2: The heated encounter and the eavesdropper

SAM'S POV

Ano ba'tong taong to? Kung makasipot parang kabute! O baka naman may sayad lang talaga 'to kaya sunod ng sunod sa'kin??

Well, mukha nga naman. Hindi malabo.

Ano bang ibang dahilan para bubuntot-buntot 'to sa'kin ngayon? Of course, dahil "I am planning something" daw ika nga nito.

Then here's some news for you granite man. It wasn't just a plan now, dahil tapos ko ng gawin. Case been solved and closed. But hindi ko yun sinabi sa pagmumukha niya baka mabaliw pa ng sobra ang taong 'to at di na'ko tatantanan. That won't be so good to have him as my stalker. Gwapo nga ito but his behavior?

No, no,no. A big NO, NO for that.

Agad ko ng binitawan ang pinto ng sasakyan saka humarap rito.

"Ano na naman??" tanong ko with an annoyed voice.

"So you have seduced him to blackmail him?"

My brow raised at that while glaring at him with disbelief.

Something's really wrong with this man. Something in his head.

"Blackmail? And why would I do that?"

Mas lalo pang tumindi ang titig niya sa'kin ngayon. Yung tipo ng titig na 'you would've been 6 feet below'.

"For some penny of course."

A disbelief scoff instantly came out from my mouth when he utterred that.

"For some penny?"I asked with my innocent voice. Pretending that I was confused kahit na gusto ko ng upakan 'to.

He just smirked at me then again, balik na naman ang mukha nito sa pagiging bato.

"I know your kind miss, so 'wag kang umarte na parang inosente because you're not." Sabi niya in his mocking voice.

I can't help but shook my head, ignoring his mockery.

His words were just useless because I am already used to being treated like a lowly woman that I wasn't. Dahil sa pagpapanggap kong maging escort girl, of course, lots of wives and girlfriends of my subjects were kind enough to treat me like that. Mas malala pa nga sa sinasabi ng gagong 'to ngayon kaysa sa natanggap kong pang-iinsulto ng mga babaeng 'yon.

"At anong klase nga ba akong babae mister? A bitch? Wench? Haliparot? Bayarang babae? Opportunista? Fortune hunter?Ano pa? Just say it, para malaman ko. I would be very glad kung dadagdagan mo pa ang vocabulary ko." I challenged him with my face not giving any emotions away.

The bastard just raised his eyebrow. Probably thinking kung bakit alam ko ang susunod na sasabihin nito . . .

He just stayed silent for a while, studying me under his dark stares but after a few moment of just staring at me, nagsalita na rin ito sa wakas.

Good, kasi iinom pa'ko.

"So you're planning to blackmail Alvaro for a fortune?"

Goodness with this cold man. Why is he insisting that I'm going to blackmail someone? Don't tell me he was into it and it's a big deal for him kung anong maaari kong gawin..

I inwardly smirked when I thought about that.

Tama. Guilty people tends to accuse other people or insists na ginagawa nila ang mga bagay na gawain naman pala nila. And this man is one of those guilty people.

Smirking at him, agad ko ng sinagot ito.

"Tingin ko ako ang dapat na magtanong sa'yo kung anong binabalak mo Kay Alvaro, mister... You sounded like you've 'care' so much about what I'm gonna do to him. Para bang.... may binabalak ka sa kanya. Tama ba'ko.... or tamang-tama?" Panunuyang tanong ko rito, making his eyes instantly darkened. Probably affected.

And with how deadly was his stares now, I think he was already murdering me many times in his head right now.

How wonderful.

"And What makes you think na gagawin ko 'yon? Hindi mo ko kilala, babae so shut the fuck up."

He was ticked off. I have definitely hit some nerves there kaya naman nagagalit na ito ngayon.

Hmm.. why not just tease him to death then? That was much more preferable and exciting to see kesa hayaan nalang itong sirain ang gabi ko.

With a mocking smirk, I just looked at him with eyes glinting with mischief.

"Why?? Huh! I can't believe I'm hearing this from you now.. Do you really want to hear it from me kung alam mo na naman ang sagot sa tanong mo??"

This time, mas lalo pang dumilim ang mukha niyang gwapo-sana-pero-parang-bato-naman and he was so full of himself!. Akala mo kung sinong malinis, may tinatago-tago rin namang baho sa buto nito!

