5: help him or not?

Sam's POV

Paglabas ko sa office na yun, agad ng lumapit sa'kin ang boss ko.

"How is it, Javier?" he greeted.

"Okay na okay, sir. Though, I don't know if okay si Mr. del Fuero. You better go and check him now sir." I answered while smiling at him, pretending that I'm pretty okay but no, I'm too far from that.

I'm almost ready to burst out in frustrations now.

"Yes, yes. I have to. Sige, maiwan na kita." He agreed with a nod of his head before he ran back to his office.

Agad na'kong umalis sa lugar na'yon.

I think driving for hours patungo sa auntie ko ay di na masama. It would atleast calm myself.

Nang nasa parking lot na'ko, I quickly got into my car and drove off straight to Tagaytay. Driving like a mad woman.

Liking the feel of the cold air.

Yes, this indeed feels so good.

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

Just after a few hours of driving on the road, malapit narin akong makarating sa bahay ng auntie ko.

Nangangawit narin ang pwet ko sa kakaupo ngayon. There's still half hour left before I could finally get a rest and stretch my body.

Ito yung pinakaayaw ko sa lahat, ang pabalik-balik dito dahil bukod sa it will take you hours of driving, liko-liko pa ang mga daan.

Geez, kung pwede lang sana, 'di nako pupunta pa rito kung hindi lang sana malulungkot si auntie.

Noon, I love to visit this place, but now? Marami ng nagbago after that tragic accident. Everytime na nadadaanan ko kung saan nangyari yun, I felt like I had returned back to that time. Time kung kailan nagbago ang lahat, that time that I was so useless and weak..... useless na 'di ko man lang na-save yung parents ko and weak dahil hindi ko man lang nakita ang mukha ng taong 'yun.

That thought made me tightened my hold at the steering wheel and speed up my car.

Yes, I was weak that time. Pero once I find that murderer, I'll be the one to end his very life....

Yes, that's it. I won't even give a thought to kill that man..

After I recovered from my trauma, I decided to start my own investigation. But to properly do that, pinili kong maging P.I. Because that way, I can move in my own na walang ibang sinusunod. So long as malulutas ko ang mga kaso ng walang sabit.

I was just about to speed up more but I slowed down when I saw a woman in her mid thirties na kumakaway sa gilid ng daan. I furrowed my brows to observe her.

Her car was parked beside her. I think she's going to the city since opposite ang direction ng sasakyan namin.

I stopped my car sa gilid ng daan then slid down my window shied para makita nya 'ko.

I noticed her let out a sigh nang huminto ako pero agad namang napalitan ng disappointment 'yon pagkakita nya sa'kin. Probably because she thinks na hindi ko sya matutulungan dahil babae ako.

I mentally shook my head at that thought.

Porke't babae 'di na agad makakatulong? Tsk, tsk..

"Need any help?"

"Yes, nasira yung gulong ko and I don't know how to change it." Agad na sagot nito, frustrations visible in her voice.

Sino ba namang 'di mafufrustrate nyan if you're waiting like forever sa ilalim pa mismo ng mainit na araw?

Think, think..

I observed her car and there it was, flat nga ang sa bandang likuran na gulong nito.

Glancing down at my wristwatch, checked the time kung makakarating ba'ko on time sa bahay ng auntie ko kung tutulungan ko ito.

I don't want her to greet me with her famous sermon kapag natagalan ako rito.

But when I think na possible naman na makakarating pa'ko ng maaga ron dahil sa mabilis kong talbo kanina, I quickly got out of my car to help her.

If I haven't mentioned yet, I learned to become independent nang umalis na'ko sa poder ng auntie ko. And aside from that, if I want to save more money, kailangan kong malaman kung pano gawin ang mga bagay-bagay. At isa na dun ang pag-ayos ng sarili kong sasakyan.

Sayang naman kung magbabayad pa'ko kahit pagpalit lang ng gulong.

"Do you have a spare tire with you?" I asked her nang makalapit na'ko sa sasakyan nya.

She nodded then frowned.

"But do you kow how to change that? Kailangan ko talagang makaalis na rito because I have a very important meeting to attend to now" She cried out.

I just nodded my head while listening to her cries. Pretending that I understand her pero 'di ko lang mapigilang mainis sa tono ng boses nito. She sounded like she was so frustrated now that I am the one who's here and not some macho man na inaasahan nito.

'wag mong maliitin ang kakayahan nating mga babae hoy,...

