Splendiferous (Legazpi #1)

Thirty

30.

"Hi."

The tone of his voice sent me shivers and I felt like I just got my tongue pulled because I couldn't speak to reply at him. Nothing changed, his voice is still cold as ice and he just stood there stone-faced while staring at me.

"I was j-just looking at these p-pictures," I stuttered and he didn't reply so I just looked back at the picture frames. Noong makita ko kanina ang litrato ni Dr. Cirencester ay nahalata ko na kaagad na kamag-anak iyon ni Xerxes dahil kamukha nito ang ama ni Xerxes, Cesar Gorostiza.

"What are you doing h-here, b-by the way?" I tried to start a conversation after a few moments.

"What are you doing here?" he returned my question.

Is that even a valid answer? Answering a question with another question?

I gulped before replying. "I visited Garri here with Rave. Inaantay ko na lang ngayon na matapos sila mag-usap doon sa room ni Garri tapos ihahatid na lang ako ni Rave sa condo."

"It's already evening," he stated.

"Oo nga." I unconsciously looked at my watch even though I could see from the glass wall that it's already dark outside. I must have been roaming around this hospital for more than an hour.

I blinked twice... thrice. Until I decided to walk away because I'm feeling a bit uncomfortable by his intimidating presence.

"I think.. I think I need to go?" hindi ko siguradong pahayag at humakbang. Lalagpasan ko na sana ito nang bigla niyang hawakan ang aking braso dahilan upang mapatigil ako't mapaharap sa kanya.

"Ako na ang maghahatid sa'yo sa condo mo," he said in a flat tone.

I gulped again. "O-okay. Kukunin ko na lang muna ang bag ko sa room ni Garri at magpapaalam."

I didn't bother waiting for his answer and I just started walking back to Garri's room. I mentally slapped myself because I didn't even bother to knock on the door, so I caught them kissing when I entered.

"Gosh, Leignie, knock next time!" Garri shrieked and covered her face with her pillow while Rave is just biting his lips.

"Uuwi ka na ba, Arleigne?" he casually asked like nothing happened. "Hahatid na kita?"

"She just came to get her bag," Xerxes suddenly spoke who's now leaning on the door. "Ako ang maghahatid sa kanya."

Rave flashed a playful smirk. "Okay. Good night and have a nice fuck!"

"Yeah, fuck you. May lagnat 'yong tao tapos hinalikan mo, mahawa ka sana," Xerxes replied and pulled my hand after I grabbed my bag for us to get out of the room.

We both walked towards the parking lot and I immediately saw his Ducati. He brought his motorbike instead of his Audi or his BMW. I bit my lip out of nervousness because this will be the second time that I'll be riding his big bike. He's very fast, I couldn't even remember how I survived the first one.

He must've seen me on pins and needles because he walked close to me, holding a helmet.

"You won't fall. Just hold me tight," he worded and placed the helmet on my head before turning his back on me.

Umangkas na ito sa kanyang motor nang maisuot niya ang kanyang helmet at sumunod na rin ako doon. Umipod pa ito ng pauna upang mas makaupo ako ng kumportable. Nanginginig kong hinawakan ang bewang nito dahil naghaharumentado ng todo ang aking puso.

I heard him tsk and he held both of my shaking hands with his warm ones and made my arms encircle his waist as my hands rested on his abdomen, making it look like I was hugging him.