Forgotten Child

Thirty-second Chapter

The moment I entered the room, I wanted to run.

T-This isn't what I --

"Maiah." Tawag sa'kin ni tito Blake. "Don't run away. Have a seat."

His voice may sound nice but it wasn't friendly at all. It was commanding and full of authority. My body trembled as I went and sat down in one of the sofas.

"You're scared. Why?" Biglang tanong ng lalaking nakasuit din. He's currently standing by the bookshelf, behind the long sofa across me. And even though his face was passive, I couldn't help but feel more scared than before.

Sinong hindi? Kung ang expected na Ayala - Ayala meeting ay naging Ayala - Escalante?

I only knew about him based on what I learned from the history. Yes, I never saw his face before. But the red tie gave it away dahil iyon ang description ni mama Violet sa'kin ng sinundan niya si papa Syl at nalaman ang about sa Underground.

The man was wearing a red tie and a suit, and his voice was already like a concluded sentence of punishment of a Judge.

Napalunok ako. "H-Hindi ko lang po ineexpect na k-kayo po ang nandito."

"Ah, Maiah," malalim na boses ni tito Blake. "You can never get the Business World mixed with the Underground World, remember?"

I stopped myself from whimpering.

"Wanting my dearest cousin, my Princess Mackenzie Ayala, involved in this Underground topic is never  going to happen. Over my dead body."

I gulped again. Alam ni tito agad kung ano ang gusto kong pagusapan with him and tita Zie?

"I-I'm sorry po ti -- Mr. Ayala." I caught myself. I learned from Spade na kapag nasa teritoryo ka ng brotherhood o kapag Underground ang usapan at members ng mga ito ang kausap, I have to drop familiarities with them. Kahit pa magulang, tito or tita, lolo or lola, at kung sino pang kamag-anak.

I have to call them Mister or Miss or Missus. Or kung anuman ang ipapahintulot nilang itawag ko sa kanila during the whole conversation.

"You know the proper manner. Impressive." Ramdam ko ang ngiti ni Escalante kaya tinignan ko siya. And I wished I didn't.

His deadly eyes were examining me, as if he's trying to figure out who I am.

"Very well," sabi ni tito Blake at mula sa pagkakatingin sa labas ng malaking bintana, humarap siya kay Escalante. "This is Maiah Adria Omlin. And Maiah?"

"P-Po?"

Escalante put his hand up to stop tito Blake from talking. Naglakad siya palapit sa'kin at nilahad ang kamay niya. "Lovely to meet you, Maiah. I'm Derrick Escalante."

Nanginginig ko siyang kinamayan but I my grip didn't falter and I met his eyes. "Pleasure is mine, Mr. Escalante."

Saglit siyang napatigil bago humalakhak.

"HAHAHA! Oh, this is fascinating!" Tinignan niya si tito. "I can't believe this!" Binalik niya ang tingin sa'kin. A dangerous smile is playing on his lips. "You have 3 seconds to change my mind from killing you, Travis kid."

Guho ang tinatapakan ko. Sira ang loob ko. Ubos lahat ng dugo ko the moment he said Travis kid.

P-Paanong --

"Three..."

Anong sasabihin ko?!

"Two.."

Shit!

"O --"

"You need me."

Tumigil siya sa pag countdown and tilted his head. "I beg your pardon?"