65: The drunkards

CAMERON'S POV

"Liam!"

"Yes, Sammy?"

My brows furrowed when I heard Liam's voice from outside, sounding so sweet calling her that name.

Kanina pa nag-iinuman ang mga ito sa baba pero habang lumalim ang gabi, mas lalong nagiging lasing naman ang mga ito.

And I think I have given her enough time to have a drink kasama ang mga tarantadong kaibigan ko. She had to take a rest now. Masyado ng napapagod ang katawan nito with all the running we had done bago makauwi rito.

Inilock ko na nga ang pinto para hindi ito makalabas kanina, but stubborn as she was, she had really used the terrace as her escape route. She had even used my bedsheets para gawing lubid nito!

Jesus with this woman!

Mas mabuti sigurong ilock ko na lahat ng pwedeng daanan nito sa susunod so that there's no way she could get away from me.

Shaking my head, I placed the document na binigay sa'kin kanina ni Liam sa mesa sa gilid bago bumaba ng kama then got out to the terrace to check them out.

I growled in disapproval nang makita kong nakaakbay ang bawat braso nito kina Liam at Mason. I can clearly see them from here dahil maliwanag naman sa bahaging 'yon.

And In one look, talagang lasing na lasing na nga ang mga ito while facing the bonfire na halos mamatay na. Empty bottles were thrown everywhere behind them.

These assholes!

"I swear am gonna beat you up kapag pinormahan mo si Suzzy! I'm gonna castrate your balls and let it be eaten by Mayson--"

"Whuut? Why mee???!" Reklamo agad ng isa pang lasing na si Mason. Their prolonged pronunciation was the proof na talagang lasing na lasing na ang mga ito. Kept talking like an alien.

She hiccuped before she continued.

"Yoo'll eyt it if yoo won't stop Liam, Mayson! I swear Am gonna dow it! Naiintindihan nyo ba'ko??"

The two idiots nodded their heads, nodding their heads in a slow motion.

Napapailing na lamang ako with her giving that threat to the two.

She sounded so protective with that woman named 'Suzzy'. Acting like a big sister to that woman kahit na hindi naman nya ito kaano-ano.

Sino naman kaya ang babaeng 'yon na ayaw na ayaw nitong lapitan man lang ng babaerong Liam na'to?

"Liam? Do yoo promise that yoo won't even attempt to get even a kilometer close to Suzzy? Do yoo??" Parang alien na tanong nito sa lasing na lasing na Liam sa tabi nya, kept nodding his head kahit hindi pa man ito tinatanong.

"Yep. Yep. I pwomise, Sammy! I pwomise dat I will attempt to get close to Suzy! I can't stop it--Awww!" Liam cried out as he rubbed his head when she suddenly smacked his head nang sabihin nya 'yon, smacking him in a rather brutal way.

The idiot Mason just laughed out loud dahil dun.

"I said never ever-ever-ever do that!!! She was just too young for you!!" Galit na bulyaw nito habang mahigpit paring nakaakbay kay Liam before she gave him another smack on his head again.

"Aww-awww!! Sammy!"

Mason just kept laughing at Liam's expense, clearly enjoying the show.

Napapailing na lamang uli ako while witnessing this scene.

Expect her to have the upperhand over these two dahil ito ang tipo ng babaeng hindi takot makipagbasagan ng ulo sa kahit sinong lalaki.

Nagtataka nga'ko kung bakit nagkakagusto na'ko sa babaeng 'to. Hindi naman ito singganda nina Gloria pero bakit parang kulang ako kapag hindi ko man lang ito makita ?

Kinukulam ba'ko ng babaeng 'to?

"Understood now, Liam?"

I was pulled out with my thoughts when I heard her talked again. Nakaakbay parin ito kay Liam while still giving him her threats.

The idiot Liam just stupidly grinned at her, obviously not even threatened with her.

Tsk, tsk, tsk.. That would be a big mistake of him.

"I just loved annoying that woman to hell, Sammy.. so nooo. I won't---awww!" He cried out again when the witch gave him another brutal smack on his head bago paman nito matapos ang sasabihin nito.

"I said no! Ang tigass nang ulo mo! Mason??"

"Y-yes, Sam?" Mabilis na sagot naman ni Mason who had quickly abandoned his beer pagkatawag ng pangalan nito.

