The Mark Of The Beast

Chapter 2

ITS DAY ONE, and here I am, starting to get irritated as I stared at the newly-weds, romancing each other like adam and eve.

I am about to greet them good morning when I saw them, laughing and teasing each other until their lips met, lightly at first, softly, then suddenly my mom groaned as his mouth ground against hers, tasting deeply and intimately.

I swung around when I heard a sound. There's this loud thud and soft whimper and pants filled the kitchen.

Oh my fucking gosh! They are making out in the kitchen in broad daylight!

"Aherm!" I interrupt and chuckled when I saw my mom jump off the counter and fix herself while 'dad' wave his hand and greet me good morning.

"Baon ko po?" I eyed them both.

It was Daryll who hand over the insulated bag to me and I can tell, he is shy.

I checked what's inside and bid my farewell. But before I do, I told them not to be loud and try not to break the anything in half. I dashed out of the kitchen as my mother tried to catch me.

After that, my mom and dad called just to tell me that they will spend 2 weeks in Maldives for their honeymoon.

And because of that, I was left home alone.

THREE DAYS had passed, simula nang umalis silang dalawa for their honeymoon and my life was never the same.

I missed them, but I can't tell them that. Baka kasi masayang ang all-expense paid honeymoon treat sa kanila eh, sayang naman.

Kaya nakuntento ako sa vidcalls namin every night for 30 mins. We talk about anything and even ask for my big brother.

Speaking of big brother, I made peace with him a day after, hindi na kasi siya umuwi ng bahay that time at dumating lang siya nung sumunod na araw.

He's cool with it, I suppose. Nagkamayan pa nga kami, tanda na okay na ang lahat sa amin.

But deep inside of me, I know that something is wrong.

Not that I care, but I can't help it.

We've been in a relationship for two years. Siya na ata ang pinaka-matagal kong naging boyfriend during my college years.

Kung tutuusin, siya rin ang pinaka naghirap sa boyfriend-girlfriend relationship na meron kami pero nagtagal kami.

At first, akala ko maghihiwalay din kami agad like on my previous affairs. Kasi naman, I spent my time more at the library, typical student kumabaga.

Walang time maliban sa pag-aaral, bahay at kay mama. Isa ako sa #teambahay eversince. While Tharsis is an adventure type. Mahilig sa gatherings and such and I know well, that he's a womanizer.

But, back in those days.. I loved him.

Daryll was already at the scene during my sophomore year and I had two broken relationships, for each year.

Reason of breaking up: I'm too boring.

But, after two months after my 2nd breakup on that same year, I met him.

Tanda ko pa nga nung una ko siyang nakita. I bought my favorite food in a cafe and was sipping my caramel frappé nang mapansin ko yung isang lalaki na nasa doorway.

He was tall, dark and oh so handsome like Damon Salvatore..only that he has a pair of midnight blue eyes. Totally darker than the actor's eyes.

I am about to pass him but he blocked my way!

I am so upset at him ng halos hindi niya ako padaanin, lahat ng direksyon, lagi niyang hinaharangan!

And he is actually towering me. My anger started to rise nang mapansin ko na para akong dwende sa kanyang paningin!

His height is somewhat 6'10 ft while I'm 5'8 ft tall.

I got so annoyed! Para siyang pader at poste na nakaharang sa daan. Kung hindi ko pa siya sinampal, hindi siya matatauhan.

After that, I never saw him again and I thanked God for that.

But fate is unkind.

Because days after the incident, I saw him ー again.

THE NUMBER YOU are calling is out of reach. Inis kong in-end ang call at inilagay sa loob ng bag.

Its day 5, nang mapagpasyahan kong mag-grocery. I'm trying to call Maggie for some company since its weekend, pero I think she's out on a date.

Usually kasi, kami ang laging magkasama every weekend. Malimit lang kasi kaming magsama sa work dahil na rin nagpalipat siya nang department, just to be with her "romeo".

I shake my head at the thought, Romeo. Yeah .. right.

My lips thinned when my phone beep. I am about to ignore it but can't dahil sunod-sunod ang notification.

I fished for my phone to check and got an icon from our group chat. I rolled my eyes as I read each chat from my friends.

We are a party of 7, originally we're 8 but one of us, suddenly crossed-over.

My head started to spin nang hindi ko na nasabayan pa ang mga ito sa chat. I decided to turn off the wifi connection that was connected to the store and move along.

Halos pagabi na rin nang makarating ako ng bahay. Buti na lang at tapos na rin akong kumain.

I already parked my car inside the garage and busy tidying things nang biglang nagbukas ang extension door.

"Aileen, where have you been?"

I shrug. "Groceries."

"Groceries." He said grimly.

I arch a brow. "Yeah, groceries..can't you see?" Sabay wagayway ng eco bags sa harap niya.

"Yes, I can see that.." his eyes narrowed. "God, ma belle.." and grab the eco bags. " next time, call me when you're going out!" and head to the door.

While, I got smitten.