81: The Craving

SAM'S POV

I gave the familiar building a once over before I smiled. The bustling place was still swarmed with customers inside. Lalo na't tumatanghali na ngayon.

La Café Mosses.

It's been a long time since the last time I'd came here. I'm pretty sure Suzy's here now. And she would for sure freak out in surprise kapag nakita niya ko rito ngayon. Healed and now ready to kick some asses again.

That's what I came here for anyway. To surprise her and pester her to serve me some sweets. Kaya naman tuluyan ko ng isinara ang pintuan ng sasakyan saka nakangiti ng naglakad papasok ng establishment na'yon.

Pagkapasok ko sa loob, I quickly scanned the place to find that familiar petite form of a woman. Ilang araw na itong hindi dumadalaw sa'kin, lalo na ang mga gagong Mason at Liam na'yon.

At kahit na nakakaasar ang mga ito, I can't just help but missed those cold-blooded species.

I heard Mason is in abroad now, wooing back his woman and claiming his right for his daughter. And Liam? Hmmm.... Parang may nililihim yata to sa'kin. I can sense that. Dahil halos hindi narin nagpapakita sa'kin ang mukha nito ngayon simula nung huling dalaw nito.

I grinned in recognition nang mamataan ko na ang pamilyar na staff na'yon na may kausap ngayong lalake malapit sa restroom. That woman in her uniform habang parang putlang-putla habang kaharap ang lalakeng 'yon. And from the look of them, parang hindi maganda ang usapan ng mga ito because Suzy won't react this horribly with nothing.

With furrowed brows, I wasted no time there and quickly rushed to their way.

Hindi muna ako tuluyang lumapit sa mga ito. I hid myself from their sight just a few feet away from them. No one was in that corner but just them. At dahil mala-elepante ang laki ng tenga ko, I can clearly hear their conversation from here.

"I saw you with a man last night, Suz. In a hotel. I saw you in Montero Hotel last night so how do you think I would take a liking with a woman like you? Nakakahiya ka.. I thought you're nothing like any other girls I know. Katulad ka rin pala nila."

That made my forehead creases than ever. Hindi ko masyadong alam ang mga nangyayari sa buhay ni Suzy except that she was still completing her degree in college but heck! This man just waking up the demons in me dahil sa tunog pang-iinsulto nito.

Especially when hurt and shock instantly crept up into Suzy's face at that insult.

The man was in her age at siguro, kaklase nya ito. Maganda ang tindig nito and with his shirt and trouser attire now, I can tell he came from a well-off family.

"H-Hindi yon ganun, Klent. Mali ang iniisip mo. May inihatid lang ako sa lugar na'yon kagabi and it was just a mere coincidence na nakasama ko ang lalaking 'yon---"

"Then are you saying na isa ring coincidence na naghalikan kayo kagabi?"

Shock became more prominent now in her face pagkarinig sa bagay na'yon. The man was now ticked off. Mukhang may tama rin ito kay Suzy dahil hindi naman ito magrereact ng ganito if he wasn't.

But wait, wait, wait... Naghalikan? In Montero hotel? That same 'Montero Hotel' na pagmamay-ari ng gagong Liam Montero na'yon?

With that certain discovery, my brow shot up to the side.

Then does this mean Liam was still fooling around Suzy?! That playboy?!

At that realization, it wasn't just the bastard Cameron I was cursing in my mind now kundi pati narin ang babaerong Liam na 'yon!

Those bunch of conniving pigs!

"I was there, Suz. I was there when that man pulled you inside that hotel room at sa tagal mo sa loob, anyone would be dumb enough to think nothing had happened between the two of you. May---"

"No. No. Walang nangyaring ganun. Wala."

The man scoffed at her in disbelief with a shake of his head.

"I'm a man too, Suz kaya alam ko kung anong nangyari kagabi. I can't believe na magagawa mo ang bagay na'yon. Na bibigay ka agad sa isang lalaki."

"Hindi ako masamang babae!"

Suzy was no doubt irked now with this man. Of course, dahil kahit ako naiinis narin ako sa batang 'to for throwing those insults at her.

Nagdidilim ang paligid ko sa gagong 'to!

"Well, your behavior last night says you are. I shouldn't have even take a like on someone like you. Talaga ngang wala kang  pinagkaiba sa lahat ng babae."

Just hearing that, my blood had instantly boiled up to it highest possible peak.  Seeing her being hurt by those insults, hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko at lumabas na sa pinagtataguan ko.

And Suzy was quick enough to notice my presence na papalapit na sa gawi nila with my fists ready in my sides. And she looked alarmed at my presence here.

"K-Klent---"

"Tama nga ang mga kaibigan ko, wala nga'kong mapapala sa pagpansin sa'yo." Putol agad nito kay Suzy who was now looking more alarmed pagkakita sa mga nakakuyom kong mga kamay.

Why don't we kill someone today? Someone like this thug?!

"Wag mo na'kong lalapitan pa. Ayokong makita man lang kita."

"Well, ba't hindi nalang kaya ikaw ang lumayo sa kanya bata?!" Asik ko na rito which made him whirled around to my way.

But me being irked by this specie, I quickly greeted his face with a straight punch on his face. Making him staggered against the wall in surprised.

"Sam!!" Suzy cried out in horror beside me. Looking so shocked with the sudden turn of events.

People instantly buzzed around us dahil sa pangyayaring 'yon.

"Putik!"

My brow arched up when the man cursed that out habang napapatayo ng maayos and wiping the side of his bleeding mouth. Glaring at us furiously.

I don't know why it made me feel so right nang makita ko ang mukha nito, loving that weird feelings it gives me for punching a man after my therapy.

"Sam, hindi mo na sana ginawa 'yon!  Hindi---"

"At sino naman ang isang 'to, Suzane? Nanay mo ba?? Ganito ba talaga kayong mahihirap? Too aggressive and scandalous! Nakakahiya kayo."

At the hear of that, hindi ko na naman napigilan ang sarili ko. I quickly lunged at him to give him the beatings he deserve! Ignoring Suzy's plea and the audience around us.

Mas matangkad ito sa'kin ng konti but with his built, it would just be easy for me to take him down. I'm used to take a one on one fight with Cameron del Fuero's giant built anyway.

Agad ko ng hinila ang kwelyo ng damit nito and throw him another punch on his face but since he had fortunately dodged that attack, napilitan na'kong gawin ang matagal ko ng ginagawa. A hard headbutt on his head before I raised my knee and kneed his guts. Causing him to grun loudly with that surprised attack from me.

I felt a slight pain in my right leg but nothing that I can't handle with.

Napapangiwi na lamang itong napapasandal sa dingding sa may likuran nito, grimacing while tightly clutching his stomach.

"What? Are you not going to stand there at sabihin mo ngayon sa harap namin na nakakahiya kaming mga mahihirap!"

"Sam, please stop this now. Maraming taong nakatingin sa'tin at tyak masisisante talaga ako nito---"

"No, Suzy. Don't mind those bunch of people around us. Hindi ko lang mapapayagang insultuhin ka ng tarantadong lalaki na'to." I cut her off habang nakahawak ito sa kanang braso ko, not even threatened by the people around us.

And I know masisisante nga sya dahil rito pero di bale, I was just too excited to disarrange this man's face now to even mind that.

"Don't worry, Suzy. Kahit na mawalan ka pa ng trabaho rito, I'd make sure that this bastard would get the beatings that he deserve. And besides, Liam can give you a new job in his hotel---"

"Ayoko. Ayokong magtrabaho sa kanya kahit na kailan."

My brow instantly arched uo with that. Mukhang galit ito ngayon sa gagong 'yon.

Sighing out, I nodded at that while throwing a deadly glare at the grimacing man before us.

"Okay. Cameron then. Cameron del Fuero will give you a new job kapag wala ka ng trabaho rito."

