The Promise of Love

pte

aze piercing and unwavering as he stared into my eyes. I felt a

, cold gaze. Why did his presenc

lse besides me?" I retorted, my voice steady despite my nervousn

said calmly, returning the contents to the paper bag be

he syndicate run by Cynthia Ortega," said one of th

good captain," I stated firmly, ev

rongdoings, reporting her would make us ungrateful. It's better to keep what I know a secret an

he asked. I didn't answer. Though I was

home," I sai

os

teered, walking ahead to their car and

rapid beating of my heart caus

s hand from the roof before gently closing the door.

pe of car wasn't new to me. But the silen

the market," I said a

he syndicate," he said. Though I w

efly. "What makes yo

d unable to read people well," he replied firml

t what would he do if he found out I used to sell i

ever you want

s on children to sell her drugs?" he asked, his tone laced with anger. It was clear he had a stron

ly. I wasn't going to say anything, no matter what. He could st

" he said. I sighed deeply, c

ed, though my patie

d, his eyes locking onto mine. O

name? Was it because he was

udly in my chest again. He didn't push me further, al

the market. "I'm getting of

ed to open the door, but it wouldn't budge. I looked at him. He licked his lower lip and poi

said. I realized I had forgotte

ad. "Open the door," I demanded softly, annoyed that he had locked it just to point out

I thought they were just hanging out, b

er shutting the door, I tried opening it again, but i

e inside? The lock was right t

ehind. Didn't he know I was still here? Frustrated

or unlocked. I glanced at the shoes in his hand. They weren't slippers-

voice brimming with curiosity. He sim

have to trouble yourself," I said, stammer

my shawl on again. There were people passing by, glancing at us, and I was scared they might recogn

up and offering me his hand, which I didn'

ing my back on him. I just hop

sn't following me; his car was no long

ns even arrived before you did! But let me ask, did Cynthia giv

The package even included underwear and other essentials. I

er wards," she said with a smile. Sometimes, I want to believe that too. But there are

to check if there's anything you like, Nanay Mali

just want to take a look," she sa

They're all branded-you can tell by the

What's important is that I have something to w

et. Our bed was already neat, but I had no idea where

a living, but most of the

ve-difficult, yet we manage to

why I returned to her house. I carefully wrapped the bibingka

e shoes the stranger I met earlier had bought for me. Instead, I

there had been a spy in our area. I didn't want Mamu to get

ing to Mamu's?" Richi

asked h

d with a smile, showing his tiny tee

his name might not suggest it. He's the younge

set off. We said goodbye to Nanay Malia, who just waved at us, busy with

one corner of the house. I had no intention of checking it o

ueezed through the crowd to get a better view. I sto

as an arm-wrestling match happening. What s

Contin