How To Make A Serial Killer

| o4 : If I were you |

----- CHAPTER o4 -----

"Elianna, saan galing 'to?!" gulat na bulalas ni Tito Maynard nang makita ang pera sa loob ng sobreng iniabot ko sa kanya. Sa sobrang gulat, natawag niya pa ako sa una kong pangalan.

"It's from a new sponsor of my podcast." I smiled at him reassuringly. If liars do go to hell, I sure am toast. Fuck yeah.

Tito Maynard placed his hand above his stubbled jaw. He shook his head, eyes beginning to water. "I can't accept this. Pinaghirapan mo 'to."

I chuckled, trying to ease the mood in the air. "Tito naman, para naman tayong hindi pamilya niyan. Besides, I'm no longer a little kid. I can help you now."

Tito looked up and sighed. I smiled when he nodded.

"Thank you, Wren," he said quite tearfully.

"No. Thank you, Tito," giit ko. "You sacrificed so much for this family already. It's time for me to help."

Lumapit sa akin si Tito at binalot ako sa isang yakap. I'm not a fan of hugs or anything mushy, but I'll take what I can get, especially when it's from family.

***

Nakatoka ulit ako sa counter ng hardware nang mamataan ko ang pagpasok ni Stu suot ang kanyang kulay asul na police uniform. Come to think of it, he looks pretty buff and neat in his uniform. Hindi ko masyadong napansin ang tangkad at tindig niya noong nakaraang araw.

Puberty hit him like a firetruck.

"The hell are you doing here, Popo?" pabiro akong umingos.

"Wren." He smiled and scratched the tip of his eyebrow. "May ipapakiusap lang sana ako."

"Kung uutang ka, wala kang mapapala dahil gipit—"

"'Wag mo sanang sasabihin kay Bailey ang tungkol sa Project."

"Dude, we signed a non-disclosure agreement. Of course, I'm not going to tell your sister," giit ko. "You better not tell my uncle as well."

He pursed his lips and raised both of his hands, gesturing that I won't have a problem with him.

"The things we do for money. Tsk-tsk." Napailing-iling ako sabay ngisi. "Must be tough for you, huh? Considering the badge and all. Serve and protect, not scare people just to sell stuff."

"Kung hindi ko lang talaga kailangan." Marahas siyang bumuntonghininga at sumandal sa counter. This project must be taking a toll on him. Poor Popo.

I patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, Stuart Little. There are thousands of Dirtier Popos in the country."

Nilingon niya ako at pinaningkitan ng mga mata. Pikon.

"Balik ka na nga lang doon sa station. Dinistorbo mo pa ako." I snarked and rolled my eyes.

"Oo na." Umingos siya at nagkamot ng ulo, dahilan para matawa ako.

Funny how the other day siya ang nang-iinis sa akin, tapos ngayon ay ako naman.

Nang makaalis si Stu ay naisipan kong sumilip sa private messaging application na gawa mismo ng Tramwell Industries. Wala pa namang tao sa counter so I might as well make the most out of my time.

11:13 AM

Kenzo: