48

GRAY

The chapel's air felt heavy as Jessica and I walked in, eyes shifting towards the mournful gathering. My family, Señora Diana sat solemnly, Enrico with his wife and kids, Angela beside her secretary Chami, and my niece and nephew, Luigi and Nashi. But Melody, Yuri's daughter, was kneeling by the coffin, tears streaming down her face. Depite of it, I feel nothing.

"Sit down, Jess," I whispered, guiding her to a seat. Behind Señora Diana and Angela.

I took my place beside her, eyes scanning the room. Yuri's betrayal echoed in my mind; the pain, the anger. But today, I wore the mask of grief, concealing the truth that only I and Jessica shared.

"Gray," sambit ni Señora Dianan nang lingonin niya ako. "Wala na ang ate mo."

"Opo, señora," tipid kong wika.

"Hindi ko akalain na magagawa ni Marco 'yon kay Yuri," saad ni Enrico. "Napakasama niyang tao, ipinagkatiwalaan natin siya tapos ganito lang ang isusukli niya."

"Enrico, puwede bang manahimik ka na? Marco is already in jail, l