Gunned Down (Chasing Dreams Series #4) | C O M P L E T E D

Chapter 25

Hawak ang kamay ko, dumaan kami ni Marcus sa gitna ng mga kamag-anak kong tahimik na nakatayo sa tapat ng pinto. We went inside the unit first as they were too shocked to even move. Ang mga nakaka-alam lang sa relasyon naming sina Lola Carmelita at Jeremiah ang kaswal na sumunod sa amin doon.

"I knew there was something going on between those two," narinig ko si Ate Jeminah.

"Akala ko ba friends lang sila?!" gulantang na tanong ni Jamaica.

"Well, Denver and I started as friends, so hindi malabong gano'n din ang nangyari sa kanila," Ate Jeminah replied and told them to come inside.

Nakangisi akong umupo sa tabi ni Marcus, ngunit mabilis na napawi 'yon nang nahuli ko ang pagsulyap sa amin ng lola ko. Jeremiah scoffed as he saw that as well.

Tinapik ko ang kanang hita ni Marcus. "Magtitimpla lang ako ng juice..."

Tumayo ako at 'agad niyang hinuli ang kamay ko. "Sama ako..."

"Dito ka lang. 'Di ka naman nila isasalang sa hot seat," natatawa kong sinabi at naglakad na palayo roon.

That was what I thought 'cause the moment I left him there, my relatives, led by my grandmother, started to throw a lot of questions. Mabuti na rin 'yon para naman mas lalo nilang makikala ang boyfriend ko.

"Do you live here?" natigilan ako sa paghahalo ng juice nang narinig ang tanong ni Jeremiah.

Kitang-kita ko mula dito sa kitchen island ang mala-imbestigador na kilos at pananalita ng pinsan ko. Daig pa niya 'yung mga naroon sa headquarters. Tinatawanan tuloy siya ng mga magulang niya.

"Of course not. But I'll visit her often 'cause she's not yet comfortable in here," Marcus answered genuinely and his gaze include everyone in the living room.

"Thank you, Mr. Schmidt. Mas makabubuti nga sa pamangkin ko na palagi kang nandito lalo na't hindi maganda ang mga nangyayari ngayon," ani Tito Emmanuel.

"I get that she's living on her own and we're not always here to check on her, so it felt so good to know that you really care for her. Sana hindi magbago ang pakikitungo mo sa pamangkin ko, Mr. Schmidt," those words from Tita Celestina sounded like a mother pleading her daughter's boyfriend to look after her.

"Don't worry, I won't. You can trust my words." Marcus glanced at me and smiled when he saw me looking at him. "Mahal ko po si Olaia. I made a promise to her father that I'll always protect and take care of her." His gaze went back to them. "Mabuti ang intensyon ko sa kanya. Kahit na palagi akong pupunta dito, hindi mawawala 'yung respeto ko sa kanya."

Lola Carmelita seemed to be relieved after that. "Don't worry, Mr. Schmidt. Wala namang kaso sa 'kin kung balak mong mamalagi rito. I know that my granddaughter is in good hands."

"Salamat po. Marcus na lang po ang itawag n'yo sa 'kin..." mensahe niya 'yon para sa kanilang lahat.

"Okay, Marcus," wika ni Jeremiah kahit mas matanda ito sa kanya.

Tita Celestina clicked her tongue and gave Marcus an apologetic look. Ipinatong ko 'yung pitsel at mga baso sa tray at nakangiting dinala 'yon doon.

Late na at hindi na kami makakapag-luto kaya nagpa-deliver na lang si Marcus ng mga pagkain mula sa hotel. As I put the dirty dishes in the sink, he approached me and placed his hands on my waist.

Nilingon ko siya at napansin ang seryoso niyang tingin sa akin. "Aalis ka na?"

"Yes. I feel like they wanna talk to you in private, so I should leave now. Babalik ako bukas. But if you find yourself having a hard time to sleep, then please call me."