"Pero---"

"No buts, Suzy. I'll make sure na hindi ka mawawalan ng trabaho dahil sa'kin. Kasalanan ko'to kaya hayaan mo'kong ako ang lumutas nito para sa'yo."

"Yan ay kung hahayaan ko man lang kayong hindi makulong! This is physical harassment and I can sue you with this!"

My ear instantly pricked up at that saka patalim ng tiningnan ito. Now standing rigid on his feet, gone was the grimace on his face.

"At alam mo ba na pwede rin kitang idemanda ng Libel for calling her with names, bata? I can even ruin your family's perfect reputation kung gugustuhin mong dalhin ito sa hukuman."

At the mention of his family, the look of being threatened flickered in his eyes.

That could only mean na mahalaga rito ang reputasyon ng pamilya nito. And that made me inwardly smirked in triumph.

"What now, kid? Baka gusto mong ituloy ang banta mo ngayon? Alam mong pwedeng-pwede nating dalhin ito sa hukuman and let me ruin you for this. That would be my pleasure!" I taunted with crossed arms, impatient for him.

His gaze instantly avoided my eyes as he straightened up on his feet. A reaction which answered my question.

"I-I think aalis na'ko rito. M-May pupuntahan pa pala---"

"Anong nangyayari rito??"

That thundering voice from my back stopped him from whatever he had to reason out makaalis lang sa lugar na'to.

I didn't turned around to take time para sinuhin ang taong yon. I was just so annoyed right now at dahil napurnada na naman ang balak kong kumain ng maraming sweets ngayon.

My tummy was even rumbling now in hunger.

"S-Sir.. May malaki lang po kaming hindi pagkakaintindihan rito kaya nangyari 'to and I'm sorry for causing this fuss sir."

Pagkarinig sa kanya, hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla nalang umigting ang inis ko for hearing her apologizing for something that she hadn't done!

I felt someone came to my left but I gave no heed of it dahil alam kong ang manager o kung sinumang nakakataas na poncio Pilato lang ito and instead, nilingon ko na si Suzy.

"Don't say you're sorry. Hindi mo ito kasalanan so never say you're sorry for something that you haven't done. This idiot deserved my beatings kaya wag kang magsorry sa kahit na sinong nandito. Even your boss should never fire you dahil lang sa maliit na pangyayaring 'to."

Agad na napapaarko uli ang kilay ko when she throw me a warning look while she kept glancing at the thing behind me while she kept blinking her eyes like she was having an epileptic episode right now.

Buang na ba ang babaeng 'to??

"May problema ba sa mga mata mo ngayon, Suzy?" I asked her in confusion.

She didn't answered and just continued blinking her eyes. Kaya naman Napapailing nalang ako sa kanya.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk.. Mukhang kailangan mo na ngang ipacheck up yang mga mata mo ngayon. Mukhang----"

"Dahil mukhang kilala kita."

That man's voice from behind me made me instantly whirled around on my heels. And to my utter surprise, I was greeted with that familiar face. That face that were now looking at me with recognition on his face.

Atty. Maximilian!

Holy shit! Nakalimutan ko palang ito ang may-ari ng Café na'to! And I had even made a riot inside his Café now!

He was in his brown office suit and he looked younger than what I had remembered him the last time I saw him.

Noong hinahabol nila ako ng kaibigan nya--ng Cameron na'yon!

"Samantha Javier! What a pleasure to see you here! You had even made an interesting scene here para lang bumaba ako rito!"

He wasn't mad really. I think he was even surprised and---glad for me causing a scene here! And that made me wonder why now!

"Atty. Maximilian!"

"Yes. Buti naman at naalala mo parin ako." Parang excited pang sagot nito while smiling at me.

This is weird. He was acting weird. Hindi naman kami close nito para maging mabait 'to sa'kin ngayon.

"You know him?" Rinig kong biglang bulong ni Suzy sa tenga ko, making me frowned with it.

