The Great Known (Isla de Vista Series #2)

Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Talk

"Tito, do you know anything about my parents' death? Was it done intentionally?" tanong ko kay Tito Hermes.

Binaba niya ang binabasang magazine at nasa akin ang atensyon niya. Iyon ang hindi naalis sa aking isipan mula noong nakita kong umalis si Faith kasama ang ipinakilala niyang boyfriend niya.

"Your parents' case was stamped as an accident, hija. Leaking in the gas tank was an issue of that car brand. Why are you asking about this matter?" seryosong tugon ni Tito sa akin.

"I met a friend po. Kaibigan din nila Daddy ang family nila, they're close friends. And she said something about my parents' accident wasn't merely an accident."

Mahina siyang tumango. "Hindi ako sigurado sa lahat ng impormasyon tungkol sa nangyari, hija. You can ask Eros, he knows more than I do."

Right. I don't fully believe what Faith said. Maliban sa tanggap ko ang nangyari kina Daddy at Mommy, maraming taon na ang nakalipas noong huli naming pagkikita at hindi makatunayan na agad akong maniniwala sa kanya. We were best of friends but that was before. I don't know her at the present time.

Ngumiti ako kay Tito Hermes at tumango sa suhestyon niya. Tumulong ako kay Tito Samantha na nag-bi-bake ng cake para sa maliit na gathering dito sa bahay mamayang gabi. Investors, clients, and friends of their Hotel business will gather around tonight.

"Are you sure you won't stay the night, hija? Rocco is on his way here naman. He can drive you back to the province in the morning." nakangusong ulit ni Tita Samantha.

Kasalukuyang abala ang mga katiwala ng bahay dahil sa business gathering nila Tito dito. Buenavistas and Figueroas are very known to have exquisite house parties. Kahit sinabi kong simple lang iyon, their definition of simple is not the definition of simple to the ordinary people.

'Yung mga Figueroa, kamag-anak din nila ito from Doñia Alonsia's side. Nakilala ko sila dahil tuwing nandidito kami sa Maynila, sasama ako kina Tita Andresa sa Figueroa Mansion. One of the most beautiful mansions in the world and a very expensive real estate. The mansion is like a sibling of Vista Manor but only located in the City. Yeah, they are crazy rich.

Mahinang umiling ako. "Sa susunod nalang, Tita. Birthday rin kasi ni Totong sa Saturday kaya isosorpresa namin siya."

"Okay," she chuckled. "Si Jackson muli ang kasabay mo pauwi ngayon?"

"Yes po. Actually, he is on his way na. Uh, before I forgot, Tita, saan po ang vase na sabi ni Tita Andresa? She told me to bring it home,"

"Ay, oo. Wait, it's already placed outside. Or not. Pero I can ask someone to deliver it to the Manor, hija. Hindi mo kailangan dalhin."

"Pauwi na rin naman po ako. Isasabay ko nalang po. Jackson is driving a Fortuner and it fits in the trunk po." agap ko.

"But the vases are big, hija. Kahit apat lang iyon, mukhang hindi magkasya sa trunk ng Fortuner. Uh, wait, let's go see the vases."

Iniwan namin ang pag-frosting ng cake para tingnan ang vase na tinutukoy ni Tita Andresa. The vases were antique from the Ming Dynasty which Tita Andresa bought from China during an auction. Ngayon lang nadeliver mula abroad at para ito sa Manor.

"It can fit naman po in the trunk." sabi ko nang nakita ang magaganda at antigong vase.

"You think so?"

Tumango ako.

"Hermes, these vases can fit in the trunk?" tanong ni Tita sa asawa niya.

"What car, honey?"