The Lollipop Project [Gen L Society #1]

Chapter 14

Drugged

The moment I opened my eyes the next day, I was welcomed by a distinct scent of waterlily. Teka, nasa gubat ba ako?

Shaking my head, I stretched myself up in bed. Okay, so nasa kama ako. Pagtingin ko sa paligid, napansin ko ang puting pader sa buong kwarto. May isang wardrobe sa gilid at may dresser sa tapat ng kama. Kita ko ang pagkalito sa aking mukha habang nakatingin ako sa salamin sa aking harap.

I was definitely not in my room.

Agad akong tumayo at nagtungo sa labas ng kwarto. Sinundan ko ang amoy ng pancakes hanggang sa makarating ako sa kusina kung saan may nakita akong isang figure ng lalaki.

My jaw dropped the moment I realized his all-black outfit. Even with his back facing me, I could tell that it was him.

"You're awake? How was your sleep?"

Hindi na ako nakaalis pa nang magsalita ang lalaki. Tumalikod na rin siya kaya nagtama ang tingin namin habang may hawak siyang frying pan. May suot pala siyang puting apron kaya nagmukha siyang cute na chef.

I shook my head at that thought. Composing myself, I asked him, "Ano'ng pinainom mo sa akin? At bakit dinala mo ako dito sa bahay mo?"

"Koleen, anak..."

Napatigil ako sa narinig kong mahinang boses mula sa aking likuran. Turning around, I saw a familiar petite woman walking towards my direction. "Ma? Ano'ng ginagawa niyo dito?"

"Anak, kumain ka na muna bago tayo mag-usap," my mother's voice remained calm despite my tone.

"Ano ang sasabihin ninyo? Na kayong dalawa ng lalaking ito?" I glanced at the guy in apron, whose eyes were also directed at me.

"Konstant, just let your mom talk," Jalen reprimanded me.

I shook my head. Akala ba niya madidiktahan niya ako? "No! I'm not staying. I don't have to listen to any of your explanations. This is absurd!"

Without any hesitation, I walked away from them, closing the door hard behind me. Hindi pa man ako nakakalayo sa hallway, narinig ko ang mga yapak na humahabol sa aking likuran.

"Konstant, wait!"

Hindi ako tumigil sa paglakad. Tuloy-tuloy lang ako hanggang sa maramdaman ko ang paghawak niya sa aking kamay.

"I'm sorry," Jalen hushed, making me turn to face him. His eyes glistened as he stared at me.

I exhaled a breath, squinting at him. "Plinano mo ba ang lahat ng ito? Kaya mo ako pinainom ng drugs o kung ano man ang nilagay mo sa tubig mo?"

Staring at me with his gray eyes, he spoke again, "I added a sedative in my drink. It's for my insomnia. I can stay awake for days without sleeping if I don't take that medication."

I swallowed hard. Hindi ko naisip na may ganun pala siya. Mukha naman kasi siyang laging energetic sa tuwing nakikita ko siya. Parang hindi kulang sa tulog.

"Believe it or not, I didn't plan any of this. I was trying to call your friends, so I can drop you off at your apartment, but none of them were picking up. And then, your dad told me he was still on duty, so I had to drive you here to your mom's place, where I know you'll be the safest."

Tahimik lang ako habang pinoproseso ko ang mga sinabi niya.

"I'm really sorry. I wasn't thinking when I gave it to you."

Before I could even reply again, my phone beeped inside my jeans pocket. Kinuha ko ito at nakita ang ilang messages galing sa kaibigan ko.

Hailey David: