Gabie's POV
Before I was completely weak, he approached me and then helped me to stand up straight.
"C-Can you walk?" he asked.
"By the way, I know how to communicate well," I almost said but I didn't continue so I might be shouted at again.
"Yes."
Without saying a word, he guided me into his house. I just followed like a child so there would be no trouble. Maybe this is my chance to talk to him properly, and hopefully he will understand me.
When we entered, I saw that the inside of his house was in order and then he turned on the light. He's not that big, but he's still big if you live alone.
"Hmmm… who is he with here? Girlfriend or husband? Is he dead? I didn't think that maybe he was married and then I was the cause of his quarrel because he brought a woman here to their house. Really, my idiot!I stayed away from them because my life is chaotic, but here I am. I don't know how much chaos can happen because of what I do, "I rebuke myself.
Then he left me and went to the kitchen. There isn't as much division or cover, so I can't see where he went.
In my mind, "Injustice, orderly and clean," comes to mind.
I sat quietly on her soft L-sofa as I looked around her house. I noticed the simple white paint was the color of her interior. There is a large TV attached to the wall. There were a few picture frames sitting on the elongated table, but I couldn't see the face of the person there because it was a bit far from where I was sitting. There was a staircase to the top, but I was cut off from looking around because I saw him walking toward me with the first aid kit.
"Give me your right hand," he said rudely. So I gave it to her right away, then I could clearly see that the blood had dried up a bit because I had removed my luck earlier in the hospital.
"Is this because of the needle from dextrose?" he asked.
"Ah, yes, I deleted it earlier," I replied shyly.
He quietly cleaned his hand and then applied cotton wool with betadine and applied plaster. Then he looked at me and my chest, then he sneezed before speaking.
"What about that?" he asked hesitantly as he pointed at my bleeding chest.
"Huh? Ah… eh, it hurts when I raise my arm, "I said hesitantly.
"How did you get dressed then?" he wondered.
"Oh, because I insisted even though it hurt, so perhaps it bled."
"You're really crazy!" he said incredulously.
Wait, maybe it's not just a wound that bleeds on me, maybe it's even my nose, because your English is pure. Don't you know how to speak Tagalog? "
"Seriously? You still have the time to ask that question, huh, when you're fucking bleeding? "
"So, what do you want me to do? "My innocent question." Because I have no other choice for bondage to replace my wound, if not for me to undress.
"What the hell?" he asked in shock.
"Do you really have to shout? The closeness of the two of us! I didn't say I was deaf! " pagmamaktol ko. His eyebrows met as he looked at me, obviously frowning at what I said.
"I answered your question well! I asked about my wound, "I added while pointing to my wound on my right chest.
"Then I just asked if I was going to undress. You shouted at me again. Eh, my question was right. How can you see my wound if I don't undress?" continuation of my
I heard him swearing again but whispering at the same time he closed his eyes.
"What's the problem if I undress, he can't see what I have, because I have a bra and I won't undress to attract attention! What is his luck? " I whispered to myself.
He was shaken by what I said and then squeezed his penis as if it was very hard for him to believe me.
I felt a little dizzy, so I decided to lean back and close my eyes.
"Hey! Are you alright? " He was obviously worried.
"I'm just a little tired, maybe I'm just tired. It's hard for you to speak English fluently, "I complained.
I heard him mutter swearing again and then he looked at me again.
"Okay, let's get this done, okay? I need to cook, I'm already hungry, "he said calmly. At the same time, I was surprised because he brought his scissors to me and then, without saying goodbye, he cut my clothes on the right side of my chest. Maybe that's the reason I wasn't able to speak right away. I was afraid he might stab me straight with the scissors. Maybe that was the reason I was going to die.
"Wait! Why did you cut my clothes? This is just my dress after you cut it? " Angal ko?
"I thought you were dizzy? Can you still talk for a long time? " For a few seconds, I was stunned, looking at him, and a few times I blinked in disbelief that he could speak Tagalog.
I was confused. "I really thought you didn't know how to speak Tagalog because I asked you before and you didn't bother to answer me," I asked, confused.
"It doesn't mean I didn't answer you. I don't know how to speak the Pilipino language," he replied.
"It's up to you. I'll make you even weaker and dizzy."
I ignored him and let him do what he was doing. I'm just thankful that even though he was rude, stubborn, and sarcastic, he still chose to treat my wound.
I didn't realize that I had fallen asleep while leaning back in my chair. I just realized…
"Hey! Miss, wake up. Wake up, Miss... You have to eat it, "he said softly. So I immediately rolled my eyes. Then I saw the closeness of his face to mine.
"I'm sorry, I fell asleep."
"It's okay. You are still weak because then you forced yourself to act so hard that you ran away from the hospital, "he complained again. He couldn't wait for me to speak. He walked straight to the kitchen and sat down.
"Come on! I'm hungry! Don't let the food wait for you! " He shouted again. So I never let him shout again. I slowly stood up and walked towards him. I'm also hungry. I remember I haven't eaten since I woke up earlier.
We ate quietly, but I noticed from time to time that he glanced at me. But I didn't pay attention because I was afraid we might answer each other again. It's ugly to answer while facing grace.
