9:48 am.
January 20, XXXX.
First Avenue, Syl City,
Sylembourge.
Schuster Empire.
Couver.

"LAURIST! HINDI AKO AALIS DITO HANGGAT HINDI MO PINAPANAGUTAN ITONG ANAK NATIN!"
Twenty one years na akong nabubuhay. Lumaki akong ulila ngunit mababait ang mga kumupkop sa akin.
Labing anim ako nang magsimulang magnakaw.
At sa tanang buhay ko, hindi ko kailanman naisip na mag-eeskandalo ako sa harap ng maraming tao.
Lupa. . . lamunin mo na 'ko, now na!
"Laurist! lumabas ka diyan! harapin mo 'ko! kung hindi. . ." Unti-unti akong napaupo habang marahang hinahaplos ang aking tiyan. Ngumiti ako nang mapait saka tumutulo ang luhang muling tumingala. "Kung hindi. . . kung hindi ipapalaglag ko 'tong anak mo!"
Pwede na ba akong manalo ng Academy Awards nito? HAHAHAHA.
"Continue on what you are doing. Young master Laurist's annoyed face is too amusing," sabi ni Ludwig mula sa suot kong earpiece. Siyempre, hindi niya nakalimutang tumawa.
I sighed.
Bakit ko nga ba ito ginagawa? Siyempre, hindi para inisin si Laurist.
Para 'to kay Wagner-tsun!
Isang linggo na ang nakalilipas nang magkakilakilala kaming lima. Kasabay noon ang pag-aalok ni Nikolas sa amin na magtrabaho sa kanya. Siyempre, dahil may mga sariling trabaho sina Laurist at Wagner-tsun nilayasan nila kami.
Kahapon, lumipat na kaming tatlo sa apartment na ipinangako ni Nikolas. Hindi pa man kami nakakapili ng kuwarto, pinasok na kami ni Nikolas sabay sabing, Wagner is going to be executed by the DongFang Mafia.
Ang galing talaga mang-surprise ni Nikolas. Mukhang kakalabanin niya si Ludwig sa pagbibigay ng surprises HAHAHAHA.
Bakit daw siya papatayin? Siya kasi ang sinisisi na nagkalat ng novel coronavirus sa China. 'Yung mismo virus daw ay sinadyang ipakalat ni Wagner-tsun.
Sa isip ko tuloy. . .
Ano kayang trip niya?
Muntikan na nga akong maniwala, kaso naalala ko na si Nikolas ang may galit sa mga Chinese.
Walang nakakaalam nito bukod sa'kin ah. 'Yung ex syota niya kasi na Chinese, pinagpalit siya sa doctor. Kawawa naman si Nikolas. HAHAHAHAHA. Buti nga sa kanya!
As Wagner's future teammates, we need to come up with a way to save him. Kaya ko ginugulo si Laurist ay dahil marami siyang pera HAHAHAH. Makakapakyaw kami ng facemasks at sanitizers bago pumunta ng China. Tapos baka makalibre kami kung sakaling involve din siya sa company ng mga alcohol.
At ang plano namin para mapapayag si Laurist? Mag-eskandalo sa tapat ng pinakamamahal niyang kumpanya. Magpanggap na nabuntis niya!
Iyon ang napakagaling na plano namin ni Ludwig.
"Lalabas ba 'yun? Baka mamaya ipakaladkad ako nun," mahina kong bulong at sa totoo lang, gusto ko nang umiyak nang totoo.
"He won't. Trust me," Ludwig reassured.
Nasa van (na galing pa sa Corps) ngayon si Ludwig kasama si Sin-chan, 'yung driver na nagbalik sa'min sa Gustazó. Hinack daw ni Sin-chan ang CCTVs ng kumpanya ni Laurist at ngayon nga ay pinapanood nila ang ginagawa niya sa loob ng kanyang opisina. Nakakapag-usap naman kaming tatlo gamit ang earpiece na galing kay Sin-chan.
I sighed.
