15: The kidnapping

Sam's POV

A few hours had passed, I was just scribbling some note on my table when my phone suddenly vibrated inside my pocket. Leaning against my chair, I answered that when aunt Rose appeared on the screen.

"Aunt--"

"Samantha,"

I groaned at the mention of my first name.

"Tumawag na naman sa'kin 'yong taong gustong bumili ng bahay mo and I already told them to talk to you himself. You're in your right age now anyway so ikaw ng bahala sa taong 'yon."

I groaned again when I was reminded with that annoying buyer.

Ito na naman. I know kahit 'di sinasabi ng aunt ko noon, may gusto na talagang bumili sa bahay na 'yon right after my parents' burial but since it was legally mine at wala pa 'ko sa tamang kondisyon to even decide, lage niya lang itong tinatanggihan. But persistent as they were, nangungulit pa rin ang mga ito hanggang ngayon.

I sighed and just squeezed my eyes shut, feeling stressed out in a sudden.

"Ano ba kasing meron sa bahay na'yon auntie para ganun nalang sila ka pursigido to buy that old house?" I asked while massaging my temple.

I heard my aunt sighed saka ito sumagot.

"I don't know, Sam. Pero kahit na ano pang tanggi ko sa kanila, lagi pa rin silang nangungulit and now they wanted to talk to you personally and mind you Sam, they're even willing to pay any amount you want. Susmaryosep! They're that insanely big time Sam!"

My eyes snapped open at that. 

"So they're that desperate to even offer that now. Ano bang plan nila sa bahay na'yon auntie kapag nabili na nila ito? Hindi naman maganda sa business ang location ng bahay na yon so how come they were that too desperate to buy that house?" I asked with so much curiosities.

"I don't know Sam. You better meet and talk to them yourself para malaman natin. And if you think it was reasonable enough, pwede mo namang ipagbili 'yon---"

"No." I snapped while shaking my head.

"No aunt. That's my parents' house at 'yon nalang ang ala-ala nila na meron ako...If they ever call you again, just tell them na hindi ko 'yon binibenta and that's final."

She didn't answered right away at napabuntung hininga lang sa kabilang linya before she talked.

"Okay....I'll tell them." she said in almost a whisper.

I can imagine her now kept nodding her head. I know gusto lang nyang ilet-go ko nalang ang bahay na'yon, probably thinking that was the best way to move on from my past. And I understand her but still.. I can't just let go of my parents' memories.

Once the call ended, my mind still linger with those thoughts.

Whatever it was they were thinking to do to my house, I would never allow that to happen. Not when I'm still alive.

Heaving a deep breath, agad ko ng inayos ang mga gamit ko sa mesa. I smirked nang makita ko uli yong flash drive na tiyak hahanapin ng matandang judge na'yon. I quickly pocketed it and checked the time at my wristwatch.

2:36pm.

Just the right time para lumabas and take my super late lunch. Nang matapos ko ng iligpit ang mga gamit ko, agad na'kong umalis and headed to my car at the parking lot.

Bubuksan ko na sana ang pinto sa may driver's seat but stopped when I spotted the sign board just across the road.

A fastfood restaurant.

Hmm.. Why waste time and gasoline to drive far kung may malapit lang naman at pwede ko lang lakarin mula rito?

Fast food. Fast life. And definitely fast death. Well, ganun naman talaga ang buhay. Sa mauuna lang.

With that thought, agad na'kong naglakad papunta sa may gilid ng daan to cross the road. I covered my head with my hand nang maramdaman ko ang tindi ng init ng araw.

With this abnormal heat today, a heavy rain will be expected later tonight.  Good thing I have worn my jacket now so this isn't an issue to me. I just have to cover my head and save it from this raging heat bago pa matusta ang utak ko rito.

I smiled when the traffic light turned green. No cars were around so it was the perfect timing to cross the busy road.

Agad na'kong naglakad para tumawid. Pero mga ilang hakbang pa lamang ang nagagawa ko when a car suddenly halted right before me and then two unfamiliar men in black suit with dark shades came out from that car.

The event was just too fast, one second nakatunganga lang ako sa kanila and then the next time I blinked my eyes, the other man grabbed me in my arms and forced me towards their car while covering my mouth with some white cloth.

