Taming the Vampire

CHAPTER NINETY-FOUR

M I L L E R

"Now what, Miller?"

Sa sandaling binitawan ni Mateo ang mga katagang ito ay natumba naman ako sa kanyang tabi. Dumako sa amin ang tingin ng mga tao sa loob. Hindi sila nagulat sa biglaan naming pagsulpot, rather they are confused to see an uninvited people coming in.

"Excuse me, who are you?" I am so sure that the question was not for me. Nakayuko pa rin kasi ako. Sinusubukan ko pa rin na mabawi ang na-drain kong lakas dahil sa ginawa ko.

It's not like this is my first time. Hindi naman ako padaskol-daskol kung kumilos. I've practiced at least once or twice, and during those times I have calculated the time of how long it will take for me to get back on my feet.

"Two minutes. Just two minutes," bulong ko, umaasa na maintindihan ako ni Mateo.

Sa una at ikalawang subok ko, I waited five to ten minutes before I regain my strength. At sa tansya ko ngayon hindi naman malayo ang tineleport namin. Two minutes will be enough for me.

Kailangan ko lang na ma-distract niya muna ang mga ito. Huwag muna sana magsimula ng gulo na hindi ako makakasama.

"Hoy! Tinatanong ka ng boss namin kung sino ka!"

"Sino rin 'yang kasama mo, ha?"

Hindi ko nakikita ang mukha ni Mateo. But with his voice he seems to be calm.

"My apologies. I am nothing but an ordinary vampire. I was having fun in the room beside yours."

"Huh? The VIP room?"

"Oh, was that a VIP room? No wonder I got to the wrong place. I always request a room in the VVIP area, my memories get mixed up and teleported to the wrong room. But it looks like you are having fun. I've heard about this from others. Would you mind if I join in?"

Such a lame excuse, it's not easing the situation. Napapaisip tuloy ako kung sinasadya niya ito. It seems that this is not just a mission but a test for me. Wala ata siyang balak na tulungan ako rito.

I knew it! It was too suspicious for him to bring me on a mission.

"Who's that with you? Do you have an invitation?"

"Hmm." Dahan-dahan na sumagot si Mateo. "I... do have... one. How...eeever. I forgot to bring it." Mateo gasped, "Is that why they brought me to a VIP room instead?"

Konti na lang.

Pero sa palagay ko mas mabuti na ang ganitong asal ni Mateo. He wouldn't last more if he talks with them seriously considering that they don't know that this man is the Mateo Lacson. Walang bahid ng respeto ang tono ng boses nila. Ibang-iba sa paraan ng pakikipag-usap ni Kristoff o ni Leo kay Mateo.

"Pinag-titripan niyo ba kami? Kung mga ordinaryong bampira lang kayo, hindi kayo pwede rito!"

Nagkaroon ng saglit na katahimikan. Hindi na rin nagsalita pa si Mateo. Sunod ko na lang na napansin ang itim at makintab na pahabang sapatos na naglalakad palapit sa akin.

"Ikaw! Kanina ka pa tinatanong kung sino ka, ah. Ba't hindi ka sumasagot?"

Saglit na lang talaga at ramdam ko na ang pagbabalik ng lakas ko.

"Boss, I don't think they are from our side..." rinig kong bulong ng lalaking nasa likod ko. So, their so-called boss is just right behind us.

Hindi ko na narinig ang sunod nitong sinabi dahil mas humina ang boses niya nang bumulong. Mukhang alam ng lalaking 'to ang tricked na ginagawa ng mga bampira para hindi ma-infiltrate ng isa't isa ang boses. Since we have a sharp hearing, a trick or technique was created for privacy. May hawig ito sa ginawang barrier ni Lord Maximillian sa silid niya dati. Kaso mas manipis at maliit lang ang scope ng barrier na ito.