"Senator Philip Alcazar, there is this rumor promulgating that your blissful relationship with your wife is just an act in front of the public. Are these rumors true?" gamit ang isang kamay nito ay ipinalibot niya 'yon sa aking baywang kaya napalapit ako sa kanya. Mas maganda sana kung ako na lang ang tinanong nila dahil hindi na 'ko magdadalawang-isip na ilantad ang katotohanan sa harap ng lahat. Since the media is already here, madali na lang para sa akin na pabagsakin siya ngayon ngunit alam kong mahirap kalabanin ang isang taong mataas ang posisyon at katayuan. He can easily clean up my mess.
We both know the answer to that one hell of a question. With traces of smile on our faces, the public were promptly blinded by our oh so-called blissful relationship, "It's a rumor, therefore it is not true. You know a lot people nowadays couldn't just accept the fact that my wife had chosen me despite of our age gap. They were unable to accept the fact that I am a one lucky man for having her," magalang na sagot nito kaya patago akong napangiti ng masama.
Oh really, senator? How I wish all of those were true? Pero kung siya lang naman ang nasa tabi ko, I prefer him to be this secretly violent dahil masusuka lang ako na makitang mabait ang isang katulad niya sa harapan ko.
"Magsasampa po ba kayo ng kaso ukol sa kung sinuman ang nagpakalat ng maling impormasyon na ito? It is clearly evident na gusto niyang dungisan ang pangalan ninyo sa politika, senator?" tanong pa ng isa sa mga reporter. I might even be blinded resulting from the endless flashes of cameras and voice recorders surrounding us both.
"There's no need for that. You know that politicians in work with the government aim to serve our country and its people in the most possible way that we can. In everything we do, we always have a reason and same as to that person who had to spread those fake news. We were not really offended through those rumors as we both know that since from the start, we're living our married life in its finest," sabay tingin nito sa akin na ikinatango ko. Nagkatinginan naman ang mga reporter na nakapalibot sa amin.
They seemed to be so satisfied with the senator's response to them as they nodded their head completely blinded by his words, "How about Mrs. Alcazar? What can you say about this? You surely have a nice and a loving husband like Senator Philip, right?" I was forced to fake a smile though I really wanted to disagree with everyone's reaction to my husband.
Mas lalo pang lumapit ang distansya niya sa akin nang mahigpit nitong hinawakan ang baywang ko. I somehow managed to take a glimpse of him which is why he gave me a threatening look. His gaze was commanding me to say something pleasant but never. I am not like any other women that he can just control whenever he wants to. I didn't say anything for a while and never will I intend to fulfill his wishes which made me felt that might have put my life in miserable situation again.
"What can I say to my husband?" I asked sarcastically shifting my look towards him with a smirk yet the smile must be superior.
"Well, you might be right. He is the kind of husband that you can never forget for the rest of your life. Maraming babae ang nagkakandarapa sa kanya..." at muli akong humarap sa kanila, "And I don't mind sharing him to anyone." Women adore him that much, bakit ako pa ang pinili niya? I mean, yes he's my husband but just in paper and in front of the public. I neither love him nor take him as mine which make me want to show this man that he will never be loved by his wife.
I might be the only wife who has been longing to be left all alone by her husband. My life is the most different thing in this world.
Makalipas ang ilang segundo, biglang natahimik ang paligid na parang may nasabi akong hindi kaaya-aya sa pandinig nila. Inaamin ko na makasarili ako pagdating sa mga bagay na mahal ko at kaya ko siyang isuko sa kahit na kanino dahil umpisa pa lang, wala ng kamahal-mahal sa kanya.
I can even join a war just to get the freedom that I want.
Nagkatinginan silang lahat habang magkasalubong ang mga kilay. Hindi nagtagal ay ibinalik nila ang tingin kay Philip nang magsalita ito, "That's what I really love about my wife. She's not like the others who only think about fame, wealth and power, and does not take things for herself only. She loves to share what she has," sagot niya na muli akong tinignan habang may ngiti sa mga labi nito.