Probably cloth with---chloroform!

I quickly held my breath when I thought about it as it alarmed me with an impending dangers. Just one breath of it, I'd be unconscious that instant.

With my primal instinct to get away from this situation, I held my breath and raised my leg then swung that to kick the other man who was opening the car door at the backseat. But unfortunately, they were too bulky so that kick wasn't powerful enough to get away from there.

I tried to turn down the one who were holding me by a backflip but I was stopped when I was met by a strong punch in my guts, causing me to breath in as I cried out in pain. And I wasn't wrong. That white cloth was indeed soaked with chloroform.

In an instant, my consciousness slowly ebb away. And the last thing I remembered was that they succeed to take me with them before my world completely blacked out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I squeezed my eyes when I felt some liquid was splashed on my face and grimaced when I tasted it.

Brandy.

I quickly wiped my face with my palm and slowly opened my eyes.

I blinked a few times when my vision was a bit blurry.

I shook my head and tried to clear my foggy sight. By the time my clear sight returned, a glass center table before me with a few bottles of expensive liquors on it greeted me. Black leather sectional couches in U shape around. Frowning, I tried to study the place around me. The room was a bit dim and I think it was built with led glass walls. A flat screen TV across the room and a solid exit door at the far corner and I can even heard a slow beats of music outside.

No doubt. Nasa isang VIP lounge ako ng isang club ngayon.

Ilang oras na ba'kong nandito?

Shaking my head, I took a quick glance at my watch.

3:55pm.

The heck?? I have slept----

"Gising na siya, sir."

My gaze was snapped to my left nang marinig ko ang boses na 'yon and was greeted with one of those men na humablot sa'kin kanina. My blood instantly boiled up at the sight of him as my sight became more clearer now.

"You shit! --"

"Calm down, Ms. Javier."

My gaze shifted to my right and I pressed my lips together when I was met by the grinning judge. A glass of brandy was in his right hand while comfortably sitting at the black leather couch with crossed legs.

So the bastard had already chosen his answer? And he surely picked the wrong one.

"I'm sorry kung kailangan naming gawin 'to sa'yo. May kailangan lang akong kunin mula sa'yo na sa tingin ko hindi dapat nasa sa'yo and I know alam mo na kung ano 'yon." 

The video.

"Alam mo bang kidnapping 'tong ginagawa mo, Mr. Agustos? Pwede kitang ipakulong dahil rito."

"Kung malalaman nila then yes."Nakangisi pang saad nito with a nonchalant shrug before he sipped on his drink.

A reaction which caused me to grit my teeth in annoyance. A gun was really handy at this time. Pero di bali, may next time pa naman. Ang kailangan ko munang gawin ngayon is to make sure that I could get out from here whole. 

"Pero 'di naman kailangang umabot pa tayo sa karahasan. Just cancel those emails and give me the original video then you will be freed. As easy as that."

That made me scoffed at that. 

"And how do you think I can possibly do that kung wala naman 'yon sa'kin ngayon?" I asked with crossed arms.

"Alam mo naman sigurong biglaan mo nalang akong pinadampot without even giving me a heads up."

My brow shot up when he suddenly smirked and put down his glass on the table.

"Don't worry, Ms. Javier. Napaghandaan ko na'to. Cedrick?"

That made me frowned and glanced at the man from the left seat in confusion. The man complied to his boss sabay kuha sa familiar na laptop na ngayon ko lang napansin sa tabi nito.

"Here's your laptop..."

My eyes widened in surprise at the hear of that.

The heck!

"Pagpasensyahan mo na kung pinasok ng mga bata ko ang---"

"Pinasok niyo ang apartment ko??" Tiim ang mga bagang tanong ko sa kanya with eyes ready to shoot him kung hindi lang sana ako naging tanga at bumili nalang ng sarili kong baril.

"As you can see it. I just thought na baka may ibang copies kapa rito sa laptop mo so I brought it here to make sure. So now, ba't 'di mo nalang simulan ang pinagagawa ko sa'yo? Kung madali lang sanang buksan 'yan, then we wouldn't have even brought you here to do that." He said with his voice annoying me to hell.

So he really had planned all of this. The bastard!

