Sean's POV continues
"Why can't I contact her phone? Earlier, when I woke up before getting out of bed to shower, I called her right away. And now, I still can't reach her. What could she be doing?""I muttered to myself while driving to pick her up.
"Huh? What is my palangga (love) up to this time? Why are the lights off? This is getting exciting—maybe she has another surprise for me!"
She's really good at planning surprises, just like on my birthday. I had thought Ainee had dragged her out for a night out, so I just went along with my ever-hyper best friend for a night out after work. It was perfect since it was a Saturday night, and my birthday was the next day. I didn't mind not being with her that night because I knew for sure we'd spend the whole day together the next day. My parents weren't around, so I was planning to celebrate with them later anyway.
I was completely shocked when I entered my unit and saw it fully decorated, with food laid out on the table. She was there with her best friend Ainee and Ainee's boyfriend, Glen. Also present were Boss Ed, Rick, and some of our other colleagues. She was standing in the middle, holding a cake with lit candles.
Aljo, who I thought had already left because his fiancée texted him to go home, suddenly patted me on the shoulder from behind. That's when I found out that Lui had even coordinated with Aljo to get me out of the condo, so she could sneak in and set everything up. She could enter my condo anytime since I had given her a copy of my keys. She pulled it off so well—I didn't even suspect a thing. That night, I was truly surprised. It was my first time experiencing a surprise birthday party like that, all thanks to my one and only palangga. It was also the first time someone put in so much effort for me.
Boss Ed once told me that Lui was a big catch, and that I was incredibly lucky because she's simple, caring, and very supportive of everything I do.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Ga! (Love) I'm here!" I called out while knocking on her door.
After a minute with no response, I started feeling uneasy. I decided to just unlock the door since I had a copy of her keys. My keys were all kept together—my car key, condo key, her apartment key, and other keys to my drawers and whatnot.
As much as I was surprised on my birthday by the effort, she made for me, what I felt at that moment was double—maybe even triple—that feeling.
When I turned on the lights and entered, I went straight to her bedroom since she wasn't in the kitchen or living room. But to my surprise, she wasn't there either.
What I did find was her bag on top of the bed, next to a small square box. I sat on the edge of the bed and picked up the box to see what was inside.
When I opened it, I found a bracelet made of metal and leather. It was a personalized bracelet with both of our initials engraved on it, and on the back, the date of our anniversary was inscribed.
I was so shocked and speechless—why isn't she here, but her bag is? To make sure, I checked her cabinet, and I was even more stunned to see that only a few of her clothes were left inside, and her luggage, which was usually placed beside her cabinet, was gone. It felt like I had been doused with ice-cold water.
I didn't understand. "Why? Where could she possibly be? Why is she gone?" I was completely clueless.
I fished my phone out of my pocket and dialed Ainee's number.
Ainee: "Good morning! Super excited?"
Me: "Ains, where is she?"
I didn't even bother greeting her back because my mind was in chaos. I didn't want to think that she left me—worse, that she left without saying goodbye or leaving a note. We hadn't argued or fought, so I couldn't understand—"Why did she leave me?"
Ainee: "Huh? What do you mean, 'where is she?' Weren't you the one supposed to pick her up?"
Me: "I'm here at her apartment right now, but she's not here. Most of her clothes are gone. The bag she was supposed to bring with us on our trip is just sitting on her bed. She also left, I assume, her gift for me—a personalized bracelet."
Ainee: "Are you joking?"
Me: "No! Definitely not! Why would I? I'm serious, Ains!"
I started to get irritated by the tone of my voice.
Ainee: "I don't know. She didn't text or call me yesterday either."
Me: "Did she ever mention anything to you? Was she upset with me? Did I do something wrong?"
Ainee: "No. She told me that whenever you two have misunderstandings, you always talk things out immediately."
Me: "Then why did she leave me? Where could she be?"
Ainee: "I don't know either. I'm sorry, Sean. I have no idea. Hold on, Glen and I will come over now. We'll see you in a few minutes."
I didn't even bother replying. I just ended the call immediately. I let out a deep sigh and sat back down on the edge of the bed, trying to figure out the possible reason why she left me like this.
"God, I'm so clueless."
***
Days passed, but we still couldn't find any clues as to where she went. I asked Aljo to take over the company for me for the time being. I couldn't work properly—I just couldn't focus. It was so difficult to find her because no one we asked knew anything.
Ainee and I even called her friends in Mindanao, but we got nothing. No answers. No leads. Nothing.
