No Escape Series #2: No Resolve

Chapter 09: The Syndicates

THE SYNDICATES

Rhian once again rolled her eyes when the man said that a writer isnʼt his type, but she knew that the man was acting so weird and strange because of his actions, halata naman na pinopormahan siya nito.

But that wasnʼt on Vahnʼs mind; hindi niya pinopormahan si Rhian, at mas lalong hindi muna siya matutukso ng pag-ibig hanggaʼt hindi pa niya natatapos ang kaniyang special mission.

Hindi naman sa magiging sagabal ang pag-ibig para sa kaniya; in fact, it may even inspire him to be strong himself, but he is afraid of being brokenhearted immediately; he is afraid that, just like in the novel, he will lose his beloved nang dahil sa pagbubuwis nito ng buhay sa serbisyong kaniyang sinumpaan sa batas.

“Mukhang ayos naman na ang pakiramdam mo, pero siguraduhin mo lang na hindi ka mabibinat kapag lumabas tayo.” Agad namang kumunot ang noo ni Rhian.

“Lumabas? So, youʼre asking me now to go on a date with you? I will repeat to you, Mr. Fernandez—”

“Uulitin ko rin sa iyo, Ms. Luther... Iʼm not asking you to go on a date with me, bagkus inaaya kita dahil may special treatment akong ibibigay sa iyo at mas lalong kailangan na nating mag-usap tungkol sa sinabi mo kanina.” Hindi na lamang muli nakapagsalita si Rhian, kaya naman bumuntong hininga siya at tumango-tango na lamang.

“Fine, what kind of special treatment ʼyan?” Vahn had Rhian follow her downstairs; she was about to leave that room when she remembered she had forgotten something she should always have with her.

She didnʼt hesitate to grab her gun from under the pillow, and she got out and went straight downstairs, as Vahn told her. “Isnʼt it dangerous to go out? Baka kung sino pa ang makakita sa akin,” Rhian said, as they walked out of the rest house. “I donʼt need to hide from people who are looking for me, but this is not the right time for them to know where I am.”

“I make sure that you are fully secured when they know that you are in good hands. Itʼs up to you if you go back to where you came from or stay with me first,” sabi ni Vhan, at binuksan niya ang pinto ng kaniyang kotse para papasukin doon si Rhian.

Nang tuluyan na silang parehong nakasakay, agad naman na pinaandar ni Vahn ang kotse. “The weather is still not good today. According to the news, the rain will continue until tonight, so as long as itʼs sunny, we need to take action,” pagpapatuloy ni Vahn.

They were quiet the whole trip. Vahnʼs car stopped soon. He got out of his car and looked around first before opening the door of the shotgun seat where Rhian was sitting, but was shocked when the man grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the parlor.

“Anong ginagawa natin dito?” pagtatakang tanong ni Rhian, pero hindi nasagot ng lalaki ang kaniyang tanong nang sinalubong na agad sila ng isang bakla na maaaring ito ang tagapamahala sa parlor.

May mga babae rin na nasa loob, binati silang dalawa at saka naman nagsalita si Vahn. “Give her a proper and beautiful make-up and hairstyle.” Rhian looked at the man, and only then did she realize that this was the special treatment he was telling her about.

“Girlfriend mo po ba siya, sir?”

“Actually...”

“No. Heʼs my brother,” sagot naman agad ni Rhian sa tanong ng parlorista, at inunahan na rin niya ang lalaki, kaya naman pareho silang nagkatinginan, pero imbes na i-deny ni Vahn na sinabi ni Rhian na magkapatid sila ay hindi na siya nakipagtalo pa.

Tumalikod siya at binulungan ang dalaga. “In fairness, hindi ko naman alam na mababasa mo pati ang nasa isip ko. Ano ba sa inaakala mo? Sasabihin kong girlfriend kita?” Rhian frowned slightly while still not moving from where she was standing. “Kung pinatapos mo lang sana ako, hindi ba, my sister?”