Make Him Fall In Love (English version)

CHAPTER 5

BRIELLA'S POV

“Good thing you're finally here. You’re the one who’ll buy Mom’s medicine.”

That was the first thing my sister Mina said when I got home. She was currently hanging laundry that a neighbor had asked her to wash.

“Isn’t Angel back yet? We could ask her to buy it instead, since she’s already in the market,” I replied seriously.

“Wow, Ella. Have some shame. Angel is tired from selling at the market, and she’ll be home late since she’s extending her hours. And now you want to order her around?” Mina snapped at me angrily.

I sighed inwardly. There really was no difference between me and Angel—we both worked. It would’ve just been more convenient if she had bought the medicine since she was already there. There are pharmacies near the stall where she works, after all.

“If you don’t want to buy the medicine, then let Mom miss her dose tonight. You’re so full of excuses,” she added before stomping inside the house.

I shook my head slowly. I still couldn’t understand why my two sisters seemed to have something against me. Mom always reminded me not to fight back. She said that as the youngest, I should be the one to understand. So no matter how harsh their words were, I simply endured. Besides, they only treat me like this when our mother isn’t around.

I went inside the house as well. Mina was now lying on our long bamboo bench, visibly exhausted from doing laundry, so I just ignored her. The dishes in the bamboo sink were still piled up. We also didn’t have any stored water, which meant I had to fetch some from the house next door.

As much as I wanted to clean the house first, Mom’s medicine was more important. But before I left, I checked on her in our room. She was sleeping soundly, so I didn’t wake her. I didn’t disturb Mina either, who was already resting. Since she asked me to buy the medicine, that meant I would be paying for it.

The market was quite far from our place, but I chose to walk to save on fare. Besides, it was still bright enough outside, so it was safe.

While walking, I saw Rico lying on the side of the road. I shook my head—one of his usual tricks. He often pretended to get hit by fancy cars, so the drivers would pay him off. I was about to ignore him, but when the car’s driver got out, I immediately recognized him.

“Dude, didn’t you see me? I was already on the side, but you still hit me,” I heard Rico say as I approached, since I was heading that way toward the market.

“It’s not my fault,” the man replied emotionlessly.

I shook my head again. I really had no intention of interfering, but since I was passing by, I didn’t know if I could just ignore it.

I glanced around and saw Rico’s gang waiting nearby. Some of them were holding sticks and baseball bats. I had told Rico many times to stop this nonsense, but he never listened.

The man was about to get back into his car when Rico’s gang started approaching.

“Dude, is this guy going to run away from you?” Timog taunted as he lightly tapped the stick against his palm.

I couldn’t take it anymore and stepped in.

“What’s going on here?” I asked loudly.

“Ella, what are you doing here?” Rico asked nervously.

I shot him a glare. “I asked you first,” I snapped.

He scratched his head. “Nothing. My buddies and I just happened to pass by,” he said awkwardly.

I looked at his gang, who were now hiding their weapons behind their backs.

“Go home, all of you,” I said firmly.

“You know him?” Rico asked, referring to the man they were about to scam.

“Yes. So behave yourselves. I told you guys to stop doing this nonsense,” I scolded.

“Alright, we’ll go ahead, Ella.”

Rico didn’t let me say another word and quickly walked away. His gang followed him just as fast. I let out a deep sigh—at least they still listened to me.

“Finally, you know me,” the man said with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes. I wasn’t sure if the world was really that small, considering I kept bumping into this guy. He was the same man I had encountered in the subdivision and at the hospital.

“I don’t know you. I just saved you from them,” I replied irritably.

“Should I thank you then?” he asked.

“No need! Just leave before Rico comes back. And don’t you ever pass this road again,” I said seriously.

I was about to walk away when he quickly grabbed my arm. I glared at him, making him immediately let go.

“Don’t you really want to know who I am?” he asked, confused.

I sneered. “No! I don’t have time for people like you. Hmph! Go away!”

I walked away from him. I still had to buy Mom’s medicine at the market, clean the house, and cook dinner.

“See you around, Miss Ella!” he called out, but I ignored him.

I hurried on, as it was getting dark. The medicine costs almost a thousand. Thankfully, I got an advance earlier today after telling Miss Baday what had happened to Mom. I also bought half a kilo of fish to boil for Mom since she still wasn’t allowed solid food after her surgery.

On my way home, I passed by a small eatery and accidentally saw Angel there with a man. They were happily chatting over a meal. I thought she was supposed to be working overtime? I didn’t know the man, but I was sure he was her boyfriend. I just shook my head. I really didn’t know how to feel about my sisters anymore. But I didn’t want any more conflict at home. It would only make things harder for our mother.

I took a tricycle home since it was already nighttime. When I got there, Mom was still asleep and Mina was watching TV.

“You took so long, Ella. I’m starving. Go cook already!” she snapped at me.

I didn’t respond. I just went to the kitchen and grabbed a bucket. I still had to fetch water for cooking and washing dishes. When I got to the water pump, I happened to see Rico there too. When he saw me, he quickly took the bucket from my hand.

“Let me do it for you, Ella.”

“No need. I got it.”

“Ella, I’m really sorry. You saw what we were up to earlier,” he said seriously.

“I have told you already. Stop that. Find a decent job,” I lectured him.

“I’m really sorry. I couldn’t help myself when I saw that car. That guy’s loaded.”

I shook my head slowly. “Even so. It’s still wrong to scam people.”

“That guy’s name is Mallari. He’s the sole heir. Literally rolling in money.”

Mallari? I felt like I’d heard that name before, but couldn’t remember where. That must be why that guy acted like he expected me to recognize him. His family was probably rich and influential. Suddenly, I couldn’t help but feel curious about him.

What could his first name be?