12: Ang Sagupaan

SAM'S POV

I just gaped at the furious man before me. Not making any movement.

And with how he was glaring down at me now, I think he was much more than angry. I just stayed there dumbfounded. But the more I stared at him, the more his face became familiar to me.

I'm pretty sure na nakita ko na ang mokong na'to somewhere but I can't just point it out where.

With his dark eyes and brows that could shoot daggers, straight pointed nose, small lips and sharp jaw with dark stubbles on it which added his hard facial appearance. I can say he was handsome.

Yes. He's handsome but to hell with his handsomeness!

Never malalaglag ang panty ko sa taong 'to!

I am literally embarrassed being caught redhanded right now.

oh no...

"Are you deaf or nagbibingi-bingihan ka lang talaga?? I said anong ginagawa mo rito? Naninilip ka ba rito?!"

I am what??!

I couldn't believe this man!

Is he some greek God para gawin ko 'yon?

Quite annoyed with that, I popped up my chest and answered him with my hands in my hips.

"Excuse me! I am not deaf nor 'nagbibingi-bingihan lang' as you say it, mister! Naliligaw lang ako rito at hindi ako isang manyak na bubusuhan lahat ng lalaking papasok dito! Mas lalo na sa'yo! You're not some greek God para silipan kita! Para malaman mo, you're not worth for my innocent eyes! tse!" Then with that, tumalikod na'ko at mabilis ng umalis palayo sa lugar na'yon.

Wanted to be away from him and from embarrassment.

Narinig ko pa itong galit na tinawag ako but knowing that he would just confront me about it, I pretended to not hear him.

Buti nalang at nakaalis na ang subject ko, makikita niya sana ang paglabas kong 'to ngayon. Dumiretso na'ko sa labas patungo sa sasakyan ko. With my mood right now, ayoko ng bumalik sa table namin at sagutin ang mga curious na tanong ni Liam.

Agad na'kong pumasok sa loob. I can't believe na ganito ang mangyayari sa'kin sa event na'to. Geez, di ko alam kung dapat ba kong magsisi na pumunta pa'ko rito o hindi. I just hope na kikilos na ngayong gabi si Frederic.

At the thought of that maniac, di ko maiwasang maalala uli ang pamilyar na taong 'yon kanina sa restroom. Gods! Akala niya talaga sinisilipan ko ito! How dare he!

Just thinking about that man made my blood boil up. Hindi sila nagkakalayo ni Mr. del Fuero, mga sakit sa ulo! And he seems so familiar to me. I think-----

I stiffened and my eyes slowly widened as realization suddenly hit me.

Dylan Charles Enriquez, CEO of ECC.

The host of tonight's event.

Oh shit!

With that, my frustrations intensified.

This isn't a good start for our first meeting. He already know my face now. And I think mahihirapan na'kong makalapit sa kanya nang hindi man lang pinaghihinalaan once he'd find out my connection with his Mr. del Fuero.

Damn it! Ba't ba kasi nandun pa ang taong 'yon kung kailan ako kumikilos?

That made me took a deep breath then blew it out.

Okay. I'll just think about it later. Now's not the right time for that.

I nodded my head at that in agreement.

Glancing down at my wristwatch, I checked for the time.

10:20 pm.

Not long, the subject will come out from that building. My gaze located his car kung saan ko'to nakita kanina.

Third row, ikaanim na sasakyan mula sa dulo.

Good. Malapit-lapit lang sa sasakyan ko. 

Magmamanman nalang muna ako rito while waiting for him.

Inayos ko na  muna ang dash camera ng sasakyan ko.  I had installed a night vision camera just for this event so I could take a clearer scene later.

With patience, I leaned my back against my seat then waited.

Let's patiently wait for a while here. After all, good things comes to those who wait and bad things comes to those who make me wait!

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Mga isang oras na'kong naghihintay do'n while tapping my fingers at the steering wheel pero wala paring nagsilabasan. Nagsisimula na'kong mabagot. Pero makalipas lang ang ilang sandali, namataan ko ng may mga lumalabas na.

