The water is way too deep for her,
A place she can't escape, not even stir.
If not only for the drive for revenge,
She will not resurface again.
The forest is an endless maze for him,
A place he knows he must not miss.
He will hunt for as long as it...
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Chapter Two
LYA
Nang makapasok na kami ng tuluyan sa loob ng studio, I slipped off my riding gear and just left it in the floor. Napalingon si Valerie sa iniwan kong kalat doon sa sahig, at pinulot nalang niya iyon at isinabit sa loob ng cabinet banda sa pintuan. I stopped walking and looked at her with confusion. "Where is my laptop?"
"Over there. Geez, you look like you're going to war." Sabay turo niya doon sa laptop na napapalibutan ng mga papel sa lamesa.
I sat on a chair and opened my browser, looking for the email that Wyn's Gallery sent before the Gala last night.
"Because I am."
Nang makita ko yung email, binasa ko muli yung kontrata at mga nakasaad roon. Shit. What she's saying is true! Sa sobrang busy ko sa pagpaplano kung paano susundan si Gino sa mga galaw niya, hindi ko na nabasa ng maayos itong kontrata. "Sinabi mo ba sa akin 'to?"
"Yes! You just nodded at me, tapos pinirmahan mo na pagkatapos." She said, a guarded look marred on her face. "Am I in trouble?"
I sigh is defeat. "No, you're not. I'm sorry. Kasalanan ko ito." Which is true. I should have not let my guard down thinking that no one would buy two of my artworks.
"So, ano na gagawin natin?"
Hinalungkat ko yung emails ko at hinanap kung sino yung buyer ng 'Her Despair' and 'The Ascension to Death'. Pero hindi pa dini-disclose ng Wyn kung sino. The gallery sometimes doesn't let artists know who the buyer is for privacy and safety purposes. Syempre kailangan nilang itago kung sino, lalo na't mayayaman ang mga bumibili. All I know for now is, it is a man who just shouted that three-million pesos sa auction. I'm not even sure if I could be familiar with his face kapag nakita ko siya muli. Hindi rin nakakatulong yung dim na ilaw sa gala kagabi.
"I will personally ask Wyn soon. 'Wag ka na mag-alala. Alam niyang mahalaga yung 'Her Despair' sa akin, and just for viewing purposes lang yun. At hindi niya dapat iyun binenta. Aware tayo sa doon sa isang kondisyon na bibili rin ng isang artwork, pero dapat iba yung ibinenta niya. Hindi yun."
She nods in agreement. "Want me to set a meeting between you two?"
Umiling ako. "Don't. I want to surprise him." Yumuko ako sa lamesa para hanapin yung sneakers ko sa ilalim at sinuot iyon. "Have they sent our cut sa the auction?" Tanong ko sa kanya.
"Nope. Bukas pa raw yun. Ifa-finalize pa nila yung mga details ng mga buyers, bago ibibigay yung hati natin."
Napatango ako. "That's good. I will visit him now. Hangga't sa hindi pa nakakapagbayad yung bumili—kung hindi pa nakabayad."
