What was that?
As I turned to look behind me, I caught a glimpse of Venn casually sitting on the swing. My heart raced as I tried to make sense of what I was feeling.
“M-Mom,” I stammered, my voice filled with anxiety, but she merely smiled at me.
“Don’t worry, baby; he knows everything,” she replied, wrapping her arm around me and leading me towards the adjacent swing.
“W-What?!” I gasped, trying to process what my mother had just said.
“He knows everything,” she repeated, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
“S-So...” I swallowed hard, my mind racing. “So all this time, he’s the only one who knew you were alive?!” I demanded, my voice barely containing my frustrated anger.
How is this possible?! I’m her daughter, yet she chose her son-in-law over me?! This is unbelievable!
“And you had no intention of telling me?!” I shot at Venn, my eyes blazing with indignation.
“None,” he replied flatly, his unemotional tone only infuriating me more.
“WE’RE MARRIED, SO YOU SHOULD TELL ME EVERYTHING! I’M YOUR WIFE. I HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE!” I yelled at him, but he only smiled back at me.
WHAT!
“Okay, copy that,” he said, trying to suppress a laugh.
“What’s so funny, huh?!” I snapped, throwing a throw pillow at him in frustration.
“Ahhh! Ouch!” he said as he defensively blocked my playful attacks.
“We need to go inside,” my mom said seriously, glancing around as if worried someone might overhear us.
Once we reached the house, she swiftly shut the main door behind us.
“We need to tell Hobe. I’m sure he misses you just as much, Mommy,” I said quietly, fidgeting with the throw pillow.
“No, baby, you won’t tell him anything,” my mother countered, her expression suggesting she was deep in thought. “We’ll leave this place soon. We have my plans to discuss.”
“But Mom! He needs to know! Besides, Daddy is in danger!” I protested vehemently.
“That’s exactly my point; all I need is your cooperation with your husband,” she said, redirecting her focus to Venn, who listened carefully.
We both nodded in silent acknowledgment. After hours of discussion, Mommy finally made her exit. No matter how much I pleaded, I understood that she had to leave, especially for Daddy’s sake.
“Are you okay?” Venn asked suddenly, breaking my train of thought.
“Let’s just sleep,” I replied curtly and headed upstairs.
*KINGGGG*
Venn raised an eyebrow at me and pointed at my cellphone. I suddenly had a mischievous idea, MWHEHEHE!
“Yes, baby? Why are you calling me so late?” I responded in a playful tone, wanting to burst into laughter when Joy greeted me with, “B*tch! HAHAHA!”
“Anyway, tomorrow is the rehearsal for the pageant, and the dean told me I’m one of the organizers,” she said excitedly.
“That’s great for you, baby,” I said while Venn looked as if he was about to consume me with his gaze, HAHAH LT.
“Alright, baby, have a good sleep. I love you more,” I said, smiling sweetly at Venn before hanging up.
“So you have a boyfriend now, huh?” he asked, his voice deep and curious.
“And so?” I shot back defensively and then closed the door behind me.
The next morning, I woke up early to prepare for school. I removed the gun from the previous day so I could store my weapons properly.
*KNOCK KNOCK*
“Hey! Wake up!” Venn shouted from outside the door.
Tsk! It’s too early for all that noise; he sounds like a gossipmonger on the corner. Whatever, let him be.
“Five minutes left!” he called out as I stepped outside.
“Let’s go,” I replied curtly, already heading downstairs.
“Eat something first,” he suggested as I made my way down.
“No time; I only have five minutes, right?” I said sarcastically.
“Whatever,” he replied, rolling his eyes as I climbed into the car.
“Spoiled brat!” he muttered under his breath as he took the driver’s seat.
We drove in silence to school, and I got out first to avoid any unnecessary drama. You know how it is; there are tons of CCTV cameras around, keeping an eye on everything.
*Brisskk brissk*
“Eat,” I read in a message from Joy.
What’s it to her? Doesn’t she have a boyfriend? Why doesn’t she mind her own business? I was genuinely irritated, which puzzled me—I’d been in a foul mood since last night.
“RHAAAAAAJJJJ!” Joy greeted me with a teasing smile.
“Oh? What’s your problem now?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Your prince charming sent this,” she said, handing me a package.
“Wow! Banana bread! Thank you, bestie, mwuaaah!” I replied enthusiastically. But my joy quickly turned to confusion when the implications of what she said sank in.
“P-Prince charming?!” I exclaimed, my surprise evident as she nodded, still grinning.
“Who’s that guy?” I demanded, furrowing my brow while munching on the banana bread.
“Venn,” she whispered, as if anyone might hear her.
“*Ehem* Venn?” I nearly choked, rushing to the faucet to rinse my mouth.
“OMYGHAD! SHE'S PREGNANT?!”
“I KNEW IT! SO SLUTTY! SHE ACTS LIKE AN ANGEL, BUT SHE'S GETTING KNOCKED UP!”
“If I were you, I’d go home; your baby might not survive the surrounding vermin,” a female voice from behind me remarked sarcastically.
I quickly finished washing my face.
“Yeah, my baby might not survive with a creeping cockroach around,” I retorted with a smile.
“Are you perhaps in love with my beauty?” she teased, grinning mischievously.
“I’d rather be with a dog than someone like you!”
“Hey! Let’s go, Bessy!” Joy called out, interrupting our banter.
I shot Cheska one last grin before heading towards the gym.
“Place that there,” Ms. Bernal, who was in charge of the pageant, instructed us. “Set up the speaker quickly!”
“Oh! Why are you all just standing there? Get over here!” she snapped at a group of girls who were huddled in a corner.
I turned at the gate as a chorus of screams erupted from the girls.
“HOMAYGHADD!! WE'RE SEEING PAPA VENN'S ABS!”
“AND JEREMIAH TOO! AHHHH CAN'T WAIT!”
They squealed as Venn smiled charmingly at them.
“This is just blocking practice. We start tomorrow, so give it your all,” Ms. Bernal reminded us.
“Ow!” Cheska exclaimed as Joy bumped into her.
“Watch where you’re going!” Joy retorted.
“So it’s my fault? Why didn’t you move? You’re so clumsy,” Joy hissed back as she walked away.
“B*tch!” Cheska shouted, racing towards the dressing room.
“AHHHHHHH!”
Girls ran chaotically as they heard a series of loud gunshots.
I swiftly activated the bracelet Mommy had given me. Let the game begin, BWAHAHA!
I dashed towards the bleachers, pulling the tracking device from my pocket. This was going to be an unforgettable day, and I was ready for whatever my life had in store next!