Chess Pieces #2: Hunter Sanford

Chapter 17

Si Creed ang naghatid sa akin pabalik ng Manila using his chopper again. Hunter hired him 'cause he said that it's easier and faster. He also mentioned that he will be at ease too if I'll go with Creed.

I can still see in Hunter's eyes that he really wants to go with me or he doesn't want me to go at all. But he knew that nobody can stop me. Kailangan ako ni Apollo. He needs me and I want to be there for him.

Apollo hugged and comforted me when Joshua and I broke up so I want to reciprocate the things that he did. His warm embraced saved me from being shattered that time.

The chopper landed at the helipad of the Gallagher Empire. Bumaba na ako but Creed stopped me before I could ride on the elevator.

"Kailan ka babalik?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Not sure. Depends on Apollo's situation."

I don't really know how long I will stay here in Manila but I know that I'll go back to Palawan. Hunter is waiting for me. And I never like the feeling of knowing that someone is waiting for me. Hindi talaga ako napapalagay.

Creed nodded. "But will you still go back to Palawan? I just want to know. Hindi ako babayaran ni Hunter kapag hindi kita naibalik sa kanya."

I didn't know what he's talking about so I asked. "Hunter is paying you?"

"Oo. Two million sa paghahatid sayo dito. Ten million kapag naibalik kita."

My jaw dropped at his ridiculous answer. What the freak? Sa pagsakay ko lang ng chopper nya ay million na ang halaga? How much were the seats of his chopper pa at parang gawa yata iyon sa ginto?

"You're kidding me!" I squealed. Hunter wouldn't pay that big amount of money just by riding that chopper! Masyadong mahal ang singil nya!

Maybe Creed is playing with me right now!

Creed put his hands on the his hips and laughed at my expression. He bit his lower lip before it turns into a smirk.

"Ganyan kabaliw sayo ang gagong 'yon. He's willing to give everything he have just for you." he chuckled again. "Kaya bumalik ka, Artemis. Baka mamatay talaga 'yon kapag iniwan mo."

Tulala ako habang pababa ang elevator. I can't believe that Hunter is willing to spend that much money just for me. I know that he's rich. Siguro ay kasing yaman sya ni Kuya Helios. Or even richer pa. But twelve million is not a joke! My gosh! Doesn't he have any idea na ba where to spend his money anymore kaya parang nagtatapon na sya?

At bakit ba naniningil pa si Creed sa kaibigan nya? I thought that he's helping Hunter at first pero may kapalit pala. They're friends pero pineperahan nya ang kaibigan nya! I bet na naningil din sya noong hinatid nya kami nang magkasama ni Hunter sa Palawan!

I hailed a cab at nagpahatid ako sa bar kung nasaan si Apollo. He's drinking his intestines out when I saw him. Almost two hours had passed when he called me earlier and he's already drunk then but he's still drinking until now. I sighed and snatched the shot glass that he's about to drink.

Napatingin sya sa akin with his drunk eyes. His mouth form an "O" when he saw me.

"My dear li'l sis!" sabi nya at tumayo. He tried to welcome me with a hug but failed. Sumubsob sya sa balikat ko dala ng kalasingan. Then he laughed like he's laughing at his own stupidity.

"You're drunk." I told him. Hindi ba 'to tumigil nang kakainom?

"Hmm..." he answered and hugged me tight. Isinubsob nya ang ulo nya sa balikat ko para maitago ang buong mukha nya. Then I felt that part of my shoulder became wet before I heard his sob.