A/N: Nagtataka ako kung bakit nagtataka 'yung iba na hindi nagtataka si Summer kung bakit kilala sila ni Hye Soo. Eh kung sa umpisa pa lang ng Chapter 54, right after sabihin ni Hye Soo na "You're Mr. Del Julio and Ms. Yeo, right?", eh napaisip na si Summer ng "Bakit kilala niya kami?" at panay ang tinginan nila ni Trevor.
#Nakapagtataka
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Kanina pa kwento ng kwento si Hye Soo patungkol sa mga lugar na pupuntahan daw namin bukas. Samantalang ako naman ay humahanap ng tiyempo kung paano ko masisingit si Sung Ryeong sa usapan. "We will just take the taxi instead of the train to avoid the hassle. Then we have to take the 200-step stairs to get to the Christ the Redeemer. But don't worry, there's an escalator already. I must say, the view up there is really breathtaking, and the enormous statue? Wow. Just wow. You cannot leave Rio without seeing it," excited niyang kwento. Napapatitig ako paminsan sakanya tuwing magsasalita siya. Para kasing sobrang kumportable niya. Hindi siya iwas makipag-eye contact sa amin at sobrang sigla sa pagkwento. Hinahayaan ko muna siyang magkwento para makuha ko ang loob niya.
She grabbed her table napkin and wiped the sides of her mouth. Tinignan ko ang plato niya. Ngayon ko lang napansin tapos na pala siya.
Nagkatinginan kami ni Trevor. Pinatong niya ang siko niya sa mesa at tinaas ang kamay niya. Pasimpleng pinapakita sa akin ang oras sa relo niya. It's already quarter to 9. Sung Ryeong and Chai's plane already landed in Rio minutes ago.
Binitawan ko na ang tinidor at table knife ko. Inubos ang laman ng flute at nagpunas na din ng bibig. "Uhm... I think I'd like to take walk on the beach," masigla kong sabi.
Hinawakan ni Trevor ang sintido niya at hinilot ito kaunti. "Commander, let's just take a rest. We can do that tomorrow morning," masungit niyang sabi.
"But... Hye Soo has already arranged our itinerary for tomorrow morning," angal ko.
"You heard me," beast boss slightly activated.
"We will just take a walk on the beach, boss," maarte kong sabi sabay irap. "It won't take an hour. You'll ruin Hye Soo's plan." Talagang dinidiin ko si Hye Soo dito.
Trevor narrowed his eyes. "Do I need-"
"Oh, no worries," singit ni Hye Soo. "I'll just accompany Ms. Yeo so you can take a rest Mr. Del Julio."
"Really?" tuwang tuwa kong tanong. "That's great!" Nagkatinginan kami ni Trevor. Suot niya pa din ang masungit niyang mukha. Okay ang acting, boss. "Let's go!" Tumayo na ako at inaya si Hye Soo. Iniwan na namin si Trevor at naglakad palabas ng dining lounge.
Changed plans kanina bago kami pumunta sa dining lounge. I'll take Hye Soo for a walk while Trevor contacts Robert and Chai. Si Trevor kasi ang mas makakaintindi kay Robert kung sakali.
"You should visit Brazil next year. Best time is during Mardi Gras Carnaval on February or Rio Olympics 2016 on August!" she cheerfully said as we enter the elevator.
"I see you really love Brazil, huh."
"Indeed. Brazil is my second home. My mother and I used to tour Brazil when she was alive. We fell in love with their culture. We did it again when we've finally met Sung Ryeong. None of us knows it will be the last one."
Nilingon ko siya. May ngiti sa mga labi niya pero hindi nun naabot ang mga mata niya. She mentioned her mother and Sung Ryeong na para bang kaibigan ako na kinukwetuhan niya lang.
Bumukas na ang pinto at sabay kaming lumabas. Binati siya ng ibang makakasalubong naming staff ng hotel. Paglabas namin ng hotel, lumakad kami pakaliwa.
Di kalayuan ang beach sa hotel. Ang liwanag sa baybayin ay nanggagaling sa mga post lights dito. Malakas ang hangin at malakas ang alon ng dagat. Hinigpitan ko ang tali ng trench coat ko at niyakap ang sarili.
Muli na naman siyang nagkwento pagkaapak namin sa buhangin. "I'm sure you'll love Rio after your trip. Have I mentioned the Sugarloaf Mountain? The aerial view from the cable car is spectacular. You'll enjoy it. I promise."
Diretso kaming naglakad sa buhanginan at nilakbay ang baybayin. "Ms. Ye, can I ask you a question?" pagbabago ko sa usapan.
