Rain's POV
The next day, I woke up to the soft, golden light of dawn creeping into the cabana. I turned to my side and saw Kai still asleep, her lashes resting gently on her cheeks, lips parted ever so slightly, her hand still draped over my waist. She looked so peaceful-so beautiful.
I leaned in and kissed her forehead before whispering, "Baby... baby, wake up. The sunrise is beautiful. Come on, let's go to the beach."
She stirred slowly, groggy but smiling. "Hmm? Wait for me at the beach, I'll catch up," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.
I nodded and slipped outside. The air was cool, the kind that wrapped around your skin like a blanket. The sand was still damp beneath my feet, and the waves gently lapped the shore, catching the first hints of light. I dipped my feet in the water, letting the moment settle in my chest when I heard her voice behind me.
"Baby!"
I turned around to see her, smiling from ear to ear, jogging barefoot toward me, her hair tied up in a messy bun. She wrapped her arms around my waist and pressed a soft kiss on my cheek. "Good morning, my love."
We sat on the sand, shoulder to shoulder, eyes fixed on the rising sun as it painted the sky with shades of peach and coral. Then, I saw her reach into the pocket of her hoodie, pulling out something small and silver.
She opened her hand and revealed a delicate ring-dainty, shaped like a feather. My brows furrowed. "What's this?" I asked, gently taking it between my fingers.
Kai's voice softened. "A ring that Keith gave me."
The moment her name passed her lips, my heart clenched. I looked at the ring like it was something sacred. "Why are you giving this to me? It was Keith's."
She smiled gently and shook her head. "No, baby. That's my ring. It was a pair. Hers is this-" she reached beneath her shirt and pulled out a necklace with a tiny ring pendant. "That was hers. I've kept both since she passed."
I looked at her, tears threatening to blur my vision.
Kai held my hand, her grip warm and steady. "I've been waiting for the right person to give this ring to," she said, voice barely above a whisper. "This is my promise ring to you-that no matter how chaotic things get, no matter how fragile or complicated the world becomes, I will always, always be with you."
Tears rolled down my cheeks. I tried to smile, but it trembled.
"I love you, Kai," I whispered, slipping the ring on my finger like it belonged there all along.
"I love you more," she said, wiping my tears with her thumb before kissing me, slow and sure, like a vow sealed with every breath of the ocean air.
We sat there, arms wrapped around each other, as the sun rose completely over the horizon-bathed in light, bathed in love.
Forever felt like it started that morning.
We had breakfast by the veranda of the cabana-fresh fruits, garlic rice, longganisa, eggs, and warm cups of coffee and tsokolate. Everyone looked content but you could feel that soft sadness creeping in, the kind that comes when a perfect day is nearing its end.
After eating, we didn't waste a second.
We ran straight to the beach, splashing into the water like kids without a care in the world. Kai and I swam out until the waves rocked us gently in each other's arms, like the sea itself was giving us a lullaby.
The girls joined in-Elisse tried to dunk Nica, Solene was gliding on a paddle board like a goddess, and Luna was attempting synchronized swimming moves that ended with all of us laughing our guts out.
It was one of those days where you didn't want to think. You just wanted to feel-sun on your skin, sand on your feet, your heart beating next to someone else's.
We made the most of every second. Because tomorrow, reality would pull us back into exams, obligations, and everything we were trying to forget for a while.
But today? Today, we were just six girls, under the sun, in love with the moment.
And sometimes, that's more than enough.
The sun was starting to dip lower, casting long golden shadows across the beach as we packed up our things. Everyone moved a little slower than usual-reluctant, quiet, like the silence after laughter that lingers too long.
Kai held my hand tightly as we helped the girls load our bags into Nica's car. Luna was still trying to joke around, but even she had a tinge of sadness in her voice. Solene hugged her cousin Luis goodbye, promising they'd come back again soon.