Narrowing my eyes, pilit ko ng inaninag kung sinu-sino ang mga 'yon. By this time, I'm certain malapit ng matapos ang event sa loob. And after a few more minutes, tiyak lahat ng service crews ay aalis na rin kaya------

I frowned when I spotted two people malapit sa may exit. At parang nagtatalo ang mga ito. I couldn't clearly see their faces but one thing is for sure, babae't lalaki ang mga ito.

Nakasuot lang ng white t-shirt at jeans 'yong babae while the other was in his vest and long sleeve pero may bitbit ito sa kanang kamay nito, probably his jacket.

Mukhang matindi ang sagutan ng dalawa dahil parang nagpupuyos na sa galit ang lalaki habang nakakuyom ang mga kamay nito. Siguro, trying so hard to stop himself to strangle the woman. And after a few seconds, The man's face scrunched up in pain when he had suddenly received a hard kick on his shin from the woman before she walked out. 

OW! I'm sure masakit 'yon seeing how his face grimacing right now habang hinagud hagod ang tuhod nito.

Well, I won't blame her. If he just hadn't provoked her then maybe that wouldn't have happened to him.

Tsk, tsk,,,

I was just about to lean back against my seat when I spotted Mr. del Fuero at the exit while shaking his head saka lumapit ito sa lalaking 'yon with a grin.

And then a smirk suddenly came to my mouth when I finally realized who the poor man was.

William Montero. The poor soul.

Another home score from---

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted when I finally spotted my target na ngayo'y papalabas na ng exit saka nagmamadaling dumiretso sa kung saan nakapark ang sasakyan nito. Maigi ko lang itong sinundan ng tingin. Not wanted to lose him out of my sight.

I wonder kung nasaan na ang babaeng 'yon kanina. Agad akong kinabahan sa possibility na baka nagbago ang isip nito or else nagbago ang usapan nila.

Oh no. I just hope na mali ang hinala kong 'yon. Wala itong driver na kasama ngayon so I hope this is a good indication na may plano nga  itong gagawin ngayon. Alone.

Nang makapasok, agad na nitong pinaandar ang sasakyan nito then drove forward to the highway. I started my own engine as well and then followed him. Making sure to keep a good distance from his car so that he won't notice me.

I slowed down when his car stopped, sa tapat mismo ng babaeng lumumpo kay Liam kanina.

Hmm. So this was that same girl. The one who had injured Liam at kausap naman ni Frederico kanina.

What a coincidence. I guess this is a good news for me then. Dahil mali ang suspicion ko kanina. Tuloy na tuloy pala ang plano nila.

When his car window had slid open, agad ng pumasok ang babae sa may backseat.

Then the car moved again.

Buti nalang at hindi na masyadong maraming sasakyan sa daan sa ganitong dis-oras na ng gabi.

It turned to the right and not long, bigla na namang bumagal ang takbo nito until it totally stopped right before some bar.

Bar? At ano namang gagawin nila rito?

I stopped then studied the place. Hindi masyadong maganda ang kondisyon ng mga building at mga ilaw nito. May maliit na sign board sa labas ng establishment with a name 'The Ecstasy'.

Hindi lumabas ng sasakyan ang mga ito.

I frowned when a man came out from that bar. Dahil medyo madilim sa lugar na'to, I have to narrow my eyes just to see that man's face.

And I think he wasjust in his early thirties. He was wearing a black t-shirt and pants na bakat na bakat ang malaking katawan nito. Agad itong lumapit sa sasakyan patungo sa may driver seat. Then the door opened saka lumabas si Frederico at nakipagkamayan ito rito with a knowing look in their faces .

Something wasn't right here.

I shook my head nang lumapit si Frederico sa may likuran ng sasakyan saka pumasok sa backseat then the other man get into the driver seat.

Oh no.

I think mahihirapan na'ko nito to even save that girl. With a muscled man and Frederico himself, I don't think kaya kong itumba nang walang kahirap-hirap ang dalawang 'to.

Should I call for a help then? For Al? For the police?

Damn! Hindi naman ako si James Bond or Chun Li ek ek that could take down that two bloody men easily.

I can fight, yes. But I just want to close this case without having any bruises tonight.

