Chapter 49

The curious neighbors were still in their respective positions. As expected, it's just a matter of speculation. Things that are not new to a person's character.
I just passed them. There is no more time to talk.
They will also find out the whole story later. Especially if someone dares to enter the home of the Alfanos to personally catch up.
I first called Hans to tell him what happened and ask for companion. He immediately said 'Yes', making me feel at ease.
I then took a quick bath. Even the morning skin care routine is just as quick.
I am supposedly so naive at this beauty care remedies. But Kiesha was naturally good at enticing. She encouraged me to use effective products and taught me how to take care of the complexion. Most important is the face that people look at first.
A v-neck ankle length floral dress and white puma shoes I chose to wear. Then he thought of tying his waist -length hair.
"Is that how a person who is looking for someone dresses?"
From the stairs, I barely jumped in panic. The eye quickly turned to Zi.
He was sitting on the back of the sofa. An eyebrow was raised as the gaze hovered over me.
"Why are you here?"
We still talk for a while. But compared to then, there is little change now. I've been trying to avoid him the best I can. Even going to Kiesha's house is limiting me. We don't do regular study session these days. Good thing she wasn't asking about it, nor wondering what happened.
"Waiting for you."
"Will you come with Hans and me?"
"You'll come with me."
"Why, did we talk about it?"
"Why are you avoiding me?" the jaw tightened as he moved to the very foot of the stairs. He was trying to block my way.
"This isn't the right time to talk about nonsense ..."
"Is this because of Hans. You like him huh?"
"Why do you care? Did I interfere with you and Martha?" push me walking down. As he approached her, his heartbeat quickened. But it cannot be made public.
I was right next to him. He wanted to go over, but his strong grip on his waist prevented him.
"Do you want him?" calmly, but with emphasis in his questioning voice.
"Whether I like him or not, you don't care anymore," I backed away just to get away.
But he took a quicker step forward and guided me to the bottom of the stairs. I got caught off-guard. Before I could recoup, I already got jailed by his arms.
"Heck, I'm going somewhere else," my palms pressed slightly against his chest.
"Does he like to kiss better?"
I sighed violently. What was he thinking? I and Hans were just going out for fun. There is no intimacy involve between us.
"Did hunger pass your mouth?" this time, I had intensified the pushing on him. Case it looks like a wall that is unbreakable.
He remained on his ground, looking really dangerous in dark grimace.
"Can Zion, don't bother me. Let's just mind our own lives ... Let's just say I really like Hans, what's the problem there? We have nothing to do with each other, so back off!" I matched the intensity of his gaze.
"Right," he smirked, "We have nothing to do with each other. You're the only innocent and stupid woman bothering my mind lately. But that doesn't mean I like you. I just found you really inappropriate, acting like a fucking saint, when in fact you are just like any others in there. That kiss, in case you have mistook it for something else, was only for a record. You are just an experience Neilani ... "
I was so shocked by what I heard, even the stinging of pain and the fading of unspeakable sadness now that I had personally heard the words from him that I had always wanted to confirm.
Enough there my palm cracked at him. The least I can do to express my hatred.
Its mouth twitched as a strange spark of hatred peeked into its eyes.
"I hate you!" I yelled right into his face, "let go off me you don't matter!"
"Tsk!"
A shuddered look he finally released, before turning away and turning away. It left me almost unable to stop crying.
Until Hans arrived the mood was still grieving.
To his surprise, he didn't ask any more questions. It is thought that it is only because of Kianna's sister that she is emotional.
"Are you okay?" a bottle of water he reached for.
We stopped for a moment opposite seven-eleven. He also went to several places to look for his sister Kia, but none of them saw even a shadow of her.
"I am not fine," I honestly answered. Leaning on his motorbike to ask for support, feeling shaky from fainting, "It's so sick to know the truth. He's so bad ..." a tear daringly dripped down my cheek.
Another, and another, another. Until it multiplies like a broken faucet.
I ended up crying awfully in the middle of busy road. With people around, doing their own thing but had to stop just to take a look at me.
This time, I don"t even care what they think.
I am hurt, and that's all that matters to me ...
