Playing with Flames

08

"Hoy beb, ayos ka lang ba?"

I instantly get back to my senses when I heard Anna's voice from behind.

KASALUKUYAN akong nakaharap sa malaking salamin ng banyo habang pinagmamasdan lang ang sarili ko. Hindi ko na namalayan ang pagpasok ni Anna dahil masyado ng naglakbay ang isip ko sa kung saang dimensyon.

"Yeah, I'm okay." I simply replied before I washed up my face again.

"Hmm, sabi mo e. Nga pala, si Louie nasa labas." Aniya bago isinabit ang towel niya sa gilid.

"Bakit daw?"

"Ewan ko, puntahan mo nalang kaya?" Sagot naman nito ng may konting sarkastiko.

"Tss, whatever."

Lumabas nalang agad ako sa banyo para harapin ito. Inayos ko muna ang sarili ko bago binuksan ang pintuan. Nakita ko naman agad ang gwapong mukha ni Louie na mataman lang akong hinihintay.

"Hi, Louie."

"Hey, auhm... sorry to disturb you but can I have a moment with you? I just need to give you the following appointments of Madam for tomorrow."

"Masyado ka namang pormal, Louie. Oo naman, okay lang. Dito ba tayo mag-uusap?"

"Can we talk in the terrace? If that's okay with you?"

"Sure, got no problem with that."

Sagot ko nalang bago nilakihan ang bukas ng pintuan at iginiya siya papuntang terrace. Hindi naman ito nagsalita at sumunod nalang din sa akin.

"So, anong mga updates ni Madam bukas?" tanong ko agad sa kaniya pagkarating namin doon.

"Dalawa lang ang lakad ni Madam bukas. Isang meeting sa umaga na gaganapin sa isang resort ng kaibigan niya at isang Business Ball naman sa gabi."

"Hmm, mukhang maluwag ang araw ko bukas kung ganon!"

"You're wrong, Bella."

"What do you mean?"

"As I said earlier, there are just two appointments that will happen tomorrow. But those events are quite important.The meeting that will be held in the resort first day in the morning will be the day of signing a contract with one of the new investor in the company."

I just nodded. "Then, how about the other one?"

"The other event will be held at night. It's a glamorous ball that just happened once in a year. We need to be ready and always be alert as we don't know what are the threat of danger that awaits for us in that night. Remember, all the business tycoons here in the country will be there to discuss and do some trading. There are also some few who talks about the arrangement of their heirs."

"Hmm, that's quiet thrilling, huh?!"

Mukhang umaayon na nga sa akin ang tadhana. May pakiramdam ako na malapit na ako sa bukana ng katotohanan!

"Indeed. Now, I want you to be ready and condition yourself for tomorrow's big events. We need to protect Madam Trina at all cost!"

"I will. Thanks for the information, Louie."

"You're welcome, Bella. I'm leaving now." Paalam nalang nito sa akin bago tuluyang lumabas na ng kwarto.

"Ay sayang! Hindi ko man lang naabutan si pogi. Hahaha."

Napalingon nalang ako sa kaibigan ko nang makitang kalalabas lang nito sa banyo at pinapatuyo ang buhok niya gamit ang towel.

"Anong pinag-usapan niyo? Trabaho na naman ba?" lingon pa niya sa akin.