"Matagal-tagal ring hindi kita nakita. How's Cameron now? I'm sure he was having a good time this time lalo na't nalutas nyo na ang kaso nyo."

That got me frowned at him pagkarinig ko sa huling mga sinabi nito.

"Nalutas? Anong kaso yang pinagsasabi nyo, Attorney?" Naguguluhang tanong ko sa kanya, now suddenly forgotten about the dumb kid. While Suzy's hold at my arm tightened.

His eyebrow instantly cocked up to the side at that question.

"Hindi mo alam?"

This time, mas lalo pang napapakunot ang noo ko dahil sa tanong nyang 'yon, sounding as if he knew something that I didn't.

"Anong ibig mong---"

"Sir. Pasensya na ho talaga sa nangyari rito. I'm prepared to take the responsibility. Sabihin nyo lang sa'kin kung sisisantehin nyo ko. For now, kailangan muna naming umalis mula rito."

I was about to give her a sermon for saying all that pero hindi ko na nagawa yon when she suddenly dragged me from there, out of that area and out that place with a bunch of eyes following on us.

"Suzy? Anong ginagawa mo? Why---"

"Gusto mo bang kumain ngayon? Libre kita ng kahit na anong gusto mo." Sagot nito without glancing at me, tuloy-tuloy lang ito sa kahihila sa'kin with her hasty steps.

I'm curious to know why she was acting this way now but just hearing her mentioning about foods, my stomach rumbled again. Reminding me that I have to eat now dahil may munting nilalang na sa loob ko ngayon and it was demanding me now to eat sweets!

Kaya naman agad ko ng hinila ang kamay nito and dragged her to the car I had brought in today.

"Yes, you're right, Suz. Kanina pa nga ako nagugutom and that's why I came here dahil gusto ko sanang kumain ng maraaaaaming sweets. Let's go find another store now!" Masiglang sagot ko na sa kanya, dragging her with me na ngayo'y tahimik lang.

I'm finding anyone I know acting so weird today at gusto kong malaman kung bakit ganun. Is it because of my pregnancy hormones or dahil weird lang talaga ang mga ito?

Shrugging off those thoughts from my mind, pinapasok ko nalang agad ito sa unahang bahagi ng sasakyan before I ran to the other door at the driver's seat.

"Sweets sweets sweets! I want sweets right now!" I happily exclaimed in a sing-song while grinning at the silent Suz beside me. Probably she was worried for the trouble I caused back at the Café.

"Wag mo ng isipin ang nangyari kanina, Suz. I've brought you into that trouble so let me fix that for you. I'll talk Atty. Maximilian later and explain everything to him kung ano talagang nangyari---"

"No. Please don't do that, Sam. Wag mo na syang kausapin pa. Ako ng bahala dun."

That made me looked at her way with creased brows.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." Agad na sagot nito and forced a smile on her face. Pero kahit ano pang iniisip nito ngayon, I have no choice but nodded at her in agreement.

"Okay. Ikaw ang bahala." Tanging sagot ko na lamang before I started the engine and drove off from there.

"Pero wag kang mag-alala. Atty. Maximilian is a smart man kaya kahit hindi ko na ito kakausapin, he'll be smart enough to check the cctv footages in his monitoring room para alamin kung sino talaga ang may pakana ng gulong 'yon. At malalaman nyang wala kang kasalanan dun." I assured her as I drive through the highway while checking some Cafés na madadaanan namin.

When I received no answer from her, agad ko ng nilingon ito and I found her smiling at me.

"What? Para saan naman ang ngiting yan, Suzy?"

Mas lalo pang lumaki ang ngiti nito ngayon before she shrugged.

"Ang astig mo kanina, Sam. I' was hurt with Klent's words pero masaya pa rin akong inupakan mo sya kanina."

That made me grinned at her way. Parang kinikilig sa mga sinasabi nito.

"Oh, maliit na bagay!" I humbly answered with a wave of my hand.

