Over Each Ruins (Virago Series #2)

his affection bleeds

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CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
his affection bleeds

trigger warning:
mentions of suicide
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"I'd like to invite you to the annual gathering party of our family next month, ija. Various doctors I trust from IMI will also attend, and I'd like to include you as a special guest in the list. Do you mind?" Hindi mawala-wala ang ngisi sa mukha ni Dr. Selene nang sinabi niya 'yun.

My cheeks heated up again upon seeing how her lips curved playfully. She surprisingly visited us this morning, and she didn't give us any heads up at basta na lang bumisita. Novan and I woke up in their calls outside.

Iyong anak naman niyang ungas ay walang-pakundangang sinabi na gabi na kami nakatulog, sabay pa! Kaya ayan! Ngising-ngisi si Dr. Selene hanggang ngayon!

"Is that the reason why you decided to visit us, Tita?" I tried to sound calm and unbothered, but heck! I'm not!

Kahit habang nakapalibot kami sa living room at may kanya-kanyang kapeng iniinom ay talagang hindi pa rin nawawala sa isip ko kung paanong parang tuwang-tuwa pa si Dr. Selene na magkasama kaming anak niya sa iisang kwarto!

Itong si Novan naman ang totoong unbothered! When he told his Mom that we slept together, he sounded so proud! As if it's a normal thing to do between us!

It's absurd! I'm totally freaking out inside! Pasalamat talaga siya at napatawad ko siya kagabi dahil kung hindi ay baka wala siyang kakainin ngayon!

"Yes, ija, and at the same time, no. We wanted to see how things are in here." She giggled, making me more flustered inside.

"Syempre hindi lang 'yung party pinunta namin dito. Ikaw din atsaka si Novan. How are you, guys?" Sabat din ng isa.

Speaking of an ulupong, nandito rin pala si Nigel. Siya lang naman nagturo sa mama niya kung saan ako banda sa Mivida nakatira.

"We're fine," Novan answered. Then, he looked at his Mom, "What's the status of the investigation, Ma?"

So direct, I keep on thinking that. Kanina pa kasi siya walang pagd-dalawang-isip na magsalita tungkol sa mga bagay sigurong nasa isip niya.

"That, too," Umayos ng upo ang ginang, "I already gained some leads, ijo."

"That fast?" Kunot-noong tanong ni Novan.

"Your father stepped inside our business after seeing me stressed out. He decided to help. Don't wonder anymore." Paliwanag ni Tita bago nilahad ang isang envelope na mula kanina ay hawak niya.

"There are papers with fingerprints of the doctors who tried to kill you back in Glee Sands. We were able to trace them thanks to Detective Inspector Taverez, and thankfully, we were able to locate some whereabouts," Aniya bago ako tinignan, "May isang kumanta na dahil takot siyang madamay ang pamilya niya sa kasalanang nagawa."

Napalunok ako, "What did that person admit, Tita? Are the Solomons involved?"

Tumango siya, "As expected, they are. They managed to poison the minds of my doctors by saying that if I lose my son, Novan, I will pass down my title to Romeo Solomon. And he will promote the doctors I sent to Novan then."

Napailing-iling siya, "And they call themselves professionals in the institution."

I puckered my lip. I can't stop myself from thinking that Dr. Selene must be frustrated looking at this matter. After all, this isn't something someone can jest about. This is a serious matter involving threats in the life of her own son.