UNKNOWN POV
"Anong balita?"
"Mukhang nagsisimula na silang kumilos sir. I've seen Mr. Del Fuero's car at the Romero's old house last night kaya mukhang alam na nga nila ang tungkol sa file. At mukhang nagsisimula na rin silang hanapin 'yon."
I expected him to glare at me or even shout at me dahil sa balitang 'yon, but to my utter relief, umarko lang ang kilay nito saka hindi umimik.
Obviously having a deep thought.
I just stayed there habang nakatayo sa harapan ng mesa nito while waiting for his response.
He could be hatching up another plan now to dispatch those two kaya hindi ito umiimik. It's better to dispatch them now before they could even find that file and use it against him. Hindi ko alam kung ano talaga ang nasa loob ng file na'yon, all I know is that it could ruin him once used against him. And we couldn't let that happen.
"Rico?"
"Sir?" Agad na sagot ko after a few seconds of his silence.
"Just leave them be for now. Hayaan muna natin silang hanapin ang bagay na'yon..."
My brows instantly furrowed in confusion pagkarinig sa kanya.
"Hayaan? Eh paano kung mahanap nga nila ang bagay na'yon sir? You know we couldn't let that ever happen kaya---"
My mouth snapped shut when he suddenly held up his hand to silence me.
"Just do what I say, Rico. Just let them find that file but never let them out of your sight. Saka nalang muna tayo kikilos muli once they'd found it."
"Can you atleast tell me why is that, sir? Hindi ko lang kasi masyadong maintindihan ang gusto nyong mangyari." Lito paring tanong ko sa kanya when still, I couldn't get his point.
Then my brows creases more when a knowing smirk appeared on the side of his mouth.
So may Plano nga talaga ito.
"Simple lang. Let them find that file for us at kapag nagawa na nila yon, that's the time we'll attack."
"And how do you plan to attack sir?"
Again, another smile curved up into his lips as he comfortably leaned against his seat with crossed legs. A better plan glinted on his eyes.
"Agawin ang file mula sa kanila before we'll dispatched those pests. So let them be for now dahil sa sandaling magtagumpay silang hanapin ang bagay na'yon, they'll be dead before they would even know what was in that file."
I just nodded my head in agreement, now fully understanding his plan.
Mukhang maganda nga iyon. That way, makakapagpahinga muna ako sa kabubuntot ko sa dalawang yon.
"And besides," I straightened up when I heard him talk again.
"Nickandro Romero and Ronaldo del Fuero must've hid their plan kasama ang file na'yon. 'Killing two birds with one stone' eka nga nila, Rico." Then with that, he laughed.
All I could do was just nodded at him with an excited smile in my face.
Very well said. Tama nga naman ito. It's just like killing del Fuero and that investigator with one strike. And the plan must've really been hidden with that file. The plan that could make anyone powerful whoever has that.
The thing that he so desired to have for so long but couldn't have it till now.
"For now, magpadala ka nalang muna ng dalawang tauhan natin para buntutan ang dalawang yon. Make sure na hindi nila malalamang may nakabantay sa kanila. And once those two would get any clue kung nasaan nga ang bagay na'yon, saka na kayo kumilos and you know what you have to do with them, Rico."
"Yes, sir." Agad na sagot ko while nodding.
Alam na alam ko talaga kung ano 'yon.
"Okay. You may leave now."
When he uttered that with a wave of dismissal in his hand, agad na'kong tumalima and took my leave.
Time for me to continue what I was being told to do now.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SAM'S POV
"Samantha!"
I bit my lower lip when I heard my mom's shout from our house. Just hearing her voice, there was no doubt na galit ito.
Oh damn it.
Mukhang buking na naman ako nito ngayon ah.
I was just here sa likuran ng bahay namin, hiding under the bushes while shoving myself reading dad's new book. I don't know kung para ba sa'kin ang librong 'to. Ang alam ko lang, dinala nya 'to kahapon after his meeting with an important client.
'Where the sun doesn't shine by Marvens Jeff Bonhomme.'
This was a story of a tall dark girl who struggles to live in the year 1990's. Hindi gaanong maganda ang takbo ng buhay nito. She was even into drugs and all. A teardropping story that she had and blah blah blah.. I just love the part of how she'd survived from everything.
