•WORTH A SECOND LOOK 2™• - WORKING PDF LINKS - PAGE 234!

[norilicious]

homaygad. eto na. hahahahah!!!!!!!! i've been constantly going off and on the internet for this!!!! screw the portable internet connection i'm using! it's not as fast!!!! anyway.... eeeeet. excited na talaga me.

[aiwwapoot]

ate katt
EXCITED na ako masyado..hindi ko na kaya..
pinipigilan ko na talaga tong antok ko,
para lang mabasa tong update mo
EXCITED NA AKOOOOO

[aj27]

Ate Katt... excited na ako. hahaha! naloloka na ako dito. haha! 

[allaroundprincess]

Chapter 52
click me!

Ria’s POV

“HOY!” I shouted, snapping my fingers right in his face.

He stared, his mouth slightly agape.
Bless him. The guy couldn’t even speak.
I laughed out loud, sat up properly and took a peek at the necklace that was now sitting on my neck. He was looking at it too, his face half-apprehensive, half-hopeful.

“I thought you said you’d get the gist?”

“Yeah. But— I dunno… it’s too good to be true.”

I resisted the urge to slap him, to get him back to reality.
He seems to be LPU today.

“You prat, d’you think I’d joke around with stuff like this?”

“No… of course not!”

His lips broke into a wide smile, and then he hugged me.

“Baliw! I actually thought you were being wild or something. ”

“Haha! Do I look like the type who’d do that?” I shot at him as I broke off.

“Not really.”

“What if I do get wild?” I asked him, coming closer and grabbing his collar.

“I’d really like to see you try.”

“Pun intended?”

“I… guess it depends?”

He was still laughing when I went for the kill and kissed him full on the mouth. Before I knew it, I was losing control while he kissed me back intensely, my hand resting on the side of his face—

And then he broke off.

“What—

“You girls aren’t the ones who’s supposed to initiate it.”

“And you’re bringing this up NOW?” I asked incredulously.

“Fine, I’ll bring it up later,” he said, then this time he started it. I felt all of my inhibitions slip away as he pulled me closer towards him, and then our faces moved sideways, wanting to try it from the other end—














But then the other hand I was using for balance was slipping off the bed—

“OUCH!”

We fell down in a heap as I instinctively pulled him down with me. I landed with my back on the floor, with him ending up on top—

Using his free hand, he slightly pulled himself away.

“Ang clumsy mo kahit kelan! ”

“If there’s anyone to blame, it’s you,” I told him. “Cuz you make me fall for you over and over.”

“Ang corny mo!”

“I love you,” I said, looking him in the eye and meaning every single word. Carressing his cheek, I saw him smile.

“I love you too.”

“I love you more!”

He laughed, and then we kissed again, and again…
And again.


DARN. I AM SO LOSING COUNT OF THIS.

“Aray… teka lang nga…”

He stopped and helped me sit up, then I went to look for the sharp thing that was going against my back.

“What’s that?”

It was a key.

“Ano naman to?” I asked him, holding it up against the light. “The key to Karissa’s condo?”

“Course not,” he said, his smile vanishing. “It’s for my mom’s art room. Don’t be jealous.”

He kissed the tip of my nose.

“Talaga? Can we go there?”

His smile gradually faded.

“Wag na.”

“Bakit?”

“Wag na kasiii. Mas masosolo mo ko dito.”

AY NAUGHTY.
Sinapak ko nga. Pero mahina lang.

“Come on,” I said, standing up. I pulled him by the hand. “Ano ba meron dun?”

“No idea. Hindi pa ako nakapasok dun eh.”

“Bakit?”

“Basta.”

I stared at him, lost.

“Galit ka pa ba sa mommy mo?”

“Let’s not talk about her, okay?”

“Lance—

“Next time na lang, please?” he asked, pouting.

PACUTE.
Almost worked, though.

“No. Now na.”

“Ria… I’ve always wanted to go there when I was a kid, but she kept me out at all times. I see no point in trying to do that now— even if she isn’t here anymore. She would want me out.”

He went and helped me stand up, but busied himself with the beddings with his back turned on me.

“Bakit pa yan ibibigay sayo ng Daddy mo kung ganun nga?”

“How should I know?” he asked. “Don’t ask me to fathom the way my father’s mind works. He’s quite an insane douchebag.”

“Lance!” I said exasperatedly. “Don’t be like that!”

“Look, I hate her. I don’t give a damn—

“To hell you don’t,” I snapped. “You long for her, for a mother’s love.”

“Which she never cared to give.”

“Don’t you get it?” I asked him exasperatedly. “That room might have all the answers.”

“When she died, I swore I’d forget everything and shun every single memory I had of her,” he told me sternly. “I’m doing quite a good job at it, so I must ask you to please try not to ruin all that.”

