35: The Letter

SAM'S POV

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay, aunt. Tapos na po ba kayo?"I asked with bored tone, tired to argue with her with my head started to throb as my throat felt so sore.

Narinig kong bumukas at sumara ang pinto mula sa likuran ko but thinking that it was just the bastard del Fuero, hindi ko na 'yon pinansin and just listened to my tigress aunt instead.

Parang hindi ko pa kayang harapan 'to ngayon. Not when I still clearly remember what happened last night.

"For now, I'll just end our talk here! But mind you Samantha! Pagdating na pagdating mo rito sa Pilipinas, we'll continue this talk! Nakikinig ka ba, Huh?!"

Again, my eyes rolled upward and then let out a sigh.

"Yes, auntie. I heard you exaggeratedly loud and clear. Halos masira na nga 'tong eardrums ko sa kaka---"

"Mas mabuti! Sa tigas ba naman ng ulo mo, It would really be nice kung matatanggal yan ng tuluyan!" she snapped with voice still mad.

Hayy.. I think I should be more than ready before facing her.

"Okay, auntie. How nice of you saying that. Bye Aunt!" Then without waiting for her response, agad ko ng ibinaba ang telepono and then inhaled deeply while squeezing my eyes out.

I think kailangan ko ng iinom ng gamot ito bago pa lumala at maging trangkaso ito. I don't want to be sick. Not now. Not now when I still have to face some bastard right now.

And speaking of that bastard, dumating na yon kanina ah.

At the thought of him, I turned to look at the door and there he was! Nakatayo lang ito sa may pintuan nang hindi man lang gumagalaw with eyes as wide as saucers. Looking like he had seen a ghost out of me!

The heck!

Sa ganda kong 'to???! Magiging multo? Aba't!

That thought irritates me, causing me to glare at him with pursed lips.

"Anong tinitingin-tingin mo diyan? Do you happened to swallow your own tongue para tumunganga ka lang diyan?"

Unfortunately, hindi man lang sumagot ang gago and just stayed rooted on his feet while still gawking at me with horror look.

This man must've really lose his mind.

With arched brow, I folded my arms against my chest then glared at him with laser eyes.

Tingnan natin kung di ba matusta 'yang matigas na panga niya with my laser look.

"Mr. del Fuero! Naririnig mo ba'ko????!"

When I shouted that, saka pa lamang ito gumalaw. He blinked his eyes a few times before he looked away at me and loosened out his tie, looking so disoriented and just looking at anything but me!

Is he nuts? Ano bang nangyari sa taong 'to para maging ganito??

Tsk, tsk... I wonder what happened to him. Imposible namang dahil ito sa nagyari kagabi.

After a few seconds, he cleared out his throat then stiffly strode towards the couch saka nilagay ang suitcase niya doon nang hindi parin tumitingin sa'kin.

I just followed him with my observant eyes, trying to decode his cryptic behavior.

From the look of him, parang hirap na hirap itong huminga with his face flushed red and jaw that kept twitching right now. As if may iniinda itong sakit.

When he started to head to the toilet, I decided to talk to him again dahil baka sakali, sumagot ang gago.

"Mr. Del Fuero?? Naririnig mo man lang ba'ko??"

But still, there came no answer from him.

Shit!

Dirediretso lang ito sa paglalakad na para bang walang naririnig and that I don't even exist here.

Ah! Ganun huh! Hindi pala umeexist huh. Malapitan nga!

With hasty and determined steps, sinundan ko agadito and then hold the door before he could even get in, dahilan para mapatigil ito.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING, MS. JAVIER??!" He hissed out while glaring at me.

Oh kevs with that eyes!

I just tightly smiled at him.

"Stopping you.. Hindi mo naman kasi ako sinasagot. Hindi ka pa naman siguro nabibingi ano for you to ignore me like that?! Like I don't even exist here!" I confronted which made his glare and the twitching of his jaw intensified. Looking more tormented.

