'You are not going to do any stupid things. If you're going somewhere, you need to tell me. Stick with me all the time.'
He keep on repeating his words simula ng proposing accident. When we first met halos ipagtulakan niya ako palayo but now hindi niya maalis ang paningin niya sa akin. Natatakot lang siya na maulit-uli yun.
Our photos is everywhere, news, social medias and other platforms. Actually, reporters failed to publish any story about us but the employees become the passage. Primo thought that it's only a video so he try to talk and stop them. Unfortunately, they record it live and leak it through their social media and for just a split second everyone in the country know the story.
They are so curious about him and I already know why. A day already passed kaya habang nakakulong ako sa kwarto ay nag review na ako. Buti nalang talaga ate give me a file kung saan makikita ko kung sino ba ang mga tao na involve sa mission ko.
Primo's dad is a wealthy man who owns energy, electronics, transport, computer, construction, manufacturing, education, pharmaceutical, health care, agriculture, food, hospitality,education and aerospace industries. That is total of fifteen that is out of nineteen businesses na meron ngayon.
Sir Primario grandfather started with a small bahay tuluyan and eatery. He was known as a thrifty man but he is also known for having a good reputation. A helpful and kind man. Ipinamana ito sa papa ni Sir Primario, kasi nag iisa lang naman siyang anak dahil ang lola niya ay mahina ang puso. They adopted Uncle Enrique's mom but they choose to give the whole bussiness to him. Mr. Primario have older and younger sister, pero dahil he is the only son again siya na ang sumalo nito.
The four remainings industries are music, entertainment, telecommunication, and news media. They don't want to get in on this type of business. Walang nakalagay na rason sa biodata but based sa reaction ni Primo sa pag gamit ko ng radyo niya sa sasakyan ay alam ko na. If you own one of this the government will have the control and the business will be under the power of the government, but let see.
About her mom, she's the only daughter of two activist and owner of HOPE, its a non-government organization that helps the lower class or the people who live outside of the city walls. The association helps a lot of people especially when they partner with the nation's biggest entrepreneur, the Grecos.
Their great grandfathers know each other since they're little kung kaya ang dalawang pamilya na ang magkasandigan hanggang ngayon na succesful na sila.
'Are you going to kill me?'
Inialis niya ang kamay ko sa pagkakahawak sa necktie niya at siya na ang nagayos nito. I don't even know how to do that pero sabi kasi ni ate Scarlet na gawin ko yun para maging wife material. It feels sucks pero ano pa nga ba ang magagawa ko.
But, they can choose other girls for this job tutal madami naman nagkakagusto sa kanya, kaya nga sobrang daming nag react ng malaman nila na may niluhuran na pala si Primo their Prince Charming. Hindi naman nila kailangan mag alala kasi walang matutuloy na kasal. That will never happen.
Since I left the academy hindi ko na mapigilan kausapin ang sarili ko and I really feel so bad leaving the Captains without saying anything.
' The limo is ready.'
Nakikita ko na nais na ni Ezra kami padaliin sa pag aayos pero ito kasing si Primo hindi makapili sa mga dinala ng mga stylists niya na damit at biglaan naman kasi ang pag-attend namin sa engagement party na ito.
Hindi rin naman kami makaka-ayaw kasi Mr. Primario personally go to our room and give the invitation card.
He said that he can't go dahil he have an appointment and dapat lang daw na nandoon kami to represent Grecos Industry. Isa pa daw ay hindi dapat kami nag kukulong dito sa kwarto kasi paano nalang daw if the wedding day come, baka daw wala kaming kilala ni isa sa bisita namin or bisita nila.
Kaya ganito narin kabalisa si Primo kasi maraming tao ang makakasalimuha namin . Higit pa doon hindi lang daw sila basta tao kundi mga matataas na business man & woman ng bansang ito na tinatawag nila na Star Class. They live at the Throne Zone, kung saan nasa gitna ito ng City.
'Hey! Primo, wala akong gagawin na kahit ano. I'll just stay on your side the whole time at the party,okay?'
He keep on walking around the room and keep on reminding me what to do. But, I see Ezra's face for the tenth times and now she looks anxious. We're going to be late because he keep on saying five more minutes.
Her sister Scarlet told me that it's a great chance for us to attend this party but Primo hate crowded places and especially parties because he have bad memories about it.
I don't know what happen to him but I need him to do this and he have to face his fears. Primo need to be strong because we are ending this mission together but him without knowing it.