The ride home was filled with a comfortable kind of silence. Some of the girls fell asleep. Elisse had her head resting on the passenger seat. Solene was curled up by the window. Kai had her head on my lap, my fingers tracing soft circles on her arm as we listened to mellow music humming low from the speakers.
It almost felt like we were all trying to bottle that day up in our chests-one last breath of it-before the world came rushing back in.
And by the time we reached home, reality was already waiting at the doorstep: buzzing phones, unread emails, messages about schedules and deadlines.
Back to uniforms. Back to notebooks and finals review and early alarms.
But for a brief moment, we got to escape. Just us. Just love. Just freedom.
And we'd carry that with us-whatever came next.
Kai's POV
I was in my room, quiet now after the chaos and joy of the weekend. Everything felt so still. Too still. I was folding my uniform neatly, smoothing down the sleeves of my blouse, setting my ID and planner beside my bag-trying to settle into the rhythm of routine again.
Then I remembered-Mom's meds. Damn. I walked to her cabinet to double-check and, sure enough, she was down to her last dose.
I slipped on a hoodie and headed downstairs. Tita Lynn was in the kitchen, humming quietly while she prepped tomorrow's baon.
"Tita, I'm going out for a bit-pharmacy lang, kukuha ako ng gamot ni Mama."
"Alam mo na bang sarado na ang karamihan sa mga botika, Kai?" she said, concerned.
"Yeah, I'll check the 24-hour ones, baka may bukas pa."
I gave her a small wave and stepped out into the cool air. It was already 8 PM, the streets were quieter than usual, most stores shuttered for the night. I kept walking, scrolling through my phone, trying to find the nearest open pharmacy.
Then-
Screech.
A white Camaro came to a sudden halt in front of me.
I froze.
I knew that car.
The door swung open and before I could even react, one of Chesca's friends grabbed me by the arm.
"Hoy-ano ba-!"
I struggled, twisted against the grip, but they were too fast, too coordinated.
Before I could shout again, I was shoved into the backseat of the car. The door slammed shut.
Chesca was there, beside me.
Grinning.
Like a wolf.
"Miss mo ba 'ko, Babe?" she said, voice low and dangerous.
My blood ran cold.
I was trapped.
Everything was a blur.
My heart pounded in my ears as the Camaro sped off the main road and veered into a narrow, gravel path. The tall trees started thinning out, and before I could even get my bearings, we screeched to a halt in front of what looked like an old, abandoned house on the outskirts of Aldeguer.
I tried to open the door, but Chesca's friend beside me yanked it open and dragged me out by the arm.
"Bitawan mo ako!" I screamed, thrashing, but they were too many.
They laughed-actually laughed.
Like it was all a game.
Like I was just a toy to break.
They shoved me through the creaking door of the house. The smell of dust, rotting wood, and something metallic-faint and familiar-hit my nose. My feet stumbled over broken floorboards and empty bottles littered across the ground.
Then she stepped out.
Chesca.
Wearing that same sick smile-the one she wore the night she last sent me to the hospital.
She didn't even say a word.
She just grabbed me.
Her lips crashed onto mine, hard and violent, and when I tried to push her back, she bit my lower lip so hard I tasted blood.
I shoved her with every ounce of strength I had.
"Ano bang gusto mo, ha?!" I shouted, voice cracking. My whole body trembled.
She and her friends just stared back-smiling. Grinning. Giggling like it was funny. Like I wasn't human.
She walked back up to me, calm and slow.
Then-snap.
Her hand closed around my neck.
But I fought back.
With everything I had left, I grabbed her wrist and spat right in her face.
"Putang ina mo, Chesca!"
That was when her hand reeled back.
SLAP.
The impact twisted my face and the world tilted. I stumbled sideways, trying to keep my balance-
Then-a punch to my stomach.
A deep, hard blow.
Just like the ones she used to throw when I didn't answer my phone fast enough.
The breath was knocked out of me. I crumpled onto my knees, gasping.
She grabbed my chin and yanked my face up to hers.