"Wala ka ng pakilam dun, Ms. Javier! Tabi!" Sumbat nito sabay tulak sa'kin sa gilid saka agad ng pumasok sa loob then slam the door on my face.

Letting out a curse, hinayaan ko nalang ito and just scowled outside.

Naway madapa ka dyan sa sahig! Tingnan natin kung hindi mabiyak 'yang sahig mo dahil sa tigas ng ulo mo! Hmp!

Then grumbling a curse, agad na'kong tumalikod and was about to stomp my way back to the couch but I stopped nang biglang nagsalita ang gago mula sa loob.

"Ms. Javier??!"

"What??! Did you fortunately break your head in there that's why you're calling me now?" I growled out while throwing a dirty glare at the closed door.

I heard him growled before he replied.

"Fortunately, hindi naman Ms. Javier kaya wag ka ng umasa! At kung pwede! Ihanda mo na lahat ng gamit mo diyan ngayon din!" He shouted from the inside.

Pagkarinig ko dun, my brow automatically creases in confusion.

"At ba't ko naman gagawin 'yon aber? Palalayasin mo na'ba ko rito dahil tapos na ang kontrata natin? Ganun ba?"

"Though you were right but I hate to say na hindi 'yan ang ibig kong sabihin."

Mas lalo pakong napasimangot when he sarcastically remarked that.

This shit!

"What I mean to say Ms javier ay kailangan mo ng mag-impake ngayon din because in less than an hour, we're heading back to the Philippines. So off you go now! Prepare everything you have here!"

"Philippines??!" Gulat na tanong ko as I can't still believed what I just heard from him.

"Seriously? Uuwi na tayo? I thought this was a three-day trip---"

"Unfortunately, may mga bagay pa'kong kailangang asikasuhin sa Pilipinas that was more important than this trip kaya kung ako sa'yo maghanda kana at wala ng iba pang satsat and just do what I say!"

"Wala ng iba pang satsat and Just do what I say! Tse!" Inis na paggaya ko sa kanya without a voice then rolled my eyes.

Quite annoyed with him bossing me around.

"Naririnig mo ba'ko, Ms. Javier??"

"Yeah.. Yeah.. Yeah. Naririnig ko po kayo kamahalan..Sa lakas ba naman ng boses mo! Malamang!"

I heard growled at that in response.

"Maghanda kana ngayon din,Ms. Javier! At kung pwede, ayusin mo muna 'yang sarili mo."

My brow shot up at that.

"At ano namang problema sa'kin that I should fix myself again when I am done doing that, Mr. Del Fuero? Katatapos ko nga lang maligo at magbihis tapos ngayon, sasabihin mong ayusin ko ang sarili ko? You're not out of your granite head again, are you? I am done fixing myself! Ikaw nga 'tong hindi pa tapos ayusin 'yang utak mo eh! Fix your bipolar self instead!"

"Naririnig mo man lang ba ang sarili mo ngayon, Ms. Javier? You're done fixing yourself but yet you didn't even get to wear your jeans! Wala ka naman sigurong balak lumabas ng nakaganyan lang ano? Freaking the hell out of the men's population!!"

At the mention of jeans, my gaze instantly moved down and then my eyes bulged out in horror at the sight.

W-What the fuck!!!!

Bakit ganito lang ang suot ko??! I'm sure as hell that I've wore my jeans before answering the damn call!

But then you're just in your panty now, Sam. So this means nakalimutan mo ngang magsuot and worse, you have shamefully show your fat ass to Mr. Del Fuero!

When my mind sarcastically commented that, Napahilamos na lamang ako ng mukha ko while groaning. So embarrassed with it!

Shit! Shit! Shiiit!!!

This was all my aunt's fault! Kung hindi lang sana siya tumawag kanina, eh di sana natapos ko man lang ang pagbibihis ko kanina!!

Argggh!!!!

Nakakahiya!!!

Too embarrassed with it, I grudgingly ran towards the couch where I had fortunately placed my jeans. I wanted to shout pero tiyak pagtatawanan lang ako ng gago if he heard me.

Agad ko na lamang isinuot ang jeans ko and then quickly took everything I have brought into this trip pati na ang mga nabili ko.

Once we're back to the Philippines, hindi ko na naman makikita uli ito so it's okay, Sam. It's okay if he'd saw your fat ass.

Damn it!

It didn't took me long to prepare my things dahil wala naman akong ibang gamit dito other than my bag and clothes I've bought here.

At kung hindi lang sana kinuha ng gagong del Fuero ang baril ko, It would've been one of my things na kailang ihanda ngayon.

Speaking of my gun, saan niya kaya 'yon inilagay? Hmmm....

Mga ilang minuto lang, he had exited from the toilet na halatang katatapos lang nitong maghilamos.

I quickly composed myself, wanted to appear unaffected with every embarrassment I made for myself.

His hair was now a bit messy, as if he had brushed it through his fingers many times.

Ano naman kayang iniisip ng gagong 'to? And why do he seems so frustrated right now?

I just observed him from the couch with keen eyes.

He just stayed silent and didn't even glanced at my way. He just paced around while preparing his things up.

Well, mas mabuti na nga ito kaysa pagtawanan nya'ko or worse, aasarin. Wala pa naman ako sa mood ngayon to argue with him. Kung nandito lang sana ang baril ko, then I would've just let my gun talk to him instead.

Mga ilang sandali lang after he had finally done with whatever he was doing, we quickly took our leave and then drove off straight to the airport. Fortunately, mukhang bago na naman ang sasakyan nito. Thank God may nagtangkang patayin kami kagabi kaya naman it leaves him no choice kundi kumuha ng bago.

Thank God indeed!

--------€€€€€€€€---------

CHARLES ENRIQUEZ' POV

'Marami ang naging sugatan dahil sa nangyaring pagguho ng ginagawa pa lamang na gusali ng Enriquez Construction Corporation. Mabuti na lamang at walang sinumang nasawi sa nasabing insidente ngunit nananawagan ngayon ang mga biktima na sanay ang gumuhong gusali na nagdulot ng malaking perwisyo sa kanila ay maaksyunan kaagad ng kompanya upang---'

"Here you are again, Charles, pinapanood mo na naman ang balitang yan...."

I quickly turned off the TV then throw the remote control at my table when I heard that familiar voice. I glanced at the doorway of my office and I found my father, John Enriquez, confidently walked towards my desk with his usual aristocratic presence with his dark cane in his hand.

Blowing out a deep breath, I leaned my back against my chair then closed my eyes.

Kahapon pa'ko inaasar ng mga balitang ito. At kahapon ko pa gustong bisitahin ang tarantadong del Fuero na 'yon in his office and pummel him with my fists!

Alam kong pakana niya lahat ito.. No one would dare to do that other than that ass!

Just the thought of him probably now laughing at my downfall, napakuyom na lamang ako and then muttered a curse under my breath.

"Easy there, son. Natitiyak kong malalampasan mo rin ito."

My eyes fluttered open and then glanced at him na nakaupo na pala sa upuang nasa harapan ko.

He's already in his fifties pero malakas pa rin ito kung kumilos though his wrinkles and white hairs on his head reveals his real age. Nakasuot ito ngayon ng usual black suit nito.

Simula ng mamatay si mama, sa'kin na iniatang ang pagpapatakbo ng kompanya namin. After all she was the CEO even before her death.

Her death na hanggang ngayon, hindi parin mabigyan ng hustisya with the only suspect being gone.

Agad ko ng iwinaksi sa isipan ko ang tungkol sa bagay na'yon and just answered him instead.

