Chapter 2
But before I could take another step, Gaz's voice cut through my thoughts. "You're breathing hard," he said, his tone detached.
I turned to face him, surprised by his sudden appearance beside me. Gaz's eyes were locked onto mine, but his expression was cold, unreadable.
"Just got my next mission," I said, holding up the envelope. Gaz's gaze flicked to the envelope and then back to my face. His eyes narrowed slightly as he took in the wound on my arm.
"You've got a bullet wound," he stated, his voice devoid of emotion.
I shrugged, trying to downplay it. "Just a graze."
Gaz's expression didn't change, but his voice was laced with a hint of disapproval. "You should take care of it."
I nodded, but Gaz's tone made me feel like I was a nuisance. He didn't reach out to touch me or offer any words of concern. Instead, he just stood there, his eyes locked onto mine with a cold intensity.
"You're getting reckless," he said finally, his voice low and detached. "You need to be more careful."
I felt a spark of irritation at his words, but I kept my tone neutral. "I'll try," I said. I could feel his eyes on me, but I didn't look back.
"Too bad if I turn it down, I'd lose out on 100k. Besides, I still have a week to rest, so you shouldn't worry," I said, look up and taps Gaz's shoulder with a grin.
Gaz's expression remained impassive, his voice even. "Others might notice."
I chuckled, trying to draw him into the conversation. "Where are the others, anyway? It's unusually quiet around here."
Gaz's gaze didn't waver, his tone straightforward. "They're on missions. Renan and Kage went to grab some cigarettes."
I nodded, accepting the information without pushing for more. "Guess we're all busy at the same time."
Gaz's eyes lingered on me for a moment before he looked away, his silence speaking volumes. I knew better than to press him further, so I let the moment hang, the tension between us palpable.
"Alright, I'm out of here, Gaz."
● ● ●
I stared at the coupon bond, my mind racing with questions. "Is that all there is?" I muttered, scanning the page for any hidden details.
But then I saw it - a chilling note that made my blood run cold. "You'll play the role of his loyal maid for a month," it read. "That's when you'll get your chance to take him out. Don't bother with the details, I've got everything covered. Just remember, Ms. Lazarus, this is a job. Don't disappoint me."
The words seemed to sear themselves into my brain, Lord Brooke's voice echoing in my mind like a sinister whisper. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I read the warning. "And don't even think about falling for him. I'm warning you... don't you dare."
I rubbed my palms together, trying to shake off the creeping unease. It was as if Lord Brooke was standing right behind me, his cold breath on my neck. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the task ahead.
Aleoscar Nixon Gonzalo, a Harvard-educated criminologist with a reputation for excellence. What secrets lay behind his polished facade? Would he be a monster, or a man worthy of mercy? I pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the mission. I had a job to do, and I wouldn't let anyone - or anything - get in the way.
The stakes were high, the risk palpable. But I was ready. I would play the part of the loyal maid, all the while waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The game was on, and I was ready to play.
Dumating ang ang gabi ng ganoon kabilis. Nagpahinga, natulog, kumain at natulog ulit. Kailangan kong bumawi ng lakas, mukhang mapepwersa ko ang katawan sa susunod na mga araw. Kailangan ko iyong paghandaan. Dumaan ang mga araw na kain tulog lang ang ginawa ko para madaling maghilom ang sugat ko sa braso.
Hinanda ko na ang mga dadalhin ko. Isang lumang bag ang dinala ko para naman kapanipaniwala naman ang drama ko, kailangan ko ring bagohin ang pananamit ko. Kailangan maging casual lang ang suot ko, nagsuot nalang ako ng simpleng t-shirt at pants.
Nagpakawala ako ng hangin bago binitbit ang bag at pinasadahan ang aking silid sa huling pagkakataon. Mamimiss ko ang apartment kong ito. Nang magsawa ako ay sinara ko na ang pinto at dalidaling bumaba.
Pagkababa ko ay agad kong pinuntahan si Recca sa garahe. "Patay sila kapag kinuha ka nila."
"Naku, Jaire! Aalis ka palang bata ka?!" Nagulat ako ng may magsalita sa likod ko, agad ko iyong nilingon.
'Narinig niya ba 'yong sinabi ko?..'
Napakamot ako sa batok ko at ngumiti ng alanganin. "Oo, Nay Elma. Balak ko po sanang iwan muna dito si Recca, kung hindi niyo mamasamain.."
Lumapit saakin ang matanda at hinawakan ang braso ko. "Oo naman.. Pero teka saan ka ba pupunta?.." Napatingin siya sa bag na dala ko. "Mukhang may lakad ka at dala mo pa ang mga gamit mo."
"Trabaho po, Nay. Kilala niyo naman po ako, kailangan kong kumita para sa sarili ko.."
Ngumiti saakin si Nay Elma. "Aba 'y, bat hindi ka nalang kaya umuwi muna sa tatay mo? Siguradong namimiss ka na 'non."
Saglit akong natigilan ng banggitin niya ang ama ko. "Hindi po pwede 'yon, Nay. Hindi pa ako handang makita siya."
Napabuntong hininga ang matanda at malamlam na tumingin saakin. Ramdam ko ang pagaalala niya. "Mukhang hindi na kita mapipigilan, kaya sige ako na ang bahala dito sa motor mo. Palagi ko itong ipapalinis kay bentong."
Si bentong ang apo ni Nay Elma sa una niyang anak.
Tumango ako sa kanya at saglit siyang niyakap. "Sige po, aalis na po ako. Bye po, kayo ng bahala kay Recca.." Huling sinabi ko bago ko tinalikuran si Nay Elma para pumara ng taxi.
Sinabi ko ang address at agad naman kaming umalis. Tumingin nalang ako sa bintana at pinagmasdan ang mga nagtataasang gusali na nadadaanan namin.
Hindi naman kami na traffic kaya agad kaming nakarating sa sinasabing lugar ni Brooke.
"Sigurado po ba kayong dito 'yon, manong?" Tinaasan ko ng kilay si manong habang nakaturo sa may malaking gate at mataas na bakod.
"Oo ma'am, magtanong nalang po kayo d'yan sa guard." Inabutan ko siya ng bayad bago tumalikod.
Kinuha ko ang dala kong bag at binitbit iyon. May nakita akong dalawang guard na naguusap sa gilid ng gate kaya agad ko silang pinuntahan.
"Good morning, po," I greeted the guards with a smile, trying to sound as friendly and non-threatening as possible. "I'm here to apply for the maid position. Mr. Aleoscar Nixon Gonzalo, po?"
The guards looked at each other, then back at me. One of them nodded and stepped forward. "Ah, yes. You're expected. Let me just check with the house."
He pulled out a walkie-talkie and spoke into it, his voice low and muffled. After a moment, he nodded and handed me a visitor's badge. "Okay, ma'am. You can go in now. The house is just straight ahead."
I took the badge, trying to look as demure and maid-like as possible. I shouldered my bag and followed the guard's directions, my heart beating just a little bit faster with every step.