LOVE BETWEEN THE LIES (SELF-PUB) Reprints of Physical book still available

• 26 •

Mason's POV

Nilagyan ko ng bug ang telepono ni Sebi. Lahat ng calls at messages na marereceive niya, kasama na ang mga emails at personal messages sa mga social media accounts niya ay mata - track ko. I hate doing this. I hate spying on my own brother.

Wala akong choice kung bakit ko ito ginagawa. I want to clear his name bago pa ibang agent ang trumabaho sa kanya. I just need a couple of days at malalaman ko rin ang totoo. Ang pinaka - ayoko lang ay ang mga sikretong puwede kong matuklasan tungkol sa kanya.

I can see my brother that he is talking to a middle aged man inside. Si Harold Sanchez. I already checked the guy. Matagal na sa ganitong kalakaran. The last name that he used was Carlito Ledesma. He and his team made a deal with a local bank, connived with an Accounts Specialist and they were able to transfer money to an offshore bank account in Cayman Islands. They got away the Accounts Specialist is serving jail time for money laundering. Well it serves him well because tumanggap din siya ng pera sa sindikato.

I listen attentively to their conversation. I put my earphones para magmukha lang akong nakikinig ng music habang nagba - browse sa laptop ko. Malayo naman ako sa kanila at malabo akong makita ng kapatid ko dito.

"Do something about this Mr. Gonzalez. I am telling you, those Japanese nationals they won't take no for an answer." Firm na sabi ni Harold Sanchez.

"Why me? I don't want to do this. I am just an Account Specialist in that bank," tonong talunan si Sebi.

"That's why we need you. You are the top Account Specialist in that bank. You handle big accounts. Ikaw na ang may access sa lahat. You can transfer it anywhere without letting the bank know. You see, we are just helping you. You are sick right?" Sabi pa ng lalaki.

"But I don't need your money. Maayos ang buhay ko. Hindi 'nyo ako kailangang isali dito."

Nakita kong tumatango - tango si Harold.

"Okay. Okay. Umm.. let me ask. How is your wife? Andie? That's her name right?"

Napakislot ako ng marinig ko ang pangalan ni Andie.

"I met her two days ago. Nice and sweet woman. She is pregnant too. First baby? I bet it's a boy. Sayang naman kung hindi na aabot ng nine months sa tiyan ang baby mo," nakangising sabi ni Harold.

Automatic na napatayo ako at tumingin sa gawi nila. Is he threatening Andie? I swear I want to beat that asshole until he is out of breath right now.

"Huwag 'nyong isali ang asawa ko dito. This is between me and you." Mahinang sabi ni Sebi.

Humihingal ako sa galit pero pinigil ko ang sarili ko. Hindi ako puwedeng magpatalo sa emosyon ko ngayon. I need to know their plans para makagawa ako ng hakbang ko.

"Your job is easy. Just transfer one hundred million dollars to an offshore account. Easy. Lagi mo naman iyon ginagawa 'di ba?" Sabi ni Harold.

Nakita kong bahagyang hinilot ni Sebi ang dibdib niya. He is under stress kaya alam kong sumasakit ang dibdib niya. Drink your fucking medicine, idiot. Gusto kong lumapit sa kanya at sabihin iyon. Para akong nakahinga ng makita kong may kinuha siya sa sling bag niya at ininom iyon.

"That's a big amount. The bank will notice that napakalaking pera ang mawawala kapag ginawa ko 'yan," humihingal na sabi ng kapatid ko.

"That's why you need to do your magic. Mr. Gonzalez, I know you can do it. You have access in everything. Think of a plan. Ayaw mo naman mabiyudo ng maaga 'di ba?" Nakangisi pa ng nakakaloko si Harold. "Maganda pa naman ang asawa mo. Sayang kung tatadtarin lang at ipapakain sa mga buwaya."