91: Deal or Death?

SAM'S POV

"They're dead!"

Nang marinig ko ang boses na'yon mula sa labas, I rattled in my seat.

Sinong tinutukoy nila? Nasaan ba'ko?

A bit disoriented with what was going on around me, I looked around for any signs of where I was.

A broken windshields, shards of glasses scattered everywhere.. at the seats and then on the floor.

In a car. I'm inside a car right now and-----

I froze when my gaze landed on the two persons occupying the frontseats. They were silent and not even moving one bit.

I tried to reach them out to check if who they are but I wasn't able to do that nang bigla nalang bumukas ang pintuan mula sa tabi ko and then a familiar face appeared. A face that I could never forget and forgive.

"We don't need to kill her.. She's dying anyway..." 

Nang maalala ko na naman ang mga katagang 'yon, my breathings became more labored as hot tears instantly rolled down on my cheeks. Not because I was helpless and immobile in my seat kundi dahil sa pagkakataong 'to, may mukha na ang boses na'yon. And it was with John Enriquez's face.

My father..

At alam ko na ngayon kung nasaan ako. I'm in a car accident happened over a decade ago. And with this realization, mas lalo pang sumikip ang dibdib ko ngayon.. He looked like a decent man in his suit right now but he was very far from what he appears like.

"I wish I could meet you, my daughter.." he suddenly uttered, offering his hand to me for an invitation.

"I wish I could finally kill you..." He continued and then an evil smirk slowly appeared on his mouth, a smirk which made my hair at my nape stood up in alarm.

Gusto kong bulyawan ito na layuan ako but my mouth felt so numb para magawa ko man lang 'yon. Feeling so helpless with my situation, I have no choice but just shook my head in refusals with my tears kept falling from my eyes.

Ayokong hawakan man lang ang kamay nito. Ayokong mahawakan man lang ang kamay ng isang mamamatay tao!

I wanted to slap his hand off, wanted to stop his hand from reaching me out but my damn hands won't even let me. Para bang wala akong sapat na lakas para tampalin ang kamay nito. My hands just stayed useless on my side while I tried so hard to move it. My tears just kept falling on my cheeks while I just kept shaking my head at him.

"Wag kang matakot, Samantha.... I'm your father so you have nothing to be scared of.."

No! Kahit kailan hindi kita mapapatawad!! Kahit kailan hindi kita matatanggap bilang ama ko!

When my mind shouted that, his smirk became more wicked as if he had heard my thoughts, sending chills down to my bones. With my hands being useless, all I could do was just cry for being so helpless. God knows how much I wanted to wipe that smirk off in his face now but my damn hands won't just let me! Bloody hands!

Kahit ano pang gawin nito, hinding-hindi ko sya mapapapatawad sa mga kasalanang ginawa nya sa pamilya ko. Sa pagsira nya sa buhay ko!

"Come, my daughter... Take my hand.." saad uli nito habang palapit naman ng palapit ang kamay nito sa'kin.

No! No! Ayoko!

My mind sternly refused that while vigorously shaking my head. Hot tears kept falling on my cheeks, anger and hatred towards him overflowed. Pero imbes na tigilan na'ko nito, mas lalo pa nitong inilapit sakin ang kamay nito.

Talk, Sam! Talk! Open your mouth and talk!

When my mind scolded that, I gathered all my strength to do that. To atleast shout at him. And it took me a hell lot of strength to do that...

"Take my hand..."

"No!"

I felt so happy and satisfied nang sa wakas, may boses ng lumabas mula sa labi ko.

"No! Wag na wag mo'kong hahawakan! Hinding-hindi kita mapapatawad kahit na kailan!" Matigas na sigaw ko uli sa kanya habang nagpupumilit ng makalayo man lang sa kanya.

Pero kahit na ano pang gawin ko, hindi ko parin maigalaw ang mga kamay ko. Yes. I can finally move my mouth now but why the hell my hands can't?

Frustrated with it, I glanced down on my arm to check the reason why it can't move and----

I gasped out loud as my eyes widened in horror at the sight of my arm.. at the reason why it can't move.

Blood!

My hand was covered with blood and a few shards of mirror were stuck on my skin!