At dahil sa gusto kong tapusin agad ang librong to, hindi na muna ako pumasok sa eskwela and just hid here.
"Lumabas ka na ngayon din, Samantha! I know you're in there!"
I flinched when I heard her shout again.
Patay ako nito. Mukhang galit na galit na nga si mom ngayon. Shiiit...
I just hope dad is here para naman lumamig agad ang ulo nito. Dad could actually do that.
"Samantha!" Galit na namang tawag nito sa'kin that gave me no choice but got out from my hideout.
"Hi mom! Andito na po pala kayo!" Agad na bati ko rito with a sweet fake smile when I'd spotted her looking all ready to bald me out.
"Kumain na po ba kayo? How's the grocery store? Marami pa rin po ba ang tinda dun." I continued while trying to ignore her pinprick glare.
'"Wag na wag mo'kong pinagloloko diyan bata ka! Bakit hindi ka naman pumasok sa klase mo? Gusto mo ba talagang maging grounded na naman huh? Ikaw bata ka! Hindi ka na naman pumasok dahil sa kakabasa mo ng mga librong yan!" Galit na sigaw nito sa'kin while I just smiled at her apologetically, though I doubt if I even appeared like I was right now.
"Mom... " Panimula ko in a rather calm tone. "Absent naman si maam ngayon eh kasi may regla daw po ito ngayon kaya hindi ko na kailangang pumasok pa."
"Oh my God, Samantha!"
I flinched when she suddenly snapped that in an angry shout. Mamula-mula na ang mukha nito so there was no doubt she was ready to explode now.
Oh damn it. BAkt ba kasi ang hirap nitong lokohin?
"Talagang ginagalit mo'ko bata ka..." Nanggagalaiti pang pagpapatuloy nito. "Kung ano-anong kalokohan nalang talaga yang pumapasok diyan sa kukote mo! Pumasok ka na rito sa loob ngayon din! You still have a few minutes to prepare for your afternoon classes kaya pumasok kana agad dito!"
Just hearing that, I can't stopped but pouted while stomping my foot in protests.
"Mom!!" I cried out in protests, not wanted to do what she want.
"No!" Matigas na sagot nito while shaking her head.
"Pagkatapos mong makipagbasagan ng ulo kahapon, aabsent kana naman ngayon?! Pumasok kana dito this instant!"
Hearing that, the want to just ran from there and hide from mom's ire was very inticing to do. Pero tyak namang malilintikan ako nito once-----
"Hon! Nandito na'ko. Anong ginagawa niyo diyan sa likuran?"
When I heard dad's voice from inside of our house, relief suddenly filled me as a small smile appeared at the side of my lips.
Thank God he's here!
Then in a few seconds, nasa tabi na ito ni mom. He was still in his work attire and obviously kakarating lang nito.
"Nick! Tignan mo nga tong magaling mong anak, hindi na naman pumasok dahil sa kakabasa ng libro mo! Talagang mamamatay ako ng maaga sa batang 'to!"agad na sumbong ni mom kay dad na agad naman itong inakbayan ni dad.
"Calm down, hon. Baka tumanda ka ng dis-oras nyan." Birong saad pa ni dad sa kanya habang nakangiti at hinimas-himas ang likuran nito.
Mom then scowled while glaring at dad.
"I'm serious here, Nickandro! Kaya wag mo'kong pinagbibiro dyan!" Mom snapped in a warn with her glare at him intensified.
Pagkarinig sa pangalang 'yon, dad's smile gone in a second saka agad na sumeryoso. Once mom used his full name, walang dudang galit nga ito.
"AHERM, AHERM! Samantha?" dad said as he turned to my way with his no nonsense face though his playful eyes giving him away. I know he was just holding himself not to crack down to a smile at malintikan kay mom.
I can't help but mentally smiled at that and just play along with him.
"Yes dad?" Painosenteng tanong ko.
"Aherm! Ba't ka ba kasi umabsent bata ka huh? Talagang pinaiinit mo 'tong malamiging ulo ng mama---Aww!"
Napahagikgik na lamang ako when dad suddenly cried that out with a grimace when mom suddenly pinched his side.
"Ayus-ayusin mo'ko, Nickandro! Wag nyo'kong pinagloloko rito!" She scolded at him while still glaring at him.
"Yeah, yeah. I will, hon." Patango-tangong saad nito habang napapangiwi pa rin.
"Samantha?" He called, now looking so serious.
"Yes dad?" I answered with a playful wink at him.
He cleared his throat again like he had an asthma but a small smile peeking through the side of his mouth.
"Anong kalokohan na naman ang pinaggagawa mo? Ba't hindi ka na naman pumasok sa school ngayon? Are you really---"
" Absent si maam ngayon dad kasi may regla daw po sabi ng kaklase ko kaya di na'ko pumasok." Agad na putol sa kanya in a 'matter-of-factly' tone.
Dad won't be mad about it anyway. Afterall, He was worse than me during his time.
Hearing that, mom make a disapproval groan while dad stopping himself to burst out in laugh.
I just smirked and then continued.
"And besides, I just wanted to finish reading your book dad. Ang ganda naman kasi nito. Mary J's life was very intriguing to read. With how she survived with the darkness in her life---"
"What book, Samantha?"
I frowned when dad cut me off, suddenly turned serious. Gone was the playful look his eyes as it turned curious and alarmed.
"Your book, dad. Remember that book na dinala mo rito kahapon? I've found it in your office kaya binasa ko." I informed him with a smile before I showed him his book na hawak ko ngayon.
"This one dad." Saad ko while waving it to him with a smile.
"You shouldn't read that book, Samantha! Hand me that book now." Mariing saad nito sabay lapit sa'kin then took it from my hand.
His behavior made me frown in confusion. He seems different. I wasn't used to him acting this way.
"Hindi mo dapat pinakikilalaman ang gamit ko, Samantha. You could have lost this book and I'd be in deep shit kung ganun man."
Seriously?? Is he for real?
"Don't do this again, Samantha. Daig pa yata ng babaeng 'to ang mantika kung matulog!"
Napakunot na lamang bigla ang noo ko nang biglang napunta sa 'mantika' ang usapan.
Mantika? Ano namang kinalaman ng inosenteng mantika sa libro niya? Is he------
"MS. JAVIER!!"
"Huh!!" Napabalikwas agad ako ng bangon mula sa kawawang mesang nilalawayan ko nang may bigla na lamang kumalabog malapit sa'kin. Dragging me out of my dream and freaking the hell out of me.
My goodness!
"I guess that work out so well.."
When I heard that voice, my blurry shocked eyes then slowly focused to the owner of that bloody voice na nasa harapan ko mismo. Towering over me while staring down at me with an annoyed look in his eyes and with raised eyebrow.
For a few seconds, nakatitig lang ako rito while still trying to get my senses back.
From his well-brushed hair that were combed to the back, clean shaven face and his usual impeccable navy suit, halatang kararating lang ng gago galing sa bahay nito.
This bastard. Why does he have to appear like this when I, myself looked like shit?!
"Are you planning to just gape at me and give me that funny look, Ms. Javier? Remember that we don't have the luxury to just sit idly hangga't hindi pa natin nahahanap ang file na'yon. So off you go now. Get up!" He demanded while eyeing me from my messy hair to my disheveled clothes with disgust in his face.
Mukhang may naninigas na laway pa nga yata sa mukha ko ngayon eh.
Consciously, my hand quickly wiped it off my face.
"Ba't naman kasi ang aga-aga mo.." Reklamo ko rito while yawning and as my hands consciously massaged my sore back.
Damn it. Mas mabuti pa nga sigurong umuwi nalang ako kagabi than even thought of sleeping here. Eto ngayon ang napala ko.
"It's only six in the morning my goodness but yet, nandito ka na, Mr. Del Fuero. Everyone would really think na hindi ka man lang umuwi sa bahay mo and just stayed here overnight para samahan ako." I continued without even looking at him as I tried to kempt my messy hair by brushing it with my fingers.
I just hope na hindi ako nagmumukhang sabog na sabog na adik ngayon nito. Ba't ba naman kasing ang aga-aga nitong pumunta rito?
I frowned when for a few seconds, I didn't heard him answered and just make a rumbling sound under his throat.
And when I looked at him, patingin-patingin lang 'to sa likuran ko with his ramrod posture. As if there was an interesting view behind me, not even meeting my eyes. At kung mahuli ko naman ang mga mata nito, the bastard would just quickly looked away. Na para bang iniiwasan nitong tignan ako sa mata. The action that made me suspicious to him.
