Apollo's Crib: A Sinister Fate

EP.09

Maingat na ibinaba ni Sinica ang tasa ng kanyang kape at ngumiti ng matamis sa kaharap niyang si Veronica. Inanyayahan niya ang huli para sa kanilang coffee date, at para na rin mag-usisa dito tungkol kat Apollo. Nasa Louisa Cafe sila ng mga oras na iyon, malapit sa Miramar Shopping Mall at katapat lang din ng Apollo's Crib. Pakiramdam niya ay may alam ang ginang at iyon ang tutuklasin niya ng mga oras na iyon.

"Have you been well?" she asked, while flashing a rusty smile in front of her friend.

"After I was told being a beggar, I think I am good. Thanks to you!" patuya nitong sagot.

Sinenyasan niya ang sekretarya niyang si Rona at lumapit naman kaagad ito sa kanila bitbit ang gold collection niya na balak niyang ibigay sa ginang.

"Would you accept my peace offering, Veronica?" aniya. "If this isn't enough, please tell my secretary and she will arrange everything for you."

"What is the meaning of this? Sinica, we're both old and I encourage you to stop beating around the bush. You could just tell me if you need anything, this present might not be for asking apology alone."

"I don't know why, but I'm starting to like you. It turns out you're not dumb as I thought you are and I am impressed!"

Napahagalpak ng tawa ang ginang at tinitigan siya nito ng tuwid sa mata. "That's why you shouldn't judge people easily, not everyone is allowed to see every side of you."

"Oh, really? Anyway, you're right. I guess, since you know I am up to something. I'll tell you what I really want to hear from you and I want an honest answer."

"What is it?"

"What do you know about Apollo?" direkta niyang tanong. Napamulagat ang ginang at tila nauhaw bigla dahil kaagad itong tumungga ng isang basong tubig.

"What do you mean? I know nothing, if you're thinking that I have known something about your husband I am telling you, you're wrong."

"But Veronica, the night of my banquet... you said something that really bothers me. It keeps me awake all night. I think, you'd just destroyed my mental health and you took my peace of mind. Mind if I ask you to become responsible with what you made me think right now?" aniya.

"I really don't know anything, Sinica. It's just I am drunk that night. I might be seeing things, that I'm not supposed to see because it isn't real."

"Really?" usisa niya. "Are you sure about that?"

"Of course, I am! I won't lie about this matter, Sinica."

Tumayo na siya nang mapansin na hindi talaga ito magsasalita. She's just wasting her time with this lady and it's not worth it.

"Since you knew nothing, I think I have to go. Have a good day, Veronica..." aniya sa ginang. Nginitian niya muli ito at tumingin muna siya sa kanyang secretary bago tuluyang iniwan ang kausap.

Ang sekretarya naman niya ay mabilis na binawi ang alahas na ibibigay sana kay Veronica. Inilalagay na sana ng ginang ang alahas sa hand bag nito ngunit mabilis nitong hinablot ang kahon. "Since you didn't spill the tea, you don't deserve this gift. Have a good day, Mrs. Wang!" ani Rona.

"Are you kidding me?!" singhal nito.

Ngunit kahit magtungayaw pa si Veronica ay wala rin itong nagawa dahil mabilis ding nilisan ni Rona ang cafe.

"Okay... is this how you play? Great! Let's see who's gonna win this game!" ani Veronica na nagpuputok ang butse. Hindi nito matanggap na naisahan na naman siya ni Sinica.

"Mrs. Wang, what a coincidence!" ani ng isang tinig.

Paglingon niya ay nakita niya ang kapwa tenant sa Apollo's crib na sina Chistopher kasama ang kalive-in nitong si Caroline.

"Hello, love birds! What are you guys doing here?" usisa niya. Umupo ito sa bakanteng upuan at magkahawak kamay na kinausap siya.

"My husband wants to move next to your apartment, I hope it's okay?" ani Caroline.

"Move? Why? Is it not good to stay at 88th floor?"

