✔ 01 | Crime Of Passion [Published Under PSICOM]

Capitulum 41

Eastwood Heights Event Hall
8:07 p.m.

The annual Heraldic Eastwood Local Police Department's Masquerade is a prestigious event for the task force and elite social groups. Idinaraos ito bilang isang charity at fund raising event, despite the common knowledge that politics is also a highlight. Sa pagsapit ng gabi, sunud-sunod na dumating ang mga bisitang nakasuot ng magagarbong maskara at mga damit na tila ginto ang halaga. Emeralds, sapphires, rubies, and other precious gemstones dangled from the women's ears.

"Welcome to our 23rd Masquerade! Enjoy!" Paulit-ulit na bungad ng isang lalaking nakasuot ng maskarang baboy. Chief Inspector Placido Ortega enthusiastically shook hands with several guests and led them to the event hall. The chandeliers draped from the ceiling, giving an eerie glow over the vast sea of people.

Tawanan, plastikan, at mga usapang tungkol sa pera at negosyo.

Sa kaguluhang ito, mabilis na namataan ni Nova ang isang binatang nakasuot ng itim na kunehong maskara. He was busy chatting with a few colleagues. Ngumisi ang dalaga at inayos ang tray na hawak niya. Her make-up transformation felt heavy, pero wala na siyang magagawa. 'This is for justice!' She keeps reminding herself. Ilang sandali pa, pasikreto niyang pinindot ang maliit na communication device sa kanyang tainga.

"Target spotted."

A few moments later, Nico's voice answered, "Siguro ka ba? It's hard to recognize anyone with these stupid masks. Well, except for Chief Ortega, of course. I think he's mocking himself with that pig mask. Poor man."

Mahinang natawa si Nova. Whether Inspector Ortega is aware that he's "obviously" fat or that pig mask is just an accident, wala na siyang panahong alamin pa. 'Pero infairness, bagay sa kanya 'yong baboy.' The female detective's eyes studied the man with the black rabbit mask. "Sigurado akong si Lelouch 'to."

"Evidence?"

"Ha?"

"A true detective does not act on instinct. Kailangan may ebidensiya. But of course, I'm sure you know that, right?" Narinig niya ang pang-aasar sa tono ng binata.

'Damn you, Nico! Ang arte mo talaga!' Nova sighed, "Suot niya ang relong binigay ko sa kanya noong first anniversary namin."

Silence.

"Just keep an eye on him. Sa oras na tawagan ako ni Scorpio at i-confirm na mayroon ngang match sa blood samples, aarestuhin natin siya. That's a solid proof that he's the Heartless Killer."

"And if he resists?"

"Damn, Sherlock. If he resists, it'll get a bit more messier. Kung siya nga ang copycat serial killer natin, asahan mong armado siya. This is dangerous, Nova. We need to act precisely on plan. Understood?"

Nova rolled her eyes. "Fine. Tsk. Once this is over, paniguradong magagalit si Inspector Ortega dahil ginulo natin ang event ng HELP. Plus, wala siyang kaalam-alam."

She could almost see Nico nodding in agreement, "Kapag nagkagulo na, paniguradong lulunurin ako ni chief sa Pacific Ocean. No big deal." Panandaliang umayos si Nova nang may kumuha ng wineglass sa tray niya. She smiled and acted like a naive little girl. Nang wala nang bisita sa paligid, mabilis niyang hinanap ang maskarang kuneho.

"Gosh!"

"Bakit?"

"Nawala si Lelouch. He just disappeared from my sight. Tsk. I'll just look for him again." At sinimulan na niyang tahakin ang daan papunta sa dining area ng event hall. Baka naman naroon lang ang abogado? "Hahanapin ko siya. I'll contact you again once I've spotted him."

Sandaling katahimikan muli ang narinig ni Nova. Nang akmang idi-disable na niya ang maliit na microphone, she heard Detective Nico Yukishito's voice again.

"Mag-iingat ka."