"Hold him for a minute. Ilalabas ko lang ang baril ko because I will shoot 'im right now!"

Their eyes instantly bulged out at the mention of gun. Horror filled their faces na para bang biglang nawala ang pagkalasing ng mga ito.

Habang si Liam naman, nagpupumilit ng makawala sa mahigpit na pagkakahawak nito sa kanya.

Now this was getting more interesting..

"Sammy!! N-Nagbibiro ka lang, di ba?" Liam exclaimed in alarm, now taking that threat as a serious threat.

Oh yes. They should really take it like that dahil hinding-hindi magdadalawang isip ang babaeng yan na barilin kayo kapag nagkataon.

"A-Are you sure you'll gonna shoot 'im?? As in right 'ere, Sam??"

The crazy woman quickly nodded her head when Mason asked that, sounding doubtful with that threat.

"Yes. Yes.. Kung hindi nyo alam, I have my gun with me now."

When she proudly answered that with a grin, mas lalo pang nataranta ngayon si Liam. Now more eager to be let out from her hold kahit na hirap na hirap pa itong kumilos dahil sa kalasingan nito.

I couldn't resist the urge to smile at that, enjoying the scene of these three drunkards.

I think I know now why I had fall for this witch.. dahil sa ugali nito na parang walang kinakatakutan.

Napapailing nalang ako while still smiling at that thought. And then seeing them now na parang nagkakagulo na ang mga ito sa baba, tingin ko kailangan ko ng pigilan ang babaeng 'to before she'd succeed murdering Liam's ass.

I quickly headed back inside my room and then tokk my sleeping robe at the bedside table saka isinuot na agad yon as I headed outside of my room.

Bumaba na'ko agad ng hagdanan and then headed to the back door that can be found at the kitchen area. Mas madali kung dito ako dumaan papunta sa kung saan ang mga ito ngayon.

It didn't took me long to get to them.

Though seeing Liam getting a bullet on his head from her excites me, I think I have to get her to bed now bago pa man mangyari 'yon.

"Liam, Mason.. I think that's enough now."

Agad na nagsilingunan ang mga ito sa'kin when I said that pagkalapit ko sa kanila.

"Cameron!"

"Cameron!" Sabay-sabay na tawag nila sa'kin with their terrified faces.

The woman throw me a glare pagkakita palang sa'kin, halatang naiinis parin ito sa'kin for locking her up in my room earlier.

"C-Cameron! Please take' her away from 'ere now, Cam! She's gonna kill me!! I want to live moore!" Liam exclaimed in horror, begging me to rescue him.

"Yes, del Fuero! Help him now!" Mason agreed while vigorously nodding his head.

"Donna move, Liam! Am taking my gun now!"

Their faces became more paler than ever at mas lalo pa itong nataranta when the witch had yelled that out.

"CAMERON!!! Please! Help me here! Kunin mo na sya maawa ka!!" Parang batang naiiyak na saklolo nito sa'kin as the very witch was trying to stop him from moving.

Gustung-gusto ko na talagang matawa sa mga mukha nila but I think I have to stop her now para makapagpahinga na ito. I just cleared out my throat to cover up my want to laugh at them.

"Ms. Javier?"

"Whuut, bastard?!" Agad na sagot nito sabay tingin sa'kin. Trying so hard to glare at me kahit halos hindi naman nito maimulat ng maayos ang mga mata nito.

Tsk, tsk.. mukhang lasing na lasing na nga ito kaya ganito nalang nito takutin ang mga tarantadong 'to.

Shaking my head, nilapitan ko na agad ito.

"Tama na 'yan, Ms. Javier... Kailangan mo ng matulog dahil may hahanapin pa tayong file tomorrow." I calmly said before her.

Alam kong 'yon lang ang makakapigil dito. Mentioning that file.

Her eyes instantly narrowed in a suspicious glare at me at the mention of that.

"You're a lyin' bastard.."

"I'm serious, Ms. Javier. Hahanapin nga natin 'yon bukas so let's go now. Magpapahinga ka muna before doing that." Then with that, I took her hand na syang mahigpit na nakahawak sa leeg ni Liam na himala namang binitawan nito saka ito inalalayang makatayo.

