Chapter 3
Bored akong kumakain ng popcorn habang nakaupo sa sofa. I'm watching my favorite action movie but the excitement went off when the thrill burns out.
It's past midnight pero hindi ako makatulog kaya naisipan kong manood na lang. Tatlong movie na ang natapos ko pero hindi pa rin ako makatulog.
I fished out my phone from my pocket. I open my social media accounts. I got some few notifications and some new followers. I browse on my feed when a post caught my attention.
It's a man sitting on a bar counter. Medyo madilim kaya hindi masyadong kita ang kabuoan ng mukha niya.
I arch my brows as I read the caption.
"I saw this hunk last night and I can't sleep thinking 'bout him."
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What's so special about this guy? He's quite handsome but nah. Though he reminds me of someone...
I was startled when I receive a call from the head of the organization.
The organization is called
The Antidote.
Ang organisasyon ay samahan ng mga taong may natatanging kakayahan. Ang tanging dahilan kung bakit kami kaiba sa karaniwan ay dahil mas enhanced ang skills namin kumpara sa karaniwan. We are extraordinary. We excelled more than the average people.
We are the best agents in our field. We help people solve their miseries and problems.
The antidote is more than just an agency that helps people solve their miseries in life. The dark truth behind the organization lies on its name. Antidotes were created because of a poison. The organization serves as an antidote but at the same time, a poison.
The organization produces highly skilled assassins and I'm one of them. We are only five including my two best friends. Master is the only one in the organization who knows our dark secret.
I'm an agent who helps people but at the same time, an assassin who kills people regardless of who the are. I'm a demon disguised as an angel.
Huminga ako ng malalim habang pinapakinggan ang kabilang linya.
"Sorry to interrupt your vacation, Iris. I received a call from a client awhile ago and her case is a special one. The twin and the other agents are currently on a mission so I need you to take over."
Si Tres and Tren ay ang kambal na naka assign sa mga special missions. It means that they only have to solve the case without using physical strength. So yeah, they are the detective kind of an agent. May limang agents pang gumagawa ng special missions kaso nasa misyon sila kaya ako na lang ang natitirang pweding gumawa.
Sa mga field missions ako naka assign dahil bihasa ako sa paghawak ng iba't ibang klase ng baril at armas pero dahil may talento ako sa pagkilatis ng tao, naaasahan din ako sa mga ganitong bagay.
I sighed deeply.
"Okay, I'll take it."
"Good. I'll send you the details later."
Nang matapos ang tawag ay busangot ang mukha ko bago sumakay sa sasakyan ko. I drove to the nearest mall to kill time.
Tahimik akong kumakain sa isang mamahaling restaurant nang tumunog ang notification ko tanda na may email na dumating.
I open it and saw the reason why I'm upset. My heart palpitate as soon as my eyes landed at the picture. It was a girl, a little girl.
I maybe a heartless woman but my heart softens at the sight of the poor little girl. She suffered a lot with all the bruises and stains of blood all around her body.
May mga kasama pa siyang ibang mga bata pero sa kanya naka focus ang camera kaya kitang kita ang paghihirap na naranasan niya.
Sa ibaba ng litrato ay naroon ang deskripsyon nito na agad kong binasa.
She's Sophia Silvana. She went missing a month ago and yesterday they've got a lead about her. A big syndicate known for child trafficking is responsible for this.
Sa ibaba ay naroon ang litrato ng isang lumang building na siyang cover ng mga sindikato dahil sa underground nito ay ang kanilang headquarter.
Binusisi ko ng mabuti ang buong detalye at napakunot ang nuo ko ng may napagtanto.
I called our head.
"Master, I just want to clarify things, the one you emailed me is just a very simple and plain case. It's not even a special mission to begin with," naguguluhan kong wika.
It wasn't a special mission. Isa lamang iyong typical na misyon na walang ibang gagawin kundi sumugod para bawiin ang bata pero syempre kakailanganin pa rin ng mabusising plano.
"What are you saying? That's not a simple case, if you read it thoroughly then you'll understand what I'm talking about," aniya.
"A child trafficking case? Master, this is not a special mission but rather a field mission."
