SHE IS MY GIRLFRIEND

“Make it work next time.” She remarked and left the table, then went off with Troye, pacing their ways toward the car in quick pace.

“How did you know that?” puzzled, Hailey asked him who instantly started the engine.

“I noticed them from inside through the rearview mirror. It seems like they were waiting for a cue before the sabotage, which is why we have to make it fast to get out of here before they notice us.” Troye said in a fast manner. “Are there any other exit here?”

“There is, but there could be more reporters in there as well.” Hailey answered.

“No. They didn’t see this coming. They expected to get you easily, although, we have to hurry. We might get overtaken.” Troye responded and flew the car away from this park.

“But what could it be this time?” annoyingly, Hailey asked.

“The Dixon’s Company’s association with the suicide case.” Troye remarked, halting Hailey for a moment.

It turned out, Ashley was the cue for them to ambush Hailey. But thanks to Troye’s keen senses and cunning strategy, he at least burned down the fire for— at least, may be— a brief moment. He introduced himself as the police who will take care of the case, and pushed them away.

“What do you mean suicide? Why haven’t I heard of it?” Troye darted her a confused look.

“Check the latest article, and you’ll see.”

Hailey did as she was told. And like an erupted volcano, Hailey exclaimed at the top of her lungs, believing how ridiculous the article is.

“JUST WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?!”

The article indicated how the Dixon’s Company is closely related to the death of a woman who was a former employee of the said company, which apparently was a suicide. In addition, the overall article drawn to the CEO, Hailey herself.

“You were not aware of it?” Troye unbelievably asked while driving.

“Definitely not! Would I be having this reaction if I was?” Sarcastically, she replied. “This… This entire thing is nothing but a malicious article. Naomi isn’t dead as how this article said she is!”

“But she is. Naomi Luz is dead.” Troye said firmly and slowed down the car upon hearing their contradicted belief. Hailey halted when he said the full name of the woman.

“What?” bewilderment and shock etched on her face. “You’re not serious.”

“I am. I was in-charged of her case, and saw her dead body right before my eyes.” He answered, and Hailey sat frozen.

“W…What… What in the world…” Hailey is having a trouble comprehending what he just said. Throughout the entire time… she believed that Naomi is alive. “Then why… Why the heck did mother say that she was alive? Why did she say she was confined when I asked her condition? Why the fuck…” her voice lowed down to the thin air, as her eyes looking underneath.

“Shit, here they come.” Troye cursed out of the blue upon noticing cars with an agency’s name imprinted on it, approaching their direction. But their speed made them trapped with no way neither hole to escape.

There were pretty much of them, and the car they are in now are slowly surrounded by them. News reporters went out of the respective cars and hurriedly came to their direction with lights, cameras, and wireless microphones and cellphones with them.

“Ms. Hailey, is your involvement of Naomi’s suicide true?”

“What do you think drove Naomi to commit suicide?”

“Do you admit that you are partly at fault for Naomi’s death?”

Foreign voices with foreign phrases repeatedly rang in her ears. She’s lost in the momentum currently, and her awareness of her surrounding is becoming vague. Her unawareness made her just follow wherever Troye will be heading. He covered her with his suit, and lead her way out of their sight by keeping her beside him, while gently gripping his hands on her shoulder to secure that she’s always by his side.

And because of that gesture, especially Troye’s familiar features to the reporters, the questions thrown at them were instantly diverted to him and his relationship with Hailey.

“What is your association with Ms. Hailey?”

“He is the great Detective Troye Steve Gomez!”

“You are the one who introduced as the police, right? What is your relationship with the CEO?”

Troye halted, so did Hailey, though still confused.

“She is my girlfriend.” Hailey suddenly came to her consciousness at the hear of it. “Thus, stop involving her with the case she wasn’t even aware of. I knew better, and I can prove you that. Just give me a day or two.” Without having second thoughts nor consideration of the outcome of his remarks, Troye announced and declared the news from him.

As soon as he’s done, another car emerged, which happened to be at the exact moment to appear.

“I came late, didn’t I?” June said and flashed an awkward smile, while Hailey was confused about his sudden appearance. But she couldn’t be more confused and surprised as per Troye’s groundbreaking announcement.

“Just wait a minute.” Being sober from being drunk by some huge news, Hailey finally muttered. “What the hell did you say to them again?” she turned her head to Troye who is sitting beside her.

“It doesn’t matter. But I want you to tell me about one thing…” Troye locked his eyes on her. “What did your mother say to you? I mean, you said she told you that she was alive, other than that, is there other more?” he continued with eyes screamed with eagerness.

June, who was the one driving, darted a glance at their direction through the rearview mirror, curious about what they were talking about.

“S-She said… she said she was confined in a hospital and I have nothing to worry about…” like an innocent kid, Hailey obliged but in a grumpy manner, until it struck to her. “Hey, why are you asking? Why do you sound like you’re interrogating me—”

“Other than that?” Troye asked, ignoring the following words she said.

“Well, nothing more—hey, did you forget that I’m your boss…” her frowning expression changed into something as though hit by a eureka moment. “Right, I remember her also telling me to keep it a secret…” her brows furrowed.

Silence occurred inside the car as no one dared to speak next, especially June who only have a little knowledge about the thing they are talking about.

“Bring me to my mother, June.”

June glanced at her, bewildered. “What do you mean? She’s out of the country, isn’t she?”