N, 22
Chapter Ten
Kinabukasan ay maaga ulit kaming bumyahe dahil balak namin magbeach hopping ngayon. Alas sais palang ng umaga ay nasa sasakyan na kami papuntang Ogtong Cave Resort.
Hindi ko alam kung hanggang doon ay nakabantay sa amin ang grupo galing Black Court o hindi. Sampung minuto lamang ang byahe papunta sa resort dahil magkakalapit lang naman ito.
Halatang inaantok pa ang ilan sa amin lalo na ang mga babae. Paano ba naman kasing hindi aantukin e, alas dos na kami nakatulog. Nagplano sila mag-pajama party to cheer me up daw, I said no but they were to excited about it so I got no choice but to agree.
"We're finally here!" sabi ni Dovalier, siya kasi ang nagdadrive sa sasakyan namin, sa isa ay si Zane at sa isa naman ay si Cypher.
Ginising na ang mga dapat gisingin dahil magche-check in pa kami. Nauna na akong bumaba at nagpunta sa lobby para ma-finalize ang details ng lakad namin ngayon.
Nang makapag-check in na ay kakababa lang ng mga kasama namin na nakatulog.
"Oh, good morning!" bati ko sa kanila.
Ang iba'y tumango lang, humikab o di kaya'y bumati nalang pabalik.
"Nagbook ako ng tatlong deluxe suite. Kasya sampung tao sa isa, walang matutulog, ha." pang-iinform ko sa kanila. Kung titignan mo ay para silang mga walang energy dahil sa kakagising lang nila.
"Dun muna tayo sa pool, mamaya na tayo pumuntang cave. Sabi ni Rei, hanggas alas onse lang tayo rito. Kaya sulitin niyo na," sabi naman ni Dovalier.
Pagkasabi niya nun ay agad na nagsi-ayos ang kasamahan namin para pumunta sa mga suite. We formed into three groups atsaka pa lang kami nagbaba ng gamit at nagbihis para makapagsimula na kami sa balak namin.
Walang pasabi ang iba, pagkatapos na pagkatapos nila magbihis ay kaagad sila dumiretso sa pool. Kaya ang natira dito ay ako, si Addison at Stellans.
I looked at Stellans, I was planning to ask her opinion about sa Black Court nang magsalita si Addison.
"Hey, Rei. Have you wondered about what those men did to Lucas? 'Yung mga taga-Black Court?" she curiously asked.
"Oo nga, we haven't heard of him since that night. Hindi naman tayo binalitaan ng korte o ni Ms. Prilla kung anong ganap sa pesteng iyon." Stellans added.
Umiling ako at nanahimik nalang. Madadagdagan pa tuloy iisipin ko nito. Yesterday, I've decided to have a peace of mind. I forgave him but not what he did, pero dahil gusto ko lang manahimik at magkaroon ng kapayapaan, I let go of my thoughts.
Though, I'm still willing to file a case.
"Tsaka na lang natin isipin pagbalik ng Manila." I said after a few minutes of silence. Alam ko naman na pinapakiramdaman nila ako kaya sila nanahimik. Besides, this is a vacation. We deserve to be relaxed and stress-free.
I brought my sunglasses and towel with me. Nauna na rin akong lumabas sa kanilang dalawa, I heard the door closed kaya naman alam kong sumunod na rin kaagad sa akin si Addison at Stellans.
I didn't bring my phone into the pool. Dala naman ni Addison yung kanya.
Nang makalapit kami ay nasa pool sila, playing tug of war. Parang mga timang, bumagsak sana kayo at malunod.
Joke.
Alas siyete palang, the pool has no roof kaya naman tumatama sa amin yung sikat ng araw which is good since it's healthy naman.
Umupo ako sa second step ng pool, the water reached just below my chest and it's completely relaxing. Sana ganto lagi. Kung pwede lang.
Nang bumagsak ang kabilang grupo ay nagsuggest nanaman ng bagong kalokohan si Kaizer.
"Reinette Mordeau!" he called.
Napakunot ang noo ko sa pagtawag niya sa buong pangalan ko. "What do you want?"
"Easy lang, aga-aga, nakakunot agad noo mo! Diba malapit dito yung ruins kung saan pwede mag-cliff diving?" he asked, his eyes shining with excitement.
"Oo, pero magpaalam muna kayo sa lobby if you'll go there."