Then their car started to move again, mas mabilis kaysa kanina.

Agad ko ring sinundan ang mga ito with the same speed as them. Careful na hindi sila mawawala sa paningin ko.

I checked the time again.

11: 40 pm.

I groaned then let out a deep breath.

Perfect timing! I hope gising pa si Al ngayon. Agad ko ng kinuha ang phone ko mula sa bag ko without taking my eyes off the car ahead.

The phone just keep on ringing... at habang hinihintay kong may sumagot sa tawag ko, mas umiinit naman ngayon ang ulo ko. 

"Pick up the phone, Al. Pick up the fucking phone!"

Naibulong ko nalang 'yon sa sarili ko, hoping against all hopes that he would pick up and rescue me here. 

Given na ang lalim na ng gabi ngayon, he could be already asleep by now. Not unless may bagong case ito dahil 'di halos natutulog 'yon kapag ganun. Pero ayoko rin namang umalis nalang dahil baka magkakapasa ako in saving that girl now.

Okay. No matter what happen, kahit wala pa si Al, kailangan kong ipagpatuloy ito and try so hard to get out from there without getting any bruises.

After a few seconds of ringing and still no answer came, I let out a frustrated sigh and gave up.

Okay. That leaves me the police then.

I quickly dialed up the police hotline and in just two rings, a voice came.

"Police----"

"I'm Private investigator Sam Javier. I'm currently following a sexual assault suspect's car right now. A young woman was in his car at may kasama pa itong isang lalaki ngayon. I need your backup." I stated in a straightforward manner.

"Okay, copy. GIve me your location now, Ms. Javier and the suspects plate number so we can send some back up."

Ibinigay ko na agad ang mga detalyeng 'yon before I ended that call and throw my phone at the dashboard.

They better send some back up right away before something worse will happen.

Their car suddenly make a right turn again. And seeing that this wasn't the right way to his house, I'm certain it was tonight.

At sa daan na'to, halos wala ng mga sasakyang dumadaan rito. At wala naring mga establishments at light posts rito. Only trees and bushes. And only the light from their car had provided light at that part.

Kakaliko ko palang pakanan when their car suddenly halted from a distance. I slowed down again and halted a good 50meters distance from them. The cardoor at the backseat flung opened and then Frederico got out from there in a haste saka pumunta sa kabilang pinto at parang galit ng binuksan 'yon.

I think this is the scene that I've waited to happen. Their car's headlight and the light inside their car fortunately helped me able to witness the scene clearly.

I smirked when the car door had opened, a kick greeted him right on his face.

Okay. I think palaban din ang babaeng ito kahit medyo maliit nga lang. I hope mas minabuti pa nito ang pagsipa. And I hope that the next time she'd kick him again, she'd aim for the part where the sun and moon doesn't shine.

Agad namang lumabas mula sa driver side ang isa pang lalaki which cursing out the woman.

I smirked. Happy that finally, the show had began.

Dahil sa sipang yon, mas lalo pang nagalit ito saka hinatak ang babae sa buhok nito causing the girl cried out in pain which caused me to jolt up in my seat, alarmed with it. I'm itching to rescue her now but I stopped myself.

not now, Sam. not now.

"B-Bitiwan mo ko!" the girl shouted habang pilit na makawala sa higpit ng hawak sa kanya ni Frederico na ngumisi lang saka mas hinigpitan pa lalo ang hawak sa buhok nito.

"I really like those girls na palaban, sweetheart. You're turning me on." Then the two wickedly laugh, terrifying the poor girl.

"Neil. Magbantay ka diyan. You can have have your turn after---Oommph!" He was cut off when the girl twisted out from his grasp and surprised him with a strong kick right on his balls, causing him to cry in pain and let go of her hair.

Even my face scrunched up at that, feeling like I was the one being hit in the balls. Okay. I admit she was tough indeed.

And since the show became more interesting now, I waited for a few moments there.

Agad na tumakbo ang babae papalayo rito pero mga ilang hakbang palang ang nagagawa nito, the other man had brutally grabbed her hair again.