Hmmm..Hindi naman to ganito ah. I know him enough to know that he won't just shut his mouth in a sudden, lalo na't hindi pa kami tapos mag-usap. An egoistic that he was.
Pero ngayon, why is he acting this way? Binibiro ko lang naman 'to about him staying here last night kaya ba't naman matatameme ang .... gagong...
I trailed off when realization starting to dawn on me now.
Hindi naman kaya---
My gaze was snapped to his way as my eyes slowly widened.
Hindi naman kaya hindi talaga to umuwi kagabi and just stayed------
"I didn't stayed here last night. Don't ever think about assuming that absurd idea, Ms. Javier dahil hinding-hindi ko gagawin ang bagay na'yon. Never gonna happen."
My eyes narrowed in a suspicious glare nang bigla nyang sabihin yon. Acting so defensive and guilty.
"Oh you didn't, did you?"
"Sabi ng hindi so quit with that look now, Ms. Javier. Alam ko yang iniisip mo and that would never gonna happen!" He hissed out with his clasped hands behind him at hindi parin makatingin ng diretso sa'kin. Confirming my suspicion.
"Okay. Sabi mo eh." I answered with a shrug dahil parang makikipagpatayan pa yat 'to just to prove me wrong.
"By the way, may kailangan pala tayong puntahan ngayon kaya kung pwede, prepare yourself now and----" then again, he threw me a look of disgust.
"And make sure to hit the shower today before coming with me. Ayokong may langaw na bubuntut-buntot sa'tin today."
My glare at him intensified. Talagang pinamumukha ng gago that I looked like a total mess right now.
He really knows how to easily get into my nerves! Good thing may hihilingin pa'kong pabor rito so for now, I won't draw a bloody fight with him. Maybe later nalang siguro. Mukhang tama naman talaga ito. Ambaho ko na nga and a shower is a must for me.
"We still have many things to do and to talk about kaya naman bilisan mo ng linisin yang sarili mo before anything else." He addded saka nagsimula ng naglakad patungo sa may pintuan.
Kahit naiinis ako sa kanya, I just chose to let out a resigned sigh and then lazily nodded my head saka agad ng tumayo sa inuupuan ko.
"Okay. I guess kailangan ko munang umuwi sa apartment ko to do that."
"No." Agad na sagot nito as he swirled around to look at my way.
"Tyak maraming reporters parin ang nakaabang sa apartment mo kaya mas maiging gawin mo nalang yan dito."
That made me frown in disapproval at him.
Yes. Tama naman to.
But heck! Taking a shower here? Seriously?
"You know we have abandoned this house for years kaya tingin mo ba magagawa kong gawin dito yang pinagagawa mo? Maaaring hindi na gumagana ang showers rito and if it was, ano naman kayang isusuot ko, aber? Are you even willing to let me have your clothes after that?"
The bastard just shrugged in nonchalance which caused my frown to deepen.
"For sure, you have some of your old stuffs here so just wear that for now... "
"My old stuffs here?"
"As you've heard it, Ms. Javier. Just use it and no more ifs and buts." He answered with annoyance in his voice.
"No. Ayoko." Matigas agad na tanggi ko with a shook of my head.
There's no way I'd do that!
Agad na kumunot ang noo nito when I snapped that. Kahit na alam kong may ibang damit pa'ko na naiwan dito that for sure would still fit for me. Ayoko.
"Uuwi nalang muna ako sandali sa apartment ko and then we can just go to wherever you had planned----"
"No. Hindi mo ba narinig ang sinabi ko, Ms. Javier? We haven't have so much time to waste here at kailangan na nating mahanap ang bagay na'yon sa lalong madaling panahon at mas lalong ayokong nasasayang ang oras ko just because you don't want to use your old stuffs here!"
Hearing him, I glared at him. This maggot really love to annoy me. Kung alam nya lang sana kung bakit ayokong makita man lang ang mga gamit ko noon, hindi na sana ako mahihirapang ipaliwanag sa kanya ang bagay na'yon.
"Alam ko naman yon, Mr. Del Fuero but it was just--"
"It was just because you don't want to be reminded with your past with those stuffs. Am I right, Ms. Javier?"
That made me stared at him with surprised wide eyes while he just gave me a pointed look.
