Chapter 5

In almost 7 years, my life is in control. I'd been so rough in business world. I made our company to be on top. Nagawa ko na rin mapabagsak ng iilang kompanya. I'd been so cold hearted person and also I felt like a robot.

"I have a mission for you, honey," my dad said, nung pinatawag niya ako sa opisina niya.

When my mother died. Yung hinanakit ko sa mga sundalo nung bata ako ay nabuhay. My heart still wanted to understand that not all the soldiers are like that. That i should only be feel angry to those soldiers who violated my sister and especially my mother!

But my mind can't process it! My mind can't understand kung bakit naulit na naman ang mga bagay na ito. I want to take revenge. We. Want. To. Take. Revenge!

My mind clearly replay what happened that day. Ni raid ang bahay namin. My mom order me to be with my bodyguards and left the house for my safety, it is because my dad is a drug dealer. Aside sa kompanya namin na legal, may business rin siya na illegal. At first, nung nalaman ko 'yun, i get mad at him.

"You killed Mom and my sister! It is because of your illegal-," I didn't finish of what I'm saying because he slapped me.

"This is not because of this! If they want to raid me, it should only me! Why they have to violate your sister, your mom," bumuhos lalo ang mga luha ko lalo na ng makita ko ang pagsisisi sa mata ni Dad. "I want to end this, honestly honey, but I thought, I need to revenge for your sister and your mother because if i didn't do anything, sino isusunod nila? Ikaw and I'll never let that happen again!"

I undergo training, like martial arts, my dad suggested it when I was in college as a self defense and even owned a gun. And when I graduated, ako na ang namahala ng kompanya and also help him in his mission too. Honestly, I'm against of him illegal works but because he's my Dad and I want revenge too, hindi ko na pinakealaman. I don't care to get behind the steel bars i just want revenge for my sister and mom.

Although, my dad uses code names to hide his identity, he didn't want to use the real one because it can affect our company but they got his face, wala man silang tunay na pangalan niya nakuha naman ang kanyang mukha and he's now the most wanted drug dealer in the country. My Dad is very old now, you can see it to his face but he can still punch a man, dude. He's old but he's strong too. He's now hiding in our resthouse at saka lang siya lalabas kapag nasagawa na ang aming plano.

And I think, my dad is now about to plant a bomb. I smirked.

"Dumating na ang tamang panahon, Laura." I still stood emotionless, i knew it. May inilapag siyang dalawang folders na naglalaman ng mga impormasyon. "These are the soldiers who violated your mom and your sister, my daughter." I scanned it all and i felt like if I saw only one of them, i could kill 'em brutally. "They're now old, malapit na mag retired at malapit narin magtapos ang buhay nila. And this one," and he showed one folder that made me really shocked.

"This is Lieutenant Colonel Raniego who holds the case," nag angat ako ng tingin sa aking ama. "I want you to divert his attention and know what he have done in his investigation in order to kidnap these two. I heard that he's very dedicated to his job, he's very hands on." I don't know why I get so attentive in that simple informations. Since i get back here in the Philippines I never heard anything about him. "You know, honey. I'm afraid to give this mission to you because you need to be with this soldier but i know you're the only one who can do this and I know he's your boyfriend back then right? I was wondering if this plan could work what if he already a girlfriend?," I still make myself that I don't care at all. I don't really care at all!

"As i can understand, Dad. This mission aims to divert the subject in other things so we could do our plans. I don't really care at all if he has a girlfriend. The things that I only matters now is he's my target and i need to get him down in able to get in this mission."

"I know, but this mission is different from your other missions. I'm just worried, honey. I'm worried that you'll with a soldier."

"I can handle myself, Dad, just do your part." I said that made him smirked.

"You know what? Manang mana ka saakin. Honey, why don't you marry Ice instead, para makapag merge na rin ang kompanya nila saatin."

"Like I have said, Dad, Ice is only just a friend and a good business partner, I don't really have a plan to get married yet."

"But you're already 27 years old but anyway its up to you. O sige  na, you need to go. You have meetings this afternoon right?, " I nodded then excuse myself.

As I walked outside. I think about how can I go near him. How can I approach him when I was the one who broke up our relationship. What if he's already have girlfriend? My goodness, Laura! This is not about getting back your relationship with him, this is  your mission that you need to finish in able to get your revenge right?

I sighed.

"What do you think, Ma'am?" the presentor asked me. I almost forgot that I was in the middle of the meeting. I'm spacing out.

"I'll just review it later. Meeting adjourned." then I stood up to get back inside my office. I need to think a plan to divert his attention or if I can get close to him, maaari kong nakawin nalang ang mga dokumento but what if he have the multiple copy of it. Syempre hindi sila bobo parang gumawa ng isang copy lang.

I need to focus to the main plan: to divert his attention to me.

