Assassin: Kisses and Killshot

When Shadow's Returned

Chapter 4

R-18+

MATURE CONTENT

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK❗

Third- Person POV

Loise stood as she saw Hendrick walking toward her. She was in his office in Makati, and his smile widened the moment he laid eyes on her. Without hesitation, he pulled her into a hug.Yakap na lagi nitong ginagawa pag nagkikita sila kahit noon pa.

“Hey, cousin, kumusta?"

Loise gently pulled away from his embrace and sat back down on the sofa. She crossed her legs and folded her arms across her chest.Ayaw niya ng pabebe tone nito na halatang inaasar siya kahit lalaking lalaki naman ito.

“What now,? Ano na naman ang gusto mong sabihin?” pagtataray niya rito.

Hendrick turned his back on her and headed to the pantry. When he returned, he was carrying two glasses of wine. He took a sip before settling on the sofa across from her, placing his glass carefully on the glass table between them.Saka inabot nito ang isa sa kanya.Hindi niya ito kinuha kaya inilapag nito mesa malapit sa kanya.Nakangiting umiling-iling ito.

“I have this proposal, Loise—”

“Hendrick, kung ano man iyan, hindi ko na gagawin ang mga gusto mong ipagawa sa akin. I’ve had enough. Gusto ko nang mabuhay ng normal. Hindi mo pa ba nakukuha ang ibig kong sabihin?” putol niya agad sa sasabihin nito.

He stared at her intently before leaning back on the sofa.

“Kahit na konektado ito sa family mo?”

Loise’s eyes instantly lifted to meet his, but she quickly scoffed at him.

“You can’t fool me this time, Hendrick. Matagal na akong tumalikod sa trabahong ‘yan. And don’t give me the same excuses para mabilog ang ulo ko. I’m not that twenty-year-old girl anymore na nagpapaniwala sa mga kasinungalingan mo.”

“You think I’m lying, Loise?” Hendrick’s tone dropped lower, more serious.

" Gawain mo iyan so why not ask yourself-"

“I’ve already found the people who killed your parents. And I think isang malaking sindikato ang nasa likod nito, hindi basta-basta mabubuwag kung hindi paglaanan ng panahon at oras. Kailangan mong maghanda kung gusto mong harapin ang mga taong ‘yon.” walang prenong sabi nito na ikinagulat niya.

Loise fell silent, studying Hendrick’s expression. She wasn’t sure if he was telling the truth, but a flicker of hope sparked inside her—hope for the justice she had long been yearning for.

“And what makes you think kaya pa kitang paniwalaan?” she asked coldly.Hesitated na baka mamaya ginugood time lang siya ng magaling niyang pinsan.

At her words, Hendrick pulled out a photograph and placed it on the table in front of her. It was a picture of a man in a cap, smoking a cigarette. Loise’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Hendrick questioningly.

“Siya si Garry, the man who attacked your family that night. Marami sila, probably six in total. But after months of investigation, mula ng nahuli ko siya sa isang drug issue, doon ko na check ang kanyang background. This could be the start you’re looking for. Kapag nakausap natin siya, makukuha mo lahat ng sagot na gusto mong malaman.”

Loise’s hand trembled as she picked up the photograph. She didn’t recognize the man, but rage flared inside her chest. Her fists clenched tight as anger and desperation consumed her. She stood, crossing her arms tightly, before finally extending her hand toward Hendrick. He immediately took it, a smirk forming on his lips.

“Deal. Alam ko naman may hidden agenda ka sa gusto mong mangyari. Pero ang titingnan ko lang ay ang benefits na makukuha ko. Both of us will gain from this. At wala na rin akong balak alamin kung ano pang purpose mo.”

Hendrick let out a laugh, dark and satisfied.

“That’s what I admire about you, Loise. Napakatalino mo. You know exactly what I need. Garry is a drug dealer, and he’s on our list. I studied his background, and it’s clear he’s part of the six and boom, positive Loise kasama siya sa mga taong bumaril sa magulang mo . In fact, kaya ko naman gawin ito myself. Pero dahil hindi ako madamot, I’m giving you the chance. And since matagal ka na ring nagpahinga, Loise…”

He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming.

“…it’s time you get back in the game, magaling si Garry at hindi siya kumakanta, I need you on this.”

Nagsukatan muna sila ng tingin at saka tumango sa lalaki bago tuluyang tinalikuran si Hendrick. Lumabas siya ng building, sumakay sa kanyang kotse, at agad na nagsuot ng sunglasses bago pinaandar ang sasakyan. Diretso siya sa sariling opisina.

Pagdating niya roon, nasa hallway palang siya, agad siyang sinalubong ng kanyang sekretarya na si Martylle.

“Any updates?” tanong niya habang naglalakad papasok.

“Ah, ma’am, sa ngayon wala po kayong schedule na mga meeting,” sagot ni Martylle. “Pero may dumaan pong lalaki kanina, hinahanap po kayo. Sonata daw ang pangalan. since na wala po siyang record ng appointment sa inyo hindi po siya pinatuloy ng receptionist.”

Biglang napatigil si Loise sa paglalakad nang marinig ang pangalan na binanggit ni Martylle. Dahan-dahan siyang lumingon, at mariing tinitigan ang sekretarya.

“Sonata?” malamig niyang tanong, halos pabulong.

“Yes, ma’am. Matangkad, medyo intimidating ‘yung dating… but polite naman. Sabi niya importante raw at babalik siya,kilala nyo daw po eh” paliwanag ni Martylle, halatang kinikilig pa ito.Bagay na hindi nakaligtas sa paningin ni Loise kaya inirapan niya ang secretary.

Saglit na nanahimik si Loise. The name alone was enough to send a shiver down her spine. Sonata . A name she thought she had buried in her past pero mahirap kalimutan.Nakaraan lang bigla itong sumulpot at nagpakita sa kanya.Ngayon nandito sa office niya?

Humigpit ang hawak niya sa hawakan ng bag. Why now? bulong ng isip niya. Hindi siya handa… pero alam niyang darating at darating ang araw na maghaharap silang muli.

Naglakad siya papasok sa loob ng opisina, marahas na isinara ang pinto, at napasandal sa swivel chair niya. She exhaled sharply, trying to regain her composure.

“Kung babalik siya,” mahina niyang bulong, “then I need to be ready.”

Hindi pa man niya namamalayan, muling bumabalik ang tensyon at kaba na matagal na niyang inilibing.Iniwan niya si Martylle at pumasok sa personal niyang office saka sumandal sa kanyang upuan habang malalim na napapaisip.

Sa kabilang banda ng lungsod, isang babae ang nakaupo sa loob ng isang kotse, naglalaro ang mapanuksong ngiti sa kanyang labi.

“See you soon, Loise…” sabi nito sa sarili habang nakatingala sa building kung nasaan ang office ni Loisa.