By the look of his eyes, I predicted what would happen after this, "I guess this is all for tonight, my wife and I are both exhausted. I hope we were able to answer most of your questions and gave you the most satisfying response," matapos sabihin ang mga katagang 'yon ay pinalibutan na kami ng mga guwardiya ni Philip nang talikuran namin ang mga reporters. Mas lalo pang umingay ang paligid nang sunud-sunod silang magtanong sa amin ngunit hindi na sila nakalapit nang harangan sila ng mga guwardiya hanggang sa makapasok kami sa loob ng bahay at magsara ang pintuan.
Pagkahakbang ko pa lang sa loob ay hindi na ako magtataka nang mahigpit niyang hinawakan ang buhok ko. Dahil doon ay napahawak na rin ako sa kamay niya dahil ramdam ko na anumang oras ay tila makakalbo na ako, "You won't get away with this!" nanahimik na lang at napayuko ang mga kasambahay nang makita ang lagay ko habang walang kibo ang mga guwardiya na naiwan sa baba.
We're all use to this and resisting his rage will make no sense.
Kinaladkad niya ako sa hagdanan paakyat sa kwarto namin. Pabagsak niyang binuksan ang pintuan at malakas akong itinulak sa kama na siyang dahilan ng pagkakasubsob ko roon, "What do you think you're doing out there, huh?! Balak mo bang dungisan ang pangalan ko sa harap ng mga tao?!" galit na tanong nito kaya sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.
Here's how my life goes.
"Why?! Takot ka bang mag-iba ang tingin nila sa'yo, Philip?! Takot ka bang malaman nila ang katotohanan tungkol sa— " natigilan ako nang mahigpit niyang pisilin ang magkabilang-pisngi ko gamit ang isa niyang kamay. Nag-aapoy sa galit ang mga mata nito kagaya ng paraan ng pagtingin ko sa kanya.
"Don't you even try to mess up with my plans, Gale! Pinaghirapan ko ang lahat ng 'to at hindi ako papayag na ikaw lang ang sisira sa lahat ng plano ko! I already gave you a lesson, amoure. Do I still need to teach you a lesson every night para lang magtanda ka?!" galit niya ring ibinaba ang kamay niya habang naglalaban ang masamang tingin namin sa isa't isa.
Recollecting his filthy hands on me almost every night, I managed to directly look at him with a taste of resentment, "Pahihirapan mo nanaman ba ako?! What's new with you, senator?! Go on! Punish me using your dirty and filthy hands— " muli akong natahimik at nadatnan ang sarili na napasalampak na sa sahig. Unti-unti kong hinawakan ang isang pisngi ko na ramdam kong nag-iinit dahil sa lakas ng pagkakasampal niya sa akin.
Tumingala ako kaya muling nagtama ang mata naming dalawa. Dahan-dahan namang lumuhod ang magaling kong asawa para tapatan ako. The moment I blinked, a single tear escaped my eye, "Don't you dare tell me what to do, amoure. Whatever kind of protest you do, you can no longer escape me. Everything that you have is mine," muli niyang pinisil ang magkabilang-pisngi ko kaya mas tumapat pa sa kanya ang nag-aapoy kong mata, "Those beautiful eyes, those sharp yet seductive lips, your captivating face, that smooth and delicate skin, that seductive body of yours... " mas inilapit pa niya ang mukha niya sa akin habang mahinang nagsasalita, " ...all mine. And I will do whatever I want to do with you and resisting me will make you suffer more, amoure. You have nothing but me and you're nothing without me," giit pa niya na muling ibinaba ang kamay niya.
"I prefer to be nothing than being with you! At kahit kailan, hindi ako magiging sa'yo! Who would ever love someone like you?! Someone with a filthy hand?!" sagot ko pabalik na nakapag pangiti ng masama sa kanya, "Everybody loves me, amoure. Because I am a man of power and ambition. You're one lucky woman for having me as your husband. Do you even know how lucky you are?" mahigpit niyang hinawakan ang buhok ko kaya bahagya akong napatingala.
