The Beauty of Tomorrow (Montejo Siblings #2)

Chapter 34

BODYGUARD

"S-Spare me... N-Napag-utusan lang a-ako."

The man in front of me coughed after I kicked him hard in the stomach. He slumped in the chair and caught his breath. He has a lot of bruises. I locked him in my basement room for almost two weeks without food, but because I wanted him to live, I made him drink water. But I know he's weak now.

I clicked my tongue. I watched him on the ground, almost kissing the dirty floor. I felt no pity or even slightest sympathy. Because why? Did he feel one when he shot me twice?

Hindi lang naman ako ang humawak sa lalaking 'to. Before I played with him, my brother, my cousin and Maddieson beat him first. Muntik pa siyang mapatay ni Madd dahil sa malalakas at walang awang mga suntok at sipa. Fortunately, Phoenix calmed him down.

I squatted in front of him, umatras siya. "Hindi ko tinanong kung napag-utusan ka ba o hindi." I trailed. "My question is who ordered you. Magkaiba 'yon."

"B-Babae!-"

"Bobo ka ba?" Hindi mapigilang saad ko.

"Scarlet, come on. Chill..." Buntong hininga ni Maddieson.

"I am," I said, grinning.

Mahigit dalawang linggo simula noong makalabas ako ng hospital ay ito agad ang inalala ko. I can't just let this pass. Madami ng nangyari sa mga nakalipas na taon, ngayon ko pa ba pipiliing manahimik?

And besides, I believe na lintik lang ang walang ganti.

"Tell me, madami ba kayong tauhan niya?" Naging kalmado na ang tono ko.

Umiwas siya ng tingin ngunit tumango din kalaunan. I took a deep breath before I stood up. Sinenyasan ko ang isa sa mga bagong tauhan na pinadala ng aking ama, lumapit ito sa akin.

"Fix this man. I still need him." Bilin ko bago tumalikod, ngunit natigil nang may sinabi ang lalaking hawak namin.

I fisted my hand before we chose to get out.

"And you believed him?" Kumunot ang noo ni Phoenix sa akin nang itanong niya 'yon.

Dinama ko ang haplos ni Maddieson sa aking mga daliri. Lahat kami ay nandito sa living room, katatapos lang namin kumain at ito agad ang bungad nila.

And guess what? My father and Shanele are on a video call. Ang ipinagtataka ko lang ay kung bakit parang kumportableng-kumportable si Maddieson at ang aking ama sa isa't isa. My father never even asked who this man was, or what he was in my life.

"I'm not that stupid." I said then chuckled.

Umingos si Morgan. "What a cool... But then, let's ask Maddieson." Sinulyapan niya ang lalaki na katabi ko. "Are you perhaps, cool with her plans?"

Lahat sila ay napatingin kay Madd. Maging ang aking ama na nasa camera ay napasandal sa kanyang swivel chair at mariing tumitig dito. I also looked at Maddieson, he stared at me. Looking so serious... seriously handsome.

Yeah.

"I have no problem with any of her plans. As long as she will be safe and untouched, I'm also here to protect and support her... and besides, I have people to watch wherever she goes." Seryosong aniya.

My forehead creased immediately. "Your people?"

Tumango siya, umangat naman ang kilay ko at bumitaw mula sa pagkakahawak niya sa aking mga daliri. His face darkened because of that.

"You mad?" Sinubukan niya muli akong hawakan.

Muli ko din siyang kinabig palayo. Kulang nalang ay tumayo ako para lang iparating sa kanya na gusto ko ng seryosong usapan dito. Because I know, If I let him touch me, my mind will go clouded again. No, I won't let that.