Chapter 7
Ellise's Incident

LIWANAG ang pumukaw sa aking diwa. I scratched up my eyes when a ray of light met my sleepy eyes. I am so wasted. My eyes gagged when I noticed my bare body full of marks. Napakunot-noo ako because I don't know the hell where these come from. I immiddiately went out of the bed and there I saw Leo in front of the door, brushing his teeth.

He smiled while I hurridly covered my naked body. I am only wearing my boxers.

"Someone's looking sexy." He said while his mouth was full of foam.

"Uh? What time is it?" I asked while covering my body with the bed's comforter.

"Almost 9?" He casually replied.

Hala, Ellise might be worried sick. I ran outside and saw both Jerald and Calix drinking their coffee. They both turned their heads onto me and crossed their eyebrows, painting a confused face.

"You look haggard, did you even sleep? And why are they covered with rashes? Wala namang lamok kagabi ah?" sunod-sunod na tanong ni Jerald.

"Uhm.."

"Probably from the vomit. I did some rough scrubbing last night." Ani nito and took a sip from his coffee.

"Get dressed so that you can eat na." Rinig kong sabi ni Leo na kakatapos lang magsipilyo.

"I have prepared you food, I have cooked you some sunny-side-up and bacon." Ani ni Calix sabay buhat sa tray na nasa tabi nito.

"What have you done to our friend? It is so rare of him to cook food for someone. Haha." Pabirong banggit ni Leo na nagpatawa sa kanilang dalawa ni Jerald.

"Shut up." Sita ni Calix sa dalawa. "Is it wrong for me to cook food for someone else?"

"You don't even know how to cook, silly." asar ni Leo.

"Manang taught me kanina, so that's that." Calix defended.

"Are you sure?" Nakapangilay na tanong ni Jerald.

"Well, she did most of the work," napa-sigh nalang ito. "But that's beside the point, okay, the important thing here is I did this with intention. The thought always counts." He stated. He gave me the tray and left the room without a word. While handling me the tray his eyes were sparkling with joy. Weird.

"What's with him?" Ani ko.

"Don't mind him, very unpredictable talaga ang isang Levarde. One day he'll be good to you and the other he'll just be straight-up rude." Jerald replied. Ganon ba talaga ang isang Calix Levarde?

KINAIN ko na ang ihinain saking pagkain ni Calix. Matapos non ay mabilis akong nagbihis at agad inayos ang mga dinala kong gamit. We did manage to finish the essay before kaming mag layag sa inuman. Polishing nalang at printing ang kulang. Ako na bahala doon.

I grabbed the strap of my bag and swung it over my back and was about to leave the couch when Jerald interrupted.

"Leaving already?" Jerald asked. I paused for a moment to answer his question.

"Ah, yes actually, dapat kanina pa ako umalis. Ellise might be so worried right now."

"Sayang, madalang ang transpo ngayon kasi sunday, wala pa rin ang car nila tito." Ani ni Leo sa tabi na abala sa pagkain ng cookies.

"Uh, I can offer you a lift. Nakamotor lang ako kagabi."

"I will offer him the lift." Singit ni Calix na kababalik lang sa kwarto. He seemed so red and anxious.

"What happened to you?" Taka ko.

"I-I drank my coffee."

"Kanina mo pa naubos 'yon diba."

"Nag refill ako, bawal ba." iritable nitong sagot. "Tara na at ihahatid na kita." Hinila niya ako papalabas ng kwarto. Napaikyas agad ako dahil sa masakit nitong pagkakahawak sa braso ko. Even Jerald and Leo were surprised by how he acted.

"Aray! What has gone into you?" I exclaimed. Before he could even answer he grabbed me once more and dragged me to the stairs. Mayordoma Allisa intervened with us as we went down and greeted us both.

"Good Morning, mga hijo." Mayordoma Allisa.

"Good Morning po, ma'am." We both greeted her. Sabay kaming napabati, that was weird.

"Calix! You're acting so absurd!" Sita ko. He is so quiet. What's up with him? "Calix, nakikinig ka ba?" Ani ko. Again no response. Nilakasan ko ang loob ko na bawiin ang braso ko pero kahit anong piglas ay di parin niya ako mabitawan.

"Could you stop acting like a child? Ihahatid kita."

"Then, don't force me."

"Gagawin ko anong gusto ko." hinigpitan pa niya lalo ang kapit sa braso ko.

"Ano ba nasasaktan ako!"

"If you continue to act this way, I'll do some bad things that you would regret."

"Ako pa talaga ang sasabihan mo n'yan? Who's the one gripping me like an eagle here?"

"Could you just shut-up and let me be?" Diin ni Calix. Pumasok na kami sa garage sa ibaba ng mansyon nila at napakalaki ng espasyo nito. Walang ngang sasakyan na nakaparada at tanging ang motor lang nila Jerald at Calix ang nakaparada.

"Wear this helmet." Utos ni Calix bago ako bitawan ang braso ko.

"You don't have to be rude, you know." I said.

"It's just, why are you so..." Calix paused right after we looked at eachother.

