Never an Ever After (Never Series #1 | COMPLETED)

Chapter 34

Chapter 34
Plan

He looked different from the Lewis I saw before. He looked tired and sharp, as if he had forgotten what it's like to live. Muntik ko na siyang 'di makilala dahil sa medyo humaba niyang buhok and the stubbles surfacing on his face.

"Can I have a word with you?"

Tumango lang ako, I was looking forward to speak to him anyway.

He started walking while I followed behind. Nagtaka pa ako nang lumabas kami patungo sa parking area ng ospital. He gestured to a black Ford Ranger. Pumunta siya sa may driver's side saka ito binuksan ang pinto at pumasok sa loob. Gano'n din ang ginawa ko sa passenger's side ng kotse.

Pagkapasok ko ay nakatingin lang siya sa harapan. Ilang segundong tahimik si Lewis bago niya buksan ang makina ng sasakyan at paandarin ito.

"Kamusta si Guia?" He asked while driving away from the hospital. Tinanaw ko pa ito sa side mirror.

Wait for me, baby...

"Still unresponsive," mahinang sabi ko.

Sa tuwing si Guia ang pag-uusapan, pakiramdam ko ay nawawalan ako ng lakas. I feel hollow—dying even. I miss her so much. Every passing day was just me trying to live... thinking she would eventually wake up.

Lewis hit the steering wheel as he muttered a curse. "Pucha... Kasalanan ko 'to."

"No. It was mine."

Hindi siya nagsalita at mas binilisan ang pagpapatakbo. Hindi rin nagtagal ay nakarating kami sa isang condominium. Hindi na muna ako umimik at hinayaang manguna si Lewis sa kung saan man kami pupunta. Sumakay kami sa elevator at pinindot niya ang 10th floor.

"Kung 'di kita kinausap, hindi sana aabot sa gano'n," he uttered firmly. I could feel his rage from where I stood.

That day... I was following Guia secretly. I knew she was acting strange. And I got nervous of how she was so determined to go alone.

I repeatedly told her to be safe because I could feel that something wasn't adding up. God knows how hard I tried to keep her safe...

"May kakausapin tayo ngayon," Lewis informed me as he halted in front of a unit. He entered the passcode and got in. Sumunod naman ako sa kaniya.

"Lewis, ikaw na ba yan?" sabi ng isang boses ng babae na mukhang ilang metro ang layo sa amin. Napaangat ang tingin ko at nakita ang isang babaeng mukhang kaedaran nina Ate. She was wearing comfortable clothes and an apron over it. She looked unfamiliar, but something was different in how she carries herself.

Lumapit siya sa amin ni Lewis at nakipagkamay sa akin na agad ko namang tinanggap. "I'm Celise. Celise Evans," nakangiting pagpapakilala niya.

I nodded at her in acknowledgement as I introduced myself. "Pierce."

Nagsimulang magsalita si Lewis. Inilahad niya ang lahat ng dapat ko pang malaman.

"Celise will be helping us with the case. Nag-iimbestiga na kami sa nangyari. Sa ngayon, I want you and George to work on this," sabi niya na ikinailing ko kaagad kahit hindi niya pa sinasabi kung ano ba talaga ang pagtutulungan namin ni George.

"George is mad at me for what happened to Guia..." I doubt we would make a good team.

He shrugged. "All the more reason to pair the both of you so, you'd make up. It's Guia we're talking about. Paniguradong 'di niya uunahin ang galit niya sa'yo dahil mas importante ang best friend niya."

Hindi ako nagsalita. Hinayaan ko silang mag-usap sa harap ko tungkol sa plano nila at sa mga naimbestigahan nila. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ang dami nilang alam at ang bilis nilang mag-trabaho, pero isa lang ang sigurado ako, hindi titigil si Lewis hangga't hindi nagbabayad ang may gawa nito. At handa akong gawin lahat para maisakatuparan ang kaniyang plano.