Flickered By Innocence (Crossing The Line Series 4) ✅

Prologue

I keep checking my wristwatch just to make sure I won't be late to our resort. Tanghali na kasi akong nagising dahil sa condo ako ni Levi nakatulog. Napapangisi nalang ako nung maalalang nalasing ako kagabi nung pumunta kaming buong squad sa club. At iyon ang dahilan kung bakit hindi ako nakauwi sa mansyon.

"Ikaw talagang bata ka, alam mo bang pinag-alala mo kaming lahat?" Pagrereklamo ni Mang Noel habang nagmamaneho ng kotse.

Tinawagan ko kasi siya kanina at sinabing sunduin ako sa condo ni Levi. Si Mang Noel ang driver ko simula pagkabata at tinuturing ko na rin siyang pangalawang ama.

I looked at him in the rear-view mirror. "Sorry po, Mang Noel. Hindi na po mauulit." I said in a soft voice.

He just nodded in response.

I leaned my head against the car window to check my visibility from the road. Napahawak ako sa aking bibig nang marinig ang tawag sa cellphone ko. I cleared my throat before answering my mom's call.

"Baby, where are you?! Kanina pa kita hinihintay dito sa resort, saan ka ba natulog kagabi?" She exclaimed.

My phone's loudspeaker was on, so Mang Noel probably heard the loud scream of my mom. I put my index finger on my lips, asking Mang Noel to be quiet. Malalagot ako kay mommy kapag nalaman niyang nalasing ako kagabi.

I scratched my head, trying to think of a good reason. "M-Mommy, nag-sleep over ako kila... Levi. Tama! Natulog ako sa kanila."

My mom chuckled. "Wag ka ng magsinungaling, halata ka masyado, anak. By the way, did Mang Noel pick you up?"

I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. "Yes mommy, nakasakay na po ako sa car."

I heard her squealed. "Naku! Pakisabi kay Mang Noel na ihatid ka niya agad dito dahil may mahalagang bisita sa resort."

I stayed silent for a few seconds before I talked. "S-Sino po—"

"Basta, I'll be waiting for you here, anak. Fighting!" She excitedly said then ended the call.

Marahan kong binaba ang aking cellphone. I pouted my lips, trying to think about my mom's statement. She sounded so lively and it made my heart race because of excitement.

 

Sino kaya ang tinutukoy niya?

Maya-maya pa ay nakarating na kami sa aming destinasyon. Pagkababa ko ng kotse ay nakita ko ang ilang mga babae na sumisilip sa pinto ng resort. Agad ko naman silang nilapitan.

I tapped on the shoulder of a girl wearing a floral dress. "Excuse me, ate. Ano pong sinisilip niyo d'yan?"

I saw her lips parted in awe when she saw me. "N-Nasa loob po kasi ng resort yung idol namin. Kanina pa nga kami ditong naghihintay na lumabas siya, eh." Disappointment was evident in her face.

Napatingin ako sa poster na hawak nila at nanlaki ang mga mata nung makita kung sino ang kanilang tinutukoy. My heart beats so fast and I couldn't explain the mixed emotions that I'm feeling.

Kaagad akong tumakbo papasok ng resort. Hindi ko na pinansin ang pagtawag sa akin ni Mang Noel dahil sa sobrang saya ng aking pakiramdam. Napatigil ako sa pagtakbo nang makarating sa exclusive pool at masaksihan ang maraming tao na nakasuot ng itim na T-shirt na may nakasulat na crew sa kanilang harapan.

"Okay, rolling na tayo. Scene 362, take five in 3, 2, 1... action!" sigaw ng lalaking ani mo ay direktor.

A familiar voice of a man shouted. "Mahal kita! Hindi pa ba malinaw sa 'yo ang nararamdaman ko? Wala akong ibang mamahalin kundi... ikaw lang."

Napangiti ako nung makita siya. He's at the pool, and he's not wearing anything on top. I can't believe his face didn't change at all. His body became more sculpted; it seems like he often went to the gym to do some workouts. I know he's an actor from Germany, so I was shocked to see him here.

"Kung ganon, patunayan mo! Gusto kong patunayan mong... mahal mo ako!" biglang sabat ng isang babaeng kaharap niya sa pool.

A lot of cameras are filming them. The whole place was silent, and they were the only people talking. I couldn't believe that they would film here at our resort amongst the other settings. 

Pakiramdam ko'y nadurog ang puso ko nang bigla niyang hinalikan ang babae. I saw how he held the waist of the girl who was only wearing a red bikini to deepen the kiss. The girl immediately hugged his neck in reply to his kisses. 

 

Bakit ako nasasaktan?

Sino ba ako para magdamdam?

I know they're just acting, but why do I feel like dying?

 

Tumulo ang mga luhang kanina ko pa pinipigilan nang mabaling sa akin ang kanyang tingin. He immediately pushed the girl when he saw me wiping my tears. Akma siyang tatakbo palapit sa akin nang biglang sumigaw ang direktor.

"Gellian, what's your problem today?! Kanina ka pa wala sa sarili. Paano tayo matatapos niyan?" Disappointment was evident in the tone of his voice. 

Gellian mumbled. "S-Sorry, boss. Can we take a short break? I just need to—"

The director cut him off. "No! Let's start again. We need to finish this now!"

I just turned my back and dragged my feet to walk out of that scene. My sight was blurry and I felt heavy inside. Nasasaktan ako sa di malamang dahilan. Matagal ko na siyang hinihintay pero hindi ito ang inaasahan kong makita.

Gellian came back,

The man who asked me to wait for him patiently to come back is finally here!

My old friend, my Knight in Shining Armor, and the other half of my heart came back after 6 years of yearning.

 

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🌈💅