48: The Jealous Bastard

SAM'S POV

My brows creases in confusion when I saw Mr. Vista sat at the seat I've occupied before with Mr. Enriquez himself in a table.

What is this? So they know each other? What the hell is happening here??

I was currently on a table malapit sa may restroom. It was hidden from their view so I'm sure hindi nila mapapansing may nakamasid sa pag-uusap nilang 'to ngayon. I can't hear them from here but it's fine. As long as I can see them, it's fine.

And from here, tanaw ko rin ang gagong del fuero at ang ka'business date' nito ngayon. I noticed him kept on glaring at my way and then to Enriquez' table and then back to me. Disapproval was written in all capital letters on his face. And everytime I caught him staring at me, I just kept rolling my eyes at him.

At kahit gustung-gusto ko ng batuhin ng bomba ang dalawang 'to lalo na ang ngingiti-ngiting babaeng kaharap ng gago, I chose to just ignore them for now and tried so hard to focus on spying.

Mr. Vista.

In one look, mukhang magkakilala nga ang dalawa.

Hindi naman kaya..... Niloloko lang ako ng tarantadong Enriquez na'to? Maaari kayang siya talaga ang may gustong bumili ng bahay namin noon? And if it was really him, then why would he want to buy it and even let Mr. 'Vista' to pretend?

I' felt like I was ready to explode with my questioning thoughts now dahil sa mga 'to.

I scowled when suddenly, someone had appeared and dared to block my eyeview from those two conniving shits.

"Ma'am? May order na po ba kayo?" Anang waiter na haharang-harang sa harapan ko.

Kahit na gusto kong bulyawan ito, mas pinili ko nalang na tumahimik at pilit na ngumiti rito kahit na nagmumukha lang yong ngiting aso.

"Just give me the coolest and refreshing drinks na meron kayo rito na wala sa menu niyo..."

"Ma'am, kung wala po yon sa menu namin then that means, wala rin po yon dito.." napapakamot ng ulong sagot nito sa'kin that surely looks so confused with me.

My goodness. Yon lang hindi pa nito alam?

I can't help but just mentally shook my head while pointedly looking at the poor waiter.

"I'm quite certain na meron kayo nun Mr. Waiter. Everyone here was even drinking that now."

"Are you referring to champagne ma'am? Yes. Meron kami niyan dito. marami."

Okay. He'd got a D from me. D for dumbass.

"Hindi champagne ang ibig kong sabihin, Mr waiter kundi tubig. The most refreshing and cold water na meron kayo rito. Please give me that for now."

Hearing that, the poor waiter just looked at me with stupid look while he kept blinking his eyes at me. Looking at me like a big ' joke' was literally written on my forehead.

"Tubig?"

"Ahuh. Tubig." mabilis na sagot ko dito.

"Just give me 'tu-big' for now and I'll just call you later kung may order na'ko."

For a moment, parang hindi ito makapaniwala pero mga ilang sandali lang, he nodded anyway and then complied.

"O-Okay. Right away, ma'am." Then with that, agad na itong umalis.

Good. Good.

Pagkaalis nito, I quickly resumed my spying.

This time, mukhang may sinabing hindi maganda ang matanda which caused Enriquez' face to look disappointed.

Hindi naman ito galit kaya tingin ko, the old man just said something na syang dahilan ng pagkadismaya nito ngayon.

At ano naman kaya ito?

I just continued like that for a while, just looking at them with hawkish eyes. Trying to read their mouth kung anong pinag-uusapan ng mga ito. But to my utter dismay, wala man lang akong maintindihan sa mga ito kahit ni isa man lang.

Pero mga ilang sandali lang, I saw them got up from their seats at parang akma ng aalis doon.

Kailangan kong maunahan ang mga 'to.

Before they could even head to the door, I quickly got up from my seat and then strode towards the exit with hasty steps without even taking off my eyes from the two.

"Ma'am. Nandito na po 'yong tubig nyo." The same waiter awhile ago informed me half of my way to the door with a glass of cool water on his tray.

