47: Newly set destination

Sam's POV

I glanced down at my wristwatch.

6:56pm.

4minutes to go before 7pm, at 4minutes nalang bago pa'ko mahuli sa meeting ko.

I hastened up my steps and walked into that restaurant. In just one look, the place was no doubt of high class. Medyo marami-rami na ang mga taong nasa loob nito and most of them were obviously with class dahil sa mga suot nito. Designer dresses and suits. And just by looking at them, I suddenly felt uncomfortable with my usual jeans, white shirt and black jacket. Then add to that my black cap atop my head to hide my face from any paparazzis.

tsk, tsk. I'm so out of this place.

Well, I'm not here to mingle with them anyway at mas lalong hindi naman date ang ipinunta ko rito so bother!

Michael had called me this morning na may bago na naman akong kaso na ihahandle ngayon and the unknown client had demanded to meet up with me tonight. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi nito sinabi kung sino ang client na'to pero sabi naman nito, it was up to me if I'll take this case or not after this meeting.

It's been a week now since my last encounter with Mr. Del Fuero at his mansion. At ganun na din katagal na hindi ito nagpaparamdam sa'kin ngayon. Probably so caught up with Gloria.

Just the thought of him doing God knows what with that bitch, I can't help but gritted my teeth as that thoughts irritates me.

Ilang araw na'kong halos nakakulong lang sa apartment ko, just doing nothing but decode that unknown code na ibinigay nito sa'kin. Samantalang ang gagong 'yon, mukhang nagsasaya lang!

That bastard! He better be prepared for my ire if I ever see him again!

With bared teeth, I quickly scanned the place, searching for someone at the table that could possibly be my client tonight.

I frowned when my eyes caught some familiar man sitting at the corner table. Waving his hands at me without even moving a single muscle in his face.

So talented!

Oh shit! Don't tell me he's my client tonight?

Just looking at him, I can't stop but let out a sigh in disappointment.

Bakit ko pa ba kailangang makita uli ang taong 'to? Goodness! Mukhang seryoso nga talaga itong kunin ako to work for him.

Okay. I think I don't have to stay here long tonight dahil may sagot na'ko rito.

With heavy steps, lumapit na'ko sa direksiyon nito and then pointedly looked at him with pursed lips pagkalapit ko rito.

"Good evening, Ms. Javier. Good thing you have decided to take my invitation to meet up with me tonight. Please sit." Bungad agad nito sa'kin who formally invited me to sit.

Agad naman akong umupo sa kabilang upuan and then tiredly leaned my back against the seat.

"If I have just known that I'd be meeting you here, I wouldn't have even thought of coming here tonight, Mr. Enriquez."

"Then I guess tama lang na hindi ko sinabi ang pangalan ko because you came."

With my raised brow and pointed look, I just folded my arms against my chest, not wanted to stay here any longer lalo na't may mas mahalaga pa'kong pupuntahan ngayon that way more important than this.

"Then state your business now, Mr. Enriquez. If this was about your offer to work for you, my answer stood still. It was still no. Kaya----"

"It's not about spying Cameron, Ms. Javier. It was something else."

I frowned when he suddenly cut that in, wondering what was his new offer now. Then I noticed him picked up some white folder na hindi ko napansing nasa gilid ng mesa.

"Here. Basahin mo, Ms. Javier." Saad nito sabay abot sakin ng folder na'yon na tinanggap ko naman with a raised brow and a questioning look at it.

"What's this?" Usisa ko dito as I started to open it with my questioning eyes on him.

He didn't answered and just motioned his hand to open the folder.

Sighing, binuksan ko na lamang 'yon with bored look.

'MURDER CASE'

I quickly straightened up on my seat as I blinked a few times pagkabasa ko dito.

Murder?

With my eyes now alert, binasa ko agad ang iba pang detalyeng nakasulat dito.

'MURDER CASE'

Victim: Laila Enriquez, 40 yrs. Old, Enriquez Construction Company's Chief Executive Officer and owner..

Offender: Ronaldo del Fuero, 42 yrs. Old, Del Fuero's Construction and Supplies Corporation's Chief Executive Officer & owner..

Shit! he couldn't be serious!

Now with my interest being piqued with these informations, I quickly looked up at him with creased brows.

"What's this?"

"A case that I want you to accept, Ms. Javier."

"What I mean, Mr. Enriquez ay kung bakit gusto mong imbestigahan ko ang kasong 'to when we all know na matagal ng nakasara ang case na'to?"