After eating, he also washed because he did not accept my offer that I would wash, because he said I needed to rest and it would not be good for me to act because my wound would bleed even more.
I went back to sitting on the sofa in the living room and tilted my head because my body seemed very tired. My doctor was right when he said earlier that my body still needs rest.
After he washed, I saw him quietly climb to the top. I also didn't hesitate to ask. Maybe I'd just be scolded, or worse, I'd be scolded again.
I don't know how many minutes before he came down again and then I saw him dressed and taking a bath as well. He approached me straight from his descent.
"Let's go upstairs so you can change and rest. Are you still dizzy? Can you climb? He hesitantly asked me.
It's not much, but I can handle it slowly. "
I immediately stood up then preceded him to walk towards the stairs. I could feel him just leaning on my back as I slowly stepped up.
"You can sleep here. This is my sister's room, but obviously she's not present, so you can stay here for now. The other room was not clean because there were no users. There is a dress you wear. I'm not sure if it fits you well because you are taller than my sister, "he explained.
"Is it okay with your brother that I sleep here in his room?"
"Yeah sure! He doesn't always come home here. "
"Ah, okay. Thank you. "
"You're welcome. Good night. "
"Don't we still need to talk about why I got in your car without saying goodbye?" I will ask.
"We still have tomorrow. Anyway, it's my off-tomorrow so I'm just here. Let's talk tomorrow. You need to rest. "
Then he walked to the other room, but before he could open his door...
"Good night. Thank you again, "he just looked at me then entered his room. I closed the door so I could get dressed and rest.
When I lay down, I couldn't help but think of them. I knew they were now wondering where I was. I know they are looking for me now. And Jhay, for sure, immediately informed Miggy that I was missing.
"What kind of misfortune have I had in this life? Why, of all the men I could like, my father's brother? I don't know if I'm going to resent or be angry with myself? Only now do I love kulelat more! Mom, why did he lie to me? Didn't he think that the day would come when I would still know the truth, like today? When I found out I was going to be hurt and worse, I wasn't the only one hurt. Now someone else was affected. So, who is Gab?What has he got to do with our lives? Why did he pretend to be me? " I couldn't help but cry because of the thought. Until I just fell asleep with them.
The next day, I don't know when I woke up. When I got up, I combed my messy hair with my hand to get it down.
When I came out of the room, I could hear music playing below. I was still on the stairs smelling like I was cooking on the chin, so I couldn't help but be greedy.
She turned her back on me and was busy cooking, so I sneezed so she would know I was here near her. But because he was so focused on what he was doing, he didn't notice my sneezing. I just wanted to greet him in case he heard me.
"Good morning!" then he hurriedly turned to my band.
"Morning. Just sit, I'm almost done. "
It's good that he's not rude now. I thought he was going to be rude to me again. He served tapa, fried eggs and fried rice.
"This is my usual breakfast because it's my favorite since I tasted it," he explained.
"The tapsilog is really delicious in the morning," I replied.
"Really? You like it too?" he asked in shock.
"Yes, I eat it too. My friend and I have a favorite that we used to eat like this near my school, "I said.
"Good. Are you a coffee drinker by the way? "
"Ah, yes. I'll do the mixing. "
It's already done. I'll just get you, "he hurried to get another mug after he put down the mug he was carrying earlier.
"No sugar or with sugar?" he asked.
"Just one spoon."
"With cream or no cream?" he asked again.
Then he took something from the refrigerator. I enjoy watching him while he is busy with what he is doing.
"It seems very embarrassing to you because I'm already at fault. You let me stay in your house even though you don't know me yet, and now you're still serving me," I broke the silence. But he didn't answer me, instead he approached me to put down the mug of coffee for me.
"Here."
I said, "Thank you," and then smiled at him.
"I'm already getting used to it," he said after a few moments.
"Huh?"
"Doing all these things. I'm used to it because I'm often alone so I have to cook. More so, when my sister is here because she is too lazy to cook, so I always work and serve her, "he said.
"It's your brother's luck because you take good care of him," I praised him.
"Let's eat first and then we'll talk about that later. The food will be cold," he changed the subject.
He still washed what we ate because my wound was not healed yet. I just sat and watched him wash and then clean the kitchen. I can see him right through where I am sitting. I could say that his girlfriend is very lucky to have him. He can cook, knows how to clean, and is very caring. Who would have thought that, being grumpy as he is, there is kindness in his personality? Because if he's not kind, why would he allow me to stay here when he doesn't know me in the first place? But I wondered what would have happened to me if he hadn't been with me? Maybe I've been arrested by the police or maybe I've been treated badly? Because isn't there anyone with a sensible mind who rides in a car without saying goodbye? And even worse, it is not known who the owner was then.
"I'm the only one who doesn't understand that! I don't know if I just now realized that what I did was dangerous. He could rape me and beat me to death; nobody would doubt him. Because he doesn't look like a rapist, you can see that he has an angelic face, so no one will think that he could possibly commit a crime. "I was in that state of mind when I felt something touch me.
"Hey! "Are you okay? "he said softly.
"That's why he spoke softly about why he was so mean to me last night."
