CATCH ME IF YOU CAN: A.C.E

Chapter One

Unknown Person's POV:

"Wie sind die Waren? (How are the goods?)"

                                                     [Im Lagerhaus sind sie sicher, Herr. (They are safe in the warehouse, sir.)]

I saw this scumbag entering his living room. He didn't even notice I was waiting there, sitting on a single couch.

"Hi, Mr. Schmidt."

I walked towards him as he ended his call and kept the phone in his pocket.

"Sie sind wirklich ungeduldig. (You really are impatient.)"

"Du Arschloch- Oomph!"

I punched him hard on his big fat belly.

"Wie kommen Sie hierher, du Sohn einer Hündin? (How did you get here, you son of a b*tch!)"

I smirked. This man has the nerve to get mad!

I gave him another punch.

"Hatten wir nicht eine Vereinbarung? Sind Sie so sehr in Eile? (Didn't we have a deal? Are you in that much of a hurry?)" I punched him hard on his face. "Und Sie haben die verdammte Frechheit, wütend zu sein? (And you have the f*cking nerve to get angry?)" I pulled this fat old man's collar.

"Das Leben ist kein Ponyhof. (You can't always get what you want)" I laughed. "You better prepare, Mr. Schimdt. I know so many ways on how to get rid of someone like you."

"Räumen Sie das schnell auf. (Clean this up quickly.)" I threw him to my men.

"Herr, Ihr Vater ist... (Sir, your father is...)" I looked at my secretary for a moment.

Verdammt! Dieser alte Mann! (Dammit! This old man!)

"Tell him I'm going. But I'm going to handle this my way. Got that?"

"Yes, sir."

I'm coming back to the Philippines. After all these years.

"Bring that old man to the warehouse instead."

"Sir-"

"Just do it! I'll be there after I'm finished with my prior engagements."

Bringing this old fatso to the warehouse meant bringing him to hell.

"Yes, sir."

Ace's POV:

I was on my way to my classroom when I saw them. The group of girls, who has been bothering me since my parents died, approached me.

Sinubukan ko silang lagpasan, pero pinigilan nila ako.

"Amarah," Ashley greeted me and smirked. "Such a lovely morning meeting you here."

Nakatungo lang ako. Alam ko kung anong gagawin nila sa akin.

"Today is your birthday, right?"

Hindi ako sumagot. She slapped me three times on my face.

"Happiest birthday to you, b***h!"

Narinig kong tumawa ang mga kaibigan niya.

"See you at the party. Don't be late."

Umalis na sila . Naiwan akong nakatulala habang nananatiling nakatayo sa gitna ng hallway. I just wiped off the blood from my lips.

"Lastige zicke. (Annoying bitches.)" I murmured.

Mag lalakad na sana akong muli nang biglang akong nag slide.

"Aray!" Napaupo ako sa semento. Pisti naman eh! May nag-lagay na naman ba ng langis dito?

"Are you okay, miss?" tanong sa akin ng isang lalaking lumapit sa akin.

I stood up and brushed the dust off my uniform.

"Yeah. I'm fine.. Excuse me." I was about to leave nang pigilan niya ako.

"Uh, Miss. Do you know where the registrar's office is?" Itinuro ko naman sa kanya.

" Pumunta ka dun. Pagdating mo sa dulo, kumanan ka. Nandun ang registrar's office." He smiled.

"I see. Thