Red String of Fate [PUBLISHED by Bookware]

Chapter 4: Old Scars

Lia and her mother watched Alexa and Lee Ann from outside the cafeteria. They were both smoking cigarettes so they didn't have a choice but to stay outside where the heat was sweltering.  

"Bakit ang bilis naging close ng dalawang yun?" Clarissa Valderrama stated as Lia rolled her eyes.  

"Who cares, Ma?"  

"Kailangan mong maging close ngayon sa Daddy mo lalo na't malapit na syang mamatay!" 

"Ma! Ano ka ba!" 

"Aba, bakit? Totoo naman, malapit nang mamatay yang walang kwenta mong ama." Clarissa said and cleared her throat when Lia glared at her. "Kailangan mong magpa-sipsip sa Daddy mo ngayon para pag namat--I mean, pag nawala na sya may makukuha tayo sa milyones nya." 

"Ma, pwede bang wag muna nating pag-usapan yan?" 

"Anong wag? Aba, Lia ang dami nating kailangang bayaran. Yung kontrata mo sa Phoenix Records na di natuloy dahil dyan sa kapabayaan mo kailangan pa nating harapin kundi makuku-" Clarissa stopped talking when Lia suddenly stood up. "At saan ka na naman pupunta?" 

"Ma, bata ba ako na kailangan nyong tanungin kung saan ako pupunta?" 

"Hindi porke't 24 years old ka na ay pwede mo na lang akong talikuran ng ganyan!" Clarissa said and Lia rolled her eyes. 

"Hahanapin ko si Alexander baka kasama sya ni Nickolai." She replied and her mother's face brightened. 

"Naku, anak tama yan. Hanapin mo si Alexander at siguraduhin mong mapapabalik mo sya sayo. Aba, pag naging Mrs. Alexander Sandoval ka na di na natin kailanga-" She discontinued talking when Lia walked away. "Napakawalang kwentang anak talaga nito!" She grumbled as she eyed Lianna and Lee Ann furiously. "Dumating pa tong isang anak ni Leandro para sirain lahat ng plano ko!" She murmured to herself before she took a puff from her cigarette.  

Alexander massaged his temples as he waited impatiently for his bag. Grabbing the black Louis Vuitton traveling bag off the slowly rotating platform, he made his way towards the exits. He frowned when he saw his older brother looking at his watch waiting for him.  

"What owes me the pleasure of being fetched by you, Atty. Nickolai Sandoval?" He drawled, unconsciously copying his brother's manners.  

"Ang dami mong trabahong iniwan sa office, Alexander. Sinisigurado ko lang na makakauwi ka at baka kung saan-saan ka na naman magpupupunta."  

"Really? Akala ko na-miss mo lang ako?" Alexander taunted as Nickolai dialed his phone.  

"Pumunta ka na sa may entrance, Caloy." He said before ending the call. "Ikaw mami-miss ko? The 8 days that you were gone were the most peaceful days of my life." 

"Aminin mo na, Nick. Miss mo ako eh." Alexander teased and Nickolai frowned at him as a black Toyota Camry stopped in front of them. 

"Anong nangyari sayo at naging bakla ka yata?" He answered and Alexander laughed as he hauled his bag into the back seat. Nickolai looked at him with displeasure before he got into the passenger's side of the car. 

"The bag should have gone to the trunk, stupid." 

"Idiot, you're welcome to haul my bag out and put it inside the trunk." Alexander replied when Nickolai's phone rang. 

"Yes, Alfred?" Nickolai said as Alexander gave nodded his head and gave out instructions. "Change of plans, umuwi na sa bahay nila si Atty. Carbonel because he wants some time alone with his daughters kaya di na tayo pupuntang hospital. Hintayin na lang daw natin sila sa opisina bukas." 

"Is he getting well?" Alexander asked.  

"Apparently his team of doctors gave him permission to check out." Nickolai replied. "He's trying to appear strong for his daughters, let's give him that." He added with a sigh.