“It’s been eight years! Can’t you find it in yourself to forget your stupid ego and finally face it?”

“Exactly my point, Ria!” he said, his voice a bit raised as he turned to face me. His eyes were filled with anger. “Eight years worth of pain and a whole lot of bull sh1t! It’s difficult enough to put it all behind me, and to ask me to go back there and bring everything back in full measure… I must say it’s a bit too much.”

I’ve never seen him this angry, but I was not intimidated at the very least.
Looking him straight in the eye, I went and put my hands on his face.

“Who said you’re taking it all by yourself?” I asked him, smiling. “I’m here.”

“What are you talking about?” he asked angrily.

“I’m going with you.”

“No,” he replied, taking my hands off him. “I can’t.”

“Yes you can, and you will.”

We stared at each other, fighting a battle of wills. He was first to look away.

“Lead me there,” I ordered him.

He sighed and walked outside. I followed him, afraid he would go somewhere else, but he didn’t. I grasped his hand, and though I knew he was quite pissed with me he did not shake me off. We took all the time in the world as we walked hand in hand through the dimly-lit corridor. The place looked lonely—it seemed like no one had used it for years. It led to a dead end, where an old door stood alone.

It looked very old indeed. The knocker was made of brass and it shone in the dark—casting a rather gloomy kind of beauty about it, and I stared in awe.

As I gave him the key, he stared at me, as though getting himself ready for the worst. His free hand remained at his side, refusing to take it.

“Dude,” I said, smiling. “Come on. You’re better than this. ”

“Fine,” he replied. “You owe me frozen yogurt.”

Roughly, he got the key from me… I heard a click, and little by little, he had opened it.

My jaw fell as I laid my eyes upon the room. It looked like a mini-library, only there was more.

There was a stack of canvas stretched on frames, and a violin was sitting serenely on top of a dusty piano, which had a little picture frame on it—

CLICK

Lance picked up the frame and stared at it, his eyes wide. His grip on my hand tightened.
He laid it back down on the table and looked around the room. Slowly, he took it all in— perhaps even feeling his mother’s presence again.

I watched his face for any trace of emotion—there was none.

Leaving him, I went and explored the room myself. The corners were dusty, some full of cobwebs, but it was distinctly beautiful.

When I looked back at him, he was holding something that looked like a black dinner plate. He was exploring it closely.

“What’s that?”

“A phonograph record,” he said, blowing puffs of dust off it. “It’s labeled with her name.”

“Wow. Play it,” I told him.

“Will this still work?” he asked, gesturing towards the phonograph. It was still shiny.

“It’s worth a try.”

Shrugging, he went and put the record on the player.

Amazingly, it started playing—I recognized it as the sound of a violin.
My jaw dropped. It was a piece from Phantom of the Opera. (click!)

No piece of music had touched me this way before.

“Wow,” I said in awe. “She’s marvelous.”

He did not reply, and his hand simply gripped the sides of the piano, his back turned on me.

I chose not to speak again. I knew he was in deep thought— and as he stood there, staring at thin air, I went and got the picture frame into my hands.

Looking around, I noticed it was the only picture in the room. The frame was ornate— old, plated with gold, its edges a bit faded…

Something about the piano caught my attention. The surface was uneven.

“Lance?” I asked. “Why is this—

I lifted the lid and found a red, dog-eared notebook.

“What’s that?”

“I think it’s her journal,” I said, wiping dust off the cover. “You might want to check.”

He looked both apprehensive and excited as I handed it to him.
As I did, something fell out of it…

Lance was too busy scanning the notebook to notice. I picked it up and read it.

The music changed.

November 6, 19**

Lance, anak… I’m sorry I had to push you away today… again.

“Hey,” I said. He came over and read it with me.

And of all the days that I could’ve chosen, I had to shoo you away on your special day… your ninth. Only goodness knows how proud I am.
You have no idea how it broke my heart, seeing you run away from me like that.

I felt his hand on my shoulder.

I’m sorry… I’m scared that what I have might be contagious. I do not want you to get through any of this… I just can’t risk it. Forgive me.

Writing this card is the only way that I could tell you everything, for there is no time left for explaining… although I know giving it to you would be of no use, for you would not be able to understand— despite being the smart boy that you are… you’re a tad too young to understand the complications… but there is no need to worry… you never cease to make me and your father proud.

You might not know what I am thinking of right now, but it’s okay. I’d rather do all this than risk you, and I do not want to be weak… I do not want you to remember me as a weak person, for that is the last thing that I want you to be.

Pero anak, I know you’ll be fine. You are a strong boy, I see it— even as you ran away from me today, with tears on your bright, wonderful eyes… Son, you have no idea…

Lance, hijo… forgive me. But if there’s one thing I learned— and I want you to learn it too— it’s that love entails sacrifice. Yes, I am enduring the greatest pain from keeping myself from you… but it makes me happy knowing that what I am doing is for your own good.

