That was my first encounter with him. The five years gap made sense too. When I was second year in college, I often see him in the clubs that my cousins used to hangout since he and my cousin Andrew are best of friends.
Even though our family business compete with each other, both of our families remained friends.
I never saw him flirting with women even though all the women in the would beg for him to please them. I really thought he would end up marrying someone his age considering that I am too young for him too.
We never had a proper conversation ever since instead we just exchange stares but that's it.
I am in the middle of spacing out when my phone rang and it says my cousin Desire is trying to contact me.
"Hello." I greeted.
"You'll go, right?" she asked.
I could sense her worrying. I know that she's in trouble too. She had to pick up the pieces of her life and I don't want to add.
" Yes, I'll go. In Fiasco Club?" I asked.
"Yes, 8pm sharp, see you." she added.
"Alright, I'll hang up now." ani ko at ibinaba na ang tawag.
I get ready. I planned to wear a white silky dress and a beige blocked heels. I just want to keep it simple yet elegant looking. I added accessories and light makeup to accentuate my beauty too.
I have arrived in Fiasco Club in time. I hurriedly went to the VIP room and saw my cousins there.
"Good evening." I said.
I saw all of my cousins are here. Allow me to introduce them.
My grandparents in mother side have five children.
The firstborn would be Uncle Timothy which have three children. They are Ate Samarah and Ate Rej that are currently residing overseas where their husband live. Also, Kuya Rene , a bachelor that owns an airline company.
Next, would be my mother named Keira, she had me. The third child of my grandparents is Uncle Marvin that are also living in overseas with my cousin Gabriel and his wife.
The fourth child of my grandparents is Uncle John which also have three children. Andrew who owns a car company. Irah who are one of the people that manages our grandparent's business and Roland who's is still in college.
Lastly, it would be Uncle Xerxes. He had ate Desire who is currently a professor and Nexus who is still college just like Roland.
Irah and Ate Desire hugged me tight as soon as they saw me.
"I heard what happened." Irah said.
"Sorry I was absent minded. You know I have been struggling too." Ate Desire explained.
"I fully understand ate." I said.
Irah grabbed my hands. Then she looked at me . I know she's trying to say that it's alright for me to cry.
I guess there are no tears left to cry. I was exhausted. I just wanna grab a drink then forget this shit that has happened to me.
"Kia, I know you are mad at us but we really tried our best to convince our parents that it is absurd." Irah explained.
"I'm sorry Kia, I never thought that they planned this out. I was busy fixing my divorce and legal plans for our kids." ate Desire added.
"You obviously know that ate Samarah and ate Rej aren't here. They too have the same situation as yours but the difference is they learned to love them. They are only the one that can give you a best advice among all of us" Nexus remarked.
Kinuwelyuhan ni kuya Rene si Nexus. " So you are saying that you freaking agree with their decision?! Huwag kayo magpapasilaw sa mga tang*nang Axel na iyan!" Galit na sambit ni kuya Rene.
" I'll just close my mouth here and try to be unbiased since Axel is my friend." Andrew said.
"Nakita ko kung paano naging miserable nung nasa parehong posisyon ni Kia ang dalawang babaeng kapatid ko. Rej and Samarah suffered at ayaw ko iyon mangyari sa bunsong babae sa ating magpipinsan. " Kuya Rene uttered.
"Pero kuya alam mo bang hindi sapat ang finances natin para sa next operation ni Lolo!" Roland blurted out.
"Kaya si Tito Timothy ay walang choice na lumapit sa mga Morelli." Roland added.
Hindi makapaniwala si kuya Rene sa sinabi ni Roland. Parang nilamon niya ang sinabi niya kanina nung narinig niya na ang daddy niya ang nanghingi ng tulong.
Alam niya na hindi niya kayang baliin ang desisyon ng kaniyang ama katulad ng pagpapakasal ng dalawa niyang kapatid nang sa wala sa oras.
Halos nakakabinging katahimikan ang umalingawngaw sa silid.
"I'll d-do it. Para kay Lolo" saad ko.
"Maybe there's another way. I'll find a way." pagupumilit ni kuya Rene.
"No kuya, I'm already grateful to you for defending me. The only thing in my mind is Lolo. "I said.
" Look Kia-" he said but I cut him off.
"I can't afford to lose him too kuya. Mababaliw na lang ata ako kung pati siya mawala sa akin." I said before walking the hell out of there.
"You know what? Let's just drink this out. You agree Kia?" Andrew remarked.
I immediately grab the drinks . Offered Andrew the other where he muttered "cheers".
I plastered a smile then drink the liquor. Hindi ako sanay uminom subalit hindi ko alintana ang lasa nito. Huminto ako saglit nang ako ay nakaramdam ng pagkahilo.
"Lasing ka na,Kia." saway ni Kuya Rene.
"N-No I a-am not k-kuya." I barely said.
" You should probably stop na,Kia." Ate Desire said.
In just one night let me just forget about Brett. Or not.
"Cr l-lang a-ako." I lied.
Instead of going to the bathroom. I grabbed my car keys. Pinaharurot ko ang aking sasakyan sa condo ni Brett.
Baka epekto lang ito ng alak. Nalimutan ko ang aking utak. Dali-dali akong pumasok. Hindi ko na napansin ang kantyaw ng guard sa akin.
All I could think of is that. Gusto ko si Brett. I'll chose him now before I would change my mind again.
I have a spare key to his apartment. I opened the door. It was dark. I opened the switch to my horror, I saw Brett kissing a woman...naked.
"Oh Ghad." I whispered.