One Lost Summer (Brave Series #2)

Chapter 7: Grale

Ashton Grale Buenavista

"These are lots of boxes. Where exactly are we heading?" Grale asked as he put down another box on the back of this white van.

"Makikita mo rin pagkarating natin do'n mamaya," she answered him with a smile after that.

Grale only stared at Majarlika for brief seconds before shrugging his shoulders. He then returned from lifting boxes with the help of Carlo. He learned that the boy had been her personal helper in the resort. 

"Are you coming with us?" He asked him as he lifted another box.

"Ay hindi po, sir. Madalas lang po talaga na si ma'am Maja ang magisang nagpupunta ro'n. Pero huwag po kayong mag alala kasi may tutulong naman po sa inyo ro'n magbaba nitong mga box," Carlo answered politely.

He's actually not minding about lifting those boxes. They're not that heavy at all. He's just really wondering where they'd go this early. It's still eight in the morning.

He signaled the boy to come close to him. Nagtataka pa ang lalaki kaya ginamit na ni Grale ang kanyang daliri upang sabihan itong lumapit sa kanya. Sumunod naman ito pagkaraang makuha ang ibig niyang sabihin.

"Do you have any idea where we're going?" He whispered to him.

Majarlika's just meters away from them and she's conversing with Joan, the manager.

Ngumiti lang ang binata at tinignan siya. "Opo, pero secret raw po, e. Baka po bigwasan ako ni ma'am Maja kapag sinabi ko sa inyo."

"Does she do that to you?"

"Ay naku hindi po!" Mabilis nitong bawi nang umiiling. "Joke lang po 'yon, sir. Sa hinhin po niyang si ma'am sa tingin niyo po ba kaya niyang manakit ng ganito kalaking tao? Parang imposible naman po 'yon."

He thought so.

Grale's eyes trailed to Majarlika. She's wearing a white satin floral top with split flutter sleeves tucked inside a baby pink tulle skirt close to reaching her ankle. Her shoulder length hair is neatly arranged on her back.

Carlo's right. This girl doesn't seem to be capable of hurting anyone physically, more so intentionally.

Pagkalapag ni Carlo ng huling box ay isinara na ni Grale ang compartment ng van na gagamitin nila ngayong araw. Nagpasalamat siya kay Carlo at ganoon din ito pagkatapos ay umalis na.

Siya namang lapit ni Majarlika sa direksyon niya.

"Let's go?" She smiled at him.

Tumango lang si Grale bilang sagot. Pero sabay silang natigilan nang pareho pa silang dalawa na tinutungo ang driver's seat. Nagtaasan pa silang dalawa ng kilay at naghihintay kung sino ang unang bibigay.

"Let me drive," he offered his palm for the key.

She chuckled, "Okay."

They were quiet for the first several minutes inside the van. Maja was just instructing him in the right direction that he obeyed intently.

"So, you met Carlo."

Nilingon ni Grale ang dalaga saglit bago sumagot, "Yeah. He said he was your personal assistant."

She nodded. "Just when I'm visiting the resort."

"You don't stay in the resort?" Grale asked.

Umiling ito. "Tuwing summer lang. Kumanan ka riyan sa kanto, then nandoon na tayo."

He nodded as he obliged her. The van stopped in front of a huge gate painted in blue with a white walls surrounding the lot. May tinawagan saglit ang dalaga sa telepono pagkatapos ay bumukas na ang gate.