The Truth
1738 Words
"Hey ly, mind telling me something?" Marge said as she sips from her cup of coffee at Aly's office.
"What do you mean Marge?" Aly raised her head from the papers she's holding to look at her friend.
"Where did you go Ly? The day you are supposed to arrive from Macao. Where did you go?" She looks at Aly intently.
Alyssa's full attention is now at her friend and was taken back. And before she could compose herself back, Marge saw it so she took her chance to ask some more.
"Who are you with?" She asked with a straight face. Alyssa was left stunned on the last question Marge threw her. She sigh heavily before answering.
"Call them. I'll meet you all later. I have something to say"
Marge saw how serious Aly's eyes were so she didnt try to protest. She immediately went out of the office and contacted their group of friends.
Aly knew that this day would come. She knew that people around her would ask. But not too soon. Aly needs to tell them about the truth of whats happening to her, about Dennise.
Ly, pinatawag mo daw kami sabi ni Marge. Any problem?
Aly recieved a text from Gretchen. She decided to reply instantly.
I have something to say. Please be there soon.
Minutes later, she recieved another text that says all of them are already gathered at the agency. Aly hurriedly walks her way to where they were. She composes herself before entering and readies herself from some earfull.
"Ano ba sasabihin mo ly at parang napakaimportante?" Mika ask when she saw Aly enter the door.
Aly sat between Mika and Gretch. she sighs. "Please, kung ano man ang maririnig niyo be open minded."
Her friends saw how serious this matter is. They looked at each other before looking at Aly whose hands are covering her face.
"Well be open minded Ly." Gretchen said in behalf of everyone. She tapped her friends shoulders saying that everything would be okay.
Aly looked up and saw her friends smiling at her. Well, except Marge. "I dont know. Hindi ko alam kung pano sisimulan..."
"Pwede mong sabihin samin lahat Ly. Were a family remember?" Ara said with a caring voice. Aly still kept quiet which made kim grow impatient.
"Ano ba problema mo? Business? Ang tower? Staple? Agency? Ano Ly!"
"Sino ang problema? Yan dapat mong tanong kim" Marge corrected and all eyes were on her.
Aly looked at Marge and can sense that she knows something "Do you know something Marge?" She creased her forehead.
All eyes are back to Aly. And vice versa. Eyes full of confusion, irritation and impatience. While Aly and Marge are looking at each other intently.
"About what Ly? Nung sabay kayong lumabas sa convenience store one night? Or yung pictures niyo na pinagbuksan mo siya ng pinto? San dun ly?"
"Convenience store?! Pictures?! Sino ba to Alyssa at bakit di namin siya kilala?!" Kim exclaimed.
"Kilala niyo siya..." Aly looked down and covered her face in frustration.
"Client #17's bestfriend/childhood friend. And Client #13's subject.... Dennise Michelle Lazaro" Marge declared and all gasped in unison.
"What the hell Ly..." Gretch said stood up and walked around the room.
"Kaya pala hindi tayo makausad usad, Alyssa Valdez ba nman kalaban natin" Vic smirked and shook her head in disappointment.
"Why Ly? Diba may usapan tayo! You knew the rule!" Kim grabs aly's shoulder and it hurts her.
"I know, I know... pero..." Aly shakes her head in confusion "Hindi ko alam anong nangyari guys... promise..."
"Please explain ly, sa lahat satin dito you are the least candidate to break that rule. Tapos! Urgh!" napasabunot nlang si Mika sa sarili niya.
"The night at the convenience store, dun lang ako lumabag sa rule"
"You mean, nagkita pa kayo before that?" Kim saw Aly nod "Unbelievable!!!"
"When was the first?" Mika, the only patient one, asks.
Aly told them about their first meeting at the night Client #17 proposed. The dragging Aly did to stop Dennise from 'ruining' the said event. Then she also told them how heavy Dennise's slaps were. She was slapped twice.
She heard her friends giggle and this is a good sign. She continued to tell them about how Dennise saw Aly and Aby had a date at tgif. Also, the hospital incident where she and Dennise bumped at each other while on the mission. Then the night at the convenience store where she fell on Dennise's arms.
All were in shock on how destiny has pulled them together. They all knew it except Aly. Aly who believed that it was all just coincodence and never believed in destiny. They saw how her eyes sparkle through out her explanation. Also her hidden beautiful smiles.
"How about the pictures?" Marge asks aly with a brow "I think it was taken recently"
"Dont tell me wala ka tlga sa Macao baldo! Nakipaglandian ka lang dun kay Dennise eh! Hahaha! Lupet!" Vic said while bursting into laughter.
"No! Nasa Macao tlga ako. I'm with Shiela. And believe it or not guys, sa loob ng three weeks I tried not to think about her. I tried not to make any communication with her. I even... *sigh"
Aly's friends saw sadness in her eyes. More sadness to be exact. "But right after my last meeting, I didnt know what happened to me. I just found myself knocking outside her front door. Then I saw her, there I told myself that I want to be beside her. All the time."
