The Runaway with Me
Characters
Prologue
Kuya mas Pogi: “Are you sure about this?”
Pogi: “Yes, Kuya. Thank you.”
Pogi: “I'm fine Kuya just tired. I'm here at the apartment na. JC, Colt and GJ will be back tomorrow, so I can check out JC's extra car.”
Kuya masPogi: “If it's JC's extra car..."
A new face pops up on the screen.
Ate: “Sorry now I was with... Matthias Ares! What the hell happened to your hair?”
Kuya masPogi: “Same exact words twin”
Pogi: “Part of my change ate.”
Ate: “Bakit Red?”
Kuya masPogi: “Chicken is his thing now. Anyway sis, he's already in his apartment. Colt picked him up this morning.”
Ate: “I'll call Colt later to thank him. Ayusin mo ‘yan, Matt-matt. No clubs, no racing, and definitely no posts about you, Mr. Poppy's Party Prince! It's good that your best friends are there. They're as dumb as you, but at least they are responsible and they really care about you plus they are super nice too.”
Kuya mas Pogi: “Our parents still don’t know about the properties you bought. Income-generating naman, so let’s just pray they won’t find out. Don’t be magastos, ha? Learn to budget, wag bobo. Mahal ang tuition sa university, wala ding scholarship program dun. Honestly, that’s the smartest thing you’ve done in your nineteen years of existence.”
Pogi: “Yes, Kuya. I computed everything, my expenses, tuition, all of it. Kaya ko ‘to. Plus, GJ said he’ll give me a side hustle daw.”
Ate: “Matt-matt, why don’t you just do what our parents told you to do? Take a gap year muna, clear your head. Stay here. Plus you're not really taking a gap year naman, since you're enrolled at a remote program at ETH. You don't really need to enroll naman in a physical school. Baka isipin nila lumayas ka.”
Kuya mas Pogi (laughing): “Lumayas naman talaga sha."
Pogi: “Ate, I need to prove myself kay Mama. I know I messed up. I just want to show them I can change, kaya ko. Hindi ko na kayang humarap sa kanila, nahihiya ako sa ginawa ko.”
Ate: “Well, you really messed up. Ang aga mo nakapag-college, and yet you still managed to get kicked out of two universities in one year.”
Kuya mas Pogi (serious): “Da almost got into an accident.”
Pogi: “I know… I’m really sorry. I feel terrible. Hindi pa sya nagalit, sabi pa nya it's ok, accident lang yun. But ayaw pa rin akong kausapin ni Mama.”
Kuya mas Pogi: “I'm sorry for what I said back then bro... I was just so scared. Si mama din, but she'll come around. We love you.”
Ate: “Don’t worry, di ka rin matitiis ni Mama. Baby ka pa rin nun kahit anong mangyari. What matters is no one got hurt, okay? You have everything you need na ba? Enrollment papers, your documents, IDs, all that?”
Kuya mas Pogi: “Na-enroll ko na siya. Don’t stress, Lolo and Lola said they’ll stay there indefinitely, enjoying the afam life too much to come home. I’m handling all the university stuff since the partners are busy with their own things. No one’s gonna find out. Hopefully.”
Ate: “Lagot talaga tayo. Pero sige, at least we covered all your tracks. Please, take care, Matt-matt. We love you, okay? We can't tell nangtitas anything they'll tell our parents. Keep updating us.”
Kuya mas Pogi: “And remember, no posts, no racing, no clubs, and no drinking! Got it?”
Pogi: “Yes ate. Yes kuya.”
Kuya mas Pogi (laughing): “Try to get yourself a girl Matt-matt. Try dating...”
Ate (rolls her eyes): “NO! Wag mo turuan tanga tanga pa naman yan! Ayusin mo muna sarili mo Matt-matt!”
Pogi (laughing): “Don't worry ate I'm focused sa school.”
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JC (teasing): “Ok naman pala tong apartment mo, penthouse, taposyou own the building pa. Malapit ka pa sa condo ni GJ, and katabi lang ng tower 2 ng company nila. Very practical… very not you.”
Colt (grinning): “Legit! Pero buti di pa nabenta ni JC extra car nya. Secondhand car? Very not you. Alam kong nagtitipid ka, pero wag kang kakain sa karinderya ha.”
GJ: “Dali na, Ares! Repeat after me... 'Ako! Tutol ako!' Dapat ganon ha, buo! Dapat Tagalog!”
Colt and JC burst out laughing.