"Women in politics and in business are all after me, my power, my wealth, and everything yet I only want one hell of a f*cking woman underneath me every night and that is you. I can do many rounds with you, amoure. How I wish you scream my name every night instead of your nonsense and f*cking pleads," sinubukan kong kumalas dahil hindi ko magawang tiisin na marinig ang mga kawalang-hiyaan niya sa akin ngunit mas humigpit naman ang pagkakahawak niya, "And to not make you forget, you're already mine the moment your family gave you to me that's why you are mine alone, amoure."
"You threatened my father kaya pumayag siya sa gusto mo!" sigaw ko.
"You were never loved by your family, remember? I am your only family now that's why I will do whatever I want to do with you, amoure. And you have no rights to defy me," binitawan naman niya ang pagkakahawak sa buhok ko.
"After all that you've done to me?! I am really nothing because you took my everything! There was no other precious to you other than being a politician! A corrupt politician, isn't it?!" sarkastikong tanong ko na may bahid pa rin ng galit. Ramdam ko na rin ang panginginig ng mga kamay ko.
"If it wasn't because of me, your father wouldn't have the fame and wealth, tandaan mo 'yan! Don't you dare try to drag me down dahil damay sa pagbagsak ko ang pamilya mo! I am the head and your family is the tail. Kung nasaan ako, nandoon rin sila kaya umayos ka kung ayaw mong hilain ko sila pababa!" banta nito habang nakaluhod pa rin sa harapan ko.
"Oh really?! You've been doing me a great favor if you would do that!" hamon ko sa kanya kaya napangiti ako ng masama.
Bigla nitong inilipat ang tingin sa pintuan nang makarinig kami ng ingay na nanggagaling sa baba. Napangisi na lang ako nang marinig ang pamilyar nilang mga boses mula dito sa taas, "Looks like your family is here to visit you, amoure," mahigpit niyang hinawakan ang braso ko at sapilitang ipinatayo.
Bigla naman akong napahawak sa pintuan ng kabinet nang malakas niya akong itinulak doon kaya ibinaling ko ang isang nagbabagang tingin sa kanya, "Fix yourself," tinalikuran niya ako kaya hindi ako gumalaw mula sa kinatatayuan ko.
Though I could still feel the hotness of my cheek with his slap, I didn't bother thinking about it to lessen the pain.
Aktong lalabas siya ay napansin na niya ang pananatili ko sa aking kinatatayuan kaya alam kong manginginig nanaman siya sa galit, "Didn't you hear me?! I said fix yourself!" sigaw niya sabay turo sa kabinet ngunit ipinako ko lang ang tingin sa kanya.
I won't let my guard down and never did I for the past five years of living in agony with him.
"At sino ka ba sa tingin mo para sabihin sa akin ang mga dapat kong gawin?" my sarcastic tone was transparently evident which made it the wrong choice of me over and over again.
Mabilis niyang kinuha ang isang picture frame na nakapatong sa isang maliit na lamesa na katabi lang nito at inihagis papunta sa gawi ko. Hindi ko na nagawang makaiwas nang mapahawak na lang ako sa aking noo nang tumama 'yon dito hanggang sa makaramdam ako ng sakit at hapdi dahil sa sugat na natamo ko dahil sa ginawa niya. Ramdam ko ang pagdurugo nito dahil kasalukuyang namamasa ang kamay ko. Nag-umpisa na rin akong mahilo at sandaling nanlabo ang sariling paningin.
But I could still say that my boiling anger swifted to being revitalized when I caught sight of the picture frame finally broken in front of me. A job well done. Praise him. How I wish we were literally broken.
Nakita ko namang may dugo ang kamay ko habang nanginginig ito hanggang sa muli siyang magsalita, "If you don't want your situation getting worse, fix yourself. I am your husband and I have the right to tell you every detail what you're going to do and what you're supposed to do. Remember who I am, amoure," seryosong saad nito bago tuluyang nilisan ang kwarto.