Happy Birthday, Anak. I love you.

Mama

The letter shook in my hands.
I turned to look at him, and he laughed as he used his free hand to wipe my face.

“Why are you crying?” he asked, smiling. “Silly.”

“Kapal mo!” I exclaimed. “Ikaw rin eh.”

“Ok ka lang ba?”

“I’m fine! It’s just—

He shook his head and simply pulled me towards him. Ang weird nga eh, parang siya pa yung nagcocomfort sa akin when in fact, ako yung dapat na gumagawa nun.

Kung hindi ba naman kasi ako sandamukal na iyakin eh. Kainis.

“Isang araw, puntahan natin siya,” he said, caressing my hair. “Magsosorry ako saka ipapakilala kita.”

“I hope she’ll like me,” I said, breaking off from him and frantically wiping my face with my sleeve.

“Oo yan,” he said chuckling. “Kung hindi, aawayin ko siya. ”

“Baliw.”

“Tara. Kawawa naman yung waffles. ”

[allaroundprincess]

Continued…



He pulled the handbreak and only then had I been aware na nasa tapat na pala kami ng bahay namin. As he killed the engine, I looked at him and wondered where we would be going from here.

“I’ll—

“Yeah, you tell them.”

Natawa kami.

“Basta bukas ah. Ortigas. One San Miguel Building, 49th floor. 8 pm.”

“Ang bilis mo magpareserve ah! ” I told him as I got the seatbelt off. In a quick movement, he had gotten off the car and was now at my side, opening the door for me.

“Ako pa.”

I simply smiled at him as I went and opened our gate.

“Ria.”

“Bakit?” I asked, turning to look.

“Halika nga saglit.”

Lapit naman ako. Baka importante.
Tapos bigla na lang nya kong hinila tas niyakap. Yung wild na hug. Sobrang higpit, okay

“HOY! CHANSING KA NA NAMAN!”

“Takte wag ka epal! ”

“Ano ba nangyayari sayo?” I asked as I hugged him back. “Hindi pa nga ako pumapasok ng bahay namiss mo na ko agad! ”

“Wala lang, I kinda owe you.”

“No you don’t! And besides… it’s supposed to work that way,” I said, and he slowly let go of me. “From today on… I’ll be at your side. Everywhere. Magsasawa ka. ”

“Hindi rin.”

“Sabi mo yan a.”

“Oo naman.”

Inakbayan nya ako. Yung tipong parang ayaw niya ako pakawalan. I felt safe… something I’ve never felt with anyone else.

“Ri.”

“What.”

“I’m scared.”

“Sa mumu?”

Binatukan ba naman ako.

“Badtrip naman e. T_T”

“Sorry na sorry. ”

“Wala lang. Baka mawala ka na naman bigla eh. Hahahaha.”

Taena kinilig na naman ako.
Pauso kasi eh. Che.

“Hindi na. Promise.”

“Siguraduhin mo,” sabi niya, tapos sabay kami pumasok sa bahay. “Baka sa susunod di ko na kayanin.”

“ULUL.”

“GAG0, seryoso.”

“Ume-Edward Cullen amputs.”

“Bakit?”

“You sound so gay!”

“Sapakin kita dyan nakita mo.”

“That’s more like it. Ganyan ang Lance ko. GAYOT. Machong macho. OKAY?”

“Nakikigayot leche. Nakakainis. ”

“Don’t worry,” I said, then I went to face him. “Mas hindi ko kaya pag wala ka.”

Standing on tiptoe, I put my arms around his neck and kissed him.
Pero quick lang. We’re in my kitchen, for crying out loud.

“Bume-Bella Swan. ”

“GAG0.”

I punched him in the stomach.
Bella pala ah. Buwiset.

“Anak?”

“Hey ma,” I said, then I kissed her on the cheek. “This is Lance.”

“Hello, hijo,” said my mom, then they shook hands and nagbeso din. “Thanks for bringing her home safely.”

“Maaasahan nyo po ako dun, Ma. Hehehe.”

“Good boy. ”

Nagkasundo agad? Tama ba yun? HAHAHA NAKAKAINIS.
Sipsiiiiip!

“Ma, bukas, pupunta po kami ng Ortigas. Ok lang po ba?”

“Oo naman. Basta ikaw kasama eh. ”

“Thanks po.”

“Sige, may hinahanap pa ako.”

She left for the laundry room.

“O siya. Goodnight na.”

He got my face in both hands and kissed me. TAKTE. Gumanun.
HOT KO KASI EH.

“I love you.”

“Love you more.”

With a last smile, he went and left the kitchen, leaving me dazed, feeling happier than I’ve ever been in my entire life.


