CHAPTER SIX

“WHY DO you look like you’re not happy to see me?” Gael asked. His forehead creased a little.

“W-why?” Ally said as soon as she recovered. “Do you expect me to welcome you with my arms wide open and tell you I’ve been waiting for you?” She drew a breath. “My goodness! How did you find my office? You’re starting to give me the creeps.”

“This is not the right time to argue about that, Miss Punzalan. My sister is missing, and your best friend took her with him. We should be more concerned about them.”

“Let me clear this, first. Gino did not abduct Ghia. Your sister went with him by her own will because she did not want to be apart from him,” Ally contradicted.

“I’ve gone to all the places Ghia could possibly go, but no one could tell me her exact location.”

“I did the same thing. I still could not find Gino,” Ally said and avoided his gaze. “P-please take a seat.”

“Thank you,” Gael replied in a formal tone.

He occupied one of the visitors’ chair across her table. He sat with authority. It was as if their situation had reversed.

“Do you have any relatives in the province?” she asked.

“All of our relatives are in Italy. It’s not likely that they went out of the country. My parents will know right away. What about your friend? Does he have relatives in the province?”

Ally did not respond right away.

Well, yes, Gino’s parents lived in the province. But, would it be safe to tell Gael? She did not trust him yet. She’ll never let herself be deceived by his appearance. She could fancy a little about it, though.

“I know you still find it hard to trust me,” Gael said.

Ally stared at him in surprise.

Mindreader?

Ally was tempted to trust Gael. He really looked sincere. And she could not handle the situation alone. If there’s someone who could help her at the moment, it would be no other than Gael.

What should she do?

“You can report me to the police if I do not keep my word,” he said.

“Your family can buy the police, that’s for sure,” Ally retorted.

“I’m not like my parents,” he insisted.

“It doesn’t seem to me,” she snorted.

“You don’t know me.”

“I’m not interested in knowing you.”

What a liar, her mind countered.

“But you have to trust me.”

“I still have a problem with that.”

“How about we find them ourselves? Let’s help each other. In that way, you can watch my every move while I prove to you that I am trustworthy.”

Ally gazed at him.

She stroked her chin as she contemplated. There was nothing wrong with his suggestion. She would never let Gael tricked her. It would be better if they could watch each other.

“Will you, please?” Gael muttered, his eyebrows forming a knot.

“I’m just kidding, okay? Don’t knit your eyebrows like that. You don’t look handsome anymore. Would you want that?” Ally wiggled her eyebrows and grinned.

Gael’s forehead knotted.

Okay, fine. Gael would still be handsome even if he looked mad. And Ally’s mind could not help but wander whenever she catches a glimpse of his lips.

The heck.

“Call me if you have already decided,” he said and stood up. He even tidied his coat a little.

Ally was a little dismayed. She hadn’t had enough of his handsomeness yet, he’s already leaving.

“Okay,” she replied curtly.

He gave her a business card.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

Gael finally turned his back. Ally lifted her hand and curled her fingers into a claw.

“Rawr,” she whispered and suppressed a giggle.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

RIGHT AFTER Gael left, Ally called Uncle Gener. As far as she knew, he had acquired farmland in the province. Gino once mentioned that it had been expanding. Thanks to his parents’ hard work.

“Hi, Uncle Gener,” she said as soon as he picked up.

“Ally! What a nice surprise. I thought you forgot about your Auntie Hasmine and me.”

Ally laughed awkwardly.

“I was just busy with our business lately, Uncle. I’m sorry if I haven’t checked on you once in a while. How’s your farmland doing, Uncle?”

“It’s doing great. By God’s grace, we’ve been producing good quality grains. Next harvest, could you come here with your family? Let’s have a feast.” Uncle Gener laughed heartily.

“That would be amazing, Uncle. You know my father, he never backs out with drinks.” Ally laughed when she was actually scratching her eyebrow. “Uncle, is Gino checking on you? Have you talked to him yet?”

“That kid is always busy with his band. Gustine was the only one who could make time to check on us.”

“I’m just wondering if he had mentioned to you his plans. Like, when is he paying you a visit?”

“Sadly, we do not know what’s going on with his life lately. Hasmine had been begging him to come home because we missed them, but he could not just take a break from his work.”

This is not good, Ally thought.

Uncle Gener had no idea that Gino and Ghia eloped.

“Could you tell the last time he called you, Uncle? Didn’t he call you yesterday? Or the other day, perhaps? What about last week?”

“It’s been more than a month since I received a call from him if I remembered it right. Sometimes, I don’t like that he’s too focused on his career. Why did you ask, Ally? Is there anything wrong?”

“N-othing, Uncle, nothing,” Ally replied at once. “I just want to tell you that I’m happy knowing you’re doing well. Don’t worry, one of these days, I’ll pay you a visit.”

“I’ll count on that, Ally,” Uncle Gener said ecstatically. “Don’t forget to bring your boyfriend. I want to meet and assess him.”

“My goodness, Uncle,” Ally muttered with a laugh. “Well, okay. As you wish.”

Ally politely bid good-bye and ended the call. She sighed in frustration.

That was not good. It looked like it would be more difficult for them to find Gino and Ghia since Uncle Gener had no idea what that jerk did.

“What do I do now?” She slumped on her chair.

Ninny came in carrying her favorite roasted chicken. Ah, her comfort food.