Red Strings of Fate (Haunted Series 2)

Strings 14: Their Ultimate Plan

"Yes Sir." Nagsalita ang kaibigan ko kahit hindi na siya naririnig ni James, at umabante dito sa harap para buksan ang audio system. Gumalaw ang ulo niya sabay sa music at tumingin ako sa malaking building sa harap namin. 

Hindi ko alam kung nasan kami, but this black and wood brick building occupies a large plot of land extending on miles, at pinapaligiran ng iba't ibang establishments.

James went straight inside, the guard even saluted and I couldn't help but ponder his words. Why would we need help from his security team? Hindi naman kami importante. He's more important than us but not even a single bodyguard followed him inside.

"All we need is radio gaga, radio gago."

Napailing ako, bigla akong na distract sa kaibigan kong nag pparty sa likod, "Lorraine, do not disrespect the song."

She laughed at hininaan ang music, "Naiihi ako, sandali lang papasok muna ako sa Jollibee." Before I could even tell her to buy me a sundae, umalis na siya agad.

Ako nalang mag isa rito sa loob at hindi ko mapigilang mag overthink sa mga pinagsasabi ni James, nababaliw na ako. I'm imagining that someone would go at my side of the car to shoot me, mistaking me for a Del Valle.

I'm so paranoid it's not even healthy.

Getting nervous, I reached for Lorraine's tumbler at the back and drank from it. 

Gago Scarlet, kumalma ka nga! Dahil sa kaba, masyadong maraming tubig ang naula na nabasa ang leeg at damit ko. Buti nalang walang naula sa upuan. 

I cursed, patting myself dry at naghanap ng tissue sa kotse.

Binuksan ko ang compartment sa harap ko, only to close it again after seeing a gun.

A frickin gun.

Tumaas ang balahibo ko at 'di mapakaling tumingin sa paligid. Did anyone see me? Did his guards see me?

Why does he have a gun in his car!?

Maybe it's there so he can protect himself, hindi mo kailangang matakot, Scarlet.

What if it's a fake gun? Like those lighters, or water guns, or just something fake. I opened the compartment and I could feel my sweat dripping on the side of my face as I tried to carry it.

Gago, paghawak ko palang, alam ko nang totoo 'to. Hindi ako eksperto sa mga baril, ngunit ang pekeng baril ay hindi kasingbigat nito. Binalik ko na agad bago pa may mangyari at sinarado uli ang compartment, pero hindi na ako mapakali. What if he realizes that I know something? Anong mangyayari sa'kin?

Putangina, stop overthinking Scar! Hindi niya 'yan gagamitin sa'yo!

"Are you okay?" I jumped out of shock when James came inside.

Sa sobrang distracted, hindi ko man lang siya narinig na pumasok, "Huh?"

"You seemed scared, may nangyari ba?" He seemed genuinely concerned for my well-being and I was slightly guilty na pinagisipan ko siya ng masama. 

I shook my head at him and he didn't question me further. 

Pagkabalik ni Lorraine, agad narin naman kaming umalis at buong byahe ay tahimik lang kaming tatlo. It was mostly an hour and a half drive papunta sa port and Lorraine was sleeping. Habang ako, all I could think about was the gun that I kept glancing at the compartment of his car.

What if he notices that it's in a different position? Will I be in trouble?

"Hala siya, grabe effort para magbati yung dalawa." Napalingon ako sa labas nang magsalita si Lorraine at nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita ang isang malaking yacht.