Tale as Old as Time (La Fortuna Series #1)

Kabanata 42

Kabanata 42

Worth

The townspeople gave way to me. Ni hindi ko na nilingon si Rowan nang diretso akong nagmartsa palabas sa espasyong pinagdausan ng okasyon. No one dared to touch nor speak to me as I was walking. Napahinga ako ng maluwag doon ngunit nang may humila sa 'kin ay bahagya akong napatalon.

"What the—" Umawang ang labi ko nang makita kung sino 'yon. "Chamuel?"

Nagpumiglas ako pero dahil sa tikas niya'y wala rin 'yong nagawa. He pulled me until we reached his car. Umawang ang labi ko nang pagbuksan niya ako ng pintuan. Since he parked his car in front of the mini-stage, I could clearly see the look on Senyora Lavinia and Ana's faces. Laglag ang panga nila at akmang tutumba na sana si Senyora nang saluhin siya ni Ana. The townspeople's gasps hung in the air.

"Get in the car," Chamuel thundered beside me.

Nilingon ko siya. "What? Why? Ayoko!"

"Please, Tace. We need to get out of here."

"B-b-but—"

Hindi ko natuloy ang dapat na sasabihin nang marahan niyang hinigit ang kamay ko at siya na mismo ang gumiya sa 'kin papasok. Isinara niya ang pinto ko bago umikot upang buksan naman ang kaniya. He settled on the driver's seat and honked his car's horn to alert people that we're leaving. Ang mga taong nakaharang ay agad na pumagilid. Without further ado, he drove away in a swift motion.

"Stop the car," I said in gritted teeth when we were out of the town center.

A feeling of annoyance washed over me when he continued driving. Magkasalubong ang kilay niya at mukhang kung kaya niya lang pudpurin ang sementong dinadaanan ay kanina niya pa ginawa.

I gulped and removed my seat belt. "Stop the car or I'll force my way out."

Tumigil sa pagpintig ang puso ko nang padarag niyang nai-preno ang sasakyan. I winced at the screeching sound made by his car's wheels against the road.

"What the hell was that?! Papatayin mo ba ako?!"

Nilingon niya ako. "You told me to stop or you'll force your way out."

"Yes! But I didn't tell you to stop abruptly!"

"I'm sorry..." he lamented and sighed. His eyes raked over my body. "Nasaktan ka ba?"

Labag sa loob akong ngumuso. Hindi ko maintindihan kung maaawa ako sa kaniya o sasapakin ko siya.

"I'm fine."

Matagal bago siya nagsalita. He leaned on the backrest of the car before giving me a glance.

"What were you doing at that event?"

"Nothing," I said and gave him a death glare. "'Tsaka wala namang masama ro'n, ah? We were supposed to watch the event. Hindi ko naman alam na nandoon ang ina mo't asawa!"

His face clouded with confusion. He cocked his head as his brown eyes pierced through mine.

"Asawa? "

"I'm talking about Anayah, you asshole!"

Mas lalong dumilim ang mukha niya. His angled jaw clenched before he licked his lower lip. Problemado siyang bumuntong-hininga.

"Is that why you left the mansion?" he rasped in a tender tone.

"Dahil nalaman kong asawa mo si Ana?" I asked dryly and made a face. "Hell, no! I left because you lied to me. I left because you didn't tell me that she was coming. Ginawa mo akong tanga at nagmukha akong kabit!"