Pagkatanong ko dun, his jaw tightened in an instant as his lips thinned in line. As if he hadn't like what I have just said.

"Hindi pa nakasara ang kasong yan, Ms. Javier. Cameron's father being the culprit wasn't prove guilt in court which---" I frowned when he suddenly paused and then groaned, probably realizing that he was starting to lose his control.

Mukhang desperado na nga talaga ang ito na patunayang ang namayapang del Fuero ang talagang pumatay sa nanay nito.

Nang mahimasmasan ito, he cleared out his throat saka tumingin sa'kin with a tormented look in his eyes.

"Just accept that, Ms. Javier... I know you can help me with that. I can give you any price you want. Just name it."

He was indeed desperate. At hindi ko alam kung bakit parang gusto ko na ring tanggapin ito the more I studied him and stared at his tormented eyes.

His obviously bothered with it. Kahit na gaano pa katigas ang mukha nito like someone I know, I can detect loneliness and a lost boy in him.

I wonder kung ganito rin ang nararamdaman ni Mr. Del Fuero sa tuwing naaalala niya ang malungkot nitong kabataan.

I quickly shook that thoughts off my mind nang maisipan ko na naman ang gagong 'yon.

Enough with thinking about him, Sam. Wala naman yong pakialam sa'yo kaya enough!

"Ms. Javier? Are you still with me?"

"Huh?" Parang tangang saad ko when Mr. Enriquez suddenly asked that while looking at me with furrowed brows.

"Okay ka lang ba?"

I quickly nodded at him and settled myself in my seat.

"I'm fine. By the way Mr. Enriquez, gusto ko lang ipaalam sa'yo na hindi ito magiging madali kapag tinanggap ko ang kasong 'to. Matagal na ang case na'to so it would be difficult for me now to find any evidence at the actual crime scene. The police wasn't even able to find the culprit before kaya tiyak mahihirapan din akong gawin ang bagay na'yon."

"I understand.. and I can wait, Ms. Javier. Just take your time.." Sagot agad nito while nodding at me.

"So now, does this mean na tinatanggap mo na nga ang kasong 'to?"

I didn't answered right away and just studied him for awhile.

Hindi ako nagbibiro nung sinabi kong hindi magiging madali ang kasong 'to. I have my own case to solve afterall. Pero dahil mukhang desperado na talaga ang ito and I want to know kung ano talaga ang tunay nangyari sa kasong 'to, I think I have no choice now but take this case.

"Wag mo lang ako madaliin, Mr. Enriquez. I have my own case as well na inaasikaso ko ngayon kaya kailangan ko ng mahabang oras para rito."

His face suddenly brightened up pagkasabi ko dun while slowly nodding his head.

"Good to hear that then. I have already attached in it the other files related with this case kaya kung may iba ka pang kailangan sa'kin that could help with your investigation, sabihin mo lang sa'kin.."

I just nodded at him and then took a peek at the file inside the folder again.

"At gusto ko sanang gawing sekreto muna ito, Ms. Javier. Ayokong may ibang makakalam nito that I was going to reinvestigate this case, especially Cameron Del Fuero. Magagawa mo ba 'yon?"

Agad na napaarko ang kilay ko dahil dun.

"Of course, Mr. Enriquez. Lahat ng kasong tinatanggap ko were confidential for me so rest assured I won't disclose this to any----"

"Speak the devil, and he shall appear..."

That made me stopped talking nang bigla na lamang nitong sabihin yon with his face suddenly turned ashy while throwing a dirty glare at something behind me.

"The devil?" Litong tanong ko and then just followed his eyes to where it was directed out of curiosity.

"Sinong---"

Bigla na lamang akong napatigil when my eyes spotted a real devil in human form na papasok pa lamang sa restaurant na'yon. Clad with his usual immaculate and creaseless designer black suit na para bang sa lamay ang punta nito kaysa sa ------

My mouth instantly formed in a thin line when I saw him ushered a woman in a blue fitted dress through the door at papasok sa lugar na'to.

This shit!!! So he wasn't with Gloria tonight..... He preferred to be with this barbie doll!

The bastard!

I can't help but just followed them with a hateful glare, lalo na ang kasama nito na pakinding-kinding kung maglakad. Walking like she was in a pageant.

Ang sarap talagang pag-uumpugin!

Then a waiter greeted them pagkapasok ng mga ito and then guided them to this direction.

Oh heck! How could it be here??!! Of all table na meron dito, why does it have to be in this corner! At sa dinami-raming lugar na pwedeng puntahan ng mga 'ito, why should it have to be here, damn it!

