Missing You

AFTER TWO MONTHS,

It has been two months since Link and I went to Parañaque for Key's birthday. On that day, Link introduced me to his family. In the past days, weeks, and months, Link remained the same—cheerful and always wearing a handsome smile.

We teased each other here, joked around there. We bantered back and forth, and even our friends don't believe we're not together. When we have disagreements, we're more like a couple than friends.

Despite that, I am happy with our status. He woos and pursues me every day just to make me happy. But that joy was replaced by fear last week. After our Christmas party, I encountered some teenagers while going down the stairs.

We were at the same level. I accidentally overheard their conversation. They weren't Hypebeasts, but their fashion sense was more gangster-like, which didn't suit them.

"How should we mess with them?"

"In a way that will humiliate them."

"Bro, are you sure it was Albert who did that to Alfe?"

"We're sure, even a Hypebeast confirmed it."

I sighed and looked at my phone screen. When is Link planning to come home? Christmas is approaching, but he hasn't returned yet. Has he seen someone else? Oh, Angelle. Whatever you're thinking.

I glanced at the calendar and almost jumped out of bed. Shit! It's already December 20?!

I quickly jumped off the bed and went to the living room, where I found Mom and Hero eating barbecue. They looked at me puzzled, giving me a "what's going on with you" look.

I sat next to Mom and grabbed a barbecue.

"What happened to you? Why did you rush down?" Mom asked.

I glanced at her and swallowed my food. "Ma, what are your plans for December 26?" I asked.

Mom frowned and turned her gaze to the TV. What's that for?

"Ma, I'll be 18 on the 26th," I repeated when she didn't respond.

"We don't have money, maybe we'll just prepare a little something."

I raised an eyebrow at Mom's response. So, am I not having a debut? And why don't we have money? They said before that I would have a debut. Now that I want it because I have a set of 18 roses, they don't want it anymore.

I sighed. "Okay," well, there's nothing I can do if they don't want it.

I stood up and returned to my room. It's quite sad. I wanted to experience the debut they talked about, but Mom doesn't want it now. I thought they were already planning for it.

TING!

I looked at my phone screen and saw a message from Link. I quickly opened it, eager to read.

From: Link

Angelle, sorry for texting only now. I've been quite busy. I'll call you now.

After reading his message, he called.

"Link," I answered the phone, sounding a bit sulky.

"Sorry, Angelle. I had something to attend to yesterday, so I couldn't call you."

"It's okay."

"Have you eaten?"

"Yeah... um, when are you coming home?"

In my tone, I sounded like a wife asking when her husband would be home.

"Maybe tomorrow, Angelle."

I couldn't help but smile discreetly. He's coming home tomorrow, which means we'll see each other.

"I miss you," he whispered.

I smiled. "Link," I called out to him.

"Hmm?"

"Do you have any plans on the 26th?" I asked.

I know I sounded silly asking him, but hey, I just want to go out on the 26th if I'm not having a debut anyway.

"Why? What's on the 26th?"

I frowned at his question. Did he deliberately forget my birthday? He even almost shouted it to Prof when he found out. How annoying!

"Never mind!" I snapped.

"I might not be available on the 26th. Ate Lira and I are planning to go to Bicol."

His response made me even more upset. Why does it seem unimportant to them? How annoying! Grr, I'm being immature.

Frustrated, I turned off my phone, put on my jacket, and headed out. I needed to relax; I felt like crying because of how they were treating me.

"Where are you going?" Mom asked.

"To a place where I can relax," I replied somewhat grumpily and left the house.

I shouldn't be acting like this. It's okay with me not to have a debut or go out, but to be ignored and forgotten on my birthday is not okay.

Sigh. I shouldn't be dramatic; I can celebrate my birthday alone. I'm fine with that. Let them be!

Upon reaching the marketplace, I headed straight to the playground where Link and I used to go on dates and bought some food. Since it's the "ber" months, there were many people there.