"Akala mo hindi kita mahahanap, hayop ka?" she hissed, her face inches from mine. Her breath reeked of liquor and rage. "Nagpa-amo ka pa talaga sa mga kaibigan mong walang kwenta!"
I clenched my jaw, trying not to let the tears fall.
Then she tilted her head, mocking.
"Sino nga pangalan noon? Rain? Tama."
Her hand tightened on my jaw.
SLAP.
Harder.
I hit the floor, my cheek burning, the taste of blood thick in my mouth.
"Potang-ina ka," she said.
Then she lifted her boot-
and kicked me.
Right on my arm.
I screamed. Something cracked. I wasn't sure if it was the floor, or me.
"Bakit mo 'ko iniwan, ha?! Sagot!!" she screamed.
But all I could hear was my pulse.
And somewhere far away-Rain's voice in my head.
"I'll protect you now, Ember. You're safe with me."
But I wasn't.
Not tonight.
Not yet.
Then came the pain-sharp and immediate.
Chesca lifted her foot and stomped on my fingers.
I screamed. The pain shot up like lightning through my arm. I could've sworn I heard something crack-maybe my pinky, maybe my pride.
"Tama na... please..." I managed to croak, my voice barely audible.
But she wasn't done.
She yanked me by the collar of my jacket, forcing me up like I weighed nothing. My knees buckled, and my back slammed against the rough, splintered wood of the wall. It groaned under my weight, just like my body did.
Chesca's hand snaked around my neck again.
"Gusto mong makipaglaro, Kai? Eto laro mo!"
Then came the punch.
Right on my face.
A dull, wet sound echoed in the room followed by black stars exploding in my vision. My head whipped to the side, and I could feel the warmth of blood trickling down my nose-or was it my lip again?
I wasn't sure anymore.
The room spun. The world slowed.
And just before everything faded into darkness, I remember her face-twisted in something between pleasure and rage.
Then-
Nothing.
Just silence.
Just black.
Rain's POV
It was already past midnight when I was jolted awake by the relentless buzzing of my phone on the bedside table. Half-asleep, I squinted at the screen-Luna.
I answered immediately. "Hello?"
Her voice was panicked, trembling. "Rain... nandito kami sa ospital ngayon-si Kai..."
I shot up from bed. My heart dropped.
"Kai?" I echoed, my voice cracking.
Panic surged through me. I didn't even think-I rushed out of my room, sprinting barefoot to the helpers' quarters.
"Manong Ken!" I banged on the door, waking him. "Kailangan ko ng sakay-ngayon na!"
The commotion must've stirred the whole house because the next thing I knew, Dad was at the top of the stairs, his robe hastily tied, eyes confused but alarmed.
"Rain, what's going on?" he asked, coming down.
I was already pulling on a hoodie, my hands shaking, tears streaming down my face.
"Dad..." My voice broke. "Si Kai-nasa ospital siya."
And that was all I needed to say.
Dad didn't say anything for a moment-just looked at me, the worry settling into his face like stone. Then, with quiet urgency, he said, "I'll drive you."
We didn't waste another second. He grabbed his keys, and I followed him out. The car ride was tense and silent, except for the sound of my shaky breathing and the occasional sniffle I couldn't hold back.
He kept glancing at me while he drove, his knuckles tight on the steering wheel. "She's going to be okay, Rain," he finally said, voice low. "We'll get to her."
I nodded, but I couldn't speak. My chest felt like it was caving in. All I could do was silently pray, Please, please let Kai be okay.
The moment we pulled into the hospital parking lot, another car screeched to a halt beside us-Solene and Nica jumped out.
"Rain! Tito!" Solene called out, rushing toward us.
Nica's face was pale. "Anong nangyari?" she asked, eyes darting toward the emergency room doors.
We didn't even have time to answer-we all broke into a sprint toward the ER lounge. My heart was pounding so loud I could barely hear anything else.