"Thank you but maybe next time nalang, Mr. Waiter. I have to go now." I dismissed while giving him a brief smile. Then with that, agad na'kong lumabas mula roon, leaving the waiter na napapakamot na lang ng batok while following me with his confused eyes.

Pagkalabas ko, I quickly searched for a hideout kung saan hindi ako mapapansin ng mga 'to. A hideout that just closed enough from Mr. Vista's car at the parking area.

I quickly hid behind the car next to his car with crouched back.

At mga ilang segundo lang, I saw them coming out from the restaurant.

"Just tell him to come at our agreed meeting next time, Mr. Sogocio. I'm leaving now."

Mr. Sogocio? Hmmm...So that was his real name then....

He just nodded his head and then with that, both of them took the separate ways. Enriquez to the opposite parking area while Mr. Sogocio headed to my way. To his car.

Nang makalapit ito sasakyan nito, I saw him took out his phone from his trouser pocket then dialled someone for a call with his back facing me.

"He was quite disappointed, sir." He informed the other line.

I frowned when I heard him said that.

Sir? So does this mean Enriquez wasn't his only boss kundi pati rin itong kausap niya ngayon?

OH yeah shit. Mukha nga. Not just Charles Enriquez then but there's someone else. Someone that I need to find out who.

Nanatili lang akong maiging nakikinig sa kanya with my rabbit ears all alert with me.

"I heard he had set up a meeting with her pero hindi ko alam kung anong pinagagawa nyia sa babaeng 'yon."

Babae? Sino naman kayang pinag-uusapan ng mga 'to ngayon?

"Tomorrow. They're going to find him tomorrow, sir and I made sure to send off some of our men para samahan ang mga 'to."

Hearing those words, mas lalo lang akong naguguluhan ngayon sa mga pinagsasabi ng matandang 'to.

At sino naman kaya ang sasamahan ng mga tauhan ng mga 'to? Are they going to have a picnic at the peak of Mt. Mayon tomorrow to even send some bodyguards to someone?

At the thought of that, I can't help but shook my head at that.

Well, if that so. Mukhang kinakailangan nga nila ng mas marami-raming bodyguard.

"Yes, sir. Copy that." Narinig ko pang saad nito and then when the call had ended, agad na itong pumasok sa loob ng sasakyan nito and then drove off from there.

Pagkaalis nito, inayos ko na agad ang tayo ko and then just followed his car na papalayo na sa lugar na'yon.

"MNJ 6305"

So that was his plate number. Now I know kung saan ko pwedeng makita ang taong 'yon kapag may oras na'ko para tanungin ito kung bakit kailangan pa nitong gumamit ng ibang pangalan just to buy my house.

And I guess accepting Mr. Enriquez case for me is such a bless for me then. Magagawa ko naring pumunta sa kompanya nito nang hindi sinisita. But for now, I have to set aside that plan dahil may mas mahalagang bagay pa'kong kailangang gawin bukas.

Our trip to Mindanao.

Nang maisipan yon, agad na'kong naglakad patungo sa sasakyan ko saka umalis na sa lugar na'yon.

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

With cautious eyes, I scanned the place around me habang nasa loob parin ng sasakyan ko. And when I saw no paparazzis lurking around and I'm safe to go out, I quickly got out from my car and then strode towards my apartment with white folder in my hand.

Ilang araw na'kong bumalik sa apartment ko, not wanted to be dengued kapag nagtagal pa'ko sa dating bahay namin. At mas lalong ayoko ng magsuot uli ng mga lumang gamit ko na nandun.

Dali-dali ko ng binuksan ang pinto nito and hastily get inside. After I locked the door, I turned on the light saka pasalampak ng naupo sa maliit na sofa na nandun, suddenly feeling exhausted with all the events happened today.

With the improvement of my case, alam kong malapit ko ng malaman ang totoo. Malapit ko na ring mahanap ang taong 'yon.

