When the buzzer sounded, I flinched so hard my cup nearly slipped from my hand.
We were just in the living area, sprawled on beanbags, playing cards to kill the silence.
But that sound froze everything.
It always did.
I felt seven pairs of eyes dart toward the red door.
Kuya's voice crackled, calm, deep, unbothered.
"Margaux, please proceed to the Confession Room."
I felt heat rush to my face.
Every time he said my name, I felt like i was about to be dissected alive.
I stood slowly, setting my cards down.
Joshua gave me a tiny nod.
Mia bit her lip, watching me carefully.
I didn't look at anyone else.
Couldn't.
I pushed my hair back with trembling fingers and headed to the door.
Inside, it was cold.
Unforgiving.
Too bright.
I sat stiffly in the chair, resting my palms on my knees.
They were sweating.
"Margaux."
That voice was always so gentle.
Too gentle.
Like it was designed to make you tell the truth.
I swallowed.
"Yes, Kuya."
He didn't waste time.
"Let's talk about something you've avoided discussing for some time."
I felt my nails dig into my palms.
I knew where this was going.
He always knew how to get there.
"Let's talk about the issue outside—the accusations that you were a third party in Ken and Jayda's relationship."
My breath hitched.
My vision blurred immediately.
God.
Not here.
Not this.
I blinked furiously.
But i felt the tears spilling over anyway.
My chest heaved.
I tried to talk.
No words came.
Kuya didn't say anything.
He let me sit there.
Crying.
Struggling to breathe.
Until i choked out something raw.
"I didn't... I didn't even know, Kuya."
My voice was shaking.
Broken.
"I swear to God, I didn't know."
He didn't interrupt.
He never did.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
"I didn't know they were even together. They never said. There was no announcement. No confirmation. Nothing. And even if there was..., I would never—"
My voice cracked.
"—I would never do that. I'm not that person."
Silence.
Just the sound of my breathing.
Ragged.
I wiped my nose with the back of my hand.
Gross.
Ugly.
I didn't care.
"But no one believes me, Kuya."
My throat burned.
"They see me as a slut, homewrecker, snake, kabit, a fucking... whore."
I coughed on a sob.
"Even if i explain it, they don't want to hear it."
My voice dropped to a whisper.
"They already decided who i am."
I felt like i was unraveling in that chair.
Like everything i'd been holding together with tape and glue was falling apart in front of him.
"They didn't care that we were at a group dinner. That there were managers there. Other staff. Other actors. They just saw... me. Sitting beside him. Laughing."
I let out a shuddering breath.
"That was enough to condemn me."
I stared at the wall.
The cameras watched.
Always watching.
"I didn't leak the pictures. I didn't want that. It was a celebration dinner for our drama. That's it. But when Jayda posted that 'ghosted' thing on IG... it was over."
I sucked in air.
"They needed a villain and i was perfect for it."
Silence from Kuya.
But i could feel his presence.
Like he was willing me to keep going.
My voice was tiny.
"I've had people throw things at me. Spit at me. Scream that i should kill myself."
I wiped tears furiously.
"My PA cries when she sees me. My parents want to sue everyone. But i said no. I said... just let it go."
My shoulders slumped.
"Because i thought if i just shut up... it would die down."
A humorless laugh escaped.
"It didn't."
I pressed my palm to my mouth, trying to stop the sobs.
But they kept coming.
"I'm not... I'm not a saint, Kuya. I know i can be spoiled. I know i'm privileged. But i'm not... evil."
My voice was a strangled whisper.
"I didn't steal anyone's boyfriend."
I sat there, rocking slightly.
Breathing like i'd run a marathon.
Eyes swollen.
He finally spoke.
"Thank you for being honest, Margaux."
His voice was so calm it made me want to scream.
But i didn't.
I just cried harder.
"Do you feel better for saying it?"
I swallowed.
Shook my head.
"No."
"Why?"
Because it didn't matter.
I knew it.
They'd show the clip.
People would call it acting.
Manipulation.
Crocodile tears.
I sniffled.
"Because no one will believe me, Kuya. No matter what I say."
He didn't argue.
He let the silence fill the room like water.
-
When i left the confession room, I felt empty.
Drained.
Eyes burning.
I wiped my face and tried to compose myself before i opened the door.
Mia was waiting.
She didn't say anything.
Just opened her arms.
I collapsed into her.
She held me.
Rubbed my back.
Didn't say it was okay.
Because it wasn't.
Joshua caught my eye over her shoulder.
He looked like he wanted to punch something.
The others...
Some wouldn't meet my gaze.
I saw the discomfort.
The pity.
The skepticism.
But no one said anything.
Not then.
-
That night was Eviction Night.
We dressed up a little.
Producers wanted us camera-ready.
They gave me a soft pink top, hoping i'd look gentle.
Harmless.
I stared at myself in the mirror.
My eyes were swollen.
Red-rimmed.
Mascara smudged even though i'd washed my face.
I dabbed concealer under my eyes.
Fixed my hair.
Practiced smiling.
Didn't quite manage it.
We gathered in the living area, all seven of us.
Lights were too bright.
Mics on.
Mia squeezed my hand.
I didn't let go.
-
Kuya's voice was steady as ever.
He announced the nominees.
Mia
Pablo.
Kath.
Me.
My stomach turned.
I felt like vomiting.
He let the tension stretch.
Pulled it like rubber until it threatened to snap.
Then he said the words.
"The housemates leaving tonight are... Pablo and Kath."
It was like the world went quiet.
I blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Trying to process.
People gasped.
Mia covered her mouth.
Joshua let out a whoop and hugged Pablo so hard they both nearly fell over.
But me?
I sat frozen.
I was safe.
Somehow.
I couldn't move.
Couldn't react.
I just felt...
Confused.
Relieved.
Terrified.
Why?
Why was i safe?
Did people vote for me?
Actual strangers?
No.
It couldn't be.
It had to be my parents.
My manager.
My PA.
Voting again and again.
Spending money to keep me in.
Because out there?
People hated me.
I knew that.
I felt sick.
My eyes burned.
I blinked them clear.
Mia was hugging me now.
Saying something.
I forced my arms to move.
Held her back.
Nodded.
Smiled, but it felt wrong on my face.
Pablo was crying.
Kath was trying to be brave.
We said goodbye.
Tried to be gracious.
Tried not to let the cameras see how fucked up it all felt.
When the door shut behind them, I sank onto the couch.
Kuya's voice congratulated us.
Said we were safe another week.
Said the outside world had spoken.
I swallowed.
Hard.
I didn't feel safe.
I felt watched.
Judged.
Weighted.
Because i knew next week could be me.
Because i knew the public wasn't on my side.
Because i knew i couldn't do anything to make them see me differently.
I rested my head in my hands.
Tried not to let the cameras catch the way my shoulders shook.
Because this wasn't over.
Not even close.
And i didn't know if i had it in me to keep fighting.