Gusto ko sanang sabihin yun sa kanya but thinking it'd just be a waste of my effort, I opted to just keep it with me. Instead, I took out my own tools from my car to start changing her tire.

Her brow instantly quirked up at the sight of me holding my tools.

"So you know how to do it?" she asked with a doubtful look on her face.

No, I don't. You want to hear that from me you ungrateful fellow? I mockingly thought.

Sarap sanang sabihin yon sa kanya yun pero mas minabuti ko nalang na manahimik and just help this damn woman.

I took off my jacket first then put it inside my car.

"Where's your spare tire?"

"Inside the trunk."

I nodded at her then headed to the trunk.

"Pwede mo bang buksan 'to?" She just looked at me for a moment, probably doubting my ability.

Geez with this fellow.

Eh kung iwan ko nalang kaya ang babaeng to??

But good thing that after a few moment of just looking at me, she complied.

Binuksan nya agad ang trunk niya which I quickly took the spare tire and started the task.

I put the jack and raised it to support the car then quickly removed the hubcap and loosen its nuts using the tire wrench. Then again, I pumped the jack to lift the tire off the ground then removed the rest of the nuts away.

Madali lang naman talaga ang task na'to. Habang ginagawa ko ang task ko, I can feel the woman's curious stares observing me. Probably atat na matapos ko na agad to.

But she was suddenly interrupted when her phone started to ring on her hand.

Agad na nyang sinagot yon while I just continued my task. But you know me so well that eavesdropping is one of my best talent.

"Yes, yes.. malapit na'ko. Inaayos palang ang gulong.." I heard her answered that but unfortunately, di ko marinig ang boses ng nasa kabilang linya.

"Yes, tomorrow night..you will sneak---"

my ear pricked up when she suddenly stopped her sentence then continued with a low voice.

Oh, confidential..

"You will sneak to his office and get that goddamn file---"

"Yes! The file with DFCS investors on its cover..."

DFCS? Hearing that damn abbreviation again, mas tumindi pa lalo ang curiosity ko to hear more of their conversation habang ang kamay ko ay patuloy lang sa ginagawa ko.

DFCS again? What's with that company name na lage nalang sumusunod sa'kin?

"Don't fail us. Yes, bye." Paalam nito before she ended the call.

When I had removed the tire, I quickly place the spare tire in the hub with great effort dahil sa bigat nito. Nang magawa ko 'yon, ai quickly tightened the nuts to complete the task. Pero habang ginagawa ko yun, my mind can't stop thinking about DFCS.

"Tapos na ba?" tanong ng babae.

I nodded at her sabay pagpag sa jeans ko. Kinuha ko na agad ang sirang gulong saka inilagay yun sa trunk ng car nya.

"Okay na yan."sabi ko sa kanya habang papunta sa sasakyan ko.

She smiled at me with grateful look while sighing, probably relieved na sa wakas, makakaalis na rin ito sa wakas.

"Thank you so much, miss. I don't have a cash here para bayaran ka pero..."sabi nya sabay kuha sa wallet nya.

I was about to stop her and tell her na okay lang pero nang makita kong kinuha nya ang business card nya, hindi ko na itinuloy.

Oh... Kung siniswerte ka nga naman ano.

"Take this card, miss. Then just call me para makuha mo ang bayad ko sa'yo." Sabay bigay niya sa card sa'kin. Then she quickly get into her car..

"I have to go now. Bye, miss. Just call me, okay?" sabi nya as she started the engine and then leave me from there.

I just nodded my head habang nakatingin lang sa papalayong sasakyan nito.

Yeah, sure. I'm gonna call you. Not now but maybe soon.

With a smirk, I glanced down at the card on my hand.

Milary S. Diwane

Secretary, DFCS

+639127178516

My brows quirked up when I read that.

Hmm.. so she's the secretary of DFCS?

Interesting...

I just slid the card to my pocket then quickly get into my car and started the engine to continue to drive to my destination.

I'm sure umiinit na ang ulo ni Aunt ngayon dahil wala pa'ko. But okay lang yan, atleast may bagong impormasyon na naman akong nakalap ngayon.

But I just don't know kung bakit ko palaging naririnig ang DFCS na yun. I think I need to do a quick research about that company once I reach my aunt's house. Dahil base sa call kanina ng babae, tomorrow night sila magsisimulang kikilos. And who could be that person who will do the sneaking??

hmmm.. Probably the other spy of DFCS's arch enemy.

