CHAPTER FIVE

IT DID not take a minute and her parents came running into her room both looking startled.

“What happened, Ally?” her father asked.

Ally’s hand was shaking when she pointed at Gael.

“H-how did that man get into my room? He wants to take advantage of me!”

Her Dad Domeng gave Gael a sharp look.

“What is the meaning of this, young man? We welcomed you inside our household properly and this is what you did to our daughter in return?”

“It’s not what you think!” Gael explained.

Her mom stood between Gael and her dad.

“I think we should give Gael a chance to explain. Maybe there was a misunderstanding between these two. What do you think?” she said.

“Ally kissed me first.”

“I did not!” Ally strongly protested.

“Hope to die?” Gael asked.

Ally was silent for a moment.

“I did not realize I was dreaming. And you took advantage of the situation!”

“Hey, I reminded you but you did not believe me. After I got carried away, you’ll just accuse me like that? This is embarrassing.”

Ally stared. Why this man was such a good actor, she did not know! And he was trying to use the situation against her right in front of her parents!

“You’re a liar!”

“You kissed me first. Will you still keep denying?”

“Ah, these kids.” Her Mom Andeng tsked. “If you’re going through some lovers’ quarrel, you don’t have to involve us. Like, we’re too old for that. You’re driving me crazy. And you, Ally, get dress and we’ll have breakfast now. I can’t believe you’re making a big deal out of a kiss. I thought I’m having a grandchild soon. Let’s go, Domeng. Let’s leave them alone.”

Her parents left as nothing happened.

“Maybe we shouldn’t have interfered at all. What do you think, Andeng?”

Ally’s gaze followed their figure. Was that it? Aren’t they going to insist that Gael should be responsible for her?

“Gael, you come with us. Ally is not a morning person. You have no idea what she might do to you,” her father blurted out when they were on the doorstep.

Gael followed her parents without saying a word. Ally was still in disbelief after being left alone in her room. Her first kiss was gone. If she was going to write the most embarrassing moment of her life in a slum book, she would write everything that happened a while ago.

Ally touched her lips and whined. She could still feel Gael’s lips on hers and his scent on her skin.

“I preserved my first kiss for a long time and I wasted it just like that…”

Ally rubbed her hands on her face. At that moment, she could only wish that everything was just a dream.

*

“WHAT DO you mean Ghia’s missing?” Ally laughed blandly. “Maybe she had a sleepover at her friend’s house.”

Ally eventually found out why Gael was eager to see her. He was worried because he believed Ghia was missing. But why would he go to her of all people? What did she know about what’s running on his sister and Gino’s mind? Maybe Gael was just being paranoid.

Gael asked her to talk privately after breakfast. Ally thought Gael wanted to apologize for ‘taking advantage of her act of taking advantage.’ And he also found out about her address from Arnold. Then Arnold asked Lyneth. He must be that desperate.

“If it was just a simple sleepover, she should have answered my calls. I’m afraid that Gino took my sister away.”

“And where would Gino take her, huh?” she said and raised an eyebrow.

“I don’t know. But there’s a big possibility that they had eloped.”

“Come with me. I’ll bring you to Gino’s house to prove that you are wrong.”

“Good idea.”

Ally marched out of the house ahead. She will show to this man that he was overly paranoid. If Gino had a plan of eloping with Ghia, she could have found out about it already. She was Gino’s most trusted person in the world!

When she knocked on the door, Gino’s housemaid opened the door for her. Gino only lived with his younger brother Gustine in this house because their parents were already living in the province. Gustine was also a member of Tough Love and one of the guitarists.

“Malou, is Gino inside?”

“You’re looking for Gino?” Malou said. “The truth is I don’t have any idea where he went, Ally. He was here last night but when I woke up this morning, his car was already gone. Which was strange. I believe he left at dawn. But he did not tell me where he was going.”

It was strange indeed.

“I told you,” Gael said.

“He must be in his bar because the band had an emergency. It’s possible, right?” she retorted. She took her phone and dialed Gino’s number. It was not ringing. She decided to call Bob Earvin instead. He was the leader and the co-founder of Tough Love. “Bob, are you with Gino?”

“I haven’t seen him around since yesterday. Why are you looking for him?”

“I don’t know where he is.”

“Did you try calling him?”

“Yes, but I can’t reach him. Even Ghia.” She glanced at Gael absent-mindedly. He’s so gorgeous.

“Oh. They eloped.”

“Bob, don’t say that!” she scolded, her eyes wide with panic.

“What? `You think Gino isn’t capable of doing that?” he said matter-of-factly.

Ally moved away from Malou and Gael.

“Gino will be doomed if he did that. Ghia’s brother is looking for them already!”

“Maybe Gino got desperate. I was hoping I was wrong because we need him in the band. But I’d rather have him eloped than be captured by Ghia’s family and got him killed.”

“You’re not helping!”

Ally did not know what to do if Gino would—oh, please, no! How could Bob say that?

