Chapter 25

JAZMIN

"HANA? Baby? Where are you?" I asked as I walked down to the mansion's living room. I could hear shouts coming from there. Is there a brawl going on over there? I was worried about my sister because I could hear her scream even when I was in my room.

It was Sunday and my day, so I planned to sleep until noon. I was exhausted from our night at the clubs with Jacob the night before. I didn't go home with him last night at my house because he begged me to bring his gigolo for the night to my own effin' house. I couldn't object because he used the you-owe-me tactic.

That's why I'm in the mansion, sleeping until I want to wake up. Who cares? I am free to do whatever I want. I also need to recover from the events of the previous week. Yes, another week had passed since I almost raped the willing victim, Averi, in her office.

Of course, she's a willing victim. She was more interested in me than I was in her. I promised her I'd give her space, and I'm sticking to my word. I missed her, but this is one of my strategies for making her miss me as well. I'm not sure if it will work, but I'll try to figure it out later.

I was at the bottom of the stairs when I heard people shouting again from the living room.

I noticed Rita exiting the kitchen with a tray, walking towards the living room, and passing.

"Good afternoon, Senorita," she said with a friendly smile. "Are you hungry? I'll prepare food for you after I give this to Senorita Hana."

"Perhaps later, Frida," I replied, smiling back. "Uh, where is she anyway?" I ask, taking a look at what's on the tray.

"She's in the living room watching Many Pacquiao vs. Chris Algeiri," she replied. My eyes widened as I heard the name "People's Champ."

"Was the game today? Err, damn. I didn't know it was today. Is that what all the noise is about? Oh gosh, I can't miss this. I never miss watching any of his matches," I said quickly.

She just stared, astounded by my reaction. I'm not a boxing fan, but I'm a Filipino, and Pacman is, so I have to cheer for him even if he can't hear me. He deserves it, though; he's a true champion.

"Let's go," I say as I rush to the living room. I forgot I had a TV in my room.

I immediately noticed the cheering guards and maids with Hana in the living room. They were all like one big happy family. They fell silent when they noticed I was standing there, leaving Hana screaming and cheering.

Hana noticed that her companions were not cheering; she looked around and saw that the guards and maids were staring at me uncomfortably. That's why I thought there was a commotion here. They were all here to support the People's Champ.

"Angel! Come here. Sit. Let's cheer for Pacquiao!" she yelled, dragging me to the couch. The guards and maids silently exit the living room one by one. When Hana notices that some of them are leaving, she asks, "Hey, where are you going?" I know why. They're afraid of me.

"Hey, guys, let's watch and cheer for our Champ together, and please treat me as a friend or as you treat Hana here," I said, looking and smiling at them. The uncertainty smiled but returned to the living room.

"What round is it?" I excitedly inquire of Hana. I'm settling in on the couch.

"Six," she said quickly, never taking her gaze away from the television, before scooping at the sorbet Rita had brought her.

I took the sorbet from her hand and tasted it.

"Hey, that's mine!" Hana exclaimed, grabbing the sorbet back.

"This is so sweet, Han; I thought you'd never eat sweets because you value your voice so much?" I say. She just shrugged, her green orbs gathering in a sad expression.

Something is wrong with my younger sister. I was about to ask again when she screamed, numbing my ears to her squealing.

"Yeah! That's right. Knock him out, Manny! Talunin mo! Patumbahin mo! Ganyan nga! Woohhhh!!!" Hana squealed, now jumping. The guards, maids, and I are all joyfully cheering. We were so engrossed in the game that I forgot what I was about to ask Hana.

We will continue to watch the game until it is over. And the People's Champ was declared the winner by a unanimous vote.

The Philippines, rejoice! Congratulations, Manny Pacquiao! We are so proud of you!

~*~

AVERI

I'M AT WORK, killing myself with piles of paper on my desk. Outside my office, I heard a loud cheer. I didn't budge. There is nothing to be concerned.

That was just the staff and customers cheering for Jake Pacquiao. I smiled as I heard them scream.

Every time Jake has a match, the Filipinos unite. Vehicles and pedestrians are barely visible as they cross the streets and highways. That is how all Filipinos regard our people's Champ.

But why didn't I watch? Of course, I'm watching, and my laptop is tuned to the live feed. Do you think I'll miss it? I was cheering silently because I was too preoccupied with work.

My phone rang shortly after they announced Pacquiao as the winner. I was in a good mood when I answered the phone.

"Hello?" I hum. I didn't bother looking at the caller ID.

"Hello, love; I miss you so much," George said. For a brief moment, I was deafeningly quiet. Who was I expecting to call me? Stupid me. "My love?" he asked when I didn't respond.

"George!" I exclaimed when I found my voice. "Gosh, I miss you too, sweetheart," I tried to be cheerful.

"Are you all right, love?" he inquired.

"Of course, you called again. Are you going home?"

"Uh-huh. Someone's excited to see me," George said. I faked a chuckle.

Is it true that I am looking forward to seeing him? Of course, I should be. I haven't seen him in two weeks. What am I thinking?

"Of course, sweetheart. So you want me to pick you up? What time, sweetie?" I ask, fidgeting my fingers. I hope Jazmin hasn't told her father about what happened between the two of us.

In any case, how is she? I don't care about her! I haven't seen her in a week, either. Do you miss her? No! Do I?

"Ave, hello? Love?" I lost track of time, thinking about Jazmin, and completely forgot that George was on the other end of the line.

"Sorry, hun. What did you say?" Hopefully, he didn't notice my lack of focus on him.

Damn that woman. She's always on my mind. She irritates me!

"I said there's no need to pick me up because the kids will do it; just meet us at Aiden's by six o'clock. Is that okay, love?" he asked suspiciously. Oh-uh! Stop thinking about her!

"All right, sweetheart, see you later."

"Are you sure you're okay, love? You're still working, aren't you?" I heard him sigh on the other end of the line.

"I-I'm fine. Yeah, still working, but just checking the sales for today; nothing big or heavy loads, though," I said hesitantly. I'm hoping George buys it.

"Okay," he said. I silently fist bump in the air. "I'll see you tonight, love. I have a gift for you. I missed you so much. I need to pack now. I'm hanging up. Bye, I love you," he said. He still didn't hang up. I know he's waiting for my response.

"I missed you too, sweet, and I love you too. Bye," I replied. I mentally congratulated myself for saying that without choking. Why should I? As if I haven't been telling him that for nearly two years.

"Bye," he chirped before hanging up the phone.

Whew! That was close.