Time-Locked Romance (Timeless Series #2)

CHAPTER 3- TIME TRAVEL

CHAPTER 3- TIME TRAVEL
Justice Maximus Huxley

"Justice Maximus!" tawag sa akin ni Mommy mula sa labas ng aking kuwarto.

Since I got back from the DWD Police Station yesterday, I haven't stepped out of my room. I still have no idea how to explain this to my family.

She's called me so many times today that I've lost count. It's as if that's her only way of making sure I'm still here, still breathing. But while I'm physically alive, it feels like my heartache is tearing my whole body apart.

The thought keeps echoing in my mind, driving me to the edge. If only I hadn't let Klarisse go to LC Restaurant alone, she would still be alive. I could have saved her from whoever killed her.

"Lumabas ka na, Kuya Maximus, kung ayaw mong sirain din ni Mommy itong sara ng pinto mo!" bulyaw din ng kapatid ko.

"Bakit ko sisirain kung puwede ko naman gamitan ng susi, ha?! Ang mahal magpagawa ng pinto ngayon. Hindi naghirap ang mga ninuno natin para lang lustayin natin ang pera nila. Kailangan kong masingil ang mga detective na iyon!"

"Oh, great. Yeah, mother dear. Kung binigay mo na lang kasi sa mga detective kahapon ang duplicate key ay-"

"Shut up, Jazmin Maxine." Pagkasabi niyon ni Mom ay bumukas din ang pinto. "Hey, Maximus! Hindi puwedeng ganito ka na lang palagi! Pinagluluksan mo ang babaeng hindi mo naman ipinakilala sa amin?! Ni magkuwento ay ayaw mong gawin. Gusto mo bang mag-uwi ako mamaya ng therapist, ha?!" Kahit na kitang-kita ko ang galit nito sa kaniyang mukha ay hindi pa rin maipagkakailang sobrang nag-aalala ito sa aking kalagayan.

"Mom! Grabe ka naman kay Kuya Just. You're too much, don't you think?"

"Don't question me, Jazmin! You don't know anything about parenting! Kids these days have this habit of invalidating their parents' concerns and worries for their children, don't they?"

"Mom-"

"What?! Just get up, Professor Justice Maximus Huxley, and fix your life! The world won't stop just because of what's happening. PIS sent a letter, and if you don't show up this afternoon, they'll fire you. Just because we have connections on the school board doesn't mean you should take advantage of it, Maximus!"

"OMG! So you're a nepotism baby, Kuya Just! Don't tell me you got into PIS just because of-"

"Because I'm smart, Jazmin," I interrupted. "I don't need family connections to-"

"Alright, alright, I get it! Now, hurry up, and let's go to school. I need you to come with me to the PIS Museum. I've got some things to photograph there."

"Who's supposed to be the older one here?" I muttered, dragging myself out of bed and into the bathroom.

Pagbukas ko ng shower ay hindi ko man lang maramdaman ang patak ng tubig sa aking katawan. Pakiramdam ko ay isa na akong bato. Sa tanang buhay ko ay ngayon lang ako nagkaganito.

Conscience and pain are a dangerous mix-a constant, crushing weight on the soul. Together, they pull a person down, heavy with guilt and regret. This force can break even the strongest, and for someone as guilty as I am, it could be deadly.

Have they found the mysterious prime suspect, Wavee Wyndee Wheeler?

Nasuntok ko ang pader dahil sa wala akong sagot na makuha. Kung hindi ko pipilitin ang sarili ko na kumilos ay walang mangyayari. Ni wala akong update na natanggap mula sa mga detective kahapon. Kailangan kong gumawa ng paraan para mabigyan ng hustisya ang pagkamatay ni Klarisse. Kahit iyon na lang ang maibigay ko sa kaniya.