At that terrifying sight, my breathing grown more short. Tears blurring my eyes as I started to sob. Feeling so helpless with my situation.. I started to search for my parents.. wanted to get some help from them but they were not moving at all. They just limply sat on their seats at hindi ko man lang naririnig ang mga hininga nito.

"Mom? Dad?"

I started to call for them pero hindi ko alam kung may lumabas man lang bang boses sa bibig ko sa pagkakataong 'to. My mouth was trembling and so as my whole body ached dahil sa mga natamo kong sugat.

"I don't need to kill you, Samantha.. You're dying anyway.. " rinig ko na namang saad nito and then followed by his wicked laugh. Laughing as if he was mocking my poor state, causing my anger to escalate.

I won't die here.. hindi ako yong tipo na susuko nalang nang ganun-ganun nalang. I'm a private investigator and I can send anyone in jail kung gugustuhin ko. Kung gusto kong ipakulong ito sa mga kasalanang nagawa nito.

With that thought, my instinct as an investigator came back.

An evidence, Samantha. You have to atleast find some rather than freaking here out like a useless specie! At dahil Ayokong maging mahina, I forced myself to stop my tears and clear up my vision kahit medyo mahirap gawin.

When I was able to do that, I quickly fight for my fear saka pilit ng naghanap ng ebidensya. Just like how I searched for it before.

"Come on, Samantha... Take my hand.." Tawag uli nito sa'kin, holding more his hand out to my way.

That's the time that my gaze landed on his hand, on his finger resides a ring that seems so familiar for me. The same ring that I had vaguely seen before..

O and F... Something like that was engraved on that ring.... gaya ng nakita ko noon... A ring that I must remember! The thing which tells me that I should wake up now dahil panaginip lang ang lahat ng 'to ! Nangyari na'to noon and I know I have survived from this before kaya magagawa ko ring gawin 'yon ngayon.

Hindi ako dapat mamatay rito. I have to survive no matter what!

He can never kill me! Not ever!

Wake up, Samantha! Wake up!

My mind shouted that na syang pinilit ko namang ginawa. His laugh still echoing the background. Tightly closing my eyes, I tried to convince myself that this is just a dream--a nightmare and a-------

"Let's get married."

Napamulat agad ako ng mata nang bigla ko nalang narinig ang boses na'yon. The wicked laughing suddenly gone and came off that familiar voice.  Blinking up the few tears from my eyes, my eyes focused back on him.

But I'm surprised when it was no longer the laughing face of my father I am facing now but the smirking face of some bastard.

"Cameron?"

"I said marry me, Ms. Javier. Be my Mrs. Del Fuero.." he answered saka lumapit sa'kin, making me take a step back in alarm.

I frowned when I was able to do that, we just get into a car accident and I'm badly injured right now so why----

Mas lalo pa'kong nagtaka when I glanced down at my arm. It wasn't covered with blood anymore at nagagawa ko naring makagalaw ng maayos ngayon.

Confused by this sudden change of scene, I looked around me with hawkish eyes but there's no sign of my dead parents anymore and it was just this bastard.

What's happening? Ba't bigla nalang naglaho ang lahat ng 'yon? Nagising na ba'ko sa panaginip na'yon?

Dahil sa kagustuhang masagot lahat ng tanong ko, I sniffed and then gazed back at Cameron na parang wala man lang kaalam-alam sa mga nangyayari.

"Cameron? Anong nangyayari?"

"Say yes to my proposal first and I will tell you everything, Samantha. Everything that you must know."

Di ko mapigilang maiinis na lamang when he answered that, using his blackmailing tone again.

"You're blackmailing me! Balak mong gamitin ang nalalaman mo just to get what you want now. You are really out of your sane mind, Cameron!!" Inis ko ng sigaw sa kanya.

"Call me crazy, Samantha pero kung 'yan lang ang tanging paraan para hindi mo na'ko iwan pa, then yes. I'm blackmailing you now and I'm not sorry for that."

At the hear of that, the want to strangle him intensified.

"Ang sama mo, Cameron! Ang sama moooooooooo------"

"SAMANTHA???!"

I gasped out for air as my eyes snapped open nang bigla ko nalang marinig ang malakas na sigaw na'yon malapit sa tenga ko. Splitting the hell out of my eardrums!