I sat on a bench and took a bite of my food. I raised an eyebrow as I suddenly remembered our last date here. I really miss that guy; I've been sadwithout his affection for a week! I miss his cheek pinches.

Urgh. Why did he have to leave?

"Hit you with a Ddu-Ddu-Ddu~"

I picked up my cell phone when it rang. As I checked the caller ID to see who was calling, my irritation resurfaced.

Yah~ I miss him, but that doesn't mean I miss talking to him. He's at fault for forgetting my birthday. Oh girl, is that a big deal?

I turned off my cell phone and continued eating. If I talk to him, I might just get annoyed and end up arguing with him.

"Angelle?" I lifted my head at the person calling me.

I smiled when I saw Ernest. What was he doing here?

"Hey, what are you doing here?" I asked.

He sat on the seat in front of me.

"I came to Ann's to fix our schedule," he said. I nodded and took a bite of my hotdog.

Hmm. Oh right, we're filming our movie this December. We'll only be in Cavite for three days, so we can still celebrate Christmas.

"So, when are we leaving?" It's better to leave early. Well, he's not here on the 26th, so we can continue not seeing each other.

Doesn't he feel that I miss him? I always make it known through my texts and conversations with him.

"Maybe tomorrow. But I'll call the other members to check if they're free tomorrow."

"Why does it seem too early?"

"Because my mom and I are leaving. We need to finish shooting quickly so I can start editing." I nodded.

"I really admire your talent. You know the perfect guy? That's you," I said with a smile.

He scratched his head and shyly looked down.

"T-thank you."

"Anyway, call me when everything's set for tomorrow so I can prepare my things." He nodded.

"Sure."

We chatted for a while before he excused himself to take a call. Left alone, I felt a sense of loneliness creeping in now.

It's really difficult when you're alone. You can go crazy, go crazy from loneliness because you have no one to talk to. It's good that some people can endure being alone. They're truly strong individuals.

Shortly after, I decided to go home so I could prepare when Ernest called. While walking home, I noticed two young men who had been following me.

They were both young men, judging by their bodies and height. It was getting dark, and there were fewer people outside.

I quickened my pace, and I noticed them walking faster too in my peripheral vision. Shit! What should I do? I might get raped!

I was startled when someone suddenly grabbed my shoulder. In extreme nervousness and fear, I grabbed the person's hand, twisted it, and kicked them in the stomach, causing them to sit on the ground in pain.

The companion in a hoodie, like the man on the ground, just stood there in shock. I let go of the man and moved slightly away from them.

"Why are you following me?" I asked boldly.

One of the men approached and helped his companion who was in pain.

"A-are you Angelle?" the man in pain asked.

"Yes, why?"

They didn't speak. One of the men looked at me, and the other quickly stood up. I suddenly ran, and the man chased after me, increasing the fear in my chest.

What do they want from me? I haven't done anything wrong, have I?

Dammit! Why are there so few people around and in houses? Huhu, I really shouldn't have left the house. I should have just listened to my parents' instructions.

"Hit you with a Ddu-Ddu—"

I quickly took my cell phone from my pocket and answered the call.

"Shit. Help me!"

"Huh? Why, Angelle? Where are you?"

"I'm heading to the river."

I realized I was indeed heading towards the river. Why here?

When I couldn't see the man anymore, I hid among the dense plants and calmed myself. Who were they? And what did they want from me?

"Angelle! I'm coming to you. Where are you?"

"At the river."

"Wait for me there!"

TOOT! TOOT!

When the call ended, I hid my cell phone and peeked to see where the man was. I saw him still searching for me.

I was about to sneak away from my hiding spot when I saw the man I used self-defense on.

He smirked and forcefully pulled me towards his companion. If I could see my face, it would be indescribable. I was feeling extreme fear and anxiety, not expecting this to happen to me.

"You, girl, you made it hard for us!" the man I had brought down said angrily.

"What do you want from me?!" I shouted, asking.

