The scene shifts back in time to a week after Zark had escaped from Manila and taken refuge in Taguig. In the dimly lit backroom of the computer shop, Jojo sat at his workstation, his fingers hovering over his phone's keypad. He hesitated for a moment, then dialed a number and waited. After a few rings, a familiar voice answered on the other end.
"It's been a while. What's going on?" the voice asked, sounding curious but calm.
"Yeah, I need a favor," Jojo began, his tone serious, but careful not to reveal too much.
"It's about the... situation. Things are heating up, and I'm worried."
There was a brief pause on the other end.
"You sure this can't be handled quietly?" the voice responded, with a hint of surprise.
"What exactly are you thinking?"
"I'm saying we need to consider our options," Jojo replied, his voice dropping even lower as if anyone could overhear them.
"We can't risk staying where we are. It's not safe, and I need you to pass this along."
The voice softened in response.
"Alright. I'll see what can be done and get back to you when there's an answer."
Jojo nodded to himself as the call ended, hoping his request would be taken seriously.
A few weeks later, in Concepcion Uno, Marikina, a new scene unfolded. A woman stood in front of a commercial space, her eyes assessing the property with a discerning gaze. She wore a simple yet elegant outfit, exuding calm confidence as she observed the surrounding area. The space she was looking at was ideally located near J.P. Rizal Street, surrounded by small businesses and schools. It was a perfect spot to blend in while providing enough cover for what would soon be a new and important establishment.
As she stepped forward, she approached a man standing nearby, who appeared to be the representative for the property owner.
"I'm interested in buying this space," she said with a polite smile.
"Planning to turn it into an Internet Café and Co-working Space."
The man nodded approvingly, glancing at the business card she handed over.
"Good choice. The location's great, lots of foot traffic from the nearby schools and small businesses," he replied.
"It would definitely be a hit around here."
The woman handed him the documents, finalizing the purchase.
"I'm confident it will be," she said smoothly.
"Let's get started as soon as possible."
The work began shortly after, with construction crews arriving to start renovations. They transformed the once-empty commercial space into a modern, inviting establishment. The exterior was fitted with sleek signage and bright colors to attract attention. Inside, the latest high-performance equipment was installed: top-of-the-line gaming PCs for the internet café, ergonomic desks and chairs in the co-working space, and other cutting-edge technology. Several private rooms and restricted areas, designated as staff-only zones, remained discreetly out of sight.
As construction continued, groups of students and locals passing by would stop and stare, intrigued by the new establishment taking shape in their neighborhood.
"Hey, have you seen the new place they're building?" a student asked his friend as they walked by.
"Yeah, it looks pretty cool," his friend replied, peering inside to catch a glimpse of the setup.
"I heard it's gonna be an internet café or something. I could use a new spot to hang out after class."
"It's more than just an internet café," another person chimed in, overhearing the conversation.
"I heard there's going to be a co-working space too. Finally, something like this in Marikina."
The buzz surrounding the new internet café and co-working space continued to grow as weeks passed, with many eagerly anticipating its grand opening. The place was divided into an internet café for gamers at the front, a co-working space for students and freelancers in the middle, and several hidden rooms toward the back.
One afternoon, a couple of curious high school students stood near the entrance, watching as workers carried in boxes of equipment.
"Do you think they'll let us use those high-end PCs?" one asked, nudging his friend.
"I hope so," the other replied, leaning in closer for a better view.
"Those setups look way better than what we have at home."
Nearby, a young woman in her early twenties approached one of the construction workers taking a break outside.
"Excuse me," she began with a friendly smile.
"Do you know when this place is going to open?"
The worker scratched his head, glancing at the nearly finished storefront.
"Shouldn't be too long now. Maybe another week or two," he replied.
"They're putting the final touches inside. Looks like it's going to be a fancy place."
The woman nodded, her curiosity growing.
"A co-working space and an internet café, huh?" she mused aloud.
"Sounds like a good spot to study or get some work done."
As the work neared completion, the new establishment drew more attention. A group of college students passing by exchanged excited whispers.
"When do you think they're gonna open?" a young man asked his friends.
"I don't know, but I heard the equipment they're using is the best you can get," one of his friends replied, sounding impressed.
"I might just come here to work instead of staying at home."
"Let's check it out when it opens," another friend added.
"It's been a while since we've had a cool spot like this around here."
The establishment's appearance was designed to draw attention, with eye-catching aesthetics and modern appeal. The glass walls at the front gave passersby a glimpse of the sleek interior, and large signs proudly displayed the café and co-working space features. Yet for all its exterior charms, the real work was happening behind the scenes.
One day, as a small crowd gathered outside to catch a glimpse of the final preparations, two young men stood near the entrance, peeking in through the glass doors.
"Looks like they're almost done setting up," one of them remarked, pointing toward the rows of high-performance PCs.
"Think they'll let us in early?" his friend joked, grinning.
"We could claim the best spots before anyone else does."
"Dream on, man," the first one replied with a chuckle.
"But seriously, I can't wait to check it out. I've heard some of the guys say this place is going to have the fastest internet in town."
The other nodded in agreement.
"If that's true, this place is going to be packed," he said.
"I'll be here on day one, that's for sure."
The anticipation in the neighborhood was palpable, with people eager to see what the new establishment had to offer. Yet, behind the modern décor and high-end equipment, there lay an entirely different purpose. The staff-only areas, which remained locked and off-limits to the public, housed state-of-the-art servers, secured network setups, and special access points. The preparations were nearly complete, and soon, the place would not only serve as an internet café and co-working space but also as a hidden nerve center for something far more significant than what it appeared to be.
As the grand opening drew closer, the new establishment was ready to become the latest hotspot in Marikina, a place that, on the surface, offered the perfect environment for studying, gaming, and working. But beneath its polished exterior, it would be a hub for a covert network that few could ever imagine.