13: The Aftermath

SAM'S POV

My eyes instantly rolled upward nang marinig ko 'yon sa kanya. Trust him to ask me about his damn dress kaysa sa kondisyon namin if we still have our limbs intact.

Tsk, tsk.

Wala talagang ibang iniisip ang taong 'to kundi kwentahin lahat ng nagastos nito.

Sighing out, I answered him with crossed arms.

"Wag kang mag-alala, babayaran ko nalang 'to kung gusto mo.. You seem so worried about it so yes, I'll definitely pay you for this. At syanga pala, okay na okay lang pala kami rito kung di mo pa alam na tiyak wala ka naman talagang balak alamin 'yon." Sarkastiko ko ng saad rito saka lalapit na sana sa umiiyak na babae but I frowned when Liam was already there, aiding the poor girl.

I didn't know he was here as well.

Well, siguro hindi ko agad ito napansin kanina dahil nakafocus lang ako kay Mr. Del Fuero while beating up a man.

"If I were you, Ms. Javier, hindi ko na sasabihin pa 'yan dahil tiyak hindi mo na gugustuhin pang sabihin yan 'pag nakita mo na ang price tag nyan.. "

Hearing that arrogant answer, My gaze became a glare in an instant and was snapped at his way. 

"And for you to know, hindi ko na kailangang tanungin pa kung anong kondisyon mo because your bloody lip and black eye says it all." 

By this time, halos hindi ko na mapigilan ang  sarili. At kahit gusto ko ng umbagin ito, I opted to just stop myself and vent out my annoyance to someone. 

With gritted teeth,  padabog na'kong naglakad palapit kay Frederico na nasa damuhan parin ngayon and with so much hatred, I kicked him on his side hard.

Napaungol agad ito sa lakas ng sipang 'yon.

And I felt so satisfied with that sound. After all, he deserved that from me para sa lahat ng mga kamalasang nangyari sa'kin kanina sa event na yon and for these ugly bruises and blackeye!

Just the thought of it, I gave him three consecutive kicks which made him balled up on the ground.

"Enough with that, Ms. Javier! We've done enough damage on that bastard!"

I didn't take heed of that shout and just kicked him again.

No one can stop me! No one can stop me killing this bastard! He deserved this! This maniac deserves to die and-----

"Ano ba!" inis ko ng sigaw nang may bigla nalang humila sa braso ko. I tried to twist my arm out from that grasp but I grimaced when it hurt like hell.

Oh shit! I forgot that it was the dislocated arm. 

"Stop this madness, Ms. Javier! You might kill him with that!"

"Then let him die!" I shouted back at him as I tried to take off my arm from his tight grasp.

"He deserves to die! Hindi mo alam kung pa'no niya sinaktan ang mga naging biktima niya! He brutally beat those poor women and ----"

"Then let him rot in jail! You are an investigator and not a damn murderer, Ms. Javier so come to your senses now!"

That made me suddenly stop. I felt like someone had suddenly splashed a cold water on me dahil sa mga sinabi nyang 'yon.

Yes. He was right. I was here as an investigator at hindi para patayin ang manyak na'to.

But here I am again. Letting my anger controlled me. 

Groaning, I closed my eyes and tightly squeezed it out.

You have to focus, Sam. Focus on your case and don't let your damn emotions to control you.

I heaved in a few deep breaths to calm myself down. And once I felt calmed enough, I slowly opened my eyes.

It was fine---

My eyes bulged out and I jumped out in surprise when I was suddenly greeted with Mr. del Fuero's frowning face just a few inches away from my own. So damn close for my comfort.

"M-Mr. del Fuero! A-Anong---"

"Are you stuttering, Ms. Javier? This is a first time for me na makita kang ganito at magsalita ng buhul-buhol." Sarkastiko nitong komento with his furrowed brows. 

"At sino ba namang hindi magkakaganito kapag bigla-bigla mo nalang ilapit 'yang pagmumukha mo sa mukha ko? Hindi mo dapat ginagawa 'yon!!!!" Galit kong sagot sa kanya.

"Because there's something wrong with you."

