Elysian Secrets

Kabanata 43-2nd Part

Author's Note: I'm still figuring out how to weave together a sequence of small events in a single chapter and make it flow smoothly. This partial chapter shows where I am in that process. Or... where I fail 🫣 

This may feel na dapat susunod na itong kabanata pero hindi. Iisa pa rin ang topic dito. Ang paglalayas. Bow.

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"You missed the candle-blowing, DeMille."

Heart in her throat, napahinto si Lia sa frantic na pag-sisilid ng mga gamit nila ni Niccolo sa malaking weekender bag sa ibabaw ng kama. Magkasabay sila ni Renault na napaharap sa pinanggalingan ng malamig na boses na iyon.

The door casted Raphael in shadow, but neither her nor Renault could mistake him for anybody else. After while, he stepped into the room and gently closed the door. He sat on the sofa with hands crossed in front of his chest, feet extended and ankles crossed. 

"If I knew you were coming, I should have saved one cake for you. You seem to be in dire need of a wish right now. You do know that's the only way you're getting her out of here, right?"

Raphael's casual, almost friendly, tone is in stark contrast to the dark storm in his eyes. He didn't look at her and focused his attention on her brother. 

"There are other ways to get out of a room than the door," sabi ni Renault. He took a step in front of her, meeting Raphael's gaze squarely. 

Raphael nodded with a small smile, as if he was agreeing to what has been said. "Yeah... Go away while I'm being nice and fuck yourself. Or better yet, Am--"

"Raphael." The warning in Renault's voice is unmistakable, but that just made Raphael grin.

"None of my business, huh? So is this. Go away, Ren."

"Come on. You seriously expect me to do that?"

"Sure. You're an intelligent man. You know how to weigh the odds. Everybody in this room knows Guiliana is not going anywhere. Including Guiliana herself. Don't you, sugar?" Nilakasan ni Raphael ang pagbigkas sa huling pangungusap at ipinaling pa ang ulo sa gilid para masilip siya mula sa likuran ni Renault. His smile lacks any hint of mirth at all. "You don't want him to get in between our talk, right?"

Bago pa siya o si Renault makahuma, the door opened once more and a new player came to play. Napabuntong-hininga na lang si Lia nang mamukhaan ang tao sa pinto. Why is this connecting room popular tonight?

"Raphael?" alanganing sambit ni Sra. Grace.  Nanatili itong nakatayo sa may pinto at namimilog ang mga matang nakatitig kay Renault. 

"Yes, mom?" sabi ni Raphael na hindi pa rin inaalis ang tingin sa kanila.

"Who is he?"

"Mom, meet Renault DeMille, the current pain in my ass. Ren, meet Sra. Grace Mondragon, my mother who's going to help me whoop your ass if you don't go away."

"Good evening, Sra. Grace," magalang na bati ni Renault. Bahagya pa itong yumukod.

Tinapunan si Renault nang maliit na ngiti ng ginang habang pumapasok ito sa kuwarto. Agad itong lumapit sa nakaupong anak at malakas na hinampas ang braso nito. Hindi naman iyon alintana ni Raphael at parang wala itong naramdaman habang nakatitig pa rin kina Renault at Lia. 

"Nobody is whooping anybody's bottom tonight. Watch your mouth, Maximilian. There's a lady in the room," panenermon ni Sra. Grace. 

A grumpy grunt was all she got from her glowering son. Knowing that she's not going to get anything more from that side, si Renault na lang ang hinarap nito at mabining nginitian.