Chapter 21: Runaway

Stacey's POV

The night breeze felt colder than usual as I stood by the balcony, watching the city lights flicker below. Inside, the party was still in full swing-music blasting, laughter echoing-but I felt strangely detached, as if I didn't belong in my own celebration.

"Then I hope you don't regret it when it's too late..." Mikha words hit me

I sighed, swirling the wine in my glass before taking a slow sip. It tasted bitter tonight.

Another buzz from my phone. Another birthday greeting. Another notification from everyone.

"Happy birthday to me I guess?"

I shook my head and leaned against the railing. What is wrong with me?

Then, something in the garden caught my eye.

A figure, standing near the shadows, almost blending into the night.

Napakapit ako sa baso ko.

Who-?

My pulse quickened as I squinted, trying to see clearer. The dim lighting barely revealed anything, but I could tell... this person was watching me.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero biglang lumakas ang tibok ng puso ko.

The figure took a step closer, and I felt my breath hitch.

This wasn't just some random guest. This wasn't someone who accidentally wandered into our estate.

There was something familiar about them.

A shiver ran down my spine, and before I could stop myself, I whispered-

I took a slow, shaky breath. "Sino yan?" I whispered, barely hearing my own voice over the pounding of my heart.

And then-

The figure stepped fully into the light.

I froze.

Disheveled dark hair. A jacket thrown haphazardly over what looked like a hospital gown. Eyes sharp yet filled with exhaustion.

A familiar smirk, despite the way she was clutching her side.

My grip on my wine glass loosened.

Jho?

The glass slipped from my fingers, shattering against the marble floor.

Everything around me blurred, the sound of the party fading into nothing. My vision locked onto her, unable to process what I was seeing.

She wasn't supposed to be here. She was supposed to be resting. She was supposed to be in a hospital bed, recovering, safe.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?" My voice was barely above a whisper, filled with shock, disbelief... and something dangerously close to fear.

Jhoanna smirked, though I could see the exhaustion in her eyes. " Obvious ba? I wanted to see you Stacey ."

Her voice was light, almost teasing, pero ramdam ko ang bigat sa likod ng mga salita niya.

My chest tightened. "Nasa hospital kapa dapat, Tingnan mo, you still look pale" I said, my voice sharper than I intended "And how the hell did you even get out?"

She took another slow step forward, clutching her side as if steadying herself. "Maniniwala ka ba pag sinabi kong tumalon ako sa bintana ng hospital para lang makapunta dito?"

"You did what-?!"

She chuckled, but it quickly turned into a wince. "Relax, okey lang ako"

"Jhoanna!" I took a step closer, but stopped myself. My hands balled into fists. She was standing there like she hadn't just pulled the dumbest stunt imaginable, like she wasn't fresh out of a hospital bed.

I wanted to be angry. I was angry.

But more than that-I was terrified.

"What if something happened to you?" My voice cracked despite myself. "What if you didn't-"

She tilted her head, watching me carefully. "But I did Staks."

My breath caught in my throat.

"Sa tingin mo ba hahayaan kong palampasin tong birthday mo?" she murmured, taking another step closer.

Damn it.

She was so reckless.

She was so frustrating.

And yet, as she stood there, looking at me like I was the only reason she fought her way out-

I hated that my heart ached in a way I couldn't ignore.

My hands trembled as I exhaled sharply. "You're insane," I muttered, shaking my head.

The party, the music, the people inside-it all faded into the background. All I could hear was the sound of my own heartbeat, thudding against my ribs like a warning.

Because I knew exactly what the point was.

She was here.

She chose to be here.

And I had no idea what the hell I was supposed to do with that.

Pero bago pa ako mag salita uli, my stomach dropped at the sound of a deep, familiar voice calling from inside the house.

"Stacey, anak?"

Shit.

My dad.

Jhoanna stiffened, her body going tense beside me. Her gaze darted toward the balcony doors, then back at me. She knows.

No time to think.

I grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the heavy curtains sa dulo ng balcony. She stumbled slightly but followed, pressing herself close against me as we disappeared into the shadows.

The glass door slid open.

I held my breath.

"Stacey, Andyan ka ba?" My dad's voice was sharp, laced with suspicion. He stepped outside, scanning the balcony. His gaze lingered on the exact spot where we were standing just moments ago.

Jhoanna's body was warm against mine. Too warm. I could feel her shallow breathing, the slight tremble in her hands. Her breath fanned against the back of my neck, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine.

Tangina, ngayon pa talaga?

"Sobrang ingay sa loob dad" I said casually, forcing my voice to stay steady. "Just getting some air."

My dad didn't answer right away. He was still looking around, like he knew something was off.

I clenched my fists around the fabric of the curtain, heart pounding.

Then- "Come inside soon. May mga ipapakilaka akong investors sayo"

I nodded quickly. "Yeah. I will."

He hesitated for another second before stepping back inside, the glass door clicking shut behind him.

Silence.

I exhaled sharply, my shoulders slumping in relief.

Behind me, Jhoanna chuckled softly. "Muntik na tayong mahuli"

I turned around, glaring at her. "Are you insane?" My voice came out sharper than I intended, but I didn't care. "Do you want to get caught?"

She smirked. "For you? Always."

I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. "Tumakas kana nga sa hospital, and nag sneak ka pa dito bahay and now muntik na tayong mahuli!?"

Jho tilted her head, eyes glinting playfully. "You love the thrill."

"Tangina, Jho, seryoso ako."

"Seryoso din ako Stacey, and we need to talk."

That wiped the smirk off her face.

My brows furrowed slightly. "Tungkol saan?"

She swallowed, bracing herself. "Alam mo na ibig kong sabihin"

She went still.

"Stacey..."

"Jho, just listen to me, alam ko na ibig mong sabihin" I said, voice low but firm. "I didn't plan it like that. You know I can't do this to you right? This was the only way to get them off my back, at least for now."

Jhoanna let out a sharp breath, looking away. "So, totoo talaga lahat ng sinabi mo?"

"Napag usapan na natin toh diba, na explain ko na lahat sayo before" I insisted. "We're not actually-" I sighed, gripping her wrist tighter. "It's just arrangement No commitments, no real expectations. Just... appearances."

"Appearances," she repeated flatly, eyes searching mine.

I hated how she looked at me-like she was trying to convince herself that she wasn't hurting.

"Jho..."

"Do you even love me Stacey?" she asked suddenly, voice barely above a whisper.

Her lips curled into a small, bitter smile. "That's all I needed to know."

"Jho, stop," I said desperately. "I love you. But I had no choice I have to protect you and you know how my family is"

She clenched her jaw, shaking her head. "Protect me? protect me from what Stacey."

And just like that, I knew-if I let her walk away, I'd lose her for good.

"Let's leave."

Jhoanna froze. "Huh? Ano? Di mo pa nga nasasagot yung tanong ko ehh"

"I'll explain you everything once na makaalis tayo dito, I'm not staying here pretending to live a life I don't want," I whispered. "Umalis na tayo dito Jho, sumama ka sakin."

She stared at me, disbelief written all over her face.

"Itatanan mo na ba ako?" she murmured, voice barely steady.

I exhaled. "If that's what you called it, then Oo itatanan na kita!"

"Wait lang, di pa ako nakakapag paalam kina mommy, kina Ate Colet" she whispered, intertwining her fingers with mine.

"Jho, walang nagtatanan na nagpapaalam, Come on baka mahuli pa tayo ni daddy!"

And just like that, we disappeared into the night.

Colet's POV

Naglakad ako pabalik sa kwarto ni Jhoanna pagkatapos namin magkape ni Maloi. Medyo gumaan ang pakiramdam ko kahit papaano-kahit pilit kong i-deny, alam kong may mga bagay pa rin akong gustong malaman kay Maloi. Pero sa ngayon, mas importante si Jho.

