Sitio Series 3: Scheming List

Chapter 43

“Are you okay? Didn't the food fit your taste buds? Do you want to order or switch mine?” Clasper worried voice echoed on my ears, napansin siguro nito ang pagtigil ko sa pagkain. “Are you sick?” Anito at sinalat-salat pa ang aking noo.

“N-Namamalik mata ba ako? It wasn't a baseless rumors after all,” Xerxes sounded disappointed.

Van chuckled. “Dude,” and did a weird hand gestures.

Xerxes brows knitted. “Fuck off it’s not my problem.”

“But you'll help eventually.” Vin answered instead of Van.

“I won't, too busy to solve my problems.” Xerxes said.

“Oh, you mean your love life who's in bottom line. Uhoh, Xerxes dude it's okay if Architect Galatea won't love you back atleast you won't die virgin.” Ven teased him.

At mukhang epektado dahil mabilis na nagbago ang timpla ni Xerxes. He glared the triplets, ibang-iba sa Xerxes na laging maharot at mabasa sa mga tao. “Stop making fun of other's horrible past.” His cold voice was menacing enough to sent a shiver on my spine. “May I remind you that jokes are supposed to be funny. ”

I felt the awkward atmosphere, do I need to get out of here? Para akong sinasakal sa ganitong ambiance. Kinalabit ko si Clasper, umiling lang ito pahiwatig na kumain na lamang ako ng mabuti at hayaan ang apat na mag-away. Really?

“Sorry, my fault.” Ani Ven. “Let’s drink my treat as a sign of apology.” Walang sumagot pero kapansin-pansin ang mas magaan na aura sa hapag.

Wala naman akong ginawa kundi ang kumain at maupo sa tabi ni Clasper pero daig ko pa ang maghapong nagtrabaho sa construction site sa sobrang pagod. The dinner, thankfully ended normal I thought war will start or whatever. I stretched my hand  as I waited for Viech and Clasper who picked our van on the parking lot.

Nasa harap ako ng restaurant habang naghihintay then I saw Xerxes who's facing forward and backward repeatedly I wasn't eavesdropping on purpose it just that I the distance was light that I can actually hear his conversation.

“Tangina hindi bakit ba kasi hindi ka nalang magpakita,” inis nitong sabi sa kausap sa cellphone. “Malay ko ba kung totoo o hindi. Abogado ako ‘di reporter o ano kung gusto mong malaman ikaw mismo magtanong.” Anito. Pinanood ko ang mga reaksyon nito habang naghihintay kina Clasper.
“Malay ko ba?! My brother and that man are connected to each other. Alam mo naman kung anong trabaho ang ginagalawan nila, you know that they can hide even someone's deepest secret so it's not really suprising if the rumors are true besides there is a ring, you hear me? A ring! A diamond one!”

What? Is he talking about me––––

A honk startled me. “Dorothy.” Clasper walked towards me as he lend me his coat. “You’ll get sick, let's go home.” He said and held my hands tightly.

I smiled. “Yeah, let's go home.”

Can I really call it a home? A place that I can return?

______________

The next day... “Fuck, I wanna die.” I murmured, “do I have to attend this event? I'm hiatus for drama projects so I hope I'll get a vacation.” I complained at Viech who's completely clueless. “Viech!” I called his name. Hindi ito umimik nanatili lamang nakatayo sa gilid ng tent, nagbabantay. “Why would Clasper thinking hiring a robot for a guard.” I said to myself.

A stiff man like him will have a trouble finding a woman someday. Of course I don't have the heart to step on a situation that will only cause as both pain and hatred that's why I don't have the plans to interfere on someone's life.