It's the Same Old Song (The Runaway Girls Series #4)

Chapter 40

Note: This isn't the final chapter yet. I just wanted to clarify since we still have ten chapters left (excluding Vance's POV). Thank you!

Want

The only thing that kept me sane over the next few days was the thought of my mother finally coming back. Aside from that, my days were usually spent working and crying at night. It was a repetitive cycle... and to think that I might be doing this for the rest of my life? I don't think I can live with that.

Busy si Carlos sa araw. May trabaho siya kapag umaga, tapos may klase naman kapag gabi. He'll come home late, usually around 10 PM. We'll just acknowledge each other's presence, and then he'll proceed with his readings. Walang kamustahan o kahit maikling pag-uusap.

Late akong nakauwi ngayon. Dumaan pa ako sa bahay dahil namiss ko si Bella kaya niyaya ko na rin sila na mag-dinner sa Jollibee. Kahit papaano nagkaroon ako ng lakas para magpatuloy kahit maikli lang ang naging pagkikita namin.

I wonder if my life will stay like this forever? But who am I to complain? I chose this path. I brought this upon myself, so I guess I have no choice but to deal with it... unfortunately.

"Finally," si Carlos iyon na napatayo sa kinauupuan niya nang makarating ako.

Nangunot ang noo ko. "What?"

"Sit down," utos niya. "May kailangan tayo pag-usapan."

Binaba ko muna ang bag ko bago ako umupo. May mga papeles sa harap niya habang busy siya sa pagtitipa ng kung ano sa laptop niya. Matapos ang ilang segundo ay nilingon niya ako.

"So, here's the plan."

"May update na?" kinakabahan kong tanong.

"I already talked with some of my friends," he replied, his tone firm. "They all agreed on providing us with the protection and leverage we need. This isn't just a business transaction, so we have to make sure that everything goes smoothly, without causing any harm to your mother."

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag. "Oh, God. Thanks."

Magsasalita pa sana siya nang marinig kong may tumunog galing sa laptop niya. Nakumpirma kong tawag iyon galing sa kung sino man na agad niya rin namang sinagot. Sinulyapan ako ni Carlos bago siya nagsalita.

"Javier, is everything in place?" he asked sharply.

"We're close. Nakapag-set na ako ng meeting bukas sa kanila. They'll agree to the 50 million, but they want a face-to-face to finalize the deal. It's a large sum, and they're not going to just take a wire transfer."

"Bullshit," Carlos cursed violently. His thick brows furrowing. "I knew it. I'll be there in a few hours."

"Are you sure about this, Carlos?" Javier's voice crackled through the speaker. Mukhang pinaparinig din naman sa akin ni Carlos ng sadya. "I can't believe you're doing this all because of a g—"

"Fuck you. I'll drop this call."

Javier barked a laugh. "Woah, easy there asshole. Alright, I'll handle the legal side, make sure everything is airtight. But Carlos... be careful. These creditors... they don't play by the rules."

"Neither do I." Carlos's lips pressed into a thin line. "If these creditors think they can double-cross me, I need to show them otherwise."

Javier let out a low whistle. "Okay, I'll just pull some strings at the consulate to keep things quiet."

"Thanks, man."

"No problem, lover b—"

Carlos ended the call abruptly and looked at me, his expression unreadable.