Growing up in a well-known family, Celeste Aragon always lived in unending rules. And among all of the rules, there's one rule she should never violate: Never ever show her special ability to anyone. Her being illusionist should be a secret. But Cel...
Rất tiếc! Hình ảnh này không tuân theo hướng dẫn nội dung. Để tiếp tục đăng tải, vui lòng xóa hoặc tải lên một hình ảnh khác.
"YOU probably didn't read the letter I brought you," he lightly chuckled. "Pupuntahan nga sana kita sa apartment mo e, checking if you receive it."
Ilang segundo akong natigilan matapos marinig 'yon.
I pursed my lips, before opening my mouth to speak. "I actually got it. My friend gave it to me."
"Oohh." Tumango-tango siya. "Then you're perhaps busy earlier? That's why hindi ka nakapunta?" Hindi pa rin umaalis ang ngiti sa labi niya.
I remained standing, facing him, despite of the strong urge to walk away. "Well, the truth is, I'm not interested with those kinds of things. Gusto sana kitang sabihan na hindi ako interesado pero I don't have your contacts. I'm not good with answering interviews and stuffs like that. If you'll excuse me." I gave him a fake smile before turning my back on him and starting to walk.
I heard him call my name but I pretended I didn't hear it. Tuloy-tuloy lang akong naglakad, bawat hakbang ay pabilis nang pabilis.
"Um, Ms. Celeste! Wait up!" I heard him yell again. Halata sa boses niya na humahabol siya sa akin. Nagbingi-bingihan ako at tuloy-tuloy lang na naglakad.
What is his problem exactly? What does he want? Ba't para siyang asong buntot nang buntot, na hindi titigil hangga't hindi nakakakagat?
Gustong-gusto ko nang takbuhin papuntang apartment, but I don't want to appear like panicking. Binibilisan ko na lang talaga lakad ko hanggang makita ko na sa wakas ang apartment. It brought me relief at some point. However, that relief was immediately faded when I felt a hand grabbed my arm. That stopped me from walking. When I turned around, it was him, still wearing that small smile as if it was going to convince me to come with him.
"Ms. Celeste, ang bilis mo maglakad! Grabe ka!" He chuckled. "I was calling your name."
"Oh, I didn't hear it. Sorry." I blinked and tried to subtly pull my arm away from his hold, but it was firm. Halatang ayaw niyang bitawan, and he was trying to fake everything by smiling and acting friendly.
"Halata nga. Hindi ka tumigil e." He looked down on me. "Anyway, I just want to tell you that there's no harm in trying it. We're just going to talk, like a casual conversation. Don't think of it as an interview, try thinking it as friends chitchatting. Para lang tayong nag-uusap, nagkukwentuhan, gano'n. It's the best way to clear your name. Baka nga kapag narinig nila 'yong kwento mo, 'yong point of view mo, they might go on your side."
"Just a casual conversation?"
He nodded, his smile growing. "Yes, just a casual conversation. So, ano? Let's go?"
"Why not we do it here?"
"Here? As in right here? Pero nakatayo tayo."
"How about at the garden? We can sit on the benches."
"May mga tao roon. Their noises can be a distraction to us. At saka, baka marinig nila 'yong pinag-uusapan natin. The conversation is supposed to be a private one. You can't speak freely kapag alam mong may mga taong nakikinig sa paligid."
"How about doon sa apartment? Doon sa labas ng pinto ko, in the hallway. Pwede akong maglabas ng upuan. I also like that location kasi kitang-kita ko 'yong field mula roon."
He let out a soft chuckle. "But that's hallway, daanan 'yon."
"Then I'm going to say no," I uttered. Bumibilis na ang tibok ng puso ko sa kaba.
"But why? The perfect location for it is in my place. You see, it's my home and office combined. It's where I do my work."
I had the urge to scoff at him, showing him how obvious he was.
"I've been taught by my dad to not go to a stranger's house," I simply responded.
His smile slowly faded as his grip loosened. The change in his expression was visible, visible enough to make me realize that my answer probably triggered his facade.
Finally, binitawan na niya nang tuluyan ang braso ko. "Okay. It's your decision." He even gave a small smile. Sa sobrang tipid ng ngiti na 'yon halatang-halata ang kaplastikan. Sa wakas, nilabas na rin niya ang totoong kulay niya.
Walang sali-salitang tinalikuran ko siya at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Gustong-gusto kong lingunin siya habang naglalakad, titingnan ko kung sumusunod pa rin ba siya. But the moment I made it inside the apartment building and the guards took off the bracelet on my wrist, I realized he didn't really follow. I heaved a sigh, a sigh that I was repressing ever since he talked to me at the garden. Parang biglang nawala 'yong mabigat sa dibdib ko, bigat ng pinaghalong kaba at taranta.
Nakaakyat na ako sa third floor at naglalakad papunta sa pinto ko nang maalala kong kailangan ko pa lang tawagan sina Dad patungkol dito. As the cold breeze of the night brushed my skin, I inserted my hand in my pockets and pulled out my phone. I was about to turn it on when something warm covered my mouth. I jolted out of shock and accidentally let go of my phone.
The cold air engulfing my skin was replaced by a warm presence behind me. The grip on my mouth was so firm I couldn't even utter a mumble. Pilit kong kumakawala sa mahigpit na kapit na 'yon pero biglang pumulupot sa leeg ko ang isang braso. I looked down, expecting to see someone's arm and hand, but I didn't see nothing except for my own body.
Lalong naalarma ang buong sistema ko. It's an invisible person! I tried to scream and push this gifted behind me with all my strength. However, the scream came out like a muffled whimper and my strength immediately diminished the moment I felt something punch my stomach. I lost the grip on the hand that was covering my mouth and almost lost my balance. Napangiwi ako sa sakit.
"It's useless to fight, sweetheart." A female voice whispered in my ear. "You're coming with us, whether you like it or not."
I looked at Aria's closed door, hoping she was still awake and would open the door. Pero may biglang sumulpot na lalaki sa harapan ko.
A playful smile appeared in his face the moment he made eye contact with me. Sa sobrang bilis ng pangyayari, tanging naramdaman ko lang ang paghawak niya sa parehong balikat ko at ang nakakahilong sensasyon kasabay ng biglang pagkawala ng hallway kung saan kami nakatayo.
