In Another Life

Mission Failed?

I dressed up into jeans and black hoodies. And to complete the ensemble—sunglasses! I hurriedly took the path leading to the back door. 

*Beep beep

I closed my eyes in annoyance when I heard the loud beeping of a car at the front gate. Is he dumb? I f*****g texted him to meet me at the gate at the back of my house! The mission hasn't even started but my hopes are already shattered. I called his phone which he picked up immediately.

"What the f*ck Karl! Didn't you check your phone for messages?" I scowled at him.

"I didn't. Sorry." he said half laughing. I ended the call and tried to forget my annoyance for that stupid guy.

I carefully avoided getting on the scope of the CCTV cameras. Locked the back gate carefully as if no one used it. 

I angrily closed his car's door which created a loud thud, put my shoes on the dashboard and put on a mischievous smile with my arms crossed in front of my chest.

His eyes widened, "Not my car, please. It's brand new f**k put your feet down!" annoyance is visible on his face

"Why would I? It's comfy!" I said innocently. I love to see it when we get on each other's nerves.

"I think you must know that it just arrived yesterday and it costs more than you could ever imagine." I almost laughed at his expression, ooff I smell the desperation!

"And I also think that you must know that I don't care how much is it. I could even spill paint on it or scratch it with a stone." I swear his face almost turned pale.

"Okay, I'm sorry, I'll check all of my messages next time so I won't miss any of your texts, I'll answer all of your calls even if it's 5 o'clock in the morning. You can even pinch me or kick me, just not my car, not this precious thing." I smiled. He's really hilariously funny. 

"Okay." I nodded at him.

"Now, put your shoes down." he said with an awkward smile.

I put my shoes down, sat straight and put on my serious face.

"Okay, let's get back to business."

"What exactly is the mission you were talking about?"

"We're gonna be detectives for today!" I said with a wink

""And who are we spying today?" he said with a hint of suspicion.

"My dad!" I grinned at him. His face darkened.

"We both know him and how his mind works." He said, trying to change my mind even though he knows he can't. 

I know Dad will never like it when he knows I'm doing this, but I can't stop now. I want to know the truth. I hate being kept in the dark. Maybe they are thinking they are just protecting me, but they aren't—they're depriving me of the truth. I'm old enough to understand things.

I heaved a deep sigh and looked at him in the eyes. I know doing this is against his will but i know he'll never leave me. I've done stupid things in my life but he's still here.

"You now I'm stubborn and stupid and reckless, but trust me, this is a serious matter, I'm not playing games and this is not just a push of curiosity either. I value my family so much that's why I'm doing this."

He reached out for my hand and held it firmly. 

"I know, Lia and I understand. I'm your ride or die friend, I got your back, anytime." He said and ruffled my hair. 

"Then, what are we waiting for?" I grinned and put on my seatbelt.

I stared the blinking red dot on my phone, it's moving too fast. Karl increased the car's speed and took shortcuts to keep up with him.

"By the way, how did you manage to install the tracker on his car?" He asked, still keeping his eyes on the road.

"Dad and Mom's room always had their lights off when they sleep. That means, they won't notice it when there's brownout. And brownout means no CCTV cameras. That's it!" I said proudly with a smile.

"How did you manage to do that alone? Your Dad has guards, he will know it soon, or—is he already aware? He's driving so fast." He stared at the blinking red dot and cursed. 

My hands turned cold as ice as I imagine the possibilities, what if he already knows? What will happen to me? Or worse, he'll do something to Karl. Wtf was I thinking? I dragged him into this mess. I brushed my hair using my fingers and closed my eyes.

I flinched when Karl squeezed my hand.

"Hey, calm down. If this mission fails, then we'll face the consequences. The important thing is, we tried." I opened my eyes and exhaled deeply. 

He drove faster.

After a couple of minutes, we saw Dad's car stop in a hotel and restaurant.

I wore a face mask and wore my hoodies while Karl wore a cap and sunglasses. 

"You ready?" He asked and I nodded as a response.

We entered the lobby and saw him sitting inside the restaurant with a woman in her twenties. I've met almost all of Dad's employees and this woman isn't familiar to me.

We occupied the table next to them, our backs facing them but enough to overhear their conversation. 

We ordered drinks and a meal for the both of us. 

I nervously sipped on my drink as the woman continued talking. She's mentioning something about money, investment, and something about inheritance. Her voice was almost inaudible, I can't exactly hear what she's saying.

"Aren't we wasting time here? They're just talking about business. Nothing's wrong with that. We should leave now, your Dad might recognize us if we stay any longer." He said while tugging my sleeve.