"Of course, Ms. Yeo. Do you want me to revise the itinerary plan?"
Umiling ako at nginitian siya. "It seems like you've been here in Rio for a while. When did you start your hotel business?"
"Ah. That one." She tucked a hairstrand behind her ear. "Almost a year ago. Sung Ryeong and I wanted to start a business on the opposite side of Asia." She chuckled. "To build a new life and away from the bad image of YHS smuggling."
See? She talks to me like I am a long time friend. She even mentioned YHS! "I see." Alam ba niyang siya 'yung dapat kong iniimbestigahan sa Pilipinas? "Have you seen Sung Ryeong in person again?"
She sighed and smiled weakly. "I wish it is that easy because I really do miss her. I prayed every night that you win this mission, Ms. Yeo. I believe that God will make a way to give justice for my nephew's death."
Wait. I'm lost. Totally lost. Win this mission? Your nephew's death? I opened my mouth to find words to say.
Nilingon niya ako at tinignan sa mata. "That's why I know thank you is not enough for all the help you're giving to my sister, Ms. Yeo."
Ano bang pinagsasabi mo, Hye Soo? Kailan ko naman tinulungan 'yung kapatid mo? Tungkol ba 'to sa inhaler nung inatake siya nung Sportsfest? "Help?" I asked, lost in her words.
She nodded repeatedly. "I know in no time you'll be able to capture Eman Valeros. My sister said you've already got evidence and made reports against PH's Finest."
Tinitigan ko lang siya sa mata. Kilala mo si Eman Valeros? Ni isang kurap di niya ginawa. All I see is her eyes full of hopes. Napatigil ako sa paglalakad at hinarap siya. Gayun din naman siya. "Ye Hye Soo," I said under my breath. "Do you even know who and why am I here?"
"Of course I do." She gave me a hearty smile. "Summer Felicity Yeo, right? Police Senior Inspector from Philippine National Police. You came here because my sister said you need to get away from Rin's threat before Eman Valeros comes in the Philippines. Sung Ryeong said Rin almost poisoned you."
My eyes narrowed. Rin tried to poison me? I do remember the time Sung Ryeong saved me from drinking the smoothie. "What else do you know about me, Hye Soo?" I frankly asked.
"Not much, Ms. Yeo. All I know are the good deeds you've done for my sister." The sincere look on her eyes and her sweet voice are trying to convince me that she's being honest. She looks absolutely clueless what's my real intention on her. "I don't know if my sister can still make it. The doctors said she only got six months to live. And the only thing I know that will make her happy is to get Sying a justice. That's why I let her use my name for her plans. She's the only family I have after our mother died." Nag-iba ang expression niya. Her thin lips trembled and tears started to form in her eyes. "That's why thank you, Ms. Yeo, for helping my sister. Please make her come home bringing the justice she's fighting for. I don't want to lose her." Yumuko siya at nagpunas ng mata.
I took time to process all the things she said...
Sying. Mr. Yam and Sung Ryeong's son. A justice for Sying. Hye Soo lets Sung Ryeong used her identity. I am helping Sung Ryeong. I saw evidence and made reports against PH's Finest but not even a thing about YHS firearms smuggling.
I remember what Charles said... lahat ng kumakalas at nag-ttraydor sa PH's Finest, kamatayan ang kapalit. The same reason why Gyno died.
Chinese drug lords, the last group PH's Finest had a transaction with before they got busted, Mr. Yam Xiu's group. Sila ang naglalag at umamin na sina Eman Valeros ang naka-transact nila nung nahuli sila sa fake raid ko sa hospital.
Could be the reason of Sying's death is because of PH's Finest's revenge on Mr. Yam?
Then it hits me...
This mission. All of my investigation just leads me to discovering PH's Finest. Sung Ryeong has been trying to give me mixed clues all along.
Hye Soo sniffed and giggled. "I'm sorry for the drama. I just really missed my sister. I wish she's here right now."
I breathed heavily. I was about to ask and confront her when I heard Trevor calling my name. Sabay kaming napatingin ni Hye Soo sakanya.
Matagal bago nakapagsalita si Trevor. Nagpapalitpalit pa ang tingin niya sa amin ni Hye Soo. "I can't sleep," he uttered. "Come to bed with me. Please."
Is this for real, boss? Parang wala 'to sa plano ko kanina. Nilingon ko si Hye Soo. Nakangiti siya habang nakatingin kay Trevor. "Your boyfriend is cute. From growling tiger to a purring cat." Tinignan niya ako. "Go tuck Mr. Del Julio to bed. I'll just revise the itinerary so you can still enjoy the Ipanema beach. See you tomorrow morning. 6am, alright?"
