Dark Fairytale (Published under Cloak Pop Fiction)

Chapter 32: The Dead Mansion

CHAPTER 32: THE DEAD MANSION

"Sumunod kayo." Walang sandaling inaksaya ang detective at mabilis na naglakad. Mula sa mga nakaparadang sasakyan ay iginiya niya kami sa isang pamilyar na kotse. If it wasn't mistaken, it was his precious vintage Mustang. Nakamamanghang kahit sa Eremitia ay nagawa niya itong dalhin.

"Are we really riding in that ancient car?" puno ng pagdududang tanong ni Zoey. Kitang-kita ang panghuhusga nito habang sinusuri ang sasakyan.

Mukha namang hindi nagustuhan ni Detective Penber ang sinabing iyon ng pinsan ko. Tumigil ito sa paglalakad at hinarap si Zoey bago ipinagkrus sa dibdib ang mga braso.

"Don't give Audrey Hepburn that look. She has history. And definitely, her personality is more interesting than most of the woman I've met," wika nito.

Zoey rolled her eyes in response. I guessed the duo just joined me in her list of annoying people. Nakasimangot na binuksan nito ang backseat door at pumasok doon. Pagkatapos ay pabagsak nitong isinara ang pinto. Nagtitimping sinapo ni Detective Penber ang kaniyang sintido.

"Ah, damn! Another brat in my car," he muttered.

"Excuse me?" kunot-noo akong tumingin sa kaniya.

Umiling si Detective Penber. "It's just that Audrey doesn't have a good experience with mean, little girls like her," sagot nito.

Marahan akong tumango. Mukhang hindi lang talaga isang sasakyan ang turing ni Detective Penber dito. He seemed to really care for the car. He had a clear respect for it. And he was treating it like a valuable companion. And maybe, that could say a lot about his character. Like I could tell someone is a good person if he's gentle with dogs.

"She must really be a precious friend," komento ko nang pagbuksan ako ng pinto ng passenger seat ni Detective Penber.

Isang ngiti ang sumungaw sa mga labi ng detective. "I'm glad you understand. Now, you just became my Audrey's favorite girl. I might let you drive her," natutuwang sagot nito.

Mabilis akong tumanggi. "Oh, no! I don't know how to drive yet."

Agad na nabura ang ngiti sa mukha ni Detective Penber. He let out an exasperated sigh. He seemed to be disappointed to know about my inability to drive cars.

"Get in," pagpapapasok niya sa akin. Narinig ko pang bumulong ito ng 'She's just like them.'

Naguguluhan man sa ginagawang pagkukumpara ni Detective Penber ay hinayaan ko na lang iyon. Marahil ay sadyang ganoon lang talaga siya: madalas na mahirap intindihin. Nang umandar na ang sasakyan palabas ng pantalan ay saka ko lang naramdaman ang antok at pagod. Mukhang ganoon din si Zoey dahil nang makita niya ang madadaanan naming coffee shop ay agad niyang inutusan si Detective Penber na dumaan sa drive thru nito. Walang nagawa ang detective kung hindi ang sundin ito habang napapailing. He couldn't go against a woman who hadn't yet taken a coffee, sabi niya. But he was then speechless when we both ordered hot milk chocolate drink instead.

"Would you like some coffee, Detective?" alok ni Zoey.

Umiling ito bilang pagtanggi atsaka ipinakita ang flask na nakatago sa dibdib ng trench coat nito. "I'm good, thanks. Just be careful not to spill those sugar in my car seat," paalala niya.

Kibit-balikat lang ang isinagot ni Zoey. Nag-uumpisa nang kumalat ang liwanag nang makaalis kami ng driveway ng coffee shop. Hindi ko mapigilan ang humanga nang makita ko ang magandang tanawin ng Eremitia. We were driving on a road beside the sea. The morning light and the turquoise ocean mesmerized me. The wind was cold but the cup of hot drink in my hand was enough to give me warmth. Napangiti ako habang nakatanaw sa dagat. So, this is you, Eremitia.