The World Where She Fits

TWWSF 4: The Deal

Chase POV

I pretended that I haven't untied the knot. Good thing I didn't pull off the rope that tied in my hands yet. They drag me outside, to a wide room that seems like a great hall. The room is bare except for some small tables set in the far corner. It seems like this room is where they held a martial arts match.

I saw Breena, with a rope tied around her body, force to sit beside Timmy in one of the table at the far end of the room. They lead me towards the center, directly facing where Timmy is sitting. The men press me down, making me kneeled on the floor. I clench my fist tightly, there's no way I will allow something humiliating like this. But as of the moment I can't do anything. I am aware that if I do, even a very slight move of resistance from them Breena will suffer. I can't bear to see a girl suffer just because of me.

"See that, Breena?" Timmy grab her chin and forcefully turn her face to see me. "If you disobey me, that guy" he points at me, "will be the one to be punish. Now, if you don't want that to happen," he closes the gap and said the words in Breena's ear, "be a good girl."

I shook my head in disagreement as I saw Breena's eye brimming with tears. She slowly nodded to Timmy, confirming him that she will follow.

"He's nothing to do with this, Timmy. I'll follow your order just don't touch him." She said desperately holding back her tears.

"You have my word, baby." He brushes his lips in the corner of Breena's lips who just bit her lips and turn her face away.

I grunted when I feel a sudden force hit my face. One of Timmy's men punch me. Ramdam ko ang sakit pero hindi ko hinayaan ang aking sarili na bumagsak. Pinanatili kung pantay ang aking paningin kina Timmy at Breena.

"Stop it!" Sigaw ni Breena na tiningnan ng masama si Timmy.

"I already told you, Breena, so be good." Pasalyang binitiwan ni Timmy ang mukha ni Breena. Kinambatan ang isang tauhan upang tanggalan ng tali ang huli. "Now, eat with me."

Napilitang sumabay sa pagkain ni Timmy si Breena habang manaka-nakang sumusulyap sa akin. Her eyes silently asking for forgiveness because she can't say the word, not in front of our captor. Natigilan ako ng bigla na lang hawakan ng lalaking nasa likuran ko ang aking kamay. They discovered that I already untied the knot of my hands. Bago pa man ako makahuma ay isang kamao na ang tumama sa akin. Dahilan upang malugmok ako sa sahig.

"This guy is trying to escape, boss. He already untied the rope tied in his hand and I bet that he's just waiting for the right time to make his escape."

"Get him out of here." He commands to his men. "And, you know what to do."

Dinala uli ako ng mga tauhan ni Timmy sa kwarto kung saan ako nagising. Muli nilang itinali ng mahigpit ang aking mga kamay. Wala akong nagawa kundi bumuntunghininga na lang. Silently thinking for a plan to escape.

Night time fall and I haven't eaten since last night. Ramdam ko na ang panghihina ng aking katawan. At this rate, even if I can free myself and rescue Breena, we can't do much to depend ourselves if we will be discovered. Escaping is now no use unless I can have my energy back. Which I am not sure how. They aren't giving me food since they brought me here.

Bago pa man lumalim ang gabi ay may tauhan si Timmy na sumundo sa akin. They brought me back to the room that looks like a great hall in ancient time. Kung saan pinagbantaan ni Timmy si Breena na may mangyayaring masama sa akin kapag hindi ito susundin ng huli.

There are some unfamiliar people in the room. Though I didn't know the people around Timmy, I can easily recognize that visitors are not on his side. Their way of handling themselves is one of the proof that they are not part of Timmy's men. They appear to be more decent than the men I encountered. Most of Timmy's men are harsh, loud and they simply don't have manners at all.

Pasalya akong binitawan ng may hawak sa akin. Napatingin sa akin ang karamihan ng marinig nila ang pagbagsak ko sa sahig. Hindi ako nag-abalang tingnan sila. Umayos lang ako ng upo at itinaas ang aking ulo. I will never lower down my head to someone like Timmy and his men. I will hold my head high for myself, for Dark Knights and for DC Org.

