Chapter 2 SECRET THRILL

It was past ten in the evening when Kobi came home from the construction company he worked for. They had over time. He sat for a moment in a wooden chair that was almost worn out with old age in their tiny living room.

"Lord, maybe there is still hope to change our lives. I'm trying my best. I know I am strong in You and You will not disappoint me in my dreams." he spoke weakly to himself.

For a while, he stayed in the living room while lying down and drowsy, he thought back to how he started the hardship where he learned to stretch a bone to work hard and help his mother in supporting their family. Their family numbers are in fact over half a dozen. In short, they are only eight siblings. He was second to the eldest. His older brother Henry was the eldest. The third is Roldan, 16 years old, who is currently in his fourth year at Quezon National High School. Rodel, who is 15 years old and in the third year of high school, is fourth. Eric is fifth, 14 years old, and in his second year of high school. Sixth is Aris 13 years old and in the first year of high school. Cedric, 12 years old, is seventh and in grade six and attends Quezon Elementary School. The youngest is Princess 11 years old and in grade five. This is the princess of their family because she is the only girl of their eight siblings. That is why they gave it the name Princess after the birth delivery of her mother. He even remembers what his older brother Henry would often tell when they were joking.

"Hey! finally I also had a daughter after seven boars. "This is what their late father used to say to their mother. Then their father joked that "you want us to be another darling and maybe we can have a baby girl again". But it was really only up to eight and it wouldn't take a few more because the father left them early. Since then, he has seen how his mother suffered and endured just to support their family. That's why he always tell to his mother "You are my superwoman."

They were also lucky because their father and mother worked hard to get a small vegetable stall at Quezon Public Market. Their father allegedly loaned it three years before he passed away. Her mother runs the vegetable stall which almost took expenses for food, electricity, tuition for his siblings, and other household needs. But with the number of siblings, the income of their vegetable stall is not really enough for family needs. This is the reason why even though he wanted to continue in college after graduating from high school, he could do nothing but work to help his mother. He almost became the eldest son after his older brother Henry has owned a family.

"Brother, I'm sorry that you will take on the role that belongs to me. There's nothing I can do, it's here. "He still remembers what his older brother Henry said then.

He only gave a smile in response to his older brother Henry when he put his arm around him and patted his shoulder.

Every weekend when he is not working at the construction company. He also helps the mother in the market but she often hires to lift tons of fish that come from the Fish Port and drop into the Quezon Public Market. He is happy when he earns more than a thousand in a day and when peak season slows down he earns a minimum of 500 pesos a day. And not only that because he can sometimes take home fresh fish such as yellowfin, blue marlin, milkfish, and barrel.

Like today is Sunday. He got woke up early to go to the market with her mother. He only wore a faded blue T-shirt that his mother had just bought at the preloved store for 10 pesos only. It was fit to partner with denim shorts that were also almost chopped up with small holes on the side.

"It doesn't matter, no issues. That won't reduce Kobi's, it's an added factor to his looks, "he said laughing while looking at the shape in the mirror.

Honestly, that didn't detract from her charming looks because it's not the basis of a person's clothing. A fact that he can't afford to buy the things he wants like branded shoes, T-shirts, and jeans. But it doesn't matter for him as this is not his priority at the moment. If he has a high priority it is their food survival kit every day. He's happy when he can buy a sack of rice that's a delicious kind, of course, that's the type that will be drawn wow! you savor the rice served on the table even if the viand is not a delicious one, a bowl of payless noodles and sometimes soy sauce and oil enough just to satisfy hunger.

Somebody says he has a resemblance to the very popular actor Jericho Rosales and some even call him TDH of his He is not in the habit of attracting because he is still being attracted. But he seems to be the handsome one who is not a playboy because when he loves the new generation (Tall-Dark-Handsome) because that was the time his mother and daughter actor Richard Gomez is the so-called TDH. Not to brag when it comes to his physical looks no woman can't resist his presence. Her wavy hair is quite curly. The eyes were attractive as if flirting to stick to one as in the pours attention and love that's why he is always heard in the market when he lifts tons of fish.

"Vita is really very lucky with Kobi because he is handsome, hardworking, and hard-working in life" those are words he often hears from the elderly who own other stalls in the market. Such compliments to him make his heart flattered. Because whether he likes it or not these comments are true. Because he really loves his girlfriend Vita. They have also been lovers for almost a year and a half. Vita comes from a common family and his father works as a mechanic at the local government unit of Quezon.