I was left again hanging out of nowhere. There wasn't even a bit of conscience from his face. Masama ang tingin ko sa pintuan na ngayon ay sarado na kasabay naman ng pagtulo ng mga luha ko na mabilis ko ring pinunasan.
You can't still tell me what to do, moron. I decided to fix myself not because he told me to but because I felt the need to see my oh so-called family. For sure, they are going to talk about politics and other businesses again. Especially about 'how to cover up those mess.' I don't know but I felt the need to see and hear every little things they talk about every now and then.
Naramdaman ko pa ang pagkirot ng ulo ko dahil sa ginawa ni Philip. Pinilit kong tumayo at dahan-dahang humakbang para iwasan ang mga bubog na nagkalat sa aking harapan. Pagkalapit ko sa lamesa ay kumuha ako ng bulak at alkohol para linisin ang sugat at ang natuyong dugo mula sa noo hanggang sa gilid ng mata ko. Matapos kong malinis ang sugat ay tinakpan ko ito ng band-aid.
My family will never even care about this scar of mine because that's what they really are. They don't care about me. Tinignan ko ng maigi ang sarili ko sa salamin ngunit pilit iniiwas na titigan ang sariling mga mata. Natanaw ko pa ang isang pasa ko sa bandang leeg bunga ng pagkakasakal niya sa akin noong isang gabi.
Every night, I receive bruises and scratches from him. He is that kind of a violent person because of my attitude— of not knowing how to listen and take his every command. I would never listen to him because I would never let him tell me what I should and must do. I am neither a dog nor a robot that he can just control whenever he wants to.
Matapos kong ayusin ang itsura ko ay lumabas na ako mula sa kwarto at kagaya ng inaasahan ko, nakaupo silang lahat sa sala— my dad, husband, stepmother and stepsister— masaya silang naguusap-usap habang nasa taas pa rin ako at pinapanood sila. They didn't even notice me and that's good to know in my part. Ramdam ko pa rin ang pagkahilo pero pinilit ko ang sarili na hindi ito pansinin.
"Oh here he is," saad ng magaling kong ama na tumayo at naglakad papalapit sa pintuan na kasalukuyang nakabukas. Nakabantay naman ang mga guwardiya ni Philip sa labas kung saan ay wala na ang mga nakaabang na reporters. Dahil doon ay tumayo rin sina Philip, ang magaling kong ina-inahan at ang demonyong kinakapatid para batiin ang isang lalaking kakarating lang habang hawak nito ang isang brief case na siyang nakaagaw ng pansin ko sa buong pagkatao niya.
He's currently wearing a white long sleeves, grayish slacks matched with the color of his neck tie, unbuttoned dark gray suit, a trilby hat on his head and a brunette leather shoes.
"Good evening, General Vincenzo de la Roche," saad ng lalaki na inilahad ang kamay sa magaling kong ama, "Detective Terrence Black, isn't it?" tanong naman nito pabalik at nakipag kamay sa lalaki.
"Absolutely. I am here on behalf of Detective Ronan Silverio who has been missing already for a week," pahayag nito kaya nagkatinginan sina Philip at ang magaling kong ama na isang heneral.
Napatingin naman ako sa dalawang babaeng nasa likuran ni dad. Happy family, isn't it? I shook my head in disbelief and shifted my gaze back to my father and his new detective, I guess. Sa dinami-rami ng mga pumupuntang sundalo, pulis, inspektor at detective dito sa bahay ni Philip, ngayon ko lang nakita ang lalaking 'to.
"What really happened that day before he went missing?" nag-aalalang tanong ng heneral.
"Same as before, general. While he was on his way finding evidences against El Nostra, we suddenly lost connection of him. We tracked his location but it only shows nowhere of him to be seen," napakibit-balikat na lang ako habang nakatingin sa kanila mula rito sa itaas.
