III
Despite of seeing nothing but plain black, pinakikiramdaman ni Kay si Leighton. He was so sure there is something going on.
Leighton looked more forbidding than usual—he is like that when provoked onto something. Perhaps Morris had to do with this?
That's definitely it, Kay thought. Maybe that sick bastard slipped something about their meeting earlier, or anything that could pull Leighton's strings.
As much as Kay wanted to get even, he can't possibly use whatever Morris told him during their lunch. It's not something he would exploit.
Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas at huminto ang sasakyan. Narinig ni Kay na binuksan ni Leighton ang pinto ng kotse kahit hindi pa nito pinapatay ang makina. Sumunod niyang narinig ay ang pagbukas ng pinto sa gilid niya.
A hand forcefully grabbed his arm and almost dragged him out of the car. Still, Kay remained silent.
He could hear murmurs. Leighton is talking to someone, about parking the car. From there, he already had an inkling idea as to where Leighton brought him.
Iniisip ba ni Leighton na aalis siya kapag nalaman niya kung nasaan sila? Muli, sinali lang niya ang mga iniisip niya.
Wala naman siyang balak umalis kaya aalisin na sana niya ang kanyang blindfold pero pinigilan siya ni Leighton. Hinila siya nito patungo sa kung saan.
He was motioned through a semi-enclosed space and the surface in front of him moves as he took steps forward—that he was sure it was some kind of a revolving door.
"Where's she?" Narinig niyang itinanong ni Leighton kung kaninuman ngunit hindi na niya narinig ang sagot. Hinila na naman siya ni Leighton. He was tired of it. Sa susunod, papalag na siya at aalisin na ang blindfold.
Lumabas sila pero hindi na sa revolving door kundi sa isang bi-swing. Small grasses stung his ankle as they exited. They're probably heading for a lawn or a garden—the latter could be exact because of the fragrant scent of flowers wafting in the air. The moment Leighton made him stop, inalis na rin nito ang piring sa mga mata niya.
The afternoon sun met Kay. He squinted hard for his eyes to be able to adjust to the lighting soon as possible.
He was standing beside Leighton. In front of them, was a pretty lady in her early forties, holding a sprinkler, wearing a surprised look.
Siya rin ay nagulat nang hawakan ni Leighton ang kamay niya. "Mom, I'd like you to meet someone."
Kay didn't resist but he sighed. "Eight, she knows me."
Hindi nagpakita ng gulat si Leighton nang tingnan siya nito. "Ano pa ba ang mga ginawa niyo ni Morris na hindi ko alam?!"
Confused, lumapit sa kanila ang Mama ni Leighton. "Wait, what's this, baby? M-Magkakilala kayo? I thought—"
"—Shut up, Ma, I'm not talking to you!" Leighton snapped.
It was Kay who squeezed Leighton's hand. "Don't talk to her like that!"
"Fine!" Leighton took few more step closer to his Mom without letting go of Kay's hand. "It's fine if you two already knew each other, Ma. Then I could easily tell you that he's mine and I want to keep him. Marry him—if that's possible."
Parang aatakihin ang Mama niya sa narinig nito. Sapo na nito ang dibdib. "B-But baby..."
Bumitaw si Kay kay Leighton at inalalayan nito ang ginang. He sternly looked at Leighton. "We can't."
"Why not?!" Hamong tanong sa kanya ni Leighton.
"I'll soon be an adopted son of your Mom and Dad. I'll be your older brother."
