Hidden Intention

CHAPTER 13

"Kuya Kael."

Napatingin si Kael kay Elyse. He had been observing her for awhile now. At napapansin niyang palagi itong nakatulala at malalim ang iniisip. She's also been sighing and fidgeting with her nails.

"What is it? Is it about what Mom said?"

Napakagat si Elyse sa labi niya at dahan-dahan na tumango. "I don't think I can sacrifice Sieraj by making her as the bait. I don't want her to think na ginamit lang natin siya."

"Tsk. Chill ka lang Elyse, pwede? Wala ka bang tiwala sa'min? Sa mga pinsan natin? Sa sarili mo?"

Elyse stared at Max. Tama ito. Dapat siyang magtiwala sa sarili niya, sa mga pinsan niya, at sa mga kaptid niya. But she can't help it.

"May tiwala naman Kuya. I just don't want her to, you know, think that we're using her. Na pinapunta natin siya dito sa Pilipinas para palabasin ang-" Elyse sighed and closed her eyes.

Max smiled and ruffled her hair. "I know. Pero pwede naman nating sabihin at i-explain sa kanya, 'di ba? So sit back and relax. Hindi naman tayo nag-iisa na gustong protektahan si Sieraj."

Napatitig si Elyse kay Max at ngumiti. "Then, is it okay if I send at least two of them to Japan?" both Kael and Max forehead creased. "Hindi sa wala akong tiwala sa mga pinsan natin at sa kanila. Ano lang, naninigurado lang."

Kael sighed and shook his head. "It's a no, Sariah Elyse. Baka magduda si Sieraj."

Elyse pouted and raised her hands in defeat. "Okay po, kamahalan. Ikaw po panalo. Psh."

Kael smirk at her. "Come on. Don't sulk, Elyse. Hindi bagay sa 'yo. Para kang bibe."

Elyse gasped and looked at Kael. "Excuse me?"

Humagalpak ng tawa si Max habang nakahiga sa sofa. Kael chuckled while looking away at her.

•~•~•~•~•

Nagbabasa si Sieraj nang nag-vibrate ang phone niya. It was a group call. She blankly stared at it before she answered.

"Yes. What is it?"

"Luhh. Wala man lang bang ngiti d'yan while saying 'hi'? Heartless mo Sie, ha." sambit ni Savi habang nakahawak pa sa dibdib niya.

Sieraj sighed and forced a smile. "Hi. Ano pong kailangan nila?"

Napatawa ang iba sa inakto ni Sieraj habang nakasimangot naman si Savi sa kanya.

"Wala. Napatawag lang. Tagal pa kasi namin makasakay. So, yeah."

"So, you're bored and just decided to call through the group chat because you're just bored. Wala kang ibang magawa kaya tumawag ka sa gc. And here I thought, may importante kang sasabihin because you said that it's urgent kaya in-accept ko ang tawag." She said and sarcastically smiled. "I shouldn't have answered the call."

"Luhh. Grabe ka naman. Parang na-miss lang, e."

Napatawa si Sieraj dahil sa paghihimutok ni Savi. "Bigyan niyo nga ng lollipop 'yan, Kuya Cal. Kawawa naman ang bata."