Chapter Three
KILLIAN
I could feel her gaze behind me, drilling holes in my back as we leave the gallery. I could feel her intense scrutiny, as if she was trying to read my thoughts and figure out what I was thinking hanggang sa makalabas kami ni Cal. Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti.
Lying to Ilya as if hindi ko alam yung hitsura nung kanyang painting. The look on her surprised face as I tell her what I think her painting is about, nang para bang tama yung sinabi ko. Am I?
"What the fuck are you smiling for?" Tanong ni Cal sa akin. I just gave him my sweetest smile again as an answer. "Fucking psycho."
"I am just crazy, Calixto." Asar ko sa kanya.
"Whatever. Just stop calling me in my first name."
"Sure!" Sagot ko at in-unlock yung aking sasakyan. My Dodge Challenger SRT Demon beeps, and we hop inside. Cal secures his seatbelt and paid the parking ticket as I start the car. Umalis na kami sa parking slot para bumalik sa bahay.
"Kailan raw idi-deliver yung mga painting?" Tanong ko.
"They will tomorrow. Kailangan raw muna nila maipadala yung cut nung artist." He says, as he types something on his phone. When he is done and pockets it, napalingon siya sa akin. "Kailan kaya mawawala yang ngiti mo? Nakakaasar na kasi e."
Umiling ako, my smile never faltering. "I don't know brother. Am I still smiling?"
He just shakes his head at my ridiculous expression and connects his Spotify to my car. Instantly Nightmare by From Ashes to New blasts through the speakers. The moment the guitar drops, napa-head bang agad si Cal sa kanta. We both like Metal so I don't mind the loud music.
Look at us. Two dudes, dressed as if we're on our way to a corporate meeting. Ready to conquer the world with all our growls and screaming while singing. We don't give a fuck if people outside see us like this. At least I drive cautiously while having fun. I will not let us put danger, lalo na't kasama ko kapatid ko.
Kahit na Cal is twenty-four years old, he is still my baby brother. I would do everything for him kahit na kadalasan ay sakit siya sa ulo. He may be four years younger than me, but the kid is already set to follow into the steps of our company. Pinasok siya agad sa Rivas Corporation after graduating college with Latin Honors. He has the most potential in all of the Rivas kids after all.
Biglang naputol yung kanta nang makita namin ang pangalan ni Calliope sa screen. The ringing sound immediately made us wince. Hindi niya siguro ako ma-contact kaya kay Cal siya tumawag.
My brother accepted the call, and we were welcomed with her shrieking voice. "Where the fuck are you two?!"
Napakunot kaming dalawa ng noo. "Um, we're in Makati at the moment." Sagot ni Cal.
BINABASA MO ANG
The First Fall
RomansaThe water is way too deep for her, A place she can't escape, not even stir. If not only for the drive for revenge, She will not resurface again. The forest is an endless maze for him, A place he knows he must not miss. He will hunt for as long as it...