture of you on her phone!" He beamed. Umiling ako at ginulo ang buhok niya.  "Be a good boy and I will teach you how to charm girls." Sabi ko at tinuro ang susunod na kanto. "Girls are complicated." Aniya at napakamot sa batok. "Saan talaga tayo pupunta?" Tanong niya. Tumingin ako sa side view mirror. Halos wala talagang nagbago sa bayang ito.  "Just drive. Malapit na tayo." I said as I read the town's name on my mind.  'Welcome to San Rafael'