Mending Heart's Affliction [Phoenix Countesses: ETHEREAL MAIDENS SERIES I]

Chapter 60

Something's off

Buti na lang ay huminto na ang ulan ngunit nanatili pa ring malamig. Niyakap ko ang sarili ko at natulala sa kawalan.

"It's okay. I understand. Hannah is his sister," I said.

"Stepsister, Celeste. Pinigilan mo sana. Bakit hindi mo ginawa?" he asked further.

My lips formed a thin line, and I shook my head. "It's an emergency, Rust. It's okay. I understand. Baka kailangan talaga siya roon dahil siya ang tinawagan ni uncle. Isa pa, you know, Arik's memory is still not fine."

I leaned on the car's hood, just like Rusty. I remained in a daze for a few more seconds until I smelled cigarette smoke, so I turned to look at him. He was puffing on one while gazing into the void. His forehead was slightly creased.

I couldn't help but stare at him. His hair was tied in a bun, and like Arik, he had tattoos. He had a few rebellious strands of hair on his face. He stood at 6 feet and had a tan complexion.

He wasn't the typical guy you'd see in bars. He was actually decent and handsome. It seemed like all of Arik's friends were handsome, especially those in their organization. And right, he's a well-known engineer. I almost forgot.

"Right, but something's off, don't you think of that?" he asked meaningfully.

I nodded. "I try not to think about it..."

But he was right. Something was off. Hindi naman siya talaga nagkaroon ng amnesia pero nitong mga nakaraang araw ay parang nawawala siya. Hindi ko maipaliwanag. I noticed something different about him when we're together lately.

It felt like he was lost in his own home. And it seemed like Ariah, and I were strangers to him.
But I tried to hide that because I didn't want everything to fall apart again. Maybe I'm just overthinking.

"Anong oras dadating ang driver mo? Gusto mong pumasok muna? Baka umulan na naman," I commented on the weather as the wind suddenly blew fiercely, and Rusty's cologne filled the air.

Even his cigarette was blown out of his mouth.

"Fuck," he exclaimed as his cigarette got completely soaked, then turned to me. "Are you okay? Arik might really punch me when he catches me at his place. Mainit pa rin ang ulo sa akin ni gago."

"It's fine. Let's go. Better than getting drenched here," I said, guiding him into the house.

Saglit na iniwan ko si Rusty sa sala at dumiretso sa kwarto ni Ariah. I was right. She was fast asleep. I kissed her gently and stayed by her side for a few minutes before going back downstairs. I found Benj talking to Rusty in the living room, so I made coffee and handed it to them.

I sat down beside Benj and rested my head on his shoulder. I glanced at my phone, but there was no message at all.

"Where's Arik?" Benj asked me as I felt his comforting touch on my head. "Hindi ba uuwi? Sarah and I are planning to leave tonight because she has an early hospital appointment tomorrow."

I bit my lower lip. "I don't know."

"What?" Benj turned to me abruptly, and I moved my head away from his shoulder, feeling a little sulky. "He's not even texting?"

As I shook my head, I noticed the anger in his eyes. Rusty was still looking puzzled.

"Puwede naman kayong umuwi na. We'll be fine here. There's security outside," I suggested.

"And do you think I can do that? Try to call that asshole and tell him to come home," Benj angrily said and marched to the kitchen. The heaviness I felt grew.