2 Chapter Two

Thomas expression was of disappointment. Hindi niya inakalang magagawa ito ng kaibigan niya. According to the report, Pierre Montierri, one of his best buddies, didn't follow the protocol and gone AWOL (abscence without leave). Now no one knows where is just that he is last seen in the Philippines. Pierre is the only son of Ambassador Pietro and Madeleine Montierri. Halos sabay silang lumaki dahil magkaibigan din ang mga magulang nila. Growing up together, then going to the same college together. Pierre taking up Medicine while him taking Law. After graduating, both decided that they should join the Navy. Successfully, making it ang became teammates. Unfortunately, Pierre took up the path of continuing his medicinal study thus leaving the Navy for a while. The last time they heard of him is when he took up a confidential mission that took place in the Philippines. The report says that he has done the mission and was about to go back to US. But he lost contact to everyone and now, they said that he broke the protocol. Making him a Wanted person.

"As of today, because we can't just send people in there, I've contacted people from the Elites. They said that Pierre would be send here within a week," they're commander-in-chief said.

"Would Pierre be safe with them?" Thomas asked. He cannot takehe possibility of his friend getting hurt.

"He will, those people are professionals," Chief said.

Wala na ding nagawa si Thomas. Alam niyang buo na ang desisyon ng Chief nila. Matapos ang ilang explanations ay pinalabas na din sila.

" Man, how was it? Would Pierre be alright?" Rick his co-captain asked.

"I don't know. They said that those Elites will be bringing him back here within a week so I'm hoping that he will be safe," Thomas answered.

Luckily, they're on a vacation. Kakauwi lamang nila galing Afghanistan. War is inevitable to their work and he is proud that he's one of the people protecting the country. Sabay na naglakad si Rick at Thomas palabas ng Pentagon. Dumerecho sila sa apartment niya at nagsimulang maghanda ng makakain. May mga darating kasi silang ibang mga kasamahan at balak doon kumain at magsaya. Well, minsan lang naman kaya pumayag na lang siya.

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Tiningnan ni Cristine ang relos sa kanyang bisig at huminga ng malalim. May isang oras na siyang na syang nasa gym at nagwo-workout pero wala pa din ang hinihintay. Si Valentine, may bago daw kasi itong nabalitaan sa hinahanap niya. Pero hanggang ngayon ay wala pa din ito, at sa huli, kahit na wala siyang pakialam ay di niya maiwasan ang mag-alala. She's her cousin afterall. Kinuha niya ang cellphone at nagdial ng number.

"I want Valentine's coordinates within 20 minutes," was all she said then cut off the call.

Agad siyang lumabas ng gym at nagshower. After that, she hurriedly put on her clother and get herself ready. Saktong 20 minutes may dumating na coordinates sa kanya. Kinuha niya ang susi ng kotse at pinaharurot ito papunta sa coordinates na ni-send sa akin. Hoping that Valentine is fine.

Pagdating niya sa coordinates, hi di niya alam kung iiyak ba siya o matatawa. She's in front of a f****ing pastry shop which sells the most delicious cake here in Budapest.

"Anak ng---," the laughed sarcastically. Sakto namang nakita niyang lumabas ang pinsan na may pasway-sway pa ang isang kamay habang ang isa ay may hawak na dalawang box ng cake.

"Oh, Tine, anong ginagawa mo dito?" tanong ni Valentine.

Nag-aalala man sa pinsan hindi niya maalis na nag-alala lang siya sa wala. "An hour, Val. I've been waiting for your report for an hour," emotionless niyang sabi.

Napakamot naman sa batok ang dalaga. "Eh, hehe, let's go back na. I'll report na agad," awkward na turan nito sabay tawa.

Wala na ding nagawa si Cristine dahil alam niyang kahinaan din nito ang mga matatamis.

Sumakay na sila sa kanya-kanyang kotse at bumalik sa apartment.

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Magkaharap ang magpinsan sa maliit na table ni Cristine sa opisina nito.

"According to my sources, bumalik na si Romanov ng Russia. Galing siya ng Budapest pero walang nakakaalam ng ginawa niya dito. Na para bang wala siyang ibang ginawa kundi ang magstay sa tinutuluyan nito. I am planning to there to make sure that nothing's left amiss. Mahirap na, kailangang magpakasigurado tayo. At iniisip ko din na baka may connections siya dito na hindi natin alam, iniimbestigahan ko pa,"wika ni Valentine sabay abot sa kanya ng isang flash drive.

Kinuha naman niya ito. "Is this every information your informant has given you?" tanong niya.

"Yeah, bukod pa doon may mga ilang sightings ng tatlong pinakamalalaking European Mafia Bosses dito sa Budapest. Do you want me to investigate further?"

"I'll handle it," Cristine said. "Nakapagflight ka na ba ng ticket mo pabalik ng Japan?"

"Yup. 3days from now ang flight ko. I called Uncle Sean, Louelle has gone missing. May posibilidad na umuwi siya ng Pilipinas," nag-aalalang wika ni Valentine.

Tumango na lamang siya. Knowing her cousin, sigurado siyang uuwi ito doon. Pero alam niyang ligtas ito. "I'll be going back to the Philippines after a week. Tatapusin ko lang lahat ng mga kailangan gawin dito then alis na ako."

She needs to find where is the exact location of Romanov as soon as possible. Yun lamang ang paraan para maging safe sila. At para na din mabawasan ang mga iniisip nila.