"ANSWER ME" I declared, I can see the hesitation on his face.
"They do, everyone" he muttered under his breath, my body ran cold, all of them? Even Sam? Liz? Loraine? How come no one told me?!
"I-it's not their fault, I insisted that I'll be the one to tell you" he panicked, I growled at him, hissing silently trying to fight back my tears.
My chest is tightening every second and I'm trembling in pain, anger, sadness, everything. I never thought that this day will finally come, what a nightmare, look at you Cursetine!
"I'm such a coward I know, I should have told you sooner than this, I'm from a mafia family" he finished his sentence and I fell down on my knees.
He just said it, he admitted my worst nightmare, it came flying out his mouth, the family that my family curses from ruining our society, our enemy, MY enemy.
As much as I wanted to curse him, hate him, yell at him, hurt him- I can't, he's the reason why I graduated with flying colors, the reason I didn't give up.
The person who annoys me but my day won't be completed without hearing his voice, the person who I once foretold as my enemy, became my lover and now standing in front of me, lips spilling all his betrayals for me.
Why can't I hate him so much? Is this what they call the power of love? Unbelievable, I look so weak, and what's more to it, he's making me feel it deep within my bones amd soul.
"We could have talk about this" I sniffed and wiped away my tears, forcing myself to stand up without his help.
"I hate you, I hate you for hurting me like this but I still can't deny the fact that I love you" I cried my heart out, he hissed and hurried up to me, embracing me as I cried.
"I'm sorry, I know you'd say that, you're too kind hearted anyways" he said, I look up to him.
"What do you mean?" I asked him.
"I didn't tell you because I have a feeling that you'll say that, and I was right, I want you to hate me, forget about me" he seriously said, I pushed him away.
"How selfish are you?! How dare you say that?! Do you even understand what you're saying" I pointed at him rudely, nudging his shoulder too and he smiled.
"There, be mad at me, scream at me, I deserve it" he smiled sadly and my face softened.
"No- I mean..." I stopped on my words and bit my lower lip.
"For the past years Cursetine, all I ever did what hurt you, I was coward enough to even admit my feelings to you until that research camp happened, I know I would hurt you in the end but I still traded that to reach up to you, I'm selfish, yes, I am indeed selfish, but I wanted you" he spoke, I remained looking down my feet, my fists clenched.
He didn't call me with any nicknames, but my real name, a lot of questions are now running over my head and I can't help myself but gets furstrated on our situation.
"I don't want to hurt you-" I cut him off.
"But you did" I stated.
"I didn't mean to, I can't help myself but love you more every single day, I know you're hurting right now, but you'll be in a lot more pain if this goes on. Cursetine, you need to let me go, cause even if it's hurting me too, I need to let you go" he held both of my arms and I shook my head.
"No, I don't want to, I can leave everything behind for you- I'll give you everything and I'll do anything you'd ask me, just not that-"
"No you can't, I already told you, you need to prioritize your dreams first before me, I'm selfish enough to hide these things to you, don't you understand that? You should be selfish enough to come up with the reason to hurt me too" he said.
I slowly look up to see him crying silently, is this really ending so fast? In just 9 months, it's ending here.
"I'm so sorry, my love" he reach up to wipe my tears away, but it just kept on rolling down, I broke myself free from his hold.
"You're hurt too? Then why let go? You're selfish? Good thing you know it, but you don't have the rights to dictate me, stop acting so tough all the time! It's pissing me off" I gritted my teeth and slam my hands on the railings behind me.
"That's enough Cursetine! Listen to me, stop begging for someone to stay and let's break up" he growled loudly, and the next thing I knew, I slapped him hard, hearing a few gasps inside.
I peeked behind him and saw Sam and the others standing by the door, I look back at Ace who's now holding his cheek. I sighed deeply and wiped my tears dry before removing the bracelet that kept the two of us together.
"Break up? Fine, you're right, I'm a Belfour, a proud warrior serving my country, I don't beg for someone to stay" I coldly uttered and dropped the bracelet before stepping on it.
I walked past him and faced the others with that annoyong pity looks on their faces, Liz tried to approach me but I just nudge everyone out my way and exited the grand hall, not bothering to look back, they all betrayed me, just like that, even the ones I called my 'friends'. Just how dare they? They all know all this time yet no one told me.
On my way back to the dormitory, I took my time crying out loud before taking the silent ones inside, the lower grade levels are still resting for their big day tomorrow, I don't wanna disturb them.
When I reach my room, I tiredly pushed the door open and shut it close. What just happened? Back there, did my furstration took over me? Why did I say those words? I'm not the only one who's hurting here.
I slid down the door and cried for a good one hour before finally shutting myself up and took a bath, I applied some anti-bags cream so I won't be able to face my family with a depressed look.
I also sent a message to my older sister to pick me up as early as possible and of course, I need to come up with a good excuse to that. And after settling everything for my leave tomorrow, I hoped in bed and slept.
~
I lost my ability to smile, coldness was poured over me as I unconciously locked my suitcase and stood up from the floor.