The white ceiling greeted me and then came Cameron's worried face next. Worries was written all over his face habang mga ilang dangkal lang ang layo ng mukha nito mula sa mukha ko.

"Samantha?? Are you okay? Anong napaginipan mo?" Came his incessant questions habang nag-aalala parin itong nakamasid sa'kin. His thumbs kept caressing my cheeks while his brows still creases with worries.

I just stayed mute and just blankly stared at him. Mind was still amissed while breathing heavily.

"Anong nangyari? Anong napanaginipan mo?" He queried again when I didn't make any response.

I blinked up a few times and instead of answering him, my eyes scanned the place around us to check if I was still in that car with heavy deep breaths.

But nothing's the same anymore. Wala na'ko sa loob ng sasakyan na'yon and no John Enriquez kept laughing at me. Only this bastard na kahit sa panaginip ko, binablackmail parin ako ng gago.

But nevertheless, it somehow make me feel relieved dahil kung hindi dahil sa kanya, hindi sana ako makakatakas sa masamang panaginip na'yon.

"A dream. It was just a dream.."

"No! It wasn't just a dream, Samantha but a bloody nightmare! Tinakot mo'ko ng husto dun! You were crying at parang hirap na hirap kapang makahinga. And then you were shouting! You kept shouting 'no!'. Ano bang napanaginipan mo??""

My gaze focused back at him when he growled that out. I can tell he's starting to lose his patience now with his dark eyes kept glaring down at me habang tumitigas naman ang panga nito.

A nightmare... Yes. A nightmare indeed. And if this bastard hadn't appeared and blackmailed me in that nightmare,  I doubted if I had even able to wake up from that. My father could've killed me there at hindi ko na sana ito makikita ngayon.

At that thought, di ko na napigilan ang sarili kong yapusin bigla ito. Tightly clinging into his neck like he would disappear if I won't do it, taking him by surprise.

I felt him stiffened against me at my sudden action pero mga ilang sandali lang, his body relaxed and then I felt his arms wrapped around me, sending comfort to me.

I heard him let out a sigh before he rolled on his back without releasing me, dahilan para pumaibabaw ako rito.

"Anong napaginipan mo, Samantha?  Was it that bad kaya hirap na hirap ka man lang na makahinga kanina?" He queried closed to my ears with low voice.

"I've dreamt of you... Blackmailing me.."

I heard him groaned at that  in disapproval before he replied.

"That bad?"

"Hmmm.. that bad.. Kahit sa panaginip.. ang sama mo parin.. pinaiiyak mo parin ako.." pagsisinungaling ko sa kanya as I tightened my hug at him with my face layed flat on his chest.

I just have to lie now dahil ayokong malaman nya na binabangungot ako dahil sa sarili kong ama.. dahil sa mga inamin nya tungkol sa pagkatao ng kinasasabikan kong makilala na ama.

For a few moments, nanatili lang itong tahimik while gently stroking my back, probably he was in his deep thoughts or maybe guilty with it.

"I'm sorry.."

I just remained silent when he suddenly uttered that after a few seconds of his silence.

"I'm sorry kung kailangan kong gawin 'yon.. I'm sorry kung kailangan kapang masaktan.. Kahit gustuhin ko mang itago ang totoo sa'yo, karapatan mo paring malaman ang lahat ng yon dahil parte 'yon ng pagkatao mo."

I know he wasn't talking about my lie, he was talking about my father again. He sounded sorry about it pero dahil ayoko paring pag-usapan ang bagay na'yon, hindi na'ko umimik and just stayed mute on top of him with closed eyes, enjoying the steady beating of his heart against my ear.

For now, gusto kong kalimutan man lang sandali ang tungkol sa bagay na'yon.. para sa kahit sandali man lang, makalimutan ko man lang na isang mamamatay tao ang tunay kong ama.

Well, hindi ko pa nga naririnig ang boses nito but given that he was the one who was after that file, walang duda, sya nga ang may-ari ng boses na'yon.

Gusto kong maging mali ang lahat ng 'yon but the evidence was just too strong to be wrong.

I heard him talked again, pero hindi ko na masyadong naiintindihan ang mga sinabi nya when unconsciousness slowly claimed me into my deep slumber.