"Child trafficking? Wait, did I emailed you about the case of Sophia?" naalarma nitong tanong.
I sighed.
"Sophia Silvana, the one and only."
"Oh, my mistake. I've been very busy lately so I kinda send you the case which is not for you. I'll email you your mission right after this call. I'm sorry, honey," paumanhin niya.
As much as I want, ayokong maulit na naman yung dati. One big mistake is enough.
"It's okay, Dad."
I sighed after the phone call. Mukhang kailangan ko nang bumalik sa trabaho. A few minutes later, I finally received an email from my father.
It's a picture of a russian girl. Just a plain picture, nothing unusual. I look at the description.
Florida Gostova. She died on a plane crash a year ago but last month, a girl came home claiming that she's Florida Gostova. They want to find the truth behind her death and want to clarify things because a big amount of money is on the line.
Sa ibaba ay naroon ang dalawang larawan. It says, before and after her death.
Pinakatitigan ko ang larawan, walang ipinagkaiba. Siguro kung meron man ay yung maliit na peklat sa gilid ng kilay niya.
I have something in mind but its impossible. She won't do such things.
Pagkarating ko sa pad ko ay naroon na ang mga dokumento tungkol sa kaso. Doon nakalagay ang kompletong impormasyon at mas malawakang mga detalye.
Pinag-aralan ko iyon buong magdamag dahil sa susunod na araw ay kailangan ko nang makipag kita sa kliente.
Lahat ng naroong ebidensiya ay nagpapatunay na patay na talaga si Florida Gostova. Walang loopholes pero dahil may nagpakitang babae at sinasabing siya si Florida, maaaring hindi nga siya namatay sa aksidente. Sa ngayon tatlong anggulo ang nakikita ko sa kasong ito.
Una ay maaaring namatay nga si Florida Gostova at ang babaeng nagpakita ay isang impostora para makuha ang kayamanan ni Florida.
Pangalawa ay maaaring buhay nga talaga si Florida at ngayon lang siya nagpakita sa loob ng isang taong pananahimik, siguro ay natagalan bago siya naka recover.
Pangatlo ay maaaring pinapatay nila si Florida Gostova para makuha ang kayamanan nito pero ngayon ay nagbalik na ito para bawiin ang lahat ng para sa kanya.
Napaisip ako.
May dalawa pang anggulo akong naisip na wala sa mga detalye. It's just a hunch but its possible.
Maybe, Florida Gostova planned her death to prove something and decided to show up when the right time came.
There's also a possibility that Florida has a...
Ipinilig ko ang ulo ko. Inaantok na ako.
I yawn.
Alin man sa mga ito ang totoo, malalaman ko rin yun sa makalawa. They can never hide the truth from me.
Kinabukasan ay nakipagkita ako sa kliente. Nabigla ako ng magpakilala siya, kung sino siya sa buhay ni Florida.
"I'm Cecilia Astine. I'm the housemaid. Nice to meet you," ani ng isang babae na kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay nasa singkwenta ang edad. Base sa hitsura niya ay paniguradong isa rin siyang Russian. Asul ang mga mata, kulay abong buhok, at maputla ang balat.
I sense her honesty so I accept her hand and give her a warm smile.
"I'm Veronica. It's a pleasure to meet you, too."
We're here at the near by restaurant to talk about her case. We already placed our orders and anytime soon, it'll be served.
"So shall we start?" tanong ko at inayos ang maliit na recorder.
"Sure," aniya at ngumiti.
Sumandal ako sa upuan ko at ini-on ang maliit na device.
"Okay. Tell me something about Florida Gostova," saad ko sa seryosong boses.
Huminga muna siya ng malalim bago nagsimulang magkwento.
"She was a very lovely girl. She used to be kind and loving but everything changed when her parents died on a tragic accident. She became distant to everyone until her death," mapait niyang wika.
Oh. How sad.
"It was year ago when they declared about her death. That was not a very good memory cause I treated her as my daughter," malungkot niyang turan.
Nakita ko ang mumunting luha sa kanyang mga mata. I can smell her deepest sorrow and pain.
"Until lately a girl came home claiming that she's Florida. They have the same face and everything but not the attitude. She changed a lot. She's heartless and cruel so I doubt if she really is the Florida I used to love," she said sadly.
If I were her, I'll be very upset too.
"Do you have any evidence that will prove that she's not Florida? Perhaps her DNA test?" I asked.
"Her relatives already do her DNA test and its positive," malungkot na wika niya.
"Maybe I was wrong. She could be really Florida and the accident changed her big time." she added.
"We'll found out soon. I just need to see her."
Tumango siya at mayamaya ay may inilapag sa table.
"This is her photo album and her diary. I've got this from her old room. Maybe it can help."
Kinuha ko iyon para tiningnan ang bawat detalye nito.
"This can help," buo ang boses na saad ko.
Natapos ang araw na iyon at natapos ko na ring basahin ang diary ni Florida. Naglalaman iyon ng masasayang alaala kasama ang kanyang mga magulang at mga kaibigan. Nothing really unusual, just the last page, it was the day before her parents died.
It says, she saw something she wasn't supposed to see.
Her photo album contains her high school life until college. Wala noong maliit pa lamang siya. She's very pretty because of her attractive eyes and her genuine smile, very different from the Florida right now.
This case will end soon, I just need to meet her. She's currently enjoying her vacation here in the country so I have the chance to meet her.
---
Narito ako ngayon sa isang exclusive cruise ship. Florida throw a party so I grab the chance. I get my invitation from Cecilia so I don't have to worry.
I'm on the top deck while sipping on my glass of wine. I'm currently observing every detail about this party. Florida is busy with her friends so I didn't get the chance to talk to her. Maybe later.
Maya maya ay may lumapit sa akin. A guy wearing a black suit with a smile on his face.
"Hey, beautiful."
I glance at him.
"Hey," sagot ko at sinuklian ang ngiti niya.
"You're not familiar. Are you one of her new friends?" tanong niya habang matamang nakatitig sa akin.
"You mean Florida?" I asked.
Natigilan siya.
Kumunot ang nuo niya at seryosong tumitig sa akin. Ang kaninang pilyong mukha ay napalitan ng madilim na awra.
"I thought she's dead?" dagdag na tanong ko at itinaas ang dalawang kilay.
Mas lalong nagsalubong ang kilay niya at humakbang palapit sa akin. Mariin ang titig at kuyom ang dalawang kamao.
"Who are you?" malamig niyang tanong. Matatakot ang sinumang makakarinig noon pero hindi ako.
Umiling ako bago uminom ng alak.
"I'm a friend of her. We're friends before the accident," pa chill kong wika.
"Stop fooling around, Miss!" galit niyang bulyaw sa akin.
I look at him intently. His heart is beating fast because of rage. He's angry because of me, I wonder why.
"And who are you to tell that I'm lying?" taas kilay kong tanong.
"I'm her husband so don't you dare lie!" Mababahid ang galit sa kanyang tinig at maaaring ilang minuto lang ay handa na siyang lamunin ako ng buhay.
Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya.
Tiningnan ko siya mula ulo hanggang paa. He looks fine but Cecelia never mentioned that Florida is already married! Wala rin sa folders na ibinigay sa akin ni Dad.
"Oh. So you're the husband, huh?" I asked sarcastically.
Tiningnan niya ako ng masama.
"Of course. Any problem with that?" inis niyang wika.
Sasagot na sana ako ng dumating ang isang matangkad at magandang babae. She's wearing a black fitted dress that has a high slit revealing his long flawless legs. She's imposing great elegance and sophistication.
"What's going on here, honey?" tanong niya bago humalik sa labi ng asawa.
I rolled my eyes at such sight.
"You know her?" tanong ng lalaki at bumaling sa akin. Doon nabaling ang atensyon sa akin ni Florida.
Nakataas ang kilay na tiningnan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa. Looks like I met my twinnie biatch.
I crossed my arms and lean at the railings. The cold metal made my skin shiver but it felt nice.
Maya-maya ay may sinabi ito sa asawa nito at kalaunan ay tumalikod na ang lalaki, binigyan pa ako ng masamang tingin bago tuluyang tumalikod.