"Alam ko, Papa.. But I still have to fix this issue, lalo na ang kontrata ko with Mr. Izuki. This is a disaster. At kailangan kong malaman agad kung ano talagang nangyari at bakit bigla na lamang gumuho 'yon."

"I thought you already have a suspect kung sino ang may pakana ng lahat na ito? It was del Fuero again right?? Wala namang ibang taong pwedeng gumawa nito kundi siya lang mismo. You had taken this project from him so it must've hurt his pride that much kaya nagawa niya ito." he answered which reminded me again with that bastard.

Tama naman si papa. Wala namang ibang pwedeng gumawa nito kundi siya lang. The construction materials and the procedure was of no doubt standard, at hindi ko alam kung bakit gumuho pa'rin yon.

"Don't think too much, son. Wala ka namang ibang iisipin but think how would you let that asshole pay for all of this. The damage was too huge lalo na sa reputasyon ng kompanya natin."

I gritted my teeth when he mentioned that damage issue. Being reminded with the problems I have to face right now dahil sa issue na'to.

Groaning, I took a deep breath and then answered him.

"Don't worry papa, I'm gonna fix this after I get a chance to meet Cameron."

"Huh! That bastard! Rinig ko nasa labas ng bansa ngayon ang tarantadong taong 'yon."

Agad na kumunot ang noo ko pagkarinig ko dun as it caught my attention.

"Nasa labas? Where did you hear about this news, Papa?"

He just shrugged his shoulder then clasped his hands before him sabay sandal sa inuupuan nito.

"Narinig ko lang sa mga kakilala ko. But I'm sure he'd be back soon dahil narin sa pagkadawit ng pangalan niya sa issue na'to. Good thing you have dragged him into this, wala naman talagang iba na maaaring kumuntsaba sa pagguhong 'to. Just him. He was after all the son of that murderer! His father."

With how he had said it, halatang may malaking galit ito sa namayapang del Fuero. Hindi ko alam kung anong dahilan ng bangayan nila noon pa, all I know was that mom and that old del Fuero were friends. That was why even their sons once became friends.

Pero hindi na ngayon. Everything had changes after my mom's death. Kung hindi lang sa matandang del Fuerong 'yon, everything would've been different. My life would've been so different from now.

At the thought of that man, napatiim na lamang ang mga bagang ko as my rage surge through me inside.

I would never forgive him with that! At mas lalong hindi ko mapapatawad si Cameron once I'd find out na siya talaga nga talaga ang may pakana ng lahat ng 'to!

Dad was right. Siya lang naman ang may motibo na gumawa nito against me given na hindi ito papayag na hindi makapaghigante sa pag-agaw ko sa project na'to with Mr. Izuki.

"By the way, son. May gagawin pa pala ako ngayon. So I guess I have to leave you here and let you do what you have to do here para maayos ang bagay na'to and I know you won't let this slide." Saad nya sabay tayo mula sa inuupuan nya after I'd became silent.

Tumango lang ako rito which he just answered with a nod as well. Without waiting for any words, agad na itong umalis, leaving me alone to think what I should do next.

I'm sure the lobby down there was already crowded with media. Kaya kung may dapat man akong gawin ngayon, it should be avoiding them no matter what. Wala ako sa hwesyo ngayon to even face them now and be bombarded with questions regarding with the issue.

Letting out a sigh, agad ko ng inayos ang neck tie ko saka tumayo.

Kailangan kong ayusin ang gusot na ito. Milyones ang nasayang ko rito kaya kung may sisingilin man ako rito, it should be that asshole!

------€€€€€€€-------

SAM'S POV

I can't help but let out a yawn when finally, the plane had landed at the airport after hours of being on air.

Alas kwatro pa lamang ng umaga and my headache felt like it had worsened kaya naman sinigurado kong tawagan si Al a few hours ago to fetch me up here in the airport. That way, hindi na'ko mahihirapang umuwi with my car being hospitalized at my apartment.

