BEHIND THOSE PRETTY FACES

CHAPTER 31

RELLE'S POV

I drove as fast as I can until I reached the headquarters even when I'm covered with blood.  I wore my mask para hindi na sila magtanong pa at dumiretso na agad sa opisina ni Kuya. Pumasok ako ng hindi na nag-abala pang kumatok kahit pinipigilan ako ng secretary niya. Nakaupo siya habang nakatingin sa labas kaya binaril ko yung vase sa table niya para makuha ang atensyon niya.

"I'm sorry King, nagpumilit po pumasok si..." Humarap siya sa amin at nagulat siya ng makita ako. Mabilis siyang lumapit sa amin.
"You may go." Saad niya sa kanyang secretary. "What happened to you? You're bleeding. Dito ka lang, tatawag ako ng doctor."
"Tell me everything."
"It's not important. Kailangan mo muna magamot."
"IT IS IMPORTANT! I WANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING. I DON'T CARE ABOUT THIS F*CKING WOUND. JUST TELL ME!!!"
"But..."  I gave him my coldest and angriest glare that I could master. He knew that I don't give a damn. "I'm sorry. Hindi ko ginusto na maglihim sa'yo."
"You knew, right?"
"Y-yes..."
"Why?"
"He's the one who asked favor for that. He don't want to add burdens to you." I feel his gaze on me before continuing what he is saying. "He believes you already forget him that's why he's contented watching you from afar."
"He told me you knew the one who made all this mess." I looked at him in the eyes but he avoided me.
"I'm not yet sure but I have some facts and evidences based on my investigation."
"Who?"
"Promise me you won't do anything without thinking? This may add a pain to what you are feeling right now." Naguguluhan ako sa sinasabi niya. Kahit na sobrang hilo na ang nararamdaman ko dahil na rin sa tama ng bala sa kanang braso ko ay pinilit ko pa rin intindihin ang sinasabi ni Kuya.
"Just get to the point."
"He's...." I suddenly felt dizzy but I clearly heard his name before everything went dark.

I woke up in an unfamiliar bed. I felt pain as I tried to sit down then notice that I have a cast on my right arm.

"Damn!" I muttered under my breath while recalling what happen. Nagulat ako ng biglang bumukas ang pinto at bumungad ang pinakagwapo kong kapatid pero siyempre di ko sasabihin sa kanya yun dahil siguradong tataas na naman ang tingin niya sa sarili niya.
"Are you okay?" He asked and faintly smile. I just nod in return. "Doc Frank said you need a lot of rest to recover quickly."
"Whatever!"
"Are you ready to listen?"
"Hmmm..." Sumandal ako ng maayos sa headboard para kumuha ng suporta dahil sigurdo akong hindi maganda ang maririnig ko. Iniisip ko pa rin kung tama ba ang narinig ko bago ako mawalan ng malay.
"He first called Dad and wanted to talk to him. Dad hesitated at first but he insisted and there was pleading in his voice." I just nod when he look at me. "He told us the reason wy he left you. We can't believe it at first. He tried to be stronger so that he can protect you that's why he became part of the assassin organization but it's too late. You loved someone who can protect you. He's contented watching you from afar making sure you are safe.I'm still collecting evidence but one thing is for sure, it leads to only one person..."
"Aiden..." Pabulong kong sabi. Tumango naman si Kuya.
"Based sa aming investigation, he is obsessed with you and the power to rule the underground world." Hindi ako makapaniwala sa mga narinig ako. Of all people, bakit siya pa? Akala ko bestfriend ko siya, yun pala iba ang tingin niya sakin.
"Are you going to tell this to your friends?" Umiling ako.
"Can you leave me alone?"
"Are you sure?" Tumango ako bilang sagot. Nag-aalangan man ay lumabas na rin si Kuya.
Ilang oras din siguro akong nakatingin sa kawalan. Iniisip ang mga nangyari. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa mga nalaman ko. I need time and find evidence. Gusto ko, ako mismo ang makapagpatunay. I looked for my phone and dialled Blake's number.
"Yes Boss?"
"Is everything ok?"
"I've already settled the funeral. I also contacted his family. I'll message you the details."
"Thank you. I'll see you later." Then I hung up the call. Sakto namang pasok ng mga barkada ko.
"Waaaaah Ice, akala ko kung ano na nangyari sa'yo." Sigaw ni Poison.
"What happened?" Bloody asked. "Nung dumating kami sa roofdeck, katawan lng ni Mr. Folk at mga tauhan nila ng nandun."
"Where is Jhancer?" Tanong nung isa sa dalawang lalaki na kasama nila. Tiningnan ko lang sila.
"Dalawa sa tatlong nakamask na guards ni Mr. Folk and also Poison and Bloody's exes." Si Dark na ang nagsalita. Tumango lang naman ako.
"Wala kasi ang katawan niya dun sa area." Saad naman nung isa pang lalaki. "Nakaligtas rin ba siya?"
Hindi agad ako makasagot. Masakit pa rin sain ang nangyari kaya umiling na lang ako. Baka kasi kapag nagsalita pa ako ay umiyak na naman ako at yun ang pinaka-ayaw ko sa lahat. Ang makita nila akong mahina.
"We should let her rest first. We'll be back later." Sabi ni Bloody saka tinulak sila palabas. Bago pa nila isara ang pinto, Bloody and Poison gave me a faint yet comforting smile. Paglapat pa lang ng pinto, nag-unahan na ang mga luha ko sa pagpatak. And I let myself drift to sleep again.