Page 83 of Chasing Mr. Prefect

“Ano ba, ang kulit n’yo!” said Cholo, swatting at his brother’s hand like a kid who was trying to throw off bullies. “I have a girlfriend!”

My eyes widened and I laughed so hard that Asher had to cover my mouth.

“This one’s so much prettier, Choleng,” Ate Ania goaded straight in his ear, looking at me from head to toe, as though inspecting my outfit. “In killer heels and a short dress, too.”

“Don’t worry. We won’t tell Vinnie,” added Chan.

“Look,” Cholo slurred, leaning on Kuya Chip again for support. “I know Vinnie’s a piece of work and we’re not in the best of terms right now?—”

“But she hurt you,” Asher cut in to get back at me.

“Yeah, that too, but she’s a good person and she’s not going to do anything like that,” said Cholo, who was swaying more with each second that passed. “We fought and she already said sorry. We’ll be okay. I love her.”

I smiled so wide I thought my face was going to break. Asher put both hands on his chest and let out a huge‘Awww.’Ate Ania also pulled a kilig face and looped one arm around mine and the other around Kuya Chip’s.

“And she’ll strangle me before I eventryanything,” said Cholo as an afterthought. “Don’t tell her I said that, though.”

“I really wouldn’t dream of it,” said Kuya Chip and I just shook my head, smiling. “Cheers?”

“Cheers!” said Cholo, lifting a nonexistent bottle and proceeding to pass out.

We had to leave early for home after that. Kuya Chip carried his brother on his back, laughing all the way down the stairs and to the parking lot. I had to say a hurried goodbye to our teammates, carrying two backpacks—mine and Cholo’s—as I rushed out with my boyfriend’s family.

I had to leave instructions with the team via text for egress and they assured me it was all arranged and that we had nothing to worry about. That night ended with me hanging out with Cholo’s family in their parents’ living room till daybreak until we all fell asleep in our party clothes.

Not how I planned it at all…but this was better.

CHAPTER 36

After Ephemere, the rest of the days passed so quickly. Rushing through academic requirements and exams made time go so much faster, and I nearly forgot to schedule my visa appointment for the Seoul trip. I cut it way too close by doing the appointment only a week and a half before the flight date, but I could only hope for the best and take my chances.

Before we knew it, we were already on our last day of term. Scheduled that day was an Accounting Exam in the afternoon and at 5 p.m., we were going to know the results of the club elections.

Gian and Cholo were both running for the highest club positions. They were both so nervous about today’s results, but as far as I was concerned, they were sure wins. I was also waiting for the result of my internship interviews as well as my visa application result for the Seoul trip tomorrow.

Who knew one could squeeze in so much stress in one day?

I finished the accounting exam early, seeing no point in prolonging my agony after I had answered all the questions. As soon as I got out of the exam area, I got my phone off my bag and turned it on.

No notifications.

I sighed and looked up at the sky, because,God, why?

“I know, ang hirap, noh?” someone said behind me.

Gian’s hair was down and he had huge bags under his eyes too. I guess he did not have enough sleep either, if at all.

“Okay lang. Last question was a bit tricky, I went around in circles solving it but I eventually remembered that other trick they discussed in the refresher. I did that, hoped for the best, and ran off. I couldn’t stand being in there anymore.”

Gian laughed.

“That’s correct, I used that solution for the last question, too. You should be fine.”

“Thanks. I don’t know why but I’m pretty nervous about the club elections too. But I’m sure you got it. Cholo, too.”

“You should probably be on his side right now. Have you made up yet?”

“I can’t be at his side right now. He’s not done with his accounting exam.”