That statement made me stiffened and stared at him in  silent. Studying him closely as to how he was able to know that I had lose out my control awhile ago?

How? 

Not wanted to appear affected by what he had said, I quickly put up a serious face at tumingin ng diretso sa mga mata nito without giving any emotions away.

"There's nothing wrong with me. Just mind your own business."

He didn't answered. He just remained silent and just stared at me with curiousity and unconvinced look on his face. And I didn't back down with his stares. I stared at him as well, battling with gazes. 

Then I heard someone cleared his throat.

"Umm...Excuse me Love birds.. I think mamaya nyo nalang ipagpatuloy 'yang LQ at titigan niyo dahil mga ilang sandali nalang, nandito na 'yong mga pulis---"

"Hindi kami love birds!"

"Hindi kami love birds!"

Liam wasn't able to continue his sentence when we yelled that at the same time.

"Oh.. Okay. I guess I just have to leave you be then."nakangising saad nito habang nakataas ang dalawang kamay nito.

I just throw him a disapproval glare saka inayos ko nalang ang punit-punit na damit ko. Pinagpag ko muna ang mga damong nasa damit at braso ko, trying to avoid his confrontation about that 'something wrong about me' again.

Kung hindi sana sa gagong lalaking 'yon, hindi sana ako ganito kadumi at----

"Hindi na yan maayos."

"Alam ko." sagot ko rito without looking up at him at ipinagpatuloy na ang ginagawa ko.And when I was about to raise the hem of my dress---

"Stop that."

Frowning, I looked up at him in confusion.

Hindi na ito nakatingin sa'kin ngayon kundi sa ibang direksyon na.

"Stop what, Mr. del Fuero?"naguguluhang tanong ko rito.

"Basta. Just stop it." sagot nito habang iniiwasan parin ang mga mata ko.

That made me more confused with him.

Baliw na ba ang taong to? Pinatitigil ako sa 'di ko naman alam kung ano??

"Just tell me what should I bloody stop then! At kung pwede, wag kung saan-saan nakatingin yang mata mo. Ako 'yong kinakausap mo kaya tumingin ka rito. Hindi 'yong kinakausap mo'ko but you're facing the wrong direction." naiirita ko ng utos rito as he was starting to get into my nerves again.

He cleared his throat first saka tumingin sa'kin with his straight face and an unknown look in his eyes.

"Tigilan mo na yang kapapagpag mo sa damit mo, Ms. Javier. You're showing off your---"

"What??" I cut off as my patience starting to lose.

"Your....." he trailed off again na parang 'di mapakali sa kinatatayuan nito.

With a pointed look, I impatiently waited for him to continue.

"Never mind about it! Just do whatever you pleases to do." Then with that, he walked out while waving off his hands and headed to his own car beside my own. 

And that confused me more.

Naalog yata ang ulo ng taong 'to dahil sa pakikipag-suntukan kanina. Showing off? Nababaliw na ba ang taong 'to? Pinapagpag ko lang naman ang----

I stopped then froze. And then my eyes bulged out when I happened to glance down at my dress. 

Holy Shit!

Ba't hanggang pwet ko na ang punit na'to???!

Hanggang hita lang naman to kanina ah???

Then agad na bumalik sa'kin ang mga nangyari kanina.With that bunch of kicking I made earlier, ripping my dress into this ragshit.

Napapikit na lamang ako ng mahigpit dahil dun while groaning.

Oh no.. Now I finally understand why Mr. Del Fuero have reacted that way.

"It's okay, Sam. You have a sexy ass anyway so it was just so fine!" 

That made me groaned more and glared to my right, to the grinning Liam.

Pagkakita nito sa galit na mukha ko, agad na itong tumakbo patungo sa kotse ni Mr. del Fuero.

Bweset!

This is all that bastard's fault!

I glared down at the half unconscious man on the ground.

I think I should give him another hard kick for this embarrassment---

'Di ko na natapos ang iba ko pang iniisip nang marinig ko na ang sirena ng mga pulis.

Pasalamat ka't nandito na sila. Bugbog ka sana uli sa'kin.

With an exasperated sigh, I started to walk to my  car.