Liam was able to blow out a relieved sigh pagkabitiw nito sa leeg nito, clearly relieved of being away from this dangerous woman.

"Noo, Noo.. I know you're just lyin' now, Mr. Del Toro.."

I groaned when I heard that name again while while shaking her head in a slow motion while pointing her finger at me, still trying to glare at me kahit halos mahulog na nga ang mga mata nito ngayon dahil sa antok.

Goodness with this woman! Nagagawa nya parin talagang asarin ako kahit nasa ganitong sitwasyon na ito!

"No. I am not, Ms. Javier so Let's go now." Pigil ang inis na sagot ko sa kanya as I put her arm on my shoulder saka agad ng inakay ito papasok sa loob ng bahay firmly holding her waist.

She just kept groaning in protest habang maiging inalalayan ito, trying to keep her stand upright dahil halos hindi na ito makalakad ng maayos ngayon.

"Gusto ko pang uminom..." She mumbled with her head tilted to the side, clearly unable to held it upright.

And now, gusto pa talaga nitong uminom pa. I can't believe her!

"Kailangan mo ng magpahinga, Ms. Javier..Bukas ka nalang uminom uli." That if I even allow her to see any alcoholic drinks tomorrow.

Tiim ang mga bagang sagot ko rito as I carefully guided her through the kitchen and to the stairs. Firmly holding her dahil baka biglaan nalang itong magpumiglas at mahulog pa kami rito sa hagdanan.

"Hmmm.... I want another beer.."

I just groaned when she mumbled that again. May pagkalasinggera talaga ang babaeng 'to.

Jesus! I really wonder kung bakit ko pa nagustuhan ang lasinggerang babaeng 'to..Marami naman sanang mahinhing babae diyan sa tabi-tabi na susunod sa lahat ng gusto ko kesa sa isang to!

Because she's unique, Cameron. Her being so hot-tempered is so damn unique...

Napapabuntong-hininga na lang ako when my mind sarcastically noted that.

Oh yes. So damn right.

Mas binilisan ko nalang ang paglalakad namin paakyat ng hagdanan so that she could take a rest now. Once we had reached the second floor, I quickly guided her through my room.

It's better if she'd stay here para mabantayan ko ito. Using my foot, I quickly closed the door behind us and then guided her to the bed saka pinaupo ito sa gilid ng kama.

"Umupo ka muna rito----"

Napatigil na'ko sa pagsasalita when she suddenly plopped her back on the bed, now breathing evenly with closed eyes. Looking so wasted with her starting to snore now kahit kahihiga palang nito.

Mukhang maganda rin pala ang naidulot ng alak sa babaeng 'to dahil tulog agad ito pagkahiga palang nito.

Shaming my head with a sigh, Inayos ko nalang ng maayos ang pagkahiga nito before I carefully took off her jacket from her and then her phone and gun from her.

I think I should take this gun from her again para maiwasang makabaril ito ng tao once she'd be drunk like this again. Liam would really be in danger kapag magkasama na namang maglalasing ang mga 'to sa susunod.

Shaking my head, I placed that gun and her phone at the bedside table and then took off her shoes next saka ito kinumutan ng maayos. Making sure na maayos ang magiging tulog nito.

And for a few moments, I just stayed there beside her habang nakaupo lang sa tabi nito sa gilid ng kama, staring at her sleeping form with her mouth slightly opened habang mahinang naghihilik ito.

Ngayon ko lang uli natitigan ng malapitan ang mukha nito. She was heaving with even breath now, looking so at ease.

And for some unknown reason, my hand suddenly itched to touch her face. At dahil tulog naman ito, she won't certainly punched my face right now kaya ginawa ko na ito.

Slowly, I tucked the lock of her hair that had covered her other eye and then gently stroke her cheeks. She seems so peaceful while asleep. Ibang-iba sa parang laging galit na mukha nito kapag gising ito. I hadn't even seen her laugh gleefully before so I think solving her case about her parents could make her do that for me soon.

And I will make sure that it will happen soon.. Without her getting hurt in the end.

