Flickered By Innocence (Crossing The Line Series 4) ✅

F.B.I-23

"Hello baby! Bakit ang tagal mong sagutin? Pati ba naman sa tawag, matagal mo akong sagutin?" Aaron sulked.

I rolled my eyes before I stood up from my chair. Opening the glass window, I leaned towards the balcony of my office. It's now afternoon, so the breeze of the air will help me get through this long conversation.

"Sorry Aaron, medyo... busy kasi dito sa resort," I huffed.

I heard Aaron gasp. "W-why? What happened? Do you want me to go there now?

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Hindi ba may flight ka mamayang 5 pm? Gusto mo yatang sermonan ka ulit ng Chief mo hanggang madaling araw?"

Aaron is now a head pilot on Air Asia. I never thought that he would really become one when he said it six years ago. I don't know when he started courting me, so I was shocked when he asked me before if we were finally official. Being single for 21 years, I never feel alone. That's why I don't feel the need to have someone as a partner. I have my family and my friends, which I call the Rainbow Squad, and I'm still hoping for someone to come back to fulfill his promise.

He chuckled awkwardly. "Oo nga pala. Sorry, nakalimutan ko. I'm just worried about you. If you can't handle the stress, just let me know, okay? Let me take you somewhere."

"Talaga?! Sige, gusto kong pumunta sa Disneyland, Walt Disney, and Lego Land!" I babbled excitedly.

"Wait! Wait!" He scoffed. "Baby, isa-
isa lang. Ang dami mo naman gustong puntahan. Nung last time na nagpunta tayo, mas sweet ka pa kay Mickey Mouse. Hindi mo na nga ako napapansin..."

"Huh? Is holding your hand throughout our trip not enough? I'm also allowing you to call me baby even though I hate it." I uttered nervously.

I gaped in disbelief upon hearing him let out a playful laugh. "Hindi ka pa rin nagbabago. Ang bilis mo pa ring maniwala. I'm just kidding. No need to feel anxious, baby."

"You know what? Hindi na pala ako sasama sa 'yo. Goodbye! Hmp!" I frustratedly yell before ending the call.

 
Hindi pa ako nakakabalik sa aking lamesa ay muli na naman akong nakatanggap ng tawag. I grabbed a scoop of my hair, now on the verge of losing my patience. I could hear monsters howling in my brain, but I needed to keep calm as that is what other mature people do.

"Ano na naman 'yon, Aaron? Kung aasarin mo lang ako ulit, hindi na nakakatuwa." I said in a monotone.

"Ghorl, w-wag mo sabihing... k-kayo na ni Aaron?! Hindi pwede! I mean, wag muna."

I checked the screen and covered my mouth upon seeing the name of Kyle, who's now calling. I sounded irritated, so I hope he didn't notice. It seems like he's much more interested in me and Aaron than the reason why he called.

"Hindi kami, okay? Alam niyo naman kung gaano ako ka-busy dito sa resort. Wala akong panahon sa mga ganyan." I lazily mumbled.

Kyle tsked. "Good! Huwag ka munang magjo-jowa, baka maunahan mo pa ako. Anyway, you sounded stressed. Mind going to a club nearby? They just recently opened and it looks promising!"

"Club? Di ba pang-mature 'yon? Sige, sama ako! Sawa na ako tawaging baby..." Agad kong kinuha ang aking sporty mini bag at naglakad palabas ng office.

Binaba ko rin agad ang tawag nung makita si Mom na kausap ang isa sa mga staffs ng resort. Tumigil muna ako saglit at hinintay silang matapos bago lumapit. I hugged her waist, hoping she would soften for me.

Mom's lips formed a smirk. "Hula ko, may gusto ka na namang shoes, tama ba ako?"

"Mommy, wala po. Gusto lang kitang lambingin. Ayaw mo na ba sa cute mong baby, hmmm?" I pouted my lips.

She shook her head. Amusement was evident in her face. "Of course not! Why would I dislike my precious baby? Now, tell me, what's the cause of your sudden sweetness, Zein Alexis?"

I stood up straight and showed her the time on my phone. "Mommy, I'll be... hanging out with my friends and promise to be back before 10 pm."

She crossed her arms over her chest, raising one of her brows. "Hapon pa lang naman tapos gabi ka na uuwi? Tatawagan ko si Mang Noel."

I nervously raised my voice before she made the call. "No, mommy! I'll just book a cab since Mang Noel is tired too." I used my index finger and touched her arm. "Wag mo akong isumbong kay Daddy, please?"

Bumuntong hininga siya bago ako bigyan nang pilit na ngiti. "Do you know that your cuteness is your greatest strength, my baby? Looks like I don't have a choice but to agree if you're being so clingy."

"You're the best mommy ever!" I kissed her on the cheek before I ran out of the cabin.

Nagpahatid ako sa taxi papunta kila Ezra dahil doon daw magkikita-kita bago dumiretso sa club. Namamanhid na ang pang-upo ko dahil halos dalawang oras ang biyahe simula Laguna hanggang Makati. Dumagdag pa ang traffic kaya mas lalo kaming natagalan.

"Zein, it's been a long time. You still look fabulous!" Pambobola sa akin ni Tita Maureen na Mom ni Ezra pagkatapos kong magmano.

Nagmano din ako kay Tito Christian nung lumapit ito sa akin. "Sigurado ba talaga kayo nila Kyle na ayaw niyong mag-modelling? Sigurado akong pag-aagawan kayo ng mga talent agencies kung nagkataon."

My eyes widened "P-pag-aagawan? M-mas lalong ayoko na pong sumali. Baka po... masaktan kami. I'm not a good fighter po and I hate war, tito."

Napatakip ng mukha si Tito Christian habang si Tita Maureen ay tumawa nang malakas. Tumawa nalang din ako gaya ng nakasanayan. Our laughter filled the living room, which my friends probably heard when they went down the stairs. I just followed them as they guided me towards the bedroom.

I was shocked when Kyle made me sit on the vanity chair. In front of me is a huge, flashy mirror. There are makeup palettes, brushes, and some products that I'm not familiar with. My hands tightly gripped the stool edge when Ezra held my chin to make me focus on his face.

"The guards won't let you in if you have this baby face, Zein. Trust me, we will make you look... mature, just like what you wanted." Ezra assured me before they get started.

 

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