Flickered By Innocence (Crossing The Line Series 4) ✅

F.B.I-30

"Anak, anong oras ka na nakauwi kagabi?" Tanong sa akin ni Dad na siyang ikinasamid ko.

Mom handed me a glass of water, which I drank very quickly. "Uhm... three in the morning?"

"Not sure, baby? You're with Nico, right?" Mom bantered.

Umiling nalang ako at muling binaling ang aking tingin sa hapag-kainan. Hindi ko na gustong marinig ang pangalan na iyon dahil ramdam ko pa rin ang takot. Wala namang ibang nakakaalam ng nangyari maliban kay Gellian na siyang nagligtas sa akin kagabi. Hindi ko lubos maisip kung anong nagkokonekta sa aming dalawa dahil simula pagkabata'y palagi siyang nandya'n kapag kailangan ko ng tulong.

I darted my gaze back to Dad when he cleared his throat. "Speaking of Nico, it seems like his dad removed him as one of the candidates for the next CEO."

I covered my mouth in shock while Mom gasped in shock. Ang utak ko'y pilit pinoproseso ang narinig. Sa pagkakaalam ko'y anak si Nico ng may-ari ng kompanya kaya malabong tanggalin siya nito sa sarili niyang posisyon.

Sabay kaming pumunta nila Dad resort namin sa Laguna para mapaghandaan ang darating Sabado. Kyle is in his first week on the job at Rossett's Holdings Corporation, and that is something we should celebrate as a whole squad. I never doubted Kyle's intelligence and confidence, but I was still shocked when he managed to become the secretary of his boss.

"Kuya Fred, doon niyo nalang po ilagay yung mga rubber duckies." I suggested it to one of our workers while pointing at the middle of the swimming pool.

Fred gave me a thumbs up and then swam towards the center of the pool with my rubber duckies in his hands. Some of the employees are busy inspecting the food that will be prepared on Saturday. Everything should be perfect since our squad only bonds together occasionally due to our loaded schedules.

"The cutest and purest member of the squad, hello Zein!" I tilted my neck after I heard a familiar voice from afar.

Hindi na ako nagulat nang makita ko si Levi. Bumiyahe pa talaga siya mula Makati hanggang Laguna nung sinabi kong kailangan ko ng tulong niya. Busy kasi si Ezra sa mga photoshoots at hindi ko din gustong magpatulong kay Kyle dahil siya ang celebrant.

I gave Levi a hug. "Sabi mo kanina, hindi ka pupunta?"

He chuckled playfully. "Ghorl, hindi na magiging surprise 'yon kung sasabihin kong pupunta ako."

"A-ano 'yan?" turo ko sa nakarolyong poster na hawak niya.

Levi scrolled down the poster and showed it to me. "Syempre para 'to kay Kyle. How was it? I'm not a good editor, but it still looks pleasing, right?"

I clapped my hands in excitement upon seeing the rainbows and clouds on Kyle's poster. It looks very magical and cute. I just don't like the text saying "In loving memories" below, but overall, it's fabulous.

"Wait, there's more." Levi uttered, then gave me a hard disk drive that contains solemn music from his bag.

Mabilis naming natapos ang pagde-decorate ng exclusive pool sa tulong ni Levi. Sa kanya talaga ako humingi ng tulong dahil siya ang pinaka-creative sa aming magkakaibigan. I bet he can pass as an artist if he would like to. I saw his drawings on the back of his notes way back in high school, so I know he's amazing. He can do photographs, design crafts and even draw pictures like a professional.

Nang sumapit ang Sabado ay maaga akong nagising para makapaghanda. Alas-6 palang ng umaga ay nandito na ako sa resort. Sila Dad ay nasa resort namin sa Tagaytay kaya't sila Mang Noel, Nanny Fe at ilang mga workers ang kasama ko dito sa Laguna.

"B-bakit ang... tagal nila? It's almost 12 pm but they're not here yet. Do you think they will come, Nanny Fe?" I nervously asked after I took a glance at my wrist watch.

Hinaplos niya ang aking likod. "Baka nahuli lang ang mga kaibigan mo, anak. Sigurado akong papunta na ang mga 'yon."

My anxiety about being left behind is striking me again. The thoughts kept running in my mind when Gellian left me six years ago. I don't know. I'm just scared that someone will be gone and will never come back to me.

Kaagad akong tumayo nung pumara ang dalawang magagarang sasakyan. Bumaba ang isang maputing babae na nakasuot ng floral dress at lumapit kay Tatay Celso. Narinig kong pinagtaasan niya ng boses ang aming gwardya kaya lumakad ako papunta sa kanilang direksyon.

"I told you old man, my parents already rented the whole resort today since it's my birthday!" Sigaw niya habang dinuduro si Tatay Celso.

Yumuko si Tatay Celso bilang pagrespeto sa babaeng mukha namang espasol. "P-pasensya na po kayo, pero nagkakamali po yata kayo ng resort na pinuntahan. Ang Garcia Private Resort ay nakareserba po ngayon para sa kaibigan ng aking amo."

I gave the girl a deathly glare after I stopped in front of her with my arms crossed over my chest. I really hate it when someone makes themselves superior and overpowers those who are weaker than them.

"Tatay Celso, hindi po dapat kayo yumuko sa mga taong hindi karapat-dapat respetuhin." Mariin ko iyong sinabi habang matalim na nakatingin sa babae.

She surveyed my whole body and gulped afterwards. "K-kilala mo ba kung sino ako? Dapat l-lang akong respetuhin dahil... n-nirentahan ko 'tong buong resort!

I knew that I had won when she started to stutter. "Ako? Kilala mo ba ako? Kilalanin mo ang binabangga mo dahil ako ang may-ari ng resort na 'to."

Napaatras siya sa sobrang pagkabigla at humawak sa kanyang sasakyan. Sakto namang bumaba sa isang Ferrari Red Car ang isang matangkad na lalaki na wari ko'y nakita ko na noon pero 'di ko maalala kung kailan. Lumapit siya sa akin at inilahad ang kanyang kamay.

"I'm Terrence. I would like to apologize for this girl's behavior. She just turned 21, and she's a little childish. I hope you accept my apology. "

I let out a heavy sigh before I accepted his hand. "I'm 21 too and also childish, but I never disrespect an elderly person just like what she did."

Kaagad ko ring binitawan ang kamay niya bago magpatuloy sa pagsasalita. "Apology accepted, Kuya. She mentioned today was her birthday, and she rented the resort. Are you sure it's Garcia's Resort?"

"Y-yes," the girl said, in a respectful tone this time.

I gave her a genuine smile. "I see. Let me check our records so we can confirm your reservation."

Akmang lalakad na ako papuntang office nung biglang magsalita si Terrence. Kaagad naman akong napatingin sa kanya.

"No need. Sa iba nalang siguro kami magsi-celebrate. Nakakahiya na rin po sa inyo." He looked at Tatay Celso apologetically.

Bagsak ang balikat ng babae nung pumasok siya sa kanyang sasakyan. Binuksan ni Terrence ang pinto ng kanyang kotse pero hindi iyon natuloy nung marinig ang sinabi ng katiwala kong si Fred.

"Happy first week of employment Kyle Ateniano? 'Di ba ito yung cute mong kaibigan, Zein? Nagtatrabaho na pala siya?" Tanong ni Fred habang hawak ang poster na dala ni Levi nung nakaraang araw.

Nagmamadaling lumapit sa akin si Terrence. "I'm sorry, but we will not leave this resort no matter what. This resort has someone-I mean, something special that I can't just let go of."

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