PENITENCE

"But why does it seem to get worse?! Why do I only get hurt more?!" I added. 

I heard Xyra sighed. 

"It's normal to feel hurt when you confess and then get rejected, but at least the burden you feel will be lessened," he said. 

I looked at her confused. 

"At least you're not blind. And you're not living a lie. As they say, the truth hurts. But that hurt is worth it, trust me," she said.

I wiped my tears and smiled at her. 

"Thank you," I said and hugged her. 

"You're always welcome, sissy. As long as you need me, I'll be here by your side, okay?" she said and caressed my face. 

Xyna is one of my friends that I always lean on whenever I'm sad. 

That's why I consider her a sister. 

I love her. 

I'm thankful that I have her in my life.

"Hey, sweetie," said mom and kissed. 

"What's up, sweetie? Why do you want to talk to us?" Dad asked.

"I just want to talk to you about Feliz and I's arranged marriage," I said and took a breath. 

"What about that? Is there any problem?" 

My tears flowed. 

"I don't think that this freaking forced relationship will work out." My voice broke. 

"Sweetie, didn't we tell you, you too will learn to love each other in the long run?

Just trust us." Dad. But I shook my head.

"Will you learn?! Dad?! Yes! I've learned to love him, but him?! He keeps pushing me away! Because he doesn't love me!" I shouted at them.

"I don't want this relationship anymore. I don't want it anymore!" I said. 

"Sweetie, I'm sorry but you have to do this for the sake of our company." mom 

"So that sneaky company is more important? Than your daughter's feelings? You don't know how I suffer and get hurt while I'm here in this strained relationship!" I've been waiting for a long time. 

They remained silent. 

"We're sorry sweetie, there's nothing we can do about it. Talk is talk. I know you will learn to love each other too" said dad. 

"Dad! Hear your words! It's hard to save a relationship, if only one wants to get out! This relationship wouldn't work out!" I said. 

I was in the middle of a drama when suddenly someone called dad's cell phone. 

"I'm sorry." He apologized. 

"Honey, this is Mr. Del Mundo," Dad said to mom. 

"We're sorry sweetie, but we don't have enough time for this." 

It's always like that. 

You really don't have time for me. 

You don't listen to me. You don't listen to my side.

I returned to my room anxious and not in the mood. 

Lazy if I took my phone and went on Facebook. 

There was a post where Feliz kissed a girl. 

Yeah whatever! 

I kept scrolling, and all his pictures were passing through my news feed.

I kept crying. 

Why do you want to hurt me?! 

Facebook is also hurting me by repeatedly showing me pics of Feliz with different girls. 

But what right do I have to be jealous when I'm just a part of his life?

My eyes are swollen from crying all night. 

"Ma'am Maxine, it's time for breakfast," Manang Celia called me. 

But I just didn't say anything. 

I went to the dining table, and there were mom, dad, and Michael waiting for me. 

"You're here, sweetie. Take your breakfast now," Mom said. 

I noticed that dad was looking at my face. 

But instead of asking me about my condition, he just shrugged his shoulders. 

"Sweetie, your dad and I are going to the states; we're going to take care of something," Mom said. 

States again. They are always there. Otherwise, always out of the country! 

"Mr. and Mrs. Del Mundo is going to the states with us, so while we are not here, you will stay at their mansion; is that ok with you?" said Dad. 

"Yes! I can play with Francine!" Michael was happy. 

I just looked away. 

"Is there something wrong, sweetie?" Mom asked. 

"N-nothing," I replied and tried to smile. 

We are dead now.

Today is the day they will leave.

They were going to the airport while we were going to Feliz's mansion. 

My heart was pounding even before we left. 

I thought that maybe he just didn't like me because I wasn't pretty enough. 

So I put on makeup before we left. 

"Get ready, Feliz. You will see what you wasted," I said as I poked my face in the mirror. 

"Sweetie, how long?" asked Dad from outside. 

"5 more minutes!" I shouted.

After a while, I came out and saw the shock on their faces. 

"Sweetie?! Are we leaving OR you?" Mom said while looking at me. 

"You're so pretty, sweetie!" said Dad. 

"You're beautiful, sister!" It's Michael. 

"Gosh! Little thing!" I said and put on my shades and got into the car.

FAST FORWARD. 

We are now here in front of Feliz's mansion. 

I rang the doorbell. 

Their assistant opened the door for us. 

I went straight inside their mansion, and all the servants looked at me. 

I saw Feliz staring at me now too. 

He was in the living room holding the controller of his video games. 

He returned to his trance when the games rang; he lost.

"This is the beginning of my revenge," I promise.

I am now in a room with my brother while we are organizing our things. 

"Hey, why are you wearing my pants?" I said to Michael when I saw him holding my pants. 

"Hey, I don't know why it's in my bag! Maybe you put it there?!" 

"You're going to blame me?! It's mine!" I screamed and grabbed my pants from him. 

We were in the middle of fighting with Michael when Feliz suddenly appeared. 

"That's you." I looked at him. 

I let Michael out of the room first so Feliz and I could talk. 

His gaze is only on me. 

His eyes have no emotion.

"What are you doing in our mansion?" He said directly. 

"You don't know yet? Our parents are in the states. We will stay here until they return," I reply. 

He was silent at what I said. 

His gaze stayed on my face. 

"Is there something wrong with my face?" I asked. 

He didn't say a word and ran out of the room. 

What's up there?

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