Amore Vengativo 25 Chapter Twenty - Four

"Oh, I heard you're back and you stayed with Dad. That's great!" bati ni Chloe kay Craig.

Nagmeet sila sa mall. Chloe is with her friends nang nakita niya si Craig palabas ng gym.

"Hi, Sis. How's life?" kinamusta naman ni Craig.

"Heto, kakarecover lang from accident. Nakakalakad na ako. Thanks to Davina, hindi ako iniwan. And, thank you, Kuya, sa pagaalalay mo kay Dad." pakiwari naman ni Chloe.

"Wala yun. By the way, hindi ko akalain na nanganak si Tita Rowena ng triplets. As in, nagulat talaga ako. Ngayon mararamdaman na talaga ni Maya na hindi na siya only child." sabi pa ni Craig.

Natatawa naman si Chloe sa biro ni Craig.

"And, I find this Maverick cute. Alam mo ba kanina, humingi pa siya ng lunch pack sa akin?" dagdag pa ni Craig.

"Pero, tinapon yon ni Maya. I am sure nilason na niya ang isipan ni Maverick gaya ng paglason sa isip ni Maita. These triplets have different personalities. Isa lang nakikita ko. United they stand, divided they fall." paliwanag naman ni Chloe.

Nagulat naman si Craig, "Huh? Talaga? Hindi ko akalain na sobrang insecure ni Maya sa mga kapatid niya?"

"Well, if I were you, bago ka gagawa ng hakbang para sirain ang pamilya nila, alamin mo muna ang mga ugali ng magkakapatid. Nakaganti ka na dati kay Maya pero napakarahas naman. And, you came back to seek revenge, right?" sabi ni Chloe.

"No. I am here for Dad. I care for him. At isa pa, gusto ko ipamukha kay Dad na dapat kami ni Mommy ang pinili niya instead of Tita Rowena. As I see, mukhang hindi siya nagsisisi nang iniwan niya kami ni Mommy. At ito naman si Mommy, napili niyang ipaampon sa kamag-anak si Giselle. Well, that's life!" pakiwari naman ni Craig.

Sabi naman ni Chloe, "Craig, if you are up to something, kindly include me. Dahil kating kati na akong gumanti kay Maya at sa Mommy niya. Pinahiya na niya ako sa school at sinira pa niya ako sa mga kaibigan namin. Ako tuloy ang lumabas na masama."

"It's ok, Chloe. That's life. Tangapin na lang natin. Sige, I got to go for now." sabi naman ni Craig.

At paguwi ni Craig sa bahay, kinausap siya ng Dad niya. He offered him an internship in the corporate office of his business colleague para naman kahit papaano meron siyang training. At the same time, may matatangap siyang income habang hindi pa siya nakakaenrol next school year. Natuwa naman si Craig sa offer sa kanya ng Daddy niya. And, he is happy that his Dad trusted him.

Kaya kinabukasan, nag-apply si Craig and he attends a brief orientation. He is now officially an office clerk.

Well, sa school, ang drama naman, Chloe brags to her friends how responsible her Kuya Craig is. At narinig ito ni Maverick. Kaya tinanong niya si Chloe, "Nagtratrabaho si Craig sa kaibigan ni Daddy?"

"Yep. You are right!" sagot naman ni Chloe.

"Hi, Maverick! Come and sit with us." bati naman sa kanya ni Cher, ang BFF ni Chloe.

"Yeah, please join us." sangayon din ng iba pang kabarkada ni Chloe.

At naki-join na rin si Maverick sa kanila. Since in that class, there is no seating arrangement, puwede umupo kahit saang seat ang mga estyudyante.

"You know, Maverick? You are a talented musician. And, a very attractive model." sabi ni Cher.

Sinikuhan naman ni Chloe si Cher dahil alam niya kung ano ang ibig niyang sabihin. Kaya pinaliwanagan ni Chloe si Maverick, "I mean, she said that you are pretty. And everyone in school understands what you were gone through. Hindi naman lahat sa school na ito pinanganak with silver spoons in their mouth."

Napangiti lang si Maverick.

At tinanong ni Cher, "By the way, Maverick, how do you feel being left out? I mean, we noticed that Maya is closer to Maita. And, sometimes, you are enjoying in the company of boys. Please don't get offended what I am asking."

Dagdag pa ni Chloe, "Alam mo, Maverick? Nagbulag-bulagan na lang kami sa nakikita namin sa inyong magkakapatid. I mean, we all know Maya is a bully and Maita is an underdog. Look at you! You are smart and talented. You should make friends with cool kids instead of losers like Daniel and Fredo. And, one thing about Daniel. He is kind of weird and a stalker to Maya. And, Fredo? You don't know what's on his mind. But, totally, he is kind of lunatic! Iba siya kung magalit."

"What? I met Daniel in art class. He is fine. About Fredo, he seems thoughtful and kind to his pets. And, Maita is not an underdog. Naging close kasi sila ni Maya dahil siya ang unang kinontak niya when she realized that she has a twin." pakiwari naman ni Maverick.

"Ok! Let's change the topic. We are going to watch a movie this weekend. Would you like to come with us?" tanong ni Cher.

"Uhm! I can't. I need to review for my lessons." sagot naman ni Maverick.

