Hideaway [Completed]

Chapter 2

"Dad," putol niya sa kung anumang sinasabi nito na hindi na niya naiintindihan. "I'm going home. Just calm down. Nag-inuman lang kami nina Gio at Miguel kagabi. I'm fine!"

"Well, I called their houses at wala ka raw doon. Umalis daw kayo ng sabay-sabay kahapon. So tell me, where the fuck are you again?"

"I... I don't know. But I'll be home in a bit."

"Siguraduhin mo, Aspen Lorenzo! Hindi kita pinabalik ng Pilipinas para lang magpasarap ulit. You're here to learn how to be responsible once and for all. At anniversary namin ngayon ng mama mo. Baka nakakalimutan mo. Magkakaroon tayo ng dinner mamaya kasama ang mga Tantoco at Montenegro. Be on your best fucking behavior because Dahlia will be here tonight!"

Aspen just smirked. Dahlia is like a sister to her. Hindi niya alam kung bakit ipinipilit sa kanya ang kababata niyang iyon. "Dad, are you really sure about that?"

"About what?"

"I don't see Dahlia in that way."

"Why? Dahil sanay ka lang na puro mga wild na babae ang nakakasalamuha?"

"Fine, dad. I'll be home. Okay?"

"Siguraduhin mo lang, Aspen. In an hour, I should see your face in here!"

Hindi na tinapos pa ni Aspen ang kung anumang pinagsasasabi ng ama niya. He's a grown man now. He's fucking twenty-five. At may master's degree na siya from US. Bakit ba parang bata pa rin ang trato nito sa kanya.

Dali-dali siyang bumangon mula sa kama at pilit na inaalala ang mga nangyari kagabi to no avail. He tried to look for clues or signs around him but it was just his phone, wallet and his checkbook on the night stand.

That's odd. Bakit ibinaba niya ang checkbook from his car?

Pero wala siyang oras para analisahin pa ang mga nangyari kagabi. He probably used it to pay the hotel. He checked his wallet and all his cards were there. Wala namang nawawala sa kanya. Probably he just crashed in this hotel as his usual autopilot behavior kagaya noong nasa US siya.

So he just shrugged and wore his shoes again to leave the hotel room. He has to be Atticus Alcaraz' responsible and honorable son now.

****

"Bakit hinahanap ka samin ni Tito kagabi? Where the fuck did you go?" takang-takang tanong ni Gio kay Aspen. They were now seated beside the pool area at kasalukuyang nagaganap ang mini-party para sa anniversary ng mga magulang niya. It was just close family friends which were the Montenegros, Tantocos and some of the board members of Alcaraz Holdings, Inc.

"I don't fucking remember but I woke up in a hotel." He sipped from his wine glass.

"Hotel? With someone?" takang-takang tanong ni Miguel. 

Umiling si Aspen. "I didn't see anyone with me when I woke up so I guess my drunk self just decided to check in a hotel."

"Kahit lasing ka, takot kang umuwi sa tatay mo," kantyaw sa kanya ni Gio.

Aspen just shrugged. Here he was, back in the Philippines at kasalukuyang nasa bahay nila ang lahat ng mga board members ng kumpanya nila. He knew they were all examining and scrutinizing him, checking out if he's actually worthy to be Atticus' heir. He has always felt this massive responsibility on his shoulder to please a lot of people.

"Dahlia," Miguel greeted the woman that just arrived, joining them in the table.

"Hi, guys." 

Aspen looked at the woman. She was a sophisticated beauty, probably because just like him, she grew up in an affluent family.