I fix my white serfina gown at kinuha ang iniaabot ni Ezra na pearl colored purse. She made me wear a four inches heals inable to stand out in the crowd and blend to Primo's height. It feels so uncomfortable this is the worse.
Phoenixyr, I know that you feel worse wearing this girly stuffs but you have to do this and set aside all of your hinaing.
Muli kong ibinaling ang aking paningin sa hinding gumagalaw na si Primo. He is doing this again. Just staring blankly on my face.
Lumapit ako sa kanya and check his white tuxedo. By looking on us now we look like a real couple dahil sa magkatulad na style namin ng damit. Our clothes have a touch of white pearl color. It's very minimal or simple but this is design by an artist only for us.
'You look perfect, everything is going to be great and we're going to have fun there. Okay?'
At last, he respond. Pag katango niya ay I fix the colar of his tux and kumapit na sa braso niya.
' Ezra, everything is ready. Let's go.'
XxX
She really did what she say. We are here at the engagement party for about one and half hour pero hindi parin siya umaalis sa pagkakakapit sa akin.
Sa halip na ang atensyon ng mga bisita ay nakatuon sa dalawang ikakasal ay napunta ito sa aming dalawa. They congratulate us both for the upcoming 'unwanted' marriage and take alot of photos. I know what kind of person the Star Class is, they are just all about fame and power. Me and Phoenixyr become an object for them to get new followers.
They are the last person I want to see and second from the last is the monster that clinging on my side. But, she is so helpful right now because she's the one who do all the greatings and talk with the people who come to us.
Dad knows what I feel about attending parties yet he push me now to do this. I really don't get that man enthusiasm.
'Oh the Grecos youngest son is here. I'm surprise!'
If I have a list of Star Class persons that I don't want to see, this dude is on the toppest of the list. A famewhore, arrogant, and any bad words will be the perfect words to describe him.
'And she's here. The girl that our Prince going to marry. Hello madaam. I'm Francisco Valentine it's my pleasure to meet you.'
He reach for her hand and was about to kiss it when I snatch Phoenixyr's hand. Sa halip na magulat siya sa ginawa ko ay tumawa lamang siya. He is a certified playboy.
' Oh, Vlain you should practice more your manners. But I understand, it's your first time attending party.'
This man start to irritate me since we first met. He always go wherever I go. Kulang nalang isipin ko na he is a stalker. I don't know what he want from me and I really don't care at all. Marami lang talaga siyang oras para maglaro.
' I think you should be the one taking classes and don't ever touch her again.'
Nagsimulang tumugtog ang mga musician hudyat na simula na ang sayawan. Nauna ang dalawang ikakasal at kanya-kanya namang nag sinuran ang mga bisita.
'Sorry, I can't do that.'
Bigla niyang hinila papunta sa maraming tao si Phoenixyr. Sinubukan kong habulin siya ngunit the dance floor get more crowded.
Tumayo na lamang ako sa gilid kung saan ay makikita ko silang dalawa. I should thank Ezra for letting her wear a pair of high stilletos dahil mas nakikita ko siya kahit maraming tao.
They both laugh and smile while they're dancing. That crazy dude lean his face closer to her when the music change from lively to sweet and slow. That girl monster really enjoying time with him.
I stupidly stand here and wait for them to comeback. A high bun of a girl block my sight to the two monsters.
I move a little bit pero humarang ulit ang nakaipit na tao sa harapan ko. I did moves again pero.
' Would you please excuse me. You keep on blocking my way.'
'Is this how you will greet an old pal?'
Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nararamdaman ko ngayon , magkahalong pananabik at galit ang aking nadarama ng marinig ang boses ng pamilyar na babae.
At first I thought na may kasing boses lamang siya o gawa-gawa lamang ito ng aking imahinasyon ngunit ng aking tingnan kung saan nag mula ang pamilyar na boses ay hindi nga ako nanaginip ng gising.
Naramdaman ko ang paghakbang ng aking kaliwang paa papalapit sa kanya ngunit bago ko pa maigalaw ang aking kabilang paa ay huminto na ako.
Mali na gawin ko ito. Nahihibang na ata ako. Kahit pang anong mangyari, ay dapat tandaan ko na she's a gruesome woman.
'Why did you stop Prim? When did you last see me 5? 7? 12? I know that you still miss me.'
'Don't call me Prim & don't you ever think that because I will never miss a criminal. You should just hide forever and rot there.'
