The Voyage Back Home

XI

Venice's POV

"Ba-bye, Ate Venice! Ba-bye, Kuya CAP!" Masiglang sambit ni Gel sabay sakay sa motor ng Kuya Adrian niya. I waved back at her and looked at Adrian. The guy did not act the way I expected him to do. Of course, with no doubt, he knew I was Venice Rosette De Guzman, the ex-boss of his father. The one who made his father lose his source of income. I presumed he would give me death stares, clenching of jaws, and all those small gestures to express hatred but, no. Adrian smiled genuinely and nodded as a goodbye.

Gayun paman, his eyebags told me about his tiresome life lately. I don't want to assume that it's related to Gel and her treament for gastric cancer but truly it could possibly be the reason. Siguro nagtratrabaho rin siya nang todo tulad ni Mang Tandy. D*mn it.

I admit it. May mali ako and I'm going to pay for her treatment.

"Kailan ko ba makakausap si Mang Tandy? I'd like to meet him," I uttered.

"Parang free naman siya tuwing Saturday. Bakit?" He asked.

"I...I'd like to apologize and assist them financially sa treatment ni Gel." Tinignan ko siya and he seemed so stunned.

"Paki-ulit nga, Miss Venice? Nabingi ako saglit," he added.

"D*mn you," I smirked.

"Mabuting bagay yung narinig ko kanina hindi mura," sambit niya.

"Narinig mo naman pala. Why do I have to reiterate?"

"Sinisigurado ko lang naman. Pero seryoso, salamat, Miss Venice," he added. I don't know how to react so I merely nodded.

"Tara," Caspian uttered.

"Saan?"

"Sa condominium building mo? Ihahatid na kita. May iba ka bang ni-expect na lugar, Miss Venice?"

"I was just asking. Baka lang dalhin mo pa ako sa ibang lugar. You're unpredictable," I defended. Napakapit-bisig ako and looked away.

"Aba, Miss Venice. Dinala lang kita rito para marelax ka naman. Baka mamaya nag-eexpect ka na ng date?" Napailing-iling naman siya.

"No, I'm not! Who do you think are you para magexpect ako ng date? You are nothing but my driver," I faced him and looked at him from head to toe.

"Wala naman. Mabuti lang yung klaro," wika niya. I rolled my eyes. Sobra na ang kahanginan niya, ha.

"Baka mamaya gigising nalang ako nang may gusto kana sa akin. Tsk, tsk,"

"How dare you?!"

"Mga 100%? 100% daring ako, Miss Venice," ani Caspian.

"Isa nalang, Caspian. I will really strangle you to death!" I shouted at him. He stepped back and held his neck as if he was defending himself. Napatawa rin siya pagkatapos.

"De, ito ang seryoso." Inayos niya ang sarili at naging seryoso na rin ang tono ng pananalita. Kapag ganito pa naman ang nangyayari, it signifies sincerity of the topic.

"Huwag na huwag kang magkakaroon ng feelings sa akin. Hindi ito kahanginan o kung ano. Kailangan nating itatak sa isip ng isa't isa na boss kita at driver mo ako. Hanggang diyan lang ang lahat," he uttered.