"It's night time yet our daughter didn't arrive? Where did she go after all?" Mr Mondragon said to his wife.
"Why, honey? Is there's something wrong? Why you are searching for her?" she answered back.
"There's nothing wrong about her, honey. I am only worried that I didn't also see her in the theatre and she's not here also." He let go a deep sigh upon thinking of his daughter.
It's not that they don't trust her, but it's surprising that she didn't even call to let them know where she goes. Crimes are happening everywhere so they can't help but worry about her.
"Can you call her so we can find out where she is. And what happened to her. Oh, I will pinch her in the groin if something happens to her!" Fear was reflected in the lady's face and voice. Because it's late already but their daughter is not yet around.
"I called earlier but no one answered, Honey. That's why I'm worried. I wonder what happened to her," Clarence said again.
They were in that scenario when the lady's cell phone rang. They were very grateful because the girl they were worried about sent the message. According to its message, it might be late to go home.
"If she had texted or called earlier, we wouldn't have worried about her." And at the end, the Lady let out a deep breath.
"At least she did it already. That's why I can say that we can be at ease now."
Because there is no parent who does not worry about their children. They will do everything for their safety.
ON the other hand, thinking that her shoulder bag containing important ID's and bank cards had been lost and stolen, Mariz simply fell into the sand. She didn't think that she was in a public place and many people might see and recognize her. Something that is true because the once disgusting Manila Bay has become one of the tourist spots of the Philippines.
"Because that thief is sneaky. If only he had been begging, I might have felt sorry for him!" She frowned and was about to stomp.
It's not that she doesn't care about money because her life is important. But her ID's are also important. She used to go for a walk in that place. But there is no such event way back . So he pretended to be a bee whispering.
She was in that position when someone suddenly stopped and spoke right in front of him.
"Miss, stand over there. They might think a beautiful beggar has stumbled here. Here's your bag, Miss."
It's the voice! The voice is very familiar. So she suddenly looked up. Not only that, she stood up in hurry and if the person in front of her had not caught up with her sudden standing up, she might have fallen.
"LUTHEr Bartolome? You're right, you---ahh thank you for recovering my bag. How did you recover this bag of mine from that thief? That's a sneaky one!"
"Of the many things you can remember, Miss Mondragon is the one you haven't forgotten. And yes, you're right, it's me, Luther Bartholome. It's probably not hidden from your knowledge. We're from the Left Wing Jail. By the way, Miss Mondragon, what are you doing in this place?" Luther's smiling and questioning statement.
While Mariz Kaye first reached for the bag and then slung it over her shoulder. She was about to open her lips to speak again but the person in front of her got ahead.
"Check first, Miss Mondragon, there might be something missing in that," he said.
"If only money is lost in the contents of my bag, there would be no problem because the important thing is my ID'S. Hmmm, I would like to invite you and your friends to have a snack or early dinner there as a thank you for returning my bag. Maybe it's just a simple treat but it's from the bottom of my heart." She smiled and looked at the three behind the young man.
"Sure to the surest, Miss. Brother Luther was the only one who knew you when there was a shooting at the Left Wing Jail. So this is also our chance to get to know the owner of the prestigious Herrera Theater." Bong-Bong immediately agreed.
"Big brother, I'm just a mere manager there because it belongs to our family. By the way, to be formal, I'm Mariz Kaye Hererra Mondragon," she said with a smile.
"We know you by the name Miss Mariz because it's long. I'm Bong-Bong Escalante." The young man happily held out his palm.
"I'm Edmundo "Mundo" Bejarin," Mundo said.
"And finally, I'm Romulo "Ron-Ron" Pigurao. But I'm better known as Ron-Ron. I'm happy to meet you and meet you, Miss Mondragon," said Ron-Ron.
Mariz Kaye accepted the open palms one by one without hesitation. He is not a delicate person so he does not hesitate to shake hands with other people. Well, she is just a human being like them.
"Curly Boy, it looks like you swallowed your tongue? Introduce yourself properly." Mundo carelessly whispered. That's why the smile on the girl's face grew wider.
"Don't be an apple boy let him introduce himself." Bong-Bong continued to provoke.
That's why Luther scratched his head. Because of the open encouragement of his crooked friends. They all protested when he expressed his admiration for the girl. It seems that the world has turned upside down, they are the ones who make him happy. Because he was about to open his lips to do what they said, even if they said they knew each other, the girl went ahead of him.
"Let's go to the restaurant to continue the conversation, brothers. As a celebration of our new friendship. Don't yell at Curly Boy because you're right, we know each other. That's it, the face is getting red." She's still smiling.
Upon hearing that, the two friends looked at each other but before they could speak, Luther preceded them.
"I like that, Miss Mariz. I think you made out with those owls for the curly boy. Let's have a snack, yes, but we'll pay for it because you said it's a celebration of our new friendship. We won't allow you, the girl, to be the one free us," he said before walking to the famous restaurant across the street.
"Curly Boy is right, Pareng Luther, Miss Mondragon is the bet. It's an honor for the group to have you as a friend, especially since you're a rich kid while we're---"
"Never underestimate yourself, Big brother Bong. I know the continuation of that line. So I'm sorry if I interrupted your speech. I can't be selective among my future friends. And before Curly Boy gets bored, let's follow him."