I guess God just love me this much!

Bweseeeeet!

"Don't make it so obvious, Ms. Javier."

I quickly turned to Mr. Enriquez when I heard him suddenly said that. I totally forgotten he was still there.

"Don't make it so obvious? What do you mean?"

"You seems so ready to attack those two newcomers kaya 'wag mong ipahalata. You're all red now."

"Red?" Then I quickly cupped both of my face then glared at him.

"Anong pinagsasabi mo diyan?"

The demon himself just shrugged while smirking at me. A knowing look glinting in his eyes.

"I'm just giving you an advice na wag mong ipahalatang nagseselos ka sa kanila because Cameron doesn't even deserve that, Ms. Javier."

"At sinong may sabing nagseselos ako?"

Maumpog ko nga ang ulo ng isa pang tarantadong 'to!

"I'm just saying. No offense." Depensa pa nito.

"Anyway, kung may mga katanungan ka pa sa'kin, you can just contact me anytime. Yan lang, Ms. Javier. May meeting pa'ko ngayon dito, so...." Then he got up on his seat sabay lahad sa'kin ng kamay nito for a shake.

"I'm looking forward to work with you, by the way.."

Agad ko ng tinanggap 'yon sabay tayo sa kinauupuan ko, firmly shaking his hand with a glare while clutching the folder in one hand.

"I can't promise to do this quick, Mr. Enriquez.. but rest assured I'll do this right."

"Good then."

Then with that, agad na nitong binitawan ang kamay ko.

"It's nice seeing you here by the way. I'm leaving now."I formally stated, and when he nodded, agad na'kong tumalikod but I suddenly halted with my steps when a pair of dark intimidating eyes meet mine. His lips were tightly pressed together hakbang nakaupo na ito ngayon kasama ng babae nito.

Disapproval visible in his face habang kaharap nito ang date nito sa kabilang upuan with her slender back facing me.

Di ko alam kung bakit naiinis akong makita man lang ang mga nilalang na'to, ang tanging alam ko lang, my eyes just automatically rolled skyward at him na syang ikinadilim pa lalo ng mukha nito.

Huh! Kahit na may gusto akong sabihin sa kanya ngayon, I don't think now is the right time to do that.

Then with that, I quickly made my exit with my chin held high, not even sparing him a glance when I passed before his table.

Alam kong nakamasid lang si Enriquez sa'min, probably amused with us treating each other like strangers.

We're closed to that anyway. Kung hindi lang dahil sa mga ama namin, then we don't have to work together then.

Agad na'kong lumabas sa lugar na'yon and then headed straight to my car at the parking lot.

Al was still tracing Mr. Vista's whereabout na hanggang ngayon, hindi nya parin nagagawa dahil hectic ng sched nito. And add to the fact na pinapatulong ko rin itong hanapin ang driver na sinasabi ni Austin sa'kin when I was at Mr. Del Fuero's Mansion. Al was best in tracing someone afterall so I'm confident na magagawa nito ang pinapahanap ko sa kanya.

And speaking of that driver, I could still clearly remember what Austin had said to me last week.

"Kung ganun, pwede ko bang malaman kung saan ko makikita ang driver na'to?"

Napaisip agad ito when I asked that question. Thinking it like he was trying to remember something with his creased brows.

"Hmm.. hindi ko masyadong kabisado ang address nito dahil matagal-tagal narin naman mula ng huli kong makita si Doming dito."

"Doming?"

"Oo. Domingo Ganzan. Yan ang tunay nyang pangalan. At sa pagkakatanda ko, sa Maynila ito pansamantalang nakatira noon kasama ang asawa nito pero baka umuwi na ito sa probinsya nila nang mamatay si Sir Ronaldo."

"Can you still remember kung saang probinsya ito?" Pigil ang hiningang tanong ko sa kanya, so curious to know the answer.

Pagkatanong ko dun, he just stared at me for awhile, obviously trying to read my thoughts kung anong binabalak kong gawin if he ever tell that driver's address.

"You're not perhaps planning to find him, are you?"

I smirked when I suddenly asked that.

"Well, kung kailangan just to talk to him about my dad, why not right? Siguradong maraming alam yon tungkol sa samahan nila ni dad and the old del Fuero." I answered with a nonchalant shrug, not wanted to let him know kung ano talaga ang pakay ko sa taong 'yon.

Agad naman itong tumango-tango saka nagpatuloy.

"I heard it was in Mindanao, Ms. Samantha. Bukidnon, Mindanao."