"I am not like you woman."

My brow shot up when I heard that from him.

Seriously? This man really want to have a taste of my ire!

Okay. Time for me to finish this spat dahil nagsasayang lang ako ng oras sa atong 'to.

"And I am not like you too, mister cold man. You don't know me pero alam na alam ko kung ano ang balak mo kay Alvaro."

"Hindi mo alam kung sinong kinakalaban mo." He growled out with his tight lips.

Ayoko sanang mainis rito pero sa pagsasayang nya sa oras ko ngayon, it was just so hard not to be annoyed with him now.

heaving out an exasperated sigh, I answered him with bared teeth, almost ready to bit his head off.

"Hindi nga kita kilala, mister at mas lalong hindi mo rin ako kilala. Kaya kung maaari, lubayan mo na'ko dahil sinasayang mo ang oras ko."

Alam kong nanggagalaiti na ito ngayon sa galit seeing how his ears pricked up and the way his jaw twitched.

He's obviously close to explode in rage. That's a good news for me then dahil -----

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted nang bigla nalang itong lumapit sa'kin, leaving only an inches gap between us.

Hindi 'to yung moment na "huminto yong heartbeat ko dahil sa closeness namin sa isa't isa" because I was far from that.

I pretended to appear unalarmed with his sudden action and instead, I just smirked at him. Challenging him na atakehin ako.

Malay natin, isa pala itong psychopath at mamatay tao.

Then with eyes ready to murder me, he said

"Stop whatever you were thinking na gawin kay Alvaro, woman. I am not someone na pwede mong banggain so back off." He warned with his low threatening voice.

Making me smirked more with his attempt na takutin ako sa banta nito.

But hey! I am used to that voice and I have used that voice to scare the hell out of my admirers and suspects. So, wala lang talaga sa'kin yun. NO EFFECT. Abso-bloody-lutely none. That's it.

Giving him a mocking smirk, I stepped more closer to him, leaving no space between us.

In my 5'6" height, hanggang sa ilong nya lang ako umabot but it's okay. It wasn't about the height anyway. It's all about how quick you move.

"I hate to disappoint you, mister but I just think I just have to. You can't stop me with it and you can never make me. NEVER. " I whispered then smiled at him.

I was about to move away from him pero but I groaned nang bigla nalang nitong hinila ang kanang braso ko before I could even move away from, glaring down at me habang nanlilisik ang mga mata nito.

With gritted teeth, I glared at him habang nangangati ng paduguin ang ilong nito.

"I am not someone to be challenged by some garbage like you, woman. So I'm warning you, stop or---"

"or what? You'll kill me?" I asked before I scoffed. "Try your luck to kill me bastard. I'm not someone na tumatakbo kapag may gustong pumatay sa'kin. I'm very far from that at hinding-hindi kita uurungan sa bagay na'yan.." I growled while battling an intense gaze with him.

Akala nya siguro na tatakbo ako habang bahag ang buntot ko. Naiinis na ko sa taong 'to ngayon kaya kelangan ko ng umalis dito and continue my plan to drink.

Napaarko nalang ng bongga ang kilay ko when he suddenly chuckled dryly.

Nakatingin lang ako rito na para bang nakatingin lang ako sa isang nababaliw na aso, like this man sa harap ko.

Then after a few moment of his amusement, he look at me again with an intense eyes.

"Hindi ako mamatay tao kagaya ng iniisip mo, babae." He uttered with his eyes full of amusement.

Huh! So he was so amused by me then?

Well, let's see kung maaamuse ka pa sa'kin after I do this. Taking his hand off of my arm, tumingin na'ko sa kanya with eyes full of mischief. Agad naman itong napatigil saka tumingin sa'kin with confused eyes, probably confused kung anong binabalak ko.

Well, you would know it as in.....right now!

Then with that, I stomped his feet hard! So hard that I think I even heard it crack. Good.

"Holy shit!!!" He cried out as he was quick enough to nurse his injured foot with his face crunching in pain.

