Flickered By Innocence (Crossing The Line Series 4) ✅

F.B.I-4

"Hey, Gellian! Wait!" I yelled his name when I noticed he was walking too fast, which made me unable to follow. 

Simula nung natapos kaming mag-lunch sa cafeteria ay hindi niya na ako kinausap. Gellian must have felt irritated because I kept on asking him about Aaron. He's friends with him, so I guess he's the best person to ask.

I was panting heavily when I reached him. "T-tell me what's wrong, Gellian." 

I saw how his jaw clenched, making me feel more worried. "Wala, and please stop asking me about Aaron. He's not... my friend anymore."

I suddenly felt confused after hearing that. "Oh, why?"

He smiled bitterly before he tapped my head. "Siya ang gusto ng—"

I didn't hear him clearly when Mang Noel beeped the horn of the van. I took a glance at my wristwatch before I looked at the face of Gellian, urging him to go on, but he didn't utter another word. I can't fathom the emotion in his eyes.

I just pouted my lips while walking towards the van. Nagpakawala ako nang malalim na hininga nung magsimulang magmaneho si Mang Noel. Muli kung sinulyapan si Gellian mula sa bintana ng van at nakita siyang malalim ang iniisip.

"Anak, bakit naka-busangot ang mukha mo? May problema ba?" Nag-aalalang tanong ni Manang Fe nung kinuha niya ang bag ko mula sa 'kin.

I bit my lower lip, trying to resist the urge to cry. "N-nanny, I think I did something... wrong."

She immediately wiped my tears when they started rolling down my cheeks. "Kung sa tingin mo'y mayroon kang ginawang mali, subukan mong humingi ng tawad."

Nabuhayan ako ng loob nung marinig ko iyon kay Manang Fe. Dali-dali akong nagpaalam sa kanya bago kumaripas ng takbo palabas ng mansyon. Mabuti at nakita ko agad si Mang Noel kaya napanatag ang loob ko.

"Mang Noel, let's go." I informed him before I got inside the van.

I saw him scratch his head in confusion. "Saan tayo pupunta, Zein? Baka magalit ang mommy mo..."

"We need to go to Tita Cecil's mansion. I have to see Gellian po." I used my soft voice, hoping it could persuade him to agree.

I clapped my hands excitedly when he got into the driver's seat and started the engine of the van. Matagal na rin akong hindi nakakadalaw kay Tita Cecil dahil sa tambak na school works kaya isa na rin iyon sa dahilan kung bakit ko naisipang pumunta.

"Oh! Hi, baby Zein!" Bati sa 'kin ni Tita Cecil nung makapasok ako sa mansyon nila.

I gave her a tight hug as she caressed my back. "I missed you po, Tita."

She is already in her mid-40's, but she still looks young. Gellian's dad was always out of the country for business purposes, so she was the only guardian of Gellian aside from their maids and bodyguards. My mom and Gellian's mom became friends when they met at a corporate event a few years ago. And that's the time I met Gellian again and we became best buddies.

"Tita, where's Gellian?" I surveyed the huge living room, but I couldn't see a glimpse of his presence.

Her lips parted before she let out a deep sigh. "He's probably at the pool. Could you please check him, Zein? My son looks like he's not in a good mood." She asked me for a favor.