The Larcenist Queen

Chapter 2: Plan

Halatang iritado ito. I forgot na magkaiba nga pala ang oras dito at oras doon. "Sorry to wake you up. Kailan uwi mo sa Pinas?"

"This afternoon. Kasama ko si Wine," she said. "You need my help?"

"Yeah," I answered, then told her about my next target.

"I heard about that necklace," aniya.

"I want you to disable the security cameras there. Maybe tomorrow, we can go and check the place. Kailangan ko rin iyong device ni Wine. 'Yong structure sensor. Tell him to bring it here. So we could get the 3D version of the whole place."

"Alright. We'll go to your unit as soon as possible. Wala ka bang pasok?"

"Isang subject lang ang papasukan ko bukas. Kailangan kong planuhin ito nang mabuti. Plus, I'll have to burn all the evidences the Croix has against me," saad ko.

"Wait. Croix?" she asked.

Napataas ako ng kilay. "Axis Croix. He's the one who asked me to get the necklace and blackmailed me with the photos of my crime. Why? Does Croix ring a bell?"

"Yeah..." aniya sa mas mababang tono. "I think Dad is a client of their company. Remember my sister's..." she stopped. "Nevermind. Past naman na iyon. I don't want to bring it back."

Of course, she didn't want to remember that sorrowful night where she lost her entire family. If it isn't for me, she wouldn't be alive today.

"I'll see you tomorrow," aniya saka ibinaba ang tawag.

And then kinuha ko iyong calling card ni Axis. I sent him a message asking kung kailan ang exact date ng auction. Nagreply naman siya ng, September 24.

So, there are almost two weeks before the actual event. I need to think of a plan deliberately.

First, kailangan kong i-survey ang lugar. Second, kailangan kong malaman kung paano ang plano ng organizer ng Galileo's Pyramid. Third, kailangan kong malaman kung gaano kahigpit ang magiging security. Fourth, I need to burn the evidence na mayroon ang mga Croix laban sa akin. Fifth, I need to prepare weapons to be ready if something unexpected happened.

I'm pretty sure Axis will keep an eye on me. Paiikutin niya ako sa kanyang palad. But that'll not happen dahil sila ang paiikutin ko. I have already formulated a plan as to how I will fool the Croix. But I need to take it step-by-step. Slow and sure.

Harapan pa lang ay kitang-kita na kung gaano ka-elegante ang lugar. Kung titingnan sa labas ay mukha itong makabagong mansyon. There was a huge functioning fountain in front. A gazebo on one side and a mini pool on the other. May mga dining tables din doon.

Sa tuktok ng malaking double doors ay nakaukit ang pangalan ng lugar, Galileo's Pyramid. Mula sa pagre-research ko kagabi ay nalaman kong isang retired businessman ang nagmamay-ari nito, Hansen Galileo III. Dahil sa katandaan ay ang kanyang lalaking anak na ang namamahala rito.

Two chauffeurs welcomed us at the entrance. Nginitian ko sila pareho. "Adaleah Alvarez, Eleanor Spyder, and Wine Acer."

May tiningnan ang isang lalaki roon sa folder na hawak niya bago ngumiti. "Table number 25, Madam."

Ang isa nama'y nag-bow sa amin bago ituro ang daan. "This way, Ma'am, Sir."

Sumunod kami sa kanya. Masyadong elegante ang lugar na ito. The atmosphere is incredibly calming, though. Good thing, I wore a dress.

"Two cameras sa entrance. One on top of the fountain. I think meron din sa gazebo," bulong sa akin ni Eleanor. Pinagmasdan ko ang paligid habang naglalakad kami sa dining area. May malaking chandelier sa gitna ng hall. At sa pagpasok ay mayroong red carpet.