CHAPTER 6 - CALL
1902 Words
HANNAH
"Hannah!" I suddenly pushed Apollo when I heard Papa's loud voice.
"P-Papa!” I looked at my father and studied him for a few seconds. “Wait, you don’t look sick. You’re not sick!"
I ran and hugged him. He laughed and returned my hug. "I am taking my meds daily to get your mom off my back."
I moved a little further and kissed his cheek. "I missed you, Papa."
"Who is he? Is he your boyfriend? Please say yes, because I saw what happened," his face became serious.
I bit my lip and looked at Apollo. He looks so displeased. It wasn't part of my plan, but Apollo would definitely be upset if I told him he was my boyfriend.
"H-He's just a friend, 'Pa."
"I'm not convinced. Friends don’t share saliva in dark places."
My shoulder dropped. I have no choice but to tell the truth. "I’m courting him."
"Why are you flirting? You're the girl." Papa said in shock. He looked at Apollo intently. "Ngano nanguyab ang akong anak nimo? Pero kung makahalok ka, murag gusto nimo siya ut-uton." (English translation: Why is my daughter flirting with you? But if you can kiss, it's like you want to suck her.)
"I-I don't understand the city's dialect. I'm sorry." Apollo doesn't seem to know what to do.
"What do you think of my daughter? Are you taking advantage of her emotions?"
"No. No, sir. What happened was just a spur of the moment."
"I saw your tongue enter her mouth. Was that a spur of the moment too?"
I held Papa's hand to calm him down. Little by little, we are getting attention. "Papa, he's right. And I was the one who initiated the kiss. Please don't be mad at him."
"I don't understand you anymore, Hannah. Is this what you know from your few years of living in Manila?" After he said that, he turned away.
I approached Apollo and picked up my bag that was at his feet. "I'm sorry, Apollo. I'll call you tomorrow, please answer it."
"I'm on vacation."
"Let me rephrase it. You're on vacation with me."
"You're so persistent."
"See you. I love you."
Before I had gone far, it called my name again. "Hannah."
I turned around. He had one hand in his pocket while the other and a playful smile on his lips.
"I enjoyed it, by the way."
My cheeks turned red, and I quickly walked away. Maybe because what else will I do if I stayed together for a long time? I immediately saw Papa's bodyguard, Giaco, in the parking space, so I immediately knew where the car was located. I went inside and hugged Papa.
Even if he was sulking or upset, I still told him about my funny experiences in Luzon. He listens and comments as if nothing happened earlier. I really love my father.
As soon as I opened the door of our house, Mama came to me. He hugged me tightly and kissed my cheek. "My baby! I'm so glad you look so happy and fresh!"
"Hello, Mama. You missed me this much?" I giggled.
"You have no idea. This is not a home without you."
“What is it then?” Papa butted in. His forehead is crinkled.
“A c-ck fight arena.”
“A co— sweetheart, don’t say that to our—”
“I meant chickens, you dirty old b-stard.”
“Hey, hey, sweetie, be careful with your words. I have feelings too.” My God, I can’t with these two.
He moved away from me and I observed his appearance.
Nothing has changed about her, she still dresses simply. Even though we have our own business and my father is the Mayor of the city, it still hasn't taken away the simplicity. She didn't even have any decoration on her face but his sweet smile.
"Where's the guy you're exclusively dating?" She asked. "Aren't you going to introduce him to us?"
"I've met him." Papa intervened in the conversation. "Handsome, like me. Tall, like me. Soft, not like me."
I laughed at what he said. "I'll call him if he can come. We have plans to go tomorrow."
"You must bring Giaco, sweetheart. The election is coming, it's going to be difficult." Mom said.
"But Papa isn't a candidate anymore, right?"
Mom nodded. "Even if the townspeople want it, Papa can't run. But we support a candidate."
"Okay. I'll bring Giaco. He's my personal bodyguard after all."
We talked for a few more hours and then I went up to my room to rest. When I lay down on my bed, I immediately fumbled for my cell phone and looked for Apollo's number before calling.
"I thought you would call tomorrow," he answered with a cold voice.
"Hey, sweet sugar apple pie." He didn't speak, so I continued with what I had to say. "My family wants to—"
"No."
"Woah. I'm not even done talking yet," I said, laughing.
"I know all your tricks, Hannah."
"Hmm." I grabbed my pillow and hugged it like it was Apollo. "Not all of it, Apollo."
He didn't answer and just hung up.
Next, I called the person I could trust in these situations. It was answered with just one ring. "Good evening."
"Giaco, contact all the five-star hotels here in Cebu. Ask if there is anyone who has stayed at them whose name is Apollo Bustamante."
"Understood, miss," he said softly. "Will that be all?"