Pagbukas ko ng pinto, nagtaka ako kase sobrang tahimik.

Napatigil ako.

Malamig ang kwarto, at monitoring machine lang ang tunog na naririnig ko. Pero wala si Jhoanna sa kama.

Napakunot-noo ako. "Jho?"

Lumapit ako dahan-dahan. At napansin kong medyo gusot yung kumot niya, at ang IV stand niya-disconnected na ang tube, parang sinadyang tanggalin.

Shit.

Napalingon ako sa paligid, pilit hinahanap kung may sign na nandito pa siya. Pero pag check ko uli sa kama nya may nakita akong papel na nakatupi at nakapatong sa unan nya.

Ate Colet,

Sorry na heheh, Alam kong magagalit ka, pero alam mo namang hindi ako puwedeng mag stay dito. Hindi pa ngayon.

Sorry kung hindi kita nahintay, pero kailangan kong umalis. May kailangan akong puntahan, may taong kailangang makita at alam mo na yun ate Colet.

Salamat sa lahat-sa pag-aalaga, sa panenermon, Alam kong hahanapin mo ako, pero sana pagkatiwalaan mo ako ngayon, I know what I'm doing.

Babalik ako, Promise

-Jho

"Pasaway ka talaga Robles, antigas ng ulo mo..."

Naiinis ako. As in, sobrang naiinis ako. Pero at the same time... I couldn't stop the small smile forming on my lips.

Hinawak-hawakan ko 'yung papel na iniwan niya, ramdam ang bahagyang panginginig ng kamay ko. Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ako o mag-aalala.

I mean, sure, alam kong pasaway si Jhoanna, pero hindi ko in-expect na gagawin niya 'to ngayon, na nasa hospital pa siya, na hindi pa siya fully recovered.

Napatingin ako ulit sa kama niya-walang trace ng presence niya maliban sa lukot na kumot at ang IV stand na wala nang silbi. Then, my eyes shifted to the slightly open window.

May lahing sa pusa ata yung babaeng yun.

Umupo ako sa gilid ng kama, pinagmasdan ang sulat na iniwan niya. May halong frustration at amusement sa loob ko. Frustration, kasi she actually had the audacity to do this. Amusement, kasi... well, this is classic Jho.

Alam kong may pupuntahan siya, at knowing her, hindi lang ito simpleng kung ano. Hindi siya aalis ng ganito kung hindi importante.

At kung sino man 'yung pupuntahan niya? Well... may hunch na ako.

Napabuntong-hininga ako at umiling. "Hay, Jho... kahit kailan talaga."

Ramdam ko pa rin ang kaba, pero hindi ko rin maiwasang matawa. No matter how reckless she is, I trust her. Alam kong may dahilan siya.

Napailing ako habang tinupi ulit ang sulat at inilagay sa bulsa ko.

"Siguraduhin mo lang magiging worth it tong pinag gagagawa mo Jho" bulong ko sa sarili ko.

Jhoanna's POV

The car sped through the empty streets, headlights cutting through the darkness. Nakatutok ako sa daan, but my mind was all over the place.

I couldn't believe it.

I actually did it.

I actually managed to escape the hospital, sneak into Stacey's party, and now-I was sitting in the passenger seat of her car, beside her, habang tinatakasan namin ang mundo na gusto kaming idiktahan.

I turned my head to look at her. She had both hands gripping the steering wheel, her jaw tight, eyes focused on the road. Halatang nagmamadali siya, pero hindi ko alam kung dahil gusto niya talagang makalayo, o kung gusto niya akong pagalitan once we're safe.

Probably both.

"Hindi ko alam kung tatawagin kitang tanga o matapang ehh" she muttered, her voice laced with frustration. "Jho, you just escaped from a hospital. Tapos ngayon, tumatakas ka sa party ko? Kasama pa ako?"

A smirk formed on my lips. "What, gusto mong bumalik tayo?"

She shot me a glare before sighing heavily. "Pfft. Not a chance."

