Almost Isolated

Chapter 33 - Tobias Aquino III

Neri's heart sank. She ignored Robbie, concealing her heartache by turning again to the hospital director. "You knew his girlfriend? Well does his girlfriend know that you are hiding Robbie...? I mean, Tobias in a secret room?"

Doctor Zoila sniffed, busted; she held on to her intimidating aura. "None of your business. I will ask you again. Who are you? Or should I call security -?"

"Sure... Call security. I'm sure they will also be interested with your patient here. Oh... sorry. I bet they already know you are keeping someone here. Then, I better shut my mouth. I might talk to other people... if you'll kick me out."

Neri had never spoken such brave words. How she'd felt threatening and dangerous. Probably because she'd never felt hurt and cheated after her discovery about Robbie's girlfriend.

But it wasn't his fault! Neri had to gulp down her bitterness.

Doctor Zoila's facemask shifted as if her mouth wanted to say something outrageous, her eyes widening. "You can't... I mean, how can you be Tobias' girlfriend...?" The hospital director faltered, "not unless he was both dating you."

"Of course not!" Robbie protested, still unseen by the medical doctor. "I don't believe that I'm a player."

"When did you last see Tobias?" Doctor Zoila to Neri.

Neri groped for words while trying to keep her face straight. She didn't want to mention any ghost; the least, ask Robbie to show himself. She couldn't help herself hating the guy... even if it wasn't his fault.

"He was wearing a military uniform when I last saw him -"

"Oh, it was Halloween?" Doctor Zoila gasped.

Halloween? Neri understood. Robbie wasn't really a soldier or from Julian's time. His uniform was for a Halloween party. It all made sense.

Neri didn't want to be questioned again; she rammed for a safe story. "Yes... Halloween... in the mall."

She thought if Robbie had been mugged. It would be before, during or after a party. And 'before' could be a good fragmentation for Neri to get the whole detail from the hospital director.

"We were shopping -"

Doctor Zoila raised a thin brow, flashing her a suspicious look. "Shopping?"

"In Sta. Maria Mall -"

"Do you really know your boyfriend? Tobias is 'Tobias Aquino the third'. His family owns grand shopping malls. He doesn't shop costumes or other clothes. They have their own designers and tailors."

"My whole name is Tobias Aquino III?" Robbie whispered.

Neri glanced at him and saw him frowning with the new discovery. Then, Robbie faded away, leaving her alone with his body and with her bossy boss.

Darn it!

Neri's phone vibrated from her shoulder bag. She took a glimpse at her wristwatch and realized it was near to six pm. Margot and Philip!

Grabbing her phone from her bag, she saw Margot's name flashed on her phone's screen. She cancelled her cousin's call and walked for the door.

"I'll have to go," Neri told Doctor Zoila. "We'll talk again tomorrow, Doctor -"

"No you won't -"

"You can't have me fired," Neri interrupted. "... or else someone else will find out what you're doing here and you'll have to deal with the police. And don't try to move him. I will still find him... like I did now."