the girl's reaction before even approaching her. For some unknown reason, she

n?" Steph

seat on the stool beside S

d silent, simply

A shot of tequila, please. One for

ed at Stephanie before resp

e again. "Are we early

boy problems. I am every guy's problem." As the tequila sho

stopped her. Stephanie glanced at the hand

just really want someone to talk to right no

give peop

ld persuade her to stay. "You don't have to give advice if you don't want

raising an eyebrow. "Do I look like

s, watching Stephanie walk out of the bar. She sigh

nk, ma'am?"

ed. "Thank y

your problem, bu

n to me. I feel bad for my re

right?" He handed her a glass. "Here's your drink

g to talk to Enteng. Nevertheless, she was grateful

she told them, they wouldn't keep quiet. Every time something happened to h

ion worse. After a few shots, she decided it was time to go home. Despite not

n giving her a serious look. Based on his stance

oon?" she greeted because she didn't know the t

thing good about

ked, referring to the guy's sister. She knew it wasn't a good

efore continuing. "-it's f*ck!ng twelve in the afternoon

idn't

realized something. "Ah... it's

my dad. Don't tal

dad, brother, mom, or whoever, my opinion won't change. If

hol's effect had diminished because of her cousin.

king yo

cab." She started to wal

bborn, Ava. I

ng with you and getting in your car to hear

asn't bad-mouthing; he was just stating the truth. But he knew that if he said that, Ava would

said. "Promise. Just come wi

ting into Peter's car. As Peter promised, the ride was si

an, Ava's dad, was sitting there, a bottle of alcohol in

quickly stood up unsteadily. "Where have

are you looking for her? You don't even

scolded her cousi

taring at there? Go

heard her father's voice again. "Wait! What did I hear?" He stood up and

mplaining. I'm

because she received a strong slap fro

ouse! What right do you have to talk back to me? Why? Have you proven anythi

she wh

So why the

eak and simply agreed with him until he calmed down. When

nt to the field owned by Kise's family, one of her cousins

figure with the workers. She knew that this person often helped on their farm

proached, and Kise left her work to come to her. Avaluan pointedly looked a

don

id she realize that she had a cut that stung.

d that her cousin wasn't in the mo

ed. "I'm

ething wit

It's about you." Her voice raised. "It's been years,

Ryan. But you know I can't respect him for what he's doing to you and to Auntie. Since Un

ne giving us a

eturn. That's what family is for. But it seems like he doesn't see y

almost whispered. "We're the onl

"Sometimes I really can't unders

the rest of the afternoon, Kise didn't leave Avaluan's side. Even though they didn't talk, they w

p first so she won't hurt you again. Stay inside for now a

ng on the television while waiting for them. But her attention wasn't

her mother's new love was the one hurting them. But they were also lucky in a way

pened and worried her, she found herself laughi

e ago. She didn't pay attention to it before, but lately, every time she saw the g

on still stung, and she rememb