Chapter 18

WRIGHT AGONCILLO

"Wright, that's enough." Racky took the tequila from my hand.

I looked at her sharply. Behind her, there were Fier and Leon, who were also quietly watching. "Give it back to me!"

I stood up and towered her. I looked at her menacingly. She backed away but still didn't give me the glass.

"What the heck, Wright! You have to stop. You're ruining your life because of that flirtatious woman!" she cried out despite her fear. I gripped her jaw, and she winced. I looked at her hard. She also dropped the glass and grabbed my hand on her jaw. "W-Wright."

"Don't you ever cuss at my girl, Racky! I'll hurt you!" I lost all my control. My surroundings had turned red.

Fier quickly approached us and removed my hand from Racky's jaw. He pushed me away and put Racky behind him. I saw how Racky cried and hugged Leon. Damn, I made a woman cry again.

"Enough, Wright! Enough! Don't turn your wrath on us! We're not your enemies."

I sat down on the sofa behind me. I put my elbows on top of my knee and pulled myself together because, at any moment, I could hurt someone. So this was hell.

I was a jerk for leaving Melissa when she needed me the most! Damn it! I didn't know I was capable of feeling this way. I was slowly breaking inside, piece by piece.

"You want her back? You thought with just one click, she'd be right next to you, huh? Did you think that'd be easy? Fucking no!" My jaw clenched at what Fier said. He was right, but he didn't need to rub it in my face! "Look at you now! Instead of doing anything so she can forgive you, here you are killing yourself!"

"Stop pushing him to his limits, Fier!" Leon groaned, but Fier didn't seem to hear anything.

"Really! Melissa doesn't deserve an ass like you!" He pointed his finger at me.

My vision had darkened. I stood up and quickly punched him. Racky screamed as Fier collapsed on the floor. He wiped the blood off the side of the lip and gave me a sharp look. I was breathing fast while also looking sharply at Fier.

I'd been like this for five days. I felt wasted. I thought that after I explained everything to Melissa, it would be easier for her to come back into my life.

"You piece of shit. Are you happy now?! Have you poured out all your anger on me?! How does it feel? Is it light?!" he still challenged me while standing up.

"That's enough, Fier!" Leon shouted.

I felt dizzy. Fier took the opportunity and released his fist. I didn't immediately block it, and he hit my cheek. The last thing I heard was Racky screaming.

When I opened my eyes, I was in a soft bed. I didn't move as I observed my surroundings. I winced when I felt the pain in my head and jaw. Damn!

I lay down and freely surveyed the entire room. I hoped I hadn't taken home a woman last night because if I did, I would kill myself.

I looked at the clothes I was wearing. Who dressed me up? I was only wearing a shirt and black boxer shorts now.

Who the hell undressed me?!

I stopped when I smelled the fragrant smell coming from outside the room. Even though my head hurt, I still went to it to find out who brought me here. I slowly opened the door and went to the kitchen.

I was screwed. This was a condominium! Tell me I didn't screw anyone.

In the kitchen, I found a woman in a white dress and short boxer briefs. She was humming and slightly moving her hips while mincing something. She looked and sounded like Melissa.

I couldn't help myself anymore, and I hugged her. I closed my eyes and smelled her hair. Strawberry? "Melissa."

I let go of her when she shouted with great force, turned to face me, and pushed me back.

"What the hell!" I looked back, and Fier was there. He had just woken up. His gaze shifted to me and the woman beside me. His forehead furrowed. "Fuck, man, you touched my girl?!"

He walked fast and pulled the woman behind him. I had never seen Fier like this. This was new. He was too overprotective.

"I…I thought she was Melissa!" Rule number 1. Never ever touch your best friend's girl.

"It's alright, Fier. He just hugged my back."

"What?! He freaking hugged you back?!" I swallowed when he looked at me sharply. "Man! Don't you know that her back is my favorite part?!" He grinned mischievously. "Because of her ass."

"Fier!"

We laughed together. He had never changed! We held hands like we were wrestling, like the old times.

His grip tightened on my hand. I also tightened my grip. We both smiled, but there was a streak of annoyance in it. "But you still hugged her back, you asshole. You don't touch my girl."

"I said I mistook her for someone else, pussy whipped!"

"You're both pussy whipped." We both looked at the woman, who was now standing at our side.

"Heck, no!" we said at the same time.

"Really?" Her eyebrows rose. She folded her arms over her chest. "And you." She turned to me. "You kept on calling 'Melissa' while Fier was undressing you. You even hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. What a nightmare!"

