18:25, Manila, Philippines
A woman is starting to close her flower shop when she heard some kind of classical creepy music. At first she didn't mind it, but when it got louder and louder, it suddenly bothered her. She looked where the sound was coming from. When she spun around, a man suddenly appeared in front of her and it startled her.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!"
She almost fainted but when she realized who's in front of her, she almost slapped his face.
"Enchooooooong! What the hell are you doing?" The woman said, clearly pissed.
"Sars, I just want to surprise you! Happy Birthday Bespren!" He greeted.
"You surprised me alright. Haaaay. I don't know what to do with you!"
"Sorry. Anyways, here's my gift to you." He handed her over the music box he was holding. "Happy Birthday Bespren!"
"Aw. Even though I hated you for startling me, I love you for this. Thank you Bespren!" Sarah hugged her best friend.
"Come on, we have a party to attend to, Kuya Luis, Ate Jen and Yeng is waiting for you at home." Enchong smiled.
"Wow, a party for five?" Sarah joked.
Enchong laughed. "Of course, what else would change?" He grabbed Sarah's things and they both went inside his car.
When they arrived home in a small apartment, she was surprised to see some old friends and co-workers. Sarah looked at Enchong confused.
"We decided to invite them as well, we know you miss them too." Enchong smiled.
Sarah smiled gratefully before greeting Yeng, Jen and Luis. Afterwards, she started entertaining her guests.
1:15, Langley, Virginia
A man crept inside the CIA headquarters. He used the air ducts as pathway into the room where the Music Box is safely hidden. He opened the ceiling directly below where the Music Box and he carefully went down, not trying touch anything that could trigger the alarm. Once he safely removed the security trigger, he went straight to the computer where the music box is encoded. He downloaded it into his mini-tablet.
He carefully snuck out unto the roof top. Unfortunately, once he got there he was surrounded by the guards. There were six of them. But this didn't stop him. He faced all six guards simultaneously. They all had a gun, but he was able to unarm them with his few moves. He threw some kicks and punches to each of the guards and he eventually defeated them all.
He was about to run away, but a figure appeared in front of him. They exchanged a couple of punches and kicks. Both were really good.
"Agent Milby, Sam, give me the tablet and surrender now." the figure said pleadingly.
"Ah, I should have guessed you'll be able to track me. Good job, Agent Anderson." Sam smirked. "But unfortunately, you're too late."
Sam gave Agent Anderson a roundhouse kick and started to escape. Agent Anderson had no choice but to take a shot, he shot Sam on his shoulder which made Sam lose grip of the tablet. Sam looked back at the agent before completely making his way to escape.
Agent Anderson stood up and recovered the tablet. His frustrations went up when he saw the tablet was fried. This is certainly not his day. His partner betrayed him. The Music Box, where some of the world's biggest secrets are encoded, was stolen. The culprit has escaped in his hands. And now this.. The Music Box was sent somewhere and he needs to find it fast. He gave the fried tablet to one of his people.
"Let the analysts check this. Track the location where last message was sent." Agent Anderson ordered.
He walked away and gave a frustrated sigh. "This is going to be a long day.." He whispered.
14:05, Manila, Philippines
Sarah woke up with a hangover. To think that she only two bottles of beer last night. She rubbed her eyes and checked her phone. She was surprised to see a email message from her old friend, Sam Milby. It's been a while since they last talked so she excitedly opened her email. It was a simple birthday greeting with an attachment.
When she opened the attachment, a black screen appeared with white text that says : "Name that tune.." She smiled. Sam was the one who she shared her dream of becoming a great musician someday. Unfortunately, people belittle her. She sighed and just listened to the tune playing. Of course. It was the song she and Sam composed a while back. She typed the title of the song, once she pressed enter, she heard an unbearable noise which lasted for five minutes. She fainted afterwards. The last thing she remembered before fading to black is reading: "Music Box Transfer Complete. Self destruct in 5 seconds."
21:42, Langley, Virginia
Agent Anderson walked towards his superior's office. It was late, and he was tired. He just hope his superior wouldn't yell at him. The secretary greeted him with a wide smile but he just nodded in return. He was having a bad day and he is not up for some petty flirting. He took a sit at the waiting area and waited for the secretary to give him a go signal to go inside.
Once he was given the go signal, he immediately went inside, hoping for the day to be finished. He greeted his superior who was sitting in his desk reading a file. His superior stopped reading and stood up.
"I know you are not having a good day Gerald." His superior said somewhat symphatetically. "I have both good news and bad news for you."
Gerald just nodded for his superior to continue.
"The good news is the analysts have traced where Sam sent the Music Box is."
Gerald was somewhat relieved by the news, but he knew he shouldn't be happy until it is not in their hands yet. "And the bad news?"
"It's in the Philippines."
Gerald nodded. One of the things he and Sam have in common is they were both half Filipinos. It is one of the things that made them connect. His blood boils as he remembered that the man betrayed him. He couldn't believe that the person he treated like a brother just betrayed him. It hurt his pride that he gave his trust in him. He knew in the business he is working in, it's a sin to trust someone. Now, he learned his lesson.
"What's my mission, sir?" Gerald asked.
"I want you to look into this files. I want you to investigate and find where the music box is." His superior said then gave him the files he was reading earlier.
10:00, Manila, Philippines
Sarah woke up, this time hearing a buzzing sound and with a splitting headache. She looked at the clock and saw it was already 10:00 AM. She silently cursed as she was already late for work. Her flower shop usually opens at 8:00 AM. She didn't really like her job, but it pays the bills so she didn't really mind.
If she was in control of her own life, she would have chosen to study music. Unfortunately, her mom died when she was young and her father left them when she was thirteen. Her brother was diligent enough to work and study college at the same time when their father left them. Her brother became her parent and she will be forever grateful to him for that. When she reached 18, she wanted to help her brother so she decided to reopen their family's flower shop. And now, six years later, she's still stuck with the job.
She stood up and went for a shower. After taking her shower and fixing herself up, she decided to skip breakfast and go directly to the shop. However, her brother Luis caught her.
"Skipping breakfast again, little sister?"
Sarah turned to her brother who is sitting in the couch reading a newspaper. She went to him and kissed him on the cheeks. "Good morning Kuya! Sorry, I'm running late."
"I figured. I prepared your food. Just get it in the top of the kitchen counter. Just eat it in the shop." Luis reminded her.
She hugged her brother and smiled sweetly at him. "Thank you Kuya Luis. You're the best!"
"I know I am." Luis smiled back at her. "Take care little sis!"
23:38, Langley, Virginia
Gerald looked onto the files his superior gave him earlier that night. He wasn't sure what is the connection of this person to Sam. He checked every record and every file of the person and of Sam's, but he couldn't seem to find a connection. He needed to think. He needed a plan to know the relationship of the person to Sam. He needs to be extra close to this person. He needs to find the Music Box for the safety of the whole world.
He got his phone and made a phone call..
"Hello? Yes. This is Special Agent Anderson, security password Alpha 6 Zeta 2 4 9 Beta 1 3 0. I need a flight to Manila ASAP."
He looked at the person's picture one last time. He smiled slightly. She looked pretty, and she seemed innocent, someone who couldn't hurt a fly. But he knew better, in his world, looks can deceive you and he wouldn't make the same mistake by trusting anyone again.
He went to bed and whispered to himself before going to sleep.. "Sarah Geronimo, I will squeeze everything you know about the music box out of you.."
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Author's Note :
Chapter 1 is finally out! :) What do you think guys? :)
Let me know what you think.. comments and suggestions please :D Thank you!!
Hope you guys like it! :D
Happy AshRalds! :) :) :) <3