Behind Curtains

Kabanata 24

Kabanata 24

Commitment

I like receiving new things. Hence, it wasn't really surprising that despite finding comfort in consistent schedules and punctuality, a change of scenery was still therapeutic for me. It's really the consequences that came with change that I find difficult adjusting on.

And when I realized that, I learned to let the negativity sit in the closet for a while, so I could enjoy bits of happiness as long as they were still there. Because this world was full of atrocities lately, that even the temporary promise of fleeting felicity felt like the best way to go forth.

The best way... to go against it.

"Get in," Sir Killian ordered in a baritone, after he opened the passenger's seat to a starking white Range Rover.

I followed his command noiselessly and immediately buckled my seatbelt after he closed the door beside me. I turned my head to his side when he occupied the steering wheel. I can't help but wince when he pulled his door too hard that it slammed. Nasulyapan niya ang naging reaksyon ko.

"Sorry..." he muttered, pero nakapang-abot pa rin ang kilay.

I was about to ask him whether or not he was in the right mood to be driving when my phone vibrated violently inside my purse. Which I answered immediately after seeing the caller ID.

"Kyler..." I whispered like a conspiracy, ayaw sana iyon iparinig kay Sir Killian.

Which was useless, anyway, since my boss already had his eyes in my direction even before I could answer it. At imbes na dumiretso ang sasakyan patungong exit noong hotel, he turned the car around for the parking lot and stayed there with the engine still running.

Arms crossed, jaw clenched, and looking like an angry classical work of art, he was glaring at whatever it is that was beyond the car's dashboard. I was staring at him intently that the ironic cackles on the other line made me jump.

Embarassed, I turned my head away from Sir Killian and tried to concentrate on Kyler's voice.

"What was that?" Kyler asked, a hint of heavy laughter in his tone. "Did you just bail on me facefirst, Ate Lala?"

"Sorry..." I uttered guiltily. "That was my boss. May urgent yatang ipapagawa. Babawi ako... just..."

I fidgetted. I wanted to elaborate the request that started this unlikely contact, but I did not know how to word it lightly, so it wouldn't sound too suspicious for an eavesdropper.

"Don't worry," Kyler said, calmly. "I won't tell a soul."

I sighed in relief.

"Thank you, Ky..."

"But you owe me a big date, Ate Lala," he chuckled, kasabay noon ang pag-huni ng sasakyang hindi kalayuan ng kay Sir Killian.

Wala sa sariling napalingon naman ako roon at halos lumuwa ang mga mata when I saw Kyler Belmonte standing beside what looked like an armored jeep, but more sleek and futuristic. I had the sudden urge to whistle at it.

"Sweet ride..." hindi ko na mapigilan ang pag-puri nang buksan niya ito at awtomatikong lumitaw ang side-step noon.

And like he can see through the heavily tinted car I'm in, nilingon niya ako. He grinned viciously at me before donning a pair of dark wayfarers.

"Thanks," he saluted before hopping on his tank.

Pinaandar niya iyon habang naka-bukas ang pinto. Nasa tenga pa rin ang kanyang telepono kaya naririnig ko ang pag-alburuto noong sasakyan.