29: Say hi to Saint Peter!

Sam's POV

I shivered when an ice-cold air blew against my skin, numbing my nerves and freezing my butt kahit na nakasuot na'ko ng makapal na jacket.

The temperature around had finally dropped down to its lowest point as the night had come. Kaya naman this coldness was expected tonight.

Kasalukuyan akong nasa terrace ng room namin or should I say, Mr. Del Fuero's room?

I quickly hug myself tightly habang nanatili paring nakatingin sa labas, enjoying the view and the calmness it brought me heedless with the cold around..

After Mason had walked out kanina and fortunately lose his appetite to have a meal with me, I decided to have a meal myself dahil kung hindi, I think I'd die with starvation. Saka agad na'kong bumalik dito saka inayos ang sarili, making sure that all dirty elements in my body were all gone.

I smiled at that thought and then took a quick glance at my wristwatch.

7:16pm.

No Mason would ever appear here tonight as his text said so.

'I think we'll just move our plan for tomorrow, Samantha. I apologize for that and to what happened this afternoon.'

Of course, with how he had reacted earlier, this was already expected from him. I don't know kung ano talaga ang meron sa babaeng 'yon but one thing is for sure, she was once a part of his life. In painful part of his past.

Whoever that woman is, I hope she can already tie a tight leash on that playboy captain para maging maayos na ang buhay ng taong 'yon.

Smirking, I wheeled around and headed back inside our tiny room while still hugging myself. Mr. Del fuero was nowhere to be found simula pa kanina. At kung nasaan man ito ngayon, I hope he'd just stay there so I could at least comfortably move in this room without the awkwardness.

I was just about to sit on the couch when my phone suddenly vibrated inside my coat's pocket.

Thinking it was again Liam again na Kanina pa tumatawag sa'kin, I fished it out with a grunt and rolled my eyes when he was indeed the one calling.

Curious to know why was he kept calling me, I received that call.

"SAMANTHA!!!"

I grimaced when his shout greeted me, deafening me with his shout.

This idiot!

"Liam! Kailangan mo ba talagang sumigaw sa phone and split my poor eardrums ?"

"Yes. I really have to dahil kanina pa'ko tawag ng tawag sa'yo but you aren't even answering any of my call!" He firmly answered with no nonsense tone in his voice, hindi man lang natinag sa galit na tonong ginamit ko rito.

"Your dear aunt kept calling on you pero hindi ka makontak and---"

"Wait what?? My aunt??" I snapped at him the moment he mentioned my aunt.

"Yes. Your aunt."

"Shit!" I cursed out under my breath as I tightly shut my eyes while dreadfully biting my lower lip.

I totally forgot about her!

Now I'm in deep shit again!

"Kung hindi pa sinabi ng receptionist ni Cameron, then I wouldn't have even known na hindi mo man lang pala sinabihan ang aunt mo that you're going abroad! For God's sake!" He continued like he was giving me a sermon.

My brows instantly furrowed at the mention of 'Cameron' the bastard, wondering why his name became involved in this matter.

"At bakit naman naisama ang taong 'yon sa usapan na'to, Liam? Ano na namang kalokohan 'yang pinagsasabi mo?"

I heard him let out a sigh and then a soft thud, probably him plopping his damn ass in his chair.

"Your aunt kept calling on his office looking for you, Samantha Romero! And of course, his receptionists told your aunt na wala silang kakilalang ganyan na nagtatrabaho kay Cameron! How stupid! Kaya naman ng malaman ko I quickly call you to inform you but unfortunately, you are out of reach dahil busy ka sa kakasama diyan kay Mason. That dumbass! I know you can't be easily tempt by his charm, Sam but please stay away---"

"Liam?"inis na putol ko sa kanya when his topic started to change its direction.

"Yes?"

"Nakausap mo ba si auntie Rose? Do you happen to disclose my location right now?"

