Beyond The Pale (Montavilla Series #2)

Chapter One

Tinanaw ko mula sa kotse ko ang bayan ng Zaporia. I took a bite on my chocolate bar while my other hand was on the steering wheel, slowly driving the car of my dad. May mga nadaanan akong gumagawa ng mga itak at kung anu-ano pang mga metal na bagay, pero bakit sila naka gloves?

There’s so many lamp post on the street, antique design. Hindi ko mabilang kung ilang lamp post ang nadaanan ko. Siguradong sobrang liwanag dito kapag gabi. The houses are made of brown stone bricks, gable roof with domer windows na kulay itim. Ang pinaka pathway ay gawa sa bricks. May nakita rin akong mga makalumang establishimento ngunit mas madami pa rin ang mga matataas na gusali. It looks like a city.

I stopped the engine of my car nang makakita ako ng parking, my lips parted when I saw how sophisticated all of the cars there, yung isa ay sports car pa. If I’m not mistaken, it’s a Chevy Corvette C8, bagong labas lang ‘to ah?

Nag hood ako bago lumabas ng kotse habang dala-dala ang bag na pinakuha ni mommy, I’m just wearing a hoodie and a leggings with my converse chuck taylor. Binulsa ko ang kamay ko sa aking hoodie bago nagsimulang maglakad, I need to find a place where I can stay, at naka kita agad ako.

“Hotel de Zaporia,” pagbabasa ko habang nakaangat ang tingin sa matayog na hotel na ‘to. It’s so high, at sigurado akong sobrang lawak rin sa loob.

May hagdan papasok doon, at sa baba non ay may malaking square na carpet kung saan naka sulat ang pangalan ng hotel nila. There’s a prestine white twin doors that led into their lobby with golden handles, even the doors hinges were engraved with elegant designs and swirls.

Halos hindi ko maitapak ang chuck taylor ko sa blue na carpet ng hagdan nila papasok sa loob. Inside of their hotel, it’s so light, mixture of white and blue ang theme. The floor was tiled in fine marble. A chandelier made a light color dance across the luxurios lobby. There’s also a fire pit filled with wooden logs flickering with flame, pero bakit wala naman ata nagpupunta doon? Sanay sila sa lamig?

The cozy atmosphere is very welcoming. The embroided blue silk sofas, with a large flat-screen television in front of their waiting area.

“Hi, ma’am. Are you going to check in?” The receptionist asked on the front desk, halos mapatalon pa ako sa gulat.

I smiled bago ako lumapit doon, I’m wearing a glasses, sana ay hindi niya mahalata ang pamumugto ng mga mata ko. The polished desk was also made of marble, exquisite paintings hung from the sophisticated blue palette wall behind her.

Habang inaayos niya mga papel ko ay bigla kong naalala si mommy, muli na namang kumirot ang puso ko. Andito rin dapat siya, kasama ko.

I sighed before I opened my bag, tinaas ko ang isa kong tuhod para ipatong doon, halos masilaw ako sa dami ng pera na nakita ko sa loob kaya agad akong kumuha ng kakailanganin ko lang para sa pag che-check in. Mahirap na dahil baka may iba pang makakita at pagbintangan akong magnanakaw.

“Presidential Suite, please.” I stated.

The receptionist’s lips parted a bit, medyo naitaas ko ang aking kilay. Mukha bang wala akong kakayahan mag avail ng ganong room? Is it because I’m just wearing a hoodie and a leggings habang yung iba nilang customer dito ay magagara ang mga suot?

“Copy, ma’am.” She’s stuttering.

After she handed me the key, I immediately find my room. Agad ako humiga sa kama pagkapasok ko, I hugged the pillow while my tears started to fall again. I miss my mom already, I wish she’s here beside me. Even though I’m curious kung saan niya nakuha ang ganon kadaming pera. I just closed my eyes, I need to rest. Kailangan ko rin ipahinga ang mata ko pati na rin ang utak ko.