This Could End

Chapter Forty-Three

Hades didn't say anything, not even a harsh remark. He just sat there and looked anywhere but me. But he didn't leave.

He could easily leave me here and get a ride back home, but he stayed. I found comfort in that.

The long silence shared between us eased my emotions until I fully calmed down. Hindi na ako nagsalita pa. What was there left to say? I already laid my heart out and all I could do was wait for him to accept it or break it.

He just sat there, and he didn't even touch his drink. Hindi niya ba gusto ang macchiato?

The comforting silence was interrupted when his phone rang from his pocket. Napatingin siya sa akin pero nag-iwas din ng tingin at sinagot ang tawag.

"Hello," he coldly greeted and listened to the caller.

I watched him react to whatever was being said to him. His forehead creased and he brushed his hair in slight distress.

"I don't think I'll be able to attend the meeting at 4PM. I'm not in Manila," he explained.

My eyes widened at that. He has a meeting that he needs to get to. Why didn't I think of that when I decided to hold him hostage? It was a workday. Of course, he was busy.

"Can you call my brother and ask him to attend it for me instead?"

I leaned forward, readying myself to interrupt. It immediately caught his attention. "It's okay. We can leave now para makaabot ka sa meeting mo."

Hades stared at me for a while. His lips parted. He looked like he was going to say something but he just nodded and looked away again. "Nevermind. I might make it just in time."

Tumayo na ako agad para makaalis na kami pagkatapos ng tawag niya. Hades remained seated even when he kept his phone. Sunod niyang nilabas ang wallet niya at naglabas ng five hundred peso bill.

"You don't have to pay. I can wire them the payment," pigil ko.

He just arched a brow and with a daggered look on me, he placed down the bill and stacked the centerpiece to keep it in place. Tsaka lang siya tumayo at pumorma na aalis.

I noticed the untouched frappe on the table. It looked like he wasn't planning on taking it with him. "Hindi mo dadalhin yung macchiato?"

He instantly stopped at the sound of my voice. He sighed and picked it up without a word.

Nangunguna si Hades sa paglalakad kaya nakasunod lang ako sa kanya. He didn't stop, kaya kumaway na lang ako kay Rose at Vivienne bilang pagpaalam.

Hades were taking long strides and he was ahead of me so he reached the car first. I had to hurry and get my key fob out of my bag so Hades can get in. 

He surprised me when he raised his hand. "Give me the key. I'll drive."

I was flustered because I didn't expect him to offer that. "No. It's okay."

"I'll drive, Persephone." It wasn't a request. It was an order.

I puckered my lips and hesitantly gave the key to him. Siya naman ay binigay ang plastic cup sa akin. Hindi niya ako hinintay na umalma pa at pumasok na sa loob ng sasakyan.

I was still confused as I entered the car and put my seatbelt with one hand. May cup holder naman pero hindi ko 'yon magawang bitawan. Hades gave it to me so I should hold it.

He drove off without a word. Muli na naman kaming binalot ng nakakabinging katahimikan. Earlier, the silence brought me peace. But now that we were confined in a small space, it agitated me.