Sam's POV
I took a deep breath as I stared at the old two storey house from my car, feeling like I was suddenly out of breath just staring at it.
Our old house..
Good old memories started to creep in my mind but I quickly blocked those memories off my system. Now's not the time for that.
Medyo papalubog palang ang araw so I can still clearly see the details of the house.
Halatang matagal ng wala ng nakatira sa bahay na'to dahil sa masukal na garden nito and it's faded cream colored walls.
Kahit masakit man balikan ang bahay na'to, this isn't the time to be weak and be bluer than my blackeye yesterday.
If dad chose to hide his identity, then I think he had done that for a good cause. For us and for our safety. But given that he died with mom, then that means he failed his mission. And now it's my turn to know what was that file all about.
I quickly got out of my car then get into the gate. Halatang kinakalawang na ito as it scrapes when I opened it.
Nakatambay parin ang dati kong bike sa may garahe, looking like ready to give out before I could even use it again. Shrugging those thought off, I walked to the front porch then fished out the key under the flower pot na nasa gilid. Good thing na nandoon parin 'yon and it was still fine to use kahit medyo kinakalawang na ito.
I inserted the key in the keyhole and twisted it but I frowned when it wasn't no longer locked.
Did auntie forget to lock this the last time we came here?
Well, it had been ten long years ago so I think it was possible, Sam.
Shrugging, binuksan ko nalang ang pinto and then get in.
All furnitures and appliances in the living room were covered with white cloth na halatang puno ng alikabok ngayon, even the carpet. Without the family frames being hanged around, parang wala na rin itong buhay ngayon.
Cob webs covered up the ceilings lalo na sa may kitchen area. Dumiretso na'ko sa study room malapit sa may hagdan na nasa bandang kanan.
Medyo late na kaya kailangan ko ng bilisan dito and I think I can find that file at the study room since dito naglalagi si dad noong nabubuhay pa ito.
Huminga muna ako ng malalim before clutching the door knob tightly as aunt Rose words echoed in my head.
'...ang alam ko lang ay isa yong importanteng file na kailangan niyang ibigay sa kaibigan niya..'
'....saying that he got the file at ibibigay niya 'yon sa tamang panahon...'
I nodded my head as I thought about that, trying to analyze the possibilities if what happened before and after the accident.
Kung pinatay man nila si dad, then there's a big possibilities na dahil yon sa file at pwedeng hawak nya parin ito before the incident takes place--his death. And that file could be the reason why those people at the incident were there at that time.
Sa tamang panahon...
With his sudden death, mukhang hindi na dumating ang tamang panahon na'yon.
Sighing, binuksan ko na ang pinto and then get in. My eyes swiftly scanned the room inside. Dusty solid oak desk with his chair at the center, shelvesfull of dusty book at the right corner and a black leather couch sa kaliwa.
Not wanted to waste time, I headed to the table and rummaged through the drawers while coughing in the process dahil sa alikabok but then found nothing interesting in it. Just some old receipts, pens, sticky notes, and a few books, newspapers---- shit! Wala man lang ibang importanteng files na pwedeng makatulong sa'kin.
I didn't know dad would be like this, so careful with hiding everything na kahit ni isang bakas, wala ka talagang makikita.
A neat freak that he was!
Letting out an exasperated sigh, kinuha ko nalang ang lahat ng maalikabok na newspapers na nandun. Baka makatulong 'to sa'kin.
I placed those old newspapers on the table then moved to the shelves.
In all fairness, dad really loved reading books related to laws and crime investigations. I should've known what he was into before by just these books. Businessmen usually read anything related with business and not this.
I don't think I don't I could find that file in this book.
Sighing out in disappointment, kinuha ko nalang ang mga newspapers na nasa mesa then headed back to the door saka tumungo sa second floor.
Kung wala sa study room then probably nasa room nila.
The second floor were composed of two bedrooms, the master bedroom on the leftwing na dating inooccupy ng parents ko and my bedroom on the right.
I headed to the master's door saka pumasok. Large closet on the right na malapit sa malaking sliding window, master's bed na nasa gitna and then----
My brows furrowed when I noticed the drawers na nasa tabi ng bed was a total mess. Bukas ang mga 'to with a few papers scattered on the floor.
I rushed to it and then placed the bundle of newspapers on the floor to check those papers with brows still furrowed in confusions..