Parang naririnig ko pa rin hanggang ngayon ang boses nito as he pronounce those address. Unable to forget what he had said.

So I asked Al to locate the exact address of that man in Mindanao.

And I hope he could do it as soon as possible para makausap ko na agad ang driver na'yon kahit na ang layo-layo ng lugar na'yon.

Napapailing-iling na lamang ako as I started to open the door at the driver's seat.

"Ms. Javier..."

That made me stiffened when I heard that familiar voice behind me.

I wonder what got him followed me through here at iwanan nalang ng ganun-ganun nalang ang barbieng kasama nito kanina....

Letting out an exhausted sigh, agad na'kong lumingon dito while still holding the car door.

"What now, Mr. Del Fuero?" Bungad ko sa kanya with bored tone.

"Why are you here?"

Agad na umarko ng bongga ang kilay ko dahil sa tanong na'yon.

"Of course, because I'm free to do anything I want at dahil pwede kong puntahan ang kahit saan na gusto kong puntagan. And what about you? Bakit kaba nandito?" Inis na sagot ko dito with bared teeth.

With the slightly dimmed light from the restaurant, I could clearly see him pursed his lips in a tight line.

"I was here for a business dinner date with my client so just answer my question now. Anong ginagawa mo rito kasama ang Enriquez na'yon? Are you here to seal your contract with him?"

"Huh! Business dinner date? Seriously?" Sarkastikong sagot ko sabay sara ng pintuan ng sasakyan ko at saka tuluyan ng humarap rito, ignoring his question.

"Eh parang hindi naman yata papunta sa isang 'business dinner date' lang ang suot ng babaeng yon kundi sa isang 'romantic date', Mr del Fuero.."

Talagang kumakati lang talaga tong mga kamao ko ngayon dahil sa lintik na 'business dinner date' na sinasabi nito.

Business my foot!

"I said it was just my client." Mariing giit nito na halatang naiinis na sa'kin ngayon.

"Oh yeah, your client. Client my foot! Halos magkandaugaga na nga'ko sa kakadecode ng code na binigay mo sa'kin and here you are, so caught up with your dear 'client'. Here I thought you were with Gloria. May bagong babae kana naman pala." I spat while emphasizing the 'client' part.

"Not even asking if I was okay o kung buhay pa ba'ko or kahit tanungin man lang kung may maitutulong kaba sa'kin para mapabilis 'yong ginagawa ko!"

I saw him tightly squeezed his eyes while pressing his temple. His jaw was tight and his breathing was heavy. Looking like so stressed out with something---- or shall I say, someone?

"Ano bang nangyayari sa'yo, Ms. Javier? I said this was just nothing! Ba't ba ang kulit mo? Hindi ka naman siguro----"

"What? Anong gusto mong sabihin?" I snapped when his eyes narrowed in a suspicious glare at me. Quick enough to read what he was going to say next.

"Ano, Mr. Del Fuero? That I was jealous kaya nagkakaganito ako ngayon? Ganun ba?"

His brow instantly shot up pagkasabi ko dun.

"I didn't say you are, Ms. Javier. It's just you who had said that.."

Yeah and shit! Dumb self and dumb lips!

When he commented that habang nagdududang nakatingin sa'kin, hindi ko maiwasang mapahiya rito.

Bakit mo ba sinabi yon Sam! Ayan tuloy!

I just remained silent for awhile while biting my inside cheeks hard.

"Ano? Ba't hindi kana makakibo dyan ngayon, Ms. Javier? Are you really jealous dahil----"

"No!" I quickly answered which caused his brow to quirk up more to the side.

Agad ko namang inayos ang tayo ko and puffed up my chest with my chin held high, wanted to appear unaffected.

"I am not jealous at tungkol naman sa tanong mo, ano naman ngayon kung tinanggap ko na nga ang offer niya? It's my life and it's my job kaya ano naman sa'yo ngayon kung tatanggapin ko nga yon? Hindi naman ikaw ang magpapasahod sa'kin so stop acting some pests now at bumalik ka nalang sa loob----"

"Then you are going to spy on me!"

I scowled when he suddenly growled that, growling like he was ready to strangle me dahil sa kadaldalan ko while his jaw kept twitching in annoyance. Gone was his suspicious glare at me the moment I'd spat that.

"At sino ba naman kasing may sabing gagawin ko yon sa'yo, Mr. Del Fuero? Halos alam ko na nga ang takbo ng utak mo so why would I even waste my time to stupidly 'spy' on you kung pwede namang hindi ko na gawin yon, aber? You're not just daydreaming right now, are you?"