"Hello, Kobi my love" Janna joked to him. He was at ease with this lady ever since.

Janna grew up in an orphanage and did not recognize her biological parents. She is a saleslady in the Quezon Public Market who works during the day and attends school at night. They met here in the public market and comfortable friends with each other.

Janna's life is sad because she doesn't have her own family to consider but even though her life is so sad, can't see that her past life is difficult because Janna is a very jolly person, she's the type that even if you don't pay attention to her, she's still the first to greet you. Janna is a good girl a habit of it that is interesting. Janna is also diligent and determined to finish her studies so she works during the day and attends school at Divine College at night taking up a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy course.

"Psssssttt...babe maybe Vita will hear that it's a war," Kobi replied with a smile obviously joking. Because they already think that they are closed to each other, so they have become comfortable with the call of endearment that Janna calls him "love" and he calls Janna "babe".

"Hmmm... I get jealous of Vita. How lucky she is of having Kobi Castro in her life. She won for you. Diligent. Hardworking. Smart. Clever. Handsome. What she is looking for? " can see the admiration in the eyes of Janna as she praises Kobi.

"Wow! I'm so flattered Janna thank you so much." Kobi's smile is wide and he is obviously very fond of Janna. You know how much I love Vita. She is my life. She is my everything. I don't know what to do if she will be lost in my life and you know that, Janna." Kobi really loves Vita too much. The pride on his face can be seen.

"Yes, I know that Kobi that's why she is stupid if she will lose the one like you." Janna winked at him as if making him look cute while speaking.

"Janna, it is obvious that you are always praising me. I know you want free goto. You know you don't have to tell me anymore because I've known for a long time." Kobi's eyes teased as he looked at Janna who even put his index finger on his chin which made him even more handsome.

"Gossshhh! Kobi you're making me crazy." Janna secretly laughed at the fury she thought. She immediately regained her gaze.

"Oh-my God the wind is a very strong force outside Mr. Castro. What a thrill?" she let out a crisp laugh. Janna notices that Kobi is looking at her and she will admit that she is not comfortable in a scene like this. She was used to them always blasting Kobi.

"Hey! Mr. Castro, please keep your eyes distant least I am carried away." She jokingly said while laughing.

Kobi seemed stunned for a moment because of Janna's joke. Today, he earned two thousand pesos. He has a lot of scales on his body so that means he also earned a lot. It was break time when he invited Janna to eat at Elena's Carinderia which is located inside the market. The best sellers here are special lomi and goto. He ordered two lomi for them. He handed five hundred pesos to Elena as payment. Elena can't avoid giving a meaningful smile.

"You know Kobi if I didn't know that Vita is your girlfriend, I might think that Janna is your girlfriend." Elena teased them.

Kobi couldn't answer right away and looked at Janna's facial reaction which was also obvious in shock. They don't know what to say. Both are speechless.

Janna is the one who first recovered from the scene because she couldn't bear to hold back the stare Kobi was giving her during those moments.

Why is it like this? mute complaints in mind

"Oh no! you're making our fun." He raised his voice pretending so that it would not be noticeable that he was awkward in the scene.

Kobi laughed out loud after sniffing the lomi. Janna is really different with a very strong sense of humor and Elena jokes like this.

"Kobi is very loyal to Vita so it is very impossible that he will be admired by the other girl. To tell you honestly, Kobi Castro is the handsome man who is not a playboy but loyal and faithful to Vita."Janna even elbowed Kobi on the arm while holding his stomach and squirming with laughter.

Elena blinked as she prepared the order of pickled beans for the customer who arrived.

"It's a tough time now I mean we can't be sure of the game of destiny, especially a time of temptation around. We didn't know even if the person we love so much is the same loyal to us." Elena's figurative wordings.

Janna noticed that Kobi frowned at what he heard from Elena.

"What you said is true but I believe it depends on the person. "Janna explained when she turned Kobi again, it was bent over as if he was deep in thought.

"Kobi are you alright? Janna asked, staring at the young man for a moment.

"Of course," Kobi replied sparingly.

"Don't be too complacent and trust too much Kobi. You should be tough and brace sometimes to Vita." Elena said still in doubts to Vita through it's words.

"Thank you for the advice Elena" it was Janna who responded to make an end to the conversation because she noticed that Kobi's mood had changed.