Murder and Mamon

My halo-halo chia seed parfait and ube scones with coconut jam were specifically requested, as well as some sort of cake. Instead of my usual calamansi chia seed muffins, I could try a calamansi lavender loaf, to advertise our spring menu. Though if it's for breakfast, maybe coffee cake would be more appropriate. Coffee cakes usually had streusel and cinnamon, so a salabat streusel would be quick and easy to whip up.

And after all that talk, you tried to pin your crimes on your best friend, who was willing to cover for you. I feel sorry for you—I do.

I’m just telling the truth. It’s not like I’m making any of this up. If people didn’t want me to talk about them, maybe they should act right.’ ” Teresa laughed. “Can you believe that? Miss High-and-Mighty. In her mind, she’s always the good guy. As if the truth is so simple.

She was over at my house one day and she accidentally . . . she walked in on my mom doing drugs in the bathroom.” I raised my eyebrows—I’d heard how strict the drug laws in the Philippines could be and could tell this was not going to end well.

Not all of us got to go away to college like you did. Some of us were stuck at home helping out our family business and learning random skills from YouTube to get by.

The same as anyone else here, I imagine. Grabbing a drink, enjoying some illegal gambling, all that good stuff.” Nabila slammed down the glass. “What’re you trying to pull? Is this a raid? Are there cops surrounding the building or something?

I don’t know what that means, but if you’re comparing yourself to me, I don’t like it. My plans are smart. Yours are just greedy,” Lola Flor said sharply. Says the woman with a gambling addiction, but that was an issue for the therapist she refused to see. I wasn’t foolish enough to say that out loud.

Considering my ‘hobby’ saved your sorry a—um, butt.” Tita Rosie had thrown me a look so I changed my wording. “You should really be a whole lot nicer to me. I could always use more groveling in my life.

Love isn’t logical. You know that, dear,” Martha said, admonishing him. “And it’s not right for us to comment on their marriage like this. Nobody knows what it’s really like behind closed doors.

It’s all well and good to be forgiving, but I wonder how many times you can put up with the same humiliation before you move from ‘forgiving’ to ‘foolish.

He was right though, there were people who seemed to delight in my godmothers’ latest string of problems, even those who’d previously been friendly with them. Love how quick people are to turn on you in this town.

When the scandal hit the news, the other families had PR teams spin it so that Divina took the brunt of the blame. She had a job lined up, but the company rescinded the offer. She found herself blacklisted from the more reputable companies, too. She begged her friends to help her out, but there was talk of pressing charges for the mental and physical damages that other student suffered, so her friends decided Divina worked best as a scapegoat

Really though, it was hard not to laugh when the Calendar Crew, a group whose lives revolved around talking about people behind their backs, were suddenly all huffy when people were doing it to them. Did they realize the irony? Judging by the stony expressions on their faces, probably not.

Everybody turned on her. Her boyfriend broke up with her so his name wouldn’t be associated with hers anymore. He made her delete all the photos of them together online and refused to be seen around her. She was blacklisted in the art community here. Her parents sent her away hoping things would die down and she could start over eventually.

So, um, I’ve heard a bit of gossip during some of my classes,” Sana said. “Seems like people are pretty evenly divided between ‘those nosy aunties are finally getting theirs’ and ‘that girl was an evil temptress.

People milled about the room, eating and chatting and laughing as if this were any other church social event and not a remembrance of a young life lost. Divina was new in town and most of these people had never met her, I reminded myself before I could get worked up. These people were all here out of respect to Ninang April, but they were not personally affected by this loss. This level of casualness was to be expected.

I had to tell them that their only child is gone because of me. So don’t act like you understand. And don’t you dare act like everything’s going to be OK. You’re not the one who has to live with this.

But someone killed my niece. And until we find the person who did it, we are not taking any chances. I refuse to remove any possibilities because I’d rather stick my head in the sand and pretend they’re not there.

All the good-looking guys in this town are taken! I was hoping to have some fun while I was here, but it seems like more trouble than it’s worth. And I promised my aunt I’d stay out of trouble. Guess this is a sign that I should behave after all.” Her face lit up as if she were amused, but her eyes held a more complicated emotion.

We sunk our savings into this, and to miss all the business that the opening week for the Spring Clean could bring us? Absolutely not.

It’s common for people to have househelp in the Philippines. I guess it’s different here. A lot of things seem to be different here.” Divina looked down at her manicured hands. “I didn’t go to college just to end up doing this kind of labor. I really don’t get what my family’s trying to prove.

Not everyone can afford to chase after their dreams, you know. We don’t all have your privilege. And besides, nursing is a noble profession and Ate Bernie is fantastic at what she does. The Shady Palms Hospital is lucky to have her,” I said.

have no clue. The biggest red flag was that she didn’t jump at the opportunity to hook her up with Marcus.” “Seriously. She’s even tried setting me up on a date with him, and she knows I’m not into men,” Adeena

Stacks upon stacks of cooked crepes that you could stuff with savory fillings to make lumpiang sariwa, as well as shredded green jackfruit adobo and/or chicken adobo crepes. There were also various cut-up fruits (cut-up fruit=love), ube halaya, minatamis na bao, and whipped coconut cream, plus calamansi and panutsa (my spin on the classic lemon and sugar combination) to round out the sweet offerings.

As per your request, all the chocolate we have on offer." There were pandan cheesecake brownies, red bean brownies, ube chocolate chip cookies, ube Oreo mochi Rice Krispie treats, brown butter chai chocolate chip cookies, Mexican hot chocolate cookies, and a champorado parfait, the last of which was still in the experimental phase. I didn't usually make so many chocolate offerings in one day, but I guess subconsciously I felt the need for chocolaty comfort as much as Marcus did.

I hope you don't have a hangover after all this." I wasn't sure if I should be annoyed or touched by how he was trying to look out for me, so I figured some light teasing was in order. "Unlike you, I'm still in my twenties, so I'll be fine. Get me another sports drink and a bunch of salty carbs and I'll be ready for my morning run with Longganisa." He clutched at his chest in fake pain. "Well, since this old man needs to sleep soon, maybe I should drop you straight at home and let your aunt and grandmother help you." "Nooo, I'm sorry! I'll treat you to your favorite seaweed snacks and those honey butter chips you love." He leaned over for a quick kiss. "Acceptable.

You were just the snobby, annoying kid my mom made me compete against all the time." "She's only saying that because I usually beat her," I said in a stage whisper before raising my glass to her. "It's fine, you were the popular one. At least you have that going for you." Bernadette grinned and clinked her glass against mine. "To my best frenemy.

This town could use a force for good." Jae smiled down at me. "At least it has us.

Ronnie stared at our grandmother. "I thought I was the shady one in the family, but Lola's got me beat." "I don't know what that means, but if you're comparing yourself to me, I don't like it. My plans are smart. Yours are just greedy," Lola Flor said sharply. Says the woman with a gambling addiction, but that was an issue for the therapist she refused to see. I wasn't foolish enough to say that out loud.

I just don't want you to be alone in a potentially dangerous situation. If Adeena and Elena were with you, I wouldn't mind, but..." "But what?" "I don't know... I just thought it'd be cute. Like we're on a mission together or something." He blushed and swept his hair back with one hand so he didn't have to look at me. "We don't spend enough time together, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for late-night hangouts." Oh. My. Gulay. Why was my boyfriend the absolute cutest?