At dahil hindi naman ito papayag na ikulong lang ito rito to keep her safe, I think I have to find another way make her stay here.

~~~~~~~~~~~

SAM'S POV

I heaved out a deep breath and then rolled over to my side. Gusto ko ng bumangon but the soft duvet was just stopping me to do it. I snuggled more on it to the side and then inhaled deeply.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit naging ganito kabango at kalambot ang kumot ko ngayon.. ilang araw rin naman akong hindi umuuwi rito since our trip to Mindanao with Mr. Del Fuero so bakit naging ganito nalang ito bigla?

I suddenly went rigid when I heard the light creaking of some door and then followed by a light footsteps of someone.

Someone had came in my room just now. No doubt.

Where's my gun anyway? Kailangan ko yata----

"Good morning, miss...".

That made me frowned when I heard that warm voice of a woman just a few yards from me.

A woman. Nandito ba si Auntie? Nandito ba ito para kausapin ako?

And in a hope na makita ito, my eyes quickly fluttered open and I was greeted with a familiar old woman in a white apron habang inaayos nito ang kulay abuhing kurtina ng silid na'yon papunta sa terrace..

Wait -- Kelan pa naging ganito katanda ang mukha ni auntie at bakit bigla yatang gumanda ang silid ko rito sa bahay niya?

"Miss? Okay ka lang ba?"

I blinked a few times at her saka agad ng napaupo. Ngayon malinaw na sa'kin na hindi naman pala ito si Auntie kundi ang katiwala ni Mr. Del Fuero.

"Where am I?" Wala sa sariling tanong ko rito while yawning out.

She just warmly smiled at me saka ito lumapit sa kama ko. May kokonting mga puti na ang buhok nito sa ulo at mga kulubot sa mukha nito. A sign of her real age.

"Nandito po kayo sa kwarto ni sir Cameron, Miss."

Cameron? But how could I be here when---- Napatigil nalang ako bigla and then my eyes instantly bulged out nang maalala ko na ang mga nangyari kahapon.

From our encounter with those armed men at the airport and up to my attempt to escape from here na hindi natuloy dahil nakipag-inuman na'ko sa mga tarantadong Liam at Mason na'yon!

Shit!

I groaned when I remembered all that.

"Malapit ng magtanghali kaya naman pinapuntahan kana sa'kin ni sir rito para gisingin ka sana. Naghihintay na siya sa'yo sa baba." Nakangiting saad pa nito.

I just nodded at her and then glanced down at my wristwatch.

9:36am.

Seeing the time, napabalikwas na'ko agad ng bangon mula sa kama, suddenly remembered something na kailangan kong gawin ngayon.

The file. Kailangan kong hanapin uli yon or those men. With still muddled thoughts, kinapa ko na ang sarili ko and when I realized na wala ang mga gamit ko..

"Napansin mo ba ang mga gamit ko?"

"Sa gilid mo, Miss.".

I turned to my side and hola! There's my phone and gun on top of my now folded jacket.

Dinampot ko na agad 'yon and then quickly wore it back on me and then brushed off my messy hair with my fingers and then myself.

Kahit sumasakit pa ang ulo ko, I don't care.

I noticed my shoes under the bed kaya naman mabilis ko ng isinuot iyon.

The old woman just stood there while observing me with amusement in her eyes.

I wonder what she's still doing here.

Aalis na sana ako agad sa silid na'yon and leave her there but before I could even do that, tumunog na ang phone ko sa bulsa ko.

With a frown in my face, I quickly took it out and I frowned more when there's a voice message from my aunt. At sa ilang missed calls na nasa screen ko ngayon, kanina pa nga ito tawag ng tawag sa'kin.

Kahit na hindi pa'ko handang makipag-usap rito, binuksan ko pa rin ang voice message nyang 'yon and plugged my phone on my ear.

"Samantha, pupunta kaba ngayon rito? Today's the death anniversary of your parents kaya kailangan mo man lang pumunta rito ngayon. Today's your birthday as well kaya sana naman pumunta ka rito." She sounded like she was begging me to go there.

"Let's go visit them together and probably, let's have a talk after that... Please.." As her message ended, my hold at my phone tightened as I held my breath.

Yes. Today's their death anniversary and my birthday...

How could I even forget that? And today was exactly the eleventh year of their death. And I had suffered that long with them being gone.