Napatawa ako. Of course.

"San tayo pupunta?" I asked, resting my arm on the window. The adrenaline was still in my veins, pero unti-unti ko nang nararamdaman ang pagod. The bruises, the soreness-they were all catching up to me now.

"I don't know," she admitted. "Basta malayo."

Tahimik akong tumango. Malayo.

Malayo sa expectations ng pamilya niya.

Malayo sa responsibilidad ko sa trabaho.

Malayo sa kahit sino.

I reached into my pocket, fingers brushing against something cool and metallic.

"Stacey?"

She turned to me, brows furrowing. "What?"

"Pwede bang itigil mo muna yung kotse dyan sa tabi?"

"Why? Naiihi ka ba? Do you need something?" Nag aalalang tanong nya

"No, just stop the car, may nalimutan kase akong ibigay sayo" Sumunod naman sya and she pull over her car at the side of the street.

Without another word, I grabbed her hand and placed something on her palm.

A bracelet. silver, simple,with our initial on it. The one that I buy before the accident.

Her expression lightens habang tinititigan ito, her fingers carefully tracing the delicate details. "Jho...?"

"I bought it for you," I admitted, my voice softer now. "Dapat regalo ko 'to sa'yo for your birthday, kaso the accident happens"

She looked at me, eyes searching. "You buy me a gift?"

I let out a short chuckle. "Ayaw mo ba? Sorry kung hindi luxurious na brac- "

Bago ko pa matapos ang sasabihin ko hinawakan nya ang kamay ko. "Jho..."

I risked a glance at her, my heart clenching at the emotions flickering across her face. She was overwhelmed, I could tell. Pero sa ilalim ng lahat ng 'yon, something that looked a lot like gratitude.

She carefully slipped the bracelet onto her wrist, staring at it like it was the most precious thing in the world.

"I love it, thank you Jho" she whispered.

I exhaled, relieved. "Talaga? Nagustuhan mo?"

She chuckled, wiping at the corner of her eye. "I love it, and I love you Jhoanna"

And for the first time since this crazy night started, alam kong tama ang ginagawa namin.

Then..

She reached for me, threading her fingers through my hair as she crashed my lips onto hers. She gasped against my mouth, her entire body tensing before she gave in, her hands instinctively clutching my jacket.

I deepened the kiss, tilting my head to claim her fully. My tongue teased against her lips before slipping inside, tasting the faint sweetness of wine and something purely Stacey. She let out a small sound-a mixture of surprise and surrender-and it sent heat pooling in my stomach.

She unbuckled her seatbelt in one swift move, then climbed over to my side, straddling my lap. The car was too small, too confined, but I didn't care. Right now, all I wanted was her.

"Stacey..." I breathed her name again, this time more desperate, more needy.

She smirked against my lips. "Tell me to stop Jho" she murmured, trailing kisses down her jaw, nipping at her skin.

She shuddered, tilting her head to the side, granting me more access. "Don't," I whispered.

I grinned before sucking on the sensitive spot just below her ear. She whimpered, her nails digging into my back.

I ran my hands down her sides, feeling every curve, every soft inch of her. My fingers slipped beneath the hem of her shirt, tracing the bare skin of her waist. She sucked in a sharp breath, her body arching into my touch.

"Sobrang ganda mo" I murmured against her neck before capturing her lips again. This time, she kissed me back harder, her hands slipping under my hoodie, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us.

My hips rolled against hers instinctively, and she moaned into my mouth, her grip tightening. The sound sent a bolt of heat straight through me. I kissed her harder, rougher, my hands exploring, claiming, memorizing.

"Jho," she gasped. Her eyes were glazed, her lips swollen, her body trembling beneath mine.

I smirked, running my thumb over her lower lip. "Mine," I whispered, my voice low, possessive.

She nodded, her breathing uneven. "Yours."

And with that, I kissed her again-deeper, hungrier-losing myself in her completely.

⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ── End of Chapter 21 ── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