Then my gaze moved down to the white folder in my hand. I know Mr. Del Duero would run amok kapag nalaman nito kung ano ang pinapatrabaho sa'kin ng kaaway nito. But this was for his own benefit anyway kaya alam kong maintindihan din ito ng gago. And besides, I'm interested as well to know kung ano talaga ang nangyari noon, kung bakit nagkakaganito ang mga 'to ngayon and----

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted nang may bigla na lamang tumunog sa loob ng bulsa ko. Putting down the folder at the center table before me, I quickly fished my phone out of my pocket and then groaned in an instant.

"Auntie.."saad ko the instant I'd tapped the receive button.

"Dalawin mo'ko rito bukas, Samantha. Hindi mo na'ko nadadalaw rito after you've been with that Cameron del Fuero in Canada. I won't hear out any excuses from you dahil hindi mo pa nasasagot ang tanong ko why you were all over the news last week kasama ang lalaking 'yon so you better visit me here if you don't want me to go there myself at dalhin ka rito, bata ka!" putak agad nito sa'kin the moment I'd answered her call.

Oh shit. Nasabi ko na bang simula nung makauwi ako rito sa apartment ko, lagi nalang akong kinukulit ni auntie to visit her at her house in Tagaytay? She kept on pestering me about my stupid admission in the news-- of him and me having a relationship.

Shit talaga.....

"I'm sorry, Auntie but I can't. I have to be somewhere else tomorrow dahil may aasikasuhin lang akong importanteng bagay. I hope you'd understand that." diretsang sagot ko na sa kanya with bitted lips while preparing my ears for her sudden outburst.

"Di bale, pagkatapos na pagkatapos nito, I'd make sure to visit you Aunt----"

"Are you still into that case, Samantha?"

I was relieved when she suddenly asked that. I know she was hoping na ititigil ko na ang kasong 'to but no. Mukhang malapit na'ko sa katotohanan kaya wala ng atrasan 'to.

"Hindi mo pa rin ba binibitawan ang kasong yan?"

"You know I can't and I won't, auntie. Dad, mom and you were the only people I had before and with them being gone that way, you can't expect me to just sit idly and let them not pay for it."

I heard here let out a sigh from the other line before answering me.

"And if you find that man, Sam..... Can you really handle the truth then? Are you sure you can make him pay for everything kapag nahanap mo na ang taong 'yon?"

That made me frowned nang bigla na lamang niya itong sabihin sa'kin, quite confused with her tone. Sounding as if she knows something that I wasn't. At para bang she was doubting my ability to handle him after I found out the truth.

"The truth? Anong ibig mong sabihin, auntie? What truth are you saying now? May nalalaman ka ba na hindi ko pa alam, auntie? Aside from that file?" I queried in confusion. Confirming my suspicion before na may nalalaman nga ito sa mga nangyari. And I'm certain she wasn't going to disclose it to me.

For a few seconds, I just heard an utter silence from the other line. I thought she had hanged up the call but when I heard him sighed loudly, I know she was just in deep thought.

"Kahit na may alam pa'ko, Samantha. Gaya ng sabi ko, I would never tell you kung ano 'yon because I know you, you would never stop till you get what you wanted. And this is for your own good anyway so no. That file was enough."

Damn it! Gusto kong magmura but because I respect her as my aunt, mas pinili ko nalang na magtimpi while gritting my teeth hard. Annoyed with her.

So tama nga'ko kahit noon pa man. She knows something about this case. And I would be dumb if I'd stop this without knowing what it was.

Mas lalo lang akong nacucurious sa bagay na'to.

"Then I guess, I have to end this call now, auntie. I would be away for days so don't even try to contact me until I return because I'm not sure kung may signal ba sa lugar na pupuntahan ko. Bye for now." Then without waiting for her response, I hanged up the call.

If she won't tell me, then be it. I can find out the truth myself anyway so-be-it. I think hurting her is inevitable.

Agad na'kong tumayo mula sa kinauupuan ko and then took off my jacket as I headed to my room.