"So? What?" taas kilay kung tugon.

"Wala." Tanging reply nito.

"Ano ba kasi? Kanina pa ako na we-weirduhan sa'yo." ani ko.

"Just wear the f*cking helmet and let's get you home." Diin nito. I wore the helmet and we both drove off the compound without bidding goodbye to Jerald and Leo. I swear to God there's something happening to Calix. For a short time meeting him, nakakapanibago ang ganitong ugali niya. It's like he is being obsessed with me.

HUMINTO na kami sa compound kung saan nakatayo ang apartment na tinutuluyan ko. Bumaba na ako sa motor at hinubad ang helmet na bigay nito. Ayaw ko na siyang harapin kasi naiinis ako sa turan nito kanina. He is so childish and irritating to look at.

"Hey? Aren't you gonna say thank you?" Singhag nito.

"Uh... are you for real?" I gave him the rolling-eyes treatment and was about to doze off this worthless conversation when he got off the motorcycle. Let me remind you that he is still on his undies and black sando. "Haven't you noticed that you are still on your undies?" ani ko. Agad siyang napatingin sa kaniyang sarili at tinakpan ang gumigising niyang pagkalalaki.

"Oh shoot!"

"Before you act tough, please wear some clothes po." I stormed off away from him and entered the unit I was in. I can't stand his guts talaga. I thought that he was getting better pero I guess totoo ang sabi ni Leo na he is so very unpredictable.

MAKALAT ang buong silid at parang may taong naghasik ng lagim dito. Nakita ko ring nasa sahig na ang note na iniwan ko kay Ellise bago ako umalis kanina. Speaking of, biglang sumapit sa isip ko si Ellise. Nasaan na ba siya?

Binunot ko ang aking cellphone and I was shocked when I received a lot of calls from her. Di ko agad ito nasagot kagabi kasi naka-silent mode ito and I was drunk. Biglang nanlaki ang mata ko when one of the text messages triggered my heart.

9:30 PM | Unknown Number

Are you the brother of Ellise? She is at the hospital po. I am Crystal.

My heart immediately dropped. I texted back the number.

'Where? What hospital po?!' Minutes passed and a reply popped-up immediately.

'She is at Immaculate Hospital po, please see her now.'

'Thank you so much.'

Di na ako nag-aksaya ng panahon at agad na umalis upang puntahan ang kapatid ko. May parte ng puso ko na sinisisi ang aking sarili sa pagiging pabaya at makasarili. I shouldn't have taken that drink and should have insisted on going home. I can feel my breath getting shorter and as I take longer steps. I didn't even notice the people around me as I walked across dozens of people. All I can think of was her and only my sister. I hope she is okay because the second I knew something awfully happened to her, I might not be able to forgive myself.

***

Ellise's POV

He is so grande. I didn't even know that he owns rolls-royce, that is so rare in the Philippines. He took me to an old cafe here in downtown. Kahit na old at mukhang malapit nang magsara, mga taong mayayaman naman ang kalimitang nakakapasok dito at di basta-basta ang presyo ng mga bilihin dito.

"What have you ordered?" Vince asks while holding the cafe's menu.

"Uhm, I'll have whatever you want, Vince, hindi naman ako maselan." Tangi kong saad. He frowned and gave me stares imitating a puppy begging for adoption.

"What is the purpose of bringing you here if di ka o-order?" He said dissapointingly.

"Uhm, Vince I don't usually go to these places eh." ani ko. "I hope you'll understand. If I may? Uuwi na lang ako." I was about to stand up when he interrupted me and insisted that I sit down.

"No! Don't go just yet. I want someone to talk to for a moment." Vince insisted.

Agad akong nakaramdam ng panghihinayang ng makita kong nakatingin sa akin ang pusang nakita namin kanina. Nasa loob ito ng kulungang binili namin kanina lang at binilhan rin namin ito ng collar. I smiled and sat down to continue our conversation.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt staying just a bit." I replied. We ordered our food and drinks and our talk went for miles until the rain no longer echoed on the street.

"So? Bakit ka nga pala napa daan sa pharma kanina?" Tanong nito.

"Hinahanap ko yung kuya ko. Di pa kasi umuuwi." Sagot ko. He nodded and was completely engaged with me. "Kuya is all I have for now and being away from him even for just a short time makes me anxious. Ngayon at nakita ko siyang nakipag inuman kina Leo."

"Leo? Diba siya 'yung kaka-vacation lang?" Di makapaniwalang tugon ni Vince. I nodded as an answer.

"Yes. I don't actually know where to start looking but all I have for now is this address kuya left." Ani ko sabay bunot ng papel but seconds before I could hand it to him, biglang sumakit ang tiyan ko. "Ah! Aray!" Daing ko. Vince's expression shifted as he saw me curl up.

"Are you okay?!"

"Sumakit ang tiyan ko. aray!" Napakapit ako sa tiyan ko at muntikan nang matapon ang plato at basong nasa lamesa. Agad akong nahilo at bago pa ako masalo ni Vince ay lumagapak na ang aking katawan sa sahig.