Yes. That's right. Kailangang tagaloob ang gagawa nito who has access in that office na papasukin niya.

Tsk,tsk...This becoming more interesting now.

After a few minutes of driving, natatanaw ko narin ang bahay ng auntie ko. It was a two-storey house na medyo malaki para sa isang tao. Hindi nakapag-asawa ang auntie ko kaya nag-iisa lang sya sa bahay nya. Kaya nga gusto nyang dun sana ako titira para may makasama man lang sya rito but no, because aside sa malayo, ayoko ring nahihirapan siya na makita akong 'di parin makamove-on sa nakaraan.

When I came near my aunt's house, I saw her waiting outside. Probably waiting for me while grumbling dahil late ako.

I can't help but smirked at the thought of her na naiinis sa'kin.

I parked my car in front of her house saka agad ng lumabas to greet my aunt with disappointed look on her face.

"You're late, Sama---"

"Hi aunt Rose. I'm late dahil may tinulungan pako sa daan." I greeted sabay kiss sa cheeks nya, cutting in whatever she had to say, making her frowned at me.

"Tulong?" she asked with suspicious look.

I just rolled my eyes at her when I saw her face.

Geez..

"yes, aunt. Tulong. Flat ang gulong and I know how to fix it so I helped her." I quickly explained.

"Oww,.. okay.." she said while nodding her head in understanding.

"So shall we get in now, auntie? Kasi nakakapagod magdrive papunta rito alam mo yon..." hearing me say that, agad na nya kong hinawakan and led me through inside.

"So, anong gagawin mo? Gusto mo na bang kumain? I have prepared foods for you.." excited na sabi ng aunt ko.

"I think I'll pass muna for that, aunt. I need to take a rest first dahil pagod ako sa kakamaneho papunta rito.." I said with my tired voice.

Kahit gutom ako, 'di pwede. I have something more urgent to do than that.

"Oh, okay...I'll just wake you up 'pag dinner time na. Go, now." my aunt said while smiling at me. I smiled at her apologetically.

"Thanks, Aunt." I said then run to the stairs and headed to my own room here.

I have something to do na kelangan kong gawin ngayon, something that involves with that DFCS issue.

Pagdating ko sa kwarto ko, I sat on my bed then quickly open my phone to make a quick research.

I quickly typed 'DFCS'..then in just a second, results of DFCS flooded in my phone's screen.

Del Fuero Construction and Supplies, Co.(DFCS)....

My eyes widened when I read that..

Del Fuero? Ito ba yung company ng taong yun? Goodness. Sa lahat ba naman ng macocollect ko na infos, about pa talaga sa company ng lalaking yun?

Kung minamalas ka nga naman.

I continued browsing about it. Then a few photos of that granite man appeared. Goodness, sya nga ito... I groaned, feeling frustrated just thinking about that man. I browsed again pero wala na kong makitang ibang photos.

So, he was so privy with his life?

Hmmm..Sabagay, sa behavior ba naman ng taong yun, I'm sure masisira agad ang image nya 'pag nakita ng lahat ang tunay na kulay nya.

DARK.

After his photos, I check his profile.

Cameron del Fuero, 28 yrs. Old, born on July 03,1990, Business Tycoon, CEO of DFCS, 6'1" height, single...

Oh? Single? Well, sino ba namang babae na gustong makasama ang taong yun? After all, walang feelings ang mga bato...

After his profile, I proceed to his company's profile.

....construct wide variety of projects ranging from small to large scale projects both private and government sectors in Philippines and abroad with 600,000 employees all over the world......

Oh....Bigtime. Even abroad and with a thousands of employees? wow..hmm

...with an asset of US$60.2 billion, up 14.9% from 2018 and a profit of US$10.2cbiliion, up 85% from 2018....

Shit! bigtime indeed...I didn't know ganito pala kayaman ang gagong 'yun?!

I shook my head at the thought of that.

Kaya naman pala ang laki ng ulo ng taong yun, kung makapagdemand, akala mo kung sino....

Then I search for any news about DFCS para malaman ko kung sino ang pinaka-rival nito sa business.

....highly competitive company together with Enriquez Construction Co.(ECC), the two are known for being the archrivals....

Napakunot ang noo ko nang mabasa ko yun.

Enriquez?Yan yung namention ng lalaki sa bar na boss nila..

my brows quickly raised and a smirk grown in my mouth.

