Chasing Alice

Prologue "Niloko mo ako!" "Babe, listen-" Kurt didn't finish his sentence when a fast hand landed on his cheek. Nasa harapan niya ngayon ang girlfriend niyang si Alice, umiiyak habang sinusumbatan siya na niloko niya ito. His very first girlfriend kung saan naging sila for almost a year. Nalaman kasi nito ang pustahan nila ng mga colleague niya. "You f*****g played me, you asshole!" she yelled, tears still pouring down from her eyes. "Alice, makinig ka sa kin-" "I f*****g hate you! And from now on, I don't want to see that f*****g face of yours anymore, moron!" --- Kurt smiled at his painting. Katatapos lang kasi niyang gawin ang obra maestra niya and as he expected, it was superb. Nilagay na niya sa case ang mga paintbrushes at mga color paints na ginamit niya roon. He glanced again at the painting which was currently displayed in front of him. He smiled triumphantly. Alam ng lahat na siya na naman ang mananalo sa amateur na contest na sinalihan niya. As usual. Umupo na si Kurt sa swivel chair ng table niya. Nasa opisina kasi siya at ngayon, it was his break. He immediately grabbed the coffee in front of him and sipped it. The warm fluid flowing through his mouth made him feel more relaxed. Getting a lot of stress for being a major stockholder of a very prominent business and not getting laid regularly as well was surely a hell. Ngayon, nang makatiyempo siya ng oras para makapagpahinga, he used it to paint something for his contest entry. Malapit na kasi ang exhibit. And he's expecting someone for that event. Bigla na lang tumunog ang cellphone niya sa bulsa. Kinuha niya agad iyon at sinagot ang tawag, without looking who the caller was. "Hello?" "Kurt." Kurt was intrigued to hear the familiar voice on the line. He knew, he already heard it somewhere. "A-Axel?" If he recognized the voice correctly, it was her younger brother, Kier Axel Santillan. He knew him when she introduced her younger brother to him when the guy was still in high school. Kaya pala pamilyar ang boses nito sa kanya. Seven years din. He also thought that it was just another random client. "Tungkol ito sa ate ko." It was a long pause. "I know you're the owner of Star Internationl Incorporated, I need your help.. I need to talk to my sister with you coming with me." Kurt was a bit surprised at what the guy said on the phone. Napatingin siya ulit sa painting na nasa harapan niya-a painting of a woman, smiling heartily in front of him. He smiled slyly. It was almost seven years when he saw that lovely face in person. Seven years had passed and meeting Jean Alice Santillan again wouldn't be that bad at all.