"Don't worry. I can beat that idiot Liam as well kapag nakaharap ko uli ito. Malilintikan talaga sa'kin ang babaerong 'yon."

I felt more at ease when her smile became a full grin, revealing the pearly white teeth and her dimple on her left cheek.

Oh . .. no wonder why Liam was unstoppable pagdating sa babaeng 'to. She's too fragile and too innocent para sa babaerong 'yon.

Mga ilang sandali lang, I had finally spotted a Café para kakainan namin. I quickly pulled the car to the parking area and quickly got out pagkaparada ko nito.

Several kind of Cakes and pastries were displayed inside at kitang-kita 'yon mula rito sa labas dahil sa salaming mga dingding nito. And just seeing those sweet foods now, agad ko ng hinila si Suzy papasok sa lugar na'yon. A few people were already occupying some of the tables inside but not too busy enough para hindi agad maasikaso ang mga orders namin.

I made sure to order a single slice of cake of each flavor with drinks. Strawberry, chocolate, vanilla, ube, and mocha flavors. And I'll just order again after I mote off everything..

I just grinned at Suzy's awed stares she was throwing at me. Probably with me weirdly acting like I hadn't ate sweets for a year.

"Just don't mind me, Suz. Umorder ka na ng mga gusto mong kainin. I'm going to pay for it para makabawi naman ako sa'yo. Go now."

For a while, parang nagdadalawang-isip pa itong tanggapin ang gusto ko. But after a few seconds of her silence, I sighed in relief nang tumango na ito bilang tugon.

"Sabi mo eh. I'll order now."

And then with that, agad narin itong umorder ng gusto nito.

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

CAMERON'S POV

"Lumabas po siya ng bahay sir. Hindi po namin sya napigilan dahil hindi namin alam na may susi pala ito sa isa sa mga sasakyan mo Sir!"

When again, Manang Rita's words echoed in my head, I quickly rushed to Samantha's room.

I have to atleast know kung saan nito planong pumunta ngayon. Pagkarinig ko kay manang Rita kanina tungkol dito, hindi ko na nagawang sagutin ito and just ended the call at mabilis pa sa alas kwatrong umalis mula sa opisina. Alarmed with that sudden news.

I expected this to happen but not like this. Not this fast!

With ragged breathings, I burst into her room and scanned the place for any sign of her. And when I found no sign of her around, I checked the bathroom. Checking every nook and crook of that room, desperate to find any clue kung saan ito pupunta.

Hindi niya dapat malaman sa iba ang katotohanan. Hindi sya dapat makita man lang ng kahit sinong gustong manakit rito.

When still, I found nothing inside that bathroom, I frustratedly loosened up my ties. And with a sigh, I turned on my heels saka lalabas na sana... But I halted with my steps when something caught my eyes. Something at the sink while a few cellophanes scattered at the cold floor.

But it wasn't the cellophanes at the floor that really caught my attention now but the thing at the sink.

With closed look, I studied that thing and it didn't took me long to know kung ano ang mga bagay na'yon.

Pregnancy test kits!!

And this time, it wasn't the only thing that made me widened my eyes in surprise now. But because of the two red lines on it.

All three test kits had the same result. Two red lines. And those lines could just only mean something...

She's pregnant! She's finally pregnant with my baby!

Dahil dun, my breathings became more heavy as I quickly rushed out of that bathroom and out of her room. Now more desperate to find here as soon as possible.

She's carrying my baby now at nangyari na nga ang gusto kong mangyari.

Pagkababa ko ng hagdan, I quickly called for manang Rita for a short interviews.

"S-Sir?? Hahanapin nyo po ba sya ngayon?"

I quickly nodded at her before I queried her.

"Anong huli nyang sinabi sa'yo kanina, Manang? May iba ba syang sinabi kung saan ito pupunta ngayon?"

"Sa natatandaan ko sir .. papunta sya ngayon sa doktor para kumpirmahin kung buntis nga ba sya sir at--"

"I'm heading out now, manang. Call me kapag umuwi na ito rito." Putol ko na sa iba pa nyang sasabihin saka patakbo ng lumabas ng bahay at papunta sa sasakyan ko.

