Love Until It Hurts (Monteverde Series 4)

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Chapter One

Zade Andrei

            "Can you hold this, too?" My sister, Daze, gave me a pleading look, one she has mastered over the years of tireless practice over me and our other siblings, before stretching her arm out to give me another paper bag. We have been going in and out of boutique shops for the past hour that my legs almost wanted to give out.

            "Kuya pa ba ang tingin mo sa akin o shopping alalay mo?" Naiiling na tanong ko bago kunin ang inabot niya. Daze has just gotten back in the country after years of staying in the United States to finish her studies. Ever since she got back, she made it a point to be as involved as she can be in my life and the lives of our twin siblings. She stayed in Bicol for a week with our sister, Ate Alexiana, and afterwards spent another week in Kuya Alexander's penthouse. How she and his wife got along is still a question I don't have an answer to until now.

            "Aren't you happy to be catching up with me? 'Di ba, ako ang paborito mong kapatid?"

            "Si Ate Xiana ang paborito ko. Don't be delusional," biro ko. Kung alam ko lang na ganito ang plano niyang pakikipag catch up ay hindi na sana ako sumama. I cancelled a meeting and two interviews for a potential marketing staff para rito.

            Inikutan niya ako ng mata tulad ng lagi niyang ginagawa noong mga bata pa kami bago pumasok sa isang makeup store. Napipilitang sumunod akong muli at tinignan siya habang namimili ng lipstick shade na babagay sa kanya. Matapos niyang mabili ang gusto ay niyaya niya naman ako sa isang suit tailoring shop.

            "Dahil natutuwa akong makita kang naka suit and tie everyday for work ay sagot ko na ang isang tailored suit for you." Kinindatan niya ako. Binati kami ng staff sa front desk bago pinaupo sa isang malaking bilog na waiting couch sa loob. The staff handed me a portfolio para makita ko ang mga tela at kulay na pagpipilian.

            "I'm so happy to see you in a good place now, Kuya."

            Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya pero hindi ko ito ipinahalata. Nagpanggap akong patuloy na sinisipat ang mga designs sa portfolio.

            "You look so much better in that attire. Though, I hope you get rid of the glasses. Mukha kang strict nerdy boss na mukhang killjoy."

            "Ano?" palatak ko.

            "Strict nerdy boss na mukhang killjoy. In short, ang boring mong tignan. Sinasayang mo ang good genes na ipinasa ni Mom and Dad sa'yo sa paraan ng pag-aayos mo. Naka-gel na buhok, makapal na itim na reading glasses."

            "This is my style," I insisted.

            "Style pa ba ang tawag d'yan?" She giggled as she shook her head.

            Nilapitan kami ng isang staff na may hawak na measuring tape at sinukatan ako. Nang makuha nito ang sukat ay inilista nito 'yon sa laptop sa gilid bago ako tinanong sa style na gusto ko. I wanted the classic black suit and tie, but Daze intervened and insisted that I get the navy-blue color. I shrugged and decided to let her have her way.

            "Let's go eat, Daze, I'm starving." Ininguso ko ang katapat na restaurant. Hindi ko na yata kayang maglakad pang muli papunta sa ibang restaurant sa kabilang side ng mall. Nang makaupo kami sa table ay agad akong nakahinga ng maluwag.

            "Where's Ian, by the way?" I inquired, referring to her boyfriend. My sister is only turning twenty three, but she's already engaged. Personally, it's not something I agree with, but I also believe that I am in no place to tell her she's too young. Hindi ko naman alam kung ano ang pinagdaanan nila ni Ian. She's my sister and I will always back her up sa mga desisyon niya basta wala s'yang inaapakang ibang tao. Besides, Ian is a good man and I have faith that he will take care and look after her.