Gusto ko na talagang magwala ngayon. But given that it would just complicate everything, I stopped that urge.

Well, kung gusto niya talagang maglaro, why not just give him his own medicine then? 

Sighing out in resignation, I nodded at that. I have to do this, right.

"I guess I have no choice now but to do this then."

He smiled and nodded at that in excitement.

"But before anything else, ipangako mo munang pakakawalan mo'ko after this."

His smile widened at that while nodding, excitement visible in his face.

"You have my word. Madali ka naman palang kausap."

I didn't smiled and just nodded at him and began to open my emails. I can feel his eyes following my every move and probably with a triumphant smile on his wrinkled face.

I just ignored him and just focused on doing what I have to do.

I quickly cancelled all those bloody emails with gritted teeth, pati na ang lahat ng copies nito. And once done, I sighed and looked at him.

"Tapos na. You can check it if you want." I said while turning the laptop to his way.

"Cedrick, check it kung nagsasabi ba talaga ng totoo si Ms. Javier."

The man quickly complied and it didn't took him long to confirm my word.

"Cleared sir."

"See? Ginawa ko na Mr. Agustos. So pwede na ba'kong umalis ngayon?" Tanong ko rito sabay tayo sa kinauupuan ko.

He grinned but shook his head, causing my brow to shot up.

Ano pa bang kailangan ng gagong to?

"Not so fast. What about the original video?"

"Oh yeah. Buti naman at naalala mo pa. Akala ko pa naman malulusutan kita dun.."

He smirked saka sumandal sa upuan nito, eyeing me with a triumphant glint in his eyes.

"Don't underestimate me, Ms. Javier. I am maybe old in my age but this---" Pointing his head. "Hindi tumatanda ang utak kong 'to. So hand me the last copy now. Alam kong may tinatago ka pang iba diyan. Hindi mo naman agad ibubura ang automated emails na 'yon kung wala ka pang ibang hawak diyan, 'di ba??."

That made me groaned and squeezed my eyes out in utter annoyance.

Bloody wise devil!

I heard him laughed in the background. He was obviously enjoying my reaction. Naikuyom ko na lamang ang mga kamay ko dahil dito.

"Now I think naisahan na naman kita. Akala ko pa naman matinik kang P.I but I guess I was wrong to assume that." Panunuyang saad nito, obviously wanted to annoy me to hell. But I stopped myself to spat back and took a deep breath.

Calm down, Sam. Focus with the plan. I just keep on repeating that on my mind and opted to just use my head instead.

Now's not the time para magpadala ako sa galit ko.

Groaning, I opened my eyes and gazed down at him who were grinning up at me in amusement with a drink in his hand again.

"Okay. Parang wala na nga 'kong kawala ngayon." I said with gritted teeth while nodding.

"Wala nga, " He answered and then extended his hand out to me.

"So hand me the original video now."

Without cutting my dagger stare at him, I fished it out and handed it to his way. But before he could even take it, I quickly took it away from his reach which caused him to scowl.

"Bago ko 'to ibigay sa'yo, kailangan ko munang siguraduhin na tutupad ka sa pangako mo na makakaalis ako rito. Alam mo namang ito lang ang hawak ko laban sa'yo hindi ba?"

He chuckled and shook his head.

"I didn't know you are that so excited to leave this place when you know na talo na kayo sa kaso bukas. But dont worry, as I have promised kanina makakaalis ka na agad rito." He agreed with a nod of his head.

I was able to let out a relieved sigh at that. I thought kailangan ko pang makipagbasagan ng ulo just to get out from here.

"Then good. Here's your original video then. Nandiyan na 'yong hinahanap mo. The last and original copy." I informed him as I handed him the flash drive.

"Cedrick." He called then handed the flash drive to Cedric.

I wonder kung nasaan na 'yong lalaking kasama nito kanina. That bastard who had dared to punch me in my gut. I just need to get back on him before I'd even take my leave.

"Nandito sir. Eto na nga 'yong original video." The man confirmed. And hearing that, agad na namang tumawa ang gago.

"Very good, Ms. Javier. Madali ka naman palang kausap." He said while still laughing. Laughing at my bloody expense.

The bastard!

Groaning and still glaring at him with despise, I chose to open my mouth, interrupting his celebration.

