Chapter 14
"Teka lang, Era..." pigil sa akin ni Kruise habang hinihila ko siya palayo ro'n.
I glanced at her coldly. Nakakunot ang noo niya nang tingnan ako.
"May sinabi ba sayo tungkol dito si Kuya?" She asked.
I took a sharp breath, the ugly feeling in my gut can't dare to leave. I shook my head and let go of her hand.
"It's his business, Kruise. Hayaan mo na." Malamig kong tugon.
Her lips protruded and she shook her head. Mukhang malalim ang iniisip niya, while I chose to stop thinking about it. Pagkaharap ko ay saktong nakita ko si Kuya Tyrell na naglalakad palapit sa amin. He's holding a glass of wine in his hand. He smirked when our eyes met.
"Happy New Year, Era." He greeted.
I forced a smile.
"Happy New Year, Kuya."
Sumulyap siya sa aking likuran. Narinig ko ang bayolenteng hininga ni Kruise nang tumabi siya sa akin. I glanced her, she was frowning at her brother. I wonder what's her problem.
If she's worrying about what we saw, she should calm down. That's not a big deal.
"Kuya, alam mo ba kung saan pumunta si Kuya Olzen at 'yong anak ni Mayor?" She asked aggressively.
My lips parted open. She looks like a little devil ready to kill anyone. Her older brother glanced at me before answering.
"Ah, you mean Graile?" Ngumiti si Kuya Tyrell.
Kruise waved her hand in front of his face. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever her name is, why was she with Kuya Olzen?"
Kinagat ko ang aking labi sa inasta ni Kruise. Tumawa si Kuya at pinisil ang pisngi ni Kruise.
"Humingi si Mayor ng pabor kay Olzen na ihatid ang anak niya dahil wala ang kaniyang mga tauhan. Gusto na raw umuwi ni Graile kaya gano'n."
Umangat ng husto ang kilay ni Kruise habang ako naman ay tahimik lang na nakikinig. I feel something heavy inside me but I don't want to further elaborate it. Tiningnan ko ang cellphone ko at nang makitang may mga mensahe ro'n mula sa mga kakilala lamang ay binalik ko rin sa bulsa ko.
"Bakit si Kuya? Kilala ba ni Kuya Olzen 'yon? Isn't it she's just here for vacation?" Dire diretsong tanong ni Kruise.
I want to stop her and let it pass. She's making it a big deal and I want her to stop.
"Kruise..." pigil ko.
Nilingon ako ni Kuya Tyrell. Compared to Olzen, his features are more mature and imposing but their eyes are both playful in some ways. At ngayon, habang tinitingnan niya ako ay para bang may kahulugan ang tingin niya.
"Nagkakilala silang dalawa nang may nilakad kami ni Olzen kanina sa Munisipyo. The good Mayor said that Graile is comfortable with Olzen kaya dito niya hiningi ang pabor." Nagkibit balikat ag Kuya ni Kruise.
Tumikhim ako at pinanatili ang straight face ko. Suminghap si Kruise at nilingon ako. I stared at her plainly.
"Pero bakit hindi man lang siya nagpaalam kay-"
"Kruise, kumain na tayo." Malamig kong putol sa sana'y sasabihin niya.
Kuya Tyrell cleared his throat and smiled at me. "A cousin of mine wants to be close to you, Era. I think you met him already."
Saglit akong natahimik. "Si Mike po ba?"
"Yes. Gusto ka raw niyang mas makilala pa." Tumawa siya.
