The Larcenist Queen

Chapter 7: Name

Chapter 7
Name

"Five million pesos," a bidder started. Nilingon ko ito at panandaliang tinuon ang pansin sa kanya. Like the others, he is wearing a tuxedo. He's old.

"Martin Villanueva," Axis said, eyeing the same man. "Owner of a big flower plantation."

I nodded. He's good. Gaya ng naisip ko, alam niya ang mga impormasyong kailangan ko.

"Six million pesos," a woman said. She's wearing a classy white bohemian dress. According to Axis, her name is Delilah Galvez, daughter of a business tycoon. He gave me a few information about her and continued to the next bidders.

Nilaro ko ang hawak na wine habang mapanuring pinagmamasdan ang mga tao sa paligid. Mr. Cho and his wife were seated on their table with the Galileos. They were all attentive to the bidding. Paminsan-minsa'y nagbubulungan.

Pinagmasdan kong mabuti si Areeyah Cho. She was clutching her pouch. If what I heard was true, the real Heart of the Ocean is in Areeyah's possession.

I looked around to look for people na maaaring pinagmamasdan ang bawat galaw ni Areeyah. Based on my observation, there's a total of four people who keeps on eyeing her.

First is Pedro Sampilit, the jeweler. He was standing far from them, but he glances at the auctioneer's wife from time to time. Panay din ang inom nito ng wine. He looked a bit nervous.

Second is Katrina Merced, the event organizer, who is wearing white long sleeves and black slacks. She was standing near the stage. Pasulyap-sulyap ito sa table ng mag-asawa.

Dalawang babaeng magkatabi naman ang sumunod na pinagsuspetyahan ko. They were both wearing a bloody dress. Ang isa'y straight at maiksi ang buhok at ang isa nama'y kulot at mahaba. For some reason, they were eyeing the Cho's table. Nagbubulungan din sila't minsa'y napapangisi.

Bahagya akong lumapit kay Axis at bumulong. "Anong pangalan ng dalawang iyon? Table sixteen. Women in red."

"I don't know. Probably daughters of a business tycoon."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "I thought you know all of them."

"I know those that I think is significant."

"They're suspicious."

"I don't think so," Axis answered. "I think they're interested in the young Galileo."

Binalik ko ang tingin sa mga babae. True enough, naghampasan ito nang biglang matingin sa gawi nila si Hansen IV. Okay. They're out of my suspects. Leaving me with two. The jeweler and the event organizer.

But none of them wears red. One of them might be an accomplice, though. Maaaring umalis na ang babae kanina at iniwan na sa kanyang kasamahan ang trabaho. But I doubt she did that. She told the person on the other line that she'll keep an eye on me.

Then, where is she? I don't notice anyone looking at me.

"Twenty million pesos," a young businessman said. I looked at him closely. Kanina pa siya nakikipagpataasan ng bidding para sa kwintas. Ngumisi ito nang walang umimik pagkatapos niya.

"Hot..." kibot ng aking labi habang tinitingnan ang lalaki. If I heard Axis right, his name was Zion Estanislao. He's a bachelor.

Axis groaned from beside me, making me look at him. He continued watching the same guy. This time, with more intensity.

Mahina akong natawa at ininom ang nasa wine. "Zion, huh..."

"Twenty-one million pesos," Martin Villanueva said, eager to get the prize.