Colt (laughing): “Grabe ka, may acting coach pa! Tagalog pa talaga, may accent pa nga ‘yang hinire mo oh!”
GJ: “Ano ka ba, parang teleserye lang ‘to, diba!?”
Ares (uneasy): “Are you serious right now? Like… we’re actually pranking your cousin?”
GJ (smirking): “More like pranking her husband-to-be.”
Ares: “Bro, I’m really not sure about this. I came here to start over, not to get in trouble.”
GJ (reassuring): “Relax, it’s just a prank, Ares. Don’t worry, I’ll take the blame if anything goes wrong. I'll tell them it's my idea.”
JC (teasing): “Taasan mo kasi bayad mo. Akala niya normal side hustle lang ‘to, like coding or anything cyber security related..”
He looks at Ares.
“He’s lowballing you, bro. 20K? Really?”
Ares (shrugs): “Well, that’s a lot for me right now.”
He thinks for a second.
“You know what… make it fifty.”
GJ (mock-offended): “Grabe naman, 200% increase?!”
Colt (grinning): “Go na GJ! I’ll add 20K if you actually go through with it Ares, pero pure Tagalog lines, ha!”
JC (laughing): “Sige, I’ll add 30K pa bro. GJ, dagdagan natin, baka umatras ‘to pagdating sa simbahan.”
Ares (blinking): “Wait, what? 100K… just for a prank?”
Colt (laughing and looking at GJ): “Well, yeah!”
JC: “Ano, game? Don't worry andun namaan si Colt and GJ, Colt is his girlfriend's plus one.”
GJ: "Remember your lines, kung feel mo mag adlib mag adlib ka. Sit at the back lang blend in with the other guests siguro near aisle."
Ares (after a deep breath): “One 100K would really help with my tuition… Okay, fine. Game.” He draws in a deep breath, then exhales as if letting go of his doubts.
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A week later…
Ares sat quietly on one of the back pews, hands clasped tightly as if in prayer. The faint echo of footsteps and hushed murmurs filled the church. He tried to steady his breathing, but his heart refused to listen. Every tick of the clock only made his palms sweat more. He was waiting for his cue.
Priest: “If there is anyone here who knows any reason why Adi and Calvin should not be joined together in holy matrimony, speak now, or forever hold your peace.”
Ares: “Ako po! Tutol ako!”
GJ and Colt, seated halfway down the bride’s side, turned to each other, wide-eyed.
GJ (whispering, trying not to laugh): “FUCK! I didn’t think he’d actually do it!”
Colt (grinning, amazed): “Bro, Tagalog! Pero yung accent!” He pulls out his phone and starts recording. "JC's gonna freak out!"
Ares: “Tutol ako kasi alam kong hindi mo gusto ’to... Tutol ako kasi baka ako talaga ’yung para sa’yo. Kung hahayaan kitang makasal sa kanya... hindi ko mapapatawad ang sarili ko.” He holds out his hand. “Pangako, hinding hindi kita sasaktan.”
Before anyone could react—and before Ares could shout that it was all just a prank—
Adi looks at the priest.
Adi: “Ako din po, tutol ako!”
She quickly slips off her heels and runs toward him. Ares freezes, eyes wide, as Adi throws herself into his arms and kisses him on the lips.
GJ: “WHAT?!”
Colt (laughing, still recording): “Bruh!”
As Adi pulls away, breathless—
Adi: “Please… get me out of here.”
Ares doesn’t say a word. He just takes her hand, and together, they run out of the cathedral.
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XPOST
@BusinessFrontPH 📰
🚨 Déjà vu? 20 years after Ahira Arceo made headlines for running away with a red-haired mystery man, her niece Adi Arceo reportedly did the same, also with a redhead. 👀
Is it in the genes, or just the Arceo women’s taste in men?
At least Sasha Arceo broke the pattern, she stayed. 💍
Maybe it’s not about marrying the Arceo women… it’s keeping them. 😉
#BusinessFrontPH #ArceoAffair #RunawayBride
#AdiArceo #RunawayBride #ArcClothing #AhiraLockhart
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Later...
Ate: "MATTHIAS ARES! CALL ME! CALL US! OH MY GOD! SERIOUSLY ONE WEEK KA PA LANG SA PILIPINAS! NO POSTS! 🤬🤬🤬"
Kuya mas Pogi: “MATT-MATT! I said try dating, not steal someone’s bride! 😃”
© 2025 Lee Belll. All Rights Reserved.
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