Kabanata 2
Walang kaba na naglakad si Samuela papalapit kay Stephen. Binigyan niya ng mabilis na halik sa pisngi ang binata.
"Kanina ka pa ba dito?" Tanong niya at naglakad na paakyat sa hagdan kung saan patungo sa unit niya.
"I just got here. Ikaw, kanina pa kayong magkasama?" Tunog may pagdududa ang boses ni Stephen habang binubuksan niya ang pintuan ng kanyang unit.
Sinulyapan niya ang binata at seryosong tinulak ang pintuan.
"Oo. Nagmeet kami for dinner. He's a friend of my brother at gusto niya akong kamustahin. We talked about my brother. Kayo ni Rachel?" Balik niyang tanong na mas lalong nagpakunot sa noo ni Stephen.
"What are you saying? We just stayed in the firm for work. We prepared for our upcoming trial."
Hinubad ni Stephen ang coat niya at niluwagan ang tie. Umupo si Samuela sa sofa at tinagtag ang heels.
Ramdam niya ang ginhawa doon. Tiningnan niya ang pintuan ng kwarto. Gusto na niyang magpahinga pero naririto pa si Stephen. Hindi naman ito doon tumutuloy kaya napakasama naman kung hahayaan niyang mag-isa ito.
"Have you eaten? I'll cook for you since I already ate." Aniya.
Umiling si Stephen na tila hindi nagustuhan iyon.
"Kumain na din ako. I will just crash here for the night."
Umiling si Samuela.
"No, Steph. You must go home. I am tired." Aniya sa kasintahan.
"Sam, what's wrong with that? I am your boyfriend."
Kinagat ni Samuela ang kanyang labi at tumayo para sagutin ang binata. Pagod na siya at nais na lamang niya mahiga.
"Yes, you're just my boyfriend. Hindi pa kita asawa kaya uuwi ka." Aniya sa matapang na tono.
Naiinis na tumayo si Stephen sa sofa at hinarap si Samuela.
"What? You are unbelievable, Sam! I cannot believe your shits!"
Mabilis na sinara ni Stephen ang pintuan. Ngumuso si Samuela at hinubad din ang kanyang coat.
She had enough. Sa tuwing ganito ang inaasal ni Stephen, nawawalan na siya ng gana. Whirlwind ang relasyon nila. Noong una, naiintindihan niya ang pagiging seloso nito pero sa pagdaan ng taon, naiirita na siya.
Dumiretso siya sa kusina para uminom ng tubig. Sumandal siya sa ref habang nilalagok ang isang basong tubig ng may pumasok sa kanyang isip.
Major Athos Prescott Querio... that guy is really an eye candy.
Umiling siya ng may kaunting ngisi. Do not even go there, Sam. Mura nuya sa isipan at tuluyan ng hinubad ang damit pangtrabaho.
Humiga agad siya sa kama at tiningnan ang dogtag ng yumaong kapatid.
"Still the soft guy, Serge..." Huminga siya ng malalim. "If you think of being selfish just for once... sana buhay ka pa."
Hanggang ngayon, di pa rin niya matanggap ang kabaitan ng kapatid. Lagi niya iyong kinagagalitan dahil palaging napapaglamangan ng mga tao sa paligid niya.
Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit hindi siya kailanman, gagaya sa kanyang kapatid. Kaya natuto siyang tumayo sa sariling paa at dumiskarte. Dahil alam niya na walang mangyayari kung sa tuwing magigipit ang iba ay magiging mabait siya.
She's known to be ruthless at her job. Hindi siya kailanman nagpakita ng emosyon sa korte at sa kahit na kaninong kliyente.
Athos graced the bar. Halos mabali ang leeg ng ilang babaeng parokyano sa pagdaan niya. He's knew to them.
"Wow, head turner." Gregory whispered.
Umirap si Felicity habang si Kristoff naman ay tahimik na nakapamulsa.
"Oh! Sina jack 'yun diba?" Felicity pointed at a certain table.