"Do you think they got him?" tanong ni dad. Umupo na rin silang lahat sa sofa kaya sumunod sa kanila ang detective. Inilibot nito ang paningin niya sa buong bahay at tila nawala ang pagiging kalmado ko nang mapako ang tingin niya sa akin. Nakita ko pa ang patagong pagngisi nito bago siya tuluyang umupo sa tapat nila.
Ipinatong niya ang dala niyang brief case sa lamesa at binuksan 'yon. May kinuha siya mula doon at may ipinatong na mga litrato sa harapan nila kaya kinuha naman 'yon ni dad para tignan, ganon na rin ang ginawa ni Philip, "The CCTV spotted Detective Ronan Silverio exiting a coffee shop in Leviste Street while having a conversation on the other line of his phone. Kung sino ang kausap niya..." umiling ang detective, " ...we have no idea. After he ended the call, he entered his car and started the engine. That was the last thing we know about him before he completely dissappeared. He must have found evidences against El Nostra which is why they planned to stop him," paliwanag nito.
"What about the location of his car?" tanong ni dad.
"The location of the car is nowhere to be seen just like Detective Ronan himself, general."
"Do you think he has been abducted or escaped?"
Napailing naman ang detective, "I don't think so. Detective Ronan Silverio is committed to his job and there's no enough reason for him to escape."
"We did find out the two underground organizations, right? Alzini and El Nostra?"
Tumango naman ang detective, "We confirmed that one of El Nostra's main hideout is in Binondo, Manila but we don't know yet the exact location. Some street criminals might also be their associates. We also had evidences from Lemery, Valencia and Penablanca against them. There were also investigations that El Nostra is gaining a lot of power, they were the mastermind for abducting children and women to be sold in underground auctions." Habang abala sa pag-uusap ang tatlo ay maigi namang nakikinig ang dalawa pang katabi ni dad tulad ko— my stepmother and stepsister. Lima silang lahat na nakaupo sa sofa at nakikinig sa paliwanag ng detective.
"What if they threatened Detective Silverio that's why he dissappeared out of nowhere?" tanong naman ni Philip kaya nagkatinginan silang tatlo nina dad at ng detective.
"Detective Terrence, you said earlier that it is impossible for him to escape this job. Senator Philip might be right that he was threatened that's why he decided to escape and hide...but it is also possible that he has been abducted by El Nostra. What do you think?" tanong ni dad na halatang malalim ang iniisip.
"We are still trying to find answers using those two possibilites, general. Either of the two, he's still missing and we need to get him back. He's life is in danger and possibly if he really escaped, El Nostra is going to catch him too. Kailangan natin silang maunahan bago pa nila siya makuha." -Detective.
"You're right, detective. What about the Alzini? Posible bang may alam sila tungkol dito?"
"No, general," umiling naman ang detective.
"Good. Wala pa rin bang balita tungkol sa kanila?"
"Based on our investigation, they have hideouts in La Union, Cebu and Biliran."
"Drug lords?"
"Clearly none."
"Caporegimes?"
"Still uncertain about their identity, General de la Roche. They have been quiet all this time."
Napatango naman ang heneral, "Then we need to prioritize taking down the members of El Nostra first before their associates gone wild. I'll have my men guard their secret hideouts and if possible, burn down the place into ashes. We need to take down El Nostra's third generation just before they claim their righteous places. I will also send some of my soldiers in Cebu to find out Alzini's secret hideout," saad nito na halatang gusto ng patumbahin ang kalaban kaya napangiti ako ng masama.
He desperately wants to take fame by captivating quiet criminals and associations by revealing them to the public for him to have the credit. General is that kind of a man who loves to consume power, wealth and fame.
My father doesn't really like failures and I hope that this failure will soon avenge my pain. That would be enough for me, seeing him and my husband suffer is all I desire just like how they made me suffer on their hands. Well, this one seems not to be so easily resolved.
"What about the leader of the terrorists?" nawalan na ako ng gana nang mag-iba ang usapan at naisipang bumaba nang hindi sila pinapansin.