I pressed the unlock button on my car keys, giving my watch a glance.
Dammit. It’s 7pm. Taking EDSA traffic into consideration, I don’t think I’ll make it in time—

“HIJA!” yelled my Mom’s voice. “You left your phone!”

Darn. Natataranta na ako.
CHILL RIA. It’s just dinner.
In some skyscraper’s rooftop in Ortigas. Yeah. Nothing special.

It’s not like he’s going to propose, kay?
Ang feeling ko naman.
Pati 17 years old pa lang kami ano. LECHE ang feeling ko talaga! Hahahaha!

KAYA CHILL. CHILL!!! Nothing to be nervous about.
Kayy. Breathe in breathe out.

“Ria naman,” my mom said as I entered the living room. “Kita mo nang worried na worried kami na ipagdrive ka sa EDSA tas iiwan mo pa tong phone! Paano ka namin cocontactin when you get there? Susginoo naman hija—

“MOM! CHILLAX KAYY. ” I told her. Kinuha ko yung phone sa kanya then I hugged her. “I can take care of myself.”

“Just give us a call, okay? And sabihin mo kay Lance ihatid ka rito!”

“Yes Ma!”

“O siya, 8 ang usapan nyo! Lumayas ka na nga! ”

Tama ba yun?
Labo ng nanay ko! HAHA SABAW E.

“Bye ‘Ma! Love you!” I yelled as I went out of the gate. Opening the door, I threw my purse into the passenger seat and turned the ignition.


Aidan’s POV

“I’m really worried,” Elle said, pacing up and down. “It’s 9:30.”

“Den, sumagot na ba?”

“Hindi eh.”

“Pero sabi ni Tita Liz 7 pm pa daw umalis eh,” said Lance, who was standing up near the candlelit table. “Hindi naman ganun katraffic no? Ano na ba nangyari dun?”

“May number siyang Sun, diba?”

“She’s not using it anymore.”

“P*ta nag-aalala na ko e. Hanapin na kaya natin sa EDSA?”

“Saan? Ang laki ng EDSA!”

Lance went and got his coat.

“Bahala na.”

“Anong gagawin mo?”

“Maghahanap malamang.”

“Sa laki ng EDSA aabutin ka ng magdamag!”

“Wala akong pakialam. I’m going to find her at all costs.”

Wala na sa aming nakapigil sa kanya, since tumakbo na siya sa loob at sumakay ng elevator.

At that precise moment, his phone beeped.

“O, tingnan mo dali baka si Ria na yan,” I told Elle.

She swore loudly.

“What?” I asked. She handed me the phone wordlessly, and on her face was a look of pure shock.

I wasn’t quite ready for what Ria’s message contained.

From: Ria Antonio

I don’t think I can do this. I’m sorry.

Hello!  Hope you guys liked it <3

[untamed77angel]

First!

EDIT:

CCQB, I seriously didn't expect the last part! Hats off to you! You really know how to pull the greatest cliffhangers here in CC. Love it, love it, love it! ;]

Congrats to our first B2B2B! Hope they'll be more in the future. Haha.

[aiwwapoot]

SECOND!
OMFG..
im freakkiinn hyperventilating overr heree..
*basa mode*

[allaroundprincess]

haha! congrats Betas! <3 hot nyo okay! WHEEHEE

[aiwwapoot]

goosssshhhh.
anu nangyari kay ria?
ngayon ko lang narealize.
masfeel ko na si lance para kay ria kesa kay gelo..
pero bakiit ganun? si riaa!!!

[Czaaa]

Omigod. Is this a freaking setup?!?!?! 

Okay na eh!!   sayang yung dinner

[curiousity kills]

asdgfjhklnmn. di ako first. >.<

gosh. RIA and LANCE are so sweet together.
tumu-twilight din ah.LOL. so yeah, I kinda miss.. GELO. xD
GELO,namimiss na kita with Ria.

PS. ate katt!~ you and ate gellie are the best!CCQBs FTW!

[Lonely Procrastinator]

OMG. Ano nangyari? Bakit hindi tumuloy si Ria? idnap? Other guy? What's the reason?! :x

[aj27]

OMG! What happened to Ria!??!?!?! Waaaaahh! I'm excited again for the next chapter can't wait to know what happened. Gosh!!
Hello Ate Katt!! Really, really great chapter!  b2b2b event was really worth waiting for. Thank you for the very nice gift to all of us.  God bless!

[sweetrax]

Woah. What happened to Ria?

First scene was hot. Haha. Kiiiiisss! 

Hi Katt. I finally had the chance to comment here. Hehe

[it_must_be_me]

WEH ATE KATT. HAHAHA JOKE. <3

Alam mo namang lab ko toh dahil kahit pano may moment si Lance. XD ang haba pala nito dito. =/ YAY CONGRATS NAPOST MO NA!