Kristoff confidently walked to them. Tumango siya kay Jack at sa ilan pang kasamahan nito. Sumunod si Gregory at nakuha pang makipag high five sa tatlong lalaki sa table. Nakangiwi ang isang babae doon sa tabihan pero nakuha ding ngumiti ng batiin ni Kristoff.
"Who are they?" Hindi maiwasang tanong ni Athos kay Felicity. Sila na lang dalawa ang naiwang nakatanaw sa table nina Jack.
"Ah! I forgot that they are on their normal clothes. Sundalo din sila, Kuya. Mga kasamahan nila. Day off ata. Let's go?" Inangkla ni Felicity ang kamay sa kanya at hinigit siya papunta doon.
Agad na tumayo ang tatlo at sumaludo sa kanya. Umiling siya lalo na ng tumawa si Gregory.
"Kalmahan niyo nga lang. Walang ranking ranking ngayong gabi! Magkakaibigan tayo ngayon mga brad." Ininom niya ng diretso ang bacardi sa kamay.
"Ew, Kuya! Have some decency naman! Ikaw lang ang mukhang 'di kagalang galang rito sa inyong lahat." Fely snorted and drank her shot.
Tumawa naman ang babae sa sinabi ni Felicity. Umismid si Gregory pero hindi na pinatulan.
"This is Dylan, Lui, Jack and Victoria." Pakilala ni Kristoff.
"Sir, magandang gabi po." Bati nila.
Tumango siya at ininom ang shot na inabot sa kanya ng mga ito.
"Tama si Greg. Magkakaibigan tayo dito ngayong gabi. Drop the sir."
"Sir, yes, sir!" Sigaw ni Lui na agad siniko ni Dylan.
Tumawa siya sa mga ito. Parang siya lang dati. Halatang mga baguhan pa din pero mukhang may mga ibubuga. They reminded him when he's starting. Stiff at palaging nag-oobserba.
Ininom niya ang shot at lumingon sa dancefloor. Hindi ito ang unang beses na nakapunta siya rito pero naninibago siya. It's been what? Three years? He cannot even remember.
"Why don't we dance?" Biglang tanong ni Gregory. Natigilan silang lahat at tumawa. Nagtaas ng kamay si Lui at tumayo na rin.
"I guess it won't hurt to dance. I am up for it!" He skipped through the busy dance floor.
Greg laughed and looked at the other men. He rolled his eyes.
"Come on, guys! Except you, Fely. You aren't allowed to dance! And you stiff people, You are no fun. Whatever," He started to walk away, attracting the eyes of the hungry women.
"Fucking show off." The girl in front of me muttered.
Tiningnan ko siya, mukha siyang tipsy pero nasa katinuan pa. Tumayo siya at binaba ang whiskey na hawak hawak.
"Where are you going?" Jack asked his sister.
She laughed wickedly and said, "Chill lang, Jack. I have to take a call. You know? Duty."
She walked outside the bar. The guys talked in low voices about their tasks. I did not even bother to listen. I am here to unwind, the thing I lack in the mountain.
I started feeling that someone is watching me. I looked around and saw a group of young women, ogling at me. Typical rich rich kids. Natatandaan pa niya noong kabataan niya, he would throw glances back at them.
"Interested?" Kristoff asked as he watched Athos looking at the other table.
A girl in white halter dress waved her fingers in a seductive way. Alam niya ang ginagawa nito.
"No." He answered and looked at his cousin.
Kristoff side grin showed. Hindi niya mapigilang gayahin iyon. They both knew what it means. Oh, the good old days.
"Kuya, I'm just gonna go to the restroom." Felicity stood up.
Kristoff did the same.
"Come on, I will accompany you." He said and Felicity whined.
"Ano ba kuya? Hindi naman ako bata! I can manage!"
Tinaas lang ni Kristoff ang kanyang kilay, hindi nagpatinag sa kapatid. I laughed. If that's Althea, I would do the same. This is not a safe place for women. Especially, with beautiful women like Felicity.
"Don't worry, Kristoff. I will accompany Felicity." Athos interefered.
Nilingon siya ni Felicity, ngayon ay nakanguso.
"Oh! Pati ba naman ikaw Kuya Athos? Ugh!"
