Chapter 8
1400 Words
"Mi nieta, why do you seem so quiet? Are you bored? Tired?"
I flashed a small smile at Mamita. The truth is, I just don’t feel like talking to anyone right now. Besides, most of the people at our table are her age, and I’m more entertained by the food being served.
"I'm not, Mamita. I’m just enjoying my food. Their fresh truffle pasta tastes fantastic, and I absolutely love the saffron mashed potatoes."
Mamita and I chatted while eating. She shared stories about my mom’s childhood and teenage years. She said I inherited so much from Mom—not just her mannerisms but also her sense of style. According to her, I got the unmistakable Guevarra genes, with my symmetrical heart-shaped face, round dark-brown eyes, straight small nose, and obsidian black wavy hair. The only thing I inherited from Dad’s side was my pinkish-fair skin and wide hips. That’s probably why when my friends and classmates first met Mom, they thought she was my sister. She does look ridiculously young for her age.
A little later, a businessman approached Mamita, leaving me alone at the table. I glanced around the reception hall, my eyes scanning every corner, but I didn’t see him.
Could he have left already?
I turned my gaze toward the bride and groom, but he wasn’t with them either. He must have gone home.
I stared at the slice of raspberry ganache cake on my plate, unable to finish it. I was too full to eat another bite, so I rested a hand on my flat stomach, which suddenly felt bloated.
After a few minutes, I stood up. Mamita was still deep in conversation with her friends and business partners, so I decided to go for a walk to help digest my food.
My feet led me outside to the pool area. The sky was dark, and the stars were out. The further I walked, the quieter it became.
"There aren’t any ghosts here, right? Oh god, what am I even thinking? I just wanted to help my food digest," I muttered to myself.
I hummed a song to keep myself company and thought about positive memories.
“Back off, b***h! Can’t you see he prefers my company over yours?”
I froze mid-step. What was that?
"Shut up, you delusional freak! I met him first! Crixx, tell this crazy woman to leave!"
Crixx? He’s still here?
I quickly made my way to where the voices were coming from, hiding behind some bushes. From my spot, I could see two women arguing with Crixx standing in the middle, smoking a cigarette as if he couldn’t care less. Wouldn’t he intervene? The tension between the women was so palpable they looked like they could kill each other with their glares.
The woman in the red dress shoved the one in black.
"How dare you! You’re the one who should leave! Go away, b***h!"
(Splash!)
I clamped a hand over my mouth as the woman in the black dress fell into the pool. Crap! Was this a teleserye shoot?
"H-help, Crixx! I don’t know how to swim!"
Oh my god! She can’t swim!
The woman in the red dress just laughed, clearly not planning to help. I panicked when Crixx began walking away. This man! Does he even have a conscience?
The woman was starting to flail weakly, so I came out of hiding.
"Hey! Aren’t you going to help her?"
The woman in red raised an eyebrow at me while Crixx stared at me blankly, devoid of emotion.
What the hell! I rushed toward the pool, kneeling to reach for the woman.
"Miss, grab my hand!"
She tried but couldn’t reach me. Damn it! I don’t even know how to swim well. I might drown if she pulls me in.
"H-help, please!"
I frantically scanned the area and spotted a pool-cleaning pole. I grabbed it and extended it toward her.
"Here, Miss, grab the end!"
"I... can’t… anymore…"
She started losing consciousness, so I quickly removed my sandals and jumped into the pool. Come what may, I had to save her. Once I reached her, I dragged her toward the edge. I tried lifting her out, but she was too heavy—I was swallowing pool water myself. Damn it, what was I even doing?
Suddenly, the weight lessened.
"Keep pushing her," someone said.
I looked up and saw Nidal. He nodded at me as he helped pull the woman out. Once she was safe, he checked her condition.
I propped myself on my elbows to climb out, but my right leg cramped, causing me to sink back into the water.
"Ouch!"
I tried to stay afloat, but panic set in as I began to sink. I swallowed more water and flailed. Was I going to die?
"Nidal!"
Someone pulled me up. I stared blankly at him as he grabbed my leg. Why did he wait until I drank half the pool before helping?
"Ouch! What are you doing? That hurts!"
I tried pushing him away, but he didn’t stop. He straightened my knee and pushed the underside of my foot forward. His suit was completely drenched, but he didn’t seem to care.
"Stay still."
I froze. We sat there quietly, and I let him massage my leg.
"Brielle, are you okay?" Nidal suddenly asked.
I glanced at him before checking on the other woman, who was now sitting up, looking exhausted.
"I’m fine now, Nidal. Thank y—ow! Hey, that hurts!"
I turned angrily to Crixx, who was pressing my foot harder than necessary. What was his problem? Was he trying to break my ankle?
"Bro, you’re being too rough. I’ll take care of her instead—"
Before Nidal could finish, Crixx suddenly picked me up. My eyes widened as I clung to his neck.
"W-wait! I can walk! My leg is fine now!"
"Hey, where are you taking her?"
Crixx walked away without saying a word, leaving Nidal behind.
"Nidal, please take care of the girl for me," I called out. I saw the confusion and worry in his eyes, but he nodded.
(Silence)
I kept glancing at Crixx’s face. He looked serious as he carried me. What was going on? Did he suddenly grow a conscience? Was he feeling guilty? At least he helped before I drowned.
(Silence)
"Where are we going?"
He looked at me.
"You’re heavy."
I froze. Excuse me? Did he just call me fat? I didn’t ask him to carry me in the first place!
"You know what? Put me down! You don’t have to make me feel fat!" I snapped, annoyed.
I squirmed in his arms.
"I said you’re heavy. I didn’t say you’re fat. Don’t move—you’re making it harder to carry you."
Blood rushed to my face.
"WHAT? Then put me down! I can walk just fine, so it won’t be hard for you! I don’t want to inconvenience you... Put me down now!"
I screamed when he suddenly pretended to drop me but caught me again.
"Asshole! You jerk!"
I pounded his chest in frustration. My heart nearly leapt out of my ribcage. Was he serious? First, he almost broke my ankle, and now this!
"Behave, or I’ll do something worse."
I crossed my arms, sulking as he carried me. I didn’t care if I felt heavier now—let him suffer!
Before I realized it, we were at the parking lot. He approached his Chevrolet and pressed something to unlock it. He set me down in the front seat and grabbed a bag from the back.
"Put this on and text your grandma that you’re heading home."
He tossed me his black coat, which I put on because it was freezing. Oh no, Mamita! She must be looking for me by now. My phone was still inside, along with my bag. How embarrassing would it be to go back in this state?
"Um, can I borrow your phone? I left mine inside."
He handed it to me without hesitation. I messaged Mamita, telling her I went home early because I fell into the pool. I didn’t tell her the full story—I didn’t want her to panic or tell Mom.
Mamita texted back, worried, so I assured her I was fine but couldn’t return since I was drenched.
"Where should I drop you off?"
He’s seriously offering to take me home?
- Writer
