Chapter 36
COSETTE
“Idon’t even know how to talk to her.”
We were observing the little girl, Callista, while she was watching Disney on Dex’s flat-screen TV, sitting on the couch like an actual child should.
I still can’t believe that she’s gotten out of potentially being human trafficked, and don’t get me started on how she probably watched the undercover Azul man get killed.
The guys have been trying to assuage my concerns ever since we stopped with the questions, not wanting to traumatize her even more. She’s been through enough, and she needs reprieve, not more recalling of what happened to her.
Siege tightened his arms around me from behind, while Dex held my hand, massaging my fingers the way I loved that only he could do.
“I think you just have to follow your instincts, little vixen. You’re actually handling this very well,” Siege said from behind me, planting a soft kiss on my nape.
“Yeah, but I feel like we should do more to help her get through this. I don’t know how she’s handling this the way she is.”
I see Nero finally come back from the kitchen, placing another plate of sandwiches on the coffee table in front of Callista. She hasn’t been able to stop eating, and honestly? I love that for her.
She was so thin, and it makes me feel relieved that she’s eating so well after suffering God knows how many days.
“Do you want anything to drink?” Nero asked her, playing the role of a butler though he didn’t mind, and Callista replied with “water,” in her thick accent.
Which makes me think.
Was she abducted in the Philippines?
Was she kidnapped? Or did her family put her up as trade of some sort?
Did she come here alone?
As if I thought about her too much, when Nero left to get her water, her head turned towards me, Dex, and Siege.
I pulled away from their hold to walk towards her.
I was itching to ask her questions, but I didn’t know if she’s up for talking. So, I waited.
“Alam ba ng jowa mo na nilalandi mo yung dalawa?”
My brows shot up to my forehead at her blunt accusation, and I knew already that I had underestimated this girl.
“I’m not flirting with them behind Nero’s back, if that’s what you’re thinking.
” I wasn’t sure if I should disclose to a nine-year-old girl the technicalities of my relationship, but maybe she needed a distraction.
Who knows? I’m willing to give it to her if it will help her forget about the situation she was in.
“I’m dating all three of them,” I finally said with a shrug. “And yes, they all know.”
To my surprise, Callista actually smiled at that, nodding as if she respected it and was in awe of me.
“But yeah. Finish your food, and I’ll help you get settled in. You can stay here for the night. I’m sure you need the rest.”
Footsteps. Wood creaking ever so slightly under the weight.
I sat up on the bed, the three guys surrounding me on Siege’s ridiculously huge bed fast asleep while I lay awake because of their snores.
I’m glad I was awake though, as I got to hear the faint sounds from the hallway making their way downstairs.
Carefully, I pried myself from under their holds.
The weight of their arms and legs on me was not light, but I managed to get out from under them.
I went out the door, following the source of the sounds, to find a small shadowy figure digging through my bag that was on one of the couches in the living room.
“Callista?” I called out, and I could make out her head turning towards me.
Even without seeing her eyes in the darkness of the Azuls’ mansion, it felt as if she was boring her eyes into my soul.
Though I can’t see it, I could feel the need to get away from here.
It’s why she’s sneaking out, isn’t it?
Silence fell between us, and even without a single word, I understood.
And she understood I wouldn’t stop her.
“Wait,” I whispered before she could fully turn around and leave.
I approached her, grabbing the money I had hidden in a secret pocket in my bag, handing it to her. “This is all I have.”
Then, I unlocked the phone I had in my hand, removing the password as I said, “Keep this. Nero, Siege, and Dex’s numbers are all in here. Call or text them if you need anything, okay?”
I looked down at her, or at least, what of her that I could see, and I leaned forward for a hug, silently thanking her in my head that she didn’t pull away. “Please be safe,” I mumbled before letting her go.
And in the dead of the night, Callista left the safety of the Azuls’ home to do whatever she needed to do.