Consequences

Consequences 007

Flint's POV:

“That is the last time I’m letting you use my car.” Malamig na saad nito sa kaniyang kapatid at pinagpag ang inayos ang pagkakatupi ng blazer sa kaniyang braso. Mukhang galing siya sa kaniyang trabaho dahil nakasuot pa siya ng black na loongsleeves at necktie. He then turned his head to me, and he looked like he was surprised to see me there. Pero saglit lamang iyon kaya hindi rin ako sigurado.

“And who is this fine lady?” I turned to Elias, who is now beside me, twirling my hair around his finger. He gave me his signature smile and roamed his eyes on my face.

“Elias.” Tawag sakaniya ng kaniyang kapatid. Nagtaka ako kung bakit wala manlang kuya ang pagtawag sakaniya na para bang mas may awtoridad siya kesa sa kuya.

“What?” Mahihimigan ang inis sa kaniyang tono, pero nanatili ang ngiti niya sa kaniyang mga labi. Mas tumalim ang tingin ko rito nang ilapit niya ang kaniyang mukha. He inhaled deeply and sighed in contentment. “God, you smell so nice. What’s your name?”

“Elias I said stop.” Edrix warned and took a step forward. Elias’ smile was gone and he gave his brother a glare. Binitawan na rin niya ang buhok ko at tumayo nang tuwid. He also took a step forward, meeting his brothers’ gaze. I can feel the tension thick in the air. I looked at Mr. Santos but he just gave me a ‘told-you-so’ look.

“What? You c**kblocker?” Elias said, his voice low and his fists clenched to his sides.

“F*ck off, El. She’s off limits.” Edrix said and pushed his brother away. He started to walk towards their father and gave him something. He threw his brother a look that I don’t get. They were staring at each other as if they’re talking through their eyes. Maya maya ay bumuga ng hangin si Elias na tila di makapaniwala nung nakuha niya ang gusting sabihin ng kapatid niya.

“Well sh*t.” He says as he threw his hands up in the air. Dere-deretsong pumasok si Elias sa loob ng bahay at hindi na lumingon pa uli. Napatingin ako kay Edrix at kay Mr. Santos pero may pinag-uusapan na silang iba. Weird talaga ng pamilyang ‘to.

“Dad. You wanna tell me something?” Edrix asked his father and threw me a quick look. Napatingin din si Mr. Santos saakin.

“Ah, right. Edrix, this is Flint. The woman I’ve been telling you. She’ll be your personal bodyguard. I hope it’s okay with you that—“

“Okay.” Maikling sagot niya at muli akong tinapunan ng tingin. Mukhang nagulat ang tatay niya sa mabilis niyang sagot pero agad ding nakabawi at muling ngumiti.

“Well, that’s new. You never agreed before with this—“

“You’re not gonna stop until I say yes, so fine.” Sagot niya at nagkibit balikat lamang. Nagkatinginan lang kami ni Mr. Santos habang siya naman ay naglakad papasok ng bahay. Sinenyasan ako ni Mr. Santos kaya napatango nalang ako at sinundan siya.

“I believe my father already introduced me to you, but let me do it properly.” He says, stopping at his track to face me. He extended his hand as he speaks. “I’m Edrix Santos.”

“I’m Flint. Haven. Flint Haven.” I introduced myself and accepted his hand. We shook hands then he continued walking towards his office.

“I don’t know what my father told you but let me clear some things. You can’t—“

“Be seen with you, especially if you’re working. I’ll only show myself when and only when needed.” Pagtutuloy ko sa gusto niyang sabihin. He threw me a glance, slowly nodding. “I’ll just do my job quietly, sir.”

“Don’t. Don’t call me with any honorifics please. I’m tired of hearing that my whole life.” He says and chuckles. I only nodded and continued following him. Nang makarating na kami sa kaniyang opisina ay inabot ko ang doorknob bago niya pa iyon mahawakan at pinagbuksan siya ng pinto. Napailing na lamang siya at naunang pumasok.