"No. I hadn't meet her. I thought Cameron had already told you about this. I had specifically instructed him to tell you but that man really got a----"

"Hindi ko pa siya nakikita simula pa kanina pag-alis ko, Liam. At nakalimutan kong dalhin ang phone ko kanina." Agad na putol ko sa kanya with a lazy tone while comfortably leaning against the couch.

"Oh? Ganun ba? Hmm .. Akala ko pa naman nakalimutan niya. By the way, please call your aunt as soon as you can. Dahil tiyak na nag-aalala na'yon sa'yo."

" Yeah. Yeah. I will." I quickly agreed with a nod, not wanted to extend this topic.

But my brow instantly arched up when he suddenly cleared his throat from the other line.

"By the way, Sam. How's your trip so far. Did you two finally get your relationship into another level? Tell me. I'm dying to know about it!" He exclaimed with a soft chuckle.

I groaned at that with a roll of my eyes.

"The trip was fine, Liam but the thing about us?"

"Yes? What about you two??"came his expectant and excited voice.

"NEVER! There would NEVER be an us! Bye!" Then without any words, I ended the phone call.

I have no time for that nonsense.

Pocketing back my phone, I got up on my feet and came towards the shopping bags na nasa paanan ng kama.

I know I have to call my aunt ASAP but I don't think I need to hear her sermon tonight. Later. I'll just call her later after I'm done walking around the streets like a stray cat.

I'll just resume investigating him next time.

Let's just wander aimlessly around Canada tonight.

***********

The streets were full of people strolling around with warm jackets, coats, leather boots and scarfs around their neck.

Looking at their scarf, my hand unconsciously found my bare neck, suddenly feeling jealous about them wearing such warm thing.

A scarf would've completely protect me against the cold.

But never mind, I can still manage without it.

Niyakap ko nalang ang sarili ko then continued my little journey. After almost an hour of just walking around, my feet started to get numb now but it didn't stop me from wandering around kahit na malayong-malayo na'ko sa hotel na tinutuluyan namin.

I'll just take a cab later to get back to the hotel.

The streets wasn't familiar for me kaya naman kahit papano, it didn't remind me from the past that always bring pain inside me.

I just continued walking around, smiling while enjoying the colorful Christmas lights and decors sa bawat kalye na madadaanan ko. People were undoubtedly excited with the Christmas as their faces telling me so.

Same with the faces I used to have every time Christmas is just around the corner. I want to feel that excitement again but I don't know if I could ever feel that again. May mga bagay talaga na hindi na maibabalik pa after-----

My feet suddenly halted when it unknowingly brought me to an old familiar two-storey bookstore. A place where we used to shop books with....

I suddenly sucked a deep breath when a sudden pangs crept inside me. Just staring at this place brings nothing but sadness as memories from this place kept reminding me of everything I lost from the past.

The same glass-walls from ten years ago stood before me with a scripted name of the store fadely printed on it.

The Genius' books.

An 'Open' sign was hanged at the glass door, indicating that they're still open.

'Let's take a picture! Hands on the walls and say cheeese!'

'Cheeese!' Then a sudden light captured that moment while all of them wearing a smile that no one knows would be taken just a few months after that.

By that traumatic car accident. That foul played accident.

When that memory flashed through my head, I gulped the sudden lump that I didn't know was formed inside my throat. I quickly shook that thoughts off, not wanted to remember that moment.

From the outside, I can clearly see what was going on and what was inside.

An antique styled chandelier glimmered at the ceiling, providing a light to everyone inside. A few customers comfortably sitting at the table with either books or coffees in their hands at the center and with few eight feet tall shelves proudly stood around them with various books occupying each shelf.

For the past ten years, the store hadn't even change one bit except the person sitting at the counter.

All in all, the store gave a cozy feeling to the customers despite its oldness.

My gaze slowly moved to the other side of the place but it stopped when my eyes caught the very familiar table with a single couch na nasa dulo ng bookstore.

I smiled when that same table reminds me of my clever days as a teenager. Those days na mahilig pa'kong magbasa everytime I got a chance to be here. Medyo tago ang area na 'yon and it brings privacy and easiness to anyone na nandun while you're in your bookworm mode and wanted to be alone and just be with your own world.

I smiled when good memories from this place reminds me, remembering those one time having an unfortunate encounter with some guy.

I wonder kung nasaan na ang taong 'yon. Pumupunta pa kaya yon dito after that day I hit his poor balls?

'Cursed you damn brat!' His words suddenly echoed in my head, as if he had said that just yesterday.

I smirked with that as all the memories from that day flashed through me.

'Tabi.'

My gaze lifted from the book I was reading when I heard that. My brow arched up when I was greeted with a young man in an ash gray T-shirt and a black trouser towering over me.

His face gives out nothing but a deep frown and a cold stares he was throwing at me now while his hand tightly holding a thick hard-bounded book.

He's handsome. Yes. But with how he was staring at me now, he's far to be called kind. Hindi ko alam kung pinoy din ito because his appearance tells me he's not.

But Wait, Sam. You just heard him said 'tabi' right? So it's highly likely that he was.

'Excuse me?' I asked habang ibinaba ang librong binabasa ko.

'My seat.'

Mas lalo pang umarko ng bongga ang kilay when he had uttered that, confusing me.

'Your seat??'

I looked around me and found no extra seat that could be the one he was saying.

'Palagay ko naliligaw lang yata kayo, sir. Wala namang ibang upuan dito.'

His dark eyes narrowed at me as his lips formed in a tight pursed.

'It wasn't me who's mistaken here. That seat,' he firmly said with emphasis, pointing his fingers to my way.

'is mine. Mine and mine alone.'

When I heard that, I just sat there and just stupidly gaped at the impossible Homo erectus before me spouting rubbish!

Is he on drugs?

'You're not using some drugs, are you sir? Or maybe you're just out of your rational mind?' I sarcastically asked, dahilan para mas lalo pang tumalim ang pagkakatingin nito sa'kin.

I saw him heaved up a deep breath as he folded his hands behind him and squaring his shoulder as if he was in a defensive mode.

I prepared myself as well if he ever attempt to make any stupid act against me.

He's tall and with lean built but he'd be lucky if I even give him such luxury to hurt me.

'Stop fooling around, kid. I want my seat right now so off you go!'

My blood suddenly boiled up at that, as if he was just shooing some dog.

'I think you've got your head out of its rational axis, You Mr. Homo Erectus!' I spat sabay tayo with my hands on my hips for defense. '

Anong karapatan mo para bastusin ako ng ganito when you were the one who just appeared out of fucking nowhere at ikaw pa'tong may ganang maging bastos! Ako ang nauna rito at itong upuan na inaangkin mo is fortunately owned by this bookstore and not yours! I am a customer here and I believe the customer is always right but this time, I insist, YOU.ARE.NOT! And what did you just call me?? Kid?! Huh! For your information whatever Sir you are. Thirteen na'ko. Thirteen! And would soon turn fourteen kaya hindi na'ko kid! I'm an adult now!' I spat with short breath, feeling so enraged with him calling me kid!

The impossible guy just scoffed and shook his head as his gaze gave me a once over with disgust in his face.

'Look at yourself, kid. You're pouting like a nagging baby right now. Your denim jumpsuit says it all and your frizzy hair are sticking everywhere in your face. And you call yourself adult? Such a shame for you then.'

'I am not!' I snapped with gritted teeth, ready to bite his head off while deadly glaring at him.

'But you are, kid. You're still your mom's baby.'

'You!'I hissed, pointing my fingers at him with promising murderous eyes.

He just shrugged his shoulders and gave me another mocking smile.

'Yes kid?'

'I said I'm not a kid anymore!' i growled with my fists tightly balled in my sides.

'You are, kid. A shameful----oomf!' Came his sudden cry when my patience unfortunately met its end, and hitting his balls was much preferable to do which I did.

