Casa Castellano: Hues Through the Abyss

Nightfall 26

NIGHTFALL 26
Sapphire

I was at the very corner and alone with my wine, nagmamasid sa paligid. I couldn't recognize our mansion at all. It has been so, so long since it was opened for a grand celebration, according to Nanay Nelly, noong kasal pa ng aking mga magulang. It's literally my first time seeing it being decorated and widely open like this.

May parte tuloy sa aking hindi kumportableng makita na may ibang taong narito. I felt territorial, and people being here roaming around freely was giving me a little paranoia, kahit na alam ko namang kasama ‘to sa operasyon. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung may karapatan ba akong makaramdam ng ganito gayong lumayas nga ako sa kagustuhang makawala sa apat na sulok nitong mansyon. Hay.

“Aamon, where are you?” I softly asked, my red lips pressed against the edge of my wine glass.

Tumango ako sa lalaking guest—a foreigner—na patungo sa aking direksyon as a courtesy, since he first raised his wine glass. I was already expecting na mapapalaban ako sa isang madugong conversation. I don't want to appear suspicious, so I really have to socialize. Besides that, it'll be the safest way to gather information, kahit na naiisip ko palang, napapagod na ‘ko.

May iilan na ring lumapit sa akin kanina, but they only greeted me a great night at umalis din kaagad.

I stood straight and flashed a smile when the guy was only a few steps away from me. However, for some reason, bigla siyang lumiko at nakihalo sa grupo ng mga bisita. Naglaho ang ngiti ko.

“Sa tabi-tabi lang.”

Aamon's chuckles followed his response, making me blink rapidly as I recovered from surprise. Nag-init ang pisngi ko. Masyado ba akong nag-assume na lalapitan ako ng foreigner na ‘yon? Well, nevermind. As if that matters! I just find it weird na para bang takot silang lahat na lumapit sa akin! Hindi naman ako nangangagat!

“Why? Miss me?”

“Yeah...” wala sa sarili kong sagot. I cleared my throat, trying to regain my poise.

Natahimik ang kabilang linya.

“I mean… Nasaan ka ba kasi? Na-bo-bore na ako rito! Please, find me!” Sa totoo lang ay kinakabahan din ako. I know being with him even just for a short while will at least calm my nerves.

I heard him let out a heavy sigh, and then he gasped. “I'm your entertainment now, huh.”

“Kung ayaw mo, ako ang hahanap sa'yo. Tell me where you are!”

I heard someone cough from my earring. It's Ryoto, his voice soon echoed. “Focus on our operation, please. Mamaya na ang landi—aww!”

Kasunod no'n ay ang tunog ng pagkabasag. Pakiramdam ko ay tumigil ang mundo sa sobrang kabang naramdaman. Sa kabilang dako ng mansyon mula sa aking kinatatayuan, nag-umpisa nang umusbong ang komusyon habang patuloy na naririnig ang natatarantang boses ni Ryoto sa hikaw.

“I apologize, Sire!”

A violent gasp slipped past my lips when I realized that the operation has now reached the first point. In front of Ryoto stood our target with such pride, Thomas Lawrence! Alam kong siya ‘yon kahit na nakasuot ng maskara because everyone has been identified by Lance's team as soon as they reached our gates. And now, Ryoto—pretending to be one of the waiters—bumped into him as part of the plan.

Agad kong binaba ang hawak na wine glass sa cocktail table sa tabi ko. I was about to walk towards them when Aamon's cold, yet calm voice echoed in my ears.

“Light, breathe.”

I felt my lip tremble. Huminga ako ng marahan at malalim para pakalmahin ang sarili. Doon ko lang napagtanto ang panginginig ng aking mga kamay at tuhod. I always thought that I could handle this, but the fear of failing this operation and ending up in chaos has always been there…lingering in the depths of me.