Suddenly, I just felt the need to take water o maybe because, the topic promptly took away my interest. The intake of water makes me feel at ease. Pagbaba ko ay napatingin naman sa akin ang detective na agad ring ibinalik ang tingin kay dad. I could really tell that he is just a few years older than me. For a detective like him, he's not that old. Nakakamangha lang.
Abala din naman si Philip sa pakikinig sa kanila dahil sa pagpapakitang-tao niya. Napatingin din ako sa dalawang babae na nakaupo sa tabi ni dad habang sinusundan nila ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa, "Won't you greet our visitor?" nabaling ang atensyon ko kay Philip nang sabihin niya 'yon sa akin kaya hinarapan ko sila. Muling napatingin ang detective sa akin tulad ng ginawa ni dad. I knew what my husband meant but nah, I'd rather do my own agenda.
"Why do I need to greet him? He's not even my visitor," sagot ko na alam kong ikinakuyom ng kamay ni Philip dahil sa pagkahiya. Hmm, serves you right.
"Gale," saad ni dad nang may pagbabanta kaya napatingin ako sa kanya, "Detective, pagpasensyahan mo na si Gale, hindi kasi napalaki ng maayos kaya ganyan siya," pahayag ni kinakapatid ko kaya hindi ako makapaniwalang napangiti at ibinaling sa kanya ang atensyon ko, "Really, Adriana? Ako pa ang hindi napalaki ng maayos?" at tumingin ako sa nanay niya na katabi rin nito, "You should say that to your mother, right tita Mercedes?" saad ko pa na ikinasama ng tingin nilang apat sa akin maliban sa detective.
Bigla akong napahawak sa pisngi ko nang malakas na dumapo ang kamay ni Adriana dito na napatayo mula sa kinauupuan niya. Hindi na ako mabibigla dahil sanay na ako kaya ibinalik ko na lang ang tingin sa kanya. That was the second slap for this day. I knew she and her mother would put up this act again, "Bawiin mo ang sinabi mo!" sigaw ni Adriana. Hindi na ako magtataka kung ipagtatanggol niya ang magaling niyang ina.
"Why would I? For an aunt like her who became my father's mistress?" sarkastikong tanong ko. Naipatong ni dad ang hawak nitong litrato sa lamesa at napahawak sa sentido niya na halatang nagpipigil sa galit.
"Gale, take back what you said," saad naman niya kaya umiling ako. Hindi malayong saksakin ako ng mga nagbabaga nilang tingin sa akin ngayon, "Apologizing to everyone who ruined my life? No," sagot ko.
"I-i can't take your daughter's attitude anymore, Vincenzo! I'm leaving!" pag-iyak ni tita Mercedes kaya hindi ako makapaniwalang ngumiti. Ganito siya sa tuwing nakaharap si dad pero ubod siya ng kademonyohan at isama mo pa ang demonyo niyang anak kapag kaming tatlo lang ang magkakasama. Mabilis siyang lumabas kaya sinamaan ako ng tingin ni Adriana bago sinundan ang ina niya.
Aktong pupunta ako sa kusina ay may mahigpit na humawak sa braso ko at iniharap ako sa kanya. Ngayon ay nakatayo na si dad sa harapan ko, "What?"
"What made you like this, Gale?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya, "All of you," seryosong sagot ko sa kanya habang direkta ring nakatingin sa mga mata nito. Nakita kong tumayo si Philip at sinamaan ako ng tingin bago sumunod sa labas para pakalmahin ang nagdradramang asawa ni dad, "Mag-uusap tayo," saad pa ni dad na ikinatawa ko, "You never had time, remember?"
