Chapter 12: Revealed

"TIFFANY MONTECILLO is really alive."

Tila ako nabingi kahit na inulit pa niya ito.

"What?! How come? I discovered it on my own eyes! She is dead!" I said in disbelief.

Malakas ang pintig ng puso ko at parang ayaw kong maniwala sa inanunsyo ni Chanyeol. Ang buong akala ko ay nagbibiro lang siya ngunit nang makita ko ang kanyang mata ay nakita ko ang kaseryosohan niya.

"I know na hindi ka maniniwala so I gathered many evidences.." May inilabas siya mula sa kanyang bulsa at ibinigay niya iyon sa akin. Isang litrato.

Kinuha ko iyon at ganon na lamang ang pagkabigla ko nang makita ko kung sino ang nasa picture.

It was Tiffany. May kausap siyang lalaki at kahit na nakatalikod ang lalaki sa litrato ay kilala ko kung sino ang hubog at tindig ng lalaking kausap niya. No one other than Kris Wu.

"This pictures was taken earlier outside the school. Sinundan ko si Kris dahil may nakalimutan siya at hindi ako makapaniwala sa naabutan ko doon. I saw Kris and Tiffany together and it seems that they have a serious talk. I don't know what are they talking about and I was shocked too na malaman na buhay ang bestfriend mo."

"Paano mo nakasisigurong si Tiffany iyan? And how come na magkakilala sila ni Kris?" I asked, hindi naniniwala sa mga sinasabi ni Chanyeol.

"I heard that Kris called him Tiffany Montecillo. I also didn't know na may connection pala sila sa isa't isa. Hindi rin ako makapaniwala pero nakasisiguro akong tama ang narinig ko. If you want some clearer information, you should ask and confront him." Aniya pa.

"Kaya ba dito tayo nag-uusap?"

Tumango ang lalaki. "Yes. Ayokong munang may makaalam na iba. Mas nakakabuti kung tayo na lang muna ang nakakaalam."

"You're right. It's better na kakaunti na lang muna ang nakakaalam." At dahil sa mga sinabi mo sa akin, nagsisimula na akong maniwala sa sinabi ni Cedric. I shouldn't put my whole trust to them, I should guarded my heart.

"What will you do next, Jessica? I'm sorry. Ginawa kong komplikado ang lahat at wala akong magawa.." I saw the glimpse of guilt on his face. He clenched his fist like he was so irritated at his self.

Umiling ako. "No. I've just thankful that you said this thing to me. Ako na ang bahala sa susunod kong gagawin. You already done your job.." I said then hold his clenched hand na siyang ikinagulat niya kaya napatingin siya sa akin.

"You don't have to put the blame in your self. And don't you worry, I can handle myself." I added then smirked.

"Are you sure? You don't need my skill?" He asked at nakikita ko ang pagdududa sa kanyang mukha.

"Yes. I'm fine, Chanyeol." Kinalas ko ang pagkakahawak ko sa kanyang kamay.

No. I will never be fine. I am just lying to myself. After hearing those stories, I don't think I can face the truth and continue to fight or what will I gonna do next? Doubts started to filled my head. Hindi ko na alam kung sino ba ang dapat kung pagkatiwalaan o kung totoo ba ang mga naririnig ko sa bawat buka ng bibig ng mga taong nasa paligid ko.

I don't know what to do. My mind was hazy and I couldn't think straight. If totoong buhay si Tiffany, bakit pinalabas niya na patay na siya? May alam ba si Kris tungkol dito? Magkasabwat ba sila? Kung oo, ano ang intensiyon nila para magsinungaling sa akin at kay Sunny?

Those are the questions that filling up my mind. Hindi ko makukuha ang kasagutan hangga't hindi ko pa siya nakakausap sa personal at komprontahin.

I know na may alam si Cedric Delacroix tungkol dito that's why he gave me some advice about the person whom I trusted a lot, sa mga taong nabigyan ko ng kakaunting pagtitiwala. Is this one of the president's game? He really messing up with my life.

"Liar." Isang boses ang nagpabalik sa akin sa huwisyo. Napabaling ang atensyon ko kay Chanyeol nang sabihin niya iyon. Oh, he saw through me, huh? I guess I couldn't hide my emotions from them or I was that obvious?

"Don't pretend that you can handle it alone, Jessica. I can read your facial expressions and based on my observations, you are hurt. You don't know what will you gonna do next. You are scared of moving up forward."

