HONESTY

CHAPTER 04

ZACCHAEUS

Zacchaeus was now in the Gym. He's looking at his own body while holding a dumbbell. Bahagya niya itong itinataas, baba na mas nag-papaigting ng kaniyang galit na galit na mga muscles at ang nag umiigting niyang eight packs abs.

Patuloy lang siya sa pag-ensayo nang biglang tumunog ang kaniyang cellphone. Binaba niya muna ang dumbbell bago lapitan ang kaniyang cellphone.

Ezra M. is calling...

"Yow."

"I have something to tell you and I'm sure you will definitely go here." Sabi ni Ezra sa kabilang linya.

"About what? Tell me."

"Not 'what' but 'who' Zacc!" Saad nito na dahilan ng pagtataka niya. "The woman you asked me for some information. She applied here yesterday on my restaurant. I was so fucking shocked that I can't even speak in front of her." Hindi niya sigurado kung nagbibiro ba ito o hindi pero alam niyang nararamdaman niya ang saya dahil mas madali niya ng mapupuntahan si Zio.

Mabuti nalang at sa kaibigan niya ito nag apply. Yes, Ezra Macario was his friend, the owner of Black Restaurant.

"You fucking sure?"

"Yeah. 100% sure. And, oh, one thing that you should thank me is..." He stopped for a seconds.

"Bago ko sabihin sa 'yo. Mangako kang ililibre mo ko. There's no free lunch in this world Mr. Lovely Guy." Ezra said in a devilish slash sarcastic way.

"I'll promise to you that I will treat you, anything. Just make sure it's worth it or I'll fucking kick your ass."

"Zio Anne Gray asked for my number..." Nangiinggit ang boses ni Ezra at dahil sa narinig niya ay agad na nagsalubong ang kilay ni Zacchaeus.

"But then as your supportive friend. I gave your number instead. So, how was it? Great, Yeah? Yeah! So you better treat me Mr. Lovely Guy." Zacchaeus sighed in relief.

Zacchaeus was happy to what he just heard. "You can buy anything and used my card." Pagkatapos 'non ay in-end niya na ang call.

Bumalik siya sa pagbubuhat at ilang minuto lang ang lumipas ay may tumatawag sa cellphone niya.

It's an unknown number. It's not in Zacchaeus nature to answered the call when it's unknown number so he end it.

Annoyed, Zacchaeus picked up his phone and answered his call when it rang for the sixth times.

"Who are—"

"Hi, Mr. Macario." Natigilan si Zacchaeus at bahagyang inilayo ang cellphone niya. He knew who is it! It's Zio! It's— fuck! What am I gonna do? He took a breath before he put back his phone on his ear.

"H-hey?" He's nerveous.

"You are stuttering, again, Mr. Macario." Thinking what Ezra said to him earlier about giving his number to Zio. He pretend as Ezra.

"Nope, it's just that I'm just shocked."

"Shocked? I thought you would expect me to call you since I asked for your number. Right?"

"Yeah, I just didn't know you would call early in the morning..."

"Hmm. It is just me or your voice sounds different on the call?"  Hearing that Zacchaeus felt the nerveous again. His voice was really really so far different to Macario. He's screwed.

"It's, ahm," Zacchaeus cleared his throat. "It's morning. That's why my voice is different." Pagrarason ni Zacchaeus.

Zio was not convinced but she just changed the topic. "Later, Mr. Macario. I'll go to your restaurant to get my good result, I hope. Maybe 10am. So, see yah?" Zio was obviously excited. Nang malaman ang oras ng pagpunta ni Zio ay tinignan niya ang kaniyang relo na nasa kaliwang kamay niya. It's just 7am, I can still go there.