Aphrodite (Complete)

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

Wasn't he Diana's?

--

Marquis made Ingrid drive my car with Celeste with her while I'm on his car and I don't know how he convinced me. I didn't even care anymore. I was squishing his stress ball very tightly na para ba'ng puputok na ito. I am not yet calmed down 100%. Buti na nga lang at natapos ang buhok ko na hindi ako pumuputok.

I don't know if Marquis's car is slow or that my brain feed is slow because I think coming way back home is slower than usual. The car was awkwardly quiet. Tanging makina lang ng sasakyan ang gumagawa ng ingay. I diverted my attention to the streets, to the cars that pass us in hope to maybe calm me down. It was rainy outside kaya medyo madilim.

It worked a little and my heart beats at it's normal rate. My ragged breathing vanished as I took deep breathes. Marquis's car stopped at the red light.

"I thought you'll never trust Ingrid. Why did you let her drive my car with Celeste?" I asked, trying to open up a conversation and to kill time.

He exhaled. "I got her watched, don't worry. Besides, we need to talk." Giit niya.

Kumabog ang dibdib ko sa sinabi niya. Pamilyar 'yan na linya. Pamilyar iyon na tono. It was back at... home? I don't know if I could call it home because as far as I could remember, I forced him to let us in. I was feeling guilty and scared again. Just like what Kaspar did. I just hope there's no more handcuffs this time.

And no more spreading of legs, jeez.

Pinaharurot niya ang sasakyan nang nag-green light na. The car was eerie quiet right now at wala kong ibang masabi. Para akong sinasakal sa katahimikan. Wala naman akong tinatago, mga hindi lang sinasabi. But of course, how could I forget? Kung gaano naman ka-easy going si Marquis, ganoon din siya ka-intimidating kung seryoso.

It wasn't helping because I'm seriously guilty right now.

Nasa tapat na kami ng bahay. I could go down and head at home. Nandoon na rin kasi ang sasakyan ko at malamang nasa loob na rin sila. I gave the keys to Celeste. But of course, Marquis wouldn't let me. We still have unfinished business. May kailangan pa kaming pag-usapan.

At first, nobody decided to say something. Maybe because I do not know what to say and Marquis is thinking too hard. Nakatingin lang siya sa daan habang pinapatay ang makina ng sasakyan. It doesn't need to be like this forever so I decided to speak up first.

"So, ano ang paguusapan natin?"

Tahimik pa rin siya. I guess he was thinking things. There is a slight crease on his forehead and before I knew it, he is serious. Like damn serious. Kinakabahan ako sa susunod niyang gawin o sabihin. I think it's late for me to find out that I am uncomfortable and definitely worst in confrontations. Nasasakal ako sa anticipation. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang sunod na mangyayari.

And then I'll realize everyone is dropping bombs that I'm not even ready for.

"Alam mo ba'ng delikado ang ginawa mo kanina? What were you thinking?" Ginisa niya ako ng mga tanong kaagad. His eyes had a glint of annoyance towards me. "Hindi mo ba alam na nangako ako sa mommy mong protektahan kita?"

Kumabog ang dibdib ko sa kauna-unahang bombang pinakawala niya. "Goddamnit, Marquis, why are we talking--"

Umiling siya at saka tumawa. He chuckled like it was really funny.

"Your mother begged me one fine day, Venus. Hindi na raw niya alam kung ano ang nangyayari sa'yo so she figured to approach me." Panimula niya. God, bakit ito ang pinaguusapan namin? "I actually agreed. You were acting like a bitch back there. Hindi mo 'ko napapansin no'n na sunod ako ng sunod sa'yo para bantayan ka lang. Hindi mo alam na iniinis kang kita para ilabas mo lahat sa'kin ang frustrations mo."