Napapatiim nalang ako ng bagang as I just stayed rooted on my feet habang kuyom ang mga kamay.

I have to atleast visit them. Kahit hindi man sila ang tunay kong mga magulang, Mr. del Fuero was right. They'd treated me like their own so I have no reason to be mad at them. And there's no reason for me to be mad now and be suicidal. I have to stick with my plan. Get that file no matter what and lure that man to me using that.

"Miss? Okay ka lang ba?"

That pulled me out from my thoughts when I heard that warm voice from my left.

Swallowing hard, I sucked a deep breath before I turned to her way. I found her looking at me with furrowed brows, probably wondering why I had suddenly zoned out.

"Okay lang ako.." I assured her with a small smile.

"Aalis na'ko rito. Please don't tell Mr. Del Fuero na wala na'ko rito."

"Aalis? Saan ka naman pupunta miss?" Kunot-noong tanong nito sa'kin.

"May importante akong pupuntahan ngayon.. Alis na'ko." Then without waiting for her response, lumabas na'ko agad mula sa silid na'yon.

He doesn't have to know kung saan ako pupunta ngayon. This is about my family at my life. I guess it was best for me to face my aunt now and maybe have a deep talk with her.

And to do that, kailangan ko ng kunin ang sasakyan ko kung saan ko ito iniwan kahapon.

With that thought in mind, mabilis na'kong bumaba ng hagdan with cautious steps, afraid that someone would sense my presence here. And When no bastard had appeared to stop me from leaving pagkababa ko, I was able to let out a relieved sigh and then I quickly headed to the double door.

Probably he wasn't around now kaya---

"Where are you going?"

I froze on my feet when that deep voice suddenly asked that.

Oh shit.. so he was just here! talagang hinihintay niya lang na makababa ako rito.

Blowing out an exasperated sigh, I turned to him na palapit na sa'kin.

He's already in his usual impeccable self with his navy blue suit and well combed hair.. halatang papasok na ito sa opisina nito.

At kahit na ang gwapo nito ngayon sa suot nito, I don't have much time to oggle on him now.

"May importanteng lakad ako ngayon kaya kailangan ko ng umalis rito." I stated with pointed look at him.

Napaarko agad ang kilay ko when he just nodded his head at me in understanding.

"Oh.. ganun ba? Just be careful then." aniya pa as he kept nodding his head, causing me to look at him suspiciously.

Hmm.. parang may mali rito. Kahapon lang ayaw na ayaw nitong umalis ako rito but now, he was even bidding me to be careful. May mali talaga rito.

I concluded that in my mind.

Pero kahit may mali ito sa utak ngayon, parang mas mabuti narin 'yon dahil ayokong kinukulong ako nito. Acting so overprotective of me.

"Ah..Papunta na nga pala ako sa office ngayon..."

My brow arched up when he'd informed me that. As if I'm even interested to know that.

"Then good luck sa trabaho mo. Aalis na'ko." Then with that, aalis na sana ako palabas but I halted when I heard him cleared out his throat, clearing out his throat na para bang may asthma ito.

With a sigh, I whirled around on my feet to face him. His hands were clasped together behind him while looking at me na para bang may gusto itong sasabihin sa'kin ngayon but he can't just voice it out.

"What now, Mr. Del Fuero? Spill it out now..." I said with pointed look, now itching to leave dahil malayo-layo pa ang byahe ko.

"Hindi mo ba'ko tatanungin kong isasama ba kita ngayon?"

That made me frowned more nang sabihin niya 'yon.

Nababaliw na ba ang taong 'to?

"Okay ka lang ba, Mr. Del Fuero? At ba't mo naman ako isasama aber? Alam mong may lakad ako kaya hindi ako makakasama sa'yo.. "

He just slowly nodded his head in understanding saka bumuntong-hininga ito.

I don't know kung guni-guni ko lang 'to but I think I've detected disappointment in his face. Pero dahil ang laki ng pride nito, he quickly covered it up with his straight face.

"Well then, I guess I have to let you leave now dahil kailangan ko ng umalis ngayon." Came his cold voice, sounding more like a growl.

I just nodded at him saka agad ng umalis mula roon. The gate had surprisingly opened up automatically pagkalapit ko. Probably dahil pinayagan na'ko nitong umalis ngayon..

~~~~~~~~~~