“We’ll do our best to contact him. Just pray for their safety. And trust Gino. That jerk knows what he’s doing.”

Ally can’t look straight into Gael’s eyes when she went back to him. She did not want to admit it but he could be right. The two eloped already. And she could not help feeling about. She was Gino’s best friend. Usually, she would know first hand if Gino was up to something.

“Should I hire a private investigator now?” Gael inquired.

“What are you talking about?” she retorted. “This is a family issue. Why would you involve other people? And you know, it has not been twenty-four hours since the two went missing so you could not declare that an abduction took place yet. I supposed you could find another way. But I’m begging you, Gael, make sure nothing bad will happen to Gino if you find him. It’s not a crime to love. And it’s not Ghia’s fault she’s a part of your family.”

“How many times do you have to say that.”

“Whatever. It’s up to you. Just try to look for Ghia from all the people you know. Maybe she was just taking a break. I’ll look for Gino, too. Okay?”

Ally started walking back to their house.

“Ally.”

Ally stopped when Gael held her elbow and her heart was suddenly beating abnormally.

“I’m causing all this trouble because I care for my sister. I have no evil intentions. I will do everything to keep everyone safe. All I’m asking is your cooperation,” he said softly.

Ally thought she was under Gae’ls spell while looking into his eyes and listening to him.

“M-me, too,” she said and cleared throat to calm her chest. “I’ll do my best. And I have your word on that.”

“I have to go. I might find Ghia in some other place.”

Ally could only nod in thinking of a better response. Gael did not simply let go of her hand. His hand slipped down at the length of her arm and their fingers touched. Ally swore she felt a thrill run down her spine.

Ally had not fully recovered yet until Gael got inside his car. Ally obliviously touched her elbow and then her lips.

“Oh, dear…”

Ally merely slap her forehead and went inside their gate while shaking her head.

“I HAVE already accepted the fact that Gino could not love me the way I love him. But why did he now let me know about his plans? I feel so bad, Lyneth. He said he trusts me more than he trusts himself. But why did he do that?”

“You’re a little overacting, don’t you think, Ally?” Lyneth said on the other line.

Ally went back to her room. She needed to think about her dilemma.

“What did you expect me to do? Should I stay cool despite the situation?”

“Well, yes. Because that is the only choice you got right now. I know Gino has a reason for keeping it from you. Everything is in chaos right now and I understand that he did not want you to get involved. Give him time. You’ll be surprised he’ll call you one of these days. Trust that friend of yours.”

Ally contemplated. Lyneth has a point but that did not lessen her worry for Gino.

“Okay,” she said finally and sighed.

“Are you in your house now?”

“Yes. I’m staring at The Ruins right now.”

“You’re starting to like that Gael guy, aren’t you?” Lyneth teased.

Ally pursed her lips tight to suppress a smile.

“O-of course, not.”

“As if you’re good at lying.”

“His personality is very far from Gino. How am I supposed to like him? And with the situation right now, I don’t want to think about things like that. It’s not helping.”

And she wanted to move on from that kiss, come on!

“Arnold mentioned to me that he’s single until now. After you fixed this problem, don’t waste any more time. Seduce him right away.”

“What?” Ally uttered in shocked and it was followed by Lyneth’s giggle. “You know how risky Gino and Ghia’s situation and you actually wanted me to get myself involved? And so what if he’s the most handsome man in the world? He’s not capable of love. It’s useless.”

It’s funny how Ally felt sad deep inside her heart.

“Nothing is impossible with love, you know. If Gina and Ghia could conquer it, how much more Gael and you? You give up way too easily.”

“You’re imagining things, Lyneth. There are a lot of guys out there. Recommend anyone to me except Gael. He’s complicated.”

“Well, if you say so.”

“You know what, Lyneth, come with me instead. I’m getting more and more anxious not knowing how is Gino right now. Since you’re not busy, come with me. Let’s find him.”

“And where are we going to find him?”

“Anywhere he could be, of course.”

*

ALLY AND Lyneth looked for Gino in vain. Even Tough Love’s sound engineers did not have any idea where could he be. Maybe she should start accepting the fact that the two had indeed eloped.

What was she going to do now? And how were the two doing? Does Gino still think of telling her his whereabouts?

The events of yesterday occupied Ally’s mind during work. She doubted it if she could ever concentrate. She had never been so frustrated like this her whole life!

She found herself pressing the numbers on the telephone to make a delivery of her favorite roasted chicken.

“Miss Ally,” Ninny called. She was standing on her slightly opened door.

“Yes, Ninny?” she said.

“You have a handsome visitor outside. Shall I let him in?” Ninny was obviously holding back a smile.

A handsome visitor? Ally felt relieved. So Gino had decided to show up finally! Wait till she gets to him!

“Sure. Let him in,” she replied.

“Okay.”

Ally stood up when Ninny disappeared from her sight. She prepared herself. He should be prepared for her outbursts!

Her mouth opened when the visitor went inside but closed it eventually and gulped when it wasn’t Gino but Gael instead.