Stranded with a Cold Hearted Billionaire (MBBC#6

2. Dirt

Linus Leone

"Are you ready to chase the stars on the other side of the world?" Xavion's smirked at me, and I simply shook my head.

"I'm not gonna chase the stars, bro. Because they're gonna damn chase me." I let a short laugh out.

"Yep, I know you. The typical introvert, no man is an Island," he added and chuckled.

"Take care, bro. Send my regards to Enzo in Sorrento. And if worst comes to worst, push the red line."

"Yes, no sweat, man. Thank you!"

I ball my fist and bump it to his fist. He pat my shoulder and I smirked. Ganito na talaga kami ni Xavion. Tonight will be the last night for a catch up and a drink. Ilang bote na rin ang naubos ko at kalahating gabi na. Kailangan ko pang magmaneho ng iilang oras mula rito patungo sa kung nasaan ang yate ko.

"Are you bound for Palawan? Or Taytay?" Xavion asked.

"Taytay, bro. I will get all my stuff ready, and then I will start my voyage."

"Good. All the best!" tugon niya.

We kept talking until it was time for me to go. I'm using my Land Cruiser, and I tow a trailer behind it. I have most of the stuff I need to load on the ship. I will drive a few more hours to my destination and then on to a ferry bound for Taytay. It's almost two o'clock in the morning when I stop at the wet market, closer to where the pile of rubbish is.

Lumabas ako ng sasakyan dahil nakita ko si Manong Tan sa gilid. He stayed most of the time here, near the pile where the garbage was dropped by trucks. Namumulot siya rito. 

He's sick, and it becomes a hobbit for him to come here every Friday early morning to check on the pile of rubbish.

"Manong Tan!" I called him, and he looked at me.

"L-Linus? Anak!" Yumakap agad siya sa akin. Amoy ko ang masangsang na amoy rito, pero sanay na ako.

"May ibibigay ako sa'yo, Tay." Tipik ko sa balikat niya.

Umikot agad ako at binuksan ang malaking trailer ko sa likod. Kinuha ko mula sa loob ang iilang pagkain at gamit na ibibigay ko sa kanya. Iniwan ko lang din itong bukas dahil may ililipat ako na gamit na nasa likod ng sasakyan ko.

"Matagal pa bago ako makakabalik dito, Tay." Sabay bigay ko nito sa kanya. Napatingin siya nito at mukhang may minamatyan siya sa likurang bahagi ko. Napatingin na ako. Walang ibang tao at madilim. Kami lang din dalawa ang nandito.

"Thank you, son. Are you going for a world tour again?" Pamaywang na tugon niya at malawak ang ngiti nito.

Tumango na ako. "Oo, Tay. Kaya matatagalan pa ang balik ko. Iwasan mo na rin ang pagpunta rito, Tay. Hindi maganda sa kalusugan mo."

"My health? I'm a tough old man, son. I have an iron body with a golden heart," Bahan yang tawa Niya.

Napailing na ako at natawa na. Manong Tan is not an ordinary beggar. He's got a big mansion and I knew his family so well. He speak so fluent but his mental health gave up on him. May sakit lang siya sa utak at pabalik-balik ang punta niya sa bahaging ito, ganitong araw at ganitong oras lang naman. Papa and him were close buddies during their time. He suffer a mild dementia and part of his memory always takes him on this alley. Kaya madalas siya rito.

I looked around the area and I saw two of his body guards on a distance, away from him. They're silently watching him and following him. Sa ganitong pamamaraan lang nagagawa ng mga anak niya na mamatyagan siya. He's stubborn and ruthless. Hindi nakakalapit ang mga tauhan niya sa kanya, kaya hinahayaan na siya nito.