ALLURING FIRES (COMPLETED)

Chapter 16

The thought of losing Tuecer Rhodes is frightening. The last time I heard about him was last two weeks after coming to my house. Sending texts, calls, visiting his workplace, house and condo didn't workout like I thought it would. I wanted to think he's just mad, I want to make myself believe that we can get through this, I wanted to believe that we can pass this storm in our relationship...I wanted to believe in us.

"The subscriber's cannot be reach--" I hanged up before sighing heavily. Nakita kong ilang beses napakurap si Arcelie na nakatingin saakin, tinaasan ko lang sya ng kilay. "Mind your own business." I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

"Napanuod niyo ba 'yong balita Ms?" Kinunutan ko lamang sya ng noo, "Today po, officially confirmed 13 died in the aircrash a month ago and there's still 2 person missing." Napakuyom ako saking kamao dahil ramdam na ramdam ko ang pagkirot saking dibdib, "On going parin pala yung kaso na isinampa sakanila, nahanap narin yung tumakas na mga engineers pero damay parin ang airlines ng Rhodes."

Napasandal ako sa swivel chair at pilit na pinakalma ang sarili, that's why I don't want to read or hear any news, hindi mawala-wala ang balita tungkol sakanila, "What else?" but I can't help to be curious and know what's happening.

"You know Chairman Verzosa is very influencial and powerful person in this industry, isa sya sa nagsampa ng kaso sa airline dahil hanggang ngayon hindi parin mahanap ang apo niya. The media even say there's a possibility the airline will shut down."

Napahawak ako saking sentido at napatitig sa screen ng aking cellphone, my wallpaper is smiling Tuecer holding heartshaped balloon wearing his pilot uniform with plane on his background, "Please don't talk about it infront of me anymore, Arcelie." I sighed, if only I can help or at least lessen Tuecer's problems, ngunit pakiramdam ko'y dinadagdagan ko pa ang problema niya.

"Sorry," sinulyapan ko lang sya bago binalik ang pagkatulala sa larawan ni Tuecer, "The security called again po pala, Chaucer's waiting for you outside."

Sinamaan ko sya ng tingin, agad naman syang namutla, "Didn't I tell you to ban Chaucer Rhodes, dont talk about him and ignore if he's bothering outside again?"

"S-sorry Ms." agad syang nagtipa sa telepono at tinawagan ang security.

Napapikit ako ng mariin, past few days he wanted to talk to me but I just can't. Pakiramdam ko kapag makikita ko sya ay nagtataksil ako kay Tuecer, inaatake lang ako ng malalang guilt and I just wanted us to be strangers...again. I'll fix my situation with my boyfriend and act like stranger with Chaucer. Ayoko na syang makita, ayoko ng magtagpo ang landas namin, ayoko na sa presensya niya, ayokong sirain pa niya ako...kahit ginusto ko naman talaga ang mga nangyari samin.

"So you're telling me, hindi parin kayo okay?" Binalik ni Euxine ang pagscroll sakanyang ipad matapos akong tapunan ng nagtatakang tingin.

I nodded, "What should I do?" napanguso ako bago humigop ng milkshake, pinagmasdan ko ang mga naliligo sa pool na karamihan ay mga bata. "What are you doing here by the way?"

"Wait for him, you know he's very busy. Baka nakalimutan lang makipagbati." Napasimangot ako sakanyang sinagot, "I'm here to work. What about you?"

I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow, nakita ko ang pagsulyap niya, "This is a resort Euxine, this isn't your workplace either." As for me, pinuntahan ko lang sya dito dahil wala akong magawa, baka mabaliw lang ako kakaisip kay Tuecer.

"I want to relax while working, girl." Nakatutok lang sya sakanyang iPad ng seryoso, she's my friend since fetus and I can tell she's avoiding my gaze.