Oh...so eto pala yung company na yun who's planning to steal a document files from DFCS. And base sa specialization ng dalawang company, obvious nga na magkalaban ang dalawang 'to. Pero based din sa services na binibigay nila, mas angat ang DFCS dahil 'di lang ito nagfofocus sa construction but also with supplying materials...

Hmm kaya naman pala mainit ang dugo ng ECC sa DFCS.

Then after that, I search for ECC's owner's profile para makita ko ang Mr. Enriquez na'to.

Nang makita ko ang mukha nito, I suddenly smirked.

Gwapo pala ang taong 'to but just looking on how he smile sa mga photos nya, obvious na may tinatago din itong baho.

..Dylan Charles Enriquez, 29 yrs. Old, born on January 10, 1989, Business tycoon, CEO of ECC, single....

I mentally shook my head when again, another single appeared in my phone screen.

Goodness with these people. Siguro malala ang competition ng dalawang 'to dahil 'di man lang makahanap ng babae para maging life partner nila.

I quickly throw my phone beside me sabay higa with my eyes closed. I wanted to take a rest dahil sa pagod but while my eyes was closed, my mind still running and thinking about the two arch rival companies.

Once magsucceed ang taong yun sa pagnakaw ng files from DFCS, sureness na tapos ang del Fuero na yun. I groaned when I can't stop thinking about it.

Shit! I have to forget all about it. After all, I'd like to see that man crumble and see his sorry face. I'm sure na kawawa ang mukha ng taong yun if his business will be bankrupt.....

Bankrupt.....

My eyes quickly shut open at the thought of that.

Kung malulugi ang kompanya nya, lahat ng 600,000 employees nya ay ....mawawalan ng trabaho.

Goodness.. kailangan ba talaga ng ECC na gawin yun? Oh God...

I covered my hands on my face while groaning, frustrated dahil dun...

Ito kaya yung case na sinasabi ni boss na ihahandle ko sana?

Hhmmm..

Oh, bother! Just forget about it Sam. It's their business anyway and not yours to meddle with.

Yes, yes. That's it. Matutulog nalang ako para pag gising ko, makakalimutan ko na ang ang tungkol dun.

I nodded my head like I was some crazy while trying to convinced sa sarili ko then I closed my eyes. And dahil narin sa exhaustion, not long, I started drifting on my sleep.

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

"SAMANTHA!!" I jolted up from my sleep when I heard that booming voice of my aunt sa tabi ko with hands in her hips.. I groaned.

"Oh God... what is this all about now aunt?" agad na tanong ko sa kanya, medyo annoyed dahil sa pangbibigla nito.. katutulog ko l-----

I suddenly froze nang makita ko ang wall clock sa gilid ng room ko at sa sunlight that coming from my window.

8:00 in the mor----

"Yes! It's indeed 8:00 in the morning at 'di kapa gumigising simula pa kahapon!"

I tightly closed my eyes then groaned again.

Oh God, ganun ba'ko katagal nakakatulog? Di talaga halatang pagod na pagod ako nuh?.

I opened my eyes at saka tumingin sa aunt ko with an apologetic look on my face.

"Sorry auntie." Sabi ko then I gave her a small apologetic smile causing her to scoffed.

"Get your sorry butt off of that bed, Samantha. Hindi ka nakapag-dinner kagabi baka mamatay kana sa gutom nyan.. Off your butt! Faster!..." demand nya sa'kin na agad ko namang sinunod dahil gutom na nga ako.

Goodness. 'di ko akalaing makakatulog ako ng ganun katagal. Buti nagising pa'ko?

I followed my aunt down to the kitchen. And when I got there, meron ng mga nakahain na pagkain sa mesa.

"Sit you lazy woman." I complied and when I am seated, saka ko lang sya sinagot.

"'Di ako lazy aunt, pagod lang talaga.." I said then started digging with food. Her brow raised hearing my answer while digging her own breakfast.

"Pagod dahil always kang nag-oovertime sa mga cases mo just to close it agad-agad."

"why not? Mas maganda namang ganun."

"Huh! Maganda nga but is it good for your health? No." she said while shaking her head.

I let out a sigh and just nodded my head, agreeing to her para matapos na ang topic na'to.

I continued digging everything in my plate, just wanting to be silent. But aunt being my aunt, she quickly broke the silence.

"So anong gagawin mo ngayon? Or wala kabang case ngayon?"

Agad akong napahinto nang marinig ko ang tanong nya.

Case? Wala 'di ba? Dahil you turned that case down because it involves with Mr. del Fuero of DFCS....