Knowing that he was just here under me, kampante na'ko na walang mangyayari sa'kin kahit sa panaginip ko.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Naalimpungatan na lamang ako when my stomach rumbled in hunger.

Oh yeah.. nakalimutan ko palang kumain kanina..

With a groggy feeling, I forced myself to get up from bed. Slowly removing myself from Cameron's arms that were draped around my waist, bumaba na'ko agad ng kama. The lampshade at the bedside table was the only thing that provides light around the room, making the room looked dim. Himbing na himbing ang tulog nito at hindi man lang ito nagising when I removed his arm from me.

When my stomach rumbled again, agad na'kong bumaba ng kama to hunt for something to eat. I noticed a tray of food lying on the table situated right before the closed window. No doubt, ito 'yong pagkain na inorder ko kanina before the bastard appeared here. At dahil kanina pa ito dumating, siguradong malamig pa sa bangkay ang pagkaing 'to.

Desperate to relieve myself from hunger, I quickly picked up my jacket from where I had left it saka isinuot na'yon before I carefully opened the door out of that room.

Kailangan kong lumabas dahil kapag hindi ko ginawa 'yon, I don't think I'd last here till morning nang hindi man lang kumakain.

Pagkabukas ko ng pinto, the peaceful hallway greeted me. Tamang-tama dahil tyak namumugto parin sa kaiiyak ang mga mata ko hanggang ngayon. Lumabas na'ko agad ng pintuan, careful not to make any sound that could wake Cameron. Ayokong istorbohin ang tulog nito kaya mas mabuting ako nalang mag-isa ang lalabas.

When finally, nagawa ko ng maisara ang pintuan ng hindi man lang nagigising ito, inayos ko na agad ang sarili ko then checked the hallway for anyone. Pero wala. Wala man lang akong ingay na naririnig dito sa labas.

Anong oras na ba?

Glancing down at my wristwatch, I checked the fucking time and it says it's almost midnight.

How lovely---

Napatigil na lang ako when something caught my eye. Something that was glinting on my finger.

A ring!

Just seeing it, hindi ko mapigilang titigan ito ng malapitan. Checking the ring kung totoo nga ba ito and I'm not just seeing things now.

At the sight of a diamond stone, I couldn't help but mutter a curse when it was blinding me with it sparkling too brightly.

Oh yeah shit. A real diamond! And no one could ever afford to give this to me other than the bastard himself! The bastard who always thought that spending a cent of his fortune could make him penniless!

Just seeing this ring now, tears instantly burned my eyes habang napapangiti na lamang ako habang tinititigan ito. Crying for happiness. Alam kong kailangan kong umiyak ngayon dahil sa masakit na katotohanang nalaman ko tungkol sa ama ko but this ring just make me cry and smile with happiness now.

My bastard just make me do all these.

Bringing my hand to my chest, gusto ko sanang pumasok uli sa loob ng silid ko ngayon and give him a kiss for this but I was stop when my stomach rumbled again. Reminding me with my hunger.

Napapangiwi na lamang akong napapahawak ng tyan ko as I hissed in annoyance.

Later. Maybe I'll just thank him later kapag tapos na'kong kumain.

Agreeing with that thought, agad na'kong tumakbo palabas sa lugar na'yon. There should be atleast a 24/7 convenience store somewhere in this area dahil sa tindi ng gutom ko ngayon, siguro mga sampung cup noodles kukulangin ko nito. Alam kong namumugto ang mga mata ko ngayon and anyone could notice this na kagagaling ko lang sa pag-iyak pero wala akong pakialam, gutom ako.

Pagkalabas ko, hindi na masyadong busy sa daan and almost every establishments across were already closed. Sobrang lamig parin ng hangin dito sa labas dahil katatapos lang umulan but with my hunger, I take no heed of it. Dahil hindi naman hotel ang lugar na'to,  it was expected na walang security guards na nagbabantay dito sa labas.

Hindi masyadong maganda ang ilaw sa may gate banda but with the light came from this building, nakikita ko parin naman ang daan kahit papano.

Shrugging about it, agad na'kong lumabas sa gate na'yon and then my eyes quickly scanned the other stores nearby and I smirked in satisfaction when I've spotted something from my right.

Go24/7 convenience store. Third block to the right from this establishment.

