Barcelona Escapade

Chapter Four: Keep

Chapter Four
Keep

"We'll be going to Sagrada today. Were you informed, Nana?"

Tumango siya. She poured water in my glass when I dropped it down after drinking. Siguro ay nabanggit na 'yon ni Abuela dahil sila ang madalas na magka-usap nang makalapag si Nana sa Barcelona. Abuela's enjoying my nanny's presence. After all, nag-iisa lang siyang babae sa kanilang pamilya noon.

I was chewing down my taco when I noticed Eros passing by the dining room's wide door. I squirmed slightly at the thought that this guy will have to come with me and Nana today. Abuela has told me he knows all the way there.

We could have chosen to ride in the subway but Abuela insisted not to, saying she told Eros to focus on me. Ang isa pa, nasa kaniya 'yung online tickets namin. He was the one who booked it himself which is still weird after he just got rude at me.

After eating, I bossed back to my room to get changed. My slightly damped hair still needs to be blown dry so I took time. I wore a black elegant V-neck mini dress embroidered with small flowery patterns and paired it with simple white sneakers.

Of course, I still have to take into account wearing a decent outfit fit for a church visit. I brought a small brown rattan handbag with me to put some of my essential things.

"Clementine, dadating pala ang Kuya mo ngayon," Nana knocked at my door when I just finished dressing up. "Sinabi ko sa Abuela na si Eros na ang bahala sa'yo."

"What? What about you, Nana?"

"Tutulong ako sa pagluluto, Clementine," Nana said, like she isn't a guest at the mansion. "Nakakahiya naman at kailangan ko pang sumama."

"Nana, we're supposed to-"

"Si Eros na ang bahala sa'yo, Clementine."

"Nana, the guy's a stranger. What if he takes me somewhere else?"

"Clementine," she uttered patiently. "Ako ri'y hindi kabilang sa pamilya. May mas importanteng gagawin dito sa mansyon. Sige na at magsaya ka. Ang banggit ng Abuelo ay mabuting kasama si Eros."

Wow, is he that plastic to my Abuelo?

"Sige na at naghihintay na siya sa'yo sa baba."

I took one last glimpse of myself in the mirror before finally storming out. Sabay kaming bumaba ni Nana sa lounge kung nasaan si Eros at naghihintay sa akin. Kinailangan ko pang magpaalam kina Abuela bago kami tuluyang lumabas ng mansyon. Ibinilin talaga ako kay Eros.

"Let's go."

Bago ako talikuran ay pinasadahan ako ni Eros ng tingin. He would have looked like admiring me if he just didn't stop his gaze at my rattan bag.

Should I really go with this guy?

Ugh. Relax, Clementine. If he happens to do something to you, you can always call 911. Just keep your phone close to you.

"Pickpocketing is known in Barcelona," he said and looked up to lock gazes with me. "Take care of your belongings."

Just like that, inunahan niya na akong lumabas sa garahe. Squinting, I looked down at my wide open rattan bag. It doesn't have any zippers and it was more like an open picnic basket. I shrugged softly.

Sinundan ko siya at sumakay sa front seat. We were both quiet and no one dared to talk until he drove away. Really, I still can't etch what he is like. He is conceited but part of him seemed to really be responsible.

"From what country are you from?" I asked.

He looked at me through the rearview mirror. Mabilis ding bumalik ang tingin sa kalsada.