Hindi ko na hinintay ang iba ko pang kasama and just walked straight to the exit of the airport. Alam kong nakamasid lang sa'kin sina Mr. Del Fuero, but to hell with them, kailangan kong makauwi agad ngayon before I'd collapsed in here and make another unforgettable scene. Another embarrassment.

Nang mga ilang metro pa lamang ang layo ko mula sa exit way, Natanaw ko na agad si Al sa labas. Just wearing his brown leather jacket while leaning against his car habang kibit ang mga balikat nito.

With his ponytailed hair a bit disarrayed, halatang kagagaling lang nito sa kama.

When he spotted me, kumaway agad ito sa'kin then meet me halfway with a lazy smile in his face.

"Sam.. How was your trip? Mukhang sabog na sabog ka ah.." Pang-aasar na bungad nito, siguro dahil sa stress na kita sa mukha ko.

"Shut up, Al.. Masama ang pakiramdam ko ngayon so don't joke around me right now. You're not safe.." Bored na sagot ko rito while squeezing my eyes out when again, my headache triggered.

He just chuckled softly then nodded pero agad namang kumunot ang noo nito when he had probably take a close look at me.

"Are you okay? Mukhang.." Then without even giving me a warning, kinapa na niya agad ang noo ko with obvious worry in his face.

"Ang init mo, Sam."

"Matagal na'kong hot, Al." I said in a 'duhh' tone which caused him to chuckle loudly sabay hablot sa mga dala-dala ko.

"Yeah right! Matagal na nga pala. "then again, he laughed while shaking his head.

I just rolled my eyes at him then smiled at him.

"Enough with that, Al. Kailangan na nating umalis ngayon before I'd collapse here with my head ready to explode-----ohmp!"

We were suddenly shoved to the side nang may bigla na lamang bumangga sa'min saka dumaan sa gitna namin.

"MAKIKIRAAN! Haharang-harang sa daan!" Aroganteng saad ng gagong del fuero pagkadaan nya sa gitna namin who stiffly strode towards the car beside Al's na parang wala lang nangyari. Like he had just shoved some lifeless garbage off his way.

That shit!

"Aba't! Tarantadong tao 'yon ah!"Al angrily shouted na akma na sanang lapitan si Mr. Del Fuero. But with my want to avoid any trouble, I quickly hold his arm before he could even take a step towards the bastard. I must stop him kahit na gustung-gusto kong malumpo ang gago.

The bastard just get into his car like nothing unusual happened.

Good thing wala na kaming kontrata ngayon kaya naman hinding-hindi ko na makikita ang pagmumukha nito.

Tiim lang ang mga bagang ko while my hands tightly balled in fists as I throw a dirty glare at his car na mga ilang sandali lang, revved through the highway.

Naway dalhin ka niyang sasakyan mo sa impyerno!

"He's your client, right? Ba't parang ang bastos ng gagong 'yon, Sam? I should've teach him a lesson nang---"

"He's no longer my client, Al. Not anymore. Tapos na ang kontrata naming dalawa kaya hayaan mo nalang ang taong 'yon..." I pointedly commented with a shrug saka tumungo na agad palapit sa sasakyan niya, now wanted to be on the comfort of my warm bed.

"Oh.. Buti naman kung ganun... That's a good decision you have made there."he answered without questioning it habang nakasunod na sa'kin, agreement visible in his tone.

That's what I like with him, sometimes. He don't asks questions when he knows I made a good argument or a decision..

Agad na'kong pumasok sa may front's seat where he too, get into the driver's seat.

It took us only a few minutes bago ako makauwi sa apartment ko. After I thanked and bid him my goodbye, agad na'kong naglakad patungo sa apartment ko with my head ready to split into two and eyes almost ready to fall off from its sockets.

Kailangan ko ng uminom ng gamot ngayon before this could even get worse.

Sa mga oras na'to, it was just normal na sobrang tahimik ng paligid with the people still snoring on their beds.