"A-Ah, o-oo I'm okay," I stammered.
"You're spacing out," he complained.
"I just remembered something," I reasoned.
"I guess it's time for you to tell what really happened to you. I'm all ears now, "he opened the conversation.
Without second thought, I started talking to her from the beginning until I woke up yesterday. He just quietly listens to me from time to time, looking away as if he is thinking hard about what he heard from me, but he also returns it to me after a while. I can't read the reaction on his face because it looks blank. He nods sometimes, but I don't know what his nod is for.
"Maybe you thought I just made up all that from what I read in a novel or watched a teleserye or a movie? No ah! Everything I told you is true, me too, I didn't expect my life to be this chaotic, "I added after I told him everything.
"No, I am not thinking like that. Actually, I'm familiar with that shooting incident you mentioned," he said.
"Really? How? " I wonder if the question is
"I'm a police officer with the one investigating your case. That's why I was in the hospital yesterday. But I didn't continue to climb because my brother called and asked for a favor and then my companion didn't come so I left without doing anything, "he explained.
I was shocked by what he said, so I couldn't help but widen my eyes and stare because I was suddenly nervous.
"Hey! Calm down, I won't tell anyone, albeit I already knew who you are, Ms. Gabriella Therese Alonzo, "that caught me off guard.
"W-What do you want to say?" I nervously asked.
"I said calm down. And yeah, I already knew you. I got a phone call from my colleague last night informing me that you were missing raw. No one knows how you got out of that hospital. And when they tried to check the CCTV, it just so happened that no one could see because you were lucky because the camera didn't capture your entry into my car. That means you're good at crawling so you can't be seen on CCTV, "he laughed at the story.
So, as if a large rock had disappeared after me, I breathed a sigh of relief because of his story. But I still couldn't keep quiet and I didn't know what to say because he already knew me.
"I understand where you're coming from and why you want to stay away from your family, but I am not saying that what you did was right. Nevertheless, I respect your decision, "I was just stunned by him.
"Susme! I'm about to have a heart attack! "
"Uhm, thank you," I could only say.
"So, what's your plan?" he asked after he looked at me.
"I want to be able to think first, because my brain is still a mess. I'm not ready to talk to Miggy, especially mama, because I grew up believing in a lot of lies, "I replied sadly.
"Miggy," he said as if he was worried about something.
"Yes, he's the one who became my boyfriend who didn't even last 24 hours because of incest," I said shakily.
"Oh, you're referring to Mr. Sansebastian right? "
"She is; Miggy is her nickname," I explained.
"Yeah, I talked to him when we took a statement with a gay man," he said.
"Jhay, he's my best friend and also a manager."
"So, it's okay that you're the commercial model with me. He mentioned you have a facial wash commercial and a mobile phone commercial, right? " He asked with a smile.
"Yes, that's me."
"Wow! You must be famous I guess? "
"No, it's not like I've only had two commercials, so if someone met me, it wasn't just a few but they weren't famous," I explained.
"So, where do you plan to go? If you don't mind? "
"I don't know, maybe it just depends on where my feet will take me," I replied shyly, because I didn't really think about where I was going as long as I just wanted to stay away.
"What? You mean, you're not sure yet where you're heading? Do you even have money with you? " He asked in shock.
"That's what I'll do tomorrow. I'll go to the bank to withdraw because I didn't bring my ATM, "I explained.
"How can you withdraw money from the bank when you have to bring your passbook with you?"
I just got a mark on my forehead because I don't have anything with me.
"I bet you even left your ID, am I right?"
I just nodded.
"No worries, I'll see what I can do to help you. But for the meantime, you can stay here with me, "he offered.
"Really? Thank you, let me just pay you when I get the money, "I said in tears.
"You don't have to, I'm not thinking about that," he replied immediately.
"I know nothing is free now because life is hard. We both know that."
"I am not like that; I still believe that you don't have to expect in return when you're extending some help to the one who needs. That was my mother taught me, "his face was a little sad as he said those words. But I don't have the courage to ask about her mother. I'll just wait for her to tell the story because it's embarrassing.
"Wait, last night we were talking. You put me to sleep here at your place and then fed me, but until now I didn't know your name. Meanwhile, you already know who I am, "
"Oh, it's August. My name is August Marquez, "he introduced.
"Wow! foreign sounds. Do you have a different race? "
"What dog am I with a different breed?"
"You are the one who is complaining. I thought you wouldn't scold me anymore, "I scolded.
"Hey! It was a joke! Okay? Loosen a bit, will you? "
"I'm sorry, it's just people. It's not like it's a joke to listen to, "I said sullenly, then he just laughed at me.
"Takte! I was embarrassed there, ah? "
"Anyway, to answer your question. For the record, I am a pure Filipino, but I was born in California, where my grandparents brought me and my sister after both of our parents died in a car accident. I finished here my senior high and college, so apparently I was in my teen years when I got here, "he said.
Our little chit chat continued until he had to leave me around two o'clock in the afternoon. He then informed me that I could go and take a bath if I wanted, using the clothes her sister had placed in her closet. He'll change the bondage of my wound when he comes home later.