When we reached the waiting area, I saw Luna, Elisse, and Tita Lynn already there. Luna and Elisse were in tears, their faces blotchy and panicked. Beside them, two police officers were quietly asking Tita Lynn questions.
Elisse saw me first and immediately rushed forward, pulling me into a hug. Luna joined in seconds later.
"What happened?" I choked out, my voice trembling.
Luna was sobbing now. "Someone found her... in an abandoned house, Rain. Buti na lang may nakakita. She was-she was covered in blood. Yung mukha niya... puro pasa..."
My knees buckled, but they held onto me tightly.
Just then, Dad walked past us and went straight to Tita Lynn, his expression hardening as he approached the officers.
I stood there, frozen, unable to stop the flood of fear rushing through me. All I could think was-Kai, please hold on. Please.
A moment later, the door of the trauma room creaked open, and the attending doctor stepped out. His white coat was slightly stained, his face tight with fatigue but calm. Everyone stood still, our breaths collectively held. I stepped forward instinctively.
"Doc... kamusta si Kai?" I asked, barely recognizing my own voice.
The doctor gave a small nod. "Mabuti na lang at nadala siya agad," he began, glancing around at the circle of anxious faces. "She's stable for now, but..." he sighed, taking a breath before continuing, "may mga pasa sa buong katawan niya-front, back, arms, legs. She also has two fractured ribs and signs of trauma sa upper abdomen. We've already ordered imaging to rule out internal bleeding, pero so far, it looks like she's in the clear."
I felt a sharp sting in my chest, like someone had knocked the wind out of me.
"She's conscious," the doctor added, a little more gently this time, "but very weak. We've administered pain medication and sedatives to help her rest."
Tita Lynn let out a quiet sob behind me, and Luna clutched Elisse tighter. Nica and Solene were silent, their eyes glassy.
"Pwede po ba siyang makita?" I asked quickly, my voice cracking.
The doctor nodded. "Isa lang muna sa ngayon. She needs rest more than anything. But I'll take you in."
I looked at Tita Lynn first, but she gave me a small nod of permission. So I followed the doctor, my legs like jelly, my heart pounding with every step. I didn't know what I'd find on the other side of that door-but I had to see her. I had to let her know she wasn't alone.
The moment I stepped into the room and saw her lying there, my knees nearly gave out.
My God.
Her face was swollen-purple and red bruises blooming across her cheek, her lip cracked, a small gash just above her brow. Her arm was in a temporary sling, and I could see the harsh outline of bruises along her collarbone, fading into the edge of the hospital gown. Bandages wrapped around her ribs. Machines beeped softly beside her.
I couldn't stop the tears. They just fell, endlessly.
"Baby," I whispered, my voice catching as I rushed to her side. I gently cupped the uninjured side of her face, careful not to hurt her. "Baby, I'm here..."
I leaned down and wrapped my arms around her the best I could, careful not to press too hard, resting my head by hers. Her body was warm-but limp, sedated. Her breathing shallow but steady.
"I'm sorry," I whispered over and over, my tears soaking into her pillow. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there. Baby, sana ako nalang yung nasaktan... sana ako nalang."
She didn't stir. But I held her hand like it was the only thing tethering me to earth. And in that moment, I made a silent promise to her-to protect her with everything I had. To never let her feel alone again.
I never left her side, not even for a moment. I sat there, holding her hand, praying for her to wake up, praying for her to be okay. Time seemed to stretch on, every second feeling like an eternity, but finally, her eyelids fluttered, and her gaze slowly met mine.
Her eyes, once so full of life, were now clouded with pain and confusion. The moment she saw me, the floodgates opened. She broke down, tears pouring down her face as she trembled in my arms. I didn't say anything at first-I just let her cry, let her feel whatever she needed to feel. Her body shook with the weight of everything she'd been through, and all I could do was hold her close, brushing the hair away from her forehead and whispering softly, "I'm here. I'm here, baby."