Yes. I just did. To end this war!

I just did kneeing him to where the sun and moon doesn't shine, stopping whatever sarcastic remark he had with him.

The book in his hand fell on the tiled floor as he bent down and used his hands to nurse his treasure.

'Cursed you damn brat!' He hissed while bending, still fixing his poor cracked balls.

I doubt if he could even fixed that. Mukhang hindi na yata.

I just smirked at him saka dali-dali ng umalis sa lugar na'yon while he was still injured and vulnerable.

'Buti nga sa'yo! Bleeeh!' I shouted while sticking out my tongue at him before I completely ran out of that corner and out of that place without even looking at my back, afraid that if I do, he was already running after me.

'You'll pay for this brat! You'll pay for this!'

Naririnig ko pang sigaw nito mula sa loob pero hindi ko na ito pinansin and just ran like an idiot in the street of a foreign land.

I can't help but chuckled at that memories while still hugging myself and staring at that same couch.

'You'll pay for this brat! You'll pay for this!'

I slowly shook my head when his shout echoed in my head. It seems so promising that it had even sent shiver down to my spine. As if he'd really make me pay for salvaging his treasure.

Thank God hindi naman nagkrus muli ang mga landas namin because if we did, I don't know kung anong gagawin ko. He must be in his thirties by now. So it was possible na matanda na 'yon at uugod-ugod na. So I think I'm safe.

And besides, I was too young then and now, my appearance was too far from that young and carefree Sam.

I wasn't the young Sam anymore and I would never be the same again.

Nang mas lalo pang lumamig ang paligid, agad na'kong pumasok sa loob. The moment I stepped inside that place, a familiar smell of coffee and books around greeted me, calming me and sent a warm feelings inside me.

I love it more than before.

I smiled and started to walk towards the first shelve at the right corner.

New and secondhand books were in this store. Kaya naman hindi masyadong mahal 'yong iba rito .

I picked up the first book that my hand had touched and I nodded in satisfaction when I happened to pick up a familiar book.

'Where the Sun Doesn't Shine' was written on its cover.

The book I used to read before whenever I'm here together with dad. Mahilig din kasi itong magbasa.

Putting it back, I headed to the next shelf and then the next with my hand kept touching each book I touched with closed eyes with a smile carved in my mouth, just enjoying the feel and the smell of it.

This place really meant a lot to me. Ang dami-daming memories ng mga nakaraan ko rito. Including that guy.

At kahit masakit man sa'kin na makita 'to with it kept reminding me of my painful past.

I suddenly sucked a deep breath when again, I thought about that. Then my eyes under my closed lids started to stung.

Tears.

Those liquid thing came out from a human's eyes when sad or even happy.

Those liquid thing seems so alien to me now after I had emptied it wimping for the sudden loss of my loved ones.

I bit my lips hard with eyes still tightly shut, stopping the tears to roll down on my cheeks and let people think I was crazy, crying while holding these books.

Stop now, Sam. You sounded like a poet now. Enough with your drama! Stop---

I frowned when someone suddenly took out that book from my hand. My eyes quickly shut opened and was ready to lash out at that someone for interrupting my poetry. But the moment my eyes laid on that someone, my eyes widened in recognition as the tears thing suddenly forgotten.

"You!" I hissed, pointing at him.

The bastard just gave me a pointed look and a nonchalant shrug while opening the book that he had snatched from me.

"Yes? What about me, Ms. Javier?" He asked with his eyes still glued at the book while he kept turning the pages.

I wonder what he was doing in this place. I know he loved to collect knowledge but in this place? Spending time to read some 'useless' books, his words. Gods! Such a waste for his precious diamond time!

And---My thoughts was suddenly interrupted when I took in with his outfit. Eyeing him like a maniac. And I was surprised seeing him wearing something other than his usual immaculate suit.

His hair was a bit messy, probably with him kept brushing it with his fingers. A thick brown coat with a black sweater paired with a black trousers underneath and---- shit! A goddamn black scarf tied around his neck.

Again, the feeling of jealousy came back as I was reminded of not having it.

"You're wearing a scarf..."

His eyes snapped to my way when I stupidly blurted that out with his raised eyebrow.

"And then? Ano naman ngayon if I'm wearing this? Got any problem of it, Ms. Javier?"

"No. I'm just saying." I quickly answered which he just answered with a low clearing of his throat and then gazed back to the book in his hand, ignoring my comment.

A reaction which I wasn't used to.

Hmm. Something really amiss with this bastard. He seems kind tonight, so different from his usual bossy, strict, bipolar self.

"Pwede ko bang mahiram sandali 'yang scarf mo, Mr. Del Fuero?"

Again, his eyes snapped back to me, now with his knitted brows.

I quickly gave him a sweet smile while batting my lashes at him, hoping he'd give in with my hokage moves.

"Can I?" I repeated.

He just gave me a scrutinizing look but after a few seconds, he shut the book and then shook his head.

"No. Ano ka, siniswerte? Go, find your own scarf!" Maanghang na saad nito, throwing the book back to the shelf saka tumalikod and walked to the other shelves with ram rod back. Walking like he was inspecting the place with his hands clasped together behind him.

Kahit na gusto ko ng batuhin ng libro ito, I think I'll just do that later when no witnesses are present around.

Good thing he look yummy tonight with his outfit kaya okay. He's forgiven. Just this one time.

I can't help but smirk with that thought. Shaking my head, agad na'kong sumunod rito since I've got nothing to do here.

I just kept tailing him kahit saang sulok ito pumunta sa loob ng bookstore na'yon.. Nagmumukha na nga yata akong alalay ng kumag nito with me kept tailing him.

No. I'm his P.I and not his 'alalay'.

I quickly hastened my steps to keep up with him. The moment I came to his side, napatingin agad ito sa'kin with his dark brow still arched to the side and dark eyes saying 'What's the matter with you?'.

"What? Something wrong?"

For a while, he just stared at me but then shook his head anyway saka mas lalo pang nilakihan ang hakbang nito as he headed to the business section, causing me to half run and half walk just to keep up with him.

Goddammit!

"Ms. Javier?"

"W-What?" I answered with heavy breaths dahil sa kahahabol rito.

"Take this." Then he suddenly throw a book that weighs like a bag of rocks to me na taranta ko namang sinalo.

"What's this?" Naguguluhang tanong ko rito when he suddenly gave me that gray book.

'Ways to kill competitors'

Agad na umarko ang kilay ko when I read those words boldly printed on its cover.

He's out of his mind!

"A book of course." He stated without even looking at me while inspecting another book.

"Of course. I know this is a book but can you atleast give me a hint why the hell you're giving this to me!! Are you going to justliterally kill your enemies now instead of competing against them?"

The bastard just shrugged and then walked to another shelf without even answering me!

The maggot!

With gritted teeth, I tightly hugged the damn book on my chest saka sumunod rito.

He should really be careful with stretching out my patience tonight especially when I got my gun intact with bullets right now.

"Ms. Javier?"

Yes you shit?!!

I really wanted to answer that but not now. Just later when I got my lungs fully intact with air.

"What??!" I hissed while throwing his back a glare that could make a hole in his back.

"Come."

My glare intensified when he said that, motioning me with his hand to come beside him.

With still gritted teeth, I complied habang padabog na lumapit rito.

"Ano na naman? Don't tell me you're planning to give me another book now that weighs like a sack of rice again?!"

Hearing that, agad itong napatingin sa'kin, feigning amazed with me though his eyes full of sarcasms.

"And how did you know that?" He said with a smirk saka kumuha na naman ng isang libro and then throw it to me.

"Take it. We'll need that."

With a sea-deep frown in my face, I quickly took that and sucked a deep breath when it indeed weighs a sack of rice but I think with a few stone in it dahil sa bigat nito.