"I'll take you to the hospital!" Saad nito sa akin at lumapit ito para alalayan ako at nababakas mo sa kaniya ang labis na pag-aalala. "Anyone, help us!" Sigaw ni Vince sa mga waiter na agad kaming tinulungan. Binuhat nila ako sa sasakyan at isinakay sa doon. Walang inaksayang oras si Vince at agad pinaharurot ang manubela. Sa bawat minutong nagtagal mas lalong lumalala ang nararamdaman ko.

***

Claude's POV

I HAVE contacted her friends pero maging silay nagulat rin sa balita. Carl, one of her friends, also has no idea what happened to her. My heart can't hold the thought of losing her. When I rushed to the hospital agad sumalubong sa akin ang isang babaeng naka-high ponytail and was wearing a lab coat, is she a doctor? She seem so elegant and regal kahit na naka professional attire siya.

"You must be, Claude?" Ani nito sabay kamay sa akin. "I am Crystal Sofia Levarde." nasa kasagsagan kami ng pakikipagkamay when my jaw dropped after hearing her last name and there's where it hit me. She was from that portrait. She is Calix's ate!

"Ate po ba kayo ni Calix?" Wala sa wisyo kong tanong. She smiled that almost made her eyes disappear. Napakachinita niya at super bubbly ng aura nito. Napakalayo ng glam niya compare kay Calix. Speaking of that person, biglang sumulpot sa tabi nito ang kanina'y hinayupak na naghatid sa akin.

"Alam kong hindi halata." She jokingly said while spotting his brother approaching. When Calix finally arrived, the mood suddenly shifted. "He was the one that gave me your number. After the ER received your sister ikaw ang una niyang hinanap," she said. Calix stood by her side at hindi pinuputol nito ang kaniyang tingin sa akin.

"Your sister is okay na," Calix intervened while having his hands in his pocket. "Nagkaroon lang siya ng Ulcer," my eyes widened upon hearing his word. "But not to worry, sagot ko na ang antibiotics."

"Where is she now? Is she ready to be discharged?" I asked. Ate Sofia smiled.

"Yes, she is ready to be discharged. She is now resting in the suite." Sofia replied.

"Hospital Suite?!" Gulat kong tugon. Gosh I can't afford this, halos malula ako sa magiging gastusin ko.

"Don't worry, Claude. I have handled the expenses. It's on me." Calix calmed me. I was relieved but at the same time I felt guilty of not shouldering the responsibility. Sana pinili ko nang umuwi kagabi. Kawawa si Ellise. "Let me take you to her." Calix said. Sofia bid us goodbye and we went to the suite where Ellise was resting.

We entered into the elevator at tanging kami lang ang gumagamit non. The Hospital was huge at pwede itong maihambing sa isang mall. Nakayuko lang ako sa loob habang iniisip ang mga dapat kong sabihin kay Calix. i should thank him for saving her.

"T-Thank you, Calix." I thanked him without making any eye contact.

Calix nodded.

"Sorry kung nadamay kita dito, nadagdagan ko pa ang burdens mo." Dagdag ko. Nahihiya ako sa kaniya at the moment. Even though medyo naiirita ako sa kagaguhan niya, what he did to my sister is beyond what could I have imagine. May tinatago pala siyang kabaitan inside him. I glanced at him and gave him a smile. He turned his head and our eyes met again.

Time stopped as I felt this strange drumming sound from my chest. Calix leaned over and slowly pinned me to the corner of the elevator. I slowly stepped back and couldn't comprehend the situation.

"Uhm...Calix?" I whispered. The atmosphere gets heavy as his breath travels into my face.

"I can't hide this forever, you're making me crazy." he whispered. A flash of my memory went through inside my mind and it all went crystal clear as to what happened that night. Hindi si Jerald ang nagdala sa akin sa bathtub! Hindi si Jerald ang nakahalikan ko! It was all a figment of my drunk mind and the person who kissed me was, HIM!

"It was you!" I exclaimed.

"Me gustas, claude."

We kissed. Roughly. I didn't hesitate but surprisingly, I enjoyed it. I opened my mouth and received his daring lips. Our tongue danced inside our mouth as the elevator continued to lift us to the penthouse. Each ring from the elevator coincides with our tongues movements.

My heart felt this overwhelming feeling of lust and pleasure. We continued kissing like we got separated for eons. He intertwined his hands into mine, locking it for eternity. After minutes of swirling our tongue, discovering each other's mouth. He bites-up my lower lip and roughly lets it go.

"Uhm.... Claude, you are so addicting." he whispered.

"C-Calix." Halos manghina ang tuhod ko right after that passionate kiss we had. My heart palpitated like it ran a marathon.

"Claude, I lo-." He stopped when the door slid open, revealing a familiar person. We both came into our senses. Agad kaming naghiwalay and fixed ourselves.

"Am I interrupting something?" He said. Agad kaming nag-ayos ni Calix na parang walang nangyari. Gosh, we almost got caught. "Are you, Ellise's brother?" He asked.

"Y-yes?"

"I am Vincent, I'm the one who brought her here." Saad nito.

✒️ INKMAGINE.