Absolutely correct. I am impressed of him. No doubt that he is a member of Wu Organization and a professional investigator of the team.

Napayuko ako dahil sa kanyang sinabi at nagsalita. "You know me well, Chanyeol. I guess hindi ko talaga kayang itago ang nararamdaman ko. You are a professional investigator kaya hindi na ako magtataka kung mahulaan mo iyon.."

Kinuha niya ang wrist ko na siyang ikinagulat ko. "Let's go." Tsaka walang pakundangan niya akong hinila.

"Saan mo ako dadalhin?" I asked habang hawak-hawak niya ang wrist ko.

"Basta. Sumunod ka na lang."

Hindi ko alam kung saan kami pupunta. Basta ang alam ko ay papunta kami sa labas ng university. I saw Sage Buenavista standing at the gate of the school. He was the assigned guard today.

"Oh, Chanyeol? Bakit mo kasama si Miss Jessica? Are you dating?" The guard teasingly asked when he saw us. He even greeted me with a smile and I smiled back at him.

Nakita kong namula ang magkabilang tainga ni Chanyeol dahil sa tanong ng guard. Nagtataka ako nang tumingin siya sa akin at bigla na lamang napaiwas ng tingin. Huh? Why?

At doon ko naalala ang naging tanong ni Sage! What the?! Masyado naman yatang personal iyon!

Napaiwas na lang ako ng tingin at tumikhim. Masyado namang awkward ang atmosphere dito bigla.

"H-hindi po. Ipapasyal ko lang po siya sa labas.." Mautal-utal pa siya nang sabihin niya iyon.

"Oh, ganon ba? It was the same. Hahahaha." Tila ayaw yatang patalo ang matanda at kinantyawan pa ang binata. Iyan tuloy, namula ang buong mukha nito. And I couldn't help but to smile.

"Shut up, Sage! Just hand me the key of my car." Iritableng saad nito kaya naman napahalakhak ang matanda at napataas ang dalawang kamay nito.

"Nakakatuwa ang hitsura mo, iho. Huwag ka ng mainis, binibiro lang kita." Then he handed him the key. "At mukhang natutuwa si Miss Jessica sayo." Ako naman ang binalingan nito ngayon kaya napunta rin sa akin ang tingin ni Chanyeol.

Wala akong nagawa kundi aminin ang totoo. Why should I hide it anyway?

"Yes. I find you cute, Chanyeol." Then I let out a genuine smile.

Mas lalo yatang nagkulay kamatis ang mukha nito pero kaagad niyang iniwas ang tingin sa akin. "T-tara na.." Kinaladkad niya ako papuntang parking lot ng university.

Narinig ko pang sumigaw si Sage sa amin para magbigay ng mensahe bago kami pumanhik.

"Miss Jessica, you should let yourself to face your emotions now and learn on how to trust others! At ang panghuli, alagaan at mahalin mo ang alaga ko, Chanyeol. Hahahaha."

I couldn't help myself but to smile. Even though hindi ako kadugo ni Sage ay itinuring niya ako na parang anak. At isa na siya sa mga taong hindi ko kayang paglihiman kahit na hindi ko pa sila kayang pagkatiwalaan ng lubos.

Umiiling-iling si Chanyeol nang sumakay siya sa kotse matapos niyang isara ang pinto nito.

"Si Sage talaga parang bata.." He said and he started the engine of his car.

"But hearing his advice motivates me on how to face my emotions and to put my full trust to others and it feels like he was a father to me.."

A smile appears across on his face. "I'm glad to learn that his advice is worthy."

"By the way, where are we going? Hindi ba tayong aabutan ng gabi kung sakaling ipapasyal mo ako?"

"You don't have nothing to worry about. I will be there to protect you if something happens. Sa ngayon, kailangan mo munang intindihin ang sarili mo." He said.

"Tell me Chanyeol.." Hinagilap ko ang aking sasabihin. "Can I trust you? I hope you did not tell me a lie." I hope you are not like that jerk.

He smiled sincerely and hold my hand tightly. "You can trust me and if I am lying to you, you can kill me."

"What?!" Sikmat ko sa kanya. "Don't turn me into a murderer. Tsk."

"In our university, you don't have no choice but to kill whether you like it or not." Nakitaan ko ng lungkot ang mga mata nito. Why?

"Did something happened? Why are you in pain?" Alam kong panghihimasok ito pero hindi ko mapigilang hindi iyon itanong. I feel bothered at his sadness, anyway.