"Holy shit! Ano na naman ba ang librong 'to, Mr. Del Fuero??! Ano ba talagang gagawin mo rito?!"

I just heard him cleared his throat with his shoulder slightly shook saka dali-dali ng dumiretso sa kabilang section.

Wait. Did he just laugh at me?

That thought made me growled loudly then marched towards him with pursed lips.

And now he had the gall to laugh at my expense!

I was about to lash at him with him laughing at me but just when I came to his side, he had handed me another book which caused me to take a deep breath dahil sa bigat na ng mga dala-dala ko.

This is insanely an abuse!

"Aba't! Mr. Del fuero! Sumusobra kana yata ah. Gusto ko lang klaruhin to sa'yo, Mr. Del Fuero. I am your P. I and not your alalay so why make me carry this for you?"

"Exactly. You're not." He agreed without even sparing me a glance as he inspect some books at the shelf again.

This shit! Hindi na nahiya!

"Alam mo but then you still let me carry these bloody humongous and insanely heavy piece of crap???!"

His eyes swiftly shifted on me with his thinned lips. Obviously not liking what I just said.

"Crap? Well, let me clarify you this, Ms. Javier. These aren't just crap and let me remind you some facts here. I have let you 'stay in my room' and even let you 'used my couch' so it was just right na bayaran mo'ko dun by carrying these books for me."

Just hearing his unbelievably ridiculous argument, my mouth just hang agape while gaping at the impossible bastard.

I am not just hearing things now, am I?

"Carrying these books was just nothing compared to the inconvenience you've caused me in this trip."

"Inconvenience?" I scoffed then shook my head in disbelief.

"Ano naman kayang inconvenience 'yang pinagsasabi mo, Mr. Del Fuero because I don't think I have done such thing! Hindi mo man lang ba naisip kung anong kalagayan ko with you offering your dwarfsized couch? Sumasakit pa nga hanggang ngayon ang leeg ko and you're saying it was out of your kindness?? And for your information! Hindi naman sana ako maghihirap ng ganun and wouldn't have 'inconvenient' you kung hindi mo lang sana ako pinigilan to stay in Mason's condo!"

His eyes suddenly twitched as he gave me a warning look. Probably to shut me up and to stop me slapping the truth in his face but No! The hell I will!

When he didn't answered and just stayed silent while giving me a laser look as his lips thinned in line, my brow shot up and glared back at him, not backing down with his stares kahit na hirap na hirap na'ko dahil sa bigat ng dala ko.

"What??? Natameme ka bigla when reality just slapped you in your thick face??! Ano? Kausapin mo'ko and let's discuss what kind of kindness you have in your rotten bones and don't just give me that look as if you're already murdering me in your mind!" Hamon ko rito with me tightly hugging the books against my chest.

"Your voice, Ms. Javier! We're in a public place!"

"Oh the hell I'd care about it!" I snapped at him in a rather loud voice when he warned that in a low yell, causing him to look more murderous as I take no heed with the other customers taking interests with our not-so little argument.

Oh as if I'd be stop by them.

"Let's talk about what inconvenient you're spouting about now! Parang inaalila mo na nga'ko ngayon with you kept picking some pretty heavy books about ways on how to bloody kill your enemies but then----"

My mouth snapped shut when a loud asthmatic clearing of throat from behind me can be heard.

Swiftly, I turned on my heels and I was greeted with a white-haired elderly man who appeared like a butler with his ramrod posture like Mr. Del Fuero's. Wearing an immaculate and creaseless black suit and a proud mustache above his mouth.

All in all, he was very--out of fashion! So ole!

Is he some noble from Victorian era who just came here in the future through time machine??

"Forgive me for interrupting you, Sir and Madame. Your argument seems so serious and intense to the extent that it worried me and that it needs my intervention for it catches my other customer's interests."

Tell me he's not please because I think he really was with how calm and formal he sounded! He spoke like a poet! gosh!