Para kay Wagner-tsun!
"Lau-laurist. . . sabi mo mahal mo 'ko. Ba-bakit ayaw mo 'kong panagutan," humahagulgol na sigaw ko.
Samu't-saring bulungan ang naririnig ko. May ilang napadaan lang at ang iba ay mga empleyadong kunwari ay napadaan lang. May mga pasimple rin akong kinukuhanan ng video at picture.
Hehe. . . artista ka na bukas sa Wetube, Couver.
Sa mata nila may isang blonde chick na nakaluhod na umiiyak. Siyempre bukod sa napakagaling kong talent sa pagbabalat-kayo, gamit ko rin ang Phantasm.
"Uhm. . . Couver?"
"Bakit?" Istorbo naman 'tong si Ludwig, uma-acting pa ako eh.
"Run for your life."
Nangunot ang noo ko sa narinig ngunit bago ko pa tuluyang maintindihan ang lahat, dalawang sobrang machong nakasuot ng uniporme ng mga guard ang humawak sa magkabilang braso ko.
"Te-teka! Hindi ako fan ng threesome! Payag pa akong bondage pe-teka nga!" sigaw ko habang nagpupumilit makatakas sa mahigpit na pagkakahawak nila sa'kin. Tagos hanggang buto sa sakit!
Akala ko ba hindi ako ipapakaladkad ni Laurist? Anyare, Ludwig?
"I'm very sorry, Couver. I promise that we will do our very best to save my Little Wagner," dinig kong bulong ni Ludwig mula sa earpiece. Matapos nun, gumuho na ang mundo ko. Pati ang earpiece na tanging kumukunekta sa aming dalawa ay wala na rin. Sinadya nilang tanggalin!
Lord, ikaw na pong bahala sa'kin.
"Huwag ninyo akong kaladkarin! 'Yung anak ko! Ma-maawa kayo sa'kin," kunwaring umiiyak na pakiusap ko sa dalawang kumakaladkad sa'kin. Siyempre, mini-maintain ko pa rin ang nakakaawang hitsura ko. Baka mamaya madala sa paawa effect ko si Laurist HUHUHUHU.
Ngunit bingi yata itong dalawang guard na 'to. Tuloy lang sila sa pagkaladkad sa'kin.
"Lau-laurist! Laurist! Ano ba? Bitiwan ninyo 'ko!" sigaw ko pa rin habang nagpupumiglas sa kapit nila.
"Hmmp!" Wala na akong choice. Pinabigat ko ang sarili ko. Huminto sila. Huhulma na sana ang ngiting tagumpay mula sa mga labi ko nang walang pasabing binuhat ako ng isa sa kanila na parang sako.
Lord, ikaw na pong bahala sa'kin.
-----
10:03 am.
Same date.
Office of the CEO.
Ludwig Pagano.

"PAKENINGSHET!" From the speaker of Sin's laptop, Couver's irritating screech was heard as a dart flew towards his direction. Luckily, he instinctively dodged it downwards but his wig fell off the ground.
"Nice reflexes," I complimented him while watching him in the monitor picking up his wig.
Before we proceed to our plan, I extorted a van from Commander Nikolas. Sin customized the inside based on his own preference. He installed a technology that allows us to connect our devices on the windows. Bale ang mga bintana ng van na ang screen namin. Doon naman sa front mirror, nakakonekta ang laptop ni Sin.
Sin and I were currently inside the van watching-err-monitoring every corner of Schuster Empire, young master's company. We are doing our part in the plan we deviced. Couver was in charged of creating trouble for young master. If he won't budge in and choose to ignore Couver, we will proceed to plan B. Sin is a notorious hacker so hacking the security walls of a multi-billionaire corporation, protecting billion rusos worth of files is just as easy as answering one plus one.
Sitting beside Sin at the backseat while sipping a coffee from a can, I continued watching Couver and young master Laurist.
"Laurist naman, papatayin mo ba ako?" He even put his left hand at his chest and act as if he was nervous.