It was almost midnight at kailangan ko ng magpahinga ngayon for tomorrow's trip.

And speaking of that trip, why didn't I hear any news from that bastard until now? Possible kayang sa 'business date' na naman nito ito umuwi ngayong gabi?

The thought of him spending the night with that barbie doll, I don't know why I've suddenly wanted to punch him on his gut habang napapatiim ng bagang.

That shit! Hindi man lang tumawag sa'kin ngayon! Wala bang balak gagong 'yon to even ask me why do I have to-----

Bigla na lamang akong napatigil sa masamang iniisip ko when a consecutive soft knocks sounded from outside of my door.

With a frown on my face, I quickly headed to the door then peeked through the peep hole.

With the slightly dimmed light from outside, naaaninag ko pa rin kung sino ang taong nasa labas ng pinto ngayon.

Speak the devil and he shall appear.

Binuksan ko na agad ang pintuan and then was greeted with the grumpy face of Mr. Del Fuero, still clad with the same suit na suot nito kanina sa restaurant.

"Ba't ang tagal mong magbukas ng pinto, Ms. Javier? May pinagkakaabalahan kaba rito kaya hindi mo agad mabuksan-buksan ang pinto?" Bungad nito sa'kin as he invited himself inside my apartment.

Oh yeah shit. This bastard must've needed some smack on his head nang matuto naman ito ng ilang proper manners. Like never get inside of someone's door kapag hindi naman iniimbita ng may-ari.

"Actually, I was just about to make some spell para kulamin ka pero dahil nandito kana, I guess I just have to do it next time." Sarkastikong saad ko dito while closing the door behind me, causing him to look at me with a glare.

"Enough with sarcastic remarks again, Ms. Javier. I didn't came here to throw insults with you kundi alamin ang dahilan kung bakit kailangan na'ting pumunta sa Mindanao bukas?"

"You should just called me then instead of coming here. Hindi mo na sana kailangang iwan pa 'yong barbie doll na kasama mo kanina just to come here at the middle of the night."

Agad na umasim ang mukha nito at mas lalo pang tumalim ang pagkakatingin nito sa'kin when I'd sarcastically answered that.

"And you shouldn't have left as well and just continued staring at Enriquez all night para hindi ko na sana kailangan pang pumunta pa rito."

"W-What?!" Gulat na sagot ko sa kanya nang bigla na lamang nyang sabihin yon.

Seriously?

"Sinong sinasabi mong tumititig kanina? You know I wasn't staring at anyone kundi sa kausap nito!"

"No. I know you were staring at him. Are you interested to him now kaya ganun mo nalang 'yon titigan kanina?"

Just hearing that ridiculous idea from him, di ko mapigilang uminit agad ang ulo ko dahil sa mga pinagsasabi nito ngayon, can't believe he'd really say that!

"Ako? May gusto sa taong 'yon? Nahihibang ka na ba talaga? Alam mo kung sino talaga ang tinitingnan ko kanina and it was that old man he was talking with but now you were saying I was interested with Enriquez?! Huh! FYI, bastard! I'm not even interested to anyone and I would never be in the future." pigil ang hiningang saad ko dito while stopping myself to bald him.

His brow just quirked up to the side pagkarinig nito, looking at me with unconvinced look in his eyes.

"And you think I'd believe that? I don't think so." aniya while shaking his head. As if I was just bluffing on him.

"Every woman wanted to find a man like Enriquez and now you're saying that would never going to happen? Huh! Parang imposible naman yata----"

"Pwes, ibahin mo'ko! Hindi ako magiging interesado sa taong 'yon! No man could ever make me like them. That's that!" Mariing putol ko sa iba pa nitong sasabihin. Now really ready to murder him kapag igigiit pa nito ang bagay na'yon.

"And you know I was into one thing only and it was about my case!"

"If you say so..."

When I heard him answered that with a mocking tone, I can't helped but bared my teeth hard habang nagtitimpi lang rito.

Mauupakan ko talaga ang gagong to anumang oras!

"Anyway, back to the reason why I've came here, Ms. Javier." aniya pa maya-maya, suddenly became serious as he looked at me with curious eyes

"What nonsense are you spouting about that trip tomorrow? Why do we have to fly to Mindanao in a short notice?"

At the mentioned of that, the thought of murdering him suddenly forgotten.

Yes. Our trip tomorrow. I have to tell him now nang makaalis na agad ito rito and I could finally retire for the night.

I calmed myself first saka inayos ang tayo ko, now wanted to get it done.

"I've talked to Austin noong pumunta tayo sa mansyon niyo and he had mentioned a name na pwede nating lapitan at tanungin sa mga bagay na gusto nating malaman."..

Agad na sumeryoso ang mukha nito when I informed him that.

"Anong sinabi nya?"

"Na isa ka raw gago kaya kailangan ko na raw lumayo mula sa'yo."

"WHAT??!!" The moment I've answered that, his nostrils started to flare out.

Serves him right!

"Joke lang." Agad na bawi ko rito with a peace sign on my fingers but with an insincere smile in my face, ignoring his pinprick glare at me.

Sinabi ko na agad rito ang tungkol sa ano mang nalaman ko from his butler except those informations about his pasts.

"Pinatrace ko na kay Al kung saan mismo sa Bukidnon nakatira ngayon si Domingo Ganzan and he said it was in San Isidro, Bukidnon, Mr. Del Fuero." Saad ko maya-maya after I had informed him about Domingo Ganzan.

"And I would be a complete idiot kung hindi natin agad hahanapin ang taong 'yon. For now, he is our only chance to find out everything so nasa sa'yo na kung sasamahan mo ba'ko bukas o hindi. I can be on my own anyway."

"Are you certain na matutulungan ta'yo ng taong 'yon? You know this would just a waste of time kapag wala tayong mapala sa trip na'to. That if I ever decided to go with you there."

Can I just kill him now at pumunta nalang mag-isa bukas? Can I?

With gritted teeth, I just crossed my arms and pointedly looked at him.

"Then I guess I have to leave tomorrow 'all by myself' then. With or without you. I'm sure mahahanap ko naman ang taong 'yon kahit ako lang mag-isa." Walang pakundangang saad ko dito, no longer wanted to argue with him with my sleepiness heightened.

"I'm never wrong with my intuition before, Mr. Del fuero kaya nasa sa'yo na lang yon if you'd believe me or not. I'll be just fine without you."

For a few seconds, nanatili lang itong tahimik habang nakatingin lang sa'kin. As if studying me if I was dead serious with it under his scrutinizing stare.

I didn't talked as well and just gave him a no nonsense but sleepy face.

Pero mga ilang sandali nga lang, he had finally nodded his head as he clasped his hands behind him.

"Fine. Let's assume you were right about it." Aniya as he blew out a breath.

"Be at the airport at exactly 5:30 in the morning tomorrow. Dun nalang tayo magkita bukas before flying out to Mindanao."

I just stiffly nodded at him as my answer which caused his lips pursed in line.

Heck! I was just so sleepy now to even give him a fake smile.

"Make sure to be there on time. I'm leaving now."

Again, tumango lang ako rito without even planning to utter any words.

With a dirty glare, he just shook his head saka nagsimula ng naglakad patungo sa pintuan saka agad ng binuksan ito.

Good. I could finally get some rest now.

"And one more thing, Ms. Javier.."

I groaned when he talked again to my utter annoyance.

"What?"iritang sagot ko rito.

"Make sure na hindi mo sasabihin ang tungkol dito sa tarantadong Enriquez na'yon. You never know kung anong pwede niyang gawin once he'd know about this."

"And who says I'm going to tell him about this?"

He just shrugged his shoulder then answered me.

"Wala. I'm Just giving you a warning dahil baka sabihin mo." Then with that, the bastard took his leave, leaving me murdering him in my head.

I wish I had my gun now so that I could just let him hear my answer without even talking to him.