At the hospital! She might be there right now to confirm that she was indeed carrying my baby!

At that thought, napapangiti na lamang ako sa bagay na'yon. Excited with her being pregnant.

Kaya naman binilisan ko na ang pagpapatakbo ko before she'll know anything from anyone.

I made sure to stop at any OB-GYNE clinics na madadaanan ko, hoping to find her at one of those clinics. But unfortunately, nasa ikasampung clinic na yata ang napuntahan ko na malapit lang sa bahay ko pero hindi ko pa rin ito makita. No one could even remember her image na pumunta ito sa clinic nila so I think she didn't went to the doctor and instead visit someone she was close to.

Nang maisipan yon, I quickly fished out my phone from my side pocket and dialed someone I know.

In just three rings, may sumagot na agad sa tawag ko.

"Cameron. Ba't napatawag ka? May problema ba kay Samantha?" She greeted with worries in her voice which made me groan in disappointment.

I don't think she already have an idea about her daughter escaping. Kaya naman alam kong  hindi man lang ito pumunta sa kanya.

"Wala naman. I'll call you again later. Bye."

Then with that, I drove off to another clinic. I just hope na hindi ito mapapahamak ngayon. That woman would really be the cause of my early death kapag nagkataon!

She hadn't even called me para sabihing magkakaanak na kami!

With clenched teeth, I quickly swerved my car to the left when I met an intersection, still scanning every side of the road na madadaanan ko, searching for any sign of her.

At higit kalahating oras ko ng ginagawa 'yon pero wala paring nangyayari. Hindi ko parin ito mahanap and that made me more aggravated now with the thought na baka may masamang nangyari rito and worse... Baka nalaman na nya ang lahat.. at baka nagalit ito sa nalaman nito and then she' had foolishly thought about leaving me again.

Nang maisipan 'yon, mas lalo ko pang pinag-igihan ang paghahanap sa kanya. Now tripling the effort I had to make in desperation to find her.

I can't allow that thing to even happen! Hinding-hindi!

Kaya naman mas minabuti ko pang isipin kong sinu-sino ang pwede nitong puntahan ngayon.

Wala naman itong ibang kilala na pwede nyang puntahan. Aside from her mom, she only knows afew. There's Mason.. Her officemates and then there's Liam. But since Mason is out of town now, that leaves me her officemates and Liam . But Liam---

My frustrated thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the ringing of my phone beside me.

Checking the caller, I quickly received that call and then switched that in a loudspeaker when 'Atty. Maximilian' appeared in the screen.

"Max.."

"Del Fuero! Kumusta kana ngayon bata?"

I groaned at the hear of his voice full of enthusiasm. Too enthusiastic which was very contrary to my mood right now.

"I'm not in a mood to talk anyone right now, Max kaya diretsahin mo na'ko ngayon din sa pakay mo."

I muttered a curse when I heard a light chuckle from the other line before he talked.

"Mukhang wala ka nga sa mood ngayon but I guess, kailangan ko paring sabihin sa'yo ang balita ko ngayon. Yon nga lang, hindi ko alam kung ikakasasaya mo ito."

"What news now, Max? Sabihin mo na agad sa'kin and don't make me wait for goodness sake!" Inis ko ng tugon rito, now starting to get annoyed with his disturbance.

Lalo na ng marinig ko na namang tumawa ito ng konti.

"Alright. Alright. Such a hot-tempered man you are.... But anyways, tungkol nga pala ito kay Ms. Javier. And guess what trouble she had caused me today?"

At the mention of her name, I suddenly stepped in the brake, stopping my car in a complete halt.

"What about her? Saan mo sya nakita? Is she doing fine? Is she------"

"Woah, woah.. Hold your horses down there, Cameron! Just one question at a time.." amusement was visible in his voice now pero hindi ko nalang pinansin 'yon and just pulled my car to the side of the road to make way for any other car.

