62: HER ABSENCE

SAM'S POV

I blew out a deep breath when finally, I saw him now peacefully sleeping on his bed. His wound had been properly tended and his breathing was now normal. And seeing him fine now, I think I'm done here.

Now that we're back, kailangan ko ng kumilos kahit ako lang mag-isa. Ayokong mapahamak pa uli ito. This is my fight so I should be the one who should end this.

Mga ilang oras pa bago mawawalan ng bisa ang ininom nitong gamot. Just enough time to do what I must do while he's unconscious.

"Hindi ka na ba talaga namin mapipigilan, Sam?"

I turned to my right when Mason had asked that beside me. Kibit ang mga balikat nito while looking down at his unconscious friend na kinukumutan na ngayon ni Austin.

After we landed an hour ago, idineretso na namin ang kaibigan nito sa mansion nito. The same mansion na pinuntahan namin last week. We couldn't afford to take him to his unit on his building or even at his house na hindi ko pa nakikita kahit kailan to avoid any questions from the public.

"Kailangan kong ipagpatuloy 'to, Mason. Now that I have the clue kung saan hahanapin ang file na'yon, I couldn't just let those men to get it before me."

"Cameron won't definitely like this idea, Samantha."

My brow raised up when William had butted that in from my left.

Oh yes. If I hadn't mentioned yet, agad na itong sumugod dito when Mason had called him the moment na dumating kami rito. Sa gulo ng buhok at gusot ng suot nito na parang kagigising lang nito, I think I have an idea now kung saan ito galing. Sa pambabae na naman. NO doubt.

"Well, too bad for him then dahil hindi nya 'ko mapipigilan dito. Ayokong may madamay pa sa gulong 'to." I answered with a shrug saka tumingin uli sa tulog na kaibigan nito.

"This is too dangerous for you, Samantha. Hinahabol kayo ng mga taong 'yon kaya tyak----"

"Baka nakakalimutan mo, Liam.. I'm used to this job so being in danger isn't new to me. Kaya ko'tong tapusin mag-isa.." Putol ko kay William when again, he tried to stop me.

I heard Mason let out a loud sigh pero hindi ko nalang ito pinansin. They can't stop me from doing this now. Kailangan ko ng tapusin ito.

"Samantha.. You know Cameron would have our head kapag pinayagan ka naming gawin ito.. 'wag mo nalang kayang ituloy yang pinaplano mo?"

Mas lalo pang umarko ang kilay ko when William suddenly commented that.

"And why would he do that, Liam? Wala naman kayong ginagawang masama sa kanya."

"But Cameron cares for you!"

That made me frowned at him, confused with him. Alam man lang bang taong 'to kung anong sinasabi nito?

"Liam? Nahihibang kana ba? Anong kalokohan ba yang pinagsasabi mo ngayon?" litong tanong ko rito.

My eyes narrowed at him when he rolled his eyes like a woman.

"Oh come on, Samantha! Kahit ganyan katigas ang ulo, mukha at puso ng taong 'yan, it was clear as the day na may gusto 'yan sa'yo. Afterall hindi naman yan sasama sa'yo kung wala..."

Just hearing him exaggeratedly stated that, na para bang ang tanga ko lang if I didn't even notice that, napapatiim na lamang ako ng bagang.

Kahit hindi naman 'yon totoo, He couldn't be. Hindi dapat... At kahit na nagiging abnormal na naman ang tibok ng puso ko ngayon, hindi ito dapat.... Ayokong may pipigil sa'kin kapag ginawa ko na ang pinakahuling misyon ko rito...

"Liam's right, Samantha. Kahit hindi man inaamin ng taong 'yan, alam naming mahalaga ka sa kanya so for sure, magagalit ang tarantadong 'yan kapag itinuloy mo 'to. "

"NO."

Agad na kumunot ang mga noo nito when I snapped that. Dahil alam kong nag-iimbento lang ang mga 'to just to stop me from going.

"Hindi nyo alam ang mga pinagsasabi nyo."

"But----"

"Tama na, Liam... Itutuloy ko ang misyong 'to kaya tigilan nyo 'ko." Putol ko agad sa iba pang sasabihin ni Liam sa'kin, not wanted to hear any words about his friend's feelings dahil hindi 'yon totoo.

No one should take a like of me. No one should take an interests of me dahil hindi ko kailangan 'yon. And loving someone was just impossible for me.

"Just tell him na may inasikaso lang ako at hindi na nya ko kailangang hanapin pa." Then with that, aalis na sana ako but I was stopped when Mason talked again.

"Hindi ba pwedeng samahan ka nalang namin, Sam? You know we'd be at ease here kung kasama mo kami."

Hearing them saying those words, di ko mapigilang mapangiti. Happy to know that I have these men who cared about me.

Hinarap ko na agad ang mga ito and then smiled at them.

"I appreciate that offer, Mason and Liam...Pero ayokong may iba pang may madamay rito so you better stay here with him. I'll go now." Then with that, umalis na'ko agad mula sa silid na'yon.

Oras na para hanapin ang librong 'yon..