I also asked a contact to help trace the airline passenger manifest from the day she left, but her name wasn't on the list. Even Ainee was nearly going crazy searching through her friends, hoping someone knew where she was. I had already reported it to the police for help in finding her. Everything was a blur.
I wasn't satisfied, so I asked Ainee for the contact numbers of her friends in Mindanao and personally went there to talk to them. I even spoke with her ex-boyfriend. But nothing. That made it even harder for me, and the weight on my chest grew heavier with each passing day. I couldn't do anything properly—if I wasn't busy talking to the police for updates, I was either sitting in silence or lying on her bed, staring at nothing.
I stopped going back to my condo and chose to stay at her apartment instead, so I'd know immediately if she returned. I informed the building owner about what happened and even paid several months' rent in advance to keep her things safe while waiting for her to come back.
More than a month had passed, and I still hadn't been to the office. My sister found out everything through Aljo, my best friend. She flew in straight from the airport—since she and her family now lived in Manila. Aljo picked her up and took her straight to Lui's apartment without telling me. When she saw me, devastated and much thinner, she cried. I had lost weight because I couldn't sleep, and I had no appetite. In short, I had been neglecting myself.
When she hugged me, I finally broke down. It was the first time I let out all the emotions I had been holding in for the past few weeks since Lui disappeared. I cried like a child, and my sister struggled to console me.
"It hurts so much, Ate. I can't take this pain anymore. I don't even know where else to look for her. I was supposed to propose to her that day. Everything was ready—it wasn't a grand proposal, but I knew she would've liked it. She always preferred things simple," I sobbed in her arms.
"I thought she was planning another surprise for me, like the birthday celebration she pulled off. But instead, she was gone. She left, Ate. I don't know why. I have no idea where she is. I asked all her friends—I even flew to Mindanao to speak with them in person—but they all said the same thing. No one knows anything." I added.
"It hurts. It hurts so much. I really don't know why she left. We didn't even fight," I continued, like a child complaining about an unbearable pain.
"Shhh, enough now. I'm here. I'll help you find her. But you have to promise me you'll eat and rest first. Okay?"
I nodded like a child. And with that, she called someone to bring food.
After we ate together, she convinced me to return to my condo. But she promised that we'd be immediately informed if Lui came back because she would assign someone to watch over the apartment. She said I needed proper rest and wouldn't get that if I stayed at Lui's place.
After a few days of rest and after my sister handled some executive meetings—including some for my company—with Aljo representing me, we left for Manila. My sister had contacted one of her closest friends, Mitch, who worked there. According to Ainee, if anyone knew Lui best, it was Mitch—they had been friends in college and lived together
"Ga, please show yourself. I miss you so much. I'm not mad at you. Believe me, I could never be mad at you because I love you so, so much."
I was restless while waiting outside the TV network where Mitch worked. We weren't allowed inside, nor could we disturb them since they were filming.
"I remember this was Lui's dream. She told me that even though the job required staying up late, it was worth it to see her name in the credits, to be part of something. She said it felt amazing to watch a show she helped create," I told my sister while sitting in her car.
She wouldn't let me drive because I had already been in an accident in Cebu. I had been driving absentmindedly, and if I hadn't been going slow, I might not have avoided a full-on collision. It was early morning, and thankfully, no one got hurt.
"Maybe fate didn't let her get into that TV network in Cebu because someone else got hired before her. That's why she had to apply at the company where we met. Lui is hardworking, brave, and independent. Whenever we went on dates, she never let me pay for everything. She always insisted we split the bill because we both had jobs, and she thought it was unfair for the guy to always pay," I continued.
Knock! Knock! Knock! My story was cut short when someone knocked on the car window.
"Ma'am, Ms. Mitch will be coming out soon. Their taping ended a while ago. You might not see her if you don't wait closer to the entrance," the security guard informed us.
I immediately got out of the car and followed him after my sister thanked him.
I stood by the entrance as the guard signaled to me. I heard him call someone's name, and I knew right then—it was Ali.
"Good evening. Yes? You were looking for me?" she immediately asked with a furrowed brows apparently, she's in state of confusion. So, I quickly introduced myself to her. It was my first time seeing her, though her name was already familiar to me since Lui had mentioned her several times whenever she talked about her college experiences.
Mitch was taller than Lui, slim, with naturally wavy hair that wasn't as dark as Lui's, whose hair was straight, super black, and shiny. Mitch's eyes were slightly slanted, and she wore makeup, unlike Lui, who preferred a simpler look. She also dressed a bit sexier.
