Red Strings of Fate (Haunted Series 2)

Strings 28: Risk

Pumasok ako sa ngayong tahimik na mansyon. Bukas pa rin lahat ng ilaw kahit ala sais palang ng umaga pero wala na ang mga staff na kaliwa't kanang tumatakbo.

"Scarlet." Bati sa akin na Jamie pagpasok ko ng kusina. Naka-pajama siya at isang mahabang cream cardigan. For once, I see her hair disheveled and her eyes bloodshot from crying or the lack of sleep.

"Jamie... Kamusta ka?"

"I couldn't sleep, so I'm making hot chocolate. You want one?"

Umiling ako at nagpapasalamat na lang na nag offer siya. Kumuha ako ng tasa sa drawer pero nararamdaman ko ang tingin niya sa akin.

"Hey... sorry, kanina I was quick to ask you questions. I didn't even ask how you were."

"Okay lang naman ako." I'm not. I still hear the gunshots and screams.

"What we experienced... it wasn't okay." She sighs. "I plan to hire trauma therapists for a free consultation for all the staff and guests. If you want to join, tell me, okay?"

"I'm okay Jamie, totoo." Lumingon ako sa kanya na nakasandal sa kabilang counter.

She hummed, turned around, and continued making her hot chocolate. Tinuloy ko ang paglalagay ng coffee grounds sa filter.

"Oh, ikaw ba ang naglinis ng sugat ni James?"

Napahinto ako sa pag pindot ng start dahil sa sinabi niya, "Bakit? Anong nangyari?" Kinabahan na baka na infect nga siya o naubusan na siya ng dugo.

"No, he's fine. I just wanted to thank you, you did a good job." Napalingon siya sa panic ng boses ko. "He's so stubborn. He should've gone to the hospital, hindi yung bumisita pa rito ang family doctor."

Napahinga ako ng malalim. Buti natingnan na siya ng propesyunal.

"I'm going to go crazy with how they handle things."

She finished making her drink and kept mumbling that she'd go crazy because her brothers don't tell her a thing, but they're dumb for thinking that way.

Habang hinihintay ang kape ay napalingon narin ako sa kanya. TJ once told me that Jamie doesn't know he's an agent working on the field. He said that his siblings know he's helping in the business, and that's it.

"Jamie... alam mo ang ginagawa nila?"

"Of course. It's not hard to know that something is happening in my home. After all, I'm a Del Valle too." She sighed, stirring her drink absentmindedly. "I know their jobs, and it's easy to investigate what mission they're currently in. Hindi ko lang sinasabi na alam ko."

Nahulog ang panga ko sa sinabi niya. Buong buhay nila, akala ni TJ ay tinatago niya ito ng maayos. "Bakit hindi mo siya i-confront?"

"James thinks that not knowing is the best." Malungkot siyang ngumiti. "Hinihintay ko siyang sabihin sa'kin lahat ng mga nangyayari, but I think he's waiting to finish the job before telling me."

"He's doing it for your good," I whisper because I know he does. I know he means well.

Tumango siya. "But we're twins. He's my best friend. We're supposed to help each other and tell each other everything, but apparently... I'm not his." Tumingin siya sa akin at napalunok ako.

I didn't know what to say. Guilt crippling in me even when it shouldn't. I couldn't help it, knowing we left that boat together, leaving them behind.

"I'm glad you're here, Hope. You make him... less reckless with himself... but..."

She sighs a long, deep one, closing her eyes, thinking if she should continue talking. Tiningnan ko lang siya, naghihintay.

"When those men came to our house fifteen years ago, we were eight... and I was assaulted. Until now, I can still vividly smell his foul breath and feel his arms."