Chapter 2 CHAPTER 2: Dealing with misery

I HAVE noticed that every time Vincent visits here, Maricar would wear her slutty dress, trying to seduce Vincent.

"You should warn your stepsister, Angela," Tommy, Maricar's biological brother, told me. He is not my brother, literally. They are all my stepsister/stepbrother only. I don’t have blood-related with them or any relationship other than that.

If it weren't for Auntie Amanda and dad, I wouldn't really be forced to get close to any of them.

I screamed when Tommy suddenly grabbed the cheek of my butt. "What the hell for?" I asked nervously.

“Oh sorry. It just slipped. You have a soft butt. Enough to touch,” he added then turned his back on me, and walked away.

This is what I hate about staying at home. I really don't want Tommy to see me or to see him because every time I stare into his eyes, it's like his mind is full of obscenity and I really hate it. It disgusts me a lot.

I just went here to the kitchen to get juice for the three of us. Vincent, Maricar and me. Up to this point, I could hear the two of them laughing as if I was not around.

When I got their juice and snacks, I put them down on the center table.

"Vincent, drink some juice first." I immediately sat down between Maricar and Vincent.

Maricar didn't seem aware of what I did. I took the juice and gave it to him.

"Are you here to talk about our wedding?" I smiled as I asked Vincent.

Vincent was surprised by what I said and laughed slightly. “No. I am just visiting you. We’ll talk about the wedding next time, but not today. Okay?” he said making his voice sweet and calm.

I just smiled at what he said even though the truth is that I just want Maricar to be uncomfortable with me and Vincent together, that she can leave us alone.

Everything is okay before. Maricar was kind and I quickly close at her but something seemed to have changed since she saw Vincent.

I felt like she was mocking me from time to time and she always seemed excited to see my fiancè. It is like, hey! That is my soon-to-be-husband.

Ever since Vincent visited this house, Vincent has never mentioned our wedding again. We don’t have a wedding date yet, the invitations, guests, catering, and venue haven’t even been ironed out. There are so many more not on the list.

I made leave for two weeks at Hotel Haven Hunters as a receptionist just to take care of Vincent and I's wedding but nothing seemed to be happening.

I went to the garden and just saw that my father had a visitor. They seemed to be talking seriously so I just didn’t bother them. The man looks respectable, wearing a suit and necktie. The way he dresses looks like he is an attorney. I guess dad is having business with him.

“Dad, I’m going out. I will go to Jenny for the gown that I returned,” I said to him so he will know where am I going.

“Sure, take care. Will Vincent pick you up?”

“Yeah. I think so.” But the truth is, I'll just take a cab.

After exiting the gate, the cab was parked. I deposited myself in the cab and the driver already knew where my drop point will be.

I'm already inside the boutique. I was looking for attire for Vincent when Jenny arrived. I am just expecting that it was Vincent.

I rang his phone every minute, several times but nothing. No callback. He’s not answering back.

"Jenny, Vincent still doesn't answer his call," I told Jenny. She was my classmate in college who I took as our wedding coordinator.

I would have taken my wedding gown and looked at the groom’s suit here in the boutique. But Vincent didn't seem interested in checking me out.

Jenny held my hand before we continued. "Are you really sure about this, Angela?"

I forced a smile. “Yes. I do, of course. ” I have never been sure of anything until I have Vincent on my side.

“We know your boyfriend is a playboy. How many times have you caught him? He will apologize then next day, you will forgive him, so on and so forth. Just repeat, Angela. Then you still want to marry him? You know, I don't know if you've lost your mind or your brain screwed up?” There she goes again. Starting to nags at me.

“You know he's my college friend, don't you? You always knew— ”

She interrupted what I was saying. “That man has always been stupid. He’s a d*mn a*shole. Since we were in college, he never took any woman seriously. I was just surprised when I found out that he and you are together, then now.. you are getting married? Is this a hoax, Angela?” I can hear on Jenny’s voice that she got upset and irritated by my decision.

I love Vincent since college. Ever since I saw him I didn't want to be with anyone if it wasn't him. I have even saved my purity for our wedding. Because I have nothing else to give but that. is all. But what should I do? I am deadly in love with Vincent. I can’t find my days living without him. That's why when he confesses his love to me and he realizes that he is in love with me, I grab the opportunity.

I actually best friended him. I stood by his side and I was always there when he needed me. I did that for years until he finally fell for me. Will I still give up?

“I don't know if you are a martyr or a fool because of love? What if you woke up and Vincent loves someone else? How about you?"

I shook my head. “Vincent will never do that to me. We are best of friends, right?”

Jenny just shrugged that I was obviously not convinced by what I said.

Jenny and I had been waiting in the boutique for a long couple of hours. But Vincent seems really busy answering my miscalls or even my text message. So I decided to go to the condo unit he occupied.

Standing in front of the room staring at the screen and starting putting his code. I had his code, our date where we become a couple. I don’t know why my hands were shaking to touch that. It was as if I had to be scared and I had to be nervous when I opened the door. I felt trembled.

I bent down and closed my eyes tightly. No. Why would I be afraid? Vincent loves me and if I caught him having a one-night stand, for sure that will be his pastime. Because I can’t give him what he wanted, and that is s*x. We talked about that and I wasn't ready yet. I'll only be ready when we are going to get married. I agreed even though I knew I was being fooled and stabbing my back like making a fool out of myself.

The door opens after the code is entered. I slowly pulled it to widen the space and I could get inside.

It seemed quiet and as if no one was there until I noticed there were clothes scattered on the floor.

“Vincent was really messy,” I said while laughing.

But I didn't just pick up Vincent's clothes. There was a piece of T-back underwear and some women’s clothing. There was even a scattered pair of shoes.

“D*rn! He brought another woman to his pad, again, ”I whispered. "Vincent…" I called.

Until I heard a faint growl that hit my chest hard. Here he goes again. He’s doing it again. He is fooling me again.

I almost fell to my feet when I pictured the scene.

She was on top of Vincent as they both moaned and the growl filled the whole room.

There are lots of women, why her?

My new stepsister, Maricar.