Chapter 3: Beyond the Walls: The Arrangement
1176 Words
Samantha came out of her room, her hand on her head, still nursing the bruise that she had sustained from the last night’s fall. Tia Lida was setting the table for breakfast, and JM was already there, with another man she was not yet introduced to. They both stood up upon the sight of her. JM came to approach her.
“How are you feeling?” JM asked in almost a whisper.
“A little better.” She answered. She saw him smile at the good news.
Hmm…He’s cuter than I thought.
“Oh, before I forgot…” He turned to the other man and signaled him to come nearer. “This is Paulo, my cousin. He’s the town doctor. I asked him to check your bruises and other injuries you might’ve sustained when you fell.”
Aww…That’s so sweet. Plus points for you.
“Kids,” Tia Lida called at them. “Have breakfast first. The table is ready.”
JM and Paulo needed no coaxing. They eagerly approached the table, as if they lived in the house and the breakfast was specially prepared for them.
“Samantha,” Tia Lida called to her again. “I know this is you favorite. Come on and eat up.”
She walked to the table and saw her favorite tapsilog breakfast. Her stomach caught up with her and made a grumbling sound that indicated hunger, that she hoped nobody heard.
But upon seeing JM and Paulo struggling to hide a smile, she knew she knew it was not a secret.
“Don’t mind if I do.” She said, as she sat down and dug in. Tia Lida followed her lead, before the two men did.
During the course of breakfast, JM politely asked about her, the events last night, and her plans for the day.
Hmm…Are you investigating me, Sir?
“Am I under investigation here?” She jokingly asked.
JM laughed softly at her remark. “No, of course not….”
“JM is the town’s chief of police,” Tia Lida interrupted. “It’s his job to check on everyone, especially visitors.”
Chief of police? He should be a model….
Unconsciously, she smiled at the thought. She had always pictured chiefs of police as stout, middle-aged men with round, beer bellies, always sending his subordinates in errands that have nothing to do with their jobs. JM had made her see them in a different light by breaking the stereotype.
“…So, what do you think?” JM asked of her.
“Hmm? W-What do I think of what?” She asked back. Apparently, he was talking about something, but she was quite busy with not listening.
“Of my suggestion.”
She just stared at him, her eyes wide, her lips pursed, thinking, considering…Nothing. Because she had no idea what he talked about earlier.
“Sam, dear,” Tia Lida interrupted again. “JM suggested that after your checkup with Paul at the town hospital, you should be escorted while you’re here, especially when you go up the mansion.”
And who’s gonna escort me? You?
“Yes,” JM answered. “It’ll be my pleasure to be your escort.”
Wait…Did I say that loud? Dang! He can read minds?!
JM softly laughed; she was not sure why, perhaps it was because of the way she was staring at him.
“No, I can’t read minds. But I can read expressions.”
Her jaw dropped in astonishment. She realized that there is a possibility that she could not hide anything from this man. Before he found out more about what she was thinking, she spoke up.
“I don’t think that’d be necessary.” She answered.
“Miss Samantha….”
“Call me Sam….”
“Miss Sam….”
She rolled her eyes.
“…Sam. I suggest you accept the arrangement for an escort. If you’re not comfortable with me, I can….”
“No.” She interrupted. “I mean…Yes.”
JM just stared at him, knowing that she had some clarification to do. He smiled and nodded at her as if telling her to go ahead and speak up.
“Yes, I will accept the arrangement for an escort…and….” No, I am not comfortable with you. She hoped to heavens he could not read her expressions about that.
“It’s settled then,” JM said with a satisfied smile. “Don’t worry, Miss Sam, I’ll be your escort for the duration of your stay.”
Dang…I swear he can read my mind.
After Doctor Paulo ran some tests on her, he cleared her from any more injuries other than the bruise on her head. It was a relief for all of them. Since the purpose of the hospital visit had been met, she bid goodbye to him.
“Let’s have dinner before I leave next week. On me.” She promised Paulo.
“That would be great.” He answered with a smile.
Then, she went on her way with JM to continue with her business in coming to this town. They went up the hill on his motorcycle, with her arms around his waist, just like the night before. She noticed the townsfolks’ stares and smiles as they passed by them, perhaps wondering who she was and why was she hugging their chief of police.
They reached their destination in no time since the weather is fine, and the dirt road had almost dried up. She went straight inside the house, to JM’s surprise.
“Miss Sam,” He called to her. “We should be going….”
“I just need to get something.” She answered from inside the house. Moments later, JM was beside her.
“I have to find it. It’s gotta be here somewhere. I was holding it when I fell.”
They searched for the diary together but failed to find it. She just could not comprehend—and accept—that it was suddenly gone.
Where in the world could it be?
Still wondering where the diary could be and how it disappeared, she turned to JM whose eyes were already on her.
He was probably thinking I am imagining things.
“You’re probably thinking I’m nuts….” She said.
“No.” He answered without thinking twice. “Why would I think that?”
Because I think I might be….
“Because you’re probably wondering why would I insist on being in this house….” She whispered the reply, mostly to herself, as she broke their eye contact.
“You can explain later.” JM answered. “We have to get down now, the weather may change anytime soon, just like yesterday.”
With a sigh of disappointment, she complied to JM’s request. She followed him out the door and into her parked SUV.
“Are you okay to drive?” He asked.
“Yes.” She answered as she opened the SUV door. “Piece of cake.” She continued as she slid herself into the driver’s seat and buckled up.
“Good. You go ahead, I’ll be right behind.” He said as he closed the SUV door.
She started the engine, revved it up before going reverse and forward through the wrought iron gates. She glanced at her side mirror and saw JM mounting his bike, putting on his helmet and starting it up to follow her.
- Writer
