Falling Into an Empty Space

CHAPTER 1: SECRETS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

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"AYON SIYA! HABULIN NIYO!"

Shit. Nalintikan na. Mukhang mapapatakbo pa ata ako nang naka-heels.

My heart pounded as I ran through the grand cruise ship, dodging elegantly dressed guests who had no idea a high-stakes chase was happening. The booming music and clinking of champagne glasses drowned out the chaos behind me. But I could hear them-heavy boots pounding against the marble floors, voices barking orders.

I was used to high-pressure situations, but running in heels? Now that was a challenge.

As a former Navy officer turned undercover agent, My mission? To observe and gather evidence against corrupt politicians and influential people from the underworld. Two months of painstaking surveillance, sleepless nights, and near misses all leading to this moment. The tiny flash drive in my grasp held enough dirt to send powerful men crumbling.

"Bilisan niyo! Baka makatakas 'yan! Malilintikan tayo kay boss!"

Fuck. Hindi ako pwedeng mahuli.

I forced my legs to move faster, pushing through the crowd toward the deck where Orvyn and Esmeray were waiting in a speedboat. My lungs burned, but I didn't stop. A gunshot rang out, followed by another. I didn't dare look back.

"Jump!" Orvyn shouted.

With no time to think, I kicked off my heels and leaped off the edge of the ship. A rush of wind filled my ears before I crashed into the cold, unforgiving waves.

Strong arms grabbed me just as I surfaced. Orvyn pulled me aboard, his sharp eyes scanning me for injuries.

"Keighley, hawakan mo 'to," sabi ni Esmeray, inabot ang thermal blanket at tinakpan ang balikat ko. "Basang-basa ka, baka magka-hypothermia ka pa."

"Salamat," bulong ko.

"Nakuha mo ba?" Orvyn asked breathlessly,

"Oo," I said between gulps of air, lifting the flash drive. My feet throbbed, and I winced at the sight of my scraped skin. "Pero tangina naman 'tong heels na 'to," reklamo ko habang napapangiwi. "Next time, tactical boots na lang kahit naka-gown."

Napangiti si Esmeray. "Style over safety, no?"

"Style and survival dapat," sagot ko, pilit pa ring tinatawa-tawa ang sakit na ramdam ko sa buong katawan. In fairness, kahit masama ang loob ko sa mga heels na 'yon, at least nagmukha pa rin akong sosyal habang ninanakawan ang mga demonyo.

"Teka, teka, sandali lang," nilabas ni Esmeray ang compact med kit mula sa compartment ng speedboat. "Before ka pa magka-infection d'yan, hayaan mong ako na."

Hinila niya ang isang maliit na stool at pinatong niya ang paa ko sa tuhod niya. Binuhusan niya ng antiseptic ang gasgas sa kanan kong paa-sshhhht-at napa-atras ako sa hapdi.

"Aray, tangina ka, Meray," singhal ko.

"Love you too," kalmado niyang sagot habang nakataas pa rin ang isang kilay.

Napangiti nalang ako habang umiiling.

"Mga babae talaga kayo," sabat ni Orvyn mula sa manibela. "Hindi ko talaga maintindihan kung bakit mahilig kayong magsuot ng heels-puro sakit lang naman ang dulot niyan. Sino bang hinayupak ang naka-imbento n'yan, ha?"

Napatingin kami ni Esmeray sa isa't isa, then sabay kaming natawa. Yung tawa na parang baliw-pagod, bangag, at punong-puno ng adrenaline.

"For fashion kasi 'yon," sagot ni Esmeray, sabay taas ng kilay habang kinukulot ang basang buhok gamit ang daliri. "Style is pain, darling. Ikaw, hindi mo iintindihin 'yan kasi hanggang sneakers ka lang."