"Yes, thank you so much! Let's meet tomorrow. I brought you some souvenirs from Luzon.” Then, I hung up the call.
The next day, I immediately got the information I needed. I got into the backseat of the Mercedes Benz.
I greeted Giaco and he just smiled at me. His black clothes fit his body because of the size of his muscles. Giaco has been my bodyguard for a long time, so he already knows me well. He used to be in the Navy but left because of his wife's decision, because his wife couldn't take the worry anymore. Papa, who is close to him, hired him because of his good record.
I tapped my fingers on my thighs because it felt like we were travelling a long way. But my smile immediately grew when we parked in front of a well-known hotel.
"Room 603, right?"
My bodyguard nodded. "Yes, miss."
"Thank you, Giaco. I'll call you when I get home."
"Miss, I will give this to you." He handed me the pepper spray. "You don't want to bring me with you, so you have to at least protect yourself."
"Thank you!" I immediately came out with a smile on my face. Maybe Apollo would use it on me.
I continued to enter the elegant hotel and took the elevator. I went down to the sixth floor and happily walked.
"601... 602.... oh! 603." I rang the doorbell and then knocked a little.
He opened and Apollo's lips parted a little. "What the heck! How did you— Geez!"
He ran his hand through his hair. He was wearing a black shirt and tight boxer shorts. I also noticed that her hair was wet. Hot mess, he just got out of shower! I grinned.
"Looking good, baby," I said happily. "Aren't you going to let me in?"
He frowned. "No. You're not allowed to enter my room."
"Just for a moment?"
"Go away!" He slammed the door shut.
Plan B.
"Ouch! Ouch! My fingers!" I screamed while holding my fingers.
The door opened and Apollo's worried eyes met mine. "I'm sorry! I didn't notice!"
He pulled me in and sat me down on a long sofa.
"My fingers!" I faked crying and almost died from the guilt I felt.
He took a handkerchief and hurriedly placed the ice cubes in it. He quickly ran to me. He knelt before me.
"Let me look at it! I'm really—"
I quickly reached his neck and kissed his lips. He pushed me and stood up. He couldn't believe what I had done.
"There... it doesn't hurt anymore."
His chin clenched. "You liar. Damn it. Do you know what you've done?"
"Yep. I caught you. You haven’t seen all my tricks yet."
"I'm trying not to get too close to you because you might lure me again. Leave as long as I can stop myself. I don't want what happened last night at the airport to happen," He said strongly.
"Have you eaten dinner yet? Do you want me to cook you porkchop?"
His eyes darkened with irritation. I was about to speak but I heard his phone ring. He took it and his expression immediately changed.
"Tallia?" He turned his back on me while talking to her.
It was as if a needle had pierced my heart. His affection for Tallia is still alive.
"I told you not to cry when I'm with you... Cebu... Zander? What do you mean? Please calm down a little, I'm getting worried."
He opened the balcony door and went out. I hid on the edge of the wall to hear their conversation.
"So, he left, huh? He left again... if you'll approve, I can take his place, Tallia. I will take care of you." His voice was soft and gentle. "Yes... I did tell you that..."
The pain is because the love I want to get from Apollo is given to others.
"I could book a flight right now just to hug and console you, Tallia... Yes, I will." When he put the cell phone away from his ear, I immediately ran to the living room and pretended to be watching a television show.
I was surprised when he took the bag and arranged his things.
"Apollo..." I called him but he ignored me. I got closer and held his shoulder. "What are you doing?"
"I will book a flight back to Manila tomorrow morning."
"But you have a week off."
"She needs me."
"No, Apollo. You think she needs you."
He looked at me intently. I sat on the bed and put my palms together. I don't know if it will be angry with what I say.
"Apollo, don't go," I said softly, begging. "You're not the one she needs, Apollo. No matter what you do, she won't love you the way you want."
"You shut your f-cking mouth, Hannah. Don't make me mad."
"She's just a selfish b***h!" I snapped.
He stopped and faced me. "What did you say? Did I hear it right?"
"It's the truth. She'll only look for you when Zander isn't there, right? You haven't noticed? She has a bad habit of calling you when she's alone. You're just his substitute."
"Hannah, I warned you."
"You are just Zander's substitute. When he comes back, Tallia will just dump you again!"
"Hannah, shut up!" His voice thundered.
"You're angry because it's true! You know, but you just don't want to make it a reality! Because you love him so much!" I let my emotions pour out.
"You do not understand!"
"We're just the same, we both waste time on people who just trash us! So don't say I don't understand!"
"No matter what you say, you can't stop me from coming back."
"Then what about me?" I asked boldly.
He smirked at me. "What about you? I don't give a sh-t.”
- Writer