Dahil sa wala namang ibang sasakyan na dumadaan sa lugar na'yon, I have no choice kundi maglakad ng ilang minuto just to get to the highway para pumara ng masasakyan.

Kahit na alam kong nasa dating bahay namin ang posibleng hinahanap ko, I decided to head straight to my apartment first. May kailangan lang akong kunin sa lugar na'yon before I'd proceed to raiding our house.

Pagkababa ko palang ng sasakyan, I quickly clung my backpack with me and then prepared my gun behind me. Just in case na may bigla na namang lilitaw rito.

Parang normal naman ang lahat sa paligid and nothing unusual was happening around. But still, with cautious eyes and steps, agad na'kong naglakad patungo sa apartment ko. Dahil hapon na, nagsisimula ng magsiuwian ang iba pang occupant kaya naman may mangingilan-ngilan ng nandito sa lugar na'to.

My car was still on where I had left it before our trip.

Pagkarating ko sa harap mismo ng pintuan ng silid ko, so far, wala pa naman akong napapansing nakasunod sa'kin.

I quickly fished out my keys from my pocket and was about to open the door but I was stopped nang bigla na lang tumunog ang cellphone ko sa bulsa ko. Taking it out, I groaned when Aunt Roselyn had appeared on the screen.

Oh yes. Expect her to call me dahil sa ilang araw na hindi ako makontak nito. I wanted to answer her call but I think hindi na muna sa ngayon... Marami akong dapat na itanong sa kanya and I don't think I can ask her in a call.

It has to be in person.. she have to tell me about my real identity in person..

"Hindi sya tunay na anak ng mag-asawang Romero, bata kundi anak ng kamag-anak ni sir Nickandro... Isang malapit na kamag-anak.."

When I was reminded with that fact, I declined her call saka tuluyan ng binuksan ang pinto habang tiim ang mga bagang.

Malaki ang duda ko na may nalalaman ito kaya naman malaki ang disgusto nya na ipagpatuloy ko ang kasong 'to.. Because she already know what was in stored for me kapag ipinagpatuloy ko 'to.

The truth.

Ayaw nitong malaman ang katotohanan sa likod ng pagkatao ko.

Pagkabukas ko palang ng pintuan, a curse instantly escaped from me at the sight before me.

All papers had scattered everywhere on the floor habang sirang sira naman ang mga upuan at iba ko pang gamit. Everything was a mess.

Holy shit! Talagang hindi man lang pinalampas ng mga taong 'yon ang apartment ko. Akala siguro ng mga 'to na nandito ang librong pinaghahanap nito!

Seeing my things all ruined now, wala akong ibang magawa kundi tingnan na lamang ito na puno ng panghihinayang.

Blewing out an annoyed sigh, isinara ko nalang ang pinto and then headed to my room. Kahit ito, hindi rin nila pinalampas.

Shaking my head, ibinaba ko nalang ang bagahe ko sa kama and then checked my wardrobe to find something to wear. Magulong magulo rin ang mg nasa loob nito pero hindi naman nito sinira ang mga damit ko so it was fine.

Agad na'kong nagbihis and then tucking my gun on my hips and my phone on my pocket, agad na'kong umalis sa apartment na'yon.

Aunt Rose just kept on calling on my phone but I paid no heed of it. Tyak kakausapin na naman ako nun to stop this case.

oh.. As if she can still stop me now.

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CAMERON'S POV

"Do you think matagal pang magigising ang tarantadong 'to? Kanina pa umalis si Samantha pero itong isang 'to... tutulog-tulog lang rito!"

I frowned when I heard that familiar voice sa gilid ko.

"Magigising rin 'yan, Liam.. Antayin lang natin.."

I'm certain it was Mason, talking to Liam.

Ano bang pinag-uusapan ng dalawang 'to?

"Dapat pinigilan mong umalis si Samantha kanina, Mason. Napakadelikado ng iniisip nyang gawin.."

At the mention of her name, napamulat agad ako ng mata as understanding finally dawn on me.

They're talking about her!

"At saka dapat pinilit natin siyang samahan kanina---"

"Saan dapat samahan, Liam?"

When I asked that, their heads were snapped to my way with wide surprised eyes.

"Cameron!" sabay-sabay na sambit ng mga ito.

They were having their serious talk in a sofa sa gilid ng silid na'yon with a glass of what I think champagne in their hands.

"OH! Thank God gising kana, Cam! I thought hindi ka na talaga gigising dyan!"

I groaned when Liam had exaggeratedly exclaimed that, sounding as if it was a miracle na nagising pa'ko. With his disheveled hair and suit, mukhang galing na naman ito sa isa sa mga babae nito.

"Anong pinag-uusapan niyo tungkol kay Ms. Javier, Liam? Saan niyo sya dapat sinamahan? Where is she planning to go this time?" curious na usisa ko agad sa mga ito, throwing each of them a questioning look.

"Ah—ah.. You know---" Liam clamped his mouth when I throw him a glare nang hindi agad ito makapagsalita ng maayos sa'kin.

"Sagutin mo'ko ng maayos, Liam.."