Hans moved right in front of me. Slightly bowed, holding each side of his wearing leather jacket. He hides me from the eyes of astonished people.
"Just cry ... Cry all you want," he whispered.
So I did ...
I cried harder. Until I run out of energy and tears.
Until even the grieving feelings become numb.
"Kiesh ..."
I exclaimed after opening the door of Kiesha's room and found her lying on the bed. Idiot again.
Today is the third day of our search for Kianna. Nothing is happening yet, apart from the growing tension of the Alfano family, including our family and people who are claimed to be responsible for the loss of my sister.
Spencer Valle, the first of our recurring personalities. I'm sure- we all know he knows about this. He's the only one we've been listening to with my sister lately.
He was her boyfriend, but how dare he deny it?
I cried again at what was happening. In an instant, all those supposedly happy days were gone. I'm tired too, like them there is a part of the system that wants to give up. Not just because of the blow he was facing, but because of his own emotions that were still raging.
"Why are you here? Let's take the exam today!" he sighed.
It makes me look brave just to scare me. But she must have forgotten how hard-headed I am sometimes.
"You, why are you still here?" I sat down next to him.
"I don't want to go in anymore," his voice trembled. A tear threatened to come out.
We have shed much tears these days. The eyes are already hurting, they are getting eyebags because they often lack sleep.
"We have to ... They are waiting for us," I convinced.
We didn"t study much for the final exam today. Even so, I would have somehow passed. This is our last chance. One last exam, before graduation. My title will depend on the final grade. Was it latin or fail?
Hans helps me with my studies. Even looking, I can still insert the reading of the book on the flight. He helped me understand and remember some items. He is there to help me, to revive the dying heart, and to support me in every endeavor.
"You just-"
"Do you think your sister will be happy when she catches up with you like this? Kiesh will just scold you!" I sighed. It starts to get annoying here, "You know how angry Ate Kia is' right? If you don't want that to happen stand there, we're going to school," I violently slapped her ass. Then go out because you will be getting ready.
Whatever the result is, I will wholeheartedly accept it ...
"I hope to see you all on your graduation," the maestro said goodbye, followed by a sweet smile.
Our exam is finally done. We will hold a diploma next. That idea feels so good. After a few years of hardship, we will also say goodbye to the stage of life as a student.
But I will never forget all the memories. The experiences, good and even bad that honed me as an individual. I will always be grateful to my teachers who became my hero. As well as teachers who give unfair grades, those based on student goodness will be graded.
This is what I am, just an average. Is it a sin to look less than a model? Does it hurt so bad seeing someone like me? Or do you really need to suck just to get noticed? But I can't be someone else just to satisfy a thirst. This is me; studying hard, aiming high, but still get low grades because I can't be a standard!
Kiesha was gone when I went to her classroom. His classmates said he left immediately after the exam. No one knows where he is, nor does he answer the call.
Throughout the process of finding Ate Kia, she had no other desire but to be left alone. Something I wasn't really used to then. But in an unexpected turn of events, its attitude and outlook changed.
I felt so sad for it. I'm changing ... I'm not used to Kiesha meeting now, and will never get used to it. I highly believe the old her will soon comeback. Especially when everything goes well again.
"How long will you destroy us?"
To my surprise I turned my gaze to the right.
As soon as he arrived at the parking lot, he was the first to arrive. Why of all people, is this all I need to see today? He only makes my burden worse, nothing else is said.
"Who's destroying whom?" I didn't feel like answering, then folded my arms.
"You! Zion doesn't pay attention to me anymore because of you. Because of you two, your attention seeker friend!" his palm pressed slightly against my shoulder.
"Attention seeker?" my brows furrowed.
"Yes ... I'm sure his sister isn't really missing. You're just plotting to beg for mercy. You even sympathized with Zion in the mock search-"
"How dare you say that Martha? We are not crazy to do such a thing. Why should we beg, we are not in pain like you ..." I stared at her firmly, "And it's not our fault that Zi prefers to come with us. I guess we aren't boring to be with, after all. "
Did he stand up. Nor did I lose sight of the simple clenching of my fists.