Itinuon niya ang pansin sa pagdadrive. Ang buong akala ko ay hindi niya iyon sasagutin pero makalipas ng ilang segundo ay nagsalita siya.

"You reminded me of someone, my little sister to be exact. Like you, she is independent and strong but sometimes she ended up like a crybaby. In between of us, she always act older and way mature than me. She even protected me from my enemy since she was an expert in combat fighting while me, I was just some typical genius kid who loves to investigate, observe, and search. I am nothing compare to my little sister."

"Our clan is also a business partner of the Wu Organization that's why they let us to join the organization. My little sister was a secret agent and I am assigned to be the private investigator. We also participated in transactions or missions in our young age. I thought that everything will be fine until that day.." he paused a bit at iniliko ang sasakyan pakaliwa.

"My sister studied in the prestigious school, E.X.O University without knowing the whereabouts of the school. And then it's too late when I learned that she got killed." Humigpit ang pagkakahawak ng mga kamay nito sa manibela ng sasakyan.

"I'm sorry.." I apologized. Feeling ko may kasalanan ako sa nangyari.

He smiled. "It's not your fault, Jessica. It was mine. I couldn't protect my little sister. I leave her alone in that school. My parents blame me at that time and I was blaming myself to but I know that even though I blame myself, the dead will not come back alive that's why I learned to move on and fight for her though she was not on my side anymore. From now on, I will protect her." I can sense the determination of his face.

"That explains why you are in this university." I said and at the same time got amazed on his determination.

"Yeah. And to tell you the truth, every member of our gang has it own reasons why they are here even the Dark Ravens."

"And that is to seek for justice.." Ako na ang nagtuloy sa sasabihin niya. So we are in the same goal, huh?

Tumango ito. "Kaya napagdesisyonan ng dalawang elite leaders na makipag-alyansa kami sa isa't isa."

"All of you are good friends." I commented.

"No. We are not friends from the start but since you entered this university, you already connect us to each other." Pinreno niya ang sasakyan niya at tumingin siya sa mga mata ko.

"You are the one who made the two rival gangs to be friends and I am thankful because you come to my life. Buong buhay kong hiniling na sana ay magkasundo na ang dalawang gang. It's all thanks to you."

I looked away. "I did nothing.." I can feel my cheeks is blushing. Damn! What the heck is this?!

"Kung miyembro ka pala ng Wu Organization, bakit hindi ka sumali sa Dark Ravens?" I asked out of blue. And I didn't saw him when I was in a secret alliance with them.

"I am not actually a member of Kris's organization. I am just participating as an agent since our family have an agency."

"Oh.."

"Anyway, we're here." Aniya.

Napatingin ako sa labas ng bintana. Namangha ako sa nakita ko. A theme park. This is my favorite place.

"Woah. Ang astig nito! Ang laki ng ferris wheel, oh!" Itinuro ko pa ang bandang iyon.

Chanyeol chuckled. "I didn't thought na magiging childish ka kapag nakakita ka ng theme park."

"What?!" Nairita ako bigla sa sinabi niya. Padabog akong bumalik sa pagkakaupo at humalukipkip.

"I'm not childish! I've just amazed! Ang astig kasi ng mga rides!" Depensa ko pa. Ako? Magiging childish? No, way!

"Okay. Defensive ito masyado. Let's ride then, mukhang exciting nga." Aniya at kinalas ang seatbelt niya.

"Oh? Sino ngayon ang childish?" I asked in sarcasm at lumabas na ng sasakyan.

"Ikaw pa rin. Hahaha."

"Damn you!" I said at mabilis akong lumayo roon.

"Galit na siya. Hahaha." Sinabayan niya ang paglalakad ko habang tawa ito ng tawa.

Inirapan ko siya. "Stop it. Hindi na nakakatuwa. Masama bang maging mahilig sa mga rides?"

"Hindi naman. Nakakatuwa kasi ang expression mo. I never thought I saw your eyes twinkling like a star while looking at the ferris wheel. Totoo pala ang mga naging research ko sayo."

Napalingon ako sa kanya. "Research? Stalker ka na ngayon?" Itinaas ko pa ang kilay ko nang tanungin ko iyon.

"Nope. I was just curious at your identity. And in my research, I found out that you like foods, sweets, and theme parks. Buti na lang dinala kita dito."

"This is where I usually go when I was a kid together with my little sister." He added and let out a sigh.

