(WRITTEN SERIES #3)
Having their hearts broken after an expected affair, Penny and Clifford unexpectedly found comfort from each other. But as the bond between the two of them deepens, secrets resurface as conflicts wreck havoc to their present. Can...
A/N: Hello! This chapter might contain triggering stuffs (such as unresolved trauma, questioning self-worth, etc.). Sorry for the heavy angst lately, but this is just how this story works. Iʼm very sorry T_T
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PENNY
"HOW are you?" I asked Mason the moment he entered the kitchen looking like a complete mess. His eyes were red and swollen from crying himself to sleep.
Marahas niyang pinunasan ang kaniyang mga mata at napakamot pa sa dulo ng kilay niya. "Whose clothes is this?" he asked, pertaining to the clothes heʼs wearing right now.
"Akin," Clifford was the one who answered. Pasimple siyang lumingon sa direksyon ni Mason habang abala siya sa pagluluto ng almusal naming tatlo.
"Oh..." Naupo si Mason sa tabi ko. "Thanks."
Tumango lamang si Clifford at nagpatuloy sa pagluluto. Habang ako naman, nakatitig lang kay Mason, pinagmamasdan nang mabuti ang walang kabuhay-buhay na ekspresyon ng mukha niya.
"Quit looking or else you might fall for me again," Mason suddenly said, his eyes still staring blankly ahead.
"What—"
"Ano?!"
Napalingon ako sa direksyon ni Cliff nang umalingawngaw ang boses niya sa buong kwarto. The moment I looked at him, what welcomed me was the sight of the sarcastic smile curved in his lips while his widened eyes looked at Mason, twitching every now and then.
Nagtaas ng tingin si Mason sa kaniya. His lifeless eyes looked at Clifford who seemed like heʼs about to beat the living shit out of our ice-cold companion.
"Heʼs just joking, dumb bitch," I said exasperatedly, heaving a sigh. Umagang-umaga, ayokong magbardagulan sila. My body already feels like itʼs killing me.
"Youʼre not sure if itʼs just a joke." Mason shrugged, still an emotionless look on his face.
"Abaʼy—" Akmang lalapit na sa amin si Clifford dala-dala ang hawak niyang sandok. He looks like an angry chef, especially because of the apron heʼs wearing.
Bago pa siya tuluyang makalapit sa 'min, agad ko siyang sinamaan ng tingin at sinenyasang tumigil. We argued just by our eyes, mouthing incoherent words to each other yet we were able to understand what we were saying. Sa huli, wala na siyang ibang nagawa pa kundi mapabusangot na lang at bumalik sa kaniyang ginagawa. Padabog pa siyang naglakad pabalik sa harap ng stove dahilan para mapangiwi na lang ako.
I rolled my eyes and returned my gaze to Mason. Nakatulala lang siya habang nakatitig ang walang kabuhay-buhay niyang mga mata sa kawalan. I couldnʼt help but notice that he got thinner and his beard is starting to grow out.
Humugot ako ng isang malalim na hininga. Halatang-halata na hindi niya na inaalagaan ang sarili niya. At aminin ko man o hindi, nag-aalala ako sa para sa kalagayan niya.