"So pwede na ba'kong umalis ngayon? Nakuha mo na ang gusto mo so its just fair na tuparin mo rin 'yong ipinangako mo."

He just continued laughing, laughing like a mad man while waving off his hand at me.

"You can go now... with pleasure... You can go now."

With pursed lips, tumango lang ako rito at akma na sanang aalis but stopped when I remembered something. Not my poor old laptop but something useful for my little revenge.

"Ah Mr. Agustos? May hihilingin lang sana ako sa'yo, just a little souvenir from here."

He chuckled and nodded.

"Ano naman yon, Ms Javier?"

I smiled and eyed the expensive liquor at the center table.

"Pwede ko bang iuwi ang iba diyan?" I said, pointing the liquor. "You know, kailangan ko lang uminom ngayon because I have failed my case and I think maganda 'yang inumin ngayon."

Nang marinig nila yon, both of them roared out into laughter.

Damn with this fucking crazy-idiotic people!

"Kumuha kalang diyan... Have a pick at kunin mo lahat ng gusto mo. That's the least that I could do for you after taking everything from you." He said in between his fucking laugh, wrinkling his face more dahil sa katatawa.

I just rolled my eyes saka kumuha ng dalawang bote without even looking at the labels. Ang importante, komportableng hawakan ang mga 'to.

"Yan lang ba ang gusto mo? Marami pa naman dito. Baka kulangin yan mamaya, Ms. Javier. Take some more bottle as my condolence gift." He asked with his voice taunting me.

I just grinned and shook my head.

"Tamang tama lang 'to, Mr. Agustos. Big thanks for this." Showing the bottles in my hands.

"And I think I should take my leave now and start drowning myself with this."

He laughed again while shaking his head and clapping his wrinkled hands.

"Your choice. I'll just attend your burial if ever you won't survive from that drowning."

"Aasahan ko yan..." That if you could even get to do that after today. But I didn't voiced that out at naglakad na patungo sa pinto with them still laughing behind me.

Bubuksan ko na sana ang pinto but I was stopped nang bumukas na agad ito and I was greeted by the same man na siyang sumikmura sa'kin kanina.

What a perfect timing for me.

I smiled at him saka lumabas with him standing on guard right beside the door. There's no way na hindi ko man lang magantihan ang gagong 'to.

He frowned when I stopped right before him while smiling at him so sweetly.

"Mr. Agustos?" I called out at the judge inside.

"Yes, Ms. Javier?"

"Pwede ko bang makausap sandali ang tauhan mong 'to? I just have something to tell this man here." I said with my eyes fixated on the man which caused his frown deepened. Probably confused with my behavior.

"Go ahead.. Talk to him now."

When the judge agreed that with amusement visible in his voice, I grinned and motioned him with my fingers to come close.

With confused look on his face, he leaned towards me.

Good boy.

I smirked and leaned closer to his ear before I whispered.

"A hard blow in my guts is equivalent to a hard blow in your head." Then without giving him a chance to react, I swiftly swung and smashed the bottle of brandy right on his head. Agad itong humandusay sa tapat ng pintuan.

Dead asleep.

"Ms. Javier??!" 

When Mr. Agustus angrily shouted that in shock, I turned to his way and smirked.

"Bayad ko lang 'yon sa pagsuntok nya sa'kin kanina, Mr. Agustos."

He slowly grinned when he had slightly recovered from that.

"Oh, I didn't know hindi ka pala marunong magpatawad."

"Hindi talaga. Kaya nga kung ako sa'yo..... Simulan mo ng manood ng balita ngayon mismo."

The grin on his face suddenly gone in a second at the hear of that.

"Balita? And why would I do that, Ms. Javier? Is there something special in the news now?" he asked in confusion.

I smirked at the look on his face, oblivious with everything.

"Yes naman.. You have to watch some news now para malaman mo na 'di ako 'yong taong dapat na binabangga mo. Have fun watching yourself in the news. Bye!" I informed him with a mocking wave of my hand. Then without waiting for his reply, agad ko ng nilisan ang lugar na'yon while they were still unable to decode my words.

Such an idiotic and ignorant judge. You say 'ignorance is a bliss'? Tsk tsk, I think 'disgrace' is the right word for that.