How the---
"But then, gamit mo lang 'yon noon and whether you'd use it or not, still, you will always be reminded with your past" He firmly said habang nakatitig lang sa'kin.
"At kung gusto mo talagang tulungan kitang mahanap ang file na 'yon and at the same time find whoever killed your parents...." He trailed off as he squared his shoulder without any tinge of joke or sarcasms in his face. Habang ako naman, just stared at him in his eyes while gritting my teeth. Being reminded with my real mission.
"kailangan mong gawin ang sinasabi ko, Ms. Javier...Kailangan mong sumunod man lang sa mga sinasabi ko kahit minsan lang. This case isn't just some joke and definitely not a joke for me."
I didn't answered right away and just stood there habang nakatitig lang rito, staring straight to his eyes with an unknown glint on it. Can't believe I'd get this chance to have a talk with him like this.
No sarcastic remarks and insults being thrown at each other.
At kahit na ayoko mang aminin na tama ang gagong to, I can't help but give it a thought.
Tama naman talaga ito.
Kahit na anong iwas ang gawin ko sa mga bagay na 'yon, I would always be reminded with my past because it was already tattooed in my mind and soul. So avoiding those things were just useless and pointless.
At the thought of that, di ko mapigilang mapabuga na lamang ng malalim na buntong-hininga and then slowly nodded my head in agreement.
"I guess I'll just do that so we can start immediately. " I gave in while trying to make my voice unaffected with him.
He just nodded then his eyes scanned the inside of the office. Probably giving it a close look now that he have a chance.
"Just give me a few minutes. I'll go now." I awkwardly said saka nagmamadali ng naglakad patungo sa pintuan kung saan ito nakatayo ngayon, blocking the doorway.
Agad namang tumabi ito nang mga ilang hakbang nalang ang layo ko rito.
I have to do this quick. At kahit mahirap gawin to, I have to do this. Marami pa'kong dapat gawin ngayon and I still have to call Al to ask him locate Mr. Vista for me. There's a big possibility that he knows that voice I've heard yesterday.
And speaking of calling Al, wala pala akong phone ngayon because I wasn't able to buy a new one.
Again, another sigh escaped from me as I halted with my steps at the stairbase saka humarap rito.
Kapalan na ng mukha 'to.
"Ah Mr. Del Fuero?"
Agad namang humarap ito sa'kin with his brows furrowed in question.
"What?"
"Pwede ko bang mahiram sandali ang phone mo?"
"For what?" Kunot-noo paring tanong nito sa'kin.
"May kailangan lang akong tawagan. It's urgent and I don't have a phone with me right now because unfortunately, I have lost it when I was busy saving your ass---- I mean, you. When I was busy saving 'you' back in Canada." I said with emphasis in the 'you' part habang napapangiwi. Especially when he growled at that.
"Here."
hindi ko mapigilang mamangha when he suddenly said that sabay abot ng phone nito sa'kin. Surprised with his sudden 'kindness'.
"Make sure to give it back to me pagkatapos na pagkatapos mong gamitin ito. Are we clear, Ms. Javier?"
Agad na'kong tumango rito saka dali-dali ng kinuha ang phone nito mula sa kanya before I ran upstairs.
~~~~~~~~~
CAMERON'S POV
Mga higit kalahating-oras na'kong palakad lakad lang sa loob ng maliit na office na' to but still, I heard no news from her na tapos na ito and that we can leave now.
That woman! How dare she let me wait here for almost an hour! 47 minutes exactly, for goodness sake! I could've earned millions by now kung itinrabaho ko nalang yon.
I exasperatedly sighed habang tiim ang mga bagang na palakad-lakad sa harapan ng mga maaalikabok na libro sa harapan ko.
Halos nasuyod ko na lahat ng sulok ng maliit na silid na'to but still, I've found no clue para mahanap ang bagay na'yon. I guess wala nga rito 'yon and it was definitely hidden somewhere.
Letting out a sigh again, I walked to the other side of the shelves with my hands clasped together behind me. Giving it another closed look.
Just looking at these books, anyone would really think that this was owned by a man with great interest in criminal and rightful laws. But why does his father collected all these books kung hindi naman to konektado sa trabaho nito?
He was a businessman like my father so why would he prefer to collect these than business or investment-related books? He wasn't even a lawyer or investigator like his daught-----
Napatigil na lang ako bigla and then frowned with that idea.
