Arcus Aureus

Chapter 14

Author's Note: This chapter contains mature language and themes not suitable for readers under 18. Reader discretion is advised.

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"Adie." pagtawag sa pangalan ko ni Mayor Felix, na siya rin pinagtaka ko dahil nakasalubong ko siya na papalabas sa office ni Azrael.

"Mayor," I replied to him, not knowing what I should say next. May haka na ako kung bakit galing siya sa office ni Azrael pero mas gugustuhin ko na lang na hindi tanungin dahil nandidiri ako sa kanila, parang bumabaliktad ang sikmura ko sa tuwing naaalala ang kababuyan nila.

"I've learned that you've been spending a lot of time with my son? It seems that you two are now close, something your father and I never expected to happen." aniya habang papalapit, pinatong niya ang kamay niya sa balikat ko. "It's better that you and Finn become friends. The other kids around here aren't like you... children of prominent people in this town."

"Mayor, we are no different from them. We are also just students, hangga't wala pa kaming napapatunayan wala kaming karapatan magmataas sa iba, o kahit may mapatanuyan po kami hindi tamang magmataas kami." I replied to him, feeling a chill as he slowly ran his hand over my shoulder, with a smile that creeps me out.

"You're right, kaya hanga ako sa 'yo na bata ka, iba ang prinsipyo mo," saad niya. "Children these days should be more like you."

Pasimple ko na tinabig ang kamay niya sa balikat ko at inayos ang postura ko. Gusto ko na maramdaman niya na hindi sa akin ayos na bigla na lang niya ako hahawakan.

"I'm sorry, Mayor. But I have to go already, I have to prepare for my morning class." naglakad na ako palayo sa pwesto niya at pababa sa hagdan ay natagpuan ko si Serena na muling almusal ay ang wine niya habang sopistikadong nakaupo sa sofa.

"Ernest." pagtawag niya sa pangalan ko. "Did you say 'Hi' to Mayor Felix?"

"I did." I replied before continuing walking out from our house, I was already on the door when I heard Azrael speaking together with Mayor Felix.

"Ernest, come have breakfast with us, kasabay natin si Mayor." nakangiting saad ni Azrael. "I asked our cook to make you your favorite tomato and avocado toast for breakfast."

Kamatis na naman? Sa dami-dami naman kasi ng pwedeng maging paborito ni Adie, yung pinaka ayaw ko pa talaga.

"Tomato is Adie's favorite, right?" Mayor Felix asked, looking interested while Serena just listened to the conversation.

"Yes, any food with tomato," Azrael chuckled.

"Kaya siguro sobrang kinis niya dahil sa hilig niya sa kamatis," Mayor Felix joked. "Kasing kinis ng Mama niya at ang gandang lalaki."

Azrael just laughed and agreed, but was about to continue when Serena interrupted, a knowing smile tugging at her lips.

"Ernest has an early class," Serena said, standing up and placing her wine on the side table. "Go ahead, Ernest."

Her tone was light, but there was a hint of something unspoken in her gaze as she turned toward the mayor, as if she knew exactly where his thoughts were.

"Alright, Mom. I'll join you all in breakfast someday, but for now I have to bail." babaliktad lang ang sikmura ko kung iisipin ko ang ginawa nila sa office tapos mag-uumagahan.

Wala na ba silang takot na malaman ng mga tao rito ang mga ginagawa nila. Pasakay na sana ako ng van nang makalimutan ko ang medical kit ko, iniwan ko muna ang bag ko sa van at muling pumasok.

Narinig ko sila na mga nag-almusal na at nagtatawanan, mga plastic. Paano nila nakakayang magkatuwaan o biruan kahit alam nila mga kababuyan sa pagitan nila. Hinalungkat ko ang medical kit ko sa cabinet, alam ko ay dito ko huling nakita 'yon at ngayon na kailangan ko na ay ayaw naman magpakita.