Comrades in Action Book 5: Cece Klein

Chapter Sixty one

She parked her Ducati outside a pub with a neon lights on top of the marquee that read, 'Back o Beyond' which literally means 'an extrememely remote place' if you'll gonna check it out on the internet.

This pub is owned by Elle's brother, James, who by the way prefers to be called by his alias, Hunter when he's here, so as not to draw unnecesary attention to his impeccable and newly aquired title—an Earl.

Actually, naka-base dati ang pub na ito sa Europe. Pero sabi nga niya kanina, ng gampanan ni James ang responsibilidad nito bilang Earl ng pamilya De Vere, he opted to change the pub's location from Europe to the Philippines. Ayon dito, kaysa sa tuluyan itong ipasara, mas maganda ng ilipat na lamang ito ng lugar— no, let me rephrase that— bansa. Yes, mas magandang ilipat na lang daw ito ng bansa.

And Hunter being Hunter, nagbukas ito ng sarili nitong Club. This time, a classy and a more fitting for an Earl type of club na babagay sa status nito sa lipunang ginagalawan. There, instead na mga tambay, basagulero at mga addict ang parokyano ng club gaya ng sa 'Back o Beyond' dati, ngayon, puros mga de titulo, politicians, at mga yayamanin mga tao na ang suki nito. All because of the gambling activities that he's hosting every wednesday and saturday night sa tagong parte ng club nito.

Well, what can she say, old habits die hard.

As she approach the entrace, ang malaking bulto nila Custos at Gustav na nakaharang doon ang bumungad sa kaniya. These two are most loyal guardsmen of Hunter. Kaya kung may mapagkakatiwalaan ito ng pagbabantay sa Back O Beyond ay walang iba kundi ang dalawang ito. Agad na nag-angat ng tingin ang dalawa. She smiled at the two burly men in greeting.

"Sniffing for fresh air?" Tanong niya sa dalawa.

"There is not even a fresh air in here." The two just grunted in response. Their british accent dripping with every word.

"Europe is much much more better." Ani Gustav.

"I miss home." Segunda naman ni Custos.

She chuckled at the way they said those things. Tila mga batang nangangarap ng isang napakagandang laruan.

"Well, sucks for the two of you then."

The two just gave her a harsh glare. Itinaas niya ang dalawang palad tanda ng pag-suko.

"Relax, guys. Pasasaan ba't makakauwi din kayo sa bayang sinilangan."

"English please!"

"Ang sabi ko.." Napatigil siya at saka napatingin sa nakabusangot na mukha ng dalawa. Napailing na lamang siya. "I said it's time for me to have that bloody drink."

Isang nagdududang tingin ang ibinigay ng dalawa sa kanya.

"That didn't sound what it looks like."

"Hay.. believe what you want to believe. It's up to you. Now, I really need that bloody drink." Sabi niya bago nilagpasan ang dalawa at nagtuloy tuloy na sa loob. Tumuloy siya sa bar counter at umorder ng isang shot ng Don Julio. She downed the shot glass and ordered another one.

Iginala niya ang paningin sa paligid. Most of the customers here are men in leather jackets and boots. Ang mga babaeng makikita naman sa paligid ay purong waitress ng pub. Hindi naman sa bawal ang mga babaeng customers dito. Nagkataon lang talaga na bibihira ang mga babaeng customers na gustong uminom dito with the pub's reputation and all. Well with the excemption of her, of course.

A band is on the stage right now, playing a hard rock song . The members are also wearing the same type of clothes— leather jackets, leather pants and leather boots. Marahan niyang ikinumpas ang ulo habang sinasabayan ang kantang 'Crazy' ng Aerosmith na tila walang paki-alam sa mundo. Not at all bothered even when she sensed someone coming near her.