Something wasn't right here. Hindi naman 'to ganito pag-alis ko. Probably magnanakaw? Trying to steal anything na may halaga, but I'm pretty sure they're very disappointed after they'd realized that there was nothing worth to steal here.
Medyo maalikabok na ang mga ito kaya halatang matagal-tagal na rin itong nandito. Brochures lang naman 'to, there's nothing related sa naging trabaho ni dad before. Probably even Mom didn't even know about what dad was really into before and dad was really careful to hide it from her.
Tiningnan ko muna ang iba pang drawers and then the closet but still, I've found nothing.
Damn. Halos kinain ko na nga lahat ng alikabok dito pero wala parin akong napala!
Sighing exasperatedly, I took the newspapers and then rushed outside the door and then to my car. Kung wala akong napala rito then I guess I have to find that damn file in other way.
Darkness started to cover the world kaya agad na'kong umalis sa lugar na yon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Inayos ko muna ang sarili ko and then heaved up a deep breath before I got out at the last floor.
This time, I was able to scan this floor since the last time na nandito ako, may asungot na tatawag tawag sa'kin para mangulit na ibenta yong bahay namin. And speaking of that evil, Mr. Vista, I think kailangan ko na itong kausapin mamaya to give him my final answer.
I quickly shook that thoughts away when my mind started to wander sa taong yon and just took in the luxurious interior of this floor.
Large Receiving area on the left with few black leather couches at the center na parang dinilaan ng baka dahil ang kintab nito. A secretary's office on the right na kita ang nasa loob nito with its glass walls, then the great CEO's office sa tabi nito. Reception area na ngayon ko lang napansing may dalawang babaeng receptionist na nakastand by dito just across the CEO's office.
At sa dulo ng hallway, well, floor to ceiling glass walls lang naman na tingin ko perfect for someone na gustong magsuicide.
Dumiretso na'ko sa pinto ng office nito and then knocked ten times. Of course, ganun ako kasipag.
I heard him cursed before telling me to come in.
The bastard. I wonder kung anong nakain ng taong 'to ngayon. Ki aga-aga. Buang na sa katatrabaho ang gago.
I get in and slowly closed the door behind me. Halatang busy nga ang ungas dahil hindi man lang ito nagtaas ng tingin and just shoved himself in the papers he was reading now.
I just stayed at the door and leaned against it with crossed arms with my bag still slung on my shoulder, observing him.
He was in his usual perfect black suit again. Siguro halos lahat ng damit ng taong 'to was either in black or navy blue color with the same style.
His hair was combed to the back of his head with his brows creases while reading whatever was on that damn paper as his sexy hand scribbling something on the paper.
Damn. I didn't know ganito pala kasexy ang kamay nito.. Tsk, tsk.. How much more kung hubo't hubad na ang kumag na'to? Siguro mahihiya na ang statue ni Michaelangelo.
I wonder kung bakit hindi parin nag-aasawa ang gagong 'to. Or even a girlfriend. May tinatago kaya 'to?
Hmmm.... Bangkay ng mga traydor na employee siguro, posibleng nakatago sa closet nito. Sa tindi ba naman ng topak nito?
I just kept staring at him, wanted to disturb him with my intense stares.
Makuha ka sa tingin....
When still, hindi pa rin ito umiimik, I stared more at him with two wide eyes. Staring like how Valak usually do it in the movie.
Pag tumingin ka,..... Akin ka...
"Are you done checking up on me, Ms. Javier?"
His deep voice pulled me out from my judgemental and crazy thoughts, probably sensing someone was making him some psychopath killing his own employee and making fun of him.
Okay. He was immune with my stares then.
Sighing out, I walked to his table then sat at the vacant seat before his desk.
"Yes, I'm done checking up on you and my findings says your illness is incurable.."
That made him looked up from his work and gazed at me with a glare.
"And why would I not be okay, Ms. Javier? Care to explain that?"
"Bipolar."
Agad na dumilim ang mukha nito when I whispered that to myself.
Bloody elephant ears.
"Anong sabi mo? Bipolar?"
Oh yeah, Hindi sya galit, but I think he's ready to strangle me pag inulit ko pa yon. I just grinned saka tumayo, making sure to make enough distance from him. just in case magwala sa hawla ang gagong to.
"Wala akong sinabing ganyan, Mr. Del Fuero. Ikaw lang... By the way, saan nga pala ang table ko?"
His lips pursed in thin line when I changed the topic.
