Russian Roulette (Book 1 of RR Trilogy)

Roulette #28

Chapter 28 

(Ruthless)

Pinagpatuloy ko na ang paglalakad palapit sa sasakyan. Pinagbuksan ako ng pinto ni Alek. Tiningnan ko siya pabalik habang tinitimbang niya ang mood ko sa paraan ng kanyang pagtitig. I just smiled at him and went inside the car.

Kalauna'y pumasok na rin siya sa passenger's seat at mabilis na pinaandar ni Maxim ang sasakyan. The three of us were all silent for the first few minutes until I broke the silence.

"Why do they look happy?" Halos wala sa sarili kong saad.

"What do you mean?" Sagot ni Alek.

"Michaela, Celine, Agatha... and Aiden. They all look happy... like they don't give a fuck about me missing."

"I told you not to conclude things immediately, didn't I? There's always a reason behind everything, Ariadne."

"I know, but my mind can't accept the possibility that they really don't care even if I'm dead already. All this time, I thought they were losing their minds and calling everyone for help, but..."

Hindi ko na itinuloy. Nakakapagod lang ang mag-isip lalo pa ang magsalita.

I heard Alek's sigh. "You can have the explanation you deserve once you go back to them."

"And here I am wondering when will that be," sarkastikong tugon ko.

I didn't hear any response anymore kaya nanahimik na rin ako. Isinandal ko nalang ang ulo sa backrest ng upuan. Feeling ko na-drain na nga ang kalahati ng lakas ko kahit medyo mahaba pa ang araw.

Hindi ko namalayan na naka-idlip ako. Nagising na lang ako nang tawagin ni Alek ang pangalan ko. Inangat ko ang ulo ko at inilibot ang paningin sa labas.

"Why are we here?" Tanong ko nang makitang nasa labas kami ng isang spa and massage.

"I figured that you need to release some stress. You'll spend a few hours here before we have our dinner and attend an auction."

"An auction?" Baling ko sa kanya.

"Yeah. Clade is invited, but he sent us to attend it in his stead."

Tumango na lang ako at walang ganang sumunod sa kung anomang gusto nilang gawin. We went inside the massage parlor and as usual, Alek was greeted by the manager of the shop. Nag-book ng isang package si Alek at tsaka inabot muli ang black card.

"All done, Sir Alek," anang babaeng manager.

Bumaling sa akin si Alek. "We'll pick you up after your massage."

"What? I thought you're gonna stay, too?"