Mas lalo naman niya akong nilapitan, "I will find time to talk to you. Huwag mo akong subukan, Gale," mahina ngunit may pagbabanta niyang saad na nakapagpatahimik sa akin. Binitawan niya ako bago hinarapan ang detective na kasalukuyan pa ring nakaupo at nakatingin sa gawi namin, "I greatly apologize for my daughter's behavior, detective. She must be so tired and not in the right mood to bow some respect. Sorry for being a witness of such a mess in our home. Excuse me, I'll talk to my wife first and if you may, please don't tell anyone about what happened in here," bahagya namang napayuko ang detective na tila ginagalang ang pahayag ni dad.
"Please rest assure that I'll keep this as a secret. I'll wait general," saad naman niya. Dahil doon ay sinamaan pa ulit ako ng tingin ni dad bago tuluyang lumabas kaya sinundan namin siya ng tingin. Inilipat naman ng detective ang tingin sa akin kaya iniikot ko ang mata ko at nagkibit-balikat bago siya tinalikuran.
Mabilis akong pumunta sa kusina at nagsalin ng tubig sa baso para uminom habang ramdam ang mabilis na pagkabog ng dibdib ko. Matapos kong uminom ay napahawak ang dalawa kong kamay sa lamesa at bahagyang napayuko para huminga ng malalim, "Already exhausted?" napatingin naman ako sa nagsalita at nakita ang detective na lumapit sa akin na siyang ikinasalubong ng kilay ko.
"Why are you still here, Detective Terrence Black?" sarkastikong tanong ko kaya napangiti siya na hindi ko naman inaasahan. Muli siyang lumapit sa akin kaya bahagya akong napahakbang paatras. Mas lalo ko pang nakita ang mukha nito dahil hawak niya ngayon ang hat na suot niya kanina lang.
"You don't have any business here anymore, right? So you should be leaving. Maiinip ka lang kakahintay kay dad," dagdag ko pa.
"So the rumors were true?" tanong niya na ikinakunot ng noo ko, "Na hindi talaga kayo masaya ng asawa mo?" bulong niya sa akin. I could really tell that he is that young base on his good-looking face pero paano siya napunta sa ganitong propesyon sa napakabata niyang edad?
Napangiti naman ako ng masama, "It's okay if you would tell the public about it. Don't worry because I won't tell anyone that it was you who radiated the fake news which was supposed to be true," muli kong kinuha ang baso at uminom doon. Napangiti siya ng masama na parang hindi makapaniwala sa sinabi ko, "Looks like you don't really love your husband, young lady?" sandali naman akong natigilan dahil sa itinawag niya sa akin kaya napatingin ako sa kanya. Calling a woman like that is rare.
"I really have a bad feeling about you since you stepped in, in this house. My instinct is telling me that you're a dangerous person. Then tell me who you really are, detective?"
Unti-unti akong napaatras dahil sa paghakbang nito ng dahan-dahan papalapit sa akin habang hawak ko pa rin ang baso. Natigilan na lang ako ng wala na akong maatrasan hanggang sa ilapit nito ang bibig niya sa tainga ko kaya napahigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa baso, "We know everything about you, Serenity Gale Verdejo de la Roche, and we're going to ruin Senator Philip Alcazar and General de la Roche's reputation using you," saad nito. Sa buong buhay ko, ngayon ko lang ulit naramdaman ang ganitong klasi ng takot kaya unti-unting nagsitaasan ang balahibo ko, "W-what do you mean by that, detective? H-Hindi kita maintindihan."
Ramdam ko na rin ang paghinga nito sa tainga ko dahil sa sobrang lapit niya, "A message from my master. Soon, Senator Philip Alcazar will lose his amoure and we can't wait to see him go insane," at unti-unti akong nanginig dahil sa mga sumunod pa nitong sinabi, "The Alzini Mafia is longing to have you. We'll get in touch with you real soon, amoure. You will fulfill Alzini's wishes," kusa kong nahulog ang hawak kong baso hanggang sa tuluyan naman niya akong talikuran habang may ngisi sa mga labi nito.
It was like I felt the same feeling that I had years ago.
Continua...
A welcoming confrontation for you all for the first chapter. Hope you don't mind cauz there's more real soon. Happy reading amoures!