Lie To Me novel Chapter 26

The day of the outing came. Everyone was excited and their faces were full of expectation.

My team members will ride a van that Mikael provides but as for Russel and I, we will bring our own car.

We decided to do it that way and just convoy. Russel will be the lead, followed by the van then me, just to ensure that no one will be left behind.

"Is everyone already here?" I asked. They were already inside the van and having some fun chitchatting.

It's 3:45 in the morning and our running time is 4am. We had to get to the meeting place before 9am.

"We’re complete, Ma'am." Ruth answered.

I nodded and said we were going to leave.

I went to my car and roared its engine. I blow my horn signaling them to move.

The whole trip was smooth, there was only one stop at NLEX to get some gas and go through the drive thru.

It was past 7am when we reached Mariveles, Bataan. We stopped over first to my parents’ house to change our clothes and have our breakfast.

Everyone is in my house aside from Russel, it also went home to his parents’ house. Also, he can’t step a foot in our house, my mom is still mad at him.

"How many days you’ll be there?" Mama asked. I just came down from the bedroom.

"Until tomorrow at noon." I answered.

She seems nervous and I understand why.

"Can you bring your brother with you?" She asked.

I just shook my head. "It’s their finals next week, right? He needs to review." I answered.

Mama sighed. "I just don’t understand, why of all places, you chose that place,” she said, pain is her eyes. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I’m just scared it happen again,” she added.

I shook my head. "That's where they want it, Ma." I said.

I know what she worries about. It's just like Hans’ problem, but like I said, I'll be fine. Maybe I can handle that too. It’s about time to face it so I would stop being scared of it.

"I'll be fine, Ma. There are many of us and they are used to this kind of walk. Don't worry." I just said that too.

“Take care. Call me immediately when something happens,” she reminded me.

“Ma, the island is isolated. There’s no signal in there,” I answered, laughing a bit.

She just sighed and didn't say a word. She led us to the gate and watch us leave.

I was the lead now and we will pass Russel. I told Ruth to text him that we were going to push so we could wait on the highway. Their house isn’t far from ours.

I saw his car when we were approaching their street, I blew my horn. He did too. He is now the last. And without thirty minutes, we reached the meeting place.

A few vehicles had already been selected at the pier and the joiner who was with us was waiting outside.

I parked near the CCTV post, because it's safer to leave the car there and because that's the only vacancy.

I went out and approached the administrator of the tour. I know him, I've been on this tour.

"Ricky." I called him. It turned on me. He looked shocked but that didn't last, he after seconds recovered and smiled.

"Hey, Jia-girl! What can I do for you?" He asked.

He's a gay.

"We have reservations under Ruth Marie Fuentes." I answered casually.

His eyes widened. "Huh? The one from Manila? Are you part of that group?” he asked.

"Yes. We're fifteen in the group." I said. "Including Russel." I added.

His eyes got bigger. "Russel? Perez?"

I nodded.

I saw how he mouthed ‘o’ before calling his assistant.

"Sarah, please give them a life vest, fifteen. Then give Jia the yellow one." He ordered Sarah.

"Yellow? the new one, boss?" Sarah asked.

"Yes, that's one. Move faster so we can arrange their seating." He said.

I wanted to raise an eyebrow but I didn’t. I let that pass. I just coordinated with him regarding our payment and signed the waiver. After we signed, we were told to put our things near the boat for their men to put it inside.