Hahaha, I really think he wasn't born to just steal jewelries. He was born to steal acting awards from those veterans. Unfortunately, he was one of those unlucky bastard who were born on the slums of Sylembourge. Pity.
I shook my head and focused my gaze on young master Laurist's countenance. He was seated at his chair, arms and legs were crossed. My forehead creased.
Tapping Sin's shoulder, I requested pointing my index at young master Laurist, "can you zoom in on him."
Usually, he has this expression like he was mocking us and as if we weren't even suited to be called human. But at this moment, it wasn't present.
The Laurist in front of the screen was devoid of any expression. The hostility flashing through his eyes were apparent. He's staring at Couver. Eyes were screaming malice.
Something wasn't right.
Before I could even figure out what's with him, he stood from his chair and went directly towards Couver. He nodded at those burly men who dragged Couver and they left. After they slam the door closed, a loud thump accompanied by a wrenching groan was heard.
Young master Laurist has already kicked his knee, pushed him with great force and held his collar as he pinned him to the wall.
"For his tiny built, he sure was strong, huh," I muttered.
"Do you know what's the consequence of angering me, huh?" gigil na gigil na sigaw ni young master. The nerves on his forehead were already visible. His face was all red from anger.
I shook my head, sipped my coffee then looked at Sin. "Can you hack that television inside his office?"
He nodded. He brought another laptop from his bag, started to type something and a series of algorithms appeared on his screen. His fingers were typing in the keyboard like a mad pianist playing his beloved cursed piano. Sin was surely devoted in his craft, in just a minute, Laurist's 64 inches flat screen television turned on. On Sin's monitor the view of young master's sofa was playing.
Sin handed me his laptop. I took a sip of my coffee and enthusiastically greeted young master. "Young master Laurist! Long time no see?"
Young master's grip at Couver's collar slightly loosen. He turned to my direction and gave me the deadliest glare he had. I chuckled, shake my coffee in can and then spoke again.
"Loved our surprise?" I asked teasing him. Probably because he's pissed off, he tighten his grip again and almost crushed Couver.
I did not know young master was this violent.
"So you were the one who orchestrated this farce? Great, Ludwig! Great! I, Laurist Schuster, won't let this slide!"
"But are you really young master Laurist?" I chuckled. His hands trembled. His lips quivered. His eyes fluctuate. For a split second, I saw fear and anxiety lurking on his eyes.
I see. . .
"Looks like I have discovered another secret of yours, young master Laurist."
For a moment, my lips curved into a sly smirk but it was immediately replaced by an annoying grin. As a crime enthusiast who has already seen half of the world, I dare bet on this.
"What do you want?" gnashing his teeth, he shouted as he threw Couver.
"Pakeningsheeeet!" Couver was about to bump into a table but fortunately, he was fast enough to roll over the other side. Lucky.
I turned my attention to young master Laurist. "Take a seat first."
He clicked his tongue but still walked over the couch and sit. "What now?" crossing his legs, he asked glaring at me with contempt.
"I want young master Laurist."
"Tsk!" He clicked his tongue but then again, he still stood and walked towards his chair. He reached for a black notebook and a pen then walked back to where he came from. He sat there and took his time to scribble something on his notebook. After a few strokes, he closed his pen and read what was written.
"Akala ko talaga pababayaan ni'yo na ako sa kamay nitong si Laurist," reklamo ni Couver habang inuunat ang buong katawan. Lumapit pa siya sa t.v para kitang-kita siya.
"How can I bear to abandon my gangmate? We're the Cursed Gang, remember?"
"Awww. . . I love you na, Ludwig HAHAHAHAHA."
"Dimwits." Young master Laurist interrupted our heartfelt conversation. He closed the notebook, put it down and then gazed back at me.
"Young master Laurist! You're back!" I exclaimed to annoy him.
"Stop wasting my time. I am busy. Every minute of me idling around, wastes hundreds of thousand rusos."