"Sabihin mo nalang sa'kin ang alam mo, Max. Saan mo sya nakita?"

"Well, dito sa café ko. Inupakan niya lang naman ang kawawang customer ng isa sa mga staff ko rito! That little investigator really knows how to wreck havoc!"

"She what??!" I asked in horror nang marinig ang sinabi nito, can't believe I'd be hearing this news now!

Her, beating up someone right after her therapy!

That woman!!!

"Yes. Ginawa niya nga yan, Cameron and----"

"Where is she now? Nandiyan pa rin ba sya hanggang ngayon?" I asked with hopeful voice, cutting him off as I started the engine again saka pinatakbo na naman ito sa daan.

"No. She already left. Kasama niya pa rin ang isa sa mga staff ko rito."

"Sinong staff? Can you give me her name?"

I heard no answer from him right away, probably trying to remember that staff's name.

Hindi ko alam na may kakilala pala itong nagtatrabaho sa lugar na'yon. Who could it be?

My thought was being answered when Max finally talked from the other line.

"Suzy. Suzane Brigante. That's her name."

That made me nodded at that nang marinig ang pamilyar na pangalang 'yon. Wala naman itong ibang kilala na nagngangalang ganun. Only that Suzy na kinahihibangan ng tarantadong Liam.

Well, atleast she was with that woman now. This could only mean na hindi pa nito alam ang katotohanan because Suzane knows how much I've tried to hide the truth from her. Kaya naman para na'kong nabunutan ng tinik dahil dun.

Heaving up a relieved sigh, mas binilisan ko na lang ang pagpapatakbo ko, now heading to La Café Mosses dahil tyak nasa malapit lang ito ng lugar na'yon.

"Her number, Max. Can you atleast give me your staff's number now? Baka magkasama pa rin sila hanggang ngayon.." pagbabakasakali ko, hoping that I was right.

"Yeah, sure. I'll send it to you in a text."

That made me feel more relieved with that. Agad na'kong nagpasalamat at nagpaalam rito. Soon, a text message came in.

Dahil alam ko kung anong meron dun, agad ko ng binuksan ito and then call the number in it.

In just a few rings, she finally answered my call.

"Hello, sino 'to?"

Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko but mutter a silent thank you when I heard that familiar voice.

Suzane. This number was indeed hers!

"This is Cameron. Kasama mo ba sya ngayon?"

I frowned nang hindi agad ito sumagot sa kabilang linya, I just heard a slight screeching sound of a chair being pulled out. Probably with her suddenly got up from her seat in recognition.

"Where are you going? Tapos ka na ba?"

My breathings faltered when I heard that voice asking that question. That same voice na kanina ko pa hinahanap at magkasama lang pala ang dalawang 'to!

She might have excused herself pagkarinig nya sa pangalan ko and the impossible woman was curious to know kung bakit agad itong tumayo.

"Tapos na'ko. Sa labas nalang siguro kita hihintayin, Sam."

"Hmmm.. yeah, sure. Susunod na'ko sa'yo." She agreed while sounding like her mouth was still full with something.

Ano bang kinakain nito ngayon?

It was followed by another silence before I heard her talked from the other line.

"Nandito kami ngayon sa isang Café, Mr. Del Fuero. Mas mabuti pang sunduin mo na sya agad rito because Sam is acting so weird today. Alam mo bang panay nalang ang kakamura niya sa'yo kanina while eating all those cakes na inorder niya? She had even promised na hindi na sya babalik sa pamamahay mo. Nag-away ba kayo?"

Pagkarinig sa kanya, that made my forehead to crease than ever. Surprised and taken aback by that piece of information.

And feeling threatened by that information, agad ko ng hiningi rito ang address kung nasaan ang mga ito ngayon. There's no way she'd escape from me now. Hinding-hindi ko 'yon mapapayagang mangyari.

Pagkasabi nito sa mismong lokasyon nila, I quickly ended the call and then drove off to that place.