The Alpha's Mate (Alphas of Lair Series #1)

Chapter Twenty-Six

Naging tahimik ang byahe namin. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko sisimulan ang magiging usapan. I want this to end as soon as possible. I want to be back at Duke's house this afternoon.

Sumulyap ako paminsan-minsan kay Marcus. Walang imik itong nagmamaneho habang seryoso itong nakatutok sa daan. I suddenly feel awkward. It's like I'm not with Marcus I've known for years. The Marcus I know is talkative and easy to read. He shows emotions all the time. Hindi sa lahat, kundi sa akin lamang. Others would name him cold and emotionless, but that side of himself is all they know. I already saw his vulnerable side. Kabisado ko kung kailan siya naguguluhan, naiinis, at nasasaktan. Once I stare at his eyes, I can easily read his emotions. At tanging ako lang ang may kaya noon. But right now, he's closed, like I am with a robot. I don't think I could ever reach his mind again.

My thoughts had been broke when the car stopped. Itinigil ni Marcus ang sasakyan sa harap ng bahay na tinutuluyan ko dito sa Winston. Nalilito akong bumaling sa kanya dahil doon. Prente lamang nitong pinatay ang makina ng sasakyan at naunang bumaba. I let out a breath and decided to follow him. Nang makalabas ako ay nadatnan ko siyang nakatayo sa harapan ng pintuan at nakangising naghihintay sa'kin. He's back at his attitude again. Napailing ako dahil doon. How could he switched his expressions that fast?

I passed through him and went inside the house. I was about to grab the knob when the door suddenly opened. Bumungad sa'kin ang walang emosyong mukha ni Theron habang nakatitig ito sa'kin. Bago pa man ako makapagsalita ay agad itong tumalikod sa'kin. Tinitigan ko siya habang naglakad ito palapit sa sofa at ibinagsak doon ang katawan. I remained standing, confused on his actions. Isn't he going to ask where did I came from? Umiling ako at nagtanggal ng sapatos. Binalewala ko iyon at dumeretso sa aking kwarto.

Kapansin-pansin ang mga gamit na naiwan ko ay nanatili sa kanilang dating pwesto. My comb is still placed at the table. Even the crumpled bedsheet remained. That's what I admire with Theron. He knows his boundaries. Alam kong kating-kati itong hanapin ako ng mga panahong bigla ko siyang iniwan. He could easily search for hints on my things but he didn't. He knows his line, and that, he didn't dare to enter my circle.

Agad kong inilabas mula sa aparador ang mga gamit na ibinigay sa'kin ni Gesa noon. I grabbed the laptop and earphones as I immediately sat on my bed. Binuksan ko ang cellphone at agad ikinonekta doon ang earphone habang inilalagay ito sa aking tainga. Messages flooded my phone. E-mails popped at the screen of my laptop. Dahil sa dami noon ay hindi ko alam ang uunahin. I am sure this is about my mission - the mission I can't fulfill on time.

I was about to call Gesa when my phone suddenly rang. Nabaling doon ang paningin ko at nakitang si Gesa na ang tumatawag. Sinagot ko iyon at agad napapikit nang marinig ang kanyang boses sa earphone.

"You idiot!", sigaw nito.

"You freaking left me behind! What the hell?!", dagdag pa nito sa'kin. Ngayon lang niya ulit ako sinigawan ng ganito. And I am sure, she's bursting out right now. Of course, she's pissed. I left without notice. Sa tingin ko'y hindi siya masasanay doon.

Nanatili akong tahimik. I heard how his breathing relaxed when she noticed I wasn't reacting at all. Napabuntong-hininga ako. I think I can't be home by sunset. This will be a long night of explanation.

"Speak.", aniya sa matigas na boses.

Nagsimula akong magtipa sa laptop ng mensahe para kay Gesa. I can't risk talking when I know Theron and Marcus is just a few steps away from me.

I told her about what I saw in the secret laboratory and the abduction of Duke's parents. Ngunit ang sumunod nitong tanong ang nakapagpatigil sa'kin.

"Why do you care about Duke's parents?", aniya sa tonong nagdududa. I was caught off-guard. Should I tell her? I am torn at lying and telling her the truth. Paano ko iyon ipapaliwanag sa kanya kung sa sarili ko mismo ay hindi ko ito maintindihan?