"30 minutes—"

"No, 20 minutes." He cut me off

"Okay fine. 20 minutes. If there's nothing interesting, we'll leave." He just gave me a small nod and took a spoonful of his meal.

I continued listening to them talk, switching from topics to topics of things and names of people I'm not familiar with.

Karl pushed the plate of food in front of me and motioned me to eat. I stared at my drink, I almost ran out of it without even noticing. I put it down and took a bite from the food. It tastes good.

I stopped chewing and almost choked on the food as Dad suddenly cursed.

"Yesterday, she said she wants a condo unit, a brand new car and wants to transfer to another school, I gave it to her! Why the f**k would she want my house!?" Dad said with frustration but still managed to keep his voice low.

I held my phone up and used it to see my Dad's face. His fists were clenched, his face shows anger. I held my breath when he stared at my direction. It just lasted for a second, he immediately averted his gaze to the woman in front of him. 

Karl held my hands which were cold as ice, "Act naturally, do not be tensed, or they'll notice us." I just nodded at him and held his hands tighter. 

"I wanna talk to her." dad said in a calmer tone.

The woman fell silent and talked to someone on her phone.

This is so annoying. I can't hear what they're talking about on the phone. I continued observing them through the reflection on my phone.

The woman stood up and motioned Dad to follow her. Where the f**k are they going? They're not even talking. Ughhh

I took one last sip from my drink and stood up to follow them but Karl stopped me.

I mouthed "what?" But he just sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Are you dumb? You're making it so obvious." He whispered in my ear.

I bit my lip in frustration. I need to calm down. We have to make sure we won't get caught.

"It's okay." He assured me. "Let's go."

We took the other route leading to the parking lot so we won't seem suspicious.

We tiptoed through the dark spots, making sure we don't create unnecessary noise and catch their attention.

I'm sweating and my heart is pounding so hard. I'm afraid of what I might find out. 

Karl caught my hand and stopped me. I mouthed "what?" And he pointed to the car beside Dad's. We hid in its shadow.

The parking lot was silent, I can hear both of us breathing heavily. Dad and the woman he's with, isn't talking. It's odd.

"They must be waiting for someone." i whispered to him.

"Probably." He uttered as a response.

Not long after, we heard a car door open and close. Then loud footsteps can be heard. I listened to the footsteps carefully.

"Stilettos. Those are stilettos. It's a woman." I whispered.

The footsteps stopped. Then the woman who just arrived chuckled.

"Why are you so tensed?" She said in a playful tone.

"Please stop asking for more. I already gave you what I can. I have a family. Stop being greedy." Dad's voice was heavy, restraining his anger.

"I kept silent for 20 years. I did't even contact you. I believe I've given you enough time to live your life happily with your family." The woman's voice was cold, opposite to her tone earlier.

My head was aching in confusion. What the f**k are they talking about. And why did she have to keep silent for 20 years? Who is she?

"20 million. That should be enough." Dad spoke with authority.

"No. 50 million for my silence." The woman demanded.

"Okay, 50 million. I'll send you the money, you stay away from my family."  I heard Dad's firm voice.

"Calm down, just be thankful I'm just asking for money. But always remember, money is just like a tape on my mouth. One day, it'll lose its grip and come off. And we both know what will happen." It sounded like a threat. For some reason, it made me feel scared. I didn't even notice i was holding my breath until I heard her footsteps fading, she walked away, and i wasn't even able to take glimpse of her.

I took a deep breath and tugged Karlos hand. "Let's go." I whispered to him. We exited the area unnoticed by anyone.

I didn't even remember how I managed to get on his car. I stared strangely at the seatbelt across my body. I don't remember securing with this seatbelt either.

"I did." I was startled when Karl suddenly spoke. "The seatbelt." He continued.

"Ahh, thanks." I said with an awkward smile.

"Honestly, you looked like a walking zombie earlier. I was thankful you were able to walk on your own and I didn't have to carry you. You're heavy, you know." He said teasingly.

I frowned at him and rolled my eyes at him. I tried so hard not to smile. I'll always be thankful to have him by my side to somehow make me smile. 

I spotted a stuffed toy on the dashboard. I unbuckled my seatbelt and threw it at his face. "Thanks for the ride!" I shouted at him and ran out of his car.

I just heard his yells fading at the background.

I opened the main door and stepped inside. It was too late before i realized I should have used the back door and avoided the CCTVs. 

"So, how important was it that you have to sneak out of house, Lia?"  I stopped in my tracks. 

"Oh, h-hi D-dad." I swear my insides are panicking.