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

Chapter 41

Best

If time heals all wounds, then it's no better than a quack doctor.

Two years have passed, but everything feels like it just happened yesterday. I want to believe in healing, to trust that time will soothe these wounds, but the truth is each day feels heavier than the last. I've just learned to live with it because that's the only choice I have—to move forward, to go on with my life.

Blue finally passed the civil engineering licensure exam, and Bella is doing her best to make it through high school despite everything she's up against. My parents have found their way back to each other, which is not surprising. Carlos is in his final year of law school, and I can hardly believe how fast time has flown.

Everyone is moving forward, chasing their dreams and making it happen. And honestly, I'm happy for them. I'm grateful too, that even after everything I've been through, there are still good things happening in my life. That, in itself, is more than enough.

Ang kapal naman siguro ng mukha ko kung magrereklamo pa ako diba?

"Alright, Beatrice. Your topic will be Euphony Salazar. I want you to dig deep into her lifestyle—explore her fashion inspirations, her daily routines, everything that our readers should know about her."

I nodded as Emma, our senior writer, began distributing our topics for next month's issue. I left Nexus two years ago and moved to Dazzle Magazine, one of the most popular fashion magazines in the country.

I love everything about Dazzle. Dito ako mas nagkaroon ng work-life balance. Naturuan din ako ng mga katrabaho ko kung paano manamit ng tama at mag-ayos ng mukha. Everything here revolves around fashion and trends, kaya hindi na rin nakapagtataka.

"Gago baks ang swerte mo! Mai-interview mo lang naman ang nag-iisang Euphony Salazar samantalang sa akin walang katapusan na DIY fashion hacks na naman," reklamo ni Reggie, isa sa mga naging kaibigan ko dito.

"Baka pwede ka namang humirit ng shout out para sa amin?" si Kat, kaibigan ko rin dito.

I chuckled as I refilled my tumbler. "Keep things professional nga raw diba?"

All of this, and I still think about him. I could move to a different city, and yet I would still long for his boxy smile. I may meet new people and surround myself with them, but I will always find myself searching for him. Move forward. Take a step ahead. But how can I?

How can I move forward when the past won't let me go?

"Fuck professionalism. Hindi naman malalaman ni Emma 'yan!" anas pa ni Reggie.

"Okay, I'll try. Excited din kasi ako," natatawa ko ring hirit.

"Kaya sa'yo kami eh!"

I dyed my hair ash brown in hopes of a new beginning. I grew it out until the tips reached my waist. I now know how to apply the right makeup to make my features glow, especially my doe eyes, which my coworkers often point out they love.

So many changes, and yet my heart still yearns for him.

"May dinner ako bukas. Celebration ng engagement ni Cyril at Nash," I said to Carlos when he got home.

"Okay, what time?" tanong niya habang niluluwagan niya ang necktie niya.

"8 PM raw. Pinapaalam ko lang dahil baka may chance na kasama rin sa dinner na 'yon si Vance."

"It'll be your first time seeing him again after two years, right?" he asked, his tone a bit off, though he looked like he couldn't care less.

I shrugged. "Yeah."