SELENE [BOOK 2]

CHAPTER 25

I roamed my eyes around the area when I arrived. I'm still in my car after texting Mrs. Velasco that I'm already here. Tanaw ko mula rito sa labas ang malaking bahay na nasa harapan ko at kahit matagal ng walang nakatira rito ay halatang alagang-alaga pa rin ito.

Sobrang tahimik ng paligid. Bumukas ang malaking gate dahilan kung bakit napatingin ako roon. Pinaandar ko na ulit ang sasakyan ko. Bumungad sa akin ang tatlong mga lalaking may mga baril na nakalagay sa mga bewang nila.

Napakunot ang noo ko sa nakita. Napatingin ako sa cellphone ko ng umilaw ito at nabasa ang text ni Steve. Asking me where I am.

Wala akong pinag sabihan na may kikitain ako ngayong umaga. Dumating siguro itong si Steve sa bahay ngayon at nalamang wala ako kaya nagtatanong.

Imbes na replyan ito ay hindi ko muna ito pinansin. Tsaka si Mrs. Velasco lang naman ang kikitain ko. She's harmless.

After I carefully parked my car, I got out and a man in black approached me.

"Miss Selene?" tanong nito.

I nodded. "Yes, I am," I answered as I stare at him. He looked formal katulad ng dalawa pa nitong kasama na nanatiling nasa likod lang at seryosong nagmamasid.

Napabalik ang tingin ko sa kaharap ng magsalita ito.

"Please follow me," he said formally and guided me to where the big front door was.

I silently followed him as he led the way, even though I already knew where to go because I once lived here, but I just stayed silent.

As soon as we entered the house I immediately saw the big grand staircase and the living area.

I roamed my eyes. No changes. I felt the man who was with me earlier left and went out again. I bit my lower lip as my gaze stopped at the woman comfortably sitting on the leather sofa. She smiled at me when she saw me and put down the teacup she was holding and stood up.

She walked towards me and greeted me. Bumeso ito sa akin.

"I'm glad you came, hija," she said. Lumayo ito sa akin at tumalikod. Bumalik sa kinauupuan nito kanina bago ako dumating.

"Come. Join me," yaya niya sa akin.

Umupo ito ulit at komportableng sinandal ang likod sa sofa.

I nodded and smiled.

Naglakad ako sa kaharap nitong sofa. Rinig na rinig ko ang tunog ng takong ko kada hakbang ko. Umupo ako sa kaharap nitong sofa. I crossed my legs. Nilahad nito ang isang maliit na tasa.

"Have some tea while we talk." Nilingon niya ang babaeng tahimik na nakatayo at sumenyas na maglagay din ng tsaa sa tasa ko.

"Thank you, Tita," I said while watching the girl put a tea in my glass.

Hindi ito agad nagsalita at nakatitig lang sa akin.

"Ahm Tita, bakit po sobrang daming bantay sa labas?" hindi ko mapigilang tanong.

I smiled at the maid after she's done and watched her step back and stand again to where she was standing earlier.

I looked at Mrs. Velasco.

"Did it bother you, hija? Don't worry they're my men, you're safe. Pasensya ka na. I just really want to talk to you. It's about the investigation of what happened to Nico." Biglang nawala ang ngiti niya pagkatapos niyang sabihin iyon.

Sumeryoso ang buong mukha nito.

"Okay lang naman po," I said.

She put down the glass and let out a sigh. "There are many people scattered throughout the house because I discovered something. They're here to keep us safe."