Mariely's sudden kick to Frank's balls caught Veron off guard, making her bite her lip to suppress her laughter.
Calm down, Veron, calm down, she told herself, holding her breath so she wouldn't burst out laughing.
Oh no, I can't take it anymore—I need to get in the car.
She quickly jumped inside, slamming the door shut before laughter erupted from her chest like a volcano.
"That woman is really something! She actually did that? Damn it, I love you, Faith!" She laughed out loud, as if talking to herself like a lunatic.
Veron had to calm down—if she didn't, she might not be able to drive home today.
Exhale... inhale... Whoa, she whispered, trying to regain composure.
She even saw Frank's mom helping him into the car—and that only made it worse. The image replayed in her head, and she burst out laughing again.
"I need to go. Calm down, Veron Camille. Calm down," she mumbled while still giggling. Her side ached from laughing too hard.
"This will be the end of me," she added, before finally composing herself enough to drive home.
****
Meanwhile, Frank was groaning in the passenger seat, still cradling his injury while his mother drove.
"I guess I'm driving now, since you're clearly in no condition," Becca said, trying not to laugh.
Frank winced. "What happened? Why did Miss Celestial kick you?" his mom asked, shaking her head.
"Mom, are you seriously making fun of me? It really hurts!" Frank groaned again.
Becca chuckled. "Good thing someone kicked you!"
"Mom! My balls are for fun, not punishment!"
"You're so stubborn. You deserved that," she said dryly.
"I'm serious, Mom! What if I become infertile because of this?"
"You deserve it."
Frank sighed. That woman's the only one who can kick me like that.
He let his mother take the wheel as he continued groaning all the way home.
When they arrived, his father had just gotten back from a business trip.
"Oh? What happened to him?" His dad asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Hey, Dad. You're back," Frank mumbled.
"It's because of his nonsense," Becca cut in. "And if he got your stubbornness, tell him to stop, okay?" she added before heading to her room.
"Kicked in the balls?" his dad asked.
Frank sat down with a wince. "Dad... aren't balls supposed to be played with?"
His father chuckled and handed him a glass of wine. "You're unbelievable. Who kicked you?"
Frank didn't answer, just downed the wine.
His dad laughed again and gave him a pat. He left Frank alone to rest, groaning in pain.
First time I got slapped in the face. Now, I get kicked in the balls... this is escalating, he thought, shaking his head.
Frank's mind drifted back to when he first met Mariely. She was in her second year of high school—Nathan's younger sister.
He wasn't really interested in her back then. She used to wait outside her brother's school, always alone, and out of boredom, he'd tease her.
She wasn't even his type, but making her cry amused him, and Nathan often scolded him for it.
Once, he went too far. He insulted her looks—and she slapped him.
After that, Mariely avoided him entirely.
But eventually, he started becoming interested. He dated her behind Nathan's back.
Nadia had once caught them kissing, but no one else knew.
She was so young then... and I played with her heart.
Frank shook his head. Back then, Nathan did everything to protect Mariely.
And when they broke up, Nathan made sure she stayed away from him.
But now... I want to play again, Frank thought. I want her to remember those feelings.
I'll make you remember, Mariely, he whispered to himself before heading to bed.
*****
"Hey, idiot." Veron's voice rang in Mariely's ear. She was still reeling over the fact that she had kicked Frank. In public.
"I didn't mean to do it; I was just surprised," she replied, clearly flustered.
She was also worried—her brother was starting to suspect something.
"I couldn't even speak at breakfast. I know he'll ask me soon."
"Then just tell him the truth. He'll probably be glad you were brought home safe, right?" Veron suggested.
"That's not how it's going to go. You don't know how much he hates that man."
Veron sighed. "Calm down. Your brother isn't going to kill you."
Mariely sank into her bed. She was stuck between hiding and confessing.
"Anyway, see you Monday. Rest up—you've got review classes tomorrow," Veron reminded her.
Mariely nodded silently. She couldn't dodge Nathan's questions forever.
Bye-bye, free life, she sighed.