Red Strings of Fate (Haunted Series 2)

Strings 40: Bubble

I stared at James' golden brown eyes holding so much promise. I now understand his role. Because the system didn't protect and avenge their family, he became a weapon, he became the system. The necessary evil.

Napasinghap ako at napabangon ng tuluyan.

Tumayo ako, hindi nahiya sa kahubaran ng katawan at hinanap ang pantalon na tinapon ko sa gilid.

"What are you looking for?"

Hinalungkat ko sa bulsa ng maong ang hinahanap, at nakahinga ng maluwag nang maramdaman ko iyon sa aking mga kamay.

Putangina, muntikan ko na 'to makalimutan. Ang distracting kasi ng lalakeng 'to.

Bumalik ako sa kanya ng may kinakabahang ngiti at direktang nilagay sa kamay niya ang bracelet, "What—"

"Ito yung ledger na tinago ng parents ko sa akin." Kinuha ko sa kanya ang pendat at binuksan. Sa loob ay merong maliit na chip. "Ikaw na ang bahala kung paano mo gagamitin."

"You always wore this before." He looked at me, eyes shining with surprise. "This is going to make a huge difference, Hope. Thank you."

Tumango ako. Makakatulong 'to sa pagpapabagsak nila sa Itasaki, dahil alam kong nililimitahan ng tatay ko ang impormasyong ibinabahagi niya. In ways I don't understand, he still protects them... because he's a part of them.

Ayaw kong isipin kung gaano kasakit 'yun sa'kin.

"Kamusta na ba ang paghahanap sa Itasaki?—Is it safe for you to tell me?"

Hindi niya kinumiprma ang pangalawang tanong ko at mabilisan akong sinagot. "Nawala sila."

"Ha? Nawala sila?" The shock numbed my throbbing heart, and I rose up again to stare down at him. "Pwede bang... paano na lang sila nawala?"

"We were getting too close. The higher people behind them must have decided to cover their tracks."

"Alam mo... Alam kong ang Itasaki ang rason sa lahat, pero bakit? What was the root cause everything happened?"

Nagpakawala siya ng isang malaking buntong-hininga at napahiga ng patag sa kanyang higaan. Habang nakatitig sa kisame, nagsimula siyang magkwento. "There was a huge shipment of drugs and firearms, they wanted our business to be the middleman. Dad didn't accept their proposal of being their gateway."

Hinimas ko ang kanyang braso habang siya'y nagsasalita.

"A lot happened—long story short, one night they were meant to kill my father, but since he wasn't home... their plan instantly changed to tormenting us."

I held my gasp in.

"They didn't leave a trace. And for years, we've been tracking down different branches to uncover their roots."

"Yung mga nahuli sa St. Ceara? Sa San Raigo? Walang nagsalita?"

"The ones who survived that are already acquitted, they didn't want to talk. The police couldn't find anything that tied them with Itasaki. There's no solid evidence. It's all speculation."

"Pero yung nakaharap natin... He's an Itasaki member right?"

"The police don't know that." Lumingon siya sa'kin. "There is information we don't disclose because we want to be the first to get them."

Alam ko na ang ibig niyang sabihin sa isang tingin. Gusto nilang sila ang magpaparusa sa kanila. Hindi ang mga pulis.

Tiningnan ko ang bracelet na nilagay niya sa kanyang side table. "With that you would."

"Yes, we would. We should change the topic. Murder isn't a good topic for bed, is it?" He smirks at napailing nalang ako. Ambilis niya mag-adjust ng mood.