What he really meant was, we won't know how important time is because we're useless and worthless. Yes, I'm a nuisance. Young master is really amazing for coming up with such adjective to describe me.
Well. . .
I shook my head then took a sip of coffee before starting. "Here's the thing, Little Wagner was being detained by China's biggest Mafia group. DongFang Mafia."
"Then send my condolence," crossing both his legs and arms, he answered nonchalantly.
"Ang sama mo naman, Laurist. Kawawa si Wagner-tsun doon. Mag-isa lang siya!" Couver condemn him as if he is the worst person he saw in his entire life.
But hey! I think-I mean- I'm definitely the worst guy.
His head turned towards Couver's direction which is just at his side. "Join him there if you want," young master rebutted. He shifted his gaze back to me. "Why was he being held?"
"He was being suspected of intentionally spreading coronavirus in Wuhan. According to what Commander Nikolas said, as shown in DongFang's investigation, coronavirus was first spotted weeks after Little Wagner finished his assassination assignment."
NCOV has already declared as an outbreak and has become a world health issue. Cases of infected and death is continuously increasing while the research is progressing too slow. There has not been any confirmed causes as of now. However, scientific theories claimed that it all started from a bat. The question is, how did that bat, acquired the disease?
"What does it have to do with him?"
"Silver is known for its advanced research for biochemical research," I started explaining.
"You mean, Silver was the one who developed coronavirus?"
"Little Wagner was the one. But of course, since he was funded by Silver, it belongs to them. Little Wagner, as the head of the lab, has unlimited access to everything related to every research. That's why he became the primary suspect."
But who knows if Silver did not sell it to anyone. After all, a mafia like Silver Rogue is full of tigers disguised as rats. You won't know when will someone stab you at the back. If you die, you won't even know why.
"Then what does the Silver is doing?"
"They handed him."
He sneered, shook his head slowly. "Dimwits. They decided to abandon someone who can make them more money for the sake of some million yuan."
"Money is nothing if they have another motive."
"Ibig mong sabihin, may iba pang plano ang Silver?" Couver was enlighten. "Pero ano?"
"That's something we should know."
"So you were creating trouble in front of my company just because of him? Are you nuts?" he scoffed and was about to stand when Couver spoke again.
"Ang sama mo, Laurist. Hindi ka ba naaawa kay Wagner-tsun?"
"Why would I? He brought it to himself."
I smiled. I knew this one is going to happen. "You really don't want to join us, young master Laurist?" I asked then glanced at the one beside me. "Sin, hand me young master's medical records. Those authentic and legal ones."
"May aids ka, Laurist?"
"Dimwit."
"You want me to tell you a story?"
"Twenty years ago, a boy was born from a wealthy and powerful family. His birth was celebrated by the whole family. But on his first birthday, his mother was killed protecting him. His father's company almost became bankrupt. Poor little boy, on his sixth birthday, his father sexually abused him. But maybe God heard his pleas, his father died. He was killed and his killer was-"
Hindi ko na natapos pa ang sasabihin ko nang humablot ng kung ano si young master Laurist at ibinalibag sa mismong t.v. Natawa na lang ako at nailing.
"Connect to his laptop." I handed the laptop to Sin and started to do his thing. Several seconds later, he gave the laptop back to me.
I can only see his chair. Luckily there's still the other monitor for his office connected to the front mirror of our van.
"Young master Laurist, what happened? Did I made a mistake? Ohhh maybe I am not an effective story teller. Poor me." I put my hands on my mouth and slowly shook my head. Ahhh. . .
"Laurist 'yung kamay mo. . ." pansin ni Couver sa nagdurugung kamay ni young master.
"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" he yelled as he went berserk. He threw those figurines, kicked whatever he sees and pulled his hair and dejectedly sat for a minute but immediately stood and pulled the collar of Couver and dragged him outside his office.
A lopsided grin formed on my lips, handed him his laptop and took a last sip on my coffee. "Now we've already seized the bitch. All that is left is to save the dramaqueen."