Love Above It All

Chapter 24

Medyo SPG

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From: Connor

I'm about to pick you up.

Ilang segundong napadpad doon ang atensyon ko bago bumalik sa aking sarili. Maaga pa, pero patapos na rin ako sa pag-aayos.

Tonight's the event he was talking about. I haven't interacted with someone I know since the day Sean told me about my father.

"Call me when you want to go to him. I'm sorry, Solanna."

Bumuntong hininga na lamang ako. I'm avoiding Astrid as much as I could. Good thing she's with Kaleel. Rocco would text but I couldn't really... function well.

Why is he in a private facility? Ilang taon na nang huli ko siyang maka-usap. Was I that busy? Or maybe he slipped off my mind... Dahil wala naman talaga siyang pakialam sa akin in the first place. Ilang taon na siyang naroon?

Where's Deborah, then?

Humigpit ang kawak ko sa lipstick na hawak. Is she in our house? The audacity of that bitch to stay in my mother's house! What is she doing now?

I saw my reflection in the mirror and for a second I feared myself. Mabilis kong pinakawalan ang lipstick sa kamay ko nang marinig kong may nagbukas ng pinto.

Oh God, that expression... it's scary. It could kill.

Bumaling ako sa pinto at nakita ko si Connor na mukhang naguguluhan.

"I was knocking. Ayos ka lang ba?" His voice etched with worry. He was knocking... Hindi ko narinig.

"Ayos lang. Maaga ka, pakihintay nalang ako. At pagkatapos nitong event, mag-uusap tayo."

Seryosong sambit ko. Akala ko ang dideretso siya sa kama ngunit umupo lang siya sa dining area. Lumiwanag ang kanyang ekspresyon nang makita si Coco na lumapit sa kanya. Ngunit imbes sa kandungan ay humiga ito sa lamesa para matulog. Nagpatuloy ako sa pag-aayos.

"Hey there, did you miss me?" May hands shook so I messed up the lipstick s bit when he talked to our cat.

Damn it. He looks good in his tuxedo. His hairstyle is brushed to the side and his small smile captivated me again. I missed that. Tumayo na ako at kinuha ang purse ko. Inilagay ko ang phone at pera roon. I unconsciously held out my hand to him for his phone out of habit.

He stilled for a bit but he got it from his pocket and handed it to me so I can keep it in my purse. His lips twitched, forcing to hide a smile.

"You look beautiful..."

I'm wearing the gift Sean just handed to me randomly. It was a black tulle dress with a snake embroidery on it's chest part. I just did a light makeup and a low messy bun.

Tinanggal ko ang kwintas na ibinigay niya para sa gabing ito at hindi nagsuot ng kahit anong alahas maliban sa singsing ni Mama. I look simple alright, but I'm not competing with anyone.

"Ikaw din." You look beauteous. It's mesmerizing. Nauna na akong maglakad. Kinuha ko si Coco sa isang kamay para ibilin siya sa baba.

"Solanna," Tawag niya kaya lumingon ako sa kanya. Natigilan siya habang bumababa ako sa hagdan. I stared at him with a questioning look.

"We're not taking the elevator?"

"I'm scared." Simpleng sabi ko. He shifted uncomfortably, nabahala siya sa narinig niya. Maybe because I was fine before he left?

"Alalayan kita.."

"Not always, Connor." I let out a small smile.

"Take the elevator of you want, see you at the lobby." Ngumiti ako at nagpatuloy na. Ngunit sinundan niya lang ako hanggang sa makababa kami. Ibinibilin ko si Coco sa employee na madalas kong pag-iwanan sa kanya.