Zaldivar Series #1: Weaving Lies and Chaos

Kabanata 22

"Have you booked the flights?" I asked without turning my head towards Flavio's direction. 

The moment we arrived at his condo after he fetched me at the lobby of Chaos's unit, I didn't waste time and hastily walked towards my room.

"I did. Last day."

Ngunit agad din akong napahinto at sa huli ay hinarap si Flavio. Marahas akong napabuntong hininga at napagpasyahang sabihin ang kaninang mga narinig. "Someone sent me a recording. Rieselle told them your name. They'll surely find you," I stated while thinking of an alternative plan for him. But I can't think of any but to hide as well. 

Mabagal ang hakbang na lumapit siya sa akin habang ang dalawang kamay ay nasa bulsa. "What do you expect? That she'll shut her mouth about everyone here?"

I'm not expecting that, of course. O siguro, nawala lang din sa isip ko ang bagay na iyon. "Will you come with me? Or you... have other plans?" I raised a brow.

Ilang segundo ng katahimikan ang namayani sa pagitan naming dalawa bago siya nakasagot. "I'll come with you. Let's hide together."

I firmly nodded my head while biting the insides of my cheeks. 

"How about Tito Nathaniel?" 

Mariin akong umiling. "Dad's out of this. Ayaw kong madamay pa siya."

His scrutinizing eyes stayed at me before he nodded his head. "Emil and his other men will stay with him while we're away."

"Alright. Book several flights with you too, same flights with mine. Let's fix everything, just like what I've planned. But this time, you're with me..." I trailed off remembering if I forgot to tell him something about my plan. 

Nang matantong walang nakalimutan ay muli ko siyang hinarap. He's now typing on his phone, or maybe dialing someone's number. 

Marahan akong napabuntong-hininga. "I'm sorry," I genuinely whispered.

He languidly cocked his head as he eyed me and licked his lower lip. Sandali siyang nawalan ng imik at para bang sinisigurado kung tama ang narinig niya. 

I gave him an apologetic smile. "Hindi na dapat kita dinamay. I shouldn't have asked you to help me."

"I helped you. Willingly, Marcia," he muttered when he realized I'm serious.

I shook my head. "You should be out of this."

He heaved a deep sigh and tilted his head, pilit hinuhuli ang aking mga mata. "Marsh, come on. I wanted this. Whatever I did, it was because of my own will. Kung ayaw ko, hindi mo ako mapapasunod. Even if you're my boss's daughter, I won't obey you."

"You'll lose your freedom because of me."

He held my shoulders as he intently eyed me. "Don't ever blame yourself. I'm not even blaming you." He paused a bit. 

Tumuwid siya sa pagkakatayo habang kumunot ang noo. His eyes turned into slits. "Come on! What happened to the Marcia I know?" 

We stared at each other. At habang tumatagal, unti-unting sumisilay ang ngisi sa aming mga labi, like we're talking about something humorous without words. In the end, we ended up chuckling while I'm rolling my eyes. 

Akmang tatalikuran ko siya nang may maalala. "I need to do one last thing before leaving." I even lazily raised my palm as a gesture.

"And that is?"

The corner of my lips rose for a grin. "Ruin Timothea and Abacus." 

This is the time that I'm waiting for. Before, I planned to ditch Chaos as Rieselle in their wedding and ruin the Zaldivars with the evidence I have at the same time. But some things changed.