He just stared at me with laser look which I returned with a sarcastic smile. But after a few seconds longer, he sighed saka binitawan ang ballpen at papel na hawak nito before leaning his back against his seat.
"Tingin mo maglalagay ako ng extra table rito para lang sa'yo?" came his sarcastic voice. The bastard.
"Find your tableat my secretary's office, may mga inilagay na'ko dun na tatrabahuin mo."
"Trabaho? May kailangan ba'kong trabahuin except sa case mo?" I asked with raised eyebrow.
And when a smirk crept into his mouth, halos umabot na sa bunbunan ang kilay ko.
He was into something.
"Go now. Time is diamond. So kung tutunganga ka lang diyan, then your wasting my precious diamonds!"
That made me scoffed at that, quite against with it.
"Diamond my foot! Kung diamond nga talaga ang oras, wala na sanang employees na nagpapakahirap maging tuta mo ngayon. And maybe... Naging ka competensya mo na silang lahat ngayon at---"
"Or maybe," I glared at him when he cut me in with his twitching jaw.
"..nasa kangkungan na sila ngayon because they stupidly translated the simple saying 'literally'. Leave now, Ms. Javier. Late ka na nga ng halos dalawang oras, sasayangin mo pa ang oras ko rito."
With gritted teeth, my hands automatically rested on my hips while gazing down at him with protest.
"Almost 2 hours late? F.Y.I., 9:30 pa lang ngayon so ba't ako magiging late, aber??"
He gave me a tight smile with his raised brow while looking at me like I had gone out of my mind.
"Exactly. 9:30.. Malayong-malayo sa 8:00 am sharp in the morning na pasukan ng mga employees ko."
"And exactly. Morning! Morning parin naman ang 9:30 kaya sakto lang ang dating ko."
A disbelief and disapproval look instantly flashed through his face.
"Are you out of your mind?"
"No. Definitely not."
He scowled when I snapped that.
"Hindi mo naman sinabing I should be here at exactly 8:00am, ang sinabi mo lang 'Tomorrow, pwede ka ng magsimula'." I said while mimicking him kung pa'no nya yon sinabi kahapon which caused his scowl deepened.
"Pasalamat ka nga, ngayon ako pumunta ito.. Mas maganda pa naman sanang mamayang hapon nalang. I could've been sleeping by now."
"Yes, sinabi ko nga 'yon, Ms. Javier. But can you atleast act like some professional kahit hindi ka naman talaga professional?"
That made scoffed at him.
"You can call me like that but that's how I do my job."
"Binabayaran kita rito and you're the one who suggested na magpanggap na employee ko, so act like my worthy employee and you can start that with reporting in your pretend job on time." That made me grit my teeth while glaring down at him. Imagining that I was biting his earth-sized head off.
Though killing him was a hundred times much preferable na gawin ngayon, I just took a deep breath while glaring at him, stopping myself.
Kung nagagawa lang sana ng tingin ang iniisip kong gawin sa kanya ngayon, he would've been in his knees by now, fixing his cracked balls!
"Fine. I'll do that." I agreed with gritted teeth.
"Then good."
"But I can't promise na lagi ko 'yong gagawin, Mr. Del Fuero. Baka nakakalimutan mo ordering me around wasn't in our contract so I hope you won't forget about it."
He nodded with that before he answered.
"Yes. You're right. But atleast, makinig ka man lang sana sa employer mo kahit minsan lang."
I just rolled my eyes at that and began to head back to the door.
Wala naman akong ibang gagawin ngayon kundi bantayan ang mga taong related sa case nito.
I held the door knob then pulled open the door.
"Ms. Javier?"
Yes you damn shit?
I wanted to answer that when he called out again.
"What??" I spat pagkalingon ko rito.
"Nagshopping ka ba talaga kahapon or hiniram mo lang 'yang suot mo ngayon sa lola mo? I told you to change your fashion style to a more better one and not that."
Can I kill him now? Can I?
My hold at the doorknob tightened as I controlled my murderous mind while glaring at him.
"This is the style that I want and you have no say to it."
"Okay." The bastard answered with a shrug. "Kung ganun man, I think you don't have to submit a statement of your expenses yesterday. You can take your leave now." He went on with a wave of his hand.
Oh yeah. Hindi na nga dahil tiyak, you won't like it one bit.
I just gave him a sarcastic smile before answering him.
"Thank you. Such a good businessman you are..Bye!" Then with that, I happily got out from there and let him die in curiousities.
