Flickered By Innocence (Crossing The Line Series 4) ✅

F.B.I-28

"How's the meeting, baby? Did it turn well?" Mom asked after she sipped on her orange juice.

I stopped slicing my steak and gave her a wry smile. "I guess so. I learned a lot from them, even those things... I'm not aware of."

Dad put some veggies on my plate. "Mabuti kung gano'n, anak. I guess we shouldn't call you baby from now on. You're just a late bloomer, but you've fully become an adult. All of us are so proud of you." 

Malalim na ang gabi pero hindi pa rin ako natutulog. Ramdam ko na ang antok at manhid na rin ang aking mga daliri sa kakatipa ng keyboard sa pagre-research. Humahanap ako ng ideya kung paano maisasalba ang nanganganib naming resort sa Laguna. Buo ang tiwala sa akin nila Dad, kasama ng mga workers namin at ayoko silang biguin.

I searched for my phone when I heard it beep. Letting out a deep breath, I checked who texted me and gasped upon seeing it was Aaron. He sent me a good night message, so I replied the same way. He always sends me a text message before and after his flight and calls me when he's free.

Maya-maya pa'y tumunog muli ang aking cellphone. Nagdadalawang isip pa ako kung sasagutin ko ito dahil hindi naka-save sa contacts ko ang tumatawag. Matapos ang limang missed calls ay sinagot ko na rin ito sa wakas.

"H-hello? I think you dialed the wrong number." I mumbled, then pouted my lips.

I heard a familiar laugh on the other line. "I'm sure I'm calling the right person. This is the number of the reckless driver who bumped and scratched my brand new car, isn't it?"

Walang duda na si Gellian itong kausap ko. Sa pagkaka-alala ko'y hindi ko binigay sa kanya ang number ko nung huli naming pagkikita. Galit siya no'n pero mahinahon na siya ngayon.

"Really? I'm sorry. I can't remember bumping into someone's car because I'm a careful driver. I don't want my little pony to get scratched, Kuya." I teased him.

Gellian tsked, which made me chuckle in my brain. "K-kuya? Don't test my patience, Zein. I know you know who I am. And stop calling me Kuya. I just... hate it."

I twirled my soft hair into my fingers. "What shall I call you, then? Oh, you want me to call you Darky, right?"

In a husky voice, he whispered. "Whatever you want, except from Kuya."

I cut the chase. "If you're calling me to ask about the payment for the damage I did to your car, you can send me your bank account and I'll pay you there, Darky. Have a good night."

I was about to hang up when he shouted. "Wait! Don't leave me—I mean, w-why? Don't you want to see me again? I miss you... Zein."

I miss you too, Gellian.

I wanted to say these words, but I don't know what would change if I did. Mukhang masaya na siya sa career niya at kontento na rin ako sa buhay ko ngayon. Ayoko nang masaktan ulit. Natatakot akong baka iwan niya akong muli at kung mangyari iyon, baka hindi ko na kayanin.

I sobbed quietly as I wiped my tears away. "I'm s-sorry, Gellian. I can't... see you. I have an important meeting tomorrow and I think I won't be available to meet you because of my busy schedule."

Alam kong abala din siya sa sunod-
sunod niyang shooting dahil sa bago niyang movie. He's an award-winning actor, and most of his films are blockbusters. He seems out of reach now, which makes me glad for his success.

Whatever he does, I'm always behind him. I'm the shadow of his spotlight, and I will always be.

 

"Are you going with your... boyfriend tomorrow?" Hesitation was clear in Gellian's tone.

"B-boyfriend?!" I scoffed. "Who? I can't remember having one."

 

"Good," He giggles on the other line, which I find odd.

I barely heard him. "What did you just say?"

 

"Sabi ko, matulog ka na. Ang mga baby hindi dapat nagpupuyat—"

Binaba ko kaagad ang tawag nung asarin niya ako. Wala pang ilang segundo ay muli na naman siyang tumawag pero 'di ko na iyon sinagot. Humiga muna ako saglit sa aking kama dahil kanina pa ako humihikab.
Simula pagkabata ay hindi ko talaga kayang magpuyat kahit anong pilit ko.

"Anak, gabi na. May lakad ka, hindi ba?"

I leisurely opened my eyes because of the sound of a calming voice. Pulling up my body from my bed, I saw Nanny Fe sitting on my bed with a smile on her face. I hugged her waist like a child and snapped back to my senses upon seeing the dark sky outside my window.

Sumulyap ako ang aking alarm clock sa bedside table at napasigaw sa kaba. "OMG! Has my Donald Duck clock stopped functioning? Or is it really 9 pm, Nanny Fe?"

 

"Alas-9 na talaga ng gabi, anak. Ginising lang kita dahil naalala kong aalis ka." She caressed my back to get a hold of myself.

 

Mabilis kong kinuha ang aking phone at napahawak sa aking bibig matapos makita ang napakaraming text at tawag ng iba't-ibang tao. I dragged myself out to my room's balcony before I dialed the number for Nico, which he gave me yesterday.

 

"Hello Zein! I thought you forgot about our appointment. I kept on calling you earlier, but you weren't answering." He sounded displeased.

I bit the inside of my cheeks. "I'm sorry, N-Nico. We can just reschedule this meeting for tomorrow since it's... pretty late already. How does it sound to you?"

 

"No! I'm sorry, Zein, but we can't reschedule this meeting. How about you go to my unit so we can discuss this... further?"

 

His voice sends shivers down my spine. I just found myself agreeing with him, even with the strange feelings I'm having. I'm the one who's at fault here, and the fact that he's willing to help me, I shouldn't take that for granted.

 

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