Elisse, Luna, Nica, and Solene were there too, their faces etched with worry and sadness. They stood quietly by the door, their eyes sympathetic, knowing Kai needed space but also needing to show their support.
I could feel my own tears threatening to spill as I watched Kai break apart, the walls she'd built around herself crumbling. This wasn't just physical pain-this was all the emotional weight she'd carried for so long, finally catching up to her. And I couldn't help but feel responsible.
Soon after, my dad walked in with Atty. Chico, the family lawyer, and a couple of police officers. The atmosphere shifted immediately-tension thick in the room as they started asking questions. They needed answers. What happened? Who did this to her?
But I could barely focus on their questions. All I could think about was Kai, sitting there, broken. The police and the lawyer ushered us outside to give them space to investigate, but I didn't want to leave her side-not even for a second.
As I stepped into the hallway, I took one last look at her through the glass window of the room. She was still fragile, still hurting, but I knew I'd stay by her side through all of this. There was no going back.
Then finally, after what felt like hours, the questioning was done. The officers left with nods of assurance that they'd "handle it," and Dad gave me a reassuring look before he followed them and Atty. Chico down the hallway.
The moment they were gone, we all rushed back into the room. Elisse gently closed the door behind us while Luna pulled the curtain to give Kai a bit of privacy. We gathered around her, careful not to overwhelm her, but needing to be close-needing to show her she wasn't alone.
Kai looked tired, her face still swollen in places, a bruise blooming over her cheekbone, her lip cracked. But there was a clarity in her eyes now, a quiet strength. She looked at each one of us-me, Luna, Elisse, Nica, and Solene-before she took a deep breath.
"I was walking to the pharmacy," her voice was raspy, soft, but steady. "Mom needed her meds and most of the shops were already closed... then a car pulled up. It was Chesca."
We all tensed. I could feel my fists clench on instinct.
"She had her friends with her. I didn't recognize all of them. Before I could do anything, one of them grabbed me and shoved me into the car."
Kai paused for a second. Her eyes started to gloss over, but she didn't let the tears fall.
"She took me to an abandoned house, somewhere outside Aldeguer. The moment I stepped out of the car, she kissed me... then bit me." She shuddered, and my hand found hers instinctively. She held on.
"She hit me. Kicked me. Screamed things I've heard before-things that used to control me. But I fought back this time. I spit on her. I yelled. But that only made it worse. She punched me, stomped on my fingers... then-"
Kai's voice broke, but she gathered herself.
"She said my name like it was something dirty. Said I betrayed her... that I belonged to her. Then she started talking about you, Rain. That's when she really snapped. She said I let you tame me. That I changed. That she hated who I'd become."
I felt my throat tighten. Elisse was already wiping her eyes, while Luna looked like she was ready to punch a wall. Solene sat silently, her hand curled into a fist, while Nica had tears falling freely.
Kai looked at me again, and this time her voice cracked.
"I thought she was going to kill me."
And in that moment, the weight of it all hit us-just how close we'd come to losing her. I leaned in and kissed her forehead gently.
"You're safe now," I whispered. "You're safe, baby. We're here. You're never going through that alone again."
No one said a word for a while. We just sat there, surrounding her with love, with silence, with the kind of presence only real family can offer.
Then the door opened slowly and Dad stepped inside, his expression composed but heavy with concern. He walked toward Kai's bed with the kind of calm authority that always made people listen, then gently said, "Kai, my name is Atty. Robert Celmar."
Kai turned her head toward him, still visibly weak, but she nodded respectfully.
"I will be helping you with this case against Chesca Villamor," Dad continued, his voice clear and reassuring. "Alongside your Tito Chico. We've already dispatched officers to locate and arrest Chesca and her friends involved in the assault. We were also able to recover CCTV footage from a nearby store that captured the vehicle taking you-enough to build a strong case."
Kai's fingers tightened slightly around mine. I could see her jaw clench, but also-something in her shoulders eased, like the weight of helplessness had started to lift.
