Barcelona Escapade

Chapter Thirty-Four: Escape

Chapter Thirty-Four
Escape

"Bakit ka nandito?"

Eros' eyes narrowed at me, unfazed by the question. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths. His reaction reminds me of him before, still the same unbothered jerk.

Paanong siya ang bagong driver? Who hired him? That's definitely not Jayren nor my mother. Napakaraming driver sa Laguna, bakit siya pa?

"Bakit ka nandito, Eros?" tanong kong muli.

His lips pursed before he spoke.

"Natanggap ako sa trabaho," sagot niya at inalis ang titig sa akin. Naglakad siya papunta sa Audi at binuksan ang pintuan sa back seat para sa akin. Hindi ako gumalaw sa kinatatayuan.

As if I'll hop in the car with him inside.

Two years ago, we almost got caught. I had to prevent that so I ghosted him and averted him away from Mamá. Kaya sigurado akong hindi si Mama ang nagtanggap sa kaniya at mas lalong hindi si Jayren.

Binalikan ko ang huli niyang sinabi.

"You're kidding," I asserted.

"I'm here. Where's the joke?"

I sneered at that. Hindi ko napigilang magpamaywang sa harap niya. 

Right, he still never changed. He's still the exact driver I met in Barcelona! Sarkastiko pa rin siya at walang respeto!

"Hop inside," he commanded.

Mabilis akong umiling, hindi pa rin umaalis sa pwesto at ilang metro daming distansya.

"We both know you shouldn't be here," I said.  Still in our same distance, I laid my palm in front of him. "Give me the keys. I'll drive. You leave."

His brows arched and didn't move.

I closed my eyes in frustration. "Just give it, please."

"Nandito ako para gawin ang trabaho ko, senorita," sagot niya, nananatiling sa akin ang tingin. "Hindi ako tatanggapin kung hindi pwede sa pamilya mo."

I bit my lower lip. "Then who employed you?"

I can't ask Mamá or Jayren if I am unsure they weren't the ones who hired him. I might just give them the doubt that Eros, who was once my ex-boyfriend, is here.

He and Mamá may never have met face to face. Mamá is not good at familiarizing herself with people too. Si Fenris nga ay hindi niya alam ang itsura. Napagkamalan pang ka-date ko noong magkasama kami sa labas para saglit na magkape.

Hindi pinansin ni Eros ang tanong ko. Sumilay lang siya sa relo niya para tingnan ang oras.

"Hanggang alas-singko lang pwedeng bumisita sa ospital," sabi niya. "We should go."

"You're not answering me," I spat.

"I invoke my right not to."

Namilog ang mata ko. He's not really saying it!

I don't know how I was able to end up riding the car. Matagal siyang naghintay na hindi na ako nakapagpigil at pumasok na sa kotse.

I only wanted to think I was compelled to because I really have to visit Fenris in the hospital right now. But the thought kept on bugging me the whole ride.

Paano naman nga mawawala sa isip ko?

The ex-boyfriend I lost two years ago and my ex-driver in Barcelona is now my new driver.

Paano kung may iba siyang motibo? What if he's here to take his revenge after what happened?

Nanginig ako sa sariling iniisip. I tried as much to gather my sanity until we reached the hospital. Hindi naman niya ako kinausap sa biyahe at mas lalong hindi ko sinubukang tingnan ang rear-view mirror sa tuwing nararamdamang sumisilay siya.