"What? Feli, I need to pee. Let's go."
Naglakad sila ni Felicity papunta sa restrooms.
"You can go pee, Felicity. I will wait for you." He said.
Nang matapos na siya ay sumandal siya sa labas ng restroom. Kinuha niya ang cellphone at tiningnan ang ilang messages doon. Binuksan niya ang galing kay Cynthia.
From: Cynthia
I sent the files in your email. Check it when you have the time. It's so good to see you again, Athos.
He sighed and returned his phone. Lumabas na naman si Felicity na nakasimangot. He smiled and waited for her. Naglakad sila pabalik. Nauna ng maupo si Felicity pero natigil siya dahil nakasalubong niya ang babaeng nasa kabilang table.
Sa malapitan ay mas nakita niya ito. The white halter dress is too short at halos makikita na ang pwet niya kung yuyuko ito. Her long and white legs caught his attention. He bit his lips. It has been five years since he got laid. It is a strange feeling now.
The young woman smiled at him. Dinilaan pa nito ang kanyang labi.
"Excuse me." She said flirty at dumaan sa gilid niya. Hindi nakalampas ang kaunting paglapat ng kanyang dibdib sa mainit na braso ni Athos. He sighed and made a room for her exit.
"Damn." He muttered as he went back to his seat.
Nagpatuloy ang ilang kwentuhan sa kanila. Sa pagtagal, nagkaroon na ng lakas ng loob na sumayaw ang ilan sa kanila dahil na din sa anyaya ni Gregory. Felicity and Victoria stood up.
"Ano, Kuya Athos? Magdamag kang tunganga diyan? Let's go! Minsan lang ito!" Felicity cheered.
Nagpahila siya sa pinsan. Tumawa siya rito nang nasa dance floor na siya. Victoria laughed as a stranger went up to her. Tahimik lang siyang nagsway dahil pinapanood niya ang pinsang si Felicity na ngayon ay nasa tabi ni Victoria at tumatawa.
Naramdaman niya ang mainit na palad na humahagod sa likuran niya. Nilingon niya iyon at nakita ang babaeng kanina lamang ay nilalandi siya. She smiled at pinagpatuloy ang paghagod sa binata.
"Hi." she greeted.
"Hello." Athos politely replied.
The girl looked accomplished when he greeted back. Mas ginanahan sa pag-indayog ngayong magkaharap na sila ng binata.
"You look unfamiliar? Bago ka dito?" She asked again. This time in his ears.
He felt uncomfortable when the girl started to dance sensually. Sa bawat indayog, halos dumikit ang balat nito sa kanya.
"Miss..." he tried to stop pero naputol iyon ng tumawa ang babae.
"Come on! Are you a virgin? Can't you feel I am interested, Mister?" the girl asked.
He felt something blow up in his ego. This young woman, pushing his buttons.
"What would you do if I am?" He smirked.
Natigilan ang babae pero hindi nakalampas sa kanya ang paghagod nito sa katawan niya. Stare all you want Miss. I got toned body. He boasts in his mind.
"That's okay, I like to try new things naman eh?" She's still on the game. He laughed.
"Yeah. How old are you?" Athos asked. If he'll do it tonight, he wants it to be legal.
"Hmmm. Feisty. I'm twenty-four."
He nodded and groped the woman. You asked for this. I am just a man and I have needs. After all, I have suppressed this for five years. Let this night an exception.
"Oh!" The woman shrieked in excitement.
"Your place or mine?" She asked.
Athos instantly replied. "Yours."
Hinila siya ng babae. Nagpatianod siya hanggang sa labas.
"Leave your car. You are coming with me." He ordered and opened his SUV. The woman nodded and climbed on the front seat.
She instructed the way to compound. He was brought to a cute bungalow house that is modern. He turned the engine off. He sent a quick text to Kristoff that he'll be out tonight.
Nagmamadaling binuksan ng babae ang gate at ang main door. Nakapamulsa lang siyang pinagmamasdan ang babae, he smirked.
Easy there, lady.
