Aurora Borealis

Chapter 48 - Under The Wing

>> • TOHRU • <<

Conglomerates are gathered from around the building. One after another, chaffeurs line up while being escorted by security guards to the parking lot.

I adjusted the rearview mirror as I fixed my loosened tie. Pikit-mata akong bumilang ng ilang segundo bago tuluyang bumaba sa sasakyan.

"Never seen a lot of these people for a long time." My brother commented as soon as he got out from his car next to mine. "The Abbadons sure are amazing to be able to get this far."

"Hmm." I nodded.

"Hold on. My wife's calling me." aniya pa at lumayo ng bahagya saka itinapat sa kaniyang tainga ang phone.

Seeing men in suit with their heads held high was no new image for me. When you see them exchanging handshakes with others, one will assume that they're hiding their agendas behind those harmless smiles. But that's not always the case, as business isn't something clean in the first place.

While they start as individuals with pure ambitions, they'll wake up to the reality that at some point their hands will be tainted whether they want it or not.

"Mr. Salvatorre!"

Sinalubong naman ako ng isang malawak na ngiti ng lalaking hindi ko napansing nakatayo na pala sa likuran ko.

"Talon."

"Don't be like that. We should at least address each other with formality now that we're business partners." aniya at tinapik ako sa balikat.

"If you'd ask me for formality, then I suggest that you stop patting my shoulder like we're some kind of hippies." I gently shoved away his shoulders from me.

I didn't picture my business going with them, but because some of the stockholders were also associated with them, the vote downslided and favored Abaddon.

Media started blending in with cameras on their hands. As of now, they're talking to other business giants that arrived on the scene.

The crowd filled up the entrance cordoned with red ribbons all around the entire building. Nanatili lamang akong nakatitig sa pinakatuktok na bahagi nito.

Muntik na akong masubsob sa semento nang may sumingit sa gilid ko.

"Sorry, makikiraan lang." wika ng lalaking sumingit na hindi na ako nilingon.

"It's okay." sagot ko.

Walang anu-ano'y napahinto ang lalaki. Dahan-dahan itong lumingon at laking gulat ko na lamang nang mamukhaan ko ito.

"Tohru?!"

"West?"

Natagpuan ko na lamang ang sarili kong nakayakap sa kaniya. "I miss you, bro."

"Woah, woah. We're still straight, aren't we?" pabirong tanong niya at niyakap ako pabalik. "Just kidding, how are we kicking?"

"I'm the one who should ask you that." sagot ko at nakipagfist bump sa kaniya matapos humiwalay sa yakap. "Ang hirap pa naman ng pinagdaanan mo, balita ko."

"Yeah, mahirap sumingit kapag puro matatabang nakatuxedo yung nakaharang sa daan." saad niya.

"By the way, what are you doing here?"

"What do you mean?" nakakunot ang noong tanong niya. "We're invited for a surprise."

That only confused me more. But he looked more confused as he stared at me.

"West, where on Earth have you gone? We're waiting for you." isang braso ang humatak sa may balikat ni West.

"Tohru, you're late." sabat ni Wendy na nasa tabi ko kasama si Aero.