CHAPTER 4

The silent dinner we had is calming my nerves yet the wild beat of my heart didn't stop. Occasional gazes and smiles are all we could exchange in the fast food chain. It's past 10 pm so its understandable how few were the costumers here, with us. I eyed Aria across me as she eat elegantly. She really had that prim and proper vibe of a socialite that she is. It's been what, five, six years? Looking at her now, she's just as beautiful as she were before but now touched with maturity in looks and mind.

"Are you done?" I ask rather panicky as she set aside the plate. Burgers and frues not eaten, only the cup of rice and chicken leg. She sip the cola first before answering.

"Ah. Yes. Thank you for the dinner. I don't know how much I owe you, but rest assured I'll pay you."

Was I too busy staring at her that she already finished eating while I haven't even touched my meal?

"Can you please wait for me for a while? I wanted to finish this first since it'll be a waste to just dump these." I ask. No matter how cheap and lame that excuse sounds, I'll do anything to prolong this moment with her.

"You still haven't changed, Nico" She smiled and sip her cola. Her eyes twinkling as the lights in the cars passing by hits her blue irises.

"Is this even safe?" Her eyebrows arc as she eyed the food with scrutiny. Picking up the fries, she smelled it and put it down.

"Of course it's safe! Do you think people will buy and eat here if it's not? I thought you're intelligent?" I answered sarcastically to spite her. I just wanted to make fun of her. She looks cute when her eyebrows meet, lips pout and her cheeks reddening in anger. I smirk. Here she goes...

" Are you insulting me, mister golden boy of criminology department? Well, let me tell you this. I've read some reviews about this place and those are not good. It says that the place is not clean enough! The food is even-" I look around and saw a crew looking at us. Immediately, I put my hands over her chattering mouth to shut her up.

" Seriously?! Miss prim and proper heiress of RS corporation?! Do you really have to say it?! You'll get us in trouble! " I whispered. Her voice muffled under my hand while her hands started to punch my arm.

"Promise me to shut up first then I'll let you go."

"Mmmhmmp mmhmp!!"

"Okay okay. I'll let go now. Don't ever talk, okay?" Slowly, I let her go and the first thing she did was rather out of character.

"Ouch! Lualhati!" My voice resonated in the whole room of people eating as the culprit walk away. I cradled my poor hand and saw the teeth mark she left. Is she serious?! She just bite my hand!

"Is everything okay sir? Should I go after the woman?" A crew came to my aid, looking worried. I laugh awkwardly.

"Ah. No need. I'll go after. Uhm, can you please take out these food for me? I'll be back." Even before the crew could answer I dash outside to run after her. She's beautiful but a pain in the ass. Tsk.

"Hey! Lualhati!" With bated breaths, I grab her arm causing her to halt. She turned to me, angry.

"Why did you run? Geez. You even bite my hand. Jesus, girl. I don't know what to do with you." I said out of breath. We are in the middle of the street just looking at each other. She, looking so murderous for I don't know what reasons and I, staring at her. Just staring how those bluish eyes looks so enchanting as it burns daggers at my direction. Her cheeks tinted with red and her brows knitted together.

"Tss. Let's just go." She wiggle out her arm and march to the opposite side of the road.

"Wait. Where are we going? How about our things? The food? We haven't touched it!"

"Argh! You are so annoying Nikolai!!! Why did I ended up being partners with you?!!!"

Her high pitched voice resonated in the whole street, making some passersby look and raise their brows. I smiled at them apologetically and went back to the fast food chain to retrieve our things and the food I've ordered. She's so high maintenance girl. Tsk.

I open the door and the chilling wind greeted us outside the fast food chain. I put my hands in my pocket knowing in no time, it'll be hard for our paths to cross. The bus station is just a thirty minute drive from here.

"I'll just get my car, then I'll drive you to the bus station." She nodded and fiddled her phone. I jog my way to where my car is and drive. I open up the car door for her and she slid smoothly. Before I drive to the bus station, I fished something out of my pocket and give to her. She eyed the rectangular piece of paper with wonder.

"What is this?""I... just want us to start again. I mean, you are special to me whom I've never contacted for the past years and I don't want that again. Let's keep in touch?" I said, feeling hopeful that things might turn to the way I wanted it to be.

"Sure. I mean, we are friends. So yeah, let's keep in touch." she pocketed the card and smiled.

Friends. I felt a slight pinch in my heart but I shrugged it off.

"Let's get going then."

It didn't reach thirty minutes for us to arrive in the bus station. There's still a few passengers waiting which made my heart at ease. At least Aria won't be alone riding in the bus, she might find someone with the same direction as hers. Quick to my actions, I opened the door for her first.

"Nikolai, I just wanted to thank you. You've been so helpful and good to me. You are such a good person. I'm happy that we meet again, after all those years Nico."

"I am too, Aria. You don't know how happy I am being with you tonight. Don't worry, I'll do everything to make that bastard pay to what he has done to you. I'm not the same weakling kid you know back then. I will always be there for you. You know that, right? Malaria Lualhati, I love - "

A loud honk of a car interrupted. We both look at where the sound come from and a black,sleek car is parked just in front of my car. Aria flinched at the sight and step backwards, putting so much distance between us. I look at her, kind of bewildered with her reaction; her attention too focused in front. The heavy tinted windows rolled down and a man showed up. I can't totally make out his appearance since he's sitting not too close to the window. He titled his head sideways, and stare at our direction.

Without saying anything, Aria went to the newly arrived car. I saw her settled just beside the man. The window then slowly rolled upwards until I can't see them anymore. A few moments later, the car drive away, leaving me dumbfounded.

What the fuck just happened? Why did Aria rode in that car? Did she know that man? My mind is going to burst out due to the questions popping up. Without further ado, I went to my car and started the engine. Aria can't leave me just like that! I step on the gas and made way to where the car is heading. In the empty highway, I went pass by like a blur, exceeding to the usual speed limit just so I can catch up with them. I don't know why but seems like the car Aria is riding is in a hurry. They are getting farther and farther away when I notice they slow down a bit, a hand peek out of the window and throw something out in the street. Curious, I stop by to where the thing is lying in the ground. I clutch the thing in my hand upon seeing it up close. This was the jacket I lend Aria right after the incident. The white cloth is now tainted with dirt.

Does she have to throw it away? I don't know what to think but all I could feel right now is the piercing of my heart and the betrayal I felt. She could've just returned this one if she's disgusted. I just... Curling my hands into fist, I went to my car and drove back.

The disappointment, anger and confusion feed my dire need to run after her. I gear up and step on the gas, not noticing the car behind me until a loud crash of metal against metal echoed. The impact behind push my car forward and I can feel my whole body flying in all directions. My vision turned 360 degrees until it halt in full stop.

"I... A... Ari...a"

My body is aching and burning. I open my mouth to call some help. Am I just going to die here? I reach out my hand until it give out. Slowly, darkness swallowed my whole consciousness and trapped me in a bottomless hole of unknown.

"Two separated road incidents have been reported around 10:40 pm in Labo highway. Two men were severely injured in the car crash namely : Marco Sevilla, 25 years old, and Lorenzo Nikolai Boromeo, 25 years old. On the other hand, the people involved in the separate incident were three men and woman. The woman who is identified as Makaria Lualhati Sandoval is in critical condition, the two other she is with were identified as Kennett Torres and Johnson Ledesma, who is the renowned businessman who owns a chain of department stores. The victims are then rushed in the hospital. Further investigation about this incident is now conducted by the police highway patrol group. "