I'm not in the right mood to deal with him even more now. I was just looking for Kiesha's car in the group of parked cars. I want to make sure it's gone. But if I were to come to this scene, I would have just gone straight to the exit.
"You must have thought he'd fall for you," her voice cracked, "Do you know what he told me?"
I will admit that some part of the system has been slightly interested in this question.
"He's just making you nervous, because he knows you like something. He was just messing with you girl, what a pity ..."
"So?"
I have long received that thing. Yes, it still had the same effect on me the first time I heard. But I must understand that I don't have anything else to do, other than to continue moving forward.
This is just a fuckin unrequited love. It can never harm me as an individual.
If only it were easy to say that. If only it hadn't ruined some of my outlook on life ...
"You're the one who's needed, but I'm the one who's loved. I'm the one who's taken care of, I'm the one who's getting married."
"Your flirtation with the part where you're still studying, you're thinking about getting married right away. Please submit your thesis first ... Tsk!"
She must have thought she can win against me, by attacking my insecurities towards her position on Zion's life.
I am lying to say unaffected. But I will put it aside if he wants a realistic and fiery answer.
His gaze grew even darker. I feel like I really want to rush.
"You think you're pretty?"
"No ... But your question makes me think maybe I have a nice property. You look insecure."
"Why would I? I am a model, I regularly receive praises for being pretty."
So immature!
I was secretly hired.
I don't have make-up yet, but did I spread it?
"That's nice ..." I nodded excessively.
"Nice what?"
"It's nice to know someone still found reason to appreciate you."
"How dare you ?!"
He was ready to slap me. But before I could do that, I touched the wrist.
"Gee, what are you doing to him ?!" Zion's nagging question after we were caught in the unpleasant scene.
Run it closer and quickly remove my hand from Martha.
"Ouch!" the bitch suddenly winced. The chest will be more dramatic.
I can"t figure out if I"m really hurting or just hurting.
"Zi, the pain ..." he added in a pleading voice.
"I'll take you to the hospital."
"He hit me," they both turned to me.
Zion, there is no more emotion on his face. But Martha, could not hide the playful delight in the eyes.
I stared at him. I have done nothing!
"I have nothing to do with-"
"I saw it," he cut me off.
Even if I wanted to answer back, nothing was done. The more angrily she turned away, the more the witch acted.
So shameless!
Sister Kianna was also seen during the four days of the search. But the condition was different. Unable to talk, always stunned and with something whispered.
Everyone are so convinced someone did bad to her. It was confirmed that for the first time, after the return, Ate Kia spoke. She said she was raped and tortured. He points out four people at fault. Four people are powerful and able to play the result of the investigation in just one grant of wealth.
Da Silva, Spencer, Dominic, and Jake.
To this day they still deny what was done. Even the friendship formed with sister Kianna will be buried in the pit. As if they were really innocent when speaking to the media, the Alfano family even threatened to sue them back for the damage done to their reputation.
Everything turned into a total mess.
Ate Kianna being a subject of violence, but couldn't even get the justice she deserve.
Tita is now in fifty-fifty health condition. It has lost consciousness in the past. Heart disease has been there for a long time, now it's getting worse so the doctor can't figure out if there's a chance of survival.

Lastly, some of the inverstors and bondholders of AF Enterprise pulled back from the partnership, because the CEO contended the COO of DS Holdings.
I feel so sorry for Kiesha's family. They don't deserve this ... It seems like recently when we were still having fun, we even had a plan to take a vacation after graduation. But now there is a big blow.
I tearfully looked up at the dark sky. The rain was about to fall, perhaps at the same time as my grief.
I am so tired today. Aside from the need to support Kiesha in taking care of sister Kia and aunt, I also need to guide her through the steps that are being taken.
He rushed to the Da Silvas' press conference earlier and was hurt because the guards pushed him outside. If I hadn't obeyed to stop him, he would have insisted on entering again to fight for what was right. The fact will be repeatedly voiced that we will not even be given proof because the police took the evidence and probably threw it away so that we would really look miserable.
This society had unfair conviction of right.
