SEVEN YEARS AGO

AVIE’s head seemed to burst, so she decided to come home early that day to rest. She blames all the school works that stress her out this semester. It’s been a hell week since midterm is approaching.

Strangely, no one was around when she entered the gate. But the door to the foyer was slightly opened. It was past five in the afternoon, and the housekeepers were supposed to water the plants in the garden. She went inside the house and found no one. Even the quarters were empty.

“Where did everyone go?” She scratched her head.

Did the housekeepers go out? But why? Each has her rest day; there is no way no one would be there.

Avie was about to come up to her room when she heard moans coming from the study. She prowled to the door and stuck an ear. She gnashed her teeth upon hearing continuous moans and groans coming from the study.

She opened the door and caught her father having sex with his secretary. They still have their clothes on, but it doesn’t change the fact that they were having sex. And what hurts her the most, her father’s mistress was none other than Theo’s mother.

Tears welled from her eyes.

“D-Dad… A-auntie… how could you do this?” Avie said in disbelief.

“Avie, you must understand. I’m a man with needs, and your mother is not always around,” her dad said as he fixed himself.

“What?” she snarled. “You want me to keep your infidelity a secret?” She scoffed. “That’s ridiculous!”

Avie scowled at Theo’s mother, who hid immediately behind her dad.

“Fuck you both!” she screamed before leaving the study.

She walked out of the house, crying. Avie couldn’t believe what she had just witnessed. Her heart was about to explode with so much hatred. Her dad ruined their families. And he destroyed the most precious thing she cherishes the most—her friendship with Theo.

Avie wandered on the street. She didn’t care what other people would think about her. She just wanted to go far away. Avie only stopped when she could not feel her legs anymore. She sat on the gutter and cried.

THEO’s phone rang. He left the motorcycle he was repairing and quickly answered the call. It was Avie’s father.

“Yes, Sir?”

“I don’t want to disturb you at work, Theo. But I need your help. Avie ran away from home, and we couldn’t find her. You are his best friend. Maybe you know where she had gone to,” said Sir Augusto.

“I’ll find her, Sir.”

“Thank you, Theo. Call me once you found her.”

The call ended.

He looked at his clothes full of grease. He has no time to change because he needs to look for Avie. Theo grabbed an umbrella and ran outside the shop.

“Theo, where are you going?” his boss yelled.

“Sorry, Boss. I had to find my girl,” he shouted back.

He went to the nipa hut by the river where he and Avie spent some leisure time, but she wasn’t there.

“Where are you, Avie?”

Theo continued his search.

He must find her. She might be feeling cold and scared at the moment. Avie doesn’t like the rain because she was afraid of lightning and thunder.

PRESENT TIME

“Avie, is that you?”

Her body instantly froze upon hearing her father’s voice.

“D-Dad…” She swallowed hard.

He strode towards her, smiling.

“I thought you’ll decline my invitation again.” He spread his arms, inviting her for a hug. “It’s been seven long years. Don’t you miss me, my baby girl?”

She drew her lower lip between her teeth. How could her father say that as if he didn’t do anything wrong in the past? Avie heaved a sigh and hugged him, just for show.

“I want to have a word with you,” he whispered in her ear before distancing himself from her.

“Sure.”

Her dad ushered her out of the hall. They went to one of the suites.

Avie and her dad sat across each other.

“I’d like to know what made you change your mind,” he said. “Since you left home after your mother and I separated, I didn’t hear anything from you.”

Avie leaned on her seat, crossed her legs, and clasped her hands above her lap. Of course, there is no way she would tell him what her mom told her.

“I heard you are doing good after all these years. I had to see it myself.” Her lip twitched.

“It’s because I don’t regret choosing Cristeta over Regina. She is way better than your mother.”

Her brow arched involuntarily. He still loves adding insult to injury.

“Does it also mean that your stepson is better than me?” she asked.

“A son will always be far different from a daughter, and you must understand that, Avie.” Her dad smiled, a sly smile; she knew pretty well what it meant. “But I will give you a chance to make it up to me, sweetie.”

“Me?” She sneered. Avie was not even interested in making up with her father. But if it could give her leverage, maybe it was not a bad idea.

“Mmm… I am running for senator this coming election,” her dad told her.

“Then I bid you good luck, Dad,” she said.

“Why don’t you help me with the campaign? I heard you are working at Fantasia. Maybe you can use your connections.”

“Oh…” It only took her dad a few minutes before he showed his true intentions.

And then, there was a loud knock at the door.

“Come in,” her dad said.

The door opened, and Theo went in.

“Dad, the guests are looking for you,” he said.

Avie could not help but raised her brow when she heard Theo addressed her father Dad. It seemed that the two got along well.

“Oh, I need to head back to the party.” Her father rose from his seat. “Come with me, Avie. I’ll introduce you to the guest—”

She wagged her hand. “Maybe next time. I’m not in the mood now.”

Her dad shrugged and left the suite.

Theo stayed, looking at her as if she was something that fascinates him.

“What?”

“I just noticed how your body changed through the years.”

His husky voice sent shivers running up and down her spine. He then sauntered toward the sofa and propped his hands on her sides, trapping her.

“This sofa is big enough for the two of us, don’t you think?”

Theo lowered his head on her. It was obvious, he was about to kiss her. But it didn’t happen. Avie kicked his balls.

He landed on the carpeted floor, cupping his balls, and screaming in pain.

She grabbed her pouch and stormed out of the suite.