I double checked my drawers and table to make sure that I didn't leave anything, even a single strand of my hair, I entered the bathroom to gather my toiletries and stuffed it inside a circular- suppose to be make-up bag.
Unlike the others who planned to leave after lunch, I took the early leave while everyone is busy.
I'm not mad at them- maybe a little upset because I trust them and yet they betrayed me, I'm falling apart because of him to be exact, the others don't have a say to this, they just did what they were told.
He wanted me to be free, so maybe I should set him free too, maybe he's already tired of dealing with me everyday- fair enough right? We're both hurting, if I don't let go, toxicness can took over the both of us.
"You're already leaving?" Annie asked but I remained silent and put on my headset in full volume.
Jeremy messaged me that they are already waiting for me outside so I grab my large suitcase and backpack, I look around to take one final glance over the room who witnessed a lot of things from my past years here before opening the door and walked out.
I stared at Sam and the others without any emotions before using the other way because they're blocking my way.
They got to deal with me without telling me anything, so they'll have to deal with me and my other side that no one wants to see.
When the lift opened I stepped inside with my things on hand, I look over as if they're just ghosts there, no matter how hard they'll try and talk to me for the last time, I won't bother hearing them.
I reached the ground floor and hurriedly pulled my suitcase with me towards the exit of the building where I saw him waiting there.
I was about to avoid him when he held my arm back and removed my headset gently, I look at him straight in the eyes with a cold glare.
"At least say something before you leave" he calmly uttered, I stared at him for a while and smiled brightly with my eyes saying the opposite one.
"I'm setting you free, Ace" I said, loud and clear before walking away.
My smile dropped, I but my lower lip to surpass the tears slowly forming on my eyes, they said, if you love someone, you should to learn to let them go, so I did, he wants to be free who am I to steal that away from him?
It hurts but I know it's for the best, we're on different worlds, that's the cruel truth, the truth that I feared to hear, I always tell myseelf to accept him no matter what or who he is but it's already painful to bear to be with him like this.
My sight began to blur out and I took full control of my body that's shaking, scolding myself not to break down right away, not infront of my cousins and grand father.
'Don't look back, don't look back, don't look back' I kept repeating the same phrases on my head as I reached their place.
"Awe, you sure are gonna miss them huh?" Perry teased and I fake a chuckled and rubbed my eyes, good thing that they thought I'm just sad because I'm leaving now.
"I can't help it, I've been attach to them, four years have been tough" I grinned and entered the van.
One by one of them also started climbing in, the twins sat on my sides leaving the others frowning because they already cornered me.
The whole trip back home was tiring- enough for me to pretend and join their siliness and setting my depressed state aside.
How many hours are we flying again? I'm already tired, when I started to yawn, my cousins finally told me that I can rest on the room and I did.
A deep sigh escaped my lips as soon as I closed the door of the room, I set my bag on the desk near the bed before hoping in.
I hid under the covers and cried myself to sleep. I woke up when I heard Jeremy calling my name outside the door and it was really quiet now so I assume that we already landed.
I stretched my arms and fixed myself before walking out the room, I wore my sunglasses and waited for everyone to finish their formation before walking out the plane.
When I was on the door, a huge banner blocked my view on the side of the airport, it was my graduation picture with all my awards and full name on it and a 'congratulations and welcome home' sign on top.
I chuckled and walked down the stairs carefully before greeting everyone who came to congratulate me.
"My little princess" I awed when my family appeared out of nowhere.
Dad handed me a freshly arranged bouquet and I gladly accepted it before hugged them, what did I do to deserve this family? Argh, I think it's good to be back in their presence after the heart break and enternal depression I've felt last night.
"A top breaker, oh gosh, I wonder how many generations will this take before the record breaks?" My sister grinned, I smirked at her.
"What? You think they can beat my 203 IQ level?" I bragged, she rolled her eyes at me and waved her hands, shooing me.
"Yeah, yeah, fine, you're the smartest among us here, I get it. Josh, Jiro and Lemon are also qualified to take the entrance exams there too you know" she frowned.
"But they didn't pass, right?" Perry asked and the three frowned.
"You're the only one who got there" Honey smiled brightly, while patting his brother's shoulder to cheer him up.
I chuckled at the three, Jiro was about to pass the exams too, but he lacks 1 point there, it also took me a while to answer those, and I only have 3 points above the passing scores so I got in.
"Come now, aside from Tinay, the smartest unit is still composed of these four" our aunt cheered the guys up.
She's right though, if I'm the smartest one here, Jiro followed after me with 186 IQ level, then Lemon with 183 and Josh with 170, it runs in the blood huh?
After a few lovable quarrel outside, we all entered the mansion and gathered on the living room for some family picture, with me, in the center.
Unexpectedly, we have a lot of visitors today- it's actually their fiancé's and girlfriends/boyfriend- of course, singular form for Liam who brought his entire family with him.
"What a smart girl" his mom praised me, I smiled brightly and thanked her.
I look over the house, it's really getting busy to handle these guests, I set my bouquet over the shelf to help the maids on serving the food when my sister suddenly pulled me over to her friends in the military.
