Chapter 33

My heart is pounding non stop. Next I swallow.
Will I see him again?
"Theron? Are you---" I didn't know what to say. My forehead furrowed as he faced me.
The two of us met eye to eye. The evil angel's face appeared. The smile was wide on her lips. Carolina was right, it was handsome. The former became stronger because of wearing a coat and tie.
"Excuse me?" he said.
"H-ha? No..."
"I thought you mistaken me for somebody else."
"Uh..." Yeah, I thought you were Ther ---
"Theron? Who's that Leigh?" Carolina asked.
"Huh? W-nothing!"
He glared at me but I just ignored him because I couldn't take my eyes off the man.
He’s not what I expected to see. I hope Theron is based on Carolina's description, or maybe Thander. They entered my mind because they were the only rich and handsome young men I knew.
Nakakainis naman! Why am I disappointed that they are not here now?
Damn it!
Why is he the one I think of? What are they going to do here? Those two don't care about me. They are the last person I would expect to help me!
I signed and stared at him.
Who is this?
"By the way! He's my cousin you want to help."
"Yeah, I know her." Does he know me? But why don't I know him?
I didn’t expect it to just sit on the dusty monoblock. The sauce on the table stained his expensive coat when he put his elbow on it. The last user didn't even clean it! I looked up at him. It looks like he doesn't have a pake, he's not artistic.
Tyang and I also sat down. The two of us were right. My forehead furrowed at his stare. His eyes are longing. Is it poetry that he hasn't seen me in a long time.
"Leigh she's--" he cut her off.
"Denard,"
"Denard Bornefeld," he said.
Denard Bornefeld? His name is not familiar to me. He looks like a foreigner so how does he know me?
I turned to Tyang and Carolina.
Where did they meet this man?
"I know you have questions. I'll answer it once you're out of jail," he said, looking down at my handcuffed wrist. "You're not supposed to be here."
"Not really! He's as smart as Bobby! We'll put him in jail when you're free! He should be here!" and Carolina.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of that," he said, lowering his gaze to the wristwatch, "My lawyer will arrive any minute now."
"Jusme compassionate! Thank you!"
Tyang turned to me.
"Did you hear that, Leigh? You can get out! Right now!"
I smiled sparingly. He turned to the man who still did not take his gaze away from me.
"Thank you so much you!"
I have a lot of questions in my mind but that's not what's important right now, it promises to answer all my questions. What matters is that I am free.
Letse I can be free!
*******
"Get in the car."
I looked down at its red sports car. I swallowed, it looked expensive and new.
"How are they Aunty?"
It pointed to the black car not far from where we were standing.
"That car is their ride. Don't worry, you're not alone with me. Their car followed us." aniya.
I think Tyang, who has just left the precinct, has moved. Its smile reached the sky, neither did Carolina's smile. Their faces brightened, different from the previous day.
"Son, thank you so much! It's because of you that Leigh is free! I don't know how to thank you!"
"Yes indeed! He is rich and kind! Do you still have a brother ?!" Carolina giggled.
"Sorry I'm an only child," he said and laughed.
Carolina blushed.
"It's a pity! It looks like you bet it's Leigh so we can't-- aw! Ma naman e!" he moaned with a pinch on Tyang's side.
"Don't abuse Carolina!"
A smile tugged on my lips. Now I just saw them again and they are so happy and energetic because we went through a lot the other day.
Denard and I both met eyes. It seemed like someone touched my heart because of this smile of his.
Who really is this man?
"Let's go?"
"All right! Let's celebrate because you're free!" said Carolina.
The two went straight to the car that Denard pointed out earlier. My forehead furrowed, did they know we were going somewhere? Where is it? Celebration ... Not so in SM?
Damn it!
"Let's go?" he said.
"W-where are we going?"
"Get in the car and you'll see," he said.
I sighed.
I got in the car, I sat in the passenger seat while he got in the front seat to drive.
In less than five minutes his lawyer arrived. My case was handled immediately. In less than an hour I was free.
According to Aunty, he went to the house when Aling Marites was about to evict him, even though they were surprised when he paid the rent. He himself offered to help with my case. They also don't know why Tyang knows about it especially since he looks like a stranger in our area, but they haven't done anything. They will accept all the help that is available.
We had something to go but he didn’t say where.
It happened so fast, until now I still can't believe it. My gaze remained on him. Even though I don't know him, I'm very grateful to him, but I know I can't just trust him. I was once fooled by my siblings. I will never let you be fooled again.
My gaze remained on him. But why is that? Why do I feel so comfortable with her?
"It's rude to stare."
"I-I'm sorry." I said, then averted my eyes.
"Hey, It's alright." He chuckled.
I was swallowed. I haven’t appreciated it yet!
"T-thank you for ---"
"You don't need to thank me," he said.
My forehead furrowed. "Why not? You're the reason I got free. You helped me--"
I didn’t finish what it would say holding my hand. My gaze remained there for a few seconds then lifted with him.
He grinned. My eyes narrowed.
He withdrew his hand. "Oh! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... I'm just happy."
"I-I'm happy too..." but I won't just hold the hand of the person I just met!
The art, Lineah! You agreed to steal the kiss of the person who kidnapped you! That man did worse to you!
Damn it!
"You're the reason I got free. So maybe you're happy because you helped the needy."
"I'm happy to help but there's another reason why I'm like this."
My eyebrows furrowed. "W-what?"
"I finally found you."
"What do you mean--"
"We're here!"
I turned around. Where are you? Ambilis naman ata? Being a sports car so fast.
I looked away. Where are we?
Damn it!
He didn’t finish what he was going to tell me! What does "Cause I finally found you." mean?
I sighed. I need to calm down. Too much has happened so I might just be under the illusion that he said that. That’s right, I haven’t slept yet so this is it. Maybe I just need to sleep.
It got out of the car. He turned to open the passenger seat door.
He even held out his hand to me. Even with a few, I reached for it.
I immediately looked for Tyang who had just gotten out of the car. They looked away, their mouths pitying as well.
I followed that with a look. I opened my mouth at the size and beauty of the mansion in front of us! Surrounded by tall and lush trees. A few were even cut in front. There is also a fountain in the middle of it.
Damn it!
Why are we here?
I turned Denard to my side. The two of us met eye to eye.
Who is he really?
I looked back at the mansion again. I glanced at him as he took my hand. My forehead furrowed at what he did, he was smiling and his eyes seemed to twinkle.
"Welcome back home, Lineah."