Mafia Enslaved

19

MONIQUE'S POV

"Look at you. You're like an ugly duckling turned into a beautiful swan," Madam Zekovia smirked, teasing again.

"And you look like the witch who gave Snow White a poisoned apple," Maureen retorted. I chuckled at what she said, but I fell silent when Christian and the others looked at me.

"What is your friend saying?! Does she have a death wish?! Do you know who Lola Zek is?" Raven said. They call Madam Zekovia

"Lola Zek." I blinked at his half-yelling towards me.

"Did I not tell you?" I asked.

"Tell us what?" Christian furrowed his brows at me. I swallowed, realizing I had forgotten to inform them.

"They are close. Madam Zekovia always goes to the coffee shop, and she and Maureen always banter there. Well, she goes there just to annoy Maureen. That's their way of bonding." I felt like they were looking at me as if they would beat me up after hearing that.

I gasped when we saw Madam Zekovia slap Maureen's butt. She always does that at the coffee shop whenever Maureen passes by. I giggled again but stopped when they glared at me.

pout

Madam Zekovia took Maureen to the front of the piano, and they bantered again.

"I'm late. Has it started already?"

"Oh! Rocket!" I gasped. He approached me and gave me a hug. He's Raven's big brother.

"Hi baby girl, you look beautiful today," he grinned.

"And you're always late," Raven glared at him. He just chuckled and asked if there was a free seat beside me and Waldrin.

"The seat beside Raven is free, kuya. That's where Waldrin's date is sitting," I said. He quickly went to Raven's side. He fixed his suit.

He's also Ate Wela's fiancé, Waldrin's big sister. They're getting married in three months, and we're all excited about it.

I looked at the stage, and Maureen started playing the piano. The song is not familiar to me, but I could feel the ache in my heart. The song was so sentimental that I didn't realize I was already crying. Well, not just me, even some of the other guests.

We glanced at Kuya Rocket when he suddenly stood up from his seat and almost fell. Fortunately, the piano's sound was loud enough to not draw much attention.

"Tell me who's playing the piano," he shook Raven.

"Hey, what's happening to you? She's Waldrin's date!" Raven hissed and patted his suit.

"What's her name?" He asked.

"Maureen," Christian said. We heard Kuya Raven utter some curses. He fixed his seat before sitting down again, messing his hair and wiping his face forcefully. Maureen finished the song, and all the guests stood up and applauded.

"What's wrong with you, kuya?" I asked him. He didn't answer. The four of us ran after Kuya Rocket as he angrily walked towards Maureen and grabbed her, pulling her out of the Main Hall. We all exchanged glances and followed them.

MAUREEN'SPOV

"Rocket," I almost whispered. He stopped walking, and I could hear his heavy breathing. He used to be my brother's best friend. And yes, he's my ex-boyfriend.

He looked at me, and his eyes filled with tears. He held my face and gently caressed it, causing me to close my eyes.

"I'm sorry," he said and pulled me into a hug. He buried his face in my shoulder and cried. I stroked his back. I have moved on from him, but he's still the only man I ever loved.

He cupped my face. "I'm sorry for leaving you," he cried. I caressed his face and looked into his eyes.

"I waited for you," I said, and tears started flowing. He's seven years older than me. I was 15 when he finished college, and he went back to the Philippines for some important matters. I held onto his promise that he would come back for me.

"I tried, trust me, I tried."

"But still, you didn't come back," I weakly said. I don't know what I'm feeling right now. I can't breathe because of the pain I'm experiencing. It's like all the pain I suppressed wants to burst out.

"Sshhh... Sshhhh... Stop it, don't cry... Please," he said while wiping my tears. I composed myself and wiped the tears from my face. I hoped the makeup they used was waterproof.

After a long time, I felt his lips on mine again. I longed for him for so long. I missed him so much. Then, someone pulled me away from Rocket and slapped me so hard. I instinctively touched my cheek and looked at her.

"Wela!"

"Ate!" I looked at Rocket, then at Waldrin, and then at the woman Rocket was holding, Wela.

"You shameless woman! You're such a flirt!" She shouted at me. She tried to reach me, but Waldrin pulled me away from her.

Wela slapped Rocket while crying. I was too shocked to react. "How could you do this to me, Rocket? We're getting married!!" She sobbed. I gasped at what she said. I looked at Rocket, and he had an apologetic look.

Wela walked out, and Rocket didn't know who to approach, but he chose to follow Wela. I felt weak standing there and clung to whoever I could hold onto.

"Maureen," Monique said when she held my arm. I hugged her and silently cried. She stroked my back, comforting me, assuring me that it's okay, and I'm not at fault.