They all congratulated me and I just thanked them politely before mom pulled me to another set of visitors who kept on congratulating me and I spread a few more thank you's for them.
After I thanked everyone individually, I rushed inside the kitchen to hide, I saw Berri, Honey and Lemon there, I frowned and sat in front of the counter.
"Break time cous" Lemon chuckled and I rolled my eyes at them.
"Geez thanks guys" I dumbfoundedly hand my head over the table while they served my meal on the side.
"So which one is more tiring? Gathering awards or saying thank you's to almost everyone?" Berri teased me.
"Both, but it was worth it" I sighed happily.
Well would you look at that I totally nailed it afterall, after all those hard years, I'm finally free from those tough schedules and stuff.
A scene from last night suddenly pass through my mind which I eventually shook right away, I don't want to ruin my own mood you know.
As I was eating, the three siblings left me alone to eat on here while some of my other cousins kept on entering the kitchen to fetch a few more foods and to check on me.
I didn't want to be rude to the visitors so I finished my fill almost right away before heading out for the party.
It was sunset when the guests left except for Liam and his family who'll be staying for the night, with that being said Cristine was really delighted on what he said.
My family welcomed them warmly on our home, as the adults retired to bed early, I stayed downstairs with my cousins.
I groaned while looking at a certain photo on my phone making Nikko stopped stroking my hair and catching Yuhan- who is sitting on the floor and they gave me a questioning look.
"Nothing, I just missed my classmates" I lied with a pout, way to go Tinay, you can now get your Oscar award.
"Awe our little Tinay is getting emotional" Cyvhore teased, I shot him a glare but they just laughed at me.
"Don't worry cous, you'll have a reunion soon" Nikko pat my head, I sighed and sat up to reach for my juice on the table.
"Yeah right, wonder how long will that take" I rolled my eyes and finished my glass before standing up to put the empty glass on the kitchen.
The maids are still washing the dishes so I let them do their tasks before leaving shortly.
"I'm gonna head to bed now, good night guys" I told them.
"Sure, you must be tired on the long travel, good night sis" Cristine hugged me and I smiled.
"Good night Tinay" they all said, I gave them one last smile before heading upstairs to my room.
After closing the door behind me, a deep sigh escaped my lips as I throw my phone over my bed and entered the bathroom.
Just looking at his face on my phone screen hits different, all the fresh and raw pain from last night rush back into my memory and I can't help but to sob silently for a good time until I've had enough.
I washed my face and changed into my pajamas before skipping to bed, due to my exhaustion, both from physical, emotional and mental, I fell asleep right away.
~
The next day, I woke up a little later than usual and decided to get ready for the day, I entered the bathroom and looked through the mirror.
I touch my puffy eyes- looks like washing it last night just made it a lot more worst, I sighed and applied some eyedrops and took a rest for a while.
While sitting on the couch, I heard my door opened and someone stepped inside.
"Tinay- oh, what happemed to you?" It was Shen's voice.
"Just cried a little too much last night, I have my eyedrops in so don't make me open my eyes" I told him honestly, there's no point in lying though- at last they don't know the real reason behind it.
"I see, well breakfast is done, do you want me to bring your breakfast in or you'll head down?" He asked.
"I'll head down, what's the plan for today?" I asked, I felt him sat next to me.
"Preparation for Perry's engagement party of course, your back so we need to keep you in line for all the events" he chuckled.
"Ooh sweet, what a tiring thing to do, I thought I'll be able to take a break now" I sarcasly said, he laughed.
"Soft hearted people aren't suited in the military you know? You better start practicing not to cry on simple things" he told me and I just hummed.
I don't really know how to respond to that, I know that we need to control our emotions especially on battles caused by the lost of our comrades, so I guess he's right, I should stop being a cry baby.
"Oi Shen, we need a hand downstairs, stop bothering the princess for now" I heard Jiro called for his brother.
"Yes 'kuya' (older brother), I'm coming" he frowned and stood up.
"Get your *ss down once you're done Tinay" he said and I gave him a thumbs up then the two left.
I'm so drained out but I need to cooperate with the preparations, it's the least I can do for Perry after all those things he did for me too, the eldest cousin of mine have been craving for my attention too, hehe.
How I love my cousins to be around, not letting me alone with these things bothering me almost ever second.
When my eyedrops finally came effected, I took a nice relaxing bath and changed into a simple black sports bra, white loose crop top shirt, some high waist shorts and my white slippers.
I let my hair loosed to flex my red highlights then walked downstairs where everyone else was gathered- well mostly, I greeted them first before entering the kitchen where Jeremy got my breakfast ready.
"Nice apron" I grinned, forcing myself not to crack up on his pink hello kitty apron.
"Oh, really you should let it out now before it comes out of somewhere else" he frowned at me.
"Pfft- HAHAHAHAHAHA!!" I cracked up then he sighed deeply.
"You should have seen your cousin wear this too" he grumbled and removed his apron, I took a seat on my usual seat while telling myself to stop laughing more.
"Alright, stop laugjing, we've got a long day ahead, 'princess'" he qouted making me roll my eyes at him.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll be out there once I'm done" I shooed him away as I start feasting on my meal.