"Thanks! Sino gusto sumama?" Nagtaas halos lahat ng kalalakihan sa amin, pati na rin ang ibang babae, lalo na yung mga babaeng kasama sa weapon group. Mga palaban, nagtaas na rin ako ng kamay.
This will be fucking fun.
Nang makarating kami sa ruins ay agad na pumila ang mga lalaki. Sila daw muna para malaman ng mga babae gagawin.
"Tss, iniinsulto niyo ba kami?" inis kong tanong. Inis din na sumang-ayon mga babaeng kasama ko.
"Hindi naman sa ganun, para lang naman makasigurado—," naputol ang sinasabi ni Vixen nang isa-isang tumalon ang mga babae. Kita ko ang pagkabigla at pagkamangha sa mga ekspresyon nila.
I shrugged them off and followed the girls. I did a double-flip stunt in the air before straightening my body towards the sea until my body crashed perfectly in the water.
Nang makaahon ako ay naging maingay dahil sa pagchecheer ng mga babae. They expressed how amused they are and as a sign of respect, I said my thank you's.
Sunod naman ay ang mga lalaki, medyo natagalan nga sila dahil sa mas naunahan pa namin sila e. Tamang pasikat lang sa mga babaeng turista na nanonood sa amin.
We spent few more minutes there. Pero bumalik na kami nang sumigaw na si Addison na mag-aalas nuebe na. Bumalik kami para sa snacks.
"Bumili kayo?" I asked Stellans.
"Nope, free service daw ng resort since we're considered as VIP customers," she answered while shrugging.
Interesting. Nang matapos kami sa snacks ay sinabi ko na we should spent the hours remaining at the cave o di kaya'y sa pagkukuha nalang ng litrato.
At dahil may limit ang tao sa cave, we divided into 2 groups. Dun nalang kami sa may cliff kukuha ng whole group picture.
The cave was small and the water's cold. But, it's okay. Maganda naman sa loob, we even shouted some things at sabay sabay na namangha sa pag-echo. Ewan ko ba, nakakahawa sila.
Nang papasok na yung group 2, naisipan na namin maglinis ng katawan. To remove chlorine, salt water, sand and other things we got while we're wet.
I paid and contacted Kota Beach's staff to remind them na malapit na kami mag-out para naman pumunta sa kanila.
"Hey, Rei," biglang sulpot ni Dovalier.
I flinched a bit due to shock before turning around to face him. "Hey, Leader," I casually said.
"I was just wondering if... nakita mo yung grupo ng mga lalaki na sabi taga-Black Society daw? And they were sent to protect and guide us?"
Oh, that group? "Nope, baka nasa Kota Beach sila." I shrugged.
He just nodded in response.
Matapos ang mahabang oras, natapos at nakapag-ayos na rin sila. We immediately went to Kota Beach dahil may live show daw ng banda.
And as we reached our destination, mabilis kaming inasikaso ng staffs at ginabay kami papunta sa rooms namin.
I sent a message to our group chat na 'wag muna magbihis ng swimwear nila kasi kakain pa kami. Hassle kasi pag kinatok ko pa sila sa rooms nila.
Nagpahinga muna ako saglit, hindi ko nga namalayan na lumilipad na pala utak ko kakaisip sa mga nangyari at pwedeng mangyari pa lamang.
"Hoy, tumayo ka na, kakain na tayo!" sigaw ni Addison sabay hila sa akin patayo.
Inirapan ko lang siya bago kunin ang purse ko. Of course, nandito mga importante kong gamit.
Lumabas na kami at agad kaming nagkita-kita sa restaurant sa loob. We reserved two big tables, hindi kasi kami kasya sa isang mesa lang. Ewan ko ba, ang ingay tuloy sa loob. Nakakahiya minsan sa mga foreign tourists lalo na pag umiiral kalokohan ng mga boys.
They served us seafood dishes dahilan para mag-ingay lalo ang ilan sa amin. It looked very savory kaya agad kaming kumain. We took pictures and talked about random topics, but of course, except sa mga usapang gang o kahit anong konektado sa ginagawa namin sa Manila.
Sa sobrang aliw namin habang kumakain, halos nawala na sa isip ko na hinahanap ni Dovalier yung grupo. Nung ma-realize ko 'yon, I subtly looked in every directions I could look without getting noticed, pero wala akong nakitang bakas ng mga taga-Black Court.
Weird that they're not around.
Kaninang umaga ko pa sila hindi nakikita. May masama bang nangyari or emergency, ganun? Do we need to prepare? Ipinag-walang bahala ko ang mga naisip ko at tinapos ang pagkain sa harap ko.
