Summer Fever(Mystery#2)

Chapter 7

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
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Clues are everywhere.. be keen to some details.
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Sweep Under the Silk Carpet

Shit. He's one of the staff of this hotel. I thought he is some sort of tourist here in Lucky Shore hindi pala.

"Yes sorf of. Dito nga ako nag-sstay." I lied  dito sya nagwowork. Pag nalaman nya na anak ako ng isang James Powell baka hindi na nya ako kausapin.

"Rough night." Tumango ako.

Umupo ako sa counter enjoying his accompany. "Are you trying to get me to talk about my problems? That's such a bartender move!" I smirked.

He got me there. He's good at reading people.

"Indeed. Naka-duty ako kaya kailangan kong maging mabait na bartender and when a pretty damnsel in distress shows up, I pull out my cocktail shaker and good listener skills to lighten up her right."

Prettt damsel in distress? This guy is hot af.

"I guess I could actually use a good listener!"

"You're in,like here I am to sane your night." He winked.

"I must warn you,my standards are pretty high."

"Challenge accepted." Walang pag-aalinlangan nyang saad.

"Go ahead tell me your story."

Tama bang mag-open sa isang stranger but It's good to open to some strangers though. Nag-simula na akong magkwento sa kanina, since I came back to this hotel. Mataman lang syang nakikinig. I play safe para hindi nya matunugan yung tunay kung pagkatao.

"Some of these people are happy to see me and yung iba hindi. But most of all they've changed."

"Do you think it's a good thing or bad thing?" Woah.

"Sa ngayon hindi ko parin alam ang sagot." He place his hand on his chin.

"Pwede ko bang sabihin ang opinyon ko sa sitwasyon mo?"

"Yes please do!"

Nagpahalumbaba ako sa kanya at pinakatitigan sya.

"I think masyado kang nakatuon lang sa negative side ng mga nangyayari sayo. You see the glass half empty because your point reference is the past. Now let's say the glass isn't half empty but instead it is half full. Nagbago ka? Anong gusto mo, kung sino ka noon? O kung sino ka ngayon?"

"Who I am now! Without a doubt." Tahasan kong sabi. Tumango sya at ngumisi.

"Then just be happy to show these people the new you. Kung hindi man nila ma-appreciate kung sino ka, then it's their loss. I'm pretty sure new people would be happy to get to know you." Napansin kong namula yung tainga nya. How cute.

He surely is a good looking guy. At hindi ko ineexpect na "engaging" syang tao. Actually I like it. For a second I get distracted by his msichievous smirk and penetrating gaze. Anong nangyayari? Nilalandi nya ba ako? O ako yung gustong landiin sya. If that was the case,I wouldn't mind.

"How is that soft drink coming along."

"Almost done. Pwedeng tumalikod ia muna!"

"You want me to turn around why?" Tinaasan ko sya ng kilay, nagtataka sa kanya.

"I would never reveal my mixologist secret to anyone. No offense." I laughed hard. At sinunod ang gusto nya. Pagbigyan na natin.

"As long as you don't sip anything in my drink." Pagbibiro ko.

"Oh come on it's a soft drink. Kung may ilalagay man ako dito,iyon ay ice cube!" Pagdedepensa nya.

I don't know him he is a total stranger after all. But I trust him.

"You can turn around." After long minute na paghihintay. Humarap ako. Hawak niya ang soda can.

"A club soda?!"

"Careful there maam, it's not just any type of club soda. It's an organic fizzy lemonade w/ zero added sugar, zero additives and zero calorants. At hindi ko yan binuksan, kaya makakaasa kang wala akong nilagay."

"Thank you,I will savor every sip." I playfully smirked. Paalis na sana ako ng pigilan nya ako.

"Hey can you tell me what your name is?"

As tempted I can be. It doesn't long for me to have a change of heart. Natatakot ako na kapag sinabi ko kung sino talaga ako. I will only become the boss's daughter to him. Ayoko mangyari yun. I like the connection we have. I want to keep it that way.

"I... hindi sa wala akong tiwala sayo. But I would rather not tell. You're the only person have left her that doesn't who I am. It feels good."

Tumango sya at naiintindihan ang pinupunto ko.

"Alright. I will atleast see you again?" Malambing nyang pahayag.

"If you stuck around, we might run each other."

"I would like that very much, Ms. Stranger."
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Habang pinagmamasdan na umalis ang dalaga hindi nya maiwasang humanga rito.

"Mr. Powell said he wanted everything to be perfect for Summer's welcome back party!" Naputol ang kanyang pagdidaydream ng dumating bigla si Mia.

"I know. Ako na ang bahala sa lahat. Pero what is special about his daughter to throw such big party?"kuryosong tanong ni Byron.
"Anong itsura nya hindi ko pa sya nakikita?!"

"She is Mr. Powell's only daughter,he loves her yun ang isang rason. The only difference is, Mr. Powell is a billionaire parent who can afford to throw these parties. Now get to work before Larry sees you and kicks your ass." Natatawang sabi ng dalaga.
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Pagkatapos kong mag-open kay Mr.Stranger at uminom ng softdrink para pakalmahin ang sarili. Lumabas ako sa hotel. Ang ilan ay nandito rin sa labas at nakikipag-kwentuhan. Kasama ko si Lee at kasalukuyang naninigarilyo.

"Kilala mo ba yung bagong nagtatrabaho sa bar tonight?He's new right?" Hindi ko mapigilang tanungin si Lee.

"Yes. That's Byron."

"Byron..hmm." ulit ko sa pangalan niya.

"He's a snack, isn't he?" Still puffing his cigarette. Sanay na ako bugahan ha-ha.

Nginisian ko lang sya dahil alam na nya ang sagot."By the way, have you been dating lately?"

"Ah Summer, still master the art of dodging questions!" He chuckled a little."You think Byron is cute, don't you?"

Yeah Byron is handsome.

"I think you're cute." Umiling ito.

"You didn't answer!"

"You didn't answer me either!Dating someone?" Pagpupumilit ko.

Mariin nya parin itong tinanggi.

"Why did you leave so suddenly?" I know itatanong niya ito sa akin.

But I'm not yet ready to tell everyone.

"It's complicated!" I muttered.

"I know you were going to say that.. what happened? Everything was really weird? You didn't even tell me or Mia, we're your besftriend." Mapait nyang sabi

"Lee it's.." he already cut me off. Ramdam ko ang acid sa aking lalamunan na gustont kumawala.

"Let me guess, it's complicated! This shit is going to kill me one day!" Pag-iiba nya ng usapan.

"Akala ko ay tumigil ka na dyan!"

"What can I say. Things never go as planned. It's complicated,just like you say. I just want you to know I'm here for you Summer. I am your friend! Kung ready kana, handa akong makinig."

Tumagos iyon sa aking puso. It really hurts na hindi ko kayang sabihin ito sa bestfriend ko.

"Thank you, Lee." Malungkot itong ngumiti at nagpaalam na papasok na sa loob.

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