Trouble Flotation

2

If I had known that the worst kind of trouble would enter my life that night, I wouldn't have gone to the club with Lauren.

Interviewer: Who's that 'Trouble' ?

I looked at the Interviewer and smiled.

"Him."

"Get in the car, Miss. Ayokong hilahin ka pa para lang sumakay ka."

I froze. His voice was deep, and his tone, it was so blunt, so matter-of-fact. Ang casual niya sabihin 'yon ha, parang normal lang na sumakay ako sa kotse niya. The nerve! But also, the confidence ha!

My eyes fell on his car. A Porsche. Black. Polished. As in chef's kiss. It looked like a car that came straight out of a dream, or a mafia movie. One decision, one step, and my night could flip just like that.

But is it safe?

I hesitated. What if it was a setup? What if he's sketchy? But then again... he saved me earlier. Parang okay naman siya. Quiet. Mysterious. Kind of the cold-but-gentle type. Ugh, Alara, stop romanticizing strangers!

"Okay, fine," I whispered to myself, "I'll get in. I mean... I don't even know how to commute, so like, what choice do I even have?"

I dashed to the passenger seat, opened the door, and slid inside. Quietly. As discreet as I could. Kasi syempre, mahirap na baka magbago pa isip niya.

I didn't say much after getting into the car. My hands rested on my lap, fidgeting slightly. I scratched my neck and just... stared outside the window. I didn't want to look too weird. I mean, hello? Social graces. Alam kong I look like I have it together—but deep down, I was screaming.

He drove fast. As in, Formula One levels of fast. The whole city blurred into a stream of lights, and I held onto my seatbelt like it was a lifeline.

"Where do you—"

He didn't even finish the question. I already knew what he was about to ask.

"Mcinley Parkway, Arya Residences." I said, sitting straighter like I was reciting my address for a delivery.

He gave a slight nod, eyes still focused on the road. "Yeah, my friend lives there." he said casually.

"What's his name?" I asked, trying not to sound nosy but also lowkey hoping I'd get some tea.

"Her. Babae siya," he replied, his voice calm but with that tiny smirk na parang alam niyang may ma-iisip ako.

I blinked. "Oh? So may girl bestie ka pala?"

"Sort of," he shrugged. "Neighbor ko dati."