Hours passed, I found myself with the gang, enjoying the music, the night while it lasts. Hindi ko pa rin nakikita buong araw isa sa mga miyembro ng grupong pinadala ng BC but it felt great.
The feeling where you can move freely because there are no pair of eyes that's watching you.
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Natapos ang party slash live show ng alas onse ng gabi, giving us the time to prepare for our rest. Sa isang deluxe suite na part ng Kota Beach kami tutuloy, a staff came and told me that there's a suite reserved for us tonight.
Baka siguro nireserve nila, they were told to treat us as VIP guests kaya siguro kahit hindi ko sinabi na magpareserve ng beach house ay ganun parin ang naging plano nila. Dalawa pa nga dahil magkahiwalay ang sa amin at sa boys.
Mabilis ang takbo ng oras, I found myself laying in the bed between Monroe and Addison. Halos lahat sila tulog mantika na. Sino ba naman hindi? Their energy were drained. Mag-cliff jumping ba naman tapos magparty sa gabi?
Kalagitnaan na ng hatinggabi at nakatitig lang ako sa kisame. Papikit na sana ako nang may marinig akong kalabog sa labas ng kwarto namin. I sat up immediately, dun ko napansin na gumalaw si Addison at napaupo rin. Nagising din ata sa kalabog.
Kami lang kasi ni Addi ang hindi heavy sleeper sa mga babae. We moved fast without waking up anyone. Buti nalang may pistol sa coffee table dito sa loob, agad-agad ko iyong kinuha pati na rin ang dagger sa loob ng purse ko while Addison immediately grabbed her daggers.
We moved as quick as possible to find out if there's someone inside our suite. Walang ingay naming binuksan ang pinto papalabas ng room namin, we didn't bother turning on the lights. Malamang, ayaw namin makatakas kung sino man 'yun.
When we got out of the room, a few steps were made and we saw a silhouette. Addison and I froze in our tracks for a split second but Addison was fast enough to throw her dagger towards the direction of the silhouette.
Kaso bago pa ito matamaan ng dagger ay mabilis itong umilag at nawala sa dilim, causing the dragger to hit the vase, making a loud shattering sound. Isa-isa pang nahulog ang piraso nito sa lapag which made it worse than it was.
Nakita kong may switch ng ilaw sa tabi ng mini stand table kaya agad-agad akong pumunta doon at binuksan ang ilaw. Only to see the mess of the vase and a slight opened door.
Narinig namin ni Addison na bumukas ang pintuan galing sa aming kwarto. Nagising pala sila.
"What happened?" Monroe asked while scratching her eyes.
"Someone sneaked in our suite. Hindi lang natamaan ng dagger ni Addi kaya nabasag yung vase." I said coldly. Nakakairita kasi. I'm getting into the situation tapos hindi pala namin mahuhuli. Sana pinatulog nalang niya kami, taragis.
"Open all the lights, get your weapons and immediately search the whole suite." utos ni Stellans.
The girls quickly worked and searched the whole area only to find nothing. No fingerprints, no traces of something that has been moved.
Isa-isa na silang bumalik sa living room to inform us that they found nothing. Huling bumalik si Monroe and our last chance immediately vanished.
"Wala talaga eh," she said.
Pagkatapos niyang sabihin 'yon ay mayroong marahas na kumatok sa main door ng suite namin. I stood up and walked quickly to open the door, clutching the pistol in my right hand. In case lang naman.
Pagkabukas ko ng pinto ay agad kong itinutok ang baril sa nasa harapan ko. Agad ko rin namang ibinaba nang makitang sila Kaizer 'yon with the rest of the boys, holding their weapons.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Why are you all still awake?" he asked back.
I was about to answer when Vixen went to Kaizer's side with his laptop open. "'Wag na kayo magtanungan, alam niyo na sagot diyan," he said casually and smoothly went inside na siyang sinundan ng mga lalaki.
Before I closed the door, I made sure no one was outside and secured the lock.
"Let's fucking discuss this," Dovalier said.
Naupo si Vixen sa dining table, while Kaizer pulled out Vixen's tracking system, connecting it to its administrator. While Vixen was setting up things, Zane asked.
"What the hell happened?"
"There was a loud thud noise outside our room, Addi and I went outside immediately to check on it. We found someone but we didn't saw his face or what. Silhouette lang, I think he was searching for something since we spotted him at that area." I pointed where we saw that person.
Some went into that spot to scan or find something suspicious.
