-providing information.
09
Hindi ako naka-react kaagad, hindi pa nag-sink sa utak ko ang narinig ko.
The moment the bartender mentioned the white, I immediately knew who it was.
His face popped in my head. . . Felix.
Questions started to fill my mind, thoughts, and suspicions.
Why are they meeting here?
They're engaged! There's no need for them to keep their meetings a secret.
Since when?
Is it connected to the disappearance of Hilian?
Does Felix know. . . where she is?
I started overthinking, my mind was panicking. I felt like my head was about to explode when I felt someone tap my shoulder. I was startled. Agad akong napalingon.
"Lady Harlotte?" hindi niya makapaniwalang sambit nang masilayan ako.
Kapwa ko ay nabigla rin ako nang makita siya. "S-Sir Nilus!" I exclaimed.
Wearing ordinary clothes, a white shirt with a brown vest on top. Paired with brown pants with shoes, also a black newsboy hat.
Hindi ako makapaniwalang nakatingin sa kaniya. He's the last person that I've imagined bumping into!
His forehead furrowed. "What are you doing here?"
Napakagat ako sa ibabang labi, mabilis kong tinignan ang bartender. "You didn't see me here," mariing ani ko. Hinila ko kaagad paalis sa harap ng bartender si Nilus.
Dinala ko siya sa pinakagilid ng counter. Nakakunot pa rin ang noo niyang nakatingin sa 'kin.
"Look, I'm here to investigate about my sister's case."
"But Lady Harlotte, it's dangerous here. Some people are getting out of hand. You shouldn't be here," seryosong sambit ni Nilus.
"I-I know, I won't be here for too long. I'm also about to go-"
Nahinto ko ang sasabihin ko nang marinig ko ang pagtunog ng bell, hudyat na may pumasok. Sabay kaming napalingon ni Nilus sa pintuan at kapwa lumaki ang mga mata.
"It's Sir Sherlo-"
Awtomatikong gumalaw ang kamay ko at tinakpan ko kaagad ang bibig ni Nilus.
"Shhh."
Patago at mabilis ko siyang niyuko at tinago sa iilang bakanteng lamesa. Sinigurado kong hindi kami napansin at mapapansin ni Sherlock.
Sinensyasan ko ang kasama ko na tumahimik.
"Lady Harlotte, what are you doing?-"
"Shh, keep quiet." Masinsin kong tinignan si Nilus. "Please, just this once, keep it a secret from my father, from my mother too. They shouldn't know that I've been here, specially Sherlock." Hinawakan ko ang magkabila niyang kamay. "Please, Sir Nilus, please, just this once."
He wasn't convinced, but you can't underestimate Harlotte's—my charm. "Please. . ."
Pinakita ko ang nagtutubig kong mga mata. Sa magaganda lang 'to umeepekto, pero kung gawin ko 'to gamit ang katawan ko sa totoong mundo, baka may sumapak sa 'kin.
Hilus clicked his tongue. "Fine, but if you get found out about this, I'm out."
Lumiwanag ang ekspresyon ko. "Yes!" mahina pero masiglang sagot ko.
BINABASA MO ANG
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