"Actually, the place is nice and cozy. But my husband really has an eye next to your apartment. We are wondering if you could let us stay there?" ani Caroline.

"We are not suppose to ask you, but I think, it would be better to inform you first. So, you wouldn't be surprise that you already have a neighbor in me." sabat ni Christopher.

"Of course, you guys can do whatever you want as long as Mr. Cheng is willing, what can I do? I'm just a tenant too, just like you." aniya.

Kung siya ang tatanungin ay ayaw niya sanang magkaroon ng uupa sa katabi ng pwesto niya. She was enjoying her place and it would be very hard kung magiging kapitbahay nila si Caroline at bf nito. Dahil isa lang ang ibig sabihin noon, these two are trying to stay close at Apollo. Pagkatapos niyang pumayag sa dalawa ay iniwanan rin siya ng mga ito na parang walang nangyari. Inis na inis siya sapagkat ilang beses na siya nawawalk-out an ng kausap.

Maya-maya ay napangiti siya sa naisip. May nabuo siyang plano at sa tingin niya ay mapapasunod niya si Apollo sa gusto niya. Ang pagkakaroon ng alas mula sa kalaban ay isang malaking advantage sa para sa kanya. She can make the great Cheng to vow down to her and do whatever she wants.

Nakatingala si Veronica sa mataas na building ng architectural firm na pag-aari ni Apollo. She wants to talk with him for special favors and she knows that Apollo would never dare to say no.

Mr. Cheng, long time no see!" Malakas ang boses na bati niya. Hindi siya nagawang pigilan ng sekretarya nito na huwag pumasok sa pribadong opisina nito.

"Mrs. Wang, why are you here? I can't remember that we have an appointment today," ani Apollo.

"Appointment? I believe, we don't need that Mr. Cheng..." Aniya sabay upo sa upuan. Ni hindi na niya hinintay na paupuin siya nito dahil kusa na niyang ginawa iyon.

"I think it's rude to barge in someone else's office without an early notice. I am a busy person, Veronica. Please leave now before I call security to drag you out of my building."

"I think that's rude, is that how you treat a lady?"

"I'm not into mind games, Veronica. Stop getting into my nerves, will you?"

"I know what is your secret, Mr. Cheng." Aniya habang matiim na nakatitig sa lalaki.

"What?!" Malakas na bulalas ni Apollo kasabay ng malakas na paghampas ng mga kamay nito sa lamesa.

"That night at Mayfull hotel, it just happened that I was there. I saw you there and I saw everything,"

"Cut the crap, what do you want?" Gigil na sigaw ng lalaki.

"I want the 90th floor all by myself, I've heard that there is someone who are also eyeing on that floor and I hate it! Since you're responsible for your acolytes, I am humbly asking for your help to not let that happen." Wika niya.

"Are you crazy?! Do you know what you're asking?!"

"And do you know how much will it cost you, if your secret is revealed to the public?" Pananakot niya.

Tumalim ang titig ni Apollo sa kaharap, ang mga bagang niya ay nangalit dahil sa mga sinabi nito. Ang kapal naman ng mukha nito na takutin siya sa sarili niyang opisina at manduhan siya kung paano niya papatakakbuhin ang sarili niyang condo?!

"Tell me exactly what you saw, Mrs. Wang. I couldn't just agree with you without knowing how much you know about me." pormal na wika ni Apollo.

Napatitig siya sa lalaki. Matalino nga pala si Apollo at hindi ito basta-basta mapaikot.

"Room 202." Sagot niya. "You've spent a couple of hours there without even thinking about your wife, waiting for you at the party. I know that you already made your money works in that hotel. But you forgot that you may be have an eye witness, and it just happened-- it was me."

Nagitla si Apollo sa narinig. Naikuyom niya ang kanyang kamao dahil sa pagsilakbo ng galit sa kanyang dibdib.

"Now that I told you what I know, I am expecting your hundred percent cooperation." Aniya. She smile with her victory as she saw how surprised Apollo was. Who would have thought that she can hold a grip to him? What a lucky woman!