Nabuksan ito at agad siyang sinunggaban nito. He returned the favor. The woman tasted strawberry and mint. He lifted her without cutting the kiss.
"The door in right." The woman told her.
He got it. That's her bedroom. He threw her off in the bed. The woman removed her dress and waited for him to undress his shirt. He remained his trousers and looked at the woman.
"I knew it!" The woman smiled at him.
"Like what you see?" He confidently asked. His eyes are blank and ruthless.
"Super." The woman said as she spread her legs widely at him.
She's still wearing her stiletto. He slowly climbed the bed and kissed her. The woman is attractive. He teased her with his tongue. He roamed her body with his large and calloused palm.
He gracefully did what he's thinking. He grabbed her hands and pinned her while he locked her legs with his.
"What the?" the woman said as he puts handcuffs on her wrists and locked her on the bed frame.
He smirked and stood up.
"You think you can fool me?" He asked in a dark voice.
"What the hell are you saying? Come on, I just want a good time." The woman asked.
He laughed and sat down at the edge of the bed while he's dressing.
"Do not try to fool me. You clearly have the deadly nightshade tattoo. Sino ang boss mo?" He asked and stood up.
He dialled on his phone.
"I sent you the address. I need you as soon as possible."
The woman tried to kick him pero malayo siya at imposibleng maabot. She's handcuffed and she's wearing her undergarments.
"Fuck you, Querio!" She spitted.
"Come on tell me, Miss. Sino ang mga kasamahan mo, sino ang boss niyo at anong balak ng samahan niyo. You will be spared from all of this if you cooperate."
The woman laughed.
"They said you are really sharp. How can I not listen to them?"
"Them?"
"They are no joke. You cannot stop them. Kahit na patayin niyo pa ako. Si Senator Fronda? Umpisa pa lang siya." She warned.
Nanatiling nakatitig si Athos sa dalaga. Pinagmasdan siya ito ang binato ng kumot, sapat para mabalutan ang halos hubad na katawan ng dalaga.
"W-What are you doing?"
"My team are all boys. Do you want them to see you like this? At least cover."
The woman kicked the blanket.
"Hindi mo ako madadala sa pagiging gentleman mo, Major Querio. Hindi ako magsasalita."
"Suit yourself."
Narinig niya ang ilang sasakyan na dumating. Binuksan niya ang kurtina at ng makumpirma iyon ay agad binuksan ang pintuan ng kwarto.
"Sir," bati ng mga ito.
Agad niya itong tinanguan.
"She's a member of the deadly nightshade organization. Tattoo on the upper left chest."
Tumango ang mga ito at tinagtag ang babae sa kama. Hinayaan niyang dalhin ng mga ito ang babae sa kampo para sa mas mainam na imbestigasyon.
"Mauna na kayo, Juarez. Susunod ako sa sasakyan ko." Aniya.
Nang mawala ang mga ito, pumasok ulit siya sa bahay ng dalaga para maghanap ng impormasyon. Binuksan niya ang mga cabinet, at tumambad doon ang walang laman na mga ito.
Maging ang kusina ay halatang di pa nagagalaw. Walang mga grocery sa ref. Halatang bago ang bahay. Hindi talaga dito nakatira ang babaeng iyon. Maybe, she's only here for this.
It is a good thing that he became suspicious. He saw the tattoo while they are dancing. One look at her tattoo and he already knew.
He scanned the house and saw a hidden camera on the top of the cabinet facing the bed. Maaaring ginagamit ito para panoodin ang planong pagpatay sa kanya. It means, they already knew the outcome.
Tumunog ang cellphone niya sa tawag.
"Major!" Tawag ni Cynthia.
"Naambush ang bagong team mo, malubha ang lahat maliban sa suspek... patay na siya."
Natigilan si Athos at tiningnan ang camera.
That woman was right. Hindi basta basta ang grupong ito. Mapanganib at halatang nagkalat sila. Dapat silang mag-ingat.
_____
Hello po! Ito po muna ang uunahin ko kaysa sa Camouflage! This is the book 2 after all. Support this like Bulletproof and Camouflage! Thank you po!
#BSKab2