"Good evening. Sorry, I know you don't know me yet. I'm Sean, Lui's boyfriend. I'm here to ask if you're free. I'd like to talk to you for a bit," I hesitantly asked.
I saw her glance at her wristwatch, which made me nervous. I was worried she might not be available. She seemed to think for a moment before looking at me and nodding.
"Sure, it's still early."
"Sorry for the sudden request. Do you have any plans?" I asked.
"Oh, no, I just need to buy some groceries and pick up dinner since I promised my cousin I'd take care of it tonight."
"Oh, I see. How about we get your errands done first so you won't have to worry about them later?" my sister offered.
After getting into the car, we talked about where the nearest restaurant was so we could have a conversation. My sister would go ahead to order while I accompanied Mitch to the nearby grocery store.
As we shopped, we chatted a bit—of course, mostly about Lui. It didn't take long since she was only buying a few things for her pregnant cousin, who lived with her in her condo.
"I'm sorry, I don't know anything. She hasn't called me lately either," she answered when we brought up Lui's disappearance.
"Did she mention any problems the last time you talked on the phone?" I asked.
"No, not really. She just told me your anniversary was coming up. She was even planning what to give you as a gift," she said softly, her voice tinged with sadness. Her face showed the same sorrow. I could tell that, like Lui's other friends, she was also worried and hurt. I could feel how much they cared for Lui and how deeply they valued their friendship.
"Since you've known Lui for so long, what do you think could be the reason she left?" my sister asked. I knew she was just as desperate to find Lui. She had only met her once or twice before and had never really spoken with her deeply.
"Maybe… family?"
"But she didn't go home to them, did she?" I asked, making sure.
Mitch just shook her head as if she was debating whether or not to say something.
"Mitch, please, if you know or find out anything, tell me," I pleaded. "I've been everywhere looking for her. I don't understand why she left. We were fine, we didn't fight. Actually, we rarely argue, and when we do, we resolve it quickly. I feel like I'm losing my mind trying to figure out where to find her. I have no clue where to even begin. Please, promise me that if you hear anything about her, you'll tell me right away. I'll go to her no matter where she is. I'm not mad at her—I just can't stop thinking about why she left without a word. I know she must have a reason. She's not the type to make rush decisions. I just want to know if she's okay. If she needs space, I'll give it to her. I just need some clarity."
I saw tears well up in her eyes as she listened to me. I couldn't hold back my own emotions either. My voice trembled as I fought back tears, but I let them fall in the end.
We dropped her off at her condo building, and I felt completely drained. I still had no answers to the questions tormenting me. I felt guilty, too, because we had dropped her off so late—I had forgotten about her pregnant cousin, who was waiting for dinner.
***
"What happened to you, Sean? Why are you doing this to yourself?" my mom asked when we arrived home after dropping Mitch off.
"Mom, let Sean rest first. We can talk about this tomorrow. It's already late, and we all need some rest after such a long day," my sister interjected.
"No, Leigh! Your brother is like this because you keep taking his side!" my mom snapped.
"I'm not taking his side! I'm just doing what's right because I know Sean needs someone to lean on. I'd do the same for Chinky! Because I'm not like you, Mom, who can turn your back on us just for the sake of your business!"
I was shocked by my sister's response. It wasn't that I was unaware of these things, but I was surprised that she actually had the courage to say it. It was true—our relationship with our mom had grown distant ever since she started managing our business with Dad. Because of that, we rarely spent time with her anymore; she and Dad were always away on business trips.
"Everything we worked hard for is for you!"
"Yes, Mom, you're right, but that's not the point! My point is, let me support and help my brother because he needs his family. He's going through something—maybe you don't even know that yet?"
"I know what's happening to your brother! Don't take me for a fool, Leight Margaux!"
"So, you knew, but you did nothing? What kind of mother are you?"
"Don't you dare question my role as your mother! Everything I do is for your own good!"
"Really, Mommy? Like when you sent me here to Manila just to separate me from my boyfriend?" My sister suddenly fell silent, her eyes locking onto mine as if she had just remembered something. Then, she turned back to our mom, her eyes burning with anger.
"Don't tell me… you had something to do with Lui suddenly leaving?"
I was completely shocked by what I had just heard. I couldn't move from where I stood beside my sister. When I looked at Mom, the expression on her face wasn't just shock—it was guilt. As if my sister's accusation had hit the truth.