Chapter 20
Chaos in the Mini Cinema Room
(Arushi POV – Baek-Costa Penthouse, Mini Cinema Room, 10 AM)
It was a lazy Saturday morning, and since walang pasok, we all decided to hang out in the mini cinema room.
I was sitting on the couch with my laptop, trying to do something productive while my so-called friends—Raegan, Min-Jae, and Forest—were busy talking about God knows what.
Wala naman kaming actually pinapanood. The cinema room was just our go-to chill spot whenever we wanted to relax, away from the noise of the penthouse or the university.
Citrine was in her room, probably still sleeping or talking to some girl again. Ewan ko diyan.
Meanwhile, ako, I was minding my own damn business—until Forest started playing a song.
And not just any song.
"Wet the Bed" by Chris Brown.
PUTANGINA.
Agad kong binato ng unan si Forest.
She burst out laughing. “Tangina, kanta lang naman ‘to!”
Raegan joined in, smirking. “Oh, Arushi, kanta lang daw.”
Min-Jae butted in, shaking her head. “Psh, na-trigger na naman si Arushi sa kalibugan ni Forest.”
I groaned, rubbing my temples.
Then, as if on cue, Min-Jae turned to Raegan, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
Raegan immediately gasped, as if she just unlocked a core memory.
Forest shrugged smugly. “As if hindi niyo rin naranasan ‘yon?”
Min-Jae smirked. “Pft. Pero mas wild yung kay Raegan, no? Naalala ko pa nung nakita namin siyang nagfu-fuck ng babae sa condo niya.”
I choked.
Raegan groaned, facepalming. “Putangina, bakit ba binubuksan ‘to ulit?!”
Min-Jae cackled. “Ang epic kaya! We literally saw everything!”
Forest grinned wickedly. “Pero hindi ko makakalimutan, ang liit ng ano mo, Raegan.”
Min-Jae wheezed. “Tangina, parang stick, I swear.”
I completely lost it.
I was dying of laughter habang si Raegan was about to commit murder.
Min-Jae and Forest were already rolling on the couch laughing.
Then—
Silence.
I suddenly realized all three of them were staring at me.
Raegan, still red in the face, smirked. “Ikaw naman, Arushi.”
My laughter immediately stopped.
Oh no.
Min-Jae wiggled her eyebrows. “Tama, ikaw naman! Malaki ba yang sayo?”
I blinked. “Excuse me?”
Forest grinned evilly. “Yeah, like, we’ve never seen yours. Or kahit bulge man lang.”
I stared at them, appalled.
Raegan leaned closer, teasing. “Malaki nga ba, Arushi?”
Min-Jae joined in. “Or maliit din? Baka naman mas maliit pa kay Raegan?”
Forest and Min-Jae burst into laughter again.
Raegan glared at them. “TANGINA NIYO!”
Meanwhile, ako?
I rolled my eyes so hard, I almost passed out.
__
Mini Cinema Room, 10:30 AM
Raegan was still not letting this topic go.
She leaned forward, her eyes full of mischief. “Seryoso, Arushi, are you still a virgin? Like, hindi ka pa ba nakaka-fuck ng kahit sinong girl?”
I groaned, rolling my eyes so hard they almost left my skull.
Silence.
Then—
Forest burst out laughing. “Arushi, paano makaka-score yang ano mo kung ganyan ka?! Ano, forever virgin?”
Min-Jae smirked. “Baka naman lalaki gusto ni Arushi?”
Raegan and Forest immediately howled in laughter.
Forest wiped a fake tear. “Ano yon? Sword fight?!”
Raegan nearly fell off the couch. “OMG. ARUSHI, PLEASE. KAILANGAN MO TALAGANG MAKIPAGTALIK!”
I grabbed a pillow and smacked it against her face.
Pero Raegan was not done.
She grinned, eyes full of pure evil.
I blinked. “Excuse me?”
Forest clapped her hands. “YES! The school council vice president. Diba may gusto yun sayo?”
Raegan wiggled her eyebrows. “Diba? She’s literally hot and pretty. Baka nga kapag inaya mo siya, she will say yes agad!”
Min-Jae, still smirking, suddenly turned serious.
Lahat kami naghintay.
Then she slowly turned her head to look at me.
Forest and Raegan screamed in laughter.
Then—
The door suddenly swung open.
Citrine entered like she owned the damn place, wearing her usual baggy sweatpants (na sobrang baba, halos kita na ang V Line ) and a tank top.
Silence.
Then, I saw it.
Raegan, Min-Jae, and Forest were staring at Citrine.
Almost drooling.
Forest was the first one to break the silence.
Citrine raised an eyebrow. “Uh, what?”
Min-Jae blinked, as if she forgot how to function.
Raegan nudged me, whispering. “Tangina, ang lakas ng sex appeal ng kapatid mo.”
I facepalmed. “SIRAULO KAYONG LAHAT.”
__
I swear to God, Min-Jae is going to hell.
She smirked, her eyes scanning Citrine’s low-hanging sweatpants.
I turned to glare at her.
Forest was still biting her lips while eyeing Citrine like a goddamn predator.
Raegan, thankfully, had some sense left.
She grabbed a pillow and smacked both of them in the face.
But she was laughing.
Citrine just crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at me.
Citrine scoffed.
I rolled my eyes.
Before I could respond, I felt it.
Another presence.
Standing right behind Citrine.
My friends’ faces completely changed.
Their mouths slightly fell open.
Forest even gulped.
Then I saw her.
Auntie Amber.
Mommy Auburn’s twin sister.
And Jesus Christ, she looked exactly like Mommy Auburn.
Pero may difference.
Mommy Auburn = Elegant, composed, refined.
Auntie Amber = Cold, strict, and terrifying.
She was wearing gray fitted pants and a cropped hoodie that showed her toned abdomen.
Raegan, whispering to me:
I sighed.
Here we go again.
__
Living Room, 11:00 AM
Auntie Amber’s sharp gaze swept over all of us, her arms crossed as she stood by the doorway.
We immediately stood up.
Walang nagtanong. Walang nagreklamo.
Forest, Min-Jae, and Raegan were suspiciously quiet as we walked to the living room.
Citrine, on the other hand?
Chill lang.
Kasi super close sila ni Auntie Amber.
I sat on the couch, my friends sitting stiffly beside me.
Citrine, of course, flopped down comfortably, one leg over the other, arms behind her head.
Auntie Amber remained standing, her gaze locked on us.
Citrine just shrugged.
Auntie Amber sighed.
Then she turned to all of us.
What?
That got my attention.
I straightened up.
Auntie Amber nodded.
I blinked.
Then I glanced at Citrine.
She just grinned.
Oh, God. This is going to be a long two weeks.