Dumiretso na'ko sa secretary's office. Ignoring those two women whose eyeing me from head to toe with clear distaste on their faces.
Whatever with this judgmental frogs!
Kumatok muna ako sa pinto before I entered and greeted with the annoyed face of his dear secretary. Or shall I say one of his dear enemies?
"Late ka na, Ms. Javier." She greeted as she got from her seat and then walked towards me.
"Yes, and Mr. Del Fuero knows about this.. May inasikaso lang akong importanteng bagay."
Her brow shot up at as she crossed her arms while looking at me with doubt.
Oh yeah, dapat hindi ko nalang inayos ang sasakyan nito noon and just left her sa may gilid ng daan at matusta sa init ang---
"Okay.."
My brows almost overlapped on my forehead when she answered with his nude lips formed into a small smile.
"Good thing na inayos mo' yong gulong ng sasakyan ko the last time we've met, so you're safe for now."
For now. So wala ng next time.
Pinilit ko nalang na ngumiti rito, we never know, magiging bestie pala kami sa darating na mga panahon.
"I thought 'di mo na'ko natatandaan, Ms. Diwane---"
"Mrs. Mrs. Diwane..But you can call me, Milary at 'di agad ako nakakalimot ng mga taong tumulong sa'kin.." She corrected while still smiling at me.
"Good to hear that then. And just call me Samantha, Milary." I answered while nodding my head and a fake smile still pasted on my face.
Though ayokong naririnig ang pangalan na'yon, I think it was handy at times like this.
"Okay, Samantha. Pwede ka ng pumunta sa table mo." She said while pointing at the desk with pile of papers and computer na nasa bandang kanan. Malapit lang ito sa concrete wall with shelves intact with files beside it.
This room was a bit smaller than the bastard's but still, maganda parin ang view sa floor to ceiling window sa room na'to.
"May pinalagay sa'kin si Mr. Del Fuero na pagkakaabalahan mo, so you can start working on it now."
I glanced at the mountaneous pile on my table again at kahit gusto kong magreklamo dahil dito, mas pinili ko nalang na tumango while still eyeing the damn papers with utter despise.
"Thank you, Milary." I said and headed to my table now.
"Just call me if kailangan mo ng tulong, Samantha.."
I just smiled at her when she said that habang pabalik na sa upuan nito.
"I think kaya ko na'to, Milary.. Ako ang dapat na tawagin mo kapag may kailangan ka. I am here to help you after all.."
She smiled back and nodded at that, satisfied to hear it from me.
A good start for the two of us.
Smiling, tiningnan ko nalang kung ano ang mga papers na nasa harapan ko with yellow sticky notes na nakaattach dito.
I took it saka binasa 'yon.
'Compare the content of all these papers to its copy in your computer. If something was amiss, correct it. Make sure to do it properly!'
My eyes automatically rolled upward when I read that.
As if I'd do that! I'm just his pretend assistant secretary, so ba't ko naman gagawin 'to? Such a waste of my stainless steel time.
I was about to put that note back to the pile but I stopped when a light bulb suddenly came to mind. A light bulb that shining like his precious diamonds.
Oh... ba't di ko nalang kaya bigyan ng response note ang gagong 'yon? I'm sure sasaya ang gagong 'yon.
With that thought, a smirk crept into my mouth as that thought excites me.
Agad ko ng binuksan ang drawers ko and then searched for some sticky notes. And good thing I've found some in pink color.
Such a sweet and so girly color.
I took a pen and then started scribbling a note para sa bawat file na nandun. Making sure to do it properly'!
It took me almost an hour long para tapusin 'yon. I quickly attached it onto every files.
After doing that, I leaned against my chair with a satisfied smile before checking the time at my wristwatch.
10:35am. hmm.. Maaga pa naman so why not use use it to my other appointment?
Without giving it another thought, I started the computer and then searched for some place na pwedeng makatulong sa'kin.
'Cafe Moss,.. Sa lugar na yan ko sya nakitang may kausap na lalaki, someone that I think he was very closed to... '
Cafe Moss.
Let's do some research about that place, baka may maitulong ang lugar na'to sa imbestigasyon ko.
I was just browsing in my computer for a few minutes when my phone under my blazer suddenly rang, causing Milary to turn to my way.
I think I have to turn this to a silent mode para iwas disturbo next time.
I just gave her an apologetic smile and mouthed 'can I?' at her. Buti nalang that she agreed with a single nod.
I took it out then sighed when I saw the caller.