"Okay. I think this meeting is over. Please leave me alone." ani Apollo.

Sumunod naman kaagad si Veronica at nagmamadaling nilisan ang lugar na iyon. Sapat na sa kanya na nasabi na niya ang kailangan niya sa lalaki. Ngayon pa lang ay nagdidiwang na ang kalooban niya. Pag naibigay na ni Apollo ang gusto niya ay hihingin naman niya rito ang pabor para sa asawang si Stephen at sa anak na si Cyla.

Wala na si Veronica sa kanyang opisina ngunit umuusok pa rin ang ilong at tenga ni Apollo. Hindi siya makapaniwala sa lakas ng loob ni Veronica para takutin siya ng ganoon na lamang. Anong akala nito sa kanya, ganoon lang ka-easy na hawakan sa leeg?!

"Damn! What a complete idiot!" Gigil niyang sabi.

Tinawag niya si Eddie para puntahan siya sa kanyang opisina. May iuutos siya sa tauhan at kailangan nitong gawin ang bagay na iyon sa lalong madaling panahon. Hindi niya hahayaan na kaladkarin siya ni Veronica pababa sa kanyang trono. He worked hard enough for the past decades of his life at hindi niya hahayaan na sa isang pagkakamali ay mababalewala lahat.

"What do you want me to do, Mr. Cheng?" Bungad ni Eddie. Bukod sa pagiging driver nito ay may mga alam din itong lihim na transaksiyon niya under the table. He is one of his trusted employee who knows most of his secret.

"I want you to help me remove someone as soon as possible. This person threatens me and I can't let this slide." Aniya.

"I know someone who can do that for you, Mr. Cheng. I have a neighbor who just got out from prison and looking for a job with hefty payment." Seryoso nitong sabi.

"Perfect!" Sagot ni Apollo. Kapag sa ganoon talagang bagay ay maaasahan ito.

Ibinigay niya ang impormasyon ni Veronica sa driver at ito na ang bahalang kumontak sa kakilala nito. Hindi problema ang pera sa kanya. Kahit mag bayad pa siya ng ilang milyon ay ayos lang sa kanya. Ang importante ay maidispatsa niya si Veronica sa lalong madaling panahon.

Habang si Veronica ay nasa cloud nine ay wala itong kamalay-malay na nakaparada ang kotse ni Sinica sa labas ng kompanya ni Apollo. Nakita nito ang paglabas ng ginang mula sa building at sa mga oras na iyon ay mas lalong naghinala si Sinica na may nalalaman ito tungkol sa asawa. Mula sa Louisa Cafe ay sinundan na nila ang galaw ni Veronica ar hindi nga siya nagkamali sa hinala. Pupuntahan nito ang asawa matapos nilang magmeet.

"I want you to investigate this woman. She might be holding a bomb against my husband. I want you to know what is it to prevent her from blowing it up before me," ani Sinica.

Katabi niya ang private investigator na si Anton Yi. Inupahan niya ito para sa special mission na ipapagawa niya.

"Please give him the picture, Elvis." Muling wika ni Sinica sa driver. Tumalima naman kaagad si Elbis at ibinigay ang black folder sa lalaking katabi niya.

"All of her basic information together with her picture was already inside." Ani Elvis.

"Got it, please wait for my call by the end of the day." Maiksing sagot ni Anton. Lumabas rin ito kaagad sa sasakyan pagkakuha ng kailangan mula sa kliyente.

"Is he really trustworthy?" Usisa niya.

"Yes, madam... And not just that, he is also good with his craft."

"Great!" Sagot niya. "Let's get back to my office," dugtong niya.

Nang mga oras na iyon ay iisa lamang ang problema ng mag-asawang Cheng, iyon ay si Veronica. At buo na ang desisyon ni Apollo na patahimikin ang ginang sa lalong madaling panahon bago pa lumala ang sitwasyon.