A loud growling sounded from him pagakasabi ko dun, halatang hindi nagustuhan ito. A reaction that let out a relief sigh.

Good job, Sam. You were able to divert the topic.

"Just make sure na hindi mo gagawin yon, Ms. Javier. Dahil kung hindi, I won't help you at all kapag nalaman kong tinanggap mo ang offer ng tarantadong Enriquez na'yon. You better remember that."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah..." Agad na sagot ko with a bored tone while nodding.

"And you know I can't----"

He was suddenly cut off when my phone suddenly rang inside my pocket. Ignoring him, I quickly take it out from my jacket saka sinagot ito when Al's number appeared on my screen.

"Al...."

When I mentioned that, a scowl instantly appeared in his face, probably not liking being interrupted.

Hindi ko na pinansin ito saka tumalikod dito for a little privacy.

"Alam ko na ngayon kung saan makikita si Domingo Ganzan, Sam."

My heart suddenly leap out in excitement pagkarinig sa balitang 'yon as my hold in my phone tightened.

"Saan?"

"Sa isang maliit na bayan sa Bukidnon. San Isidro, Bukidnon. I'll text you the exact address later. And about that Mr. Ricky Vista na sinasabi mo..."

"What about him, Al?" i asked when he suddenly trailed off, sounding unsure. And he was never unsure with his job before kaya nakakapagtaka lang ang boses nito ngayon.

I heard him cleared his throat first bago ito nagpatuloy.

"About that man, Sam. I can't find his profile at the data base kahit na anong gawin ko. There's no Ricky Vista existed in this world. Mukhang ginamit niya lang ang pangalang 'yon bilang alias niya."

Oh shit!

Mas lalo pang humigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa phone ko when I heard that piece of information.

So all this time that man was just using that fake name? Huh! That Shit! Akala niya siguro hinding-hindi ko malalaman ito.

"Given na gumamit lang ito ng pangalan, there's a big possibility na may pakay sa'yo ang taong 'yon."

"I know, Al." Tanging sagot ko na lamang while nodding. Because he was right. Absolutely right.

Mukhang mas mahihirapan pa'kong mahanap ang taong yon ngayon. The clenching of my teeth tightened at the thought of that saka humarap uli sa naiinip na del Fuero na hindi pa pala umaalis hanggang ngayon.. I quickly avoided his glare and just looked at anything but him.

Saan ko na hahanapin ang matandang yon ngay----

I suddenly stopped with my thoughts as my breathing doing the same nang may biglang mahagip ang mga mata ko sa kabilang parking space. Ang mismong taong pinag-uusapan namin ni Al ngayon na papalabas pa lamang ng sasakyan nito.

Maliit nga lang talaga ang mundo. Hindi ko akalaing dito ko lang pala mahahanap ang gagong 'to.

"I'll try to find him again, Sam baka nagkakamali lang ako at----"

"No need, Al. Alam ko na ngayon kung saan makikita ang taong 'yon. Salamat nalang, Al. I'll hang up now." Then with that, I ended the call without even taking my eyes off at Mr. Vista.

Kung siniswerte ka nga naman ano...

"Sino yon?"

That made my eyes snapped to Mr. Del Fuero's way when he suddenly asked that habang maigi ring nakatingin sa nilalang na ngayo'y papasok na sa loob ng mismong restaurant na pinasukan ko kanina

Oh yeah. I almost forgot this bastard dahil sa taong 'yon.

"Just someone na interesadong bilhin ang dating bahay namin noon. And you don't have to know because I myself don't even know him."

A disapproval groan instantly escaped from him. I just shrugged about it saka ibinulsa na lamang uli ang phone ko saka susundan na sana ang taong 'yon but before I could do so, I looked at him again when I remembered something.

"What?" Tanong agad nito with a deep scowl in his face.

"By the way, Mr. Del Fuero, nakalimutan ko palang sabihin sa'yo that tommorow morning, may pupuntahan pala tayo."

"Where?"

I can't help but smirked at him just thinking na makikita ko kung pano umakyat sa bundok ang gagong 'to.

"In Mindanao, Mr. Del Fuero... We're going to Mindanao tomorrow so you better be prepared for our flight tomorrow---"

"WHAT???!"

"Yes. You heard it right, Mr. Del Fuero. Were going to Mindanao tomorrow so make sure to call me later for the other details or else, baka iwanan kita rito. Bye for now." And then with that, I quickly took my leave, leaving him still surprised with my news saka sinundan na si Mr. Vista. Or shall I say, the impostor?