Jerk.
"How did you get here? The last time I checked, you're not invited." aniya sa malamig na boses.
I arch my brows while playing with my glass of wine.
"I have my ways," sagot ko sabay kindat sa kanya.
"What do you want from me?" walang pag-aalinlangan nitong tanong.
This is a party exclusive for her friends so she must be thrilled to find out that one of the visitors is not a friend of her.
Medyo nabigla ako sa straight forward niyang tanong. I didn't expect that.
"I just want to reconcile with you. I want us to be friends again." I smiled sincerely. I can fake a smile though.
"Friends again? Are you nuts? I don't even know you." She laughed sarcastically.
"Oh come on, Florida. You're just bitter about what happened years ago."
Natigilan siya sa sinabi ko at pinaningkitan ako ng mata.
"What did you just say?"
"Florida, you knew how I hate to repeat myself."
Napailing siya at hindi makapaniwalang nakatingin sa akin.
"Miss, you've got the wrong ship. I'm not Florida."
Natigilan ako sa sinabi niya. Pinakatitigan ko siya. Walang ipinagkaiba sa mga larawang ibinigay sa akin ni Cecelia.
"If you're not Florida, then who are you?" kuryusong tanong ko.
Napakurap-kurap siya ng tila may napagtanto. She just spilled the beans unconsciously.
"You don't have to know. Just leave us alone, your friend died a long time ago," aniya at inilibot ang mata sa paligid.
Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. I never expected that she'd tell me this kind of information!
"She's dead?" I fake a very concerned face.
"Yes, so please stay away from me. I gave you the privilege to know the truth about your friend since no one really showed up to claim that she's friends with her."
Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. Fvck! She's lying! May tatlong kaibigan si Florida at lahat iyon nawawala! I have a feeling that she get rid of them after telling them the truth!
"It's fine. I'm not really her good friend, though it's a bit shocking to know that she's already dead," saad ko at nagkibit balikat.
Tumango lamang siya at tumingin sa ibang nagkakasayahan.
"Excuse me," saad niya at tumalikod.
I look at my watch. I still have 1 hour to left this yacht. I'm not yet done with her, hindi ko pa nakokompirma ang hinala ko. Though malaking bagay na iyong sinabi niyang hindi siya si Florida.
Naglakad ako patungo sa mga cabin ng hindi napapansin. Dahil medyo maingay sa taas, kinailangan kong idikit ang kanang tenga ko sa pinto ng cabin ni Florida para pakinggan kung naroon ba siya.
I know the blue print of this yacht, I came prepared. Kailangang pag-isipan muna bago sumugod para hindi mabulilyaso ang plano.
Her room is soundproof, so I concentrated on my senses. Pinahina ko muna ang iba pang senses ko at pinalakas ang sa pandinig. Sa unang tatlong minuto ay wala akong marinig kaya mas nag-concentrate pa ako.
Maya-maya ay nakarinig ako ng mahinang pagsara ng pinto at mahihinang yabag.
"What is your plan?" Boses lalaki.
"What do you mean by that?" This time it's a girl.
It's Florida wanna be and her husband.
"What is your plan with that whore?" ani ng asawa niya sa malamig na boses.
I mentally kill him in my mind for calling me a whore. I loath those word that came out from his filthy mouth. Call me anything, just not those word.
Hindi ako katulad ni mama.
"Just the usual," sagot nang nagpapanggap na Florida.
Tumawa ang lalaki.
"That's why I love you more than your sister," malambing nitong wika.
Just what I thought. It's really her twin sister.
"I know Meg. I know."
Ang sumunod kong narinig ay ang mahihina nilang ungol. I'm maybe a playgirl but I'm still innocent when it comes to things like that. I only play with their feelings, not with their bodies.
I cringed at their lustful moans. Tumalikod na ako at naglakad na patungo sa exit. Malapit lamang iyon sa daungan kaya ramdam ko ang lamig ng hangin.
I called Four and told her to come and fetch me.
I soon as I ended the call, someone from behind approached me.
"What are doing here, lady?" tanong nito sa malalim na boses.
Medyo madilim kaya hindi ko masyadong maaninag ang mukha niya.
