"Penelope, hija. You see —"
"I know, Ma. Ayaw na ayaw ninyo kay Francisco. Well that's fine because we're over. Naghiwalay na po kami at wala na kayong ikabahala sa akin. I don't need a chaperon. I'm okay if you guys want to go to Italy. I can manage the resort and I will try my best to overcome my fear. But please, not Lorenzo!" inis na tugon ko.
Bumuntong-hininga si Papa at pinahiran na nang tissue ang bibig niya.
"Penelope, how sure you are that you're not returning to your so-called friends?" si Mama sa akin.
Pinaikot ko na ang mga mata ko at bumagsak na ang balikat ko.
"Ma? Karla is out of the country. Kaya wala na kayong problema. And besides, hindi na ako sasama sa grupo nila."
"Hija, I can only trust you with Lorenzo. He will be your escort, whether you like it or not, and he