Good. I thought kailangan ko pang magmaneho mula rito just to spot one.

Without any delays, I quickly headed  to that way, cautious with my surroundings. Nakakulong na ngayon ang taong palaging humahabol sa'min pero kailangan ko paring mag-ingat lalo na't talamak ngayon ang mga halang ang bituka at walang magawa sa buhay kundi magnakaw. Although I doubted if they can take something valuable from me that worth a million.

Remember your ring, Sam. Mukhang mamahalin ang singsing na'yon so you better protect it well.

When my mind reminded me that, napapatingin nalang uli ako sa kamay ko.

Kung may magtatangka mang nakawan ako mamaya, sayang naman kung ipansusuntok ko ang mamahaling batong 'to. This is just too precious to be kissed by some thugs' faces.

With that thought, tinanggal ko nalang muna ang singsing na'yon saka ibinulsa ito then cautiously walk at the sidewalk. There's no way I'd allow them to take this from me. minsan lang nagiging galante ang Cameron na'yon kaya magkamatayan na, poprotektahan ko ang bagay na'to kahit na ano pang mangyari!

It didn't take me long to get to that store. Dumiretso na'ko agad sa noodles sections and then grabbed a few of it from the stall and then paid it to the cashier. The sleepy store attendant and I were the only people present inside. Pagkatapos kong magbayad, I grabbed a chair at the corner of the store malapit sa pintuan saka agad na'kong kumain, filling in my hungry stomach.

Kailangan kong magmadali rito before Cameron would even notice my absence. I'm sure he'd freak out with me being gone. Kahit mainit-init pa ang pagkain, I quickly dug into it. Once done, nilisan ko na agad ang lugar na'yon. Walking back to La Carmont with hasty steps and cautious eyes.

Lumalalim na masyado ang gabi at gusto ko naring matulog uli. At the thought of sleep, a yawn escaped from my mouth. A few more meters to walk before I'd reach the gate. Mas binilisan ko pa lalo ang paglalakad ko dahil gustong-gusto ko ng makabalik uli sa silid ko. At nang sa wakas, umabot na'ko sa tapat ng gate, I was about to push open it but my  hand went frozen when I suddenly heard that familiar clicking sound of some metal right behind me.

That clicking sound of a gun being released from its safety lock!

At that sudden realization, my eyes instantly widened in shock as I went rigid on my feet. Breathing suddenly became hard for me as my heart hammering against my chest, nervous with the possibilities.

Kung naririnig ko ang tunog na'yon ngayon, then could this be possible----

Hindi ko na natapos ang iba ko pang iniisip when I felt that cold metal being pressed at the back of my head. Causing me to stiffen more on my feet.

"How have you been, Ms. Javier.."

My eyes widened more when that cold wicked voice suddenly greeted me from behind, confirming my guess that someone was pointing a gun on me now.

He knows me! Sino ba ang taong 'to???

Lilingunin ko na sana ito para tingnan ang mukha nito but I cursed out a breath when he suddenly  pressed his gun on my head, so much that it hurts now.

"Wrong move and I won't even hesitate to pull the trigger. 'wag mo naring tangkain pang sumigaw ngayon dahil bago mo paman magawa 'yon, patay kana, Ms. Javier. Ilang beses na kitang pinatay noon so killing you now would be as easy as killing some pests.."

I groaned in annoyance and gritted my teeth hard when I heard him said that with a chuckle behind me. Chuckling wickedly as he pressed his gun more on my head, making me winced with it hurting my scalp.

I want to fight him now but given that he had the advantage here, I chose not to. Not yet.

Dahil may kailangan pa'kong malaman sa kanya ngayon. Base sa tono ng boses nito, masasabi kong matagal na nya'kong pinagtangkaang patayin. Pero bakit? I thought my father was the one who were after me? Pero bakit ngayon---

"Matinik ka nga talaga, Ms. Javier. Nilumpo na nga kita noon, nagawa mo parin talagang makalakad ngayon sa ganun lang kaikling panahon... Mr. Del Fuero must've really cared for you so much to even guard you up.. pero malas nya lang ngayon dahil pinauwi na nya ang nga tauhan nya thinking that he was enough to protect you now..."

"Sino ka?? Isa ka ba sa mga tauhan ng magaling kong ama??"

