Tides of Betrayal (Casa del Pueblo Series #1)

Kabanata thirty-nine

Warning: R-18

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Kabanata thirty-nine

"You look tired," ani Apollo, binasag niya ang komportableng katahimikan na namayani sa kanyang sasakyan. Ang kanyang boses ay mababa, malalim, at may banayad na pag-aalala.

Sinulyapan ko siya, catching his profile as the glow of the setting sun painted warm hues over his sharp features. Apollo was undeniably striking, with deep-set, dark eyes that held a quiet intensity, and a strong jawline that softened when he looked at me. His short, slightly tousled hair caught the last rays of sunlight, casting a halo-like glow around him. He was dressed in a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing his toned forearms and the faint veins running down to his hands gripping the steering wheel.

Bahagyang lumawak ang pagod kong ngiti habang nagpakawala ako ng buntong-hininga. "Yeah, it's been a long week," pag-amin ko, may bahid na pagod ang boses ko.

Napatingin ako sa bintana sa dumaraan na tanawin, rolling green hills stretched out under a sky streaked with the soft hues of dusk. Ang mga palmera ay tamad na umiindayog sa mainit na simoy ng hangin, ang kanilang payat na katawan ay nakahanay sa makipot na daan na humaharang sa maliit na nayon, bawat isa ay may mga kubo ng nipa at mga bahay na bato.

Beyond the fields, the glimmer of the sea occasionally peeked through, its waves dancing under the late afternoon sun. The scent of salt and earth filled the air, a comforting reminder of home.

Muli akong sinulyapan ni Apollo, his eyes softening as he reached over with one hand, fingers lightly brushing against mine resting on my lap. "Hey," mahinang aniya, habang bahagyang pinisil ang kamay ko. "Baby, we're almost there," dagdag niya, ang kanyang boses ay malalim.

Ilang minuto ang lumipas, at may nakakuha ng atensyon ko. Sa tabi ng daan, isang matandang arko ang nakatayo, gawa sa batong pino at may mga ukit na halatang pinaghandaan ng husto. Nakatanaw ito sa akin na para bang isang bantay sa harap ng pintuan patungo sa isang mundo. Sa ibabaw ng arko, may nakaukit na mga salitang, "Casa del Pueblo," ang bawat letra ay may bahagyang lamat pero matatag pa rin.

May mga disenyo sa gilid ng bawat pader, mga simpleng swirls at dahon na halos kusang dumadampi sa bato. Ang kabuuan nito ay may patina ng panahon, parang kwento ng bayan na hindi naglaho kundi lalong tumitibay habang tumatagal.

Ilang oras pa nang tumigil kami sa isang malaking gate. It was flanked by lush gardens that framed its towering pillars. Sa gitna ay isang inukit na simbolo ng araw, masalimuot at nagliliwanag, na may mga gintong sinag na kumakalat palabas. Sa itaas nito ay ang pangalang Casa de Isla na nakaukit sa eleganteng titik.

Nang pumutok ang mga balita tungkol sa aking ama, the resort was one of the first casualties. Investors, including Mr. Leandro Marquez, pulled out their shares, leaving nothing but empty halls and memories that echoed with loss. It had been abandoned, left to weather under the harsh sun and the whispers of time.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang harapin ko si Apollo. His gaze met mine, steady and filled with warmth. He knew exactly what I was feeling, the confusion, the astonishment, the hope. "Apollo... how?" bulong ko, nanginginig ang boses.

Isang matamis na ngiti ang gumuhit sa kanyang labi, "When your father's shares were scattered and everything fell apart, I couldn't let that be the end of it. It was more than just a resort, Elle... it was your family's legacy. I knew it meant everything to you." may halong determinasyon at lambing ang kanyang mga mata. "I bought back the shares, piece by piece. Some were skeptical, others needed convincing, but I managed to secure almost 99.5% of them."

Tumulo ang luha sa aking mga mata, blurring the view of the grand gate in front of us.

Marahan niyang pinisil ang aking kamay, at idinala 'yon sa kanyang labi para halikan. Isang luha pa ang dumausdos sa aking pisngi habang ako ay bahagyang ngumiti.