Nights Like This

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Hug

Rex Niccolo was busy talking to someone on the phone for the most part of the drive to the airport. It totally felt like I was invading his privacy so I tried hard not to listen. Kaya lang, hindi iyon ganoon kadali. Especially when he sounded like a boss scolding his subordinate who made a big mistake. Ibang iba pala siya kapag trabaho ang usapan. He's way, way serious and scarier than when he's not in work mode.

Nang makarating ay sumama ako sa kanya sa loob ng airport. He glanced at me with a questioning look when he realized that.

"Magpapalipas oras lang," sabi ko bago niya pa itanong kung bakit ako sumama. Mukhang mas naguluhan siya lalo sa sinabi ko. I had to explain that my friends are throwing me a party tonight and I don't want to go so I need to be anywhere but school and home.

"Bakit ayaw mong pumunta sa party mo?" tanong niya.

"Just because."

Pinanliitan niya ako ng mata.

"You sound off," aniya.

"Do I? Basta ayaw kong pumunta. I'll just go to the fast food here?" nag-aalangan kong sabi dahil hindi ko rin sigurado kung pupunta ba ako roon. Obviously, I can't wait with him inside because I'm not a passenger.

He raised his right hand and gently touched my under eye using his index finger.

"Sleepy eyes. Umuwi ka na lang at matulog. You woke up very early."

"Tss. Hindi nga ako pwede sa bahay. There's a high chance my friends will show up there if they realize I ditched them. Ayokong magpaliwanag sa kanila at kay Papa. At least not tonight."

"Then where will you go?" he asked.

"Diyan nga sa fast food," sagot ko. He raised his brow, probably thinking I can't do it. "Or maybe at Ethan's place... Right. I'll call him and ask if I could crash for a while."

Pwede iyon kung papayag si Ethan. Ayokong mag-mall dahil pagod na ako. Sa aga kong nagising ay pagod na ako kahit hindi pa tapos ang araw.

"That's not a wise choice, Barbara," seryosong sabi ni Rex Niccolo.

"Huh?"

"Rest in your house. Sabihan mo lang ang guards n'yo na huwag magpapasok. That's easy."

"E ayoko nga-"

He cut me off. "It's better than staying at a guy's place."

I quickly picked up his point. Tama naman siya. Even if Ethan's a friend, I don't think it's wise.

I sighed. Guess I'll have to go home? Magbibilin ako sa guards at matutulog na lang. I know I'll fall asleep as soon as I slump on my bed.

"I'll go home," I said.

"That's great. Go now," he said.

"Tss. Won't you say thanks to me for driving your sorry ass here?"

The corner of his mouth turned up for a smile. "Thank you for driving me here."

"You're welcome. Have a safe flight. Umalis ka na rin at baka maiwan ka. Sisihin mo pa ako."

"I will go now," sabi niya pero nakatayo pa rin naman sa harap ko.

I suddenly remembered I still owe him my gratitude. "By the way, thanks for accompanying me earlier on my little impulsive adventure. I appreciate it."

"You're welcome," he replied.

I smiled and figured I should go first. Ako na ang unang aalis dahil parang wala siyang balak.