"And if you two won't mind my advise, can you two please do settle your love quarrel in a more private place?"

"We are not lovers!"

"We are not lovers!"

I glared at him when we barked that in unison. He just grunted before he looked at the old man with no nonsense in his face.

"We really are not, Mr. Monroe."

He knows this old fashioned man??

"Whatever stage you are in your relationship, Mr. Del Fuero."

When he called him with his name, that confirms that they know each other.

"Your argument must be set aside for now. I am deeply asking for your kind cooperation. I just don't want you two to scare my customers away." He continued in a manner of tone that everyone should obey and as if he was a student writing an excuse letter to his teacher. So moving and formal with his face still calm.

"We'll be leaving now, Mr. Monroe. I apologize for the 'inconvenience' we've caused to your other customers."

I scowled as my eyes narrowed at him into pinprick when he said the 'inconvenience' part with emphasis, halatang pinariringgan ako.

"No problem, Mr. Del Fuero. I truly hope that you'd settle your problem with this.." He trailed off as he looked at me.

I quickly smiled at him apologetically which he acknowledge with a nod.

"With this lovely woman you have here."

My smile became a wide grin when he added that compliment, ignoring the fake coughing of the bastard beside me. Halatang hindi nagustuhan ang huling sinabi ng may-ari.

"I thank you for that honest comment from you, Sir. And I apologize for ruining your store's peace." I sweetly answered with a slight bow ala old senyorita. Agad namang tumango ito and then took his leave.

Kahit na nakaalis na ang matandang 'yon, a grin was still plastered in my face.

"Quit with that disgusting look you have in your face, Ms. Javier. He was just bluffing you."

"Hmp. Inggit ka lang because I was being complimented by that man and you're not."

"I don't need any of that useless compliment from anyone."

I just let out a mocking scoff and then shook my head.

"As if there's even someone wanted to give you a compliment. Dream on, Mr del fuero. You're just daydre----"

I suddenly stopped nang bigla itong tumalikod and then marched towards the counter with stiff back.

"Mr. Del Fuero!" I called up saka patakbong sumunod rito while still clutching the books in me.

Just he wait after I'd bash these books on his head, he'd really want me to do it with him.

"Faster, Ms. Javier!"

"I'm coming, you shit! Just wait!" Unis ko ng sagot rito when he growled that out.

The other customers stared at us when I blatantly uttered that. Probably with me cursing the idiot.

I just heard him muttered a few curses while giving me a look that could make anyone ran.

Pagdating na pagdating ko sa counter, I quickly place down the books at the counter in a rather forceful way, surprising the cashier.

I just paid her no heed and just wait for Mr. Del Fuero to pay it with folded arms.

After he had haggled the price and paid all of it, I quickly took my exit without even waiting for him, afraid that he'd insanely let me carry all those books again.

A no no more to that.

I waited for him just outside the bookstore and when he got out of the store, he suddenly throw something to my way na taranta ko namang sinalo.

"Your car keys?" I asked with furrowed brows the moment I saw what it was.

"Obviously. Do the driving."

"And obviously, this time you want me to be your chauffeur after making me your shopping alalay back there?"

"Exactly." Then without any word, agad na itong naglakad patungo sa maitim na kotseng nakaparada mga ilang metro lang mula sa tindahan with plastic bags in each of his hands.

Blowing out an exasperated sigh, I ran to that way though digging some bullet in head was very enticing to do right now nang matapos na ang kalbaryo ko rito.

I hastily opened the cardoor at the frontside and get into the driver's seat. Agad naman itong pumasok and sat at the backseat.

He want me to drive for him, then fine. No problem. Just a piece of cake. Ihahatid ko pa ito kahit sa dulo ng impyerno.

With pleasure!

The moment he'd closed the car door on his side, agad ko ng pinaandar ang makina and then stepped the accelerator and drove off through the not-so busy highway with ridiculously high speed kahit hindi ko alam kung saan impyerno papunta ang gagong 'to.