"Hindi pa kami tapos sa'yo. Come on now, sweetie pie. Just et us give you a hard fuck now. A fuck that you've never tried before."

"Bitiwan mo'ko!! Mga walang hiya kayo!" the woman cried out with so much hatred while trying to be let out from the brute's grasp.

"Later baby. We'll let you go later when we're done on you. Just let us fuck your pussy baby and take you to heaven." Nakangising saad pa ng lalaki before he dragged the girl back to Frederico's  na ngayo'y medyo nahimasmasan na.

"Letseng babae ka! Wag na wag mong pakakawalan yan, Neil!" galit na utos pa nito as he got up on his feet.

"Bitiwan mo'ko! Mananagot kayo sa batas! Mananagot kayo!" sigaw ng babae while trying to punch the man on his chest.

"Tumigil ka!"sabay sampal nito sa mukha ng babae, dahilan para mapasalampak ito sa damuhan and grimaced as she held her face.

And seeing that, hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko. I've had enough watching these disgusting men beating up this helpless girl!

Stepping down the accelerator, pinaharurot ko na ang sasakyan ko palapit sa kanila and made a sudden halt before them. Causing them to look up with wide eyes at tarantang tumayo.

I unbuckled my seatbelt in a haste then furiously got out of my car with my hands trembling with desire to rearrange some face right now.

By the time they'd seen me, I noticed that the surprised look in their eyes suddenly gone in a second. Probably relieved dahil akala na nila kung sino na ang dumating.

"Look who we have here? Ms. Brenda, naliligaw ka yata.. I thought you were on a date with that bastard del Fuero tonight? Are you that so interested with me for you to even come here o nanghihinayang ka lang talaga that that Bastard had unfortunately got you as his date?" Frederico greeted me with a disgusting grin on his face.

I can tell he hadn't completely recovered yet from that kick earlier since he was still clutching his balls right now. My glare shifted to the other man na siyang may hawak parin sa buhok ng nakaluhod na babae. Her eyes were pleading at me to save her.

I shifted my glare back to Frederico.

"Hindi talaga ako naliligaw, Frederico. Ikaw talaga ang sadya ko rito and you're right. I'm very much interested in you and fortunately, I have witnessed you doing something disgusting again. Hindi ka parin talaga natututo ano? After sexually assaulting a dozen of women, here you are again. Adding up another victim in your list."

His grin was suddenly gone at that. 

I heard the girl started to sob while struggling from the tight hold of the man on her.

"T-Tulungan mo'ko, miss.. Tumawag ka ng pulis.." she plead habang humihikbing nakatingin sa'kin. Tears were staining her cheeks as she kept pleading.

"Balak nilang----ah!" Napaigik agad ito when she was cut off by a kick on her side. Causing me to completely lose out my control and my instinct to save her kicked in.

In a few long strides, I rushed to that man with a single thought in my head. To kill.

"You shit!" I cursed out and then surprised him with a high kick on his face. But because I was in a gown right now, my kick wasn't that powerful but caused him to stagger back anyway and let go of the girl's hair.

And before he could even recover from that kick, I was about to give him a hard kick on his guts but stop when I heard that sound.

That ripping sound. I glanced down and grunted when I saw what was that.

Oh shit!

Ang laki na ng punit ng gown ko. I should've wore something more durable dress than this!

"Sa harap mo, miss!"

Nang marinig ko ang sigaw ng babae, I glanced up and was about to deflect any attack from the man pero huli na. I was suddenly met with a hard blow in my face. 

I staggered on my feet and fell down on the ground right beside the terrified girl.

I cursedout under my breath then hissed out in pain when it stung when I tried to touch my cheek.

I could even taste my own blood right now. I am pretty sure na magmumukha na'kong panda nito bukas dahil sa laki ng black eye ko.

Kung hindi lang sana sa pesteng gown na'to, hindi sana ako magkakapasa rito!

I quickly shook my head to atleast lessen the pain and was about to get up on my feet to fight but I was stopped nang mapansin ko ng itinaas ng lalaki ang paa nito to probably kick me. I gritted my teeth hard and prepared to receive that kick.

"Stop, Neil."

I glared up at Frederico who were now looking fine while grinning down at me.