'No,no,no! My Prim! Don't be shy! I've heard that you sent some men to look for me, so stop acting now.'
'I don't know what kind of face you have but you should be ashamed of yourself. Leave ,while I can control and stop myself because you never know what I'm capable of.'
When a small chuckle escape to her lips the music stop too. I don't know what she's doing in here,maybe playing an act again to lure me and hurt me.
No, I should just stop thinking of her, there's a lot more bigger problem that I needed to be solve.
Speaking of the problem I see Francisco & Phoenix the monster walking toward me.
'I never expected that I will meet you here and I just feel so fluttered to dance with a stunning student of Ace Academy. Does no one really knows who you are?'
' Mr.Francisco I always get into awkward situation in the Academy whenever they found out who really I am so it's better to hide this face and it's my pleasure to have you tonight. Valentine are admired by everyone and the youngest in the family just dances with me, they will think I'm so lucky.'
'Give her back,now.'
Both of them just wont stop being silly and didn't stop giggling. They are really doing it in front me.
'Vlain we almost forgot, thank you for letting her to dance with me. I'm so surprise,everything is fascinating. So better make sure to hold her close because I might steal her again. What a lucky man?'
He whispered his last sentence to me when he give me a pat to my shoulder and lost in the vicinity. Lucky man?Did he really think that I'm such a lucky man? My sister and this freak have set up a vicious plan against me.
A mark of happiness we're plastered on her face while following her gaze to the path where he walks.
'You never mean any words that you say.'
The smile on her face suddenly vanished when she turns to me. Can't she at least hide the fact that she have a puppy crush with that ugly Valentine?
'Hi! I'm Lianne Mierge daughter of Benedict and Beatrice Quinto.'
'I clearly told you to leave.'
I thought she already go back inside her mother's cocoon. Naramdaman ko ang pagkapit ni Phoenix sa kanang braso ko.
' I'm sorry Ms.Quinto just don't mind him. By the way I'm Phoenixyr Armosa, his unwanted muse tonight.'
'No need to say your name, everyone knows who you are.'
They we're about to shake hands but I interrupted them. No one wants to be friend with her.
'No one is getting to know anyone. If you don't want to leave, we will.'
Pagkasabi ko nun ay kinuha ko na ang kamay ni Phoenix at hinila siya papalabas ng ballroom.
'Primo! Primo! Sandali! Primo!'
'WHAT?!'
'Can't you please calm down? Why are you so mad? Did I do something wrong?'
'WHY ARE YOU EVEN ASKING?! WHEN YOU CAME EVERYTHING IS WRONG. EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU IS WRONG!'
Binitawan ko ang pagkakawak ko sa kamay niya at pumasok sa kakabukas lang na pinto na malapit sa kinatatayuan namin.
Saktong-sakto it's men's comfort room. I open the faucet in the sink at sinahod ang kamay ko sa malakas na agos ng tubig.
Hindi na ako nagabala pang tiklupin ang dulo ng aking long sleeves maging ang kwelyo ng aking americana. Tuloy-tuloy kong binubuhusan ang aking mukha,tumigil lamang ako nung kailangan ko ng habulin ang akin hininga. Napatitig ako sa malaki at malinis na salamin sa tapat ng lababo.
She should just never show her face, after a century and half of hiding she suddenly pop out of nowhere.
Why?
Kita sa reflection ng salamin ang anim na cubicle na nasa loob ng kwartong ito, every wall of the cubicle is made out of translucent glasses kung saan maaninaw mo kung may tao sa loob.
At the 6th toilet room there are red & green blinking light. If you will look into it the light came from the upper body of the man sitting inside.
A man in uniform with a wet mop on his hand are in a panic when he reach to the cubicle.
Ibinaba niya ang kanyang dala-dalang pamunas at may kinuha sa kanyang tagiliran. Maririnig ang pagkakalinsing ng mga susi habang sinusubukan niyang buksan ang pinto ng cubicle.
'Sh*t!Sh*t!Sh*t! Bakit ayaw bumukas?'
Rinig ko ang mariin niyang pag bulong. He is definitely acting strange maybe he is so exhausted.
'Give me the keys.'
Tila ngayon niya lamang naramdaman ang presensya ko sa loob ng Comfort Room dahil nahulog niya ang mga hawak niyang susi sa sahig. Tumitig lang siya sa akin at nanigas sa kinatatayuan niya.
