Blood for Blood (Blood Series 1) (COMPLETED)

24: Paradise

"Aria!" bati ni Maki nang makita siya sa hapag. It's a workday so the Navarro brothers are shuffling around the dining area. Rafael was up early and left even before Gio woke up. Despite working in a big hospital in Makati, the guy still finds a way to go home. Aria can't sleep kaya lumabas siya ng guest room. Pinaupo naman siya ng isang katulong at pinagtimplahan ng kape. Meanwhile, Snow White lazily walked towards the corner of the room, stretched and napped. Aria smiled at her sight.

"Why are you here?" tanong ni Maki. Nakasuot ito ng puting polo at pantalon. Mukhang papasok ng trabaho.

"Gio brought me home last night." sagot niya. Aria heard a woman's voice

"Aria?!" tawag ng babaeng boses.

"C?"

Biglang sumulpot si Ali sa tabi ni C.C. Aria figured out why palaging nagda-day off si C. Her hair was a bit of a mess, and C.C.'s not wearing any make up. Her lips still has its natural pink shade. Meanwhile C.C. noticed how pale Aria looks. Mukhang hindi ito nakatulog.

"Gio," bati ni Ali nang naglakad si Gio papasok ng dining area. He's already dressed and ready for workday.

"And hi, Aria." bati ni Ali.

"Are you going to Makati today?" tanong ni Ali.

"No, I'll be staying here. Pupuntahan ko sila Zach sa bayan." sagot nito.

"Sabay na tayo, Kuya." alok ni Maki.

"You go ahead. I'm planning to take Aria."

Napatingin si Aria kay Gio. That wasn't part of the plan. She actually wants to go back home.

"There must be some explanation why she's here." wika ni Ali nang umupo sila sa hapag. Tumabi lang si C.C. kay Ali. Aria knew she's been here for a while. Alam ni C.C. ang lugar niya sa bahay na ito. Isa pa, hindi siya pinapansin ni Maki at Gio.

"Black Rider chased us last night." sagot ni Gio.

"What?!" gulat na tanong ni Maki. Nagkatiginan si Ali at C.C.

"Why would he?" pagtataka ni Ali.

Nagkibit-balikat si Gio. "I don't know. At hindi ko alam if ang target niya ay ako o si Aria or both of us."

Natahimik ang magkakapatid. Everybody looked worried.

"Are you sure he's even Black Rider?" tanong ni Aria kay Gio. Because it was dark, and it was a downhill road. Aria does not even have a clear mental picture of the man who chased them.

"One thing is for sure, he sucks as a rider, Black Rider or not." sagot ni Gio. They all fell silent. Ali and C.C. are staring at each other. Maki was looking at something on his phone.

"Aria, try this pandesal! Best one in town." wika ni Maki na bumasag ng katahimikan. Tsaka lang napansin ni Aria ang malaking paperbag na puno ng tinapay sa gitna ng hapag. Isa-isang nilalapag ng mga katulong ang magiging almusal ng mga kapatid. Unlike her first time here, they were served with what looked like a spread made of egg, there's bacon again and the perfectly square ham. Nagpipindot lang si Maki sa kanyang phone habang ngumunguya ng pandesal na sinasawsaw niya sa kape. Kumuha si Gio ng isang tinapay at nagpalaman ng isang pirasong bacon. Napansin ni Aria na kababalik lang ni C mula sa kusina at may dala-dala itong tig-isang mug sa kanyang mga kamay.

"It's Wednesday. You should be in Manila by now, Gio." paalala ni Ali. Umupo si C.C. sa tabi ni Ali at nilapag ang isang mug sa harap nito.

"I've called them. Sabi ko hindi ako makakapunta ngayong araw." sagot ng panganay.

"What's with Wednesday?" tanong ni Aria.

"Wednesday is Manila day." sagot ni Maki.

"Manila day?" pagtataka ni Aria.