Before The Last Sunset [Before Trilogy #1]

18

"I had an emergency. Take Summer home for me, will you?"

"I will. Text kita kapag nakauwi na kami," Austin said on the other line. He paused for a while before speaking again. "Is everything alright Chase?" 

"I...I don't know."

Those were the only words I managed to say before ending the call. I immediately shut my phone and focused on getting home. I felt awful leaving without an explanation, but there was no way I had enough time to go back and do so. My mind was all over the place right now, I couldn't even think straight. 

I have never drove so fast in my life. I was driving pass the speed limit, beating all the red lights and breaking laws along the way. Iintindihin ko ba 'yun? My sister was alone, sobbing on the other line while I was out with my friends. Guilt immediately filled my system. What kind of brother was I? I left my her alone when shit was happening in the house. 

Pagpasok ko sa bahay, agad bumungad sa'kin si Chelsea. She immediately ran up to me and took me in an embrace, crying in my chest. 

"K-kuya...y-you're home..." my heart broke by the sound of her cries. 

I caressed her hair and kissed her forehead. "Shhh, kuya's here. Don't be scared, kuya's here," I comforted her. 

A loud crash followed my screams came from upstairs. Chelsea's body began to tremble with fear, rattled by the sudden noise. All of the helpers were here in the living room, also not knowing what to do. 

"Kanina pa po nag-aaway si Ma'am Imogen at Sir John," our driver said with a worried expression on his face. "Umuwi po silang nagsisigawan, Sir Chase. Hindi nga po namin alam kung dapat po ba kami pumagitna dahil may mga nababasag na po sa taas." 

I sighed deeply. What the hell could they have been fighting about? Another loud crash was heard. Kung hindi pa ako ang aawat sa kanila, baka masira na nila ang buong kwarto. 

"Manang, pakibantayan muna si Chelsea. 'Wag mo hahayaang umakyat," I said to her. 

"No! Don't leave me, Kuya...don't leave!" Chelsea sobbed and tightened her grip on me. 

"Chelsea, hija, tara na. Hayaan mo muna kuya mo," Manang tried to pull her away but she refused to let me go. 

I sighed and wiped the tears off her face. "I need you to stay here for me, alright? Babalik si Kuya. Can you wait for me?" 

Her lips trembled and tears continued to flow down her face. "B-but you might get hurt kuya..." 

I gave her a small smile. She was scared, yet she still thought for my safety. "I won't let that happen. Wait for me here with Manang. Pinky promise?"

She interlaced her pinky with mine. "Promise."

I ruffled her hair before giving her to Manang. They escorted her out of the living room and into the maid's quarters so she wouldn't hear the noise from upstairs. The loud shouts continued, leaving me no choice but to check what was happening. 

The noise was coming from the master's bedroom, where mom and dad slept. I didn't bother knocking and immediately barged in the room. Papers, broken vases and picture frames were scattered on the floor. My parents didn't even notice my presence as they were too blinded by rage. 

"Tangina naman! Wala ka bang tiwala sa'kin Imogen? Asawa mo 'ko!"

"Tiwala? Paano ako magtitiwala, John?! Ilang gabi ka na umuuwi ng lagpas alas tres ng umaga, at ilang linggo kang labas pasok sa pamamahay na 'to! 'Wag na 'wag mong idahilan ang trabaho, dahil gasgas na 'yang palusot na 'yan!"