When I warned that, I noticed him went rigid on his seat before he elbowed Mason beside him who was just calmly sitting with crossed legs..

"Answer him, Mason. Alam mo kung ano ang sagot sa tanong niya. Go now!"

When Liam had uttered that, my gaze shifted to Mason na tahimik lang sa tabi nito, expecting him to answer me.

"Mason.. saan na naman pumunta ang babaeng 'yon?"

My brow shot up when he just smiled and then sipped his drink before he made an answer.

"Hindi mo na kailangan pang itanong kung saan, Cameron. You know Samantha enough para malaman kung saan ito pupunta o kung anumang iniisip nito."

Kahit na gusto kong tumayo at upakan ito for not giving me a direct answer, I think I' don't need to dahil tama naman ito.

Knowing that woman, walang dudang ipinagpatuloy na nito ang paghahanap ng file na'yon kahit wala ako.

Just thinking that, napapapikit na lamang ako while groaning in exasperation.

Wala na talagang ibang ginawa ang babaeng 'yon kundi maging sakit sa ulo!

Goodness! She could really be the early death of me!

"You know, we tried to stop her.." I opened my eyes and then glared at Liam when he started to say that.

"Pero kung matigas 'yang ulo mo, mas matigas talaga 'yong kay Samantha, Cam! She didn't even gave us a chance to escort her! Oh God! If I were her man, no doubt. I'd die young in anxiety!"

I groaned when the idiot had continued that.

"Inaasar mo ba'ko, Liam?"

"Hmm? Inaasar? Did I? Mukhang hindi naman yata masyado ano!"

I growled and was ready to get up when he'd answered that with a mocking grin. Nang maupakan ko naman ito.

"Pasalamat ka't di pa'ko halos makakilos ng maayos rito, Liam.. dahil pag nagkataon, mauupakan talaga kita!"

"Calm down, del Fuero. Masyado ka namang highblood diyan eh.."

My glare shifted to the other asshole na kampante lang na nakaupo sa sofa habang painum-inom lang ito ng wine.

"You know hindi ka pwedeng mastress dahil sa kondisyon mo ngayon. Relax ka nalang muna diyan.. Hindi mo naman kaanu-ano si Samantha...At wala ka namang balak na mag-asawa so kalma ka lang... "

"What??!!"

Now the want to get up and to beat them up was so strong just hearing these two idiots kept mocking me. Napapakuyom na lang ako while glaring at them habang pangiti-ngiti lang ang mga ito sa'kin, annoying the hell out of me.

"Yes. Tama naman si Mason." Patango-tango naming segunda ng gagong Liam na syang ikinainis ko pa lalo.

"Hindi mo naman siya kaanu-ano at hindi mo naman siya gusto so just relax, Cam. Wala ka namang pakialam kung mamatay man si Samantha sa kung saan man 'yon pumunta ngayon..Total.. babae lang naman 'yon and you aren't even interested to any woman so yes.. Mahiga ka nalang diyan. Marami naman akong babae so ibibigay ko nalang 'yong isa para sa'yo.."

"Liam's right, Cameron. Samantha is just a woman anyway and you don't give a damn about her. She was just some annoying woman for you so just go back to sleep and take a rest. Wala tayong pakialam if she'd be caught and be killed by those men na muntikan ng pumatay sa'yo.." Mason seconded.

This time, my blood had boiled up just hearing them na para bang gusto ng mga 'to na maging kampante lang ako dito habang nasa panganib ang babaeng 'yon!

I really wonder why I became friends with these bunch of assholes!!

Heaving up a shaky deep breath, I answered them in between with gritted teeth.

"You two.." nagtitimping saad ko sa mga ito while pinching the bridge of my nose in utter frustrations.

"Yes, cam? What do you want? Do you want us to get you a new woman now? They're just one call away you know." When the idiot Liam had even dared to answer that with innocent voice, I burst out.

"GET OUT OF HERE THIS INSTANT YOU ASSHOLES! SUMASAKIT ANG ULO KO DAHIL SA INYO!!"

When I shouted that, both of them just bursts out in laughter while clutching their stomach. Causing my frustrations to intensify.

Good Lord! I could really kill these idiots kapag nagkataon!

I just tightly squeezed my eyes out when they just continued laughing at my expense.

"Nakakatawa ang mukha niya, Mason! Pulang-pula. Halos puputok na!" And then with that, he burst out in laughter again.

When I think they're not planning to leave me so soon, pinilit ko na lang na tumayo sa kamang 'yon kahit na kumikirot parin ng konti ang sugat ko. Causing their laughter to die down.

"CAMERON! Hindi ka pa magaling!"

"SHUT UP, Mason! Hindi pwedeng manatili nalang ako rito ng wala man lang ginagawa!!" I growled out as I get off from my bed with a grimace, eager to get up from there at puntahan ang babaeng 'yon.

Those armed men won't even hesitate to kill anyone kapag gugustuhin nito. And knowing her stubbornness, she'd just get herself in trouble.

But for now, the eagerness to throw these asshole out of here was my top priority. Dahil masyado na'kong napupuno sa mga pang-aasar ng mga 'to.

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