I found where their headquarters is just near here in Quezon City. At napaisip isip kong bisitahin siya para sa unang hakbang ko sa misyong ito. I just want to have catch up since we're once in a relationship before. I hope, he didn't have any relationship for now so I could get his full trust on me.

I suddenly touch my chest, parang may tumusok sa puso ko nang maisip paano kung may girlfriend na nga siya? I swallowed hard.

Well, why am I thinking this? This is mission I must do everything to get close to my target, kahit makasira man ako ng relasyon.

I thought that this is really different from my other missions. It involves actings, pretending and fooling him around.

As I think plans on getting close to him, my secretary knocked on my office.

"Uh... Ma'am I just want you to remind you that you have party invitation from Cuevas-,"

"Tell them I'm not coming," I responded coldly. It just a party and my company is not failing for me to attend that party. Mabo bored lamang ako.

"Uh, first thing in a morning po... 8 am you have meetings with the board members,"

"Where?," I asked as I continue to prefer for my leaving.

"In Cuavas enterprises po," kumunot ang noo ko sa pagtataka. Dalawang beses ko narinig ang Cuavas na 'yan pero hindi ko alam sino ba 'yun. Napansin iyon ni Mari, ang sekretarya ko. "You bought shares from them so you're now part of their board members po."

Ah. Si Shinee... I forgot her last name. Kinuha ko ang folder niya para i refresh muli kung ano nga ba ang pinasok ko sa kompanya nila.

Shinee C. Tecson

Executive Director of Cuavas Enterprises

Hmm... She seems familiar.

After work, I found myself outside in their headquarters just like in our old times when I constantly went to his school to check on him.

Ang kaibahan lang, kami pa noon, wala na kami ngayon.

"Uh, good afternoon, Ma'am," nakangising bungad ng lalaki na nasa front desk.

"I would like to have an appointment with..." I forgot his position here. "Mr. Raniego, is he here?," Taas noo kong tanong kahit na hindi ko address ng tama ang pangalan niya.

"Ah si Lt. Colonel Raniego po ba?," He asked while smirking and I nodded. "This way, Ma'am,"

Akala ko mahihirapan pa akong makapasok but he seems like he doesn't have a hectic schedule, huh.

"Here, Ma'am," he pointed the door. Huminga ako ng malalim nagtataka kung bakit kinabahan sa gagawin.

I blinked in many times when I felt my heart is pounding. It's been years and I'm here standing with shaky hands. Ano kaya magiging reaksyon niya, may girlfriend na kaya siya? May asawa na, anak? I mentally counted his age, he... he's almost in his 30s!

Why am I thinking if he has a girlfriend or a wife? This is a mission, Lauren kahit maging kabit ka pa dapat gawin mo!

I knocked.

"Come in," my breath almost left me when I heard his deep tone.

I opened the door. I saw him writing something on his table. Hindi siya agad nag angat ng tingin nang pumasok ako.

He's more masculine now. He still have his army cut. His aura screaming so much authority while wearing his soldier suit. His expression is darker than before.

May pinipirmahan pala siyang dokumento. When he felt my presence, he stopped in the middle of his signature. Salubong ang kanyang mga kilay nang nag angat saakin ng tingin. I swallowed hard when I saw his face. Nag matured na siya, lalo. I bit my lower lip to stop myself in crying. I want to cry I don't know why. He was shocked when he saw me standing in front of him.

"Hi," that was the first word and I was tremble very hard.

Tuluyan niya ng binitawan ang ballpen at binigay ang buong atensyon saakin.

"What are you doing here," marahan iyon pero may diin para bang galit siya saakin. Well, I broke up with him but don't tell me Clive that haven't move on yet?

"I-I'm just visiting you since i just get back here in the Philippines... Yeah. Uh. How are you?" I asked but he didn't answer. "You know... I want to be on the straight forward. The reason why I am here, i-it because... I want you back," tumaas ang kilay niya tila ba namamangha pagiging straight forward ko. Masyado bang mabilis?

"Why didn't you visit me first nung pagkatapak mo rito sa Pilipinas, if you really want me back?," he asked darkly.

"Uh, well, I have many things to do. I have the company to run, so n-ngayon ko lang naisipan bisitahin ka." I smiled nervously. "Nag sundalo ka pala talaga 'no? I'm very happy and proud for you. You're now in your deserve position. It is right that I broke up with you so you could be a Lt. Colonel-,"

"I'll be in my position right now if you didn't decided to break up with me, it just the same, you know." natahimik ako. No. You didn't know anything, Clive. Hindi ko alam kung bakit naiirita sa sariling ganung ako ang nakipag break tapos... oh wait I forgot this is a mission. "And... I already have a girlfriend, Miss," he sighed then looked down to his paper and continue to finish his signature. "So, you can't ask me back," nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi niya.

