Elysian Secrets

Kabanata 27

Lia stared wide-eyed at her college friends, who were also looking at Raphael with mouths agape.

Raphael grinned and greeted them once more, but it appeared that the three women were not understanding anything he was saying. Finally, they turned to look at her.

Gusto niyang itulak ang amo palabas ng elevator at magpaiwan sa loob. Isasara niya iyon at babalik mag-isa sa top floor ng Diamond Tower. Magtatago siya roon hanggang sa maging abo siya.

Raphael didn't give her a chance to act. He stepped out of the elevator dragging her out with him. Nasa baywang niya ang isang braso nito. Kung iyon ay para suportahan siya o ikulong, hindi niya alam.

The lord of the tower's arrival in the lobby caused a small commotion among the staff. Lumapit ang head receptionist sa kanila habang iginigiya siya ng lalaki paupo sa isa sa mga long sofa. Nilapag muna nito ang mga bags niyang bitbit nito sa iabbaw ng center table bago hinarap ang lalaking receptionist. Isa-isa ring naupo ang mga kaibigan niya at pinanood ang maliit na kaguluhan.

Hindi man nila naririnig kung ano ang sinasabi ni Raphael, nakikita naman nilang tango lang ng tango ang receptionist.

"Hey," mahinang bulong nang katabi niyang si Lacey. Siniko pa nga siya para masigurong nakuha nito ang atensyon niya. "Was your dragon boss kissing you?" walang preno nitong tanong nang binalingan niya ito.

"Of course not," pabulong niya ring asik rito.

"It looked like he was."

"You're mistaken," mariin niyang sabi.

Pinaningkitan siya nito ng mata. "Are you lying again? You look like you're lying. You're such a big liar."

The woman sounded so annoyingly whiny. Naitatanong niya minsan sa sarili kung paano niya naging kaibigan itong si Lacey. Napaka-taklesa. With her big mouth, she should be the journalist and not Chantal.

Hindi na siya nakasagot sa babae dahil nakikita na niyang pabalik na ang amo sa kanila. Tiningnan niya na lang ito nang makahulugan. Telling her without words to shut up.

"Are you the designated driver tonight?" tanong ni Raphael habang nakatingin kay Lacey.

Lihim na lang siyang napailing. Isa pa 'tong si Raphael na taklesang tao ngayong gabi.

Umabot yata sa hairline ang pagkakataas ng kilay ni Lacey sa tono ni Raphael. "Oo. May reklamo ka?"

Lacey looks elegant in a tightly fitted seagreen bodycon dress with a high neck. Her tone isn't elegant at all, though. She sounded like a thug hyped for a brawl.

Although they were unsure of Raphael's response, none of them anticipated that he would give Lacey a wicked smile. It appears that Lacey is the most surprised by it. Natitigan siya nang kaibigan na parang naghahanap ng assurance bago muling ibinalik ang tingin sa lalaki.

"Don't waste your claws on me, Ms. Barbaza," sabi ni Raphael. "Mine are sharper. I didn't mean to offend you with that question. I just wanted to confirm that you're the driver. Follow me and keep your eyes on my car."

Hindi nila masundan ang pinagsasabi ng lalaki pero hindi sila nito binigyan nang pagkakataong magtanong. He gathered her bags and pulled up to stand.

"You are losing the better part of the night. Let's go."

Hila-hila na naman siya ng lalaki papunta sa direksyon ng pinto.

"Go where?" Sa wakas ay nagawa niya ring itanong habang pilit humahabol sa malalaking hakbang ng amo. When she glanced back, her friends are keeping up with them.