Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Amber's Pov

Dad's operation was successful so we are now back in the hut safely. The expenses are too expensive but we managed to pay all the bills that's needed.

That was due to the great help of Areal and Sir Kevin.

Ever since Dad and I got back here to the hut, he hasn't touched me. He only answers me with nods and signals and I understand that. Maybe it had a big impact when we rushed him to the hospital.

"Fred, aren't we going to have a drink today?"

The door of our hut opened and Dad's friend Mang Ernesto exposed himself to us. I was currently serving Dad food when he arrived. Dad shook his head at him so I was surprised, "Maybe next time. I just got out of the hospital."

"Oh go ahead. But if you want to, just go and..." He turned to me and licked his lower lip, it makes me cringe totally, "...bring Amber along as well."

I was shocked when Dad slapped his hand on the table, "Didn't I say I didn't want to?!"

"A-ahhh ... oh okay."

Mang Ernesto walk away quickly and I followed his gaze. I don’t know why Dad acted like that? I still thought that when we left the hospital, he would return to what he was used to. I was still worried but now my heart is kinda okay.

"Amber..."

I turned to Dad and scooped up some rice for him, "Yes?"

"I'm sorry."

I stopped scooping the rice and looked at him. He's looking directly on my eyes like he's sincere with the words that he's throwing towards me. I just smiled and continued what I was doing, "That's okay."

"That's not right, Amber. I'm very guilty of you. I won't be surprised if the police arrest me today or the next day—"

"Dad! What are you saying—"

"... because it's all my fault. When your mother died I lost consciousness and I didn't know what to do. I can't accept that your mother is gone so I amused myself with things I knew I would focus on of attention. " He paused. He held my hand as if nothing had happened to the two of us. That seems like we're both okay.

"I learned to get drunk. Because of that I couldn't get into a job. I didn't know what to do so I sold our house before in Davao. I wanted us to start again but now Ernesto has influenced me. I'm exhausted. Our money was gone because I learned how to gambling."

Dad's tears flowed, much to my surprise. He covered his face as if he didn't want me to show his grief now.

"I see Esmeralda in you so I did that thing. The first time I tasted the drug it immediately affected me and you were the one I piled on because I thought you were Esmeralda. With every taste of the drug I inhaled I didn't know it was you who was hurting. I didn't know what had happened, Hija. Forgive me. "

I quickly attended to Dad and immediately hugged him. I don't care what he says because that's over. All of that has happened and will never change.

"Dad, let's start again. Let's fix our lives."

Dad nodded at me and kissed my forehead, "Right. I'm going to look for a job tomorrow."

I ENTERED school with a smile today. I will never forget the conversation Dad and I had last night. I forgave him again. I’m just easy to forgive so that’s no longer hard on me.

"Amber!"

I turned to the source of the voice and saw Areal. I waved at her until she could get close to me, "How's Uncle?"

"He's okay now and he'll look for a job later."

Her eyes widened and she touched my two shoulders before shaking me, "For real?! I want a new driver that's why my Mommy is looking for someone who's capable of. But I'll recommend Uncle."

My face lit up because of what she said and I nodded quickly, "Right, I'll tell Dad that when I get home."

"Cool. Okay wait— Mom?"

I moved away slightly when Areal called Auntie. I even saw she nod while talking. I prayed that Auntie would agree to Areal's request.

I hope Auntie will agree...

I hope...

Areal suddenly approached me with a smile on her lips, "Mommy agreed!"

"Oh my! Thank you so much, Yel!"

I hugged her tightly and I heard that she chuckles, "What are you to me? That's nothing."

She patted my shoulders which I was overjoyed. I was really very lucky with her. I will never regret that she became my friend.

"Hmm, it's still morning. Let's go to the cafeteria? I haven't had breakfast yet."

"Sure."

We went straight to the cafeteria and now I’m preaching her because she doesn’t eat breakfast. I told her that she's just wasting food on their house which why she frowns at me.

"Just find a seat. I'll order something."

I just nodded and looked for a seat. That's really our routine, she will order and I will find a seat. This time I gave her money, I said that she shouldn't treat me always because that's too much.

I sat near the door so we could get out quickly when the bell rang to signal the start of class hours. We still have one more hour free because the two of us went to the school early.

Because I sat near the door, I can see people coming in to eat. My eyes began to bulged when I saw Kley together with his friends. He rolled his eyes as if he's looking for something.

I could still hear some whispers of the women just near our table.

Gosh sis, maybe their girlfriend will be so lucky to have them.

You nailed it sis. They already have it all ugh. I hope even Crius notices me.

Hahaha. You're not that pretty eh?

You shut up!

I was shaken by the conversation of the women. I looked back at Kley and saw that he looked up at me as well. My eyes widened so I bent down and just played with my finger.

"Hey."

I looked up and saw Kley rasing his eyebrows while staring at me, "A-am I the one you're talking to?"

"Of course. I am looking at you, right? Tss."

He handed a box to me. I just stared at it before looking back at him, "W-what's this?"

"Just get it. Tss."

Out of sheer self-loathing I quickly took it in his hand before placing it on the seat next to mine. My head was still bent over because he wasn’t leaving in front of me yet.

Where are you Areal?

"Name?"

"H-huh?"

"What's your name?"

His eyes seemed to hypnotize my eyes so I didn't stutter as I answered, "Amber. Amber Madrigal..."

He just nodded at me before leaving the table and headed straight to the counter with his friends. I rolled my eyes and some critical eyes of the women in the cafeteria didn’t escape me.

Areal set the tray down on our table. I looked at her and there was no emotion on her face, "Yel, are you okay?"

"What did Kley do here?"

I was devastated by what she said. I thought of a good excuse, "Uhm... just asked for something."

"Like?"

"Uhh... about literature. They're our classmates there, aren't they? They don't know what the assignment is."

Her mouth formed into 'O' shape. She just smiled at me and seemed to regain the energy on her face, "Okay. I thought it was different hehe."

She started to eat while I was staring at the box Kley had given me earlier. I opened it and my eyes widened at what I saw. I can't believe it's the content of that box. H-how? Why would he give me this?

Why did he give me a cellphone?