I didn't know. Pero hindi ko nasaitinig iyon. Nawawala tuloy 'yung poise ko dahil dito. I want to ask who? I want an explanation why he didn't wait me? Well it almost 7 years, Lauren there's no guy in this world who would wait in that fucking long years and he's almost in his 30s mag aasawa na iyan at baka pakasalan niya na ang girlfriend niya ngayon.

Huli kana.

Tears fell on my cheeks but i immediately wiped it so he could not feel pity on me. I'm mad at myself for crying just for this. Parang akong dating, Lauren! Nakakainis!

"Really?," I laughed. Nag angat siya ng tingin. "Great! I just... I just thought i could asked you back... but I think I'm..."

Then suddenly someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," he said while not taking off his eyes on me.

Pumasok ang isang babaeng tingin ko'y hindi nagkakalayo ng edad saakin. Deretso ang tingin niya at nung nakalapit sa lamesa ni Clive, she immediately salute to him.

"Sir, Sgt. Jones reports!," she stated that while saluting to him. I didn't understand that but i think i need to go.

"E-Excuse me," i put the back of my hand on my lips while I'm walking outside. Hindi ko na napigilang umiyak.

I thought I have strong heart. I thought I'm not the kid Lauren, anymore. I thought i could defend myself so I wouldn't feel to be hurt anymore. I thought I'm not gonna cry anymore. But i was wrong! It took a one man to break me. Isang lalaki lang makakawasak ng bato kong puso at kaya akong paiyakin ng ganto.

Honestly, hindi ko tanggap. This is only a mission that made me so hurt, I'm still inlove with him.

Habang palabas ako, I saw Ice standing outside.

"Ice," napatigil ako ng makita siya at dali daling lumapit sakanya para hilahin siya papasok ng kanyang sasakyan. "Why are you here?,"

"No. Why are you here?," Balik niyang tanong at mahigpit niyang hinawakan ang braso ko sa gigil niya.

"Nasasaktan ako, Ice," mangiyak ngiyak ko pang sabi. Natauhan naman agad si Ice at binitawan ako.

"What are you doing here?," Marahan niyang tanong ngayon. "Visiting your ex, huh? You haven't move on?,"

"I'm just visiting him," after I said that, I walked to my car.

"Visiting him? Really-,"

"Oh, stop you, Ice! Stop acting na parang may karapatan-,"

"Yes, I have a rights! Because I'm your fiance!" he shouted.

I want to deny it on his face because I didn't agree to that, naisip niya lang dahil my dad is really wanted him to be my husband, but I saw Clive in my peripheral vision. Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali, siya iyon! My lips twisted.

"Please, let's not talk about it here. I'm tired, bukas nalang," and i went inside my car.

My first move was failed, that was the first thing comes in my mind when i woke up in the next morning. I felt numb, maybe because i cried all night. And now I felt my strength again, wala na ulit akong naramdamang sakit unlike yesterday. Maybe he's my kryptonite huh.

Heck, who the hell is he to do this to me? He is just my ex! And he's my target to this mission. I shouldn't involved any feelings to this. I don't mind to be his kabit.

I'll make you pay, Lt. Colonel Raniego!

Halos mabali ang mga leeg ng mga tao nang pumasok ako sa building ng mga Cuevas. I have a board meeting today. I'm wearing tie short sleeve blouse with black fitted pants.

"Mari, what's my schedule for today," I asked as we walk to the conference room.

"As of now, Ma'am, you only have this board meeting in this morning. And you'll have your lunch with Mr. Ice Mackey,"

"What?," i whispered as I entered inside. I agreed to have lunch with him? Sige! Mabuti narin at nang magkalinawagan na rin.

I saw Shinee Cuavas for the first time. Malaki ang ngiti niya nang makita ako na parang ang tagal na naming magkakilala. I didn't know, maybe she was happy because I bought shares to help her failing company.

Nang makaupo ako nagsimula na ang meeting. I listened intently to their presentations and I joined their discussions. Whenever I suddenly looked at Shinee's side while I'm expression my thoughts, malaki ang mga ngiti niya saakin na parang tuwang tuwa sa pag sali ko. Well I'm the part of this. Hindi lang kayo makikinabang saakin, ako din!

Then the discussion goes on, hindi na ako sumali pa. I just checked my phone.

Ice:

Are you done with your meeting? I'm gonna fetch you, let's have a lunch together.

I rolled my eyes. We haven't talk yet about yesterday. Well it's a good thing we'll having our lunch together so I could clear things up between us.

Then suddenly the door open. Napatigil sa pagpe present ang presentor. Napaangat ako ng tingin. I was shocked when I saw him here. Yes! It was Clive! Looking gorgeous with his corporate attire! What? Why is he here?

His eyes darted to me.

"You're here!," tili ni Shinee at sabay yakap nito sakanya. Sinalubong din ni Clive ang yakap nito,

"Yes, ofcourse," he said not leaving my eyes. He even kissed her in her cheek! Nahiya pa, hindi pa hinalikan sa labi! Who is she? Is she his girlfriend?!