A Piece of Everything

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

 

            Alas-kwatro pa lang ng madaling araw ay nagising na si Chlymate kinabukasan. Araw iyon ng Linggo, at tuwing araw ng Linggo ay asahan ang pagdagsa ng mga tao sa Sina Juan. Kaya naman dapat siyang pumasok nang maaga. Lalo pa’t wala roon si Brylle, at si Gene lang ang kasama niya roon at ang mga waiter.

            He rubbed at his nape while he sipped at his coffee. Naging mababaw ang pagtulog niya dahil hindi siya mapalagay. Pakiramdam niya ay malapit lang ang assassin. Malakas ang pakiramdam niya na mahuhuli nila ito. Hindi niya alam kung bakit ganoon ang nararamdaman niya ngunit pinaniniwalaan niya ang kanyang mga kutob. Simple information can lead them to the killer. And if ever that happens, they’ll be in seventh heaven dahil ilang taon silang pinahirapan nito.

            He finished his coffee and he strode into his bathroom and settled himself under the warm water of the shower.

            At around five-thirty, he was ready to go. He wore his gray v-neck shirt and a pair of black pants and tennis shoes. He dialed Gene’s number as he made his way to his truck.

            “Oh?” sagot nito.

            “Good morning din.” He said sarcastically. “Anong balita?”

            “Haven’t heard of any. They’re still digging. Si Cole, nasa Batangas na yata. Where it all started.”

            “While we’re here. Stuck with each other.”

            He can sense Gene’s grin through the other line. “You made it sound like we’re couple engaged in a wedding set up by our parents.”

            “Fuck that.” He hissed. Then he shook his head in exasperation. “Bye.” With that, he ended the call.

            Ang pinakaayaw niya sa lahat ay ang iwanan nang walang ginagawa. Well, mayroon naman siyang gagawin pero mas gusto niyang nasa field siya and doing some errands. Not he stocked in the kitchen, making the deals, and baby sitting the very fucking glutton guy named Gene.

            Papasok na sana siya sa loob ng kanyang truck nang makita niya mula sa kabilang kalsada ang babaeng sobrang suplada. He grinned. A very good way to start his day popped into his mind.

            “Good morning, Rebecca.” He said sweetly.

            Rebecca stared at him but did not greet him back. Not that he expected her to do so. He just wanted her to look at him with those raven black eyes that always told him to fuck off.

            Fierce. Quiet, and mysterious. Those are the words that exactly described her. Matagal niya na itong kapit-bahay pero miminsan lang kung sila ay magkita. At kung mag-uusap naman sila ay iyon ay dahil sa pangungulit at pang-aasar niya rito.

            Rebecca was beautiful. Uh, gorgeous was the right term to use. She has the curve placed in the right places. She was tall, around five feet-seven inches. Her long, straight black hair hung into her slim waist. And her face… God, she’s all angelic. Heart-shaped and contemplated by thin reddish lips and cute pointed nose. Her brows arched perfectly and her eyelashes were long and he imagined it resting at her face when she’s sleeping.

            “You’re early.” He said as soon as he cleared his throat. “Wala ka namang pasok ngayon, right?”

            She rolled her eyes but didn’t say anything. She turned her back from him and started walking away. Without thinking, he followed her. He walked besides her, throwing her obvious glances, and then he’d smile.

            They walked in silence until they reached Sweet Leaf. It was a coffee shop placed outside their village.

            “Good morning, Ma’am, Sir.” Bati sa kanila ng guard at ng ilang mga waitress.

            The shop’s interior was very homey. Delicious even. Para kasing isang malaking chocolate ang mga haligi at dingding dahil sa pinturang kulay brown; light brown, dark brown. The round tables were lined with four soft looking u-shaped chairs. Idagdag pa ang napakasarap na amoy ng kape na nahahaluan ng mga nabe-bake na cookies, cake, at mga tinapay.

            Sa may counter sila dumiresto at sinalubong sila ng ngiti ng isang babae na nasa likod ng counter. “Good morning.”

            Nginitian niya ito. “Hi, Becca. Your usual order ba?”

            Napatingin siya kay Rebecca nang tumango ito. “Madalas ka rito?” he asked.

            The cashier answered for her. “Oo. Favorite niya 'yong special mamon namin.” She said, winking. “At hot chocolate.”

            “Ah.”

            Inabot ni Rebecca ang bayad niya at saka siya iniwan para maupo sa dulong table.

            “Ako nga, pa-try rin ng special mamon niyo. Isang dosena.”

            The cashier smiled. “Okay.”

            After paying, he sat in front of Rebecca across the table.

            She stared at him. Her lips pursed trying to keep herself from scowling.

            He smiled. Palagi na lang siyang napapangiti kapag nakikita niya si Rebecca. Ano kayang nangyayari sa kanya?

            “What do you want?” Her irritated question brought him roughly back to his senses.

            “Ha?”

            “What. Do. You. Want. From me?”

            He felt himself shivered. Her voice was so cold that he wanted to just get loss. He leaned back and sat coolly. He crossed his arms at his chest. Hindi siya dapat na magpa-intimidate rito. “Wala.”

            “Lumayo ka sa akin.”

            “Ayoko nga.”

            “Wala kang mapapala sa pangungulit mo sa akin.”

            “Alam ko.”

            “Alam mo naman pala—”

            He cut her words. “Alam kong wala akong mapapala, pero may alam akong isang bagay na hindi mo alam.” He grinned.

            Hindi niya alam kung namamalikmata siya pero parang namutla si Rebecca dahil sa sinabi niya. “A-ano?” She cleared her throat. “Ano?”

            His grin grew bigger. “You,” he pointed his index finger at her. “You are under my skin. I’m attracted to you.”

            Narinig niya ang pagsinghap nito at nakita niya ang mabilis na pagpula ng mga pisngi nito na agad ding nawala—hindi niya alam kung papaano—at saka ito tumingin sa kanya nang masama.

            “I am not having sex with you.” She snapped.

            He raised an eyebrow. “I did not say we’re having sex. But I think that’s not a bad idea.” He chuckled when she blushed again, harder this time. Hindi niya nga lang alam kung sa hiya o dahil sa galit.

            May sasabihin pa sana ito kaso dumating ang waitress na bitbit ang dalawang box ng special mamon.

            Mabilis na tumayo si Rebecca at tumakbo papalabas ng Sweet Leaf.

            He smiled.

            Rebecca is fierce, yeah. Quiet, mysterious and she’s under my skin. I’m itching to touch her and God! She’s attracted to me, too!

            At ang cute niyang mag-blush.