Chapter 12: Highway Conversations
My phone kept ringing the whole time I was dressing.
Normally, I wouldn't worry if my manager got frustrated with handling my social problems. It's his job— manipulating the issues and turning them in my favor. But I've actually hit one of his favorite models. I have no excuse this time.
I planned to ignore his calls, but I got irritated at the sound and vibration. Before I shut my phone, I read one of his messages.
"This is a harmless conversation, Nathalia. I just want to ask you something."
I rolled my eyes. Then, why not ask it through the private message it's just a simple question? I doubt that an all-of-a-sudden conversation would be harmless.
Pagkalabas ko ng kwarto ay naabutan kong nakaupo si Kristan sa sofa habang nakahiga sa hita niya si Lilly. Umangat sa akin ang tingin niya bago naging mausisa ang kanyang mga mata.
His forehead creased. "Where the hell are we going?"
I was wearing a black leather jacket, denim pants, and knee-high boots. I get the confusion in his face because this is not the usual attire I would wear. I don't think he has seen me wear anything other than red, except when I am whole naked on the bed.
"Don't you have anything to wear other than a white shirt?" I asked while taking off my earrings. I don't want to bring any jewelry with me. I don't even want to bring anything about Nathalia Cardinal as much as possible.
As I mentioned before, I will take him to the other side of my world. Not even Hando and Hestia know about this. I wasn't trying to keep it secret. It's just I don't see any reason for them to know about it. Saka matagal-tagal na rin nung huli akong makabisita roon.
He put his pet on the sofa beside him. Then, he stood and walked towards me. He saw me struggling, taking my earrings off, so he carefully did me a favor.
I was just standing there, not moving until he finally took off my earrings. He handed them to me before taking a step backward to maintain our distance.
"Are we in a hurry?" he asked.
Nilagpasan ko siya saka pumasok sa kanyang kwarto. I don't go to his room often, pero hindi ko pa nadatnan itong marumi. I think it's because he runs out of things to do here when he is alone. There's nothing much to do here.
Naghanap ako ng maaari niyang isuot sa closet. I grabbed him a brown lether jacket. Humarap ako kay Kristan na nanatiling nakatayo sa gilid ng pinto at tila pinapanuod lang ako.
I tossed him the lether jacket. Sinalo naman niya 'yon pero hindi siya kumilos. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at sinenyasan na isuot na 'yon.
He sighed. I scolded him when he tried to take off his white shirt. Sinabi kong idoble na lang niya 'yon. Habang tinataas niya ang zipper ay dumaan ako sa harapan niya para lumabas ng kanyang kwarto.
"How about Lilly?" he asked.
Lumapit ako sa isang cabinet na gawa sa salamin. Naroon lahat ng collection ko ng shades. I love collecting shades, shoes, and dresses. Sometimes I do bid them in market for the fans and the collected fund would be donated somewhere. Kumuha ako ng para sa aming dalawa ni Kristan. It's barely afternoon. Nakakasilaw ang araw.
"Pwede ko ba siyang isama?"
"No." I turned to him. "Papunta na rito si Hando. Siya ang mag-aalaga kay Lilly. Here." I gave him the shade. "I will just get the keys."
I went to my room to grab the keys. Pagkabalik ko ay naabutan kong nakayuko si Kristan sa sofa at kinakausap si Lilly. I could even hear him comforting her.
"Don't be scared. We will be right back," I heard him say.
Gumawa ako ng sticky note at dinikit 'yon sa main door. Pagkatapos ay lumabas na rin kami ni Kristan. Pumunta kami sa parking lot.
"Wait. What?" Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Kristan nung mapagtanto na hindi kotse ang gagamitin namin. I ignited the engine of my motorcycle.
"I will drive," I said.
"This is cool!" Hindi siya agad sumakay. Pinagmasdan niya muna ang bawat anggulo ng sasakyan ko. Bakas ang galak sa kanyang mukha.
"We need to leave," I said, putting my hair buns.
I put on my shades. As much as I don't like driving, I don't want anyone driving my favorite vehicle. Saka hindi ito boring imaneho katulad ng kotse.
Napasinghap ako nung maramdaman na gumapang sa puson ko ang kamay ni Kristan. Naramdaman kong sumandal siya sa akin. Sobrang dikit niya sa akin. Hindi ko alam kung siya ba o ako ang nakasandal sa kanya.