Then the memories of my research kagabi suddenly appeared sa isip ko.

Shit! I quickly closed my eyes when I remember that sneaking thing mamayang gabi.

"Oh God.." I covered my hands on my face, frustrated.

"What? What is it Sam??" Tanong ng auntie ko, worried with how frustrated I look. Pero hindi ko na sya sinagot, still thinking with my thoughts.

Oh God... Kailangan ko ba talagang gawin 'to? Problems nila yun so---

"SAMANTHA!!"

I flinched when I heard my aunt shouted at me, shocked.

"Oh my God, Aunt! Kelangan ba talagang sumigaw kayo?" reklamo ko sa kanya when I recovered from my shock.

She just raised her brow while crossing her arms.

"Ano ba kasing nasa isip mo, huh? Tinatanong ka, di ka naman sumasagot!"

I frowned at her but then let out a sigh after a moment.

Eh kung tanungin ko kaya si auntie para malaman ko kung anong sagot?..yes! why not?

I looked at my aunt na nakatingin lang sa'kin, obviously waiting for my answer.

I cleared my throat first before I asked her.

"Aunt? May tanong ako..."I began.

"What's that?"

"what if may isang business na malapit ng mabankrupt at...."

Pero problema nila 'to, Sam kaya---

"At?"

Tumingin ako sa kanya saka nagpatuloy.

"At you have something na magagawa para maagapan yun pero may ...consequences ka namang marerecieve pag ginawa mo yun.. what will you do, Aunt?"

My aunt became silent and started tapping her finger on her chin, obviously thinking about it. but after a few moment of her silence, she looked at me with raised brow.

"Well, i'll go help that business of course! Whatever the consequnces na matatanggap ko, It doesn't matter anymore. As long as you help that business and..." she looked at me with her very serious look.

"...the employees of that business. That's it!" she said with a proud smile on her face.

Oh God, yun din pala ang nasa isip nya. Magkapareho nga talaga kami ng ugali.

Okay, I'm gonna do that. And I am just doing this for those 600,000 employees na mawawalan ng trabaho pag 'di ako kumilos.

Just for the employess, nothing else. Alright, yes. Nothing else, Sam. Hindi mo tinutulungan ang gagong yun kundi ang employees nya lang..

I convinced myself while nodding my head then after that, agad akong tumayo sa upuan ko with a final decision in mind.

"Yes! I'm gonna do it! Thank you for that aunt!" sabi ko then came closed to her sabay kiss ko sa pisngi nya. My aunt just gape at me, looking at me like I had gone crazy.

"I have to go now aunt, see you later. Bye!" Saka tumakbo ako paakyat sa room ko, leaving my surprised aunt in the table.

When I got to my room, agad kong kinuha ang phone ko then dial for the person na makakatulong sakin to complete the task.

After three rings, the receiver finally answer my call.

"Yes, Javier?"

"Sir, can I have Mr. del Fuero's private number? I just have something urgent to tell him sir. Please?" straightforward na sabi ko sa boss ko.

Biglang natahimik ang boss ko sa kabilang linya, probably thinking about it, but when he answered, I was able to let out a sigh of relief.

"Alam mo naman siguro na confident---"

"yes, I know that sir. Tungkol naman sa case nya 'to sir."

"His case? Akala ko ayaw mong ihandle ang case na yun?"

"Yes, you're right sir. Pero kailangan ko lang makausap so Mr. Del fuero tungkol dun kaya hinihingi ko sa'yo yong number nya sir."

"Ah, ganun ba? Hmmm.." he said, obviously thinking about it.

Just say yes. Just say yes, sir...just...

"Okay. I'll forward his number sa'yo. Just wait for it." I was able to let out a sigh of relief when I heard that.

"Thank you, sir." Then he ended the call after saying his goodbye.

After mga ilang segundo, may number nga na dumating sa'kin.

Good.

I quickly typed a text to that number.

Hindi na nya kailangang malaman kung sino ako, ang mahalaga'y mabigyan ko sya ng tip about the plan from his enemy.

After I had type it in, I quickly tapped the send button then throw my phone to my bed saka humiga. Now feeling fine na nagawa ko na ang dapat kong gawin. No conscience na laging sumusundot na tumulong ako.

I brought my arms sa ilalim ng ulo ko then closed my eyes.

I think enough na yong nagawa ko. Wala ng mawawalan ng trabaho dahil dun....

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