"I did what?!"

I looked at Fier. He put his arms around his girl. "You know what's worse? I undressed a man! I never dreamed of doing that to a man! And you kissed my cheek! Do you know how much hand sanitizer I used just to get rid of the smell of your breath! You owe me big time, bro! You stole my innocence."

"Disgusting, man!" Maybe I lost myself last night. "But thanks, bro. Do you want revenge? Come here, sweetie." I was about to puke, but I wanted to bully him more.

"You're disgusting. The next time you get drunk, I swear I'll leave you anywhere." Well, Fier was Fier. But he was one damn true friend.

"Oh my gosh! You have a bruise! Wait, I'll get some ice," the woman said in a panic. She would have come closer to me if Fier hadn't pulled her back.

"Hey, hey, why are you panicking? When you made me the garlic last night and I cut my finger, you didn't even look at it." He showed us the index finger with the Band-Aid. "You even said it's far from 'the zone.' You wouldn't care even if I bled to death."

They started arguing.

I cleared my throat, and the two of them looked at me. "I'm going home. You're an eyesore when you're jealous, dude. Quit making that face. It makes me want to throw that knife at your freaking face."

Fier frowned when the woman next to him laughed out loud. They looked really happy. How I wished I hadn't fucked up with Melissa. Maybe we both would have lived happier than them.

I went into the bedroom and put on my clothes from last night. I needed a cold shower. Damn! I was about to leave their unit when Fier called me.

"Yo, fucker!" He threw something at me, and I immediately caught it. "Learn from your mistakes, jerk. Because I've already learned from mine. "

He kissed the woman on the forehead. I saw how she blushed. I nodded at them and exited the unit. Fortunately, there were no paparazzi outside, so I got in my car right away.

I drove home and took a shower. I knew Melissa's schedule at school, so I was sure she was there. That was where I'd start. I bought three white roses and drove to their school. I put on my Ray-Bans and got out of the car.

I immediately heard a few whispers from the people I passed by. Other co-teachers were also surprised by my sudden visit to their school.

"Wright!" I faced a woman blocking my way to their faculty room.

"Uh." I swallowed. "Is Miss Quizon here?"

The woman frowned as she looked at the roses I had brought. "She's absent now. It's her Grandmother's death anniversary."

Grandma Sedes? I felt sad. Grandma was dead? Damn, I didn't know.

I took a deep breath. "Do you know the location where her grandmother is buried?"

"At XXXX Cemetery in Valenzuela." She still doubted me, but she still gave me the location. I was about to turn around when she grabbed my arm. "Wait! Why do you need my friend?"

I smiled. She blushed. I gently stroked her chin and brought my face closer to hers. I heard a lot of screaming. "I love your friend."

"W-wha—"

Even before she could say it out loud, I immediately covered her lips with my finger.

"Shh." She nodded. "Wait. Can you give me a map?"

"Uh, y-yeah!"

When I arrived at the cemetery, I followed the map until I reached a tomb with the words.

In loving memory of:

MERCEDES CORDOVA

January XXXX – November XXXX

I looked around and didn't see anyone. I put the white roses that I should have given to Melissa in front of the grave. I also lit the candle I had bought at a store nearby. I crouched down in front of her grave. I also removed some of the grass that covered her tomb.

"It's been a long time, Granny," I said while reminiscing about the memories I had of Grandma Sedes and Melissa. Her warmth when she hugged me like a teddy bear. The way she smiled, not minding that she had already lost some of her teeth. "Maybe you're very angry now because you're looking at the person who hurt your dearest granddaughter." The wind blew. "I fuc—I messed up everything." I sat down on the grass and continued talking to her. "I'm sorry. I wasn't by Melissa's side when you disappeared. I left her, and after that, you also did. I don't know the amount of pain she felt. I fooled her, used her, abandoned her, hurt her. Damn, I'm the biggest idiot for doing those things she doesn't deserve," I added. I caressed the name painted on the tomb and smiled wryly. "But I love her, Granny. Maybe I'm too late to realize my real feelings, but I hope I'm not too late to prove it yet."

Silence reigned after I said that. I continued to stare at the pale tomb.

"What are you doing here?"

I turned when I heard that cold voice. Then, I saw the woman who was continuously running in my mind, who was now in front of me.

Melissa.

I slowly stood in front of her. I knew her system was debating whether she should run away or stay in her place. I also didn't know the first thing I could say so she wouldn't go away. Then, the world stopped moving when a child clung to her thigh.

"Mommy!"