I hoped someone would hear my scream. I needed help now; the self-defense my dad taught me wasn't enough to escape these two monsters.

"We need you," one of them replied.

"What did I do wrong to you?"

"To us, nothing, but to our gang, you did."

My eyes widened. What did he say? To their gang?

"G-gang?"

One of them nodded. "You're brave to fight against a Bros huh?"

I felt like I heard the name Bros somewhere before.

"H-huh? I don't understand you, what do you mean? I don't know any gang named Bros?"

Shit. Am I really the one they're looking for? But I don't know anything about the Bros, whoever they are. I've heard the gang name before, but I don't care about them.

"Bro, she seems to have no idea about our group. But we still need to punish her." Punish? What kind of punishment?

"A beating or a loss of dignity?"

I gulped at the question from the man who chased after me.

"I haven't done anything to you! Just let me go!" I said as I struggled against their grip.

Compared to me, they were stronger because I'm a woman. Especially since there were two of them.

"But you need to be punished."

Without warning, the man I had brought down pushed me to the ground, causing me to sit. They immediately ganged up on me, forcing me to lie down.

A double fear coursed through me when I saw the man I brought down taking off his belt. Shit!

"Stop! Help! Help!" I screamed and kicked the man.

He got annoyed and punched me in the stomach, making me stop and writhe in pain.

One of the men held my hands while the man I brought down knelt in front of me.

Think. Think!

I closed my legs, but the man grinned and slowly moved his fingers along my legs. I was disgusted by the man! I wanted to strangle him! I was repulsed by him.

"Stop! Stop!" I shouted, but it felt like a whisper, and I wasn't heard.

I struggled but couldn't break free. I felt the hot liquid dripping from my eyes. What did I do wrong?!

"For the love of God! I didn't do anything wrong!"

Please listen to me! Please listen to me.

He tried to open my legs, but I kept them closed. He sighed and forcefully opened them, causing me to whimper in pain.

"St-stop!"

Are they insane?

The man was about to remove my shorts when he suddenly tumbled near the edge of the river. His companion panicked and rushed to his side.

I quickly stood up, grabbed a wooden stick, and struck the man who intended harm to me.

I unleashed all my anger and fear on him. I don't deserve this! Why are they doing this to me?

I sobbed as I hit the man until he stopped fighting back. Someone then pulled me and embraced me.

I cried even more and hugged the person tightly.

"They almost t-tried to assault me," I sobbed to the person holding me.

My heart was still pounding hard. I didn't know how to explain to my mom what had just happened to me. I was almost assaulted, and I'm sure they would be furious and report it to the authorities for investigation.

The person holding me gently stroked my hair and slowly moved away. He knelt down slightly to be at my level. When I saw the face of the person who saved me, I cried even harder.

"I thought you weren't coming home?"

He smiled. "I was just joking with you. I wanted to surprise you. I'm sorry I was late," he said sincerely. I could see in his eyes that he wanted to cry for what happened to me, but he was holding back.

I angrily slapped his chest. "Why did you take so long?! Don't you know they were chasing me since earlier?"

"Sorry," he said. He exhaled and kissed my forehead. "I promise you, I won't leave you."

His words made me cry even more. "Sssh. Everything's okay now, I won't let you get hurt. I love you so much," he said again.

I hugged him and sobbed. Somehow, I knew I was safe now because Link was here.

"Don't leave me yet. I miss you so much," I said as I released the hug.

A sweet smile played on his lips. "I miss you so much too."

I smiled slightly and gazed at his lips. I don't know why, but something was pulling me to touch them.

I swallowed and slowly moved my face closer to his. When our noses touched, I felt the same electric sensation I felt when he hugged me.

Un

til our lips met. I closed my eyes and felt his warm lips.

Our first kiss, filled with fear, nervousness, and love.

"I love you, Angelle," he said in the midst of our kiss.

I couldn't hide my feelings anymore. I needed to confront the emotions I had for him. I love this man.

"I love you, too."