Euclid Shellingford (Volume 2)

CHAPTER 38: The Case of the Girl in Black (Part 1)

Emerald Hotel, TIME: 9:00PM

Halos isang oras mahigit din ang naging byahe ko papunta dito sa Emerald Hotel. Matapos kong i-park ang kotse ko ay naglakad na ako papunta sa entrance ng lobby na hindi naman ganun kalayo. I looked around and noticed the CCTVs, all working. Mabuti naman at mukhang maganda ang security ng parking lot nila.

As I've entered the hotel's lobby, I can't help but feel awe with what I see. The place looks very elegant with its sophisticated black and white interior design. The entire floor is highlighted by the eye-catching chandelier at the center of the windowed dome ceiling. There are also paintings of tourist spots with black frame stick in the walls which I think, is very classy. I looked at the staffs and they are in black and white uniform too.

"Good evening Sir, what can I do for you?"

"Ahm, I'll visit my mom upstairs. She's Henriette Shellingford, room 2309."

"Just wait for a while, Sir," mukhang tinawagan na nito si mom sa room nito. Maya-maya pa'y humarap na ito ulit sa'kin.

"You can go ahead, Sir," sabi nito at saka iginiya ako sa direksyon ng elevator.

"Thank you!"

Pagkapasok ko sa loob ng elevator ay pinindot ko ang 23rd floor. Pipindutin ko na sana ang close button nang may makita akong matangkad na babaeng papalapit. Pinindot ko na muna ang hold button para makasakay siya.

"Thank you!" agad na sabi niya pagkapasok niya sa loob. Nang makita nitong napindot ko na ang 23rd floor ay ang close button na lang ang pinindot nito.

Since I have no other things to do, I just observed my fellow passenger. Tantsa ko ay nasa 30s pa lang ang edad nito, may mahaba itong buhok na medyo wavy at nakalugay lang. She's wearing a long black dress na tinernuhan nito ng black stiletto heels. My mom used to wear such pair of heels kapag napunta ito sa mga parties. Napansin kong may dala din itong black pouch sa kanang kamay nito. I noticed her talking to the information desk beside me a while ago so it only means that she will just meet someone upstairs for a short while. I looked at her as she looked at her watch. She's wearing a diamond ring.

Maya-maya pa'y tumunog na ang elevator, indicating that we are already in the 23rd floor. Pinauna ko na muna siyang lumabas at pagkatapos ay sumunod na din ako sa kanya. I looked for my parent's room which is 2309. Napansin kong huminto naman yung babae sa naunang kwarto, room 2308.

I knocked three times before the door finally opens.

"Euclid baby!" my mom welcomed me with a hug.

"Mom, I told you not to call me baby anymore!" I told her then broke the hug.

"But you'll always be my baby, hmp!" sabi nito sabay talikod.

"Don't you know dad's schedule for today?" tanong ko sa kanya habang iginagala ang tingin sa kabuuan ng kwarto. It is a very spacious and elegant suite. Tulad sa lobby kanina ay black and white din ang interior design ng kwarto.

"I'm not sure."

"Are you serious?" sabi ko sa kanya habang naglalakad-lakad sa loob ng kwarto. It looks like the bedroom adjoins the kitchen, living room, laundry, and dining space. Napatangu-tango na lang ako habang nakatingin sa malaking painting na nasa harap ko. It's a magnificent view of the historic Manila City Hall. Sa baba nito ay may nakasulat pang 'The Coffin: City of Manila'.

"I told you! He's not answering my texts and calls! Hindi rin siya nago-online at nangsi-seen ng mga chat ko sa messenger!"

"Can you remember if you have done something to annoy him?"