That Summer In Brooklyn

Chapter 17

17: Connection

Max

I FIND myself pulling over in front of the big house where I always drop Bea. Hindi ko alam kung bakit imbis na dumirecho uwi ay dito ko naisipang pumunta. Kababalik ko lang galing sa Los Angeles at New Jersey para sa isang business deal na may kinalaman sa Elixir. I'm expanding this business of mine everywhere in America. Nightlife here never ceases in this continent and is part of everyone's lifestyle.

Malalim akong huminga saka bumaba na sa sasakyan ko.

Sinipat ko ang kabuuan ng bahay na nasa aking harapan. Malaki iyon, may malawak na hardin at ang disenyo ay gaya sa mga Italian mansion. I was busy saving the real owner's number posted in front when I saw Bea walking criss crossed towards me.

Is she drunk?

Sinipat ko ang oras at halos mag-a-alas dose na. She's wearing a hoodie jacket on top of her short shorts. It shows off her long slender legs, which I think is her best asset. I put my cell phone back inside my pocket and approached her.

"Nagbalik ka na!" Para siyang bata na tumalon-talon sa harap ko.

"Why? Miss me?" I smirked when she frowned.

"Assuming naman masyado." Luminga-linga si Bea sa paligid na para may hinahanap. "Buti naman wala iyong nakabantay sayo lagi."

Bea heaved a deep sigh and look at like puss in boot from the movie Shrek. Damn, she too cute! Hinawakan ko iyong dalawang tali hoodie jacket niya at hinila hanggang sa matakpan ang kanyang mukha. I smell danger and ruining her moment will keep me safe from falling. She just scowled at me while fixing her hair.

"Is there a problem?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

"Wala." Mabilis niyang sagot. "Bakit ka nandito? Na-miss mo ako no?"

Hindi ko pinansin ang banat niya. "Why are you still outside?"

"Hindi ako makatulog kaya bumili ako nito." Ipinakita sa kanya ni Bea ang bitbit na plastic na naglalaman ng beer can. "Gusto mo?" Alok niya sa akin na tinanggap ko naman. Maybe this is all I need after a long day working outside the New York City border.

"I made some inquiries with regards to you father --"

"Mukhang ayaw naman niya magpahanap sa akin. Kanina, may nagchat sa akin, sinabi na kilala nila si Papa pero ang ending nawala lang ako,"

"You shouldn't trust anyone online."

"Bakit naman ikaw sa akin?"

"We didn't meet online."

"Ganun pa din yun at may tiwala ka sa akin."

"No, I don't."

Napatingin siya sa akin at muli na naman niya ginaya si Puss in Boots sa pagpapa-cute. Inignora ko lang yun at ibinalik ang tingin sa buwan. I opened up the can of beer that I holding and drink from it.

"Ang KJ mo talaga, Max." Muli siyang huminga ng malalim at nagbukas ng isa pang lata ng beer. Lasing na siya kaya ang agawin iyon ang tanging solusyon na naisip ko. This girl needs to go home now and sleep. "Akin 'yan!"

"You're drunk already --"

She cut me off again.

"Hindi ako nalalasing."

"Oh, yeah? What about a bet, then?"

"Game! Kung sino unang malasing may parusa."

Hindi niya nabanggit kung anong klaseng parusa iyon pero tingin ito na iyong dahilan kaya ako nagpunta dito. Bea, even if she fooled me, never failed to lighten up my mood. Those annoying gestures of hers, being loud and opinionated, is a complete distraction I need tonight. But, I know that I need to let her go after our setup. She's not a citizen here in Brooklyn, and even if I asked her to stay, it's not appropriate since we're temporary.