Behind the Facade

X. The Evil Surname

Without our bicker and Zhen's presence, tila parang isang nakakabinging katahimikan ang sunod na nananaig sa'min. But I thought I should break the ice now and tell him about what we think of the incident. Ngunit, hindi ko pa nga na-ibukas ang bibig ko, ay na-una na siyang nagsalita.

"Voughn." Wala na ang bakas na mapaglaro sa boses niya na gaya kanina, this time, he spoke dead serious. Somehow, I would understand the sentiments and what will he say next. "I just wanted to say that your company is not to blame on this matter." Bahagyang nawala ang pagiging seryoso nito—he was calm on the contrary.

His remarks brought me confusion—no, more like I'm surprised to hear him! Hindi ito ang inaasahan kong sasabihin niya! Hindi ko rin inakalang masasabi niya ang mga 'yon, considering the fact of 'who' this person is. I have already considered the possibility of us getting sued by him, should we haven't come up with the idea that someone might be trying to ruin us. I don't know if he had seen me on the television or simply, he just remembered that he was using the car I gifted that had him say those.

My shoulders relaxed and then I made my reply, "Not until we have confirmed our suspicions. If there are no third parties involved, then we would have to investigate your car." I started. By the looks on his face, it doesn't look like he was already aware of what actually happened to him.

Huminga muna ako nang malalim bago nagsalita ulit, "One thing I can assure you, though, is I would surely catch the person who did this to you—if ever it really isn't just an accident. In fact, the brake and wheeler of your Porschen lost their control, dahilan para hindi mo ma-iwasan ang truck na papunta sa direksiyon mo. Based on our assumptions, we assumed that someone must have purposely did it to your car—someone who aims for our company. That's why we're going deeper to this case, lalo na't hawak mo rin ang pinakamalaking reputasyon sa industriya natin." I narrated everything that he has to know. As the victim, he deserves to know every bit of it.

"Well, I suppose you don't have to do all those sorts of things, though." Simpleng sagot niya sa sinabi ko. My forehead creased at him. "I'm perfectly fine already, look—" Reinleigh assured and even tried to stretch his arms open wide, until we heard a crack.

"Aww!" that was a quick withdrawal, huh?

"You probably want to stay here for another week, don't you?" sarkastikong tanong ko sa kaniya, habang siya nama'y ini-inda ang sakit. 'Yan ang napala niya, tsk! Ayaw kasing making, e.

Nakalabas na lang si Diazhen galing sa comfort room, ay ini-inda niya pa rin ang sakit. I sighed at him. That must have really hurt for him who just regained his strength.

"Oh? Anong nangyari riyan?" Zhen confusingly looked at her cousin, I just gave her a dry smile as a response. Somehow, mukhang nakuha niya rin naman ang ibig kong sabihin. "Susmaryosep, talaga, Kuya!" pang-aasar na dagdag niya.

I was about to excuse myself, para sana tawagin ang doctor nang ma-check-up nito si Reinleigh. But I was ceased right away when the doctor that I was about to call for, emerged out of the door along with a nurse. His straightened face eventually creased when he saw the three of us, especially Reinleigh, who's still groaning in pain.

"Kailan pa siya nagising?" tunog seryoso ang boses nito habang kunot-noong tinuro si Reinleigh, as he casted a glance both Zhen and me.

"K-Kanina pa, Kuya..." napansin ko agad ang pagbago sa boses ni Zhen. She sounded nervous. But what did she address to the doctor, again? Kuya? Are they perhaps... also cousins like Reinleigh?

Dahil sa naging sagot ni Zhen, the doctor's glare was suddenly aimed on her.

"Hindi ba't sinabi ko na the moment he wakes up, you gotta call me—right away?!" bahagyang tumaas ang boses nito kay Zhen, dahilan ng pagkakunot ng noo ko. I was about to defend the kid, but the glare was immediately passed on me next before I could even say a thing. "At ikaw naman? Hindi mo lang naman na-isipang tumawag ng doctor nang makita mong gising na 'yang pasiyente na 'yan?" dinuduro niya pa si Reinleigh, and he's somehow getting in my nerves now.