"It's none of your business," masungit kong sagot.
"Chill. I'm just curious about you. The party is doing great yet you're here, alone," aniya at naramdaman kong naglakad pa siya palapit sa akin.
I faced him with my most annoyed look.
Sino ba kasi 'to? Nakakabwesit ang presensya niya. I mean masama ang kutob ko rito.
"Then why are you here? Are you following me?" nakakunot noong tanong ko.
"I'm watching you awhile ago at the top deck but you just disappeared. So yeah, I look for you," aniya habang nakatitig sa akin.
Nanindig ang balahibo ko sa sinabi niya.
"Nice." Mapang-uyam akong ngumiti sa kanya.
I can smell danger from this man. He's here to kill me, I can feel it.
"You're Veronica, right?"
I stiffened. How the fvck did he know my name? This is crazy! Naaalala ko ang kakambal ni Florida, ang bilis niyang nakakuha ng impormasyon. I salute her for that.
"How did you know my name?" mariin kong tanong.
"I have my ways," sagot niya.
"Mind telling me your name then? It's a bit unfair knowing that you knew mine while I don't know yours."
He chuckled.
"I'm Kale. Nice meeting you," he said and extend his hand.
Akmang kukunin ko na iyon ng mapansin ko ang kumikinang na bagay sa palad niya. Imbes na kunin iyon ay umatras ako.
"Not so fast, Kale," saad ko at ngumiti ng nakaloloko.
Ang kaninang nakangiting mukha niya ay napalitan nakakatakot na ekspresyon. Tila lumalabas na ang tunay na anyo.
Ibinaba niya ang kamay niya habang mahigpit itong nakakuyom.
Humakbang siya palapit sa akin pero bago pa siya nakalapit ng tuluyan ay binato niya ako ng matulis na bagay.
Agad ko iyong nailagan at hindi makapaniwalang tumingin sa kanya.
"Prepare for your death, Veronica," nagtatagis ang bagang na saad niya.
I calm my nerves and breathe in and out. Ang lakas ng loob niyang pagbantaan ako.
"I'm sorry to say this but..." I look at him directly.
Kita ko ang pagkagulat sa mga mata niya ng tingnan ko siya gamit ang malalamig na mata.
"I'm the death personified and you..." I paused.
"will be my victim tonight." pagkatapos ng huling salita ay itinapon ko sa kanya ang punyal ko. Nailagan niya ito pero nagkaroon siya ng daplis sa mukha.
Tumawa siya.
"That's it?" may himig ng sarkasmo niyang tanong.
Umiling ako. Never underestimate me, asshole. Matinik akong makipaglaban.
"You're the one who needs to prepare for your death."
Akmang magsasalita siya nang mapahawak siya dibdib niya na tila nahihirapang huminga.
"W-what did y-ou do b-itch?!" Sigaw niya.
Maya-maya pa ay tuluyan na siyang nanghina at napaupo habang hawak ang leeg.
Tumalikod na ako nang bumulagta siya sa sahig.
May bahid ng lason ang punyal ko at ginagamit ko lang ito kapag may espesyal akong misyon. Sa loob lamang ng isang minuto ay namamatay ang sinumang tamaan nito. Ganun iyon ka delikado.
Kapag special mission kasi ang pinag-uusapan, ito ay mga misyon na hindi kinakailangang pumatay para maisagawa ang plano.
Ngunit may mga kaso na kailangan mo talagang pumatay kaya doon na inimbento ang mga punyal na may lason para hindi na mahirapan ang gagawa nito.
Ang kambal ang kadalasang gumagawa ng mga ganitong misyon dahil mas bihasa sila sa deductive reasoning samantalang kami ay bihasa sa pakikipaglaban.
Nilingon ko ang bangkay. Medyo hindi patas kung titingnan pero iyon na ang pinakamabilis na paraan para maubos ang kalaban lalo na kapag kulang na sa oras.
Hindi pa ako nakakalayo ng biglang yumanig ang buong yate at nakarinig ako ng sunod sunod na pagsabog.
"Abort the ship!" narinig kong sigaw ng isang crew.
Oh god!
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