Behind the Facade

V. Gone Wrong

Maaaring mahirap sa'kin ang gagawin ko ngayon lalo na't hindi maganda ang simula namin ni Reinleigh, but I have to do this. For my late parents' sake... and mine. I will do all my might—even if it means going against with my principles—to get the justice I truly deserve.

From my room, I heard a loud honk through the opened window from the outside. I took a brief glance outside, halting me for a second from making myself look good and presentable. A familiar car greeted my eyes, 'di pa rin natigil sa pag-b-beep. The same car that Reinleigh has been using since he tied his connection with us, and the same car that I gifted to him and the other influential and close businessmen last year.

My forehead creased. Ang usapan namin ay 5pm, but it's still 4 when I glanced my watch! Huminga na lamang ako nang malalim.

"Ma'am, nasa labas na po ang sundo niyo." The head housekeeper went through the door. I just nodded at her as response.

Ngunit hindi pa umabot nang ilang minuto ay bumalik na naman si Auntie Lynn, "Bilisan niyo po raw, Ma'am, at baka ma-late po raw kayo." Malambing ang boses nito kahit sa tanda niyang doble sa edad ko.

I was having my finishing touch and final glance at my whole appearance. Blue sleeveless pencil gown paired with a purse, ponytailed hair, and light make-up. I'm good to go, I guess.

"Napakaganda niyo po, Ma'am." I beamed at Auntie Lynn na tila kinikilig, dahil sa boses nitong tumugma sa kaniyang compliment. "Talaga naman sigurong mahulog itong sundo mo, e!" dagdag nito, to which I didn't expect. My brows furrowed briefly, dahilan para agaran na mawala ang ngiti sa labi niya.

Tinahak ko na ang daan palabas while struggling to wear my stiletto. I shouldn't have been wearing this thing, pero pinipilit ako ni Asher when we were purchasing for my fit! I straightened my back when I caught a glimpse of Reinleigh leaning on his car. He's wearing a white tuxedo with cyan blue long sleeve underneath.

He lifted up his head, having his eyes laid on me directly. I gave him a smile as genuine as I could. Remember, I'm on my endeavor to win him over.

"You took your time, Voughn." My one brow raised briefly.

"Nakalimutan mo yatang 5pm ang usapan natin." I replied without trying to sound as complaining. I watched him opened the passenger's door for me with his wide shoulders facing me.

"You should've taken the opening of the event into a consideration." Giit nito. I want to make a face at him right now as it seems he sounds ridiculous to me. Ngunit pinigilan ko. I just nodded and began taking a step inside.

Ngunit hindi pa ako tuluyang nakapasok sa loob ng kotse when the heel on my one foot closer to the edge of the car slipped, almost throwing me on the seat! Thankfully, Reinleigh hasn't left his spot yet, and still managed to catch me by my waist while he was behind me. Paniguradong masisira ang make-up ko if it weren't for him!

"Be careful." He remarked as I returned to my balance. 'Di ko na siya sinagot at tumungo na sa loob. I feel kind of... embarrassed. He followed next in a second.

Tahimik lang kami buong byahe, and the silence is a little bit too familiar to me. In fact, throughout my adolescent life when I started driving a car, ngayon ko lang nasubukan ang sumakay sa passenger's seat ulit. I am usually the driver among the three of us friends. Somehow, it's a bit foreign to me.

And at the same time, too familiar.

My last memory of being in the passenger's seat was already a decade ago. Napalunok na lamang ako ng laway nang biglang sumagi sa'kin ang masasayang mukha ng magulang ko. Contrary to their expressions, though, is the grief in me.

I pulled out a sharp breath before things get too emotional inside my mind.

"We're here." Reinleigh muttered, turning the car to the parking lot. He barely found a space, though, dahil sa sobrang dami ng ibang sasakyan na ang iba pa nga ay hindi maayos na nakahilera. Pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto to which I didn't expect. Kasabay nito ay ang pag-flash ng mga camera-ng nakahanda na sa kung sino man ang dumating. I had to look below dahil sa nakakabulag na mga flashes!