Elysian Secrets

Lia (35)

The last time I went into any vehicle with Silas, it was with Amber. Only one of us got back out sane—me.

I intend to do the same again.

"Bakit ka nandito?"

"Your mother wanted you picked up," simpleng tugon ng lalaki.

No changed in his expression at all. I was always fascinated by that even when we were little. The world would have been going up in flames all around him and there he shall remain in a corner, a fortress of cool and calm, watching and waiting for orders. Like a well-trained dog.

"Kailan ka pa natutong sumunod sa nanay ko?"

"Since when my boss told me so."

"I have already arranged my own transport."

"You can always cancel it and come with me."

"No one can cancel on the House, Silas. And even if I could, I wouldn't. I still remember the last time I went into a car with you."

His eyes darkened or maybe I imagined it. Trying to breath life to a stone like him in my mind.

"You're alive and defying me right now, are you not?"

"If you call this living, Silas."

"Not everyone has the privilege of choice. We take what we could and work with it, Ms. Lia."

"I don't like you calling me that."

I'm petty, I know. Taking issue with something so minor like the nickname he uses. Pero, ang pangalang Lia ay isa lang sa iilang bagay sa buhay ko na ako ang pumili at hindi kasama si Silas sa listahan ng mga taong pinahintulutan kong gumamit niyon.

"As you wish, Gia. Shall we?"

"I'm serious, Silas. The House is sponsoring me tonight."

He whipped out his phone and gave it to me. "Call them off and let them know that the Playground is handling you tonight."

That's like putting a death sentence on myself.

"No. I belong to the House. I am under the Abbess' protection."

A small smile crept up on his face, making my heart ache. When this man smiles and his face gentles, he really looks like my brother. Our brother. Silas should have more claim on Renault than I could ever have. Their's is of blood.

"You have always been difficult." Muli niyang inalok ang cellphone niya sa akin. "Call your Hound, sister. Ask him to follow behind us if that will give your house peace of mind. I'm not going away. Not this time."

Silas wouldn't budge on this. Wala na akong nagawa kundi tawagan ang driver na pinadala ng House para sa akin. Sinabi ko sa kanya kung ano ang nangyayari.

"Are you going to be safe?"

Napatingala ako kay Silas na nakatingin lang sa akin. He is no Renault and his loyalty to the man we all call Satan is unwavering. And, yet, for some unknown reason, I said, "Yes, I'll be okay. But... but could you keep watch? At least until I call you again?"

Ibinaba ko na ang tawag at ibinalik ang cellphone kay Silas. He must have hit redial right after dahil naririnig kong binibigay niya ang plate number ng sasakyan at route na tatahakin namin.

Muli niyang iminuwestra ang pinto ng sasakyan. Bumuntong-hininga na lang ako at pumasok na. Sumunod naman si Silas sa akin. Tinabihan niya ako sa halip na bumalik sa harapan.

Ilang minuto kaming tahimik na nagpakiramdaman habang tumatakbo ang sasakyan sa kahabaan ng highway.

"Inutusan ka talaga ni Mama na sunduin ako?"