' I don't mean to scare you, Paul? Is that your name? Okay, but I don't belong in the Star Class community. I'm just a gate crasher,okay? So breathe in and give me the keys.'
I saw his name in his pinned name tag. Lumapit ako sa kanya para kuhain ang susi pero umatras siya at itinuro ang sahig na katapat ng last cubicle.
'There's....a..blood...pool....of.....blood.'
Napakunot pa ang aking sa biglaan niyang pag hysterical, I almost think he is having delusion pero ng aking tingnan ay may malapot na likido na lumalabas galing sa loob. It stains the white marble of the room.
I snatched the master keys in his hands. I heard the click at the door lock sign that I've got the correct key. Pagkabukas ko ay bumungad sa akin ang groom na si Mr.Philip, the blood is coming down to his entire body.
But this is not right, I definitely saw him outside the party. Dancing with her soon to be wife at the middle of the ballroom.
What shaken's me ay ang vest na may digital time na nakasuot sa kanya at ang red-green na ilaw na galing dito.
Bago pa macontaminate ang buong scene ay kinuha ko ang aking phone at kinuhaan ang buong cubicle. By the few shots ay itinabi ko na ito at lumapit sa kanya to check for his breathing.
'Thank God he's still alive, but we need to call for help.'
Sunod kong tiningnan kung saan nag mumula ang mga dugo sa kanyang katawan.
'One long slit in the forehead, several cuts in the arms,thigh and legs. I can't look for the chest part because of the vest. Hey,help me down here.'
He is still in frozen state.
' Paul?! Paul?! A man is in a bad state, he's going to lose his life if you just stand there.'
'I can't, I'm...'
'If you don't help me here I will call the authorities and I will tell them that you're the madman who attempted to murder a groom in his engagement party. You're the first person to find the body so your definitely the first suspect of this crime, so you better collect yourself and help me here.'
My threat to him works. Kinuha niya ang malilinis na hand towel at iniabot ito sa akin. We tie the towel to stop the bleeding but sa tingin ko ay malalim ang sugat nga mga ito.
'Sir, he is losing to much blood.'
'I know, I know. We can't move him either way.'
'Primo, I know you're upset so I already ask your sister. We can go.....we can't go home now.'
The click of her shoes stop at the cubicle doorway. Ibinaba niya ang telepono niya at pinatong ito sa bathroom sink. Hinikit niya pataas ang kanyang gown at lumapit sa amin.
'You need to move away from that.'
'We can't leave him here.'
'I'm not telling you to leave him, I just need you to stand back. '
'What?!'
'You know what I'm the one who know alot about med, I got a master degree. So please just move.'
Umalis kaming dalawa at hinayaan siyang makalapit sa katawan.
'Interesting. The man who did this to him is a pro, right handed, he did hit the every part of the body that is deadly lethal. But why didn't he kill him?'
' Because he want him to let him feel the pain. '
'Yes, that is right. The blood are still fresh but there are some wounds that is already clothing, he was bitten first to death on about four to six hours ago and after that he gain the fresh cuts again for just a half or an hour ago. I can't see any blood at the floor outside but I can really tell that someone sneak him here and put the bomb to his body. But,how? How can someone move a man that is bathing in his own blood without being notice by the guest?'
She's playing a detective game now? But I can see that she's making sense. The cubicle walls are clean with no sigh of splashed blood. He is asleep when the culprit planted him hear. Mr.Philip is a tall man 6'4 ft and naglalaro ang timbang sa 200+ lbs it's impossible to put him here without being recognize.
'He's unconscious when the unknown man put him here, he carried him here with a disguise and a perfect disguise could be?! It's either a bellboy, waiter or a cleaner. Those workers carried a trolley today but Bellboys are not assigned for this floor, while waiters don't take this path because their station is in the other side of ballroom hall. The only one left is?'
I look at the man in uniform. His eyes widened by surprise. He start to wave his hand in the air and small bids of sweat got visible in his forehead.
'I didn't said it was you and I think you're not the one who did this. Maybe one of your colleagues have a strong grudge against this Mister.'
'Hey monster, you don't know yet what exactly happen here. Anyone can do this so every cleaners in this party should be interrogate and no one should be exempted.'
'Maam! Sir! Pina-pangako ko po hindi po ako ang may kagagawan nito. Hindi ko po kayang gawin yan. May pamilya po akong sinusuportahan hindi po ako pwede makulong.'
'Then how come you..'