Hindi naman kaya.... nagpapanggap lang tong isang negosyante to cover up his real identity and his real job?
Di ko mapigilang mapatango-tango na lamang while I kept pacing back and forth, agreeing with my thoughts when all of that made sense.
Yes. Parang ganun n----
I frowned when my eyes caught something at the bookshelf. At the book exactly. Parang may maliit na bagay na nakaipit dito.
Out of curiosity, agad ko ng kinuha ang librong 'yon mula sa shelf then dusted it off.
"'Where the sun doesn't shine' by Marvens Jeff Bonhomme..?"
I couldn't help but shook my head just reading the title at the cover page.
This hardbounded black book was no doubt a novel, an old novel kaya ba't naman nandito ito? Was Mr. Romero also interested with this piece of crap?
With disgust glare at that book, kinuha ko na lamang yong papel na nakaipit dito and then put that book back to the shelf.
Then my brow arched up pagkakita sa kung anong meron sa munting papel na'yon.
Three smiling people sitting on a bench was on that paper. The man wearing a gray winter coat was beside the beautiful woman who were in a brown large coat while a young girl was at the center. The picture was obviously taken overseas dahil sa konting snowflakes na makikita sa litrato. Happiness was clearly written on their faces. And in one look, mukhang family picture 'to ng mga Romero.
Then my eyes focused on that young girl in the picture. Nakasuot ito ng maitim na jacket habang nakatali ang mahabang buhok nito sa likuran nito. She have a dark complexion like her dad and naughtiness was glinting on her eyes.
Samantha Romero. The daughter.
For some unknown reason, my eyes just glued at her in the picture. Her young version was undoubtedly the happy version of herself.
But wait---Why does her young self seems so familiar to me? Na para bang nakita ko na ang mukha niya noon pero hindi ko lang alam kung saan.
Well maybe, naninibago ka lang na makita siyang nakangiti rito, Cameron. You haven't seen her smiled like this before so that could be the reason.
I can't help but agreed with my mind.
Hmm siguro nga.. I have met lot of brats before kaya naman posibleng magkasing mukha lang ang mga 'to. At hindi na iba ang batang 'to. I'm sure this brat had possibly kneed some men's balls before like-----
Then bigla na lamang akong napatigil when I remembered something. Something related with someone kneeing my balls!
"You!" She hissed while pointing her dainty finger at me. Halatang inis na inis ito.
"Yes, kid?" Pang-aasar ko pa rin dito, enjoying seeing her all red.
"I said I am not a kid anymore!"giit parin nito sa'kin. Looking at her, I know she was ready to slap my face now dahil sa pambabaska ko sa kanya. But seeing her all cooked up, hindi ko mapigilang mas lalong inisin ito.
Yes. I admit it. Hindi naman talaga ito mukhang bata tignan. She's tall at halatang nagdadalaga na with her body starting to form like a lady that she would be soon.
She had a dark skin complexion but her eyes.. her fiery eyes that full of naughtiness.. She had no doubt two beautiful eyes in her....
At dahil mukhang masayang mas inisin pa lalo ang batang 'to, I answered her.
"You are, kid. A shameful---oomf!" Napaungol na lamang ako sabay bitaw sa librong hawak-hawak ko when suddenly, her steel-like knees found my 'son'! Surprised with the sudden attack.
Holy shiiiiit!
My breathing suddenly stopped as I groped my balls with bended knees.
Feeling like it was burning. As if someone had burned it.
"Cursed you damn brat!"
Napapangiwing sigaw ko na lamang with clenched teeth when I noticed her started to run for an escape.
"Buti nga sa'yo! Bleeh!" Sigaw na sagot pa nito while sticking out her tongue saka agad ng kumaripas ng takbo palayo sa lugar na'yon. Leaving me still wincing in pain.
"You'll pay for this brat! You'll gonna pay for this!!!!"
When that memories flashed through my head, then my eyes slowly widened in recognition as I just stared at her sa litrato with my lips tightly pressed together. Now finally remembering every details of that brat's face at kung paano nya'ko muntikan ng mabaog nung nasa Canada pa'ko.
That brat!
Just thinking back at that time, hindi ko mapigilang mapatiim ng bagang while my other hand consciously found my balls.
Wanted to protect it from anyone who'd dare to kick it again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~