Journey With You (Completed)

Chapter 16: One Time

Journey With You
Chapter 16: One Time

"She's not scheming with anyone." A voice I know so well brought Lloyd back to his senses. "Bitawan mo si Hani, Lloyd."

Natauhan marahil, kaya binitawan ako ni Lloyd at napaatras siya.

Hindi ko inakalang susunod si Sven dito. Ang alam ko ay hindi naman siya invited. Pinasadahan ko siya ng tingin, at casual lang ang suot niya.

"Isn't it about time you tell me where Serenity is hiding?" Saad ni Lloyd kay Sven. I don't get why he is so hung up on Serenity's whereabouts.

"I'll let you meet her if you give me her phone back." Sagot naman ni Sven.

"Tell her to get it herself." Lloyd replied. "She can't just ghost me after all that I did for her!"

What? I don't understand a thing he's saying. Did he date Serenity before or something?

"Kung ayaw ka nang makita ng babae, kailangan mong tanggapin. You can't hold her phone hostage." Ani Sven.

Umiling si Lloyd at ngumisi. A smirk full of bitterness and despair. "That phone is the only thing I have. She'll come to me because of it. Why would I surrender my one and only weapon? Do I look like an idiot to you, Mr. Acosta?!"

"Good for you I don't have evidence against you except Serenity's testimony." Sven's jaw clenched in restrained anger.

"Testimony that she probably altered to fit her intentions. I hope you thought of that possibility too."

Sven let out an expasperated sigh. "I don't have any more time to waste on a prick like you."

He grabbed my wirst but he made sure not to hurt me. We left the place and Lloyd didn't even object. Ang tanging silbi ko lang naman para sa kaniya ay maging espiya ngunit dahil alam niya nang wala siyang mapapala, wala siyang reaksyon nang tangayin na ako ni Sven.

Pinagbuksan ako ng pinto ni Sven sa front passenger seat ng kaniyang sasakyan. Agad akong pumasok at umikot naman siya para makaupo sa driver's seat.

Hinintay ko munang makalayo kami sa Club Hotelier bago ako umimik. Maging siya ay tahimik din, animo'y tinitimbang kung ano ang dapat sabihin.

"Salamat..." Was my lame ice breaker. How else was I supposed to start? "...kasi kung hindi ka dumating, baka naitulak na ako ni Lloyd sa balcony." I bit my lip as my brain flashed images of me falling off the balcony. Kinilabutan ako. "Sorry din, kasi nagpumilit pa akong pumunta. I'm so clueless! So stupid!"

He reached for my hand with gentleness. "Kasalanan ko." Aniya. "Kasi hindi kita napigilan. This is clearly between me and Lloyd. Hindi ka dapat nadamay dito. Pasensya ka na."

Tumingin ako sa kaniya. "Fine, let's say we were both at fault. Let's settle at that. But... tell me... what's up between Lloyd and your sister?"

Duda ko ay si Lloyd ang pinagtataguan ni Serenity. Pero bakit? At bakit kailangan madamay ni Sven dito?

"Lloyd... was pursuing Serenity." He revealed. "Nung kinasal si Treble at Denzel, I think that was when my sister went crazy. She finally gave Lloyd a chance, so they hung out for a few months. Pero kalaunan natauhan si Serenity at gusto niya ng kumalas, pero hindi matanggap ni Lloyd."

"Kinuha niya ang phone ni Serenity?"

"According to her, that's what happened. But I think she's lying. That's what Lloyd is implying as well. Sa tingin ko naiwan ni Serenity sa Club yung phone niya nung gabing kinausap niya si Lloyd para tapusin na ang meron sila. And Lloyd held on to it for a chance to meet her again."