24. Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Four
A Brief Detour
SAL
Somewhere in Cebu
Sal studied their itinerary in Cebu while wearing her sunglasses.
Salty air caressed her light skin as she got out of the hired van at the Airbnb they had booked.
The three-bedroom beachside vacation home with a modest strip of fine white sand overlooked the Cebu Strait.
It was a modest and beautifully designed place that could house a family of five.
Sal learned that Harmon’s team was staying at the Radisson Blu somewhere in the capital.
It was a luxury hotel that touted five-stars.
Good for them, she thought magnanimously.
That would keep him busy while she traveled to Bohol.
At the thought of Harmon, her thoughts immediately moved to Rafa; strangely, he was unreachable by phone.
No matter how many calls she made, they weren’t going through and he wasn’t picking up.
I hope I can get a hold of him before I leave for Bohol.
She eventually decided to just send him a message instead.
A lot had happened in the short time before they went to Cebu, and she was aching to let him know.
A few nights ago, all three of them sat around the coffee table in the small rented apartment, discussing their strategy for the art show.
Theola looked to be deep in thought. “So we’re not going to Davao or Cebu anymore?” she asked, noting down everything in one of her glittery pink notebooks.
Willow leaned back on the palms of her hands. “Well, I really wanted to go to Cebu at least,” she said, appearing slightly dejected.
“Let’s still go to Cebu!” Sal suddenly interjected, a little shriller than intended. “I mean…we don’t want Harmon knowing too much about our budget constraints, and besides, it’d be nice to tour around.” She let out a sheepish grin toward Willow.
“Oh my God, finally!” Willow exclaimed, dropping her head in relief, her red curls swaying behind her. “But wait, what are we gonna tell Harmon? Do we still coast along during the museum visits?”
“We could still tour the museums, just not on business. I hear Cebu’s museums are beautiful, anyway. Eventually we’ll have to break it to him,” Sal said with a sigh.
And that’s how they all took a brief vacation in Cebu.
Sal entered the main room where Willow was resting on the bed, taking in the sweeping view of the ocean.
“I’ve never seen so much blue in my life,” Willow said, looking relaxed and happy. Sal pulled her attention away from her phone to take in the ocean. Perhaps the conjoined colors of the sky and glittering cerulean sea had that effect.
Willow let out a long, satisfied exhale and said, “The room and this place are beautiful. Why don’t you take a breather? I’m sure Rafa will call back soon.”
Willow was right. But the truth was she wasn’t at all worried about Rafa more than she was worried about missing her ferry to Bohol. There wasn’t enough time to explain everything to Willow.
When Sal didn’t answer, Willow followed up with, “Hey, what time did the schedule say the museum tour was?”
Sal checked her phone. “In an hour…”
Willow flopped on the bed again. “Great! We still have time to grab something to eat before going.”
Sal removed her shoes and unbuttoned her shirt in a hurry when she realized she had enough time to change before going to the ferry.
Willow propped herself up on her elbows. “Um, what are you in a rush about?”
“I’m going to take a ferry to Tagbilaran,” Sal said as she changed into a sleek, cropped white T-shirt. “That’s in Bohol. Next ferry leaves in about half an hour.”
“Why are you there when we just arrived in Cebu?”
“I am meeting someone there.”
“Okay…care to share more?”
Sal finally turned to Willow, hands on her hips and slightly out of breath.
“I’m meeting Tita Evie. She was a close friend to Claire’s family.
She texted me saying that she knows who Harmon is.
The next ferry to Tagbilaran leaves soon; I can get to it in time and come back for dinner,” she said in one breath.
Willow stared at her for a moment. “I’m going with you then,” she said.
“No, don’t…” Sal put out her hand in a defensive gesture.
“Just continue with the museum trip and go to the beach with Theola as planned. I’ll be fine, and I’ll be back by dinner.
” Sal started fixing her hair and changed into distressed mom jeans, cinched at the waist with a leather belt.
“I’ll join you guys as soon as I get back…
” she said, jamming last-minute stuff into her old leather tote bag with the sewn slash on the front pocket.
Willow sat on the edge of the bed. “Could you at least let me know where in Bohol you’re meeting her?” she asked with a softness to her tone.
“She’s been staying at a resort called the Amorita for work, so I’ll meet her there,” Sal said rather hurriedly as she double-checked the time. “I’ll be going now.” She put a scarf around her neck and donned a pair of sunglasses. There was no time to waste.
“I’ll let the driver know,” Willow said as she walked over to Sal and patted her back. “Keep your phone on loud.”
“I will,” Sal said as she tugged at her tote bag and went on her way. “Update me?”
“Sure.”