I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded. Muli kong hinarap si Trevor at naglakad papunta sakanya. Kinuha niya ang kamay ko at inaya na palayo sa beach.
We walked in silence. Pinapakiramdaman kung nakasunod ba sa amin si Hye Soo. Nilabas ko ang phone sa loob ng chest pocket ng trench coat ko at tinigil na ang voice recorder. Nirecord ko ang buong pag-uusap namin ni Hye Soo magmula ng umupo siya sa tabi namin sa dining lounge.
Pagdating namin sa tapat ng hotel entrance, naglakas loob na akong tumingin sa likod namin. Ngunit walang Hye Soo na nakasunod.
Nagdirediretso ako palampas sa entrance at hinila si Trevor papunta sa kanto ng kalsada. "What's the matter?" tanong ko paghinto namin.
Tumingin siya kaliwa't kanan. "Robert said he still hasn't found Chai."
Kinuha ko ang kamay niya at tinignan ang oras. 9:15pm. Lagpas isang oras na ah.
"Tinanong ko siya kung may napansin ba siyang kamukha ni Sung Ryeong. Binigyan ko naman siya ng litrato nung dalawa. Pero wala daw."
I held out my hand. "Give me the phone." Sa kabilang kamay, hinanap ko sa phone ko ang number na gamit ni Chai sa Pinas. Mabilis namang inabot sa akin ni Trevor ang phone na magagamit namin dito sa Brazil. "Can I make international calls here?"
He nodded.
Dinial ko sa phone ni Trevor ang number ni Chai sa Pinas. Nabuhayan ako ng loob ng mag-ring ang number ni Chai.
Ilang ring lang ay sinagot na niya ito. "Where are you?" agad kong tanong.
"Who's this?" tanong niya.
"Summer speaking. Where are you?" ulit ko sa tanong ko.
"Officer Yeo!" she exclaimed. "Thank God you called!"
"Chai! Nasaan ka nga?" inip kong tanong.
"Oh. Philippines," sagot niya.
"Ha!? What happened?" Napatingin ako kay Trevor.
"Hindi siya sumakay sa eroplano. Ni pumasok nga para mag-check in hindi ginawa eh."
"Bakit?" frustrated kong tanong.
"Okay. Kalma. Ganito ang nangyari. Di ba nauna nga kaming umalis. Sinundan namin ni Veloso 'yung sasakyan nila papunta sa airport. Pagdating sa airport, nag-park pa 'yung sasakyan ni Sung Ryeong. So we also did. Hours passed, nakaalis na kayo, naka-park lang kami dun the whole time. Almost 7am na ng umandar ulit 'yung sasakyan ni Sung Ryeong. Pero hindi sila pumunta sa terminal para mag-check in. Lumabas sila ng airport at dumiretso sa The Medical City. The next thing we knew, nagpa-confine siya sa hospital. I've tried to contact you, kaso malamang hindi ko na matawagan 'yung phone mo. Hindi ko naman alam 'yung number na gagamitin natin sana diyan sa Brazil," tuloy tuloy niyang kwento. "Anong nadatnan niyo sa address na nakita mo sa passport ni Sung Ryeong?"
I sighed. "We're with Hye Soo."
"Ano!?" Siya naman ang nagulat. "The real one?"
"Yes. And she said things that can complete the puzzle." I bit my lip and tried to think. "May kutob akong sadya itong pagkikita namin ni Hye Soo."
"Okay. I'll look after Sung Ryeong for now."
Binaba ko na ang phone at muling tinignan sa mata si Trevor. "We have to get back to Manila as soon as possible."
Nakakunot ang noo niya at gulat sa sinabi ko. "We came all the way to South America for 20 hours. Commander, we're on the opposite side of the world. Wala pa tayong isang araw dito tapos babalik na tayo ng Pinas!? Ano bang akala mo, nasa kanto lang ng Brazil 'yung Pilipinas!?"
"Boss, walang Sung Ryeong na dumating at dadating sa Rio. Nasa Pilipinas 'yung dahilan ng pagpunta natin dito."
Mas lalo siyang naguluhan. "Pero bakit?"
"Exactly. Pero bakit? Don't you think sinasadya 'to ni Sung Ryeong? Na pagkitain kaming dalawa ni Hye Soo. I think I've heard enough from Hye Soo. All I need now is a confirmation from Sung Ryeong."
Dahan dahang tumango si Trevor. Hindi pa din naaalis ang kunot sa noo niya. "You know what, saying yes to your sudden plan without even thinking of it proves that I really do love you."