I took a deep breath, then knocked the body on the bed. Here I am now on the rootop, with mama"s pet plants and old -fashioned beds that I meant to assume here so I can have a place to rest in case I think of climbing.
I also setup a lights around. Giving this place at least life and color. Only what I see in the environment can give me strength, be a reason to be thankful for the new page of life.
Today's my birthday. But no one, other than me seems to remember it.
Mama and papa are leading Kiesha today. The older brother is helping to find Tito, because he is the one who is missing again. The emotional and intellectual aspects of it have been severely affected by the fate of one's own family, as well as the hard work of the company.
As long as we wanted to take a little break, the rival's are just doing a great part this time. Ruining a family and reputation just so we'd stop fighting for right.
They are great ... They are very good.
I rubbed my eyes to stop the dripping of another tear that I thought was gone.
There is a part of me that is very tired. I would rather give up and run away. Let the family drown in trouble that has always done nothing but good to us.
They are always there for us in times of failures. During Grant's operation, they helped reduce costs. If not for them, we owe even more today. That"s just one of the things that keeps me from getting rid of this problem.
Their problem is also ours, and vise versa.
If we had just told maybe the truth about big debt, we certainly wouldn"t be thinking about it now. Because they will not hesitate to take responsibility. The thing we didn't want to take advantage of.
They have done enough for us, it's the time to pay back.
I let out a deep sigh a second time.
"Everything will turn back to normal ... Happy birthday Geline," I whispered.
I remained in position, until water finally fell from the sky. One drop at a time, it eventually multiplied and became violent with the wind.
I remained on my position. I really like the cold brought by the rain. It made me remember him, my kind of Cold.
We still meet. It's impossible to stop reaching in one place. Whenever Kiesha goes, even in the hospital corridor.
Martha actually had a heart attack when we met. She was rushed to the hospital and was advised to stay there for days, until now. Only Zion often watches over him. The parents are in another country, while the older siblings are only once in the hospital because everyone has their own life. Also, there is always a commotion there due to their open disgust with Zi. It was always beaten, although to this day it still clung to Martha.
He must have love her real much ...
I wonder what it feels like to be loved back. What will Zion love? Is he jealous? Can you express love openly?
Even on my birthday, he was still the flesh of the mind.
I miss talking to him casually. I miss his smile, his voice, and that kiss ...
I will admit that to this day someone still feels angry at what he said. But even so, my desire to be with her again in the same place that is not obscure prevails.
I just rubbed my eyes, as I felt every drop of rain on my body.
Until I can feel it no more. Until I was wrapped by warm embrace and ears filled with his husky voice. Saying the two words I badly want to hear from someone.
"Happy birthday ..."
That's how I kept sobbing. Even with difficulty, he was forced to get up, to face him.
"Happy birthday," he said once again as he showed me the cupcake he brought on his way up here.
"Thank you," I forced a smile. Still crying wiped away the tears.
He also held an umbrella in his other hand to protect the two of us from the pouring rain. He was standing right in front of me, watching and there was no emotion on his face. Something that I eventually got used to.
"Wish you?"
"To stop breathing even for seconds," I swiftly answered.
"Then do it," he craned his neck to the other side.
"Huh?"
"Close your eyes, halt your breath for a moment and think of your future."
I frowned and shook my head as I exchanged glances with him. After a while, even confused followed his wishes.
I closed my eyes and halt my breath for seconds. Listening to nothing but nature's symphony and the cold wind's graze, imagining ahead my future.
"What do you see?"
"You," I answer quickly.
"Hmmm?"
"You're the one I see Zi ... Cause you're my future."
I let out a faint smile this time as I heard him murmured something, followed by some brutal curses.
Obviously it didn"t like what it heard.
"I am so-"
"Get on your feet now Neilani."
"Why?"
"I am gonna ask for your hand."
"Kay mama ?!"
Why would he do that? He doesn't even like me at the first place. He was just here because he pitied the image of me, celebrating a birthday alone.
I mean ... He was here because of my own will.
This time, I don"t know if I"ll just cry or mourn as I watch her image slowly dissolve. Image in the beginning was just powered by my naughty imagination.
After this I felt every drop of rain again.
To be continued...