CHAPTER 30

JAZMIN

I WAS ON MY WAY OUT, looking for my keys in my purse, when I accidentally ran into someone.

"Sorry, Miss," the girl I ran into said. I look at her and immediately recognize her. "I'm sorry," she apologized. The witch has transformed into a lovely lady. What did she do to her face and body?

"Denisse?" I inquired, but the girl scrunched her brows and looked at me perplexedly.

"Excuse me, beautiful, but how do you know who I am?" She asks, her gaze fixed on my eyes and features.

"It's me, Den. Can't you recall an old acquaintance?" I replied with a broad smile. She didn't recognize me.

Then she must have remembered me because she was wide-eyed and said, "Bonnie? Is that you? Heck, you're taller than me now "She looked me up and down after she said that.

I laughed at her reaction. She gave me a strange look. Oops, gay alert. Is she? I'm pretty sure she is. She's assessing me.

"Nice to see you here," I said to get her attention. She was now staring at my boobies. Uh, totally lesbian. I had no idea we were on the same team. But because we aren't even friends, I didn't know anything about her. Remember she was my arch-enemy?

"You, too," she said, her gaze now fixed on my face. "Did you have a lunch date here?"

"No and yes. No, because it wasn't a "date" date, and yes, because it was a lunch date with my best friends, Ben and Pearl," I replied.

"Best friend? Mr. and Mrs. Owner? What a small world we live in "She smiled, revealing her pearly white teeth. "I'm the Chief Chocolatier and Cook here." I wouldn't have noticed her chef uniform if she hadn't said that.

"Really? What a small world we live in," I said, smiling and nodding. "Well, I guess I'll see you a lot if I come back here, eh?"

"Yeah. You have no choice because I work here," Denisse laughed lightly.

"Yeah. So it was nice to see you. I have to leave now," I said, waving to Denisse and walking away from her.

"Bonnie!" she yelled. I return her stare.

"Yeah?" She had no idea I'd changed my name.

"Can I have your phone number? I'm just catching up. For the sake of tradition," she said with a sly grin. Weh? For the love of old times, eh?

"Of course. Please hand me your phone," I stated, and Denisse handed me her iPhone, where I tapped my number.

"Thanks. I'll call you right now, so you have my phone number," Denisse said as I handed her her phone.

I nodded and waved goodbye. Denisse imitates me with a broad smile on her face. Whoa? Is she pleased to see me? As far as I recall, she was the one who informed Mrs. Mendez about Averi and me. And she despises me.

But this wasn't the time to think, so I shrugged and drove to the mansion. My thoughts were now with Hana. What is her issue?

I drove as quickly as possible to the mansion, where Manay Barbara greeted me.

"Your Dad can't wait for you, Jaz, because he has a business trip in Davao and his flight is in an hour."

"Yes, Manay, I already know that," I said, taking her right hand and placing her backhand on my forehead as I bowed to reach it. It was a sign of respect for the elderly in the Philippines. Others perform the kiss on the cheek or "pagmamano," as I did.

"Where is Hana?" While looking around, I inquire. I saw Rita passing by and smiled at her as she smiled and bowed in respect, then she went to the kitchen.

"She's in the garden. It would be best if you talked to her because she's been acting strangely lately," Manay expressed concern.

"Yes, Manay. That's why I'm here. Please excuse my interruption." I walked past her and into the garden.

~*~

I WENT TO THE GARDEN and saw Hana there in the back with a black acoustic guitar in her hand. Something is going on. If Hana is in good health, I know she isn't singing alone and feeling down. But she was emotional right now, and I could tell.

I take small steps towards her. She was oblivious to her surroundings as she strung the guitar. I came to a halt five steps behind her when I heard her begin to sing.

You only need the light when it's getting dark.

Only when it starts to snow, do I miss the sun.

You only know you love her when you let her go.

Hana was a good singer, and her guitar skills improved significantly. I remember teaching her before, and now I can say she's pretty good at my assessment. But wait... What is she singing?

I know it's Passenger's Let Her Go, but why is she singing it?

But you only need the light when it's burning low

Only miss the sun when it starts to snow

Only know you love her when you let her go

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low

Only hate the road when you're missin' home

Only know you love her when you let her go

And it's effin' Let HER go. Why her? I can feel her sadness through the song she's singing.

I waited for her to finish the song before going to her side. She was taken aback when I sat next to her.

"Hey," I said, looking at her.

"Hey," she said with a slight smile. She has a horrible appearance! Her eyes were puffy and red. It appears that she has stopped crying.

"That was a nice song, and you sang it nicely," I said, still looking at her.

"Thank you," she said as she lowered her gaze to the guitar and began to pluck the strings.

"That's yours, right?" I asked, pointing to the guitar.

"Yeah," she said, not looking at me, "would you mind if I borrowed it?" She sadly looked at me. Aww, poor baby, what's her problem?

"No, not at all," I replied, reassuring my sister. "So, uh, Dad was worried," I began. She locked her gaze on me.

"To whom?" she wonders.

"To you," I replied, looking her in the eyes.

She didn't hold my gaze for long before averting her gaze to the lovely yellow roses in our front yard. Before she asked me a question, I noticed her take a deep sigh. I was stunned and didn't think I'd be able to hear it from here.

"Angel?" she asks, still staring at the yellow roses. "How did you find out you were gay?"

What? Whoa! Is she?

"Well, I-i uh..." why can't I answer her question directly? "Well, you just knew. If you look at another woman or girl with lust, you are gay. But wait... Why? Are you gay?" I ask, not believing what my ears are hearing from my sister, who happens to be straight.

She sighs deeply before responding. "I am, and I'm in love with a girl," she admitted sadly.

Omigosh!