Ngumiti si Nova sa narinig. Baka naman nilalagnat ang bugnuting detective? If not for her current situation, she'd be laughing her ass off.

'Now, where is my ex-boyfriend?' Mabilis ang paglakad ni Nova. She struggled to get pass the barrier of bodies surrounding her. Halos hindi na siya makahinga sa dami ng tao! At habang dumaraan, pasimple niyang tinitingnan ang paligid. Baka-sakaling makita niyang muli si Atty. Lelouch San Andres. 'Saan naman napunta ang isang 'yon?!'

The noise was growing louder, it was almost painful.

Umalingawngaw ang tunog ng malaking orasan sa event hall. Tick-tock...tick-tock. "Stupid clocks!" Huminga nang malalim si Nova at halos takbuhin na ang kabilang bahagi ng lugar pero hindi niya pa rin makita si Lelouch. Fear tugged at her heart. Kinakabahan siya sa hindi malamang dahilan. 'Kung si Lelouch nga si HK, posible kayang papatay ulit siya ngayong gabi?' Nanuyo ang lalamunin ni Nova sa kanyang naiisip. Shit! Hindi nila pwedeng hayaang mangyari 'yon!

"Excuse me! Excuse lang po!"

Halos murahin na niya ang ilang kababaihan na abala pa rin sa pakikipag-chikahan. A serial killer is terrorizing Eastwood and these idiots are just babbling about nonsense?! Parang nauunawaan na ni Nova ang pagkamuhi ni Nico sa mundo.

Kamuntikan nang mahulog ni Nova ang tray na may lamang mga wineglass.

Tick-tock.

Tick-tock.

She stopped in the center of the chaos, surrounded by people in fancy clothes and animal masks. Huminga siya nang malalim at sinuri muli ang paligid. 'Nasaan ka na? Darn it!' Pero sa kanyang paghahanap, napansin niya ang bulto ng isang lalaking nakasuot ng maskarang may disenyo ng usa. The man wore a white suite. Mukhang nagmamadali ito at may kausap pa sa telepono.

"Hello, miss."

Nabigla si Nova sa narinig na boses mula sa kanyang likuran. Naging dahilan ito para mabagsak niya ang hawak na tray, the glasses of wine crashed and shattered on the tiled flooring while the blood red liquid stained the surface. Nang lumingon si Nova, agad siyang napaatras nang makita ang maskara.

A black rabbit mask, worn by the man she was hunting a few minuets ago.

'Lelouch.' Pinilit niyang ngumiti. Mabuti na lang talaga at may disguise siya! Her make-up transformation never failed her.

"Naku, sir! Pasensya na po. Sorry po, mali-mali talaga ako! W-Wag niyo po akong isumbong sa manager ko..."

Umakto siyang natataranta at mabilis na pinulot ang tray at mga bubog sa sahig. Pero hindi pa rin umaalis si Lelouch. Nang mag-angat ng tingin si Nova, nagulat na lang siya nang nakatitig pa rin sa kanya ang abogado. He then pulled her up on her feet and grabbed her by the shoulders.

"So, you're stalking me now?"

"H-Hindi ko po alam ang sinasabi mo, sir."

'Keep up the act, Nova! Kung hindi, mabubuking ang plano!'

But the young attorney laughed and partially lifted his mask, revealing only his smirking lips. Inilapit siya nito sa kanya at bumulong, "Hindi mo bagay maging waitress, Nova... at lalong hindi mo bagay maging stalker."

Napalunok si Nova sa kanyang narinig. Then, her communication device crackled to life, Nico's voice spoke from the other end of the line, "Nova? Any updates?"

Narinig ito ni Lelouch.

'Shit! Nakalimutan kong i-turn off!'

"So, you're spying on me, huh?"

Agad na sumimangot ang abogado. A sense of danger radiating off him. Lalo lang kinabahan si Nova nang bumulong muli si Lelouch sa kanyang tainga, "Nice try, sweetheart."

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