Nights Like This

Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Real

Kaila had no choice but to let me in on what Julian was telling her. Rex Niccolo indeed quit from our firm. If this is another one of his stupid tricks to manipulate me into believing him, he's out of his mind.

Quitting is too much! Now I don't exactly know his reason for doing that but it's just too much!

Kung naguguluhan ako nitong mga nakaraang araw, mas lalo na ngayon. Lost in the trail of my thoughts, I asked Kaila to get me a secure exit from the tower. Iyong hindi magtatagpo ang landas namin ni Rex Niccolo. Because I'm not going to risk seeing him downstairs. I'll die first before I voluntarily do that.

Nag-aalalang tingin ni Ethan ang bumungad sa akin nang makauwi sa bahay. He was slightly shocked when he got to see me up close. I was more shocked because what the hell is he doing here?

"Bob, you look like shit," he said in all seriousness.

"I don't have time to deal with your observation. Ano'ng ginagawa mo rito?"

Wala pa sina Papa. I haven't seen the car that he uses in the garage. Kahit sasakyan ni Mama o ng mga kapatid ko, wala rin.

"Nikko told me you might go home already. I'm the welcoming party, I guess?"

"What else did Kuya tell you?"

"Mukhang problemado ang kapatid mo. He told me to bring you somewhere else so let's go."

"Where to?" naguguluhan kong tanong.

"He said not to let you stay here for a while?" Ethan replied in equal confusion. It seems like Kuya Nikko didn't tell him anything else.

I muttered a low curse. I think I have an idea of what's gonna happen.

"Never mind that. You might want to leave now, Ethan. I don't need a babysitter."

"Really? A babysitter?"

Lumapit ako sa kanya at tinulak na siya palabas ng bahay.

"Hey! Nikko asked me to bring you along. Tara na," aniya.

"Huwag na. Kuya won't throw a fit just 'cause you failed to do what he asked. Ako na ang bahala. Umalis ka na."

Ethan acted as if he's deeply offended.

"You're not even going to offer me some food or something?"

I glanced at the coffee table and saw that there's an empty glass and tray.

"Idiot. Binigyan ka na ng pagkain. Umalis ka na," pag ulit ko sa unang sinabi.

"Dang. Can't you at least tell me what's up?" pangungulit niya pa.

I pushed him even more. "I have a feeling things are about to get ugly in this house. You wouldn't want to witness that. So please, leave."

Saglit siyang natahimik at nag-isip.

"If it's a family thing then fine, I'll leave."

"Good. Shoo away."

Ethan glared at me weirdly as he made his way out. Lumingon pa ng isang beses para siguraduhin na pinapaalis ko na siya. I really want him to leave. He has no business here and he most definitely shouldn't be involved. Ano ba ang naisip ni Kuya Nikko at inutusan pa 'yon na pumunta rito. He even asked Ethan to bring me elsewhere.

Pumanhik ako sa ikalawang palapag at dumiretso sa kwarto ko. I looked at my full length wall mirror and I really do look like shit. I have no makeup. My hair's in a chaotic ponytail — with the shorter strands of hair falling in my face. My clothes scream like I lost my fashion sense. My eyes... they look like they lost life. I cried a lot these past few days so maybe that explains it somehow.