Dad gave her a small nod, then turned to Tita Lynn, who had been quietly standing by the corner of the room the entire time.
"Ma'am," Dad said respectfully, "can we talk outside for a moment?"
Tita Lynn nodded quickly, worry still etched all over her face. She gave Kai one last glance-one filled with silent apology and pain-then followed Dad out of the room, closing the door softly behind them.
Inside, the room felt quiet again. But this time, there was a sense of movement-a shift. Kai wasn't just a victim anymore. She was going to fight back, and this time, she wasn't alone.
Tita Lynn's POV
"Ma'am, the police are hunting Chesca Villamor as we speak," Mayor Robert said with steady conviction. "And rest assured-we will put her behind bars, along with her companions. This time, they won't get away with it."
I tried to keep my composure, but the dam finally broke. My hands trembled as I pressed them against my chest. "Salamat, Mayor, ha-" my voice cracked. "I was so shocked. Nangyari na naman 'to kay Kai."
I paused, swallowing hard, the memories clawing their way back from the last time she ended up in the hospital. "The last time... she could barely talk. She was broken. And now, eto na naman. Nangyari na naman sa kanya."
Tears were freely falling now. I didn't even try to stop them. "Parang nawawalan na ako ng pag-asa sa justice system natin, Mayor. We did everything right. We filed a TRO. We had statements. Pero ni-lift pa rin. Dahil lang sa pera ng mga Villamor."
I looked at him with a heavy heart. "Even her own father-he turned his back on his own daughter. All because of money. Mayor... anong klaseng mundo 'to kung ni pamilya mo, binibenta ka sa mga halimaw?"
Mayor Robert didn't answer right away. He just looked at me with a kind of sadness only fathers could understand. Then he stepped forward and gently placed a hand on my shoulder.
"We'll fight for her, Lynn. And this time-we won't let them bury the truth."
Rain's POV
As I sat by Kai's side, holding her hand, my mind was racing with a thousand thoughts-my heart aching with the weight of everything that had happened. Then, Dad gently knocked and peeked through the door, his voice soft but serious. "Bean, let's go outside for a moment."
I gave Kai's hand a gentle squeeze, letting the girls know I'd be back. "I'll be right here, okay?" I whispered, then stepped out of the room with my father.
We walked down the sterile hallway in silence until we reached a quiet corner, where Dad finally spoke, his tone low and heavy. "I'm going to the house now to check with the officer who arrested Chesca. Social services are already at the precinct, and we'll file the case. But this won't be easy-Chesca is turning 18 next month."
His words hung in the air, thick with the reality of what we were up against. Then he sighed, running a hand through his hair, clearly struggling with the next part.
"We're going up against the Villamors, Rain. We know how powerful they are, how much influence they have... but don't worry," he paused and placed a hand on my shoulder. "I've already reached out to Judge Salvador. We'll ask for his help, and together, we'll make sure Chesca pays for what she's done."
I could see the weight in his eyes, a battle he was willing to fight for me, for Kai. But the fear-fear for me, for what this would cost us-was also there, lingering between us.
Then he hesitated, his voice dropping even lower. "But, anak... your mom..."
I didn't let him finish. The tightness in my chest was suffocating, but I forced myself to speak through the lump in my throat. "Dad, being here with you-knowing you're on our side-is more than I could ever ask for. For me and Kai, this... this means everything."
My heart felt like it was being torn in two, but I steadied myself. "I'm asking you to help her. Please, help Kai." I looked him in the eye, desperation clear in my voice. "I promise, I swear to you, after all of this is over... I'll go to New York willingly. I'll do whatever it takes. I'll walk away from everything, if it means Kai is free from them. I'll leave everything behind, even if it means giving up my future, just to make sure she's safe."
The words were raw and trembling, coming from a place I hadn't dared to go before. I could see the love in his eyes, a mixture of pride and pain, as he nodded slowly.
"I'll do everything I can, Rain," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I promise you, I will not let them win."