The Case of Adelaide (S1)

xv. in dire straits

-in a very serious, very bad situation.

15

Homer looks confused, on the other hand, I'm panicking on the inside.

Suddenly, I had a flashback of that night. The night when someone tried to assassinate me with poison. . . 

I can clearly smell the waiter. He has the same smell as Homer.

I looked at him. Hindi nalalayo ang tangkad namin, katulad ng pagkakaalala ko sa waiter.

Is it just a coincidence? 

"A pomegranate?" pag-uulit ni Homer sa sinabi ko, nagtataka. "Is that some kind of fruit?"

Inamoy niya ang sarili niya. "I didn't notice, you have a great sense of smell, Lady Harlotte!" He smiled.

I can't match his enthusiasm, unlike before. I'm completely on guard.

"Ha. . . kailan ka nga ulit nagtrabaho sa manor?" tanong ko. "I remember you said that you've been in the Adelaide's for a w-while. . ."

I'm so stupid, I should've noticed!

Homer really looks innocently confused. Puzzled why I'm suddenly asking these questions. "Hmm, I think around. . ."

"Four weeks ago."

My face stared at him, in utter shock. I can see myself, pupil shrank. May kung ano akong naramdaman sa sikmura ko, gusto kong masuka. Mabilis akong napahawak sa tyan at bibig ko. Napayuko ako.

"L-Lady Harlotte!" Nagmamadaling lumapit sa 'kin si Homer, huli na bago ko siya masenyasan na huminto dahil tuluyan na siyang nakalapit sa 'kin.

"Are you okay?" Marahan niya 'kong hinawakan.

Hindi ako makasagot.

Calm down, Harlotte! Don't overthink! Don't come up to conclusions just yet!-

Biglang humigpit ang pagkahahawak sa 'kin ni Homer na nagpahinto sa iniisip ko. Natatabunan ako ng anino niya nang dahan-dahan kong inangat ang ulo ko para magtama ang mga mata namin.

"Do you. . . remember something, Lady Harlotte?"

My expression darkened, seeing his smile fade for the first time. It weirded me out, but I can't seem to make out why. Maybe because of the way Homer is staring at me, with his reddish eyes that I didn't notice minutes ago. Maybe it's because his hands were cold, or maybe because how his whole aura change in just a split second.

Nagkabuhol-buhol ang nasa isip ko, pero agad akong umarte. I faked a smile, which I'm sure is pretty obvious.

"H-Huh? What are you talking about, Homer?" I asked. "I just felt nauseous, maybe because of the tea that I drank at Sir Tony's house." I chuckled.

Tinitigan niya 'ko ng ilang segundo, bago lumuwag ang pagkahahawak niya sa 'kin.

"Oh, I see." He smiled. "We should get going now then, my lady. You should take a rest." Tinalikuran niya na 'ko at nagsimula na siyang maglakad ulit.

Doon lang ako nakahinga na kanina ko pa pinipigilan. 

Shit. . . shit. . . shit! All this time, I've been having road trips with my 'killer'!

I bit my lower lip. Why does it have to be you, Homer?!

Nabigla ako nang huminto ulit siya. Nagsalita siya ng hindi ako nililingon.

"I should've known that you preferred teas more, Lady Harlotte. . ." Natigilan ako sa sinabi niya. He then gave me a side look, as he take out something from his pocket. "I would've gave you a tea rather than a wine."

Namilog ang mga mata ko at tuluyan kong naaninagan ang nilabas niya sa bulsa niya. A knife.

Napaismid ako, mabilis na naging alerto.

"What are you doing, Homer?!" I raised my voice. Not just because I want him to hear me, but also trying to get attention— only if there's someone out there.

"You should've drank the wine! Pinahihirapan mo lang tayong dalawa!" Nagbago ang ihip ng hangin, nag-iba ang tono at pananalita ng lalaking inakala kong kabilang sa pamilya namin.

The sweet, charming, and jolly Homer was a fake.

"How much?!" I asked. "How much did they pay you?!"

He gave me a teasing look, smirking. "Why? Are you going to double it?"

"I can even triple it!  Just give me the digits!" Hinawakan ko ang dibdib ko. "I'm an Adelaide! I can pay you more than you can think of! I can help you if something is making you do this!"

If I run, he'll go after me and stab me. Nasa eskenita kami. Harlotte's body is weak, fighting back is not an option.

But I can get out of this. Without bleeding or dying. I just need to think, I need to make some time. Someone will come for sure, someone-

Tila natawa si Homer sa mga sinabi ko. Umalingawngaw ang pagtawa niya.

"I apologize, my lady. . . but your money can't save you now."

I clicked my tongue, at the same time, he rushed towards me. Mabilis akong nag-isip, humanap ng pwedeng gamitin.

Trashes, boxes, bottles, bins, BOTTLES!

Napako ang tingin ko sa mga bote na mabilis kong pinuntahan, humabol sa akin si Homer. 

There are 4 empty glasses bottles. I took one and without thinking twice, I threw it at him. He dodged the first one, so as the second. I have no choice but to go closer for the third one to hit him, so I did. He kept slashing his knife so I aimed at his head.

Sabay kaming umatake. Sapul ang bote sa mukha niya, nadaplisan naman ng patalim ang hibla ng buhok ko.

"FUCK!" he shouted as he closed his eyes. Nabitawan niya ang patalim niya.

Mabigat ang paghinga ko, hawak-hawak ang pang-apat na bote bago kunin ang nahulog na patalim.

"PAPATAYIN KITA! PAPATAYIN KITA!"

Hindi ko siya pinakinggan, bagkus ay mariin kong hinawakan ang patalim niya. I'm sorry, Homer. But I need to-

"Fix it." She gave me a small bottle. "Make sure she'll drink it, and I'll give you more."

I nodded. "To make sure that she and her sister-"

I snapped back, gasping for air. Kung kailan aangat na ang tingin ko sa babaeng kausap ni Homer, bumalik ako sa katinuan at kaharap ko na ngayon ang mukha niya.

Nanlilisik ang mga mata ni Homer sa akin, mariin ang pagkakasakal sa 'kin. Pero sa kabila nito, hindi pa rin ako bumabalik sa katinuan. Nagsimulang magtubig ang mga mata ko.

Homer, you jerk. . .

I gritted my teeth as if my mind became blank, I snapped.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY SISTER?!" Kusang kumilos ang katawan ko. Ang kamay kong hawak-hawak pa ang pang-apat bote ay mabilis na gumalaw at pinukpok ang kaharap ko.

The sound of the shattered bottle filled the narrow alley. There was a pause, before Homer's hand loosened. Unti-unting tumulo ang mga dugo sa ulo niya bago siya mawalan ng malay at bumagsak.

Mabigat ang paghinga ko, rinig na rinig ang paghabol ko ng hangin.

Sobra akong pinagpapawisan, buong lakas kong pilit na tumayo nang tuwid. I clenched my fist, eyes straight.

My clothes are dirty, my hair is messy. Pinunasan ko ang pisngi kong madumi, determinadong naglakad paalis sa eskenita. I'm filled with sadness and rage. . .

I'm coming for you, Byrons'.

𓉞✎🕊