"Excuse me. You're Ms. Javier, right? Yong tumawag kanina."

I halted on my steps when a police officer greeted me halfway to my car.

"I'm police officer Reynan Santos. Pwede ka rin ba naming maimbitahan sa presinto to give us a statement regarding this incident?"

I just nodded at him na agad namang ipinagpasalamat nito.  The other officers were talking with Liam while the other picked up the two suspects.

I noticed the poor girl was ushered by the officer to the other patrol car. Agad na'kong lumapit rito before the officer could even closed the car door beside her.

I have to make sure na okay lang ito dahil malaki ang maitutulong nito sa'kin to strengthen the case against Frederico.

Napaigtad pa ito pagbukas ko, probably still traumatized with what happened kanina.

"Ako lang 'to, miss. Okay ka lang ba?" nag-aalala kong tanong sa kanya.

The woman glanced up at me and weakly smiled at me. Bakas parin ang takot sa mga mata nito but I can ttell she was trying so hard to look fine when she wasn't. Her swelling eyes and cheeks were the obvious evidence.

"I-I'm sorry kanina, miss---"

"Sam. I'm Sam Javier." Pakilala ko rito while offering my hand na kimi naman nitong tinanggap.

"Suzane. I'm sorry talaga kanina, mis-"

"Just call me Sam, Suzane." Putol ko na rito while giving a small smile na ibinalik naman nito.

"Sam, sorry talaga kanina. Kung hindi dahil sa'kin, hindi ka sana nadamay at nasaktan." 

She was sorry habang nakayuko at pinipisil-pisil yong mga kamay nito. Halatang hindi mapalagay. Probably dahil sa takot, sa mga posible sanang nangyari kung hindi pa dumating sina Liam.

well, I feel her. I've suffered the same experience as her. Well, maybe less traumatized than mine but it was still all the same. 

I just shook my head saka nakangiting hinawakan ang mga kamay nito.

"Don't be sorry. Sanay na'ko sa ganitong trabaho and I'm fine. You should worry about yourself." 

Nakatingin lang sya sa'kin with confused look in her eyes, causing me to furrow my brows at her.

"What? May nasabi bakong mali?"

She vigorously shook her head then smiled at me.

"Sanay ka sa ganito? Then does that mean palagi ka talagang napapaaway kagaya ng kanina?" mangha nyang tanong sa'kin.

A smile came to my mouth at that reaction.

I wonder why ba't bigla nalang naging ganito ang reaction nya. But never mind. As long as hindi na ito parang balisa at takot ngayon.

"Oo. Sa trabaho ko, hindi talaga maiiwasang may mangyayaring ganit---"

"Trabaho mo? Bakit? Ano bang trabaho mo? Pulis ka ba?"

"No. I'm just an ordinary investigator. Nothing so special about it. And I'm currently handling that bastard's recent victim case."kaswal kong sagot rito while pointing Frederico na kasalukuyan ng nakaposas as he was pushed inside the police car.

"And starting from the event kanina, minamanmanan ko na ito because I have a suspicion na may gagawin na naman itong katarantaduhan tonight which he did." I informed her, wanted to get down to my business. To persuade her to testify in this case.

Para wala ng kawala rito ang manyak na'yon.

"Narinig ko nga 'yon sa'yo kanina. So marami na palang nabiktima ang gagong 'yon..."

Tumango agad ako sa kanya.

"Oo. And they had suffered as well, more worse than you have, Suzane. They were brutally assaulted at ang nakakalungkot dun, their case had been dismissed and justice been denied for them. At kailangan nila ang tulong mo. Kailangan nila ang tulong mo to finally send that bastard to jail permanently."

Pagkarinig nito sa'kin, tears started to form in her eyes. Then she started to sob. Probably dahil naalala na naman nito ang mga nangyari sa kanya kanina. I comforted her by patting her back. And when she calmed down a bit, tumingin uli ito sa'kin while sniffing. 

"A-Anong pwede kong itulong, Sam? Gagawin ko. Gusto ko ring ipakulong at pagbayarin ang mga taong 'yon kanina. Just tell me what I have to do and I won't even hesitate to do it." Then she wiped the tears that had fell on her cheeks.

I smiled at her answer.

I think she was brave than what I had thought she was. Then good to hear that from her. Atleast, nabawasan ang mga problema ko. 

"Wala kang ibang gagawin kundi tumestigo ka laban sa gagong 'yon. And from there, ako ng bahala sa lahat until they'd pay their sins." 

I was able to let out a sigh of relief when she nodded at that while putting up a brave face.

"Asahan mo'ko dun. Hindi ko palalagpasin ang ginawa nya sa'kin at ayokong may mabiktima pa ang mga tarantadong taong 'yon."

I grinned at her and nodded my head. Happy to  hear that.

"Thank you.." 

"Sam." napalingon agad ako sa likod ko nang marinig ko ang boses na'yon.

"Liam."

"Kailangan na nating umalis. They need our statement at the police station. Ikaw? Kaya mo pa bang magdrive---"

Itinaas ko na agad ang kamay ko to stop his stupid question.

What am I? A damsel in distress that needs a knight in shining armor to rescue my butt? Oh no. 

"I can handle myself, Liam. Mauna na kayo. Susunod na lang ako sainyo."

Agad namang tumango ito saka lumapit sa pinto malapit kay Suzane saka isinara 'yon.

"Just make sure na hindi ka na naman makikipagbasagan ng ulo okay? Diretso sa police station, Sam." pabirong saad ni Liam habang nakangisi sa'kin.

I just rolled my eyes at him saka naglakad na patungo sa kotse ko.

Geez. Kanina, para akong damsel in distress. Ngayon naman basagulera? How lovely.

"Sam, wait!"

"Ano na naman??" I snapped at him in annoyance sabay lingon rito.

Dali-dali naman itong lumapit sa'kin habang may hawak-hawak na jacket sa kamay nito.

"Baka gusto mo munang takpan yang pwet mo before you'd go to the police station, Sam? Although you have a great ass, pero tiyak pagpipyistahan ka----" hindi ko na ito pinatapos and just  snatched his jacket from his hand while scowling at him.

I totally forgot about my ass.

"Thanks, Liam." I uttered after I covered up myself saka tumalikod na'ko rito, not wanted to see his stupid face while grinning at me. Ignoring the bastard na ngayo'y nakatawa pa sa'kin.  

"You're welcome, Samantha! Anytime!" he playfully answered habang natatawa parin.

Geez.. He could really be so annoying sometime but I was thankful for his concern. Hindi tulad ng ibang tao diyan na walang kaconcern-concern sa katawan nila!

Nauna ng umalis ang mga pulis saka naman sina Liam na nakisakay lang sa sasakyan ni Mr. del Fuero.

I wonder kung bakit nakikisakay lang ito ngayon when I'm certain he himself had a billion dollar company as well.

Shrugging that thought off, I get into my car as well and followed them.

Mga ilang minuto palang akong nagmamaneho, bigla na lamang tumunog ang phone ko.

I checked the caller and groaned nang makita ko kung sino yon.

I tapped the receive button then turn it to loudspeaker.

"Sam, napatawag ka kanina? Do you need anything------"

"It's nothing, Al. I've already sorted it out. The police got Frederico and my case will be over tomorrow."

"Good to hear that then." 

"Papunta na kami sa Police station ngayon. I'll end this call now. bye."

Then with that, I ended that call at nagpatuloy na sa pagmamaneho.

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After na maibigay namin ang mga statement namin sa mga pulis at makitang nakakulong na si Frederico at ang kasama nito, agad na kaming lumabas sa lugar na 'yon.

Though nakakulong na ang taong yon, I still have to make sure na hinding-hindi na'to makakalabas pa ngayon. 

Liam called for his driver para sunduin ito. He insisted na ito na ang maghahatid kay Suzane. I just agreed with him kahit alam kong medyo hindi maganda ang mga unang pagkikita ng dalawa.

Well, alam ko namang walang gagawing masama ang Liam na yon kay Suzane if he don't want to get a kick from her again. 

Napapangiti na lamang ako sa posibleng mangyari kay Liam 'pag gagawa ito ng kalokohan kay Suzane.