When the girl remembered the young man who walked ahead and was looking at them even though they were only a few steps apart, she giggled. He immediately covered his mouth because he didn't want to offend them either.
His giggles turned into laughter. Because the three were moved and kept up with him until Luther, who was looking at them, started laughing. It's the first day of their friendship but the way they talk to each other and laugh makes it seem like they've known each other for a long time. Even on that day, we met again since there was a shooting at LWJ.
MEANWHILE, where Romano and his Boss, Skyler, are.
"What's the news outside, Romano? What date are we still in jail?" Skyler asked the staff irritably.
"According to the news I caught last night, our mysterious boss is not in the city, Boss. It seems that his friend has also gone mysteriously, but no one knows where. If you ask Luther Bartolome, he is already wandering around the city and he seems to be right what you suspect is that he is not an ordinary prisoner," he said.
"The first time I saw him before, I knew he was just like us undercover. So that's no longer surprising. Did you know which department he belonged to?" he asked again.
"I'm sorry, Boss. But I can't answer that. The bossing question is who is their leader because in our unit you are. How about him and his colleagues, in what department or organization do they belong?" this is also a questioning statement.
His staff's question also made Sky think. Even if he denies everything, it won't work for him. The first time he looked at it, he knew there was a hidden secret in his personality. And one more thing, it's like someone is whispering to his close friend. Because it will be a big part of his life. But his inner self, tells him that he is just fooling himself. And he was in that thought when the other person spoke again.
"Boss, what if I go out again tonight? We know that the answer to what is troubling your mind is just on the side of the road. And another thing, according to our companion outside, they seem to be arguing with the owner of Herrera Theater."
Perhaps his thoughts deepened, but his words were still clear to his ears. As for the knowledge that he is getting close to the Mondragon girl, that is a different story. And because of this, his hunch is stronger that the man who was with them in jail for a few days has a job in the government.
"Alright, do that thing Romano and make sure you bring me some good news back here especially since we don't know when we'll be out of here. Tell some of your companions to watch the Mondragon girl's every move. Tell to do it in secrecy especially since it comes from a rich family. I'm so much sure that she has a lot of securities. That's why they are sure to have strict security both in their home and company. That Curly Boy is the most important in everything, Romano. Don't forget that," he stated at length. But the eyes were looking at the window that was about to break.
"Sure thing, Boss. Don't worry because we will still be the winners in the end. If you are thinking about Curly Boy, that will also come back here especially if we are right in our suspicion that he is just like us," he replied.
Upon hearing that, he immediately turned to it. It looks like it wants to hit something. He is not a fortune teller but every word he utters has a hidden message.
"Why did you say that, Romano? Can you see the future? Or did you dream outside last night?" he said.
"None of the above, Boss. But I have a strange answer to that. It's like this, Boss, if he's like us, he'll come back here to continue his mission. Whether it's here in the wing we belong to or in another part of LWJ, he'll come I'm sure of that. But if we're just thinking that even during the day, we'll bet all night long, Boss. No Curly Boy will show up here," he said.
He stared at it. It is true because what it teaches is true. No one would put up with that tight spot without a reason. Any ordinary inmate will not last long in jail especially when there is a crime. There is probably no death penalty in the country, but criminals, especially murderers, are killed by their fellow prisoners.
"You deserve to be promoted, Romano. Let us get out of here and you will be a unit leader. Your deep thinking will not go to waste." He smiled until he patted his shoulder.
"Never, bossing. I will not exchange you for any promotion. Just like I promised when you adopted me, I will be yours forever. If I don't last long in this world, I would rather die in your palm than anyone else. Thank you, boss, but I'm not interested in that because I'm happy to serve you." It immediately contradicts.
What else could he expect from her? That's not new to him because every time he mentions about the promotion, that's the answer. He's had it for more than ten years and he noticed his talent when he was just starting to be undercover.
He was a street fighter and that's where he met her. He found out that he had no family and lived on the street on leftovers. He watched her for a few days before approaching her, from then until now, through thick and thin she was with him.
"Thank you, Romano. Go ahead and get some rest so you'll have energy for tonight," he said. But deep inside of him, he's so lucky to have him as his man. Not only in talent but all around.
"You too, boss," he replied then lay down on his own bed inside their cell.
AS the days go on!
The girl's joy was noticeable especially when she was with her new friends. Her parents know that she has new acquaintances but they don't know who they are. What she didn't know was that her secretary talked to her parents. Maybe her parents couldn't stand it and talked to her about it.
"Not to interfere in your personal life, hija. But you probably know what kind of life they have, so avoid them while it's still early," said MaCon.
"Your mommy is right, hija. We don't shop around for friends with your brothers and sisters. But this time we will intervene because it is also for your safety. Don't take it personally, Hija. It's for yourself." Clarence agreed.
But Mariz just shook his head. Because she will go against the parents for the first time. She knows what they are going say but no matter from what happen. She will go on what her heart says.
"No, Mommy, Daddy. I won't do that because he's here already. I know what you wanted me to realize but I just can't do that and besides I'm secured every time that I'm with them. I'm a sister to them and my instinct never fails me. That man (Luther) feels the same way around." She firmly pointed her heart.
No one can stop her on what she wants to do. For the first time in her life since she knew the meaning of love, she felt in love with Curly Boy. And besides, she instantly had four strong men as his bodyguards who stay with her wherever she wishes to go.