Oh right, nakalimutan ko pala ang taong 'to.
"Good morning, Ms. Romero." he greeted nang sagutin ko ang tawag nito with his serious voice.
What was so good in the morning kung kukulitin mo lang naman ako?
"I'm sorry, nakalimutan kong itext kayo kahapon and since tumawag na rin lang kayo, mag-usap nalang tayo during lunch time, at 12 noon. How 'bout that, Mr. Vista?" I answered with low voice, not wanted to disturb my dear friend Milary.
"Sure, Ms. Romero. So saan mo gustong magkita tayo mamaya?" I can detect excitement in his voice now, probably sa pagpayag ko.
Oh dear, please get yourself ready dahil masasaktan ka lang mamaya.
"Pumili ka lang ng gusto mong lugar, Ms. Romero na tingin mo mas convenient para sa'yo." Papapatuloy nito.
Well, good then. Saang lugar nga ba mas magandang makipagkita sa taong 'to which is convenient for me?
Hmm.. I was just thinking for a while nang mahagip ng mga mata ko ang nakadisplay sa monitor ng computer ko, making me smirked and mentally nodded.
"I think alam ko na kung sang lugar tayo magkikita, Mr. Vista.." Agad ko na yong sinabi rito kong saan 'yon and then hang up when he agreed.
And since I still have more than an hour before lunch time, ipinagpatuloy ko nalang ang pagreresearch ko for any additional info na makakatulong sa'kin. But since the information in the internet were very limited, I decided to just take an early lunch break.
And before that, why not give that bastard Del Fuero an early christmas notes?
Smirking, I took the pile from my table with notes already attached on it saka kinarga 'yon papunta sa pinto but I was stopped when Milary asked in curiosity.
"Saan mo ba dadalhin 'yang files na yan, Samantha?"
Somewhere down the pit of the hell perhaps? Where I can burn these papers kasama ng may-ari nito?
I turned to way saka ngumiti rito, making sure to appear it like a sweet smile.
"Kay Mr. Del Fuero, Milary."
Agad na kumunot ang noo nito, eyeing the papers in confusions.
"Tapos mo na bang gawin lahat 'yan?"
"Yes. I'm done with this kaya tingin ko kailangan ko ng ibalik 'to kay Mr. Del Fuero so I could ask him for another task."
She just nodded then motioned to leave with her hand. With that, umalis na agad ako and then headed to the next door, ignoring the two pretty and sexy receptionists sa kabila now eyeing the pile na dala-dala ko.
I knocked a hundred times sa pinto nito, making sure to disturb him saka pumasok.
And as expected, mukhang naiinis na nga ito with his flushed ear and twitching jaw habang nakayuko pa rin ito.
"Ano na naman, Ms. Javier? May new information ka ba na sasabihin sa'kin ngayon kaya nandito ka na naman?" He asked without even sparing some time to glance up at me.
Well, ba't di ko nalang gawan ng paraan yan.
I just smiled then walked towards his desk.
"Wala pa naman, Mr. Del Fuero. But I have something for you."
"At ano naman kaya yan?" Again, he answered without even glancing at my way.
Smirking while making a deep hole sa ulo nya with my laser stares, I placed the pile before him in a rather noisy way na siyang dahilan para tumigil ito sa ginagawa nito and glared up at the pile and then to me.
Good boy.
"What's this, Ms. Javier? Tapos mo na bang gawin lahat'to?"
I just nodded at him while putting up a straight innocent face.
"As you've ordered, Sir. I made sure to do it properly and with a hundred times extra careful.."
His brow just raised and stared at me with suspicious eyes.
Oh yeah, probably with the sudden change of my behavior. Yes, he should really be mindful 'pag naging ganito agad ang behavior ko in just a shortest short period of time.
But after a few seconds na nakatingin lang ito sa'kin, he sighed then waved off his hand.
"Leave now. Titingnan ko pa 'yan after nitong binabasa ko.."
"Of course. You should really do that sir and you better check every file."
"You don't need to tell me that. Just leave now." He grumbled as he shove himself back to his work.
"Sure yes sure, Sir. I'll take my leave now. Goodest of all good byes!" Then with that, I exited that room, leaving him with suspicious look on his face.
Though I'd like to take the rare opportunity to witness on how he would react to that notes later, umalis na lamang ako and then bid my sweetest goodbye to the two receptionist na tumango lamang sa'kin before I headed to the elevator.