"Oh? Sorry. I think we should go back. It seems like it may trigger those bad memories to you." Nag-aalalang suhestiyon ko pa rito.

"No. If you are here in my side, I will never be lonely." Hinawakan niya ang wrist ko. "What do you want to ride first?"

"Iyong Extreme Tower! Woooh!" Nagmadali akong pumunta roon at sumamang pumila sa mga taong naroroon.

Hapon pa lang kaya walang masyadong nagpupuntang mga tao rito. Kapag gabi kasi madami ng dadagsang mga mamasyal dito. Muntik ko nang sambahin si Chanyeol dahil sa pagdala sa akin rito. I really want to go in a theme park since I was little. To tell you the truth, it was my first time here. I don't usually go outside since I am a loner to start with.

"If you can't take it, just shout it.." Hinawakan niya ng mahigpit ang kanang kamay ko habang unti-unti kaming itinataas.

Napalingon ako sa kanya. Tinanguan niya lang ako. Mukhang naiintindihan ko na kung bakit niya ako dinala dito. To let me shout out my emotions that I've been hiding.

Unti-unting namuo ang mga luha sa gilid ng aking mga mata nang maalala ko ang mga pinag-usapan namin kanina. Iyong tungkol kay Tiffany. Iyong kung ano ang koneksiyon ni Tiffany kay Kris. Iyong pagpapalabas ni Tiffany na patay na siya. Iyong pagkamatay ni Sunny para sa kanya.

Ang lahat ng mga iyon ay ang bigat na namumuo sa aking dibdib ngayon. Hindi ko na mapigilan ang pagbagsak ng mga luha mula sa aking mga mata.

Hindi ko namalayang nakarating na pala kami sa pinakatuktok ng tower. At sa isang iglap ay bigla na lang kaming ibinagsak pababa. Wala akong pakialam sa mga nangyayari sa akin basta ang alam ko lang ay ang mga sakit na nararamdaman ko ngayon.

"I HATE YOU, KRIS WU! YOU ARE REALLY A JERK! AND IF YOU ARE ALIVE RIGHT NOW TIFFANY, I JUST WANT TO SAY, WHY DID YOU FOOLED US?! WHY I AM SO WEAK?! WHY?! WHY?!"

Mabuti na lang at masyadong mahaba ang tower kaya may pagkakataon pa akong sabihin ang lahat.

"Just let it out, Jessica." Chanyeol said and hold my hand tightly as my support.

"I am happy but angry at the same time! I felt betrayed by the both of you. I felt stupid and being manipulated by your game, Kris Wu! I thought you are loyal to me! I thought you will stay as my friend and don't leave my side forever! I thought you are love me! But you made me think of me as a dumb, stupid girl!"

Nakababa na kami at natapos jo ng sabihin ang lahat ng mga hinanakit ko. Hindi ko alam pero bigla na lang gumaan ang pakiramdam ko matapos kong sabihin iyon.

"Feeling better now?" He asked, still holding my hand.

"Yes but your hand.." Ibinaba ko ang tingin ko sa magkahawak naming mga kamay. Dali-dali niyang binitiwan iyon sabay iwas ng tingin pero pansin ko ang pamumula niya.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. Masyado lang akong nadala."

I chuckled. "It's okay. You don't have to worry about. It's nothing."

"I see. I'm such a major turn-off." I heard him groaned.

"Oh. But I find it cute. I didn't know that you have a shy side, Chanyeol."

"You are just making fun of me, Jessica." May bahid ng pagrereklamo ang boses nito.

"Buti alam mo. Gumaganti lang ako." I smirked and then he chuckled at ginulo ang buhok ko.

"Childish ka pa rin."

"Damn!" I cursed then throw a daggers at him.

"Kidding. Let just ride another ride. Sulitin na natin ito." He hold my wrist at hinila ako.

"Game! Vikings naman ngayon!"

We ride all the rides the whole afternoon. Somehow, it made me forget my problems in my life and it makes my chest feel lighted. And while I was with Chanyeol, I realized something.

Maybe, it's time for me to have not only a trust but faith on them. I should be brave and handle my emotions. If they broke my trust, it doesn't matter atleast I gave them my trust and somehow, it feels like they are part of my heart. They started to have a part in my memories.

Yuri, Taeyeon, Sage, and the Great Twelve. I think I considered all of you as my friends.

I already accepted them and I decided on something.

I must confront Kris tommorow.