Hacker Vs. Hacker

Chapter 16

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Nakatunganga lang ako sa harap ng computer ko sa office nang mag-ring ang phone. It's Paul. I unconsciously smiled, but it was a sad smile. Hindi ko sinagot ang tawag niya. Hinintay ko lang na matapos. Then a text message came after.

Busy?

I rolled my eyes. Yeah, busy thinking how could you this to me, you goddamned prick.

I typed, Kind of. Then I hit the send button.

Nag-ring ulit ang phone ko. This time, humugot ako ng malalim na hininga bago ko sinagot.

"Hi, am I disturbing?" bungad niya sa akin.

"No, its fine," kunwari pabebe ko, "Uhm, napatawag ka?"

"Just... uh, wanted to hear your voice."

Napangiti ako, tanginang bibig 'to. Naka-auto smile yata.

"Really?"

"Hmm-mmm," he slightly chuckled, "Can we go out for dinner tonight?"

Eh, kung magpakipot kaya ako? Malamang kasi, ginagawa niya lang 'to para ma-delay ang paghahanap ko sa hacker. Huh, smart move.

"Uh, baka kasi mago-overtime ako."

"Ganun ba?" Oooh, I can hear the dismay in his voice.

"Pero susbukan kong tapusin ang mga gagawin ko."

"Great. Sige na, para matapos ka na agad."

"Yes, sir. Bye."

I heard him chuckling before he ended the call. At dahil dun, nakangiti rin ako.

Ewan ko ba, kahit anong kumbinsi ang gawin ko sa sarili ko na kalaban si Paul, hindi ko magawang magalit, eh. Disappointed, oo. Pero magalit? I dunno. Ganun talaga siguro kahirap magalit sa mga taong may puwang na sa puso mo.

At naalala ko na naman yung kasal na sinasabi niya. Hindi ko alam kung seryoso siya o ano, eh. Hindi ko ma-distinguish kung pinagti-tripan niya ako o ano ba. Really, Pen? Did he really fuck the common sense out of you? Hindi ko maiwasang madismaya sa sarili ko. Sa aming dalawa, mukhang ako ang matatalo.

Pero paano kung seryoso naman siya? Grabe, ganito na ba talaga ako Katanga ngayon? I literally can't tell if he's lying or just trippin' or serious. I groaned in frustration.

I felt my phone vibrated. What the---

What're you thinking?

It's an unknown email. Oh my god, it's him. He's playing games again.

I tried to ignore the email, but another one came.

Ignoring me?

He's watching me, fvck. How did he gain access to our cameras? Ganun siya kagaling? I tried to keep my cool and my composure. Ayokong may makahalata na kinakabahan ako. Wait, kinakabahan ako? Well, I may hate to admit it, but yes.

I typed and replied.

Stop pestering, you dickhead.

At mabilis pa sa alas kuwatro ang reply niya.

Don't call me

ugly names, love.

I'm far from being

a dick head.

And then another email.

Btw, you look

lovely today.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Fvck, nakikita nga niya talaga ako. I tried to remain calm. At bakit nga ba sa phone ko siya nagi-email.

Why do you keep on hitting me on my phone? Ganun ka ba ka lousy? Kaya mong ma-access ang cameras naming pero Hindi mo kayang i-access ang computer ko dito?

And I faced the security camera and smirked. I know he's watching me. That creep!

Are you challenging

me?

Uh-oh. Very poor choice of words, Pen. For a moment, I froze, unsure what to reply.

I can see

You have your

Spotify there.

Do you want me

To play your 'girly'

Playlist? Or do

You prefer Baby

shark?

Fuck you.

Hindi ko na naitago ang inis ko. Grabe, nakaka-inis siya. Gusto kong ibato ang hawak kong phone.

That would

Ne nice. But,

Wait, Are you

Pissed? Already?

Sa inis ko, ini-off ko na lang ang phone ko. At nag-martsa papunta sa security room.

"Ma'am," bati sa akin nung naka-assign dun.

"Hi, I want you to manually restart the security cameras."

Nagkasalubong ang kilay niya.

"Now."

"Okay, Ma'am."

"Thanks," at umalis na ako.

Puta ka talaga, Paul. Pag nakompirma kong ikaw ang hacker na 'to. Humanda ka. Pagbalik ko, ini-restart ko rin yung computer ko. I just think I needed to do it before purifying my computer from the traces of that filthy hacker.

A/N: Suuuuuper laaate, again. Sorry.