"Holy shit," Vixen cursed. Agad na napatayo at pumunta sa gilid ni Vixen si Dovalier, and by the looks on his face, it looked like we're in some kind of trouble.
"What is it?" Addison stood up.
"Someone hacked into my system, but not successfully. He only got to hack 25%, sa tingin ko yung plans natin for the upcoming months and events yung tinignan niya. I'm going to track it,"
"Bakit naman nila titignan kung anong plano natin?" Zane asked, but nobody answered and just shrugged.
"We found a fingerprint!" sigaw ni Jackson.
Kaizer immediately scanned the fingerprint using on of Vixen's tools, at agad na sinend iyon sa system ng computer niya.
"Hindi ko ma-track yung IP nung hacker, I'll try to track it using the Black Court's system. Take note, we might get into more trouble but this should be worth it." Vixen informed us.
Hindi ako makasingit dahil nag-iisip ako ng konkretong plano kung paano namin mahuhuli ang hacker, o kaya'y paano namin tatrabahuhin ito pag nahuli na namin.
Hindi ako makapagfocus kaya pumunta nalang ako sa gilid ni Vixen at pinanuod siya sa ginagawa niya. He cheered when he successfully entered the court's system.
Habang abala si Vixen, the others were busy cleaning and scanning the broken pieces, hoping they could get more hints there. Yung iba naman nag-aayos ng weapon, yung iba ay nagluto at yung iba ay may kinontact.
Ibinalik ko ang atensiyon ko sa ginagawa ni Vixen. Ramdam ko ang frustration niya kasi kailangan niya pang magscan sa bawat gang kung may kapareho ba itong fingerprint.
"Kain muna kayo," Cypher served foods.
Habang kumakain ay patuloy parin ang lahat sa pagtatarabaho. Vixen muttered a few cusses out of frustration.
Tinignan ko ang screen ng laptop niya, walang nagmatch sa fingerprint na iyon. Then I saw a lock icon at the top of the bar kaya agad ko siyang kinalabit.
"Hey, Vix, what's that?"
"That's a locked program developed by the court, mas delikado 'yan gamitin, Rei." he answered with full of frustration.
"Do it."
"What?" he asked with a hint of doubt and shock in his expression.
"Do it, use that program." sabi ko.
He was hesitant at first pero ginawa din niya.
For the first five minutes, hindi niya ma-grant ang access, but for the last minute, he successfully hacked into the program. Mabilis ang kilos ni Vixen dahil hindi pwedeng mahuli ng developer na may nakapasok na ibang operator sa program kundi malalagot kami at baka matanggal pa kami sa top gangs.
He immediately scanned the fingerprint using the court's locked program and got the answer we all need.
Pero ang tanging nakakapagtaka lang ay bakit sa dinami-dami ng resultang magmamatch, bakit sa isa pa sa supreme officials?
I watched as he digged more into the result.
Wala kaming nakuhang ibang impormasyon tungkol sa resultang lumabas bukod sa initial at edad nito. Ni hindi man lang nakasaad dito kung ano ang katungkulan, estado, tunay na pangalan at koneksyon nito sa Black Court.
"Who the hell is that?" Addison asked.
"We don't know, walang picture na nakalagay." Dovalier said, he called Stellans to make a plan about this.
"Do you think it's one of those men who were sent to protect and guide us?" I asked, just in case lang naman.
"Maybe..." Addison answered with doubt plastered on her face.
I looked again into Vixen's laptop screen, with two very unhelpful details.
Who the fuck is this? Is it a he or she? What do this person look like? Why did he sneak inside the girls suite? Why did he hack into our system?
I kept in my mind those two little details. I'm sure na gagawan at gagawan nila Kaizer at Dovalier ng paraan para makakalap pa ng mas nakakatulong na detalye tungkol sa taong ito.
I was staring at the screen when it suddenly turned black with the logo of Black Court at the center.
"Shit, we're caught." I muttered and as if on cue, a call from Dovalier's phone made the tension thicker. Sinagot ito ni Dovalier at nakipag-usap sa caller, clearing it out that it's from Black Court dahil ineexplain niya ang kasalukuyang ganap namin ngayon.
But my mind was stuck by the information we got.
"N, 22..." I muttered lowly.
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Note: Sorry for the slow update! Chapter 11 will be posted on Friday, hehe. Thank you for everyone's support! Continue voting and sharing my story if you find it interesting and worth reading, lovelots. xx
lun4ximus.