"Are you scared?" I asked.
I tried to tease him while conditioning my bike. Matagal-tagal na rin nung nagamit ko ito. I thought he would deny it just how the boys tend to deny something that would hit their masculinity or just for the sake of being cool.
"Kind of. Hindi pa ako nakasakay ng ganito," aniya. Naramdaman kong lumuwag nang kaunti ang yakap niya sa akin. "Do I make you feel uncomfortable?"
"Not really." I shook my head, more like excited.
I twisted the clutch and it made a loud sound. That startled the guy on my back. Naramdaman kong mas humigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa akin.
"Damn. It's so loud," he complained.
"It's even louder when flying," I said.
"What— it could fly?"
The fear in his voice made me laugh. Going back to that place excites me. But I didn't know hearing Kristan scared for his life would excite me even more. He's always composed, and hearing him losing his mind was so funny to me.
I think my motorcycle could travel for hours now.
"Hold on tight," I warned him.
Sinadya kong paangatin ang harapan ng sasakyan ko sa unang paggalaw nito. Narinig kong napamura si Kristan pero hindi siya nagreklamo.
I maneuvered my bike out of the parking lot. When we finally reached the highway, I didn't hesitate to twist the clutch for us to move even faster than the four wheels.
"Holy shit. We forgot helmets!" he exclaimed.
I don't really wear helmet when I am riding my motorcycle. I prefer to feel the wind gushing against my face. Kahit naman sumeplang kami ay sugat lang ang tatamuin namin.
"Fuck. There's a cop behind us!"
I looked at the side mirror. I saw one police car tailing on us. They hit the horn to warn us to stop. It's Probably because of overspeeding or not wearing a helmet. But what they didn't know was even worse than that. I forgot to bring my driver's license.
"Let's pull up and talk to them," Kristan said.
I laughed. "I don't talk to strangers."
I smirked as I turned my bike to a narrow empty street. The police managed to follow us. I saw one of them grab his walkie-talkie, probably to ask for help. That means they will try to block the end way of this street.
"They are probably broadcasting the plate number of your bike," Kristan said. I could hear the panic in his voice. "Can't we just talk to them and settle this peacefully?"
"No," I said.
I removed the plate number of my bike. I think that's the main reason why they are trying so hard to catch us. That's even worse than not wearing helmets.
"I will turn back," I said.
"What? Nasa likod natin sila saka makitid ang daan."
"I will make my way then."
Pinihit ko ang sasakyan ko at bigla itong niliko pabalik. Naramdaman kong mas tumaas ang pagkakahawak sa akin ni Kristan dahil sa takot.
I bit my bottom lip as I watched the police car moving in our direction. Wala akong planong huminto at gano'n din sila. The street was too narrow for me to move on the side. There's only one way out of this.
"Close your eyes!" I screamed at Kristan.
I tried to look over my shoulder, and I caught him with his eyes firmly closed. I wasn't confident that this plan would work, but seeing him made me less anxious.
I pulled my car when we were a few meters away from the police car, which became the driving force that elevated the front of my bike. The front tire landed on the hood of their vehicle. I heard the crack on the car's windshield as my tires rolled up and until we passed on them.
Nagawa naming lagpasan sila at bumalik.
Sa gilid ng mga mata ko ay nakita kong bumaba ang dalawang pulis sa sasakyan. One of them frustratedly kicked the tire of their car while the other one was talking over his walkie-talkie.
Natigilan ako nung marinig na humalakhak si Kristan.
"That was hilarious!" he exclaimed.
I sighed in relief. I thought he would pass out.
"We are not safe yet," I said.
Instead of going on the usual route, I tried to take shortcuts and even ways we could not cross. After I made sure I lost them, I slowly released the speed of my bike.
We were moving at an average speed. Kristan's hold to me slightly loosened up.
"How many laws did we violate?" he asked.
"Probably enough not to resolve this through peaceful conversation," I chuckled. "Let's find restaurants nearby. I'm hungry."
He rested his hand on my lap as he whispered, "Me, too."
Luckily, we found a fine dining restaurant that exclusively offered vampire meals. After I parked my bike, Kristan and I headed to the entrance. We were greeted by a waiter who escorted us to our table.