“Make yourself at home while you’re here. Madalang nga lang tayong mags-stay rito. I believe you know why, yes?” He sat on his swivel chair and motioned for me to take the sofa. I sat down there and roamed my eyes around his office.

“Yes, sir—I mean Edrix.” Hindi ako komportableng tawagin lang sa pangalan ang boss ko ngayon, pero mukhang natuwa naman siya nang gawin ko iyon. So I’m taking that as something I did right.

“You’re probably wondering bakit narito ang magaling kong…kapatid.” He stood up and walked towards a cabinet where the whiskey bottle is displayed. He opened it and pour himself a glass. I took that opportunity to roam my eyes around again. “I went out late, my boss wanted to talk to me about something. And then I just saw him waiting for me at the garage.”

I saw two doors at the other end of the room. One must lead to the bathroom, but what about the other one?

“I’m working at TS Co. My boss, he’s a very serious man.” He continued talking about his work. Puro tango at maikling ‘oh’ ang naging sagot ko sakaniya habang patuloy ang paggala ng mga mata ko. “Oh, maybe you heard of him. If I read your file correctly you and him attended the same school.”

My gaze went back on him and I found him watching me, staring. I sat straight and cleared my throat.

“Really? Who is he?” I asked. Hindi ko masyadong inintindi yung part na sinabi niyang binasa niya ang file ko dahil siguro binigay sakaniya iyon ng kaniyang ama beforehand or something.

“His name is Lyle Sanchez. You know him?” He asked, still staring at me. Watching how I would react, or maybe there’s just something on my face that made him stare at me like that.

“Hmm. Lyle Sanchez?” I repeated. He nodded and took a sip from his drink. He offered me his glass but I shook my head. “I remember someone that goes by Sanchez, but I’m not sure about the first name.”

“Hmm. Well I guess you’ll remember him when the time comes. Or something.” He said as he shrugged his shoulders. “Anyways, I heard you’re not a stay-in? DO you need a ride back home?”

“Oh, yeah. I need to help my mom with her business, and I can’t really leave her all alone.” I said and looked at my wristwatch. My shift’s about to end in 2 hours. It’s now 4 pm.

“You can go now if you want. I’m not planning on going anywhere.” He said and motioned for me to go. I was hesitant at first and tried to tell him that I’ll wait until the end of my shift but he insisted.

“Well, if that’s what you want, Edrix. Here, just call me if you ever change your mind and wanna go somewhere.” I said and gave him my phone number. He nodded and took the piece of paper.

“Take care, Haven.” Tanging tango lang ang sagot ko sakaniya bago lumabas ng kaniyang opisina. Nagpaalam na rin ako kay Mr. Santos na busy magkape at magbasa ng kung ano sa magazine na hawak niya. I showed myself out and went home.

On my way out of the village I saw Elias smoking under a tree. I was planning on passing him quietly pero masyadong matalas ata ang pakiramdam niya. Nang makita niya ako ay agad niyang tinapon ang sigarilyo at tinapakan.

“You going home?” He asked. I gave him a small nod and continued walking. “Take care, Ms. Haven. There are a lot of monsters out there.” He said with a chuckle. Akala ko ay lulubayan na niya ko pero late ko nang na-realize na katabi ko na siya at sinasabayan ako sa paglalakad. I gave him a sharp look and doubled my pace. He just effortlessly caught up with me. Sa haba ba naman ng bias niya malamang hindi talaga siya mahihirapang sabayan ako kahit triplehin ko pa ang bilis ng hakbang ko.

“Leave me alone, Elias.” I said coldly and ignored his offer to give me a ride.

“Oh, but I can’t. Especially if I know there are lots of monsters roaming around.” He says as he touches my hair. He’s somehow fond of my hair that he can’t stop and keep his hands to himself.

“Yeah. Monsters like you.” Napatigil ako sa paglalakad nang biglang nasa harapan ko na siya at nakaharang sa dadaanan ko. He held my chin and made me look at him. Even with my shoes I still have to look up at him because of our height difference.

“Believe me miss, the monsters I know are far more worse than me.”