The Fan

Chapter 23

Rhian slept sa balikat ni Glaiza. Hindi napigilan ang pagod lalp na ng pinagkaguluhan ito aa airport. Inayos ni Glaiza ang kanyang posisyon upang maging kumportable ang kanyang katabi. A stewardess came by to check kung lahat ng mga pasahero ay naka-seatbelt na.

"Excuse me, okay lang po ba ang kasama n'yo? Is she feeling well?" tanong nito.

"Yeah, she's okay. Pagod lang siya. Thanks,"

"She looks very familiar. Parang nakita ko na siya,"

"I think not. First time lang niya nakapunta ng Romblon," kibit balikat na umalis ang stewardess. Nakahinga ng maluwag si Glaiza. She didn't expect someone would recognize her girlfriend.

The flight only lasted a little over an hour. Nang magsalita ang plane captain informing that they will be landing in a few, she lightly tapped Rhian's cheeks upang gisingin ito. Rhian rubbed off the sleep in her eyes.

"Saan tayo tutuloy from here?" she asked habang naghihikab.

"Pupunta muna tayo sa martial arts school. Magtatanong ako kay boss Billy James kung may kilala siyang pulis na mataas ang ranggo para tulungan tayo,"

"Does he know who I am? I mean yung boss mo?"

"I don't think so. Ni hindi alam ni Solen na artista ang subject niya until you told her and had her sign the confidentiality contract,"

Maayos na nakalabas ng eroplano ang dalawa pero nang madaanan nila ang stewardess ay nakatitig pa rin kay Rhian na ikinailang nito. Glaiza pulled her close protectively. She pulled her face paharap sa kanya at hinalikan ang labi, letting the stewardess see them. She looked away feeling awkward.

"Bakit?" Rhian asked curiously when they are walking through the bridge.

"I don't like her checking out on you," mahina niyang tugon.

"Her? May pinagseselosan ka ba?"

"Hindi yon. Kasi yung stewardess namumukhaan ka. Pamilyar ka daw sa kanya when you were napping. Sabi ko. Baka kasi mahulaan niyang ikaw si Calliope,"

"Kahit pa mamukhaan niya ako, just deny it,"

"Hayaan mo na. Tapos na yun. We have to hurry. Baka abutin pa tayo ng gabi,"

Pagkalabas ng airport, agad na sumakay ng taxi na nakapila sa labas ng airport upang magpahatid sa QC kung nasaan ang martial arts school na pinagtuturuan nina Solen at Glaiza.

The basement of the school is where the boss resides. Glaiza, leading the way with her hand behind her holding Rhian, they walked through a small alleyway in single file. When they reach a dead end where the door is, Glaiza pulled a loose brick that serves as the hiding place for the keycard. Tapping the card on the sensor doesn't open the door but it activates a small box for a retina scan. Itinapat niya ang kanyang kanang mata sa retina scan. A blue line pass through it scanning her eyes. Sa maliit na display screen lumabas nag pangalang Glaiza de Castro next is a beep sound indicating that the door has unlocked. She turn the knob at hinilang papasok si Rhian. The lights automatically came to life illuminating the dark hallway. Rhian was amazed to what she has witnessed. Daig pa ang isang high security bank ang security ng building na kanilang napasukan.

"Maupo ka muna. Hahanapin ko si boss," paanyaya ni Glaiza when they entered a room that seems to be the living area.

Iniwan muna niya ang kasintahan. Hindi kasi pwedeng magpapasok sa kwartong laging pinaglalagian ng kanyang boss. Ang pwedeng pumasok lang doon ay ang pinagkakatiwalaan ng may-ari, namely siya at si Solen.

Another sensor locks the said room. A thumb print scanner. Rhian watched her swallowed by the room when it opened.

Technology yells inside the room. A metallic table facing a wall mounting 4 minitors. 1st monitor shows the outside, 2nd shows the school, 3rd shows the living area where Rhian is and the 3rd is a black screen but an indicator light is ON that means its operating, only it doesn't display anything.