I should wiped that stupid grin off his wrinkled face later.

"So you are that P.I na kinuha ng pesteng babaeng 'yon.."

Without cutting my glare at him, I wiped the sticky liquid on side of my mouth with the back of my hand before I smirked at him.

"Tama ka.. Ako nga ang P.I na'yon and I'm here to tell you na pagkatapos ng gabing 'to, sa kulungan ang bagsak mo, Frederico. And you must know that I had never failed a single case before. So be prepared."

Hearing that, a surprised look flickered in his eyes while he was just gazing down at me. 

Yes. He should really be.

I frowned when after a while of just looking down at me, he suddenly burst out in laughter.

Alright. I think this man is out of his maniac mind.

"Oh no. I didn't know na marunong ka palang magpatawa, Ms. Brenda.." he said while shaking his head. "Nakakatuwa ka pala talagang babae.." he added as his laugh finally died down saka dahan-dahan ng lumapit sa'kin with eyes glinting with danger.

"Akala mo ba talagang hahayaan nalang kitang makaalis ngayon rito, Ms. Brenda? Oh no.. I don't think so."

I groaned out in disgusts nang bigla nalang itong yumukod sa harapan ko and then suddenly grabbed a fist of my hair which caused my chest to pop up and my boobs to pop out right on his face. 

I cursed out at that with gritted teeth. Lalo na't halos lumuwa ang mata nito ngayon dahil sa nakikita nito. That disgusting look which I despised the most.

Desperate to wipe off that disgusting look in his eyes, I couldn't think of any more better way to get out from his clutch but this.

In a swift motion, I poked his eyes with my two fingers and with so much passion. Causing him to let go of me and cried out as he tightly squeezed out his darn eyes habang napapaluhod ito sa damuhan. 

"Puta!"

"Fred!"

The other man shouted in horror and rushed to our way. But before he could even came near us, inundayan ko na ng suntok sa mukha ang gagong si Frederico saka agad na'kong tumayo.

"Puta kang babae ka!" 

The other man shouted that as he was furiously approaching me. When he was about to throw a punch on my face, I hastily take a step back and dodged down. Given his bulky body, his move was a bit slow so before he could even attempt to use his other fist to punch me, my right leg pumped up and swung for a swift kick on his side and then I raised my other knee before I jumped and swung my right leg to kick him on his chest. A loud grunt escaped from his mouth but with his huge built, he just staggered back at that kick at hindi man lang natumba.

But that gave me enough satisfaction anyway. Never mind that ripping sound from my gown. 

My life is more important than this silly gown afterall.

And for my finishing touch, I decided to give him a right hook but I cried out when the idiot was quick enough to deflect that with his muscled arm and then grabbed me by my wrist.

"Shit!" I cursed out in between with gritted teeth. 

I tried to pull my wrist from his tight grasp pero napangiwi nalang ako when he suddenly twisted it out, dislocating my arm.

"You think matatamaan mo pa uli ako? Pwes hinding-hindi na'yon mangyayari!"

Then with that, he raised his other hand to give me a backhand across my face.

I closed my eyes and held my breath, waiting for his hand to inflict pain against my cheeks but I frowned nang bigla nalang akong binitawan nito.

Opening my eyes, I frowned when I was greeted with the back of a man in suit as he smashed the daylight out of the man who had dislocated my arm. Agad na humandusay ito sa damuhan, now with a bloody face. And I think this newcomer was too hungry to kill right now dahil tinadyakan na naman nito ang kawawang lalaki sa tagiliran nito.

And I was grateful for that.

Narrowing my gaze, pinilit ko ng sinuhin ito. Who could this be? I hadn't called anyone earlier but just the police. And Allan was un---

My eyes slowly widened in surprise when finally, the man turned to my way with a glare that could freeze hell and was ready to murder me.

"How dare you to ruin that dress, Ms. Javier!! I told you to be careful but yet you had perfectly ruined it! Hindi mo ba alam na ang laki ng nabayad ko dahil lang sa gown na yan????!"

Alright. Ready to murder me for some penny na nagastos nito.

Fucking stingy del Fuero!

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