Nahawi ang gitna at nakita kung pumasok si Timmy kasunod ang isang lalaking nasa mid-forties. Umupo si Timmy sa mesang dati niyang inupuan at sinenyasan ang isang tauhan. Pinanuod ko ang paglabas ng tauhan niya sa kwartong iyon na marahil ay kukunin si Breena sa kung saan man nila ito ikinulong. Umupo naman ang lalaking bisita ni Timmy sa kabilang mesa. Tiyak ko na siya ang Pinuno ng mga lalaking naroon. It's obvious with how they exchange meaningful look without letting Timmy to notice.

Nanlalaban si Breena habang ipinapasok sa silid na iyon. May bakas ng natuyong dugo sa gilid ng kanyang labi tanda na pinagbuhatan siya ng kamay. Napansin ko ang mahigpit na pagkuyom ng kamao ng lalaking bisita at ang pagtatagis ng bagang nito. There is tenderness the way he looks at Breena. Looking at him and Breena, I can tell that they are related to each other. Probably, he is her father.

"Dad," Breena whispered looking at the guy. Binalingan niya si Timmy at tiningnan ng masama. Subalit ngumisi lang ang lalaki kay Breena. As if he won the war. She looks back to the visitor. "Why are you here, Dad?"

"I came to get you." Breena's Dad replied.

"In return of?" She asked grimly.

"He will relinquish his post in the organization." Timmy answered Breena's question with a wide grin.

Hindi nga ako nagkamali ng sapantaha. Sa palagay ko ay hindi lamang simpleng organisasyon ang kanilang kinabibilangan. The question now is what this organization they are talking about. If we are in China, and they're talking about a big organization here. Maybe it is Triad? If Japan has Yakuza, Russian Mafia for Russia and Shadow Organization for Colombia. Then, Chinese Triad rules China.

Napangiti ako ng mapakla. Ang Shadow Org. ang mahigpit na kalaban ng DC Org. Pero involved din sila sa laban ng Royalty ng Japan sa Yakuza. They are also involved in the fight of Russian Mafia because of GSU. And now, will DC Org become Triad's enemy because of me? I just hope not. But I am sure that I will help the girl, who saved my life, with the mess against the Triad regardless the fact that it will not be an easy fight.

"Dad?" Breena look at her father, confirming if what Timmy said is true.

"He's right, Bree." Mr. Lee, Breena's father, confirmed with a sigh and a nod.

"How could you?" Nagdadamdam na wika ni Breena. Makikita mo sa kanyang mukha na hindi siya sang-ayon sa ginawa ng kanyang ama.

"You are important Bree, more than any position I have in the Triad." Her father reasoned out.

"Don't you know that doing this, you let everyone know how important I am to you? And every time, these bastard," she motions Timmy and his men, "will use me against you for their advantage."

Breena is right. Nagpakita ng kahinaan ang kanyang ama sa pagsuko nito sa posisyon para lamang iligtas ang anak. Maaari nga na dumating ang araw na muling maisipan ni Timmy o ng iba pa na gamitin si Breena laban sa kanyang ama upang mapasunod ito. Knowing Timmy even for a short time, he won't think twice resorting that thing.

"That's enough, Hillary Breena." Saway ni Mr. Lee sa kanyang anak. Tumayo siya saka binalingan si Timmy. "I did my part in the bargain, now it's your turn."

Timmy grinned. "I know how to fulfill my words. You," he faces his right hand man, "free Breena."

Agad na sinunod ng tauhan ni Timmy ang kanyang utos. Mabilis niyang pinakawalan si Breena. Tumayo naman si Mr. Lee at nilapitan ang anak. Masuyo niyang hinawakan ang mukha nito at sinuri ang pasa sa kanyang mukha.

"Dad, I want Chase to be free too." She looks at Timmy, "let him go," she told him.

"As you wish, baby." Tinanguan ni Timmy ang lalaking may hawak sa akin. Itinulak niya ako palapit sa mag-ama saka ako pinakawalan.

"Are you alright, Chase?" Nag-aalalang lumapit sa akin si Breena.

"I'm okay." Ang tanging sagot ko. Tinulungan niya akong makatayo at humarap sa kanyang ama.

"Let's postpone the introduction later," Mr. Lee said. "We have to go." Tinanguan niya si Timmy bago tumalikod upang umalis. Sumunod kami ni Breena, na nakaalalay sa akin, sa kanyang ama. Sa aming likuran ay nakasunod ang mga tauhan ni Mr. Lee.

