Love, Lies and Alibis (Henares Series #1)

Eighteen

Cold

“Sia…” Someone was shaking my shoulders frantically. “Sia!”

Mabilis akong nagmulat ng mata. My eyes adjusted to the dark room before meeting a familiar pair of eyes. Namilog iyon pagkakitang gising na ako.

Relief washed over me when I realized that he is not one of the perilous men that are hunting me.

“Sia, did you called Voyd? Did you call some help?” Errol’s eyes were scared and frantic.

Nilingon niya ang sliding door kung saan tatlong lalaki ang pinipilit buksan iyon. Saka ko lang naalalang nasa ibayong kapahamakan pa pala ako. Kaming dalawa!

“We should call the guards—”

“The guards are all dozed off, Sia! Someone put sleeping drops on their drinks!” Kita ko ang taranta sa kilos ni Errol.

Maging ako ay halos manginig na rin sa takot. Lalo pa at nagtutulungan ang tatlo sa pagbubukas. Any second they’re gonna break the glass doors!

“Please tell me you called some help.”

“Dito!”

Kumalabog ang wooden door mula sa kabila. Muntik na akong mapatili kaya agad na tinakpan ni Errol ang aking bibig.

“Shit!” he cussed when the men from the terrace realized where we are hiding.

Lumakas din ang kalabog sa isa pang pinto. Napahikbi na ako. Wala na kaming kawala!

Nilingon ako ni Errol. Puno ng paghihirap at pagsisisi sa kanyang mata.

“I’m so sorry, Sia.”

Napatili ako nang kasabay sa pagbukas ng pinto ay ang pagkabasag ng sliding doors mula sa terasa. Isang putok ng baril ang pumailanlang.

Mabilis akong niyakap ni Errol at sinubsob sa kanyang dibdib. Kasabay niyon ay ang pagbaha ng liwanag sa buong kwarto.

“Put your fucking hands in the air!”

Kahit nanginginig at puno ng takot ay nakilala ko pa rin ang boses ni Voyd. Next thing I heard were guns cocking and men shouting.

I looked at the commotion—men in uniform were aiming guns and pinning the intruders to the floor.

Bago ko pa man makita si Voyd ay hinigit niya na ako mula kay Errol. Hawak ang magkabilang braso, hinarap niya ako sa kanya. He examined me with eyes full of both worry and relief.

“Oh thank God!” he moaned on my hair as he hugged me tight.

Sinuyod ng kanyang kamay at tingin ang mga braso ko. His eyes scanned my body repeatedly. Carefully inspecting if he had overlooked  any injuries. His eyes glistened when he met mine.

“I’m o-okay…” I can’t help the trembling. Kahit na alam kong ligtas na ako. The after-shock isn’t over yet.

He cupped my right cheek and my chest immediately tightened. Nagsilaglagan ang luha ko. I was so scared. I almost lose hope that he’ll come on time.

“Fuck!” Niyakap niya uli ako. “I’m so fucking stupid! I shouldn’t have left you alone…”

“Voyd I—”

Voyd stiffened as we heard Errol from behind clearing his throat.

“Why are you here?”

Siniko ko siya dahil sa malamig na tono nito sa lalaki. I must have been abducted already if Errol wasn’t here! This ungrateful brute!