"Ms. Javier! You---ohmf!"

"What??!" I barked out in a shout without looking at him in the rearview mirror when he suddenly shouted that at the back.

"Shit!" I heard him cursed out under his breath, causing me to gaze at him at the rearview mirror and found him clutching his rather tomato red nose while hissing.

"And what's up with your nose, now? Do you happen to bump that in the car door?" I sarcastically asked with my eyes stayed at the road.

A loud growling can be heard after, making me wonder what had exactly happened to him.

Baka tama nga ang hinala ko. Ow...

"Stop the car this instant, Ms. Javier!"

My brow automatically shot up when he suddenly ordered that, still clutching his poor nose.

Tsk, tsk.. I think my guess was indeed right. With his seatbelt just resting on his side and not around him, he had indeed bumped his nose.

Oh no. What a rare scene to witness! Smirking, I didn't stop the car.

"Are you out of your mind? You've ordered me to drive and now gusto mo na namang ihinto ko ito? You're not just experiencing another bipolar episode again, are you?" I reasoned out while secretly enjoying the moment, paying him no heed at saka mas lalo pang binilisan ang pagpatakbo ng sasakyan kahit na hindi ko alam kung saang lupalop papunta sa hotel namin.

Another loud curses can be heard again at the backseat which caused me to smirk more, triumphant with him being so cooked up with me.

I'm pretty sure he was ready to explode with his rage now.

"MS. JAVIER!"

"Yes? May kailangan po ba kayo, sir?"

"I.SAID.STOP.THE.CAR!" Sigaw na naman nito while tightly clutching at the plastic bags on his lap with his locked jaw.

Oh-oh. I think kailangan ko ng ihinto ito before he'd strangle me. Mahirap na... with his veins ready to popped out from his temple, stopping the car was really in accordance.

"Yeah, yeah. Ito na po, kamahalan. Ang KJ niyo naman!" saad ko na lamang while slowly nodding my head, feigning innocence with his situation.

Though I don't want to stop annoying him to hell, I decided to just resume the fun next time. Then I stepped the brake to slow down the speed and eventually make a stop at the side of the road but I frowned.

I frowned when it hadn't even slowed down a bit. I stepped the brake pedal again but to no avail, the car still running fast, dahil para mataranta na'ko.

Oh no..

I tried to stop it again pero wala paring nangyayari kahit anong apak ko pa sa brake pedal, making my heart to almost leapt out of my chest as my grip at the stirring wheel tightened.

Something's really not right here. Ba't hindi humihinto ang sasakyan na'to?

I made another try but again, nothing happened and the car still running at its fastest speed I could ever imagine.

Damn it!

I stayed focused with the driving while muttering a few curses, now with heavy deep breaths.

I wonder what happened to this car. Hindi naman siguro magmamaneho ng sirang sasakyan ang gagong 'to ano kahit gaano pa kakuripot nito?

He better be! Dahil kung hindi, I don't know kung anong magagawa ko sa rito if it was!

I just hope he wasn't----

"MS. Javier! I said stop the car and not drive there----"

"I am already trying to stop it but it won't stop, damn it!" I shouted back at him, cutting him off.

"Anong hindi???! I don't have time to play with your childish game, Ms. Javier! Stop this car now or I will make you mysel----"

"Just shut the fuck up, you shit! I said your damn car won't stop!"

His already murderous eyes intensified when I shouted that back, clearly not liking being called some shit. But heck! I could really murder him now kung hindi pa ito titigil sa kasisigaw sa'kin.

"What are you spouting now, Ms. Javier? You know I am not in a habit to joke around -----"

"At mas lalong hindi ako nakikipagbiruan sa'yo! I said your car won't stop kahit na anong gawin ko!"

"WHAT???!"

"Yes. You've heard it right bastard! Sira ang brake ng sasakyan mo and flash news! We're both going to die! Say hi to Saint peter!"

Hearing that, his eyes instantly went wide in shock.