"We'll also go home tomorrow, dear," Lolita said.
I was just looking at her, watching her eat. I can see how happy she was as she talked with Jez.
I stood up to assist Melissa because she felt very dizzy for some time. I felt Jez nudged me on my side.
"Careful," I muttered.
Marcus gave Melissa a glass of water. I rolled my eyes at how her aura brightened up.
"I guess she'll feel better now," I whispered to myself.
"Girl!" Jez, who kept on bothering me, exclaimed. Her eyes glinted worry. She kept on going back and forth, seemingly agitated.
"What's the problem?"
"Lolita asked where Tita was. Go! It's up to you!"
I slapped her lightly on the face. Her forehead crumpled.
"Stop that! My bb cream will go off!" She quickly got her bb cream in the pocket of her polo. I just shook my head.
"You can calm down, you know!" I left him with Melissa.
They're beside each other, Melissa subtly putting on lipstick. I heard her complain about her dizzy head. As usual, Jez's face was contorted into an incredulous expression as Marcus massaged my friend's forehead.
I went to Lolita, who was left alone by Lucky as the latter had to go get a new batch of food.
"Where are your mother and father?"
I sweated in cold shivers. I couldn't breathe in anxiety.
I glanced in Jez's direction. She motioned me to look at my phone.
Jez Ganda
Tell her the truth if you don't want her to find out from other people.
My heart was beating faster, all the sounds I hear mashed up into one deafening beep. It dazed me.
I shut my eyes close to calm myself down.
"Kaoree, dear?" Lolita said as I sat down. My hands were cold and my knees were wobbling.
In my peripheral vision, I saw Latrelle coming near.
"Water, porridge girl." He winked. TSS.
"Latrelle, can you leave us alone for a while?" He instantly nodded.
Now, Lolita and I were alone. I don't know where to start, especially that I saw her being so happy as her eyes wandered around the place.
She looked at her watch. I know what she's thinking every time she does that. I know she's waiting for Mama and Papa. I spaced out and looked afar, I can't be a coward forever.
"Lolita..." My throat dried up, anytime, my tongue would just roll up and choke on itself.
"M-Mama at Papa... they're long gone."
"Why? Is your father's work so far that they both needed to leave you with these boys?"
I couldn't help myself, I kneeled. My tears fell on Lolita's lap.
"Lolita, sorry. Please forgive me. I couldn't save Mama and Papa. They're long gone. They both died because of the fire."
I sobbed violently.
"W-What did you just say?" Lolita held her chest.
"Mama and Papa's dead, Lolita. I'm sorry because I cou—"
"I-I can't b-breathe."
"Lolita!" Lucky quickly went to us.
The upbeat music stopped. Everyone panicked. All of them came to our table. I was crying uncontrollably.
"Lolita!" I screamed.
"Shh, Kaoree. Lolita was just shocked." Jez caressed my back.
Lucky carried Lolita inside Latrelle's car. I was fanning her.
Lolita was still holding her chest. I turned the aircon on but it didn't help.
"Latrelle! Hurry up!"
"We'll crash, Kaoree."
"Lolita, everything will be fine." I kissed her forehead.
It was already nine in the evening when I woke up due to the noise.
I rubbed my eyes. I slept beside Lolita while taking care of her. The doctor said she's already stable and can be discharged tomorrow afternoon.
"You're so noisy. Kaoree awake now," Jez scolded the two boys playing Uno.
Latrelle hit Marcus' head because he won against the latter.
My eyes roamed around. There are fruits on the side table and also fruit juice.
"T. H. and Wyn gave those," Lucky said as he stood up from the small couch.
"My head hurts." Lolita's voice was hoarse.
I ran and hugged her.
She breathes deeply. "Don't worry too much, my dear. I'm fine. But I didn't like what you did."
I bit my lower lip.
A tear fell from her eyes. "After I get discharged, can we visit their graves?"
I nodded. "Lolita, I didn't want to hide it from you. I just don't want something bad to happen because of it."
She caressed my arm. "It's my right to know, dear. And how about you? Do you want to just live with us in the province?"
Jez and I glanced at each other. She smiled forcefully. I, then, stared at the two guys who were busy with their own things.
Aside from the fact that life im the province is hard, I can't leave them.
Especially...
T.H...
I lowered my head when I realized that he wasn't here with me.
"Lolita, I guess not now. Not yet. The important thing is that I can sustain your needs. Especially now that Lucky's still studying."
Lolita and I can't take it if we both stay in the province, especially now that Lucky's about to go to college. I haven't even asked this cousin of mine about what course he wants to take in college.
Jez took over and chatted with Lolita. I went out to the hospital's chapel.
I kneeled to pray. I thanked God for the blessings.
When I got out, my eyes went to a man in a V-neck shirt and shiny piercings.
He suddenly disappeared when an old woman covered him from my sight.
I know he's just at the counter. He's familiar.
"Pst! Porridge girl. Let's go on a date."
I glared at the man who's like a mushroom, appearing everywhere.
"I meant, let's eat. Let's go, my treat." Before I could even decide, he already pulled me somewhere.
Marcus then followed behind us.
We were about to enter the car when someone suddenly held my arm. My eyes raised to find out who it was.
I couldn't properly see who it was because the place was a bit dim. The tree was tall, covering the moon's light.
His necklace twinkled and his scent was expensive, it was very familiar.
"Ehem." Marcus broke the silence between the four of us.
"Why, T.H?" He stared at me intently before facing Latrelle. His grip slowly loosened.
T.H pulled me to him. I almost hugged him which made me nervous. My heart beat faster.
He tucked my hair on my ear which send shivers and goosebumps on my skin.
"Eat peacefully with them, and after that, you're mine again." He smirked. It wasn't meant for me, but Latrelle.
I automatically nodded like a robot. I gulped when I turned my back on him.
"What did he say?" Marcus asked in a worried tone.
"Huh? Uhm..." I scratched my head.
"He said let's eat... Let's go!"
Even if I already entered the car, T. H. was still standing there with his hands in his pockets. He went inside his var when we got farther.