Just the thought of being in my bed, a yawn escaped from me again. With sleepy eyes, agad ko ng kinuha ang susi ko sa loob ng bag ko and then was about to insert the key at the keyhole nang may biglang mahagip ang mga mata ko sa sahig.

I frowned saka tiningnan yon ng maigi.

A white envelope??

Bayad na'ko sa lahat ng bills ko ah. Bakit may envelope pa rito?

Parang sinadya ang pagkalagay nito doon with half of it being hidden under the door while the other half was just enough for me to see it.

Though annoyed with the thought of seeing another bill, pinulot ko nalang ito saka binuksan na ng tuluyan ang pinto and then get in.

Binuksan ko muna ang ilaw and placing my bag and shopping bags at my table, I lazily opened the enveloped with pursed lips.

Ano na naman kaya ang laman nito? I've already paid off all my bills before my trip to Canada kaya imposible namang may bills na naman na darating.

It was no words imprinted to it so I have no choice but to open it to know kung kanino galing 'yon.

'Keep it with you...'

Agad na umarko ang kaliwang kilay ko when I read that first line.

Keep it? Is this some joke? Bakit wala man lang pangalan na nandito?

Though confused with what was written into it, ipinagpatuloy ko nalang basahin yon habang kunot ang mga noo.

'Keep it with you no matter what. 'Yan lang ang makapagdidiin sa kanya. Sa lahat ng mga kalokohang ginagawa niya. Ikaw lang ang inaasahan ko rito. Kung anuman ang mangyari sa'kin, I trust you to guide and protect my son from them. And the plan. I believe in you, my friend.'

Just reading the cryptic letter na halatang sulat kamay, I felt like my headache and sleepiness suddenly gone in a second.

Tapos ko ng basahin yon but still, I just kept staring at it like it will magically give me an explanation kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng nasa sulat.

Makapagdidiin? And what was that thing na siyang makakapagdiin? At sino naman ang madidiin? And why does this sender trusting someone for his son's sake? And the plan? Plan for what? Para namang mamamatay na ito---

I suddenly stopped when I thought about that saka agad na tinitigan muli ang sulat.

Yes. Parang ganun na nga. The sender was definitely in a dying mode. Parang alam na nito na hindi na ito magtatagal sa mundong 'to. But why? At para kanino ba ang sulat na'to?

I quickly checked every inch of the letter to search for any sign kung para kanino yon at kanino galing ito but I just found an initials.

N.R.

I'm sure this is the receiver's initial for his name.

N.R?

Wait.

Is this my dad's initials for his name?

Nickandro Romero.

I quickly nodded my head when I think tama ang hula ko.

Nickandro Romero. This was definitely sent for my dad! No one else!

My breathing suddenly halted when It came into my mind. Now making my curiosity worsened.

Kanino ba galing ang sulat na'to? And why would he trust dad with his son? So dad was indeed very close to this unknown sender gaya ng sabi ni auntie?

Pero sino naman kaya ang naglagay nito rito?

With that thought, I quickly ran outside my apartment then checked the surroundings to hopefully find that someone.

But unfortunately, ni anino wala akong nakita sa labas. With disappointed look, agad na'kong pumasok sa loob and then plopped down on my bed with the letter still in my hand.

Kung sinuman ang taong 'to, I think may kinalaman sa kanya ang bagay na hinahanap ko.

The file.

At kung anuman ang meron sa file na'yon, I'm sure the sender was trusting it with his friend.

My father.

Parang mas lalo pa yatang gumulo ang utak ko dahil sa sulat na'to. Kailangan ko na nga talagang kumilos agad nang matapos na'to. There's only one thing na kailangan kong puntahan to solve this puzzle.

La Cafè Mosses.

I have to get the video footages no matter what. By hook, or by crook. If I need to steal it from them, then I won't even hesitate to do it just to get the answers I want.

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