Her friends saw how frustrated Alyssa is and they understood that this is the first time that she is feeling these things.
"Ly..." Gretch went near Aly and hugged her. Mika did the same then Kim and Vic pat Aly's shoulders. Last to hug was Marge.
"I'm sorry ly, I was just surprised to see that picture. I'm worried on what might happen to you. Sorry."
"I should be the one saying my apologies Marge" Aly looks at her friends "Guys sorry, for breaking the rule. For breaking your trust."
"Okay lang Ly. At least now we know na marunong ka rin pala magmahal" Kim said and everyone laughed like nothing happened. Friends will always be friends.
"Ibig sabihin si Dennise yung tumawag sayo nung meeting the other day?" Gretch asked Aly with a teasing smile. Aly nodded.
"Si Dennise din yung rason bat ka good vibes nung mission natin?" Kim wiggled her brows then Aly nods again. "Yiheeee! Cheesy mo baldo! Nakakabakla"
"Btw Marge, where are the picture? San mo nakita?" Mika asked out of the blue.
"Well, the picture was almost published" Marge said which made Aly turn her head quickly. "I changed the picture. I deleted all their copies and changed it with other pictures. Your girl is safe Ly" she assured Aly.
"May copy ka pa ba? Patingin!" Mika asked excitingly. Marge nods and opens her ipad.
Behold: Alyssa opening the car door for Dennise at a convenience store in broad day light. Both were obviously smiling and enjoying their company.
All saw the picture and are in awe. They never saw Aly smile that way. How she looks happy with Dennise is clearly shown in the picture.
"s**t! Ang sexy niya dude!" Vic zooms in Den's clothes. Den only wearing black tank top.
Mika pushes Vic's face "Manyak!"
"Pero seryoso ly! How can you resist such beauty!" Kim said in disbelief took a second to watch Dennise.
"Who said I did" Aly blurted out.
All eyes were on her. Aly let a wide smile escape her lips showing her oh-so-adorable dimples.
"Yuck! Too much info baldo!" Marge shrieked.
"Langya! Kaya pala nagpabalik balik!" Vic said then throws herself to Aly. Kim and Gretch did the same thing. They are now sitting on Aly.
"Eeew! Perverts!!!" Mika started to punch Aly's shoulder. Aly on the other hand, just laughs it off.
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"Besh! Hey, are you listening?"
Ella visited her friend to catch up some stories about her but it seems that the latter has no plan on listening.
"Hmm? Oo nman" Den smiled widely and looks daydreaming.
"Really now, sige nga ano sinasabi ko?" Ella raised a brow.
"Na ano... Uhm... You.... Ah basta!" Den bursted in defeat but then smiled again.
"See! Di ka nakikinig! And whats with your face! Kanina ka pa nangingiti dyan! You look creepy btw" Ella crossed her arms.
"Whatever Jorella! Tsss" Den roll her eyes to Ella then grinned.
"Ano ba kasi yan besh! Share ka nman!" Ella pushed her friend's shoulder.
"Baka sino po, maam Ella" Tasha suddenly butts in the convo. Dennise automatically blushed.
"Hala! Who is this besh????" Ella now getting very interested.
"Tasha, kung ayaw mo pang mawalan ng trabaho lumabas ka na! And dont you dare evesdrop!" Den glares at her secretary. Tasha hurriedly walked out of the office.
"So, ano nga besh? Sabihin mo na!" Ella's eyes full of excitement.
"I've been seeing someone" Den tried not to smile by bitting her lower lip.
"OMG! Whoever he is please let me meet him! I never saw you like this before!" Ella jumping for joy.
Dennise sigh deeply and prayed to all saints she know that Ella wont judge her.
"Its not a 'he' besh" she said softly.
Ella's eyes widened. Mouth opened. Jaw dropped. "OMG! Who the f**k is she!!!"
"Watch your words Ella" Den glares at Ella but she didnt mind. Ella acted like zipping her mouth.
"She is Alyssa Valdez"
"WTF?! THAT SUPER DUPER HOTTIE AT TGIF BEFORE?! YOUR KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR?! THE ONE YOU SLAPPED?! TWICE?! AND-" before Ella could continue, Den coverd her mouth.
"Shhhh! Oo na oo na! Thats her!" Dennise smiled shyly and cheeks turning red.
"Are you blushing?! I cant believe it! You really are blushing!!!" Ella celebrated in the office. Den just shakes her head. She gets near Dennise again and asked. "So ano? Mahal mo na ba? Kayo na ba?"
"I dont know besh. Maybe?" Ella screamed in giddiness. "I just wanna be with her. Always."
"Besh you're inlove!" Ella is looking really happy for her bestfriend. "I need to meet her besh!"
She saw Denden frown and eyes sadden. "Sure... If she has time"
"Aaaaw. Ang arte nito!" Ella hits her friends arms.
"But..."
"Wala ng but but jan! Alyssa Valdez na yan besh! Valdez!"
"Kaya nga... Valdez siya..." She sigh heavily.
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- Writer