****

Sa isang malaking mansion kami dumiretso. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali ito ang tahanan nina Breena. Walang usapang namagitan sa aming tatlo habang nasa sasakyan. Tahimik lamang si Mr. Lee kaya mas pinili na din Breena ang tumahimik. Hindi ako umimik sapagkat wala akong karapatan na magtanong.

Tinawag ni Mr. Lee ang isang katulong ng makapasok na kami ng kabahayan. "Lead Mr.?" He looks at me.

"Scamper. Rayon Chase Scamper, Sir." I answered proudly tilting my head.

"Lead Mr. Scamper to the guest room. He will be staying with us for a couple of days." The maid nodded and motion me to follow her. "Come with me in the library, Breena." I heard Mr. Lee said as soon as I turned to follow the maid.

The maid brought me to a big room painted with white. The couch, bed, bedside table and other things in the room is in black color. In contrast with the white curtains, bed covers and also other things. There is also a closet in the corner of the room and a TV set. The bathroom is also big in white paint, with a bathtub. They made sure that their guest can enjoy the luxury they offered.

There are unused t-shirts and short for men in the closet along with the unused clothes for women. In the bathroom are also complete with toiletries. Grabbing a pair of clothes, I walk into the bathroom to clean myself. I am covered in sweat and I feel my body numb from the beating I received. I need to freshen up to refresh myself.

Pagkatapos maligo at magbihis ay tamang-tama namang kumatok ang katulong para sabihin na handa ang pagkain. Ipinitawag ako ni Mr. Lee para sumabay sa kanila. I sigh and nodded, following the maid to where the dining room is. Naabutan ko sa dining room ang mag-ama at mukhang kaming tatlo lang din ang kakain. I was silently wondering where Breena's mother is and if she had siblings. But I am aware that it is not the right time to ask questions so, I keep my mouth shut.

"We are not formally introduced yet," Mr. Lee motioning me to sit in his left, across Breena that is sitting in his right. "As you know, I am Breena's father, Hill Lee."

"Nice meeting you, Sir." I said.

"Where you came from, Mr. Scamper?" Mr. Lee formally ask with an intimidating look.

"I came from Philippines, Sir. I got in an accident and your daughter save me." I answered not intimidated at all.

"So, owe your life from my daughter." He stated, nodded his head with a thought. "Are you somehow related to Rayn Scamper? A shrewd real estate businessman?"

"I am his son." I proudly said. I'm not surprise that lot of people knows my father. He is a successful businessman and also came from a well-off family. Besides, Scamper is known to be one of richest family in Asia. Also, rank 40th in the list of 100th richest family in the world.

Pagkatapos kumain ay pinasunod ako ni Mr. Lee sa library. Saying he wanted to talk to me in private. May kunting kaba akong naramdaman habang sumusunod sa kanya. I don't have any idea what he wants to talk about.

Umupo siya sa upuang nasa likod ng mesa at inituro ang upuang nasa harapan. "Have a seat."

Nabalot ng katahimikan ang library ng ilang saglit. Hindi agad nagsalita si Mr. Lee kaya tumikhim ako at naglakas-loob na magtanong. "May I know what you want to talk about, Sir?" I politely ask.

He sighs, "you heard me mentioned about Triad, right?" He looked at me and I nodded. "Are you aware what that is?"

"I heard about it," I answered in a hush tone not really knowing what to say.

"I see. I am one of the people behind the organization, The Triad. Rivalry exist within and some members think of me as a threat. There are instances that I disagree with their plans. And because they can't sway me, they plan to oust me. That's what Timmy did, using my daughter. Timmy's father had been planning to kick me out from my position for a long time now."

He looks at me but I didn't say a thing. "They finally accomplished in their aim but I know they won't stop until I am totally out from the organization."

"What do you mean?" I ask with a frown.

"They will attack one of these coming days, Chase. I don't want my daughter to be involved again. I wanted to ask a favor from you, in exchange of my daughter saving your life. Will you take care of her?"

"I will, Sir. You can have my word. It's the least I can do." I firmly said without much thinking. I fully aware of what Mr. Lee want. He wants to send her daughter away and I am the only one that the enemy know nothing about.

"Thank you but that's not the only thing I wanted from you." He paused, then, "marry my daughter."