We ordered steak and fresh blood. While waiting for our order, I caught Kristan staring at me. Kahit na nahuli ko na siyang nakatitig sa akin ay hindi pa rin siya umiwas ng tingin.
"I know I am gorgeous, Mr. Admiral."
"Not to forget incredible," he grinned.
He rested his arms on the top of the table. He leaned towards me to whisper, "I accidentally touched your boobs. I didn't mean it, I swear."
I winced. I didn't even feel it.
"That helped me ease my anxiety, though." He shrugged his shoulders as he leaned back to his chair. "Do you think Hando is taking care of Lilly now?"
"Probably." I yawned.
"Malapit na ba tayo sa pupuntahan?"
I shook my head. "We are not even halfway there."
He nodded.
Dumating na ang order namin. Tahimik kaming kumaikain, pero pansin ko ang maya't mayang pagsulyap sa akin ni Kristan.
"May pangalan ba 'yung motor mo?" tanong niya.
I sipped on my wine. "Would I name a vehicle?"
"You can name anything special to you," he responded. "Just like Lilly."
Nagpunas ako ng tissue sa labi. Nakatitig sa akin si Kristan habang ngumunguya. Mukhang nahiligan na niyang titigan ako.
"You look more beautiful without makeup on," he mentioned before taking another bite on his steak.
"I am not going to give you my motor, Mr. Admiral."
He laughed. "I swear. May kakaiba talaga sa 'yo ngayon."
"That's because..." I stared back at him. "I'm giving you a glimpse of my other side."
"You mean..." He swallowed the food. "More natural. Less roll eyes. More smiles and laughs. More fun, less complaining. Are these still a glimpse of your other side?"
"Do you prefer this side of me?" I arched an eyebrow.
I anticipated his response, but he took another bite and gently chewed it. I waited for him to swallow it because I thought he would give me the answer.
"Everyone needs to see this side of you," he said instead.
After our quick meal, we also traveled again. Kristan insisted on driving for us, but I just couldn't risk it all. Saka kotse ang kaya niyang imaneho, hindi two-wheel vehicle.
After the long road under the sun, we hit the road where trees spread on both sides. It seemed like the trees were holding on to each other.
"Do you think these trees are older than you?" Kristan asked.
I looked over my shoulder. Nakatingala siya habang pinagmamasdan ang mga puno. Tumatama sa kanyang mukha ang mga tuldok na sinag ng araw na tumatagos sa mga dahon.
"I'm sure they are way older than you," I answered. "We are halfway there now. Baka hapon na rin bago tayo makarating doon. But it's going to be worth it."
"Ano bang klaseng lugar 'yon?"
"Countryside," I responded. "It's far different from what you have seen yet."
Naramdaman kong tumaas sa dibdib ko ang kanyang kamay. He rested his chin on my shoulder, tilting his head to look at my face. I could feel his warm breath on my neck.
I gasped when he put his hands on my covered breasts. He slightly squeezed them. I bit my bottom lip. He smirked when he saw my reaction.
"I want to know you more, Nathalia."
My lips parted when he slid his hand inside my leather jacket, rubbing his warm palms against my stomach up to the edge of my bra. He then put his lips on my neck and breathed in it.
I was too preoccupied with his touch that I didn't realize someone had been following us. He conceitedly stopped his motorcycle in front of us, blocking our way. I immediately pulled up before I even hit the vehicle.
"What the fuck?" I blurted out.
Mabilis na inalis ni Kristan sa loob ng damit ko ang kanyang kamay. That made me frustrated even more.
"Are you a cop?" Kristan asked him. Bumaba siya sa sasakyan ko saka nilapitan ang lalaking nakasuot pa rin ng helmet. "I don't think you are one. What do you want?"
I immediately recognized him before he even took off his helmet. He grinned at us.
"Did I interrupt your make-out session?" he asked.
My grip on the clutch tightened. He's doing what he used to do back then—stalking and going wherever I am. That's what I hated the most about him. I didn't feel free when we were together.
"Oh, damn. Dylan." Kristan sighed in relief. "I thought you were a cop."
It could have been better if he was just really a cop. I glared at him— hinting him fuck off. Pero bumaba siya sa kanyang motor at tinanggal ang mga itim na guwantes.
"Hindi na kayo masusundan ng mga pulis," aniya bago inangat ang tingin sa akin. May nakakalokong ngiti pa rin sa kanyang labi. "I made sure of that."
"What? You can talk in Tagalog?" Kristan asked, confused.
Terrence ignored Kristan. His eyes were all on me, mocking me with that insultingly smile on his lips. I fought hard to talk back. Sinenyasan ko na lang si Kristan na sumakay na.
"You will let a lady drive for you?" Nag-angat ng kilay si Terrence. "You must be his slave, right? I mean, you really look like one."
Natigilan si Kristan sa pagsakay sa motor ko. Hinawakan ko ang braso niya at hinila ngunit hindi siya nagpatinag. Nakatingin lang siya kay Terrence.
"Fuck off, Terrence," I hissed at him.
"Terrence..." bulong ni Kristan kaya napalingon ako sa kanya. There was a sense of enlightenment on his face while looking at Terrence.
"Are you going to Azalea Village?" he asked.
I cursed under my breathe. Hindi na dapat ako nagulat na alam niya ang tungkol sa lugar na 'yon. Gaano katagal na ba niya ako sinusundan at anu-ano na ang mga alam niya tungkol sa akin?
"Sakay na Kristan," sabi ko.
"I'm going there, too!" si Terrence na sinusuot ulit ang mga itim na guwantes.
I put my motorcycle in ignition. Sumakay na sa likod ko si Kristan. Nawala ang ngiti sa labi ni Terrence nung makita niyang gumapang sa tiyan ko ang mga kamay ni Kristan.
Terrence looked at me. He forced a smile. I saw him clench his fists as he got into his motorcycle. Muli niyang binalik sa ulo ang helmet.
"Goddamn. It really frustrates me whenever I see a man who can't serve women rightfully," Terrence even murmured. I knew Kristan heard that.
Minaneho ko na ang sasakyan ko. Sumunod naman agad sa amin si Terrence. Pinantayan niya ang bilis namin. Lumingon pa siya sa amin.
"I am Terrence, by the way," he introduced himself to Kristan.
I tried to overspeed him, but he still managed to match it. There were only two lanes here, and he was invading the other lane. He needs to slow down to go behind us every time a vehicle approaches. Then he will go back beside us.
The thing about this guy is he is consistent. If he wants something, he won't stop until he gets it. He's self-centered and vain.
"May I know the name of Lady Nathalia's slave?"
"Kristan Admiral," the guy on my back answered casually. But I didn't expect the next thing he said. "You are the obsessed guy, right?"
Holy shit.
"I'm sorry?" Narinig kong tumawa si Terrence.
"Sorry. I just heard it somewhere."
"No." Humalakhak si Terrence. "I'm not offended, don't worry."
Hindi na sumagot si Kristan.
"At least you know how much Nathalia means to me," Terrence said as he moved his motorcycle closer to us. "I am always watching you, Mr. Admiral."
Kristan chuckled. "I didn't know slaves could have slaves for themselves, too."
I smirked. Oh, my feels. I didn't know Kristan had bars hiding under his sleeves.
"Mauuna na ako sa inyo roon," ani Terrence na halatang napipikon na. "I just really can't stand watching my lady driving for someone. Especially for a guy."
"Ingat," paalala pa ni Kristan.
Humarurot na si Terrence. Sa ilang segundo lang ay nawala na siya sa paningin namin.
"So... that's the guy," Kristan murmured.
"So... you really heard our conversations."
Ayoko sa lahat ay ang mga nakikinig sa usapan namin, pero mabuti na rin siguro 'to para hindi na ako mahirapang magpaliwanag sa kanya.
"What do you want me to do, milady?"
I looked over my shoulder. "What do you mean?"
"I am your slave. My job is to make sure you are not just safe, but comfortable, too. Mukha hindi ka kumportable sa lalaking 'yon."
I swallowed. "Just no."
"But I want you to feel safe," he whispered.
"He's nothing."
"He was once your everything."
"What's past is past."
And I regret everything I did from my past. I wasn't proud of my decisions and choices. It's something I wish I could remove from my memories, only if I could.
Sana lang ay mahanap na ni Hestia ang sagot sa tanong ko.
I regretted when I wasn't strong enough to fight him— to stop him from killing everything and everyone I love. He took away everything from me.
He might do it again. But I won't let him this time.
"Kristan?"
"Hmmm?"
"Can you do me a favor?"