Pagkadating ng driver nito with his car, agad na itong nagpaalam sa'min.

And Mr. del Fuero being himself, wala lang itong kibo sa tabi ko with his hands in his pocket habang nakatayo kami sa labas ng Police station.

I looked at my wristwatch to check the time.

1:15 am.

No wonder why I felt like my eyes were ready to fall off now.

Yawning out, tatalikod na sana para pumasok na sa kotse ko when I heard him suddenly called out my name.

With an exhausted look on my face, I turned to him.

"What?" I asked with sleepy eyes. Medyo masakit pa rin ang mukha ko lalo na sa gilid ng mata ko.

"Where are you going?"

Agad na tumaas ang kilay ko sa tanong nyang 'yon.

"Of course, sa pagiging matanda, Mr. del fuero. Alangan namang sa pagiging bata." Sarkastiko ko ng sagot rito while rolling my a bit sore and sleepy eyes.

He just groaned frustratedly saka tumingin sa'kin ng patalim.

"I'm serious, Ms. Javier." Matigas pang saad nito. At dahil parang seryoso nga ito, sinagot ko nalang sya ng maayos para matapos na'to.

"Uuwi na. I've got nothing to do here so I'll head home now."

Tumango-tango lang sya pero mga ilang sandali lang, nataranta na lamang ako nang bigla nyang hinawakan ang kanang pisngi ko.

He just nodded his head without even moving an inch. 

"Bakit? May kailangan ka pa bang sabihin sa'kin? Because if not, then I'd -----

My eyes widened in surprise nang biglaan nalang nitong ilapit sa'kin ang mukha nito, making my eyes as wide as saucers and even held my breath.

"W-What are you doing, Mr. del Fuero?" tarantang kong tanong rito.

He didn't answered and I swallowed hard in discomfort when his hand suddenly caressed my cheeks.

Oh shit. Is he out of his mind?

I don't know what he was doing to me. Ang alam ko lang, he was making me feel something funny inside. Something new to me. And this doesn't sit me well.

Then I felt his thumb trace the side of my lower lip.

Whatever he was doing right now, I have to stop it ASAP!

Akma ko na sanang tatampalin ang kamay nito when he growled out in disapproval.

"Stay still, Ms. Javier."He demanded with his usual hard voice.

Shit! ano ba talagang ginagawa nito?

Mas lalo pakong nataranta nang mas ilapit pa nito ang mukha nito sa'kin with his furrowed brows, as if he was closely inspecting something on my face.

I hastily stepped back away from him dahilan para dumilim agad ang mukha nito.

"I said be still, Ms. Javier!" he hissed out, obviously annoyed with me.

"A-Ano ba kasing ginagawa mo sa mukha ko?"

He just glared down at me and continued with his pursed lips.

Sa liwanag na maron sa parteng 'yon ng station, I could clearly see the details of his face.

Thick dark brows above his eyes, dark grey eyes which perfectly complimented his ebony hair, straight pointed noise, hard and strong jaw with light stubbles na syang nagpapatigas pa lalo sa appearance nito. At---

Agad akong napatigil when I realize kung anu-ano ng iniisip ko.

Shit! of all things na napansin ko, why does it to be his appearance??

This is insane---

"Ouch!" I cried out when he suddenly touched the side of eye. The swelled part.

 "Ano ba?? Alam mo ng masama ang tama ko diyan, hinahawakan mo pa!" bulyaw ko na rito sabay atras palayo sa kanya, feeling like I was burnt with his proximity.

He straightened up saka seryosong tumingin sa'kin.

"I think malala nga ang natanggap mo kanina, Ms. Javier. And seeing how you are reacting right now, I can tell na kaya mo ng gamutin 'yan mag-isa without admitting you to the hospital. Have a painful night then." Then with that, the bastard took his leave and get into his car, leaving me with my mouth hang open as my gaze followed his car drove off to the highway.

What the Heck???!!! So ganun-ganun nalang? Hahawak-hawakan ako saka iiwan nalang pagkatapos?

That bastard!

I should've just punch his face when I still had the chance to do it! 

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