Three Steps To You ✔︎

Chapter 26

LEFT ALONE

LEONARDO

“Iʼm sorry, I got furious.” she shook her head while she was burying my face in my chest. “Pero si Papa ba talaga ʼyung nakita mo? May kasama ba talaga siyang iba?” she burst out with tears brimming her eyes.

“Yes...” sabi ko, nagpapakita ng simpatya.

“Bakit...?” tanong niya. “Paano niya ʼto nagawa sa ʼmin ni Mama...?” she was anxious.

“Tara na, iuuwi na kita.” I said to her. Tumango siya ng dahan-dahan. Iginiya ko siya sa kotse, hawak-hawak ang kamay niyang nanlalamig sa sobrang kaba. I kissed her forehead, thinking it would ease her mind. “Calm down, please.” I softly smiled at him.

“I-I wanna talk to him, p-personally.” sambit niya. Nauutal siya dahil sa nararamdaman kong pagiging kabado niya. Nakasakay na kami sa kotse kaya medyo kumalma na siya.

Tumango ako saka hinaplos ang buhok niya. “Kung kaya mo siyang kausapin, Iʼll tell him to come at your house.”

I parked my car next to Mr. Lopezʼs carb when we had finally arrive at their gate. She forced a smile. “T-Thank you for driving me home.” I said.

“Thank you for not hating me for being so late of telling you the truth.” I replied. With my thanks, I kissed her on her lips. It was a peck of kiss.

Her face was flushed. “H-Hoy!”

Bahagya akong natawa. “Ang cute mo.” sambit ko. She averted her eyes. Thatʼs the cutest thing in the world.

Bumaba na siya ng kotse nang walang pasabi pero naramdaman ko na bumaba siya. Her face was flushed red, that might be the reason she became silent suddenly.

“I didnʼt knew that such smile as hers were bright like sunshine.” I smirked.

I left the place after seeing her enter the house safely. Now, itʼs decided. I will always be there to ensure her safety... Wherever she goes.

— TSTY —

Malapit na ako sa village namin nang mapansin ko ang inupuan ni Bliss kanina. Nakita ko ang isang cellphone at paniguradong kay Bliss ito. Someone was calling. Agad kong pinarada ang aking sasakyan sa gilid upang hindi makaharang sa kalsada.

Tinignan ko ang screen at nakita kung sinong tumatawag.

𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗮
𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨...

Mr. Lopez? Bakit naman niya tatawagan si Bliss eh nasisiguro kong magkasama sila ngayon sa bahay na iyon. Nasisiguro ko rin na nandoon si Mr. Lopez dahil nakita mismo ng mga mata ko ang sasakyan niya sa harap ng gate. Might he be out again?

I knew I had no rights to answer someoneʼs phonecall. But I still answered it otherwise.

“Hello, Mr. Lopez.” bati ko sa kabilang linya.

“Nasaan ka?!” naghisterikal siya. “Wait... Who are you? Why do you have her phone? What did you do to my daughter?”

“Relax! Itʼs me, Leonardo Scottsdale. At anong sinasabi mo? Wala akong ginawa sa anak mo.”

“Nasaan si Bliss?!”

Dahil sa tanong niya napakibit-balikat ako. “Ewan ko. Hindi ba magkasama kayo?” sarkastikong tanong ko. I even rolled my eyes.

“Umalis siya!” he yelled. Bakit parang galit siya? Bakit parang kasalanan ko pa?

“Ano?” kumunot ang noo ko. “At saan naman siya pupunta?”