"By the way, how do you feel to have a Kuya around the house? You know, Craig is really a nice guy. I know Maya talked to you about Craig but that's not true. He is just protecting me. And, I and Giselle are his younger siblings like you and your sisters." sabi naman ni Chloe.

Hindi kumibo si Maverick. And, she is doubting if Chloe is telling the truth.

"Ok! If we could not go out to watch a movie this weekend, we can go to your house. I know, it's weekend. And, I want to see my crush, Craig." sabi ni Cher.

"Huh?" gulat naman ni Maverick.

Pinagsabihan naman ni Chloe si Cher, "Oh, shut up! Kuya Craig must be busy. And, Maverick needs to catch up with her lessons."

"Ha? Ang boring naman!" saway ni Cher.

"You, guys, are really funny!" sabi ni Maverick.

"Basta, Maverick, if I were you, don't let anybody push you around. Dahil mahirap na, baka ako ang makakalaban nila." paalala ni Chloe.

At pumasok na ang mga ilan pa nilang kaklase sa classroom. Napag-isip-isip din ni Maverick ang advise sa kanya ni Chloe.

During lunch break, Chloe invited Maverick to sit with them. Maverick accepted the invitation. And, she noticed Chloe is having a tuna sandwich for lunch and an apple for dessert.

Chloe said, "It is so nice talaga if we are eating healthy. After college, I will take Pre-Med just like Kuya Craig."

"Wow! That's also my dream." sabi naman ni Maverick.

Dagdag pa ni Cher, "At hindi masama kung nagbabaon tayo na healthy na pagkain kesa bibili tayo sa canteen. Mahal na tapos ang oily pa."

Tumahimik lang si Maverick while she is looking at her food. Currently, she is having beefsteak and rice. On the other hand, Maya and Maita is observing their sister from a far. They never say any word.

At home, using the Internet, Maverick is surfing for healthy recipes na puwede niya ipaluto kay Yaya Ising. And she asked Yaya Ising to cook them with olive oil or vegetable oil. Because of the advise of Chloe, she is enlightened to watch out for her health.

Nagtataka naman si Mrs. del Real because Maverick suddenly concerned about her health. And, she is asking her Dad if he could let her enrol in a gym to have daily workout. Her dad agreed as long as Craig is there to guide her.

In the following weeks, Maverick is spending more time in studies, gym and music class. And, she sits with Chloe and her friends during lunch. And, Maya lost her patience. She thinks that her twin is brainwashed by Chloe.

She confronted Chloe, "What's your problem? Siguro naiingit ka because you don't have a sister to spend time with. Oh, I remember? You are an only child."

"Oh, shut up! Don't you forget that you are once an only child too until you go ballistic when you found out that you have a lost twin?" sabi ni Chloe.

"And, what did you tell Maverick about me and Maita? Bakit niya kami iniiwasan? I know na pakana mo lahat ng ito. Kung alam ko lang na ikaw ang may pakana ng pagdukot at pagsira ng mukha ko, I will promise myself that you will suffer." sabi naman Maya.

"Boo-hoo! As in! I am the mastermind? Are you nuts? I also had an accident but I didn't blame you. Get real, Maya. For now, you will feel sorry for what you have done to me. I know the reason why you are looking for your sisters. Not because you feel lonely and desperate, because Dad is already gave up on you because you are a jerk!" pakiwari naman ni Chloe.

Gatong pa ni Cher, "And, can you please excuse us? We are already late for our class."

As their heading to their class, Maya shouted back, "I promised that you will never win this game, Chloe. I once defeated you. I will defeat you again."

"Oh, shut up and go to hell!" sagot naman ni Cher.

Sinabihan naman ni Chloe si Cher, "Forget that girl, Cher!"

When they left, she called Fredo. Fredo is currently at the gym for basketball practice. He is sitting on the bench when the phone rings.

"Hey, girlfriend! Wuzzup! You needed a hand?"sabi ni Fredo.

"Oh, Fredo? Stop it. Some people might hear you. I need you to do something for me. It's about Chloe." sabi ni Maya.

"Oh, she never learn her lesson. It's ok. I will do it for you." sabi ni Fredo.

After school, Chloe noticed something strange. The tires of her car are flat. And there is a red paint marking that says, "Cheater". The other students in the parking lot are staring and mocking at her.

Sabi naman ni Cher, "Here we go again! We go against that bitch, and that bitch is hunting us! What are we gonna do?"

Then, Chloe tried to get her cellphone from her bag but there is motorcycle that is rushing against them. Sa pagilag nila, nabitawan ni Chloe ang cellphone at nasira pa.

"Now, how can I call Kuya Craig?" sabi niya.

"I think your plan is waisted since Maya is the Queen Bee. What the Queen Bee wants, the Queen Bee will get. Just return her twin back and start to live an ordinary life. " dagdag pa ni Cher.

"Oh, c'mon! Would you please shut up!" sabi ni Chloe nang nangagalaiti siya sa galit.

Davina is driving herself in the parking lot. Then, she saw Chloe and her friends. She invited them in.

Sabi pa niya, "Chloe, hayaan niyo na lang ang driver ang umasikaso n'yan. As for now, we should lie low. Let's see what else she can do, and then tell Craig. As for me and Violet, we are looking for clues."

Nagets na ni Chloe ang ibig pahiwatig ni Davina. She is glad that Davina is on her side. And then, she and her friends joined Davina for a ride.

...

Chapter end