"Oh... Your father?? Nasabi na pala ni Cameron sa'yo kung sino ang ama mo? I wonder kung nasabi narin nya sa'yo ang totoo sa likod ng pagkatao nya?"

That made me creased my brows at that, with his tone he used, he sounded as if he knew something about Cameron that I don't.

"You sounded like you've known him so well. " Pigil ang hiningang tanong ko rito without moving one bit, trying so hard to stay composed and stop myself from doing any movement that could excite him.

I have to atleast start a conversation with him now para sinuhin ang boses nito. His voice was low and wicked but the more I listen to it, the more it became familiar to me. I think I've already heard his voice before but I just can't pinpoint it where dahil parang may nabago sa boses nito.

And I couldn't be wrong with that.

My lips thinned in line when I heard him chuckled again, annoying me with its damn sound.

"Kung alam mo lang, Ms. Javier. Kung alam mo lang..."

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?"

I stiffened up when I felt his breath against my ear, making me shivered in alarm.

"That means I know him more than you do, Ms. Javier. Hindi mo pa lubusang kilala ang taong 'yon pero mukhang malalim na ang pagkakaunawaan nyong dalawa ngayon.."

This time, my curiosity to know what he has for Cameron suddenly forgotten. Dahil base sa pagsasalita nya ngayon, mukhang maraming alam ang taong 'to hindi lang kay Cameron but with us. He sure won't just approach me now for nothing.

"Maaari ngang hindi ko pa lubusang kilala si Mr. Del Fuero but I know so well that he was nothing like you!"

"Oh?? You seems so sure about it, aren't you?"

That made me groaned in annoyance as I gritted my teeth so hard. I just don't like how his voice sounded now.

"Ano ba talagang kailangan mo sa'kin? Alam kong hindi ka lang basta-basta lalapit sa'kin ng walang dahilan. Alam ko ring isa ka sa mga tauhan ng magaling kong ama kaya sabihin mo na sa'kin ngayon kung anong kailangan nyo sa'kin."

I mentally cursed out again nang mas idiniin nya pa lalo ang baril nya sa ulo ko, making me winced at that with it digging deeper into my skin.

"Simple. Simpleng-simpleng lang ang gusto ko..Just tell your lover to give me the blueprint, Ms. Javier..  Masyado na nya'kong pinahihirapan dahil sa bagay na'yon so tell him to hand me that.."

"B-Blue print? Anong blueprint bang pinagsasabi mo??" Nalilitong tanong ko sa kanya, now almost losing the will to stop myself from taking up a fight.

Again, I cursed out in my mind when I heard his annoying chuckle against my left ear.

"Don't be coy, Ms. Javier. Alam kong alam na alam mo kung ano ang bagay na'yon. Afterall, it was attached in that same file you've found in your father's belonging."

"Pero walang ibang nakalagay sa loob ng file na'yon----"

"Then ask Cameron about it para malaman mo kung ano pang nasa loob ng file na'yon, Ms. Javier. I'm sure alam na alam nya kung ano pa ang nasa loob ng file na'yon. "

When he hissed that malapit sa tenga ko, gusto ko na talagang labanan ito but not yet! Not yet when he's mentioning some blueprint now na hindi naman nabanggit sa'kin ni Cameron kanina.

Pero anong blueprint naman kaya 'yon? Why does he have to get this far just to get that thing? Ano bang meron sa bagay na'yon?

Heaving up a deep shaky breath, I asked him what's on my mind right now.

"Anong meron sa bagay na'yon? Bakit parang gustung-gusto mong makuha 'yon mula kay Cameron?"

"Wag ka ng magtanong pa, Ms. Javier. Just do it dahil kung hindi----"

"Ano? Dahil kung hindi anong gagawin mo??" I spat,  now irked with his tone sounding like he was about to throw me a threat.

He can't threaten me with anything now.

The clenching of my hands tightened as the gritting of my teeth doing the same when I heard his laugh again.

"Dahil sa susunod, sisiguraduhin ko ng may buhay na mawawala, Ms. Javier... something that's so precious for you and Cameron."

My breathing suddenly halted at the hear of that.

Something so precious for us.. And I have nothing so precious for me other than------

My baby!