"I had a heartache, instead." He chuckled.
Cherry smiled bitterly and looked down, feeling the shame on a greater degree now that someone else knew it.
"How about you? How are you reacting to this? What is your plan? "
Ajie asked, taking the chance fully now that it was Cherry herself who opened it up.
"I cannot fly with an undeveloped wings yet, Adrian. I need to bear this like a clown. She's my mom after all and I understand that this is some kind of a psychiatric disorder. Through it all, she never involved any feeling in this. I am just being worried about Andrew. How would he accept it when he will start to fall in love with her, only to be dumped ruthlessly? He will suffer a double loss because in the first place, he's going to lose me. "
"What could be the reason why your mom behaves this way? It looks like she's doing a form of revenge." Ajie concluded, judging the way she carried this with no emotion involved as Cherry defined it.
"I don't know, Adrian. I wonder if her emotional trauma has something to do with it. She was raped at ten years old by a relative, got pregnant at 13 years old, only to be dumped by my father.The good thing about it was that she never planned even once to get rid of me despite the terrible punishment she got from my grandfather. Not only physically, but to the extent of disowning her as a family. Luckily, my father's parents supported her even if my father refused to take the responsibility. "
Ajie stared at her with unbelieving eyes. He did not see her drink earlier so he was sure she had a clear mind. It so disheartening to see how a young and beautiful woman, who looked happy and strong outwardly, could suffer an emotional deterioration inside.
"Why are you telling me this, Che? Aren't you afraid that I may be spreading this? " He said, looking at her sincerely. He would have preferred to know nothing about it. It was just too heavy to digest.
"I trust you, Adrian. And besides, I have no one to share my pain with, not even Andrew. "
"But relationship should be based on trust... "
"I know but, unfortunately, its not applicable in us. " She shrugged, a gesture which implied that she was no longer happy.
"Don't trust me so much, Che. You don't know me at all. " He warned, and to Cherry's disgust, he was indeed serious about it.
Cherry laughed out loudly, concealing her disappointment.
"You know, Adrian, I don't only trust you, but I also like you. I'm a straightforward person, except to my mom. Give me more time and I will surely fall in love with you."
"Please, don't. Don't waste your feelings. I am no longer available. My heart belong to Allyza Reyes, the one I promised a marriage with. " He chuckled a little but it was the plain truth. He then began telling her their story except those confidential issues.
"I envy her. What did she do to capture you? " She teased, now with a smile.
"Perhaps the way you captured Andrew's heart. "
___
Days passed by like it were regular days for Andrew, Cherry and Miss Perez. Their rehearsals flowed out well as if there were no grievances and their performances, likewise, garnered more praises and admiration. Andrew played out better than his best, perhaps because of his new inspiration. He did not notice the sparkling glints in Cherry's eyes as she sang with Ajie. Not even her warmth which was now poured out on him.
Andrews eyes were now set on a new dimension and his heart fluttered for his new inspiration. Their beach outing became regular and the treachery went on. He had now a new reason for his renewed energy, especially with the vigorous and daring encounters he had with Miss Perez. He even did not notice that Cherry no longer slept in his boarding house since he himself already spent his nights in the heated chambers of deception and lust. Yes, all his nights since he first slept with Miss Perez, the gorgeous, sophisticated and seductive being in his newfound world.
Without them realizing, it was already almost the end of the school year. Cherry surprisingly did better as the president of the student's council. She even broke the highest record in raising the biggest charity fund ever in the history of the students council's fundraising projects.
No one was more inspired than Andrew on the day of his graduation. He gained the reputation as the best performer and he also felt that it was because of him that Glitters band gained the highest fame.
He walked up to the stage with head up high, a symbol of great pride and fulfillment. He was excited to see Miss Perez in the front row to cheer him up. But to his dismay, even a replica of hers did not appear even until the last person left the graduation hall. He went home, hoping for a surprise but even Cherry was not there.
Andrew dared to go to her office without permission and the moment he saw her sitting behind her desk on a very relaxed manner, his anger blew up.
"Haven't I told you that today is my graduation? " He yelled, his tears began to well up in humiliation.
Miss Perez looked at him in the eye and smirked.
"What do I owe you, Andrew? I don't remember that I have an obligation with you. "
Andrews eyes widened in disbelief and his knees began to lose strength.
"What did you say? Were all those moments we shared together holds no worth of me as a person and as a lover? "
Miss Perez then laughed so hard that she teared up, making Andrew wonder if she was indeed the woman he shared many wonderful moments with.
"I'm sorry, Andrew. All those moments were just one of the games I played to relieve my boredom. Certainly no emotions involved. "
Andrew began to shake terribly in anger, frustration and shock. Tears continued to fall from his eyes but Miss Perez just watched him bluntly.