~beeppp~beepp~
A sudden quick alarming sound came from the vest of Mr.Philip. The time at the digital screen goes zero and stop. But for a few seconds it started to blink again, from 00:00:00 to 00:59:59 and it continued .
'You need to move away from that, we have to evacuate and make sure that everyone is safe. Hey man in a uniform call the police, now.'
Pagkalabas ko ng Comfort room ay tumingin ako sa paligid ng hallway. There's no any sign of strange man activating the bomb.
Sumunod sa paglabas ko si paul, his hands were trembling while opening his phone at nagsisimula naring mamuo ang mga luha sa kanyang mga mata.
'Hello! Hello! This is Paul! Paul Lopez, nandito po ako sa Herance Hotel sa Party ground and we have a situation here.'
'Do not call the police.'
Pag kalingon ko ay nakita ko na naka-dungaw lang siya sa may pinto. Bago pa ako makapag-tanong sa kanya ay isinara niya na ulit ang pinto. Nag-katinginan muna kami ni Paul bago muling pumasok sa loob.
'You need to get the ring, I've heard him that it's an important device but I don't know what is that for. He is somehow have a connection so you can't call the police, everyone will be dead if you. Oh God,just help me. Please.'
Mr.Philip eyes are half open and he is catching his breath. You can feel from his voice that he is in pain.
'Sorry Mr.Philip but we are calling the police, we can't help you.'
'I can.'
Kinuha niya ang kanyang phone at purse sa ibabaw ng Bathroom Sink.
'I can fix that ticking clock.'
'What? Can you please stop saying nonsense? This is not just a clock where you're going to turn it off when it alarms.'
'I know. You should read the papers that I give to you last night.'
'What!?What paper?'
'My resume. But I think I don't need to apply because your sister already make me unemployed.'
'Will you stop bubbling nonsense? We have a man that needed to be save.'
'She can do it.'
Francisco slowly walk while entering the room, his hands we're inside his pockets.
'Francisco, we only have forty-seven minutes left. Take Primo with you, go outside of this building or go home at huwag na huwag mong tatanggalin ang paningin mo sa kanya hangga't hindi kayo nakakarating ng lighthouse. Do you understand?'
'Yes, captain!'
Deactivate?What? Is she's telling me now to leave her with that ticking thing. I'm not stupid not to know that it's a bomb,she's the stupid one here. The best thing to do is go now and help everyone to evacuate.
Kinapitan ako ni Francisco sa braso pero pumiglas ako at hinila siya patayo ngunit tinanggal niya lang ang aking pagkakapit sa kanya at muling tinuon ang paningin kay Mr. Philip.
' You know what Francisco, instead of stopping her in worsening this situation you condoned her to do so. I TOLD YOU WE NEED TO GO!'
I could just left her, but we went here together so I'm not going alone. My sister told me to save anyone as long as I can and the only person that I can save now is Phoenixyr. She can't do this thing kahit pa sinabi niya or ni Francisco.
This is life and death situation. The officials can take care of this we should just report this.
Muli kong hinila siya sa pagkakaupo ngunit nagmatigas parin siya. Her face look more serious now. Katulad nung araw na kinompronta ko siya sa hallway before the propose accident yung time na tinaboy ko siya pero ang sinabi niyang lang ay I will always go after you.
The same pair of eyes that I see on her that time.
'I cant, I'm sorry. I know that I promise today, that I will not leave you, but I'm not going to leave him here. Knowing that I can do something.'
She remove her ring and give it to me. I feel so puzzle now because of her sudden act and sa bigla niyang pagabot ng engagement ring namin.
Itinulak niya ako palabas ng pinto and lock it.
I bang the door a few more times and try to kick it down when she's not responding.
'Vlain, you should stop. She can do it, disarming a bomb is an easy test for her. But, we need to get out of here and just follow Captain's orders.'
• • •
(💌 AUTHOR's NOTE: Hello to my readers, it's been almost a month since my last upload but here I am giving you a full course meal. Oh I forgot, I divide this chapter into two parts so you will only have the first part of the meal. I hope that you will love this. I think that the story line on this page is a bit I don't know, ideas is everywhere and blah blah. I'm going to check and filter it more so you my precious reader can read and enjoy it. Give me One and half day to swing my wand!
Oh lastly, I saw that I have alot of typos (ex. I always forgot 'K' on know word ). Sorry for that, but I wish that you don't hate me for that.💙💙💙)