Satisfied with his reaction, mabilis na'kong pumasok sa loob ng sasakyan ko before he could even recover from my stomp. Agad ko ng binuhay ang makina and then stepped the gas. Pero bago pa'ko tuluyang makalayo sa lugar na'yon, I stopped the car a few meters away from him saka dinungaw ito sa bintana.

nang makita ko itong galit ng nakatingin sa'kin, I quickly gave hima wide grin then waved my hands at him.Mocking the hell out of him.

"Next time na magkita pa uli tayo, heels ko na talaga ang bubutas sa paa mo. Take care!" I shouted at him, causing his nostrils to flare out.

Ans with that, I quickly drove off away from that place, away from that cold bloodied man.

I'm sure he was already strangling me in his mind now. Murdering me many times dahil sa tindi ng galit nito sa'kin ngayon.

Then that's good. Atleast, he would remember me as his badluck.

Hmm, time to celebrate for my double victory tonight.

I drove straight to the Palace Night Pub. Ito yung place na pinupuntahan ko once I'm done with my every shitty case.

I hope ibang case naman ang ibibigay sa'kin next time. I hate cases na kelangan kong magpanggap bilang escort girl. Nakakabato na ng sobra ang mga insulto na natatanggap ko mula sa mga taong involve sa mga subjects ko, like tonight.

That man really needs some head-butt from me para matauhan naman ito. Akala niya kung sinong malinis!

Alam ko kung bakit galit na galit ito sa'kin ngayon. Because he knows I'm going to ruin his plan na iblackmail si Alvaro once I open my mouth.

So he knows Alvaro's affairs all this time.. Pero hindi nya lang sinasabi ito sa iba because he'll use it to his advantage....

Kaya naman pala naging ganun ang mukha ni Alvaro boy nung kausap nya ito.

Hmmm....

I think he's a business man, matinik na business man who has a habit to use his enemies' weaknesses as his advantange.

I know that people so well. Ang iba nga pumapatay ng business enemy because of greed.

And I know someone who was like that...at kailangan ko itong hanapin kahit anumang mangyari.

It may take me years to do that and claim the justice I seek but I would never stop hunting that man. After all, I am only living for that purpose anyway. If it wasn't for that, hindi ko alam kung nandito pa'ko hanggang ngayon sa mundong 'to.

I only have one reason to live, at yun ang hanapin ang mga taong yun. With my thoughts started to linger on that, memories from the past suddenly appeared.

"They're dead..!"

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

My heart suddenly felt restricted in my chest when I remember that day. So clear like it had happened just yesterday.

I mentally shook my head para iwaksi muna yun sa isipan ko, trying to calm myself, not wanted to remember the pain again.

Not now, Sam. Not now.

Napahigpit nalang bigla ang hawak ko sa manibela, trying so hard to control myself.

Though it happened 10 years ago, pero yong sakit at alaala, napakapresko parin.

That made me heave up a deep breath and then I let itbout in a loud sigh.

Ganyan nga Sam. You are strong. You are strong enough to control yourself now. I try to convince myself.

Not long, I arrived at the Pub na parang hindi ko man lang namalayan.

With my self control began to come back, I quickly parked my car at the parking lot sa harapan mismo ng establishment. Pagkahinto, I quickly took my bag and black leather jacket at the seat beside me na lagi Kong dala. Agad na'kong lumabas ng bahay saka ito isinuot.

Napansin kong marami ang tao ngayon dito since maraming sasakyang nasa labas.

Well, mas mabuti nga yon para mas masaya.

I head to the entrance door then greeted with Manny and Bino, the bouncers, smiling at me.

I smiled back at them. Regular customer nila ako dito and since they are good allies and informants to have here 'pag one of my subjects in a case ay nandito. They are a great help sa mga past cases ko.

They each greeted me with a high five.

Goodness with these macho people.

"Hi Sammy girl!" they teased at me. Alam kasi nilang ayokong tinatawag akong ganun.

I playfully slapped their arms which caused them to laugh at me.

"Geez, mainit parin ang ulo mo Sammy. Hindi ka parin nagbabago.." Manny said habang nakatawa sa akin.

"Kailan paba naging malamig ang ulo nito? I think never yun nangyari bro.." segunda naman ni Bino.

I shook my head at them.

Di na bago sa'kin ang mga biro ng dalawang 'to. I am used to these two kaya as usual, sisibat na'ko dahil nasa entrance kami and there are other customers na papasok.

"I'm going to my usual spot now. Ayusin nyong trabaho nyo and..." they both grinned at me, waiting for me to complete my sentence, though alam na nila kung ano 'yun.

"And wag nyo nakong tatawaging ganun. You know I hate that." They chuckled at me before sila sumagot.

"Sir, yes, ma'am!"biro nila then gave me a mocked salute habang pinipigilang matawa.

I quickly poked each of their sides lightly saka ako umalis palayo sa dalawa. Habang sila naman ay tawang-tawa.

I smirked hearing them while heading to my usual spot, near the bartender.

Of course, drinks ang ipinunta ko rito so mas maganda if nasa harapan ko lang yung bartender.

Agad akong umupo sa stool then umorder.

I noticed na bago ang on duty na bartender ngayon. Siguro, off duty yung dati.

"One margarita, please." Sabi ko, grabbing the attention of the bartender. He came to my spot then smiled at me.

"Coming right up, mademoiselle." My brow quickly raised at that.

Italian?

Hmm, I think I like this new guy. After a few seconds nga, dumating na ang order ko.

"Here's your order." Then he smiled at me with his straight white teeth.

Yeah, he's charming.

"Thanks." I said with a smile then took a sip of my drinks.

"Hmm, taste good." The man smiled at me nang marinig nya ang comment ko.

"Good to hear that. Just call me if you need me here." he said with a big smile while winking at me then agad na siyang bumalik sa pag-entertain sa other customers.

I just followed him with my eyes while sipping my drink.

I didn't know they have hired a new Bartender here.

Gwapo, nice physique but not my type.

Wala nga ako nun. I chuckled inwardly.

Then turning my seat to the dance floor, I focused myself back to my drinks habang patingin-tingin sa paligid, scanning the activities going on around while sipping my drinks.

We never know, baka may blessings na dumating.

Lahat ng booth sa kabila was heavily occupied with customers. Konti lang ang naka-occupy sa dance floor kaya medyo hindi pa ganun kaingay ang lugar na'to. The other people were busy having a talk with their companies with drinks in each of their hands. Waiters and waitresses loitered everywhere with ordered drinks in hand.

Mostly sa mga nandito ngayon ay mga naka company suits. Of course, to have a hang out.

For a few minutes, I just kept doing that, observing the people around me with hawkish eyes.

Napansin kong may dalawang bagong customers na lumapit sa bar stool malapit sa akin, just one stool away from my own seat.

I observe them, at base sa suot ng mga ito, they're company employees na pumunta agad dito after work hours or overtime. Probably to have a night out. A Friday night out to be precised.

I shook my head.

Goodness myself. Dahil talaga sa profession ko, 'di ko mapigilang mag-observe sa lahat ng mga tao or events na nangyayari sa paligid ko.

I sipped again and then a few minutes after, my phone rang inside my bag.

Placing down the glass back to the bar counter, I quickly fished out my phone and then tap the receive button without even checking the caller.

"Case closed. Naipasa ko na yung clear shots as proofs kasama na yung ibang document." Allan informed me.

"Good."

"I'm sure shot gun ni Mrs. Alvaro ang madadatnan ni Roland Alvaro ngayon." I heard allan while chuckling. I quickly chuckled back at the thought of Alvaro boy na hinahabol ito ng baril ng asawa nito.

"Karma is a son of a bitch after all, Al."

I heard Al laughed at that. I just smirked hearing him. Then after a few seconds, I ended the call.

I was just about to slid my phone back to my bag nang nagring na naman uli ito.

This time, I checked the caller.

Aunt Roselyn...

I can't help but groaned out, suddenly frustrated with it.

Oh God, not now Auntie. Hindi ko kailangan ang sermon mo ngayon...

My aunt could be so persistent kung gugustuhin nito and I know sesermonan na naman ako nun kesyo hindi ko raw ito binisita last week.

Hinintay kong maforward ang call pero after na maforward ito, nagring na naman uli ito.

Oh shiiit...

Napapabuntong-hininga na lang ako dahil sa kakulitan nito. Now starting to get annoyed with my persistent aunt.

It took me a few seconds long before I decided to answer her call para matapos na ang kalbaryo ko.

Sighing in defeat, I tapped the receive button.

"Kumusta ang target na investors niyo? Hindi ba nasulot ng kabilang kompanya?"

My ear pricked up at that nang bigla kong marinig yon sa mga lalaking malapit lang sa'kin.

Investors?

Hmm...interesting topic.

"Hello? Sam----"

Dali-dali ko ng pinutol ang call ng aunt ko saka ini-off na ang phone ko. Aunt's sermon can wait but this rare opportunity to eavesdrop, minsan lang 'to.

Dyan ako magaling sa eavesdropping. It's one of my best strategies para makakalap ng leads sa mga cases ko. And it was quite beneficial for a P.I. like me.

I moved closer to my right to hear their conversation more clearly then sipped my almost empty glass of margarita.

Another drinks can wait as well.

"Wala. Nasulot na naman ng DFCS. Halos magwala nga si sir Enriquez kanina sa galit."

DFCS? Enriquez?

The other man beside me shook his head at that news.

"Giyera na naman 'to."

"I'm sure hindi papayag si sir na mautakan pa uli ng DFCS. At base sa narinig ko sa opisina kanina," the man paused then looked around him, probably checking kung may ibang nakikinig sa kanila.

And yes, you have me here.

I pretended na parang di nakikinig while sipping my drink. But my peripheral view, kitang-kita ko ang mga ito.

"Ano? Anong narinig mo?" curious na tanong ng kasama nito.

Then after macheck ng isa na walang ibang nakikinig sa kanila, he leaned closer to the other man.

"Atin-atin lang 'to. I heard na may bago silang recruit from DFCS na magiging espiya niya dun." He said in his low voice but I have my two good elephant ears with me, so rinig na rinig ko parin ang lahat ng 'yon.

The other man's eyes widened at that. Probably shock with the news.

Spies??

Hmmm. Very interesting indeed. I'm sure archrivals ang dawalang company na'to. Sulutan ng mga investors?

Tsk, tsk... matinding competition nga ito.

DFCS will definitely be a sorry ass if its enemy's spies will succeed. Succeed in giving away all the list of potential investors and buyers to its rival.

And if the other side will recruit employees sa kalaban nito para maging spies, mas maganda kung nagtatarabaho ito malapit sa boss nito.

Board of directors or secretary perhaps?

"Totoo ba 'yan?"

"I swear. Dalawa yata yun. And once they will succeed, I'm sure tapos ang maliligayang araw ng DFCS."

Huh! Di lang tapos kundi deads na deads.

I shook my head then turned to the bartender para umorder uli.

DFCS? I think I have heard that company before pero 'di ko lang mapoint out kung kailan at saan.

The owner must be very cautious in sharing their confidential documents so that they won't be dead before they even knew it.

Pagkatapos dumating ng order ko, ibinalik ko na uli ang atensyon ko sa inuming hawak ko. Enough with eavesdropping, kailangan ko ng umuwi.

I glanced down at my wristwatch and it says it's already 11:25pm. This could just mean na halos isang oras na'ko rito.

Okay, time to call it a night.

Gulping down all the content in my glass, tumayo na'ko agad sa upuan ko saka nag-iwan ng bayad. I quickly headed to the exit. I waved to Manny and Bino who waved at me back before I exited that place.

I was greeted by a cold air of December pagkalabas ko palang. Today's the 2nd day of this month kaya naman ganito kalamig ang gabi ngayon.

Medyo madilim sa may exit at konti lang ang taong nakatambay sa parteng 'yon. Ignoring those people and with cautious eyes, I just walked with a hasty steps straight to the parking lot where I had parked my car. Sa ganitong mga oras, I really need to be careful sa paligid ko. Holdapers are known to attack at this late hours at ayokong makasagupa man lang ng ganong mga tao ngayon.

I have faced lots of people like that in my past cases but for now, I don't want to waste my time for them dahil gusto ko ng magpahinga.

Hindi na'ko naninibago sa bagay na'yan but I just have to be on my bed now no matter what.

I let out a sigh nang mga ilang metro nalang ang layo ko mula sa sasakyan ko.

I think I will have a long night tonight since wala pa'kong new case till tomorrow. I hope makakapag-------

"Holdap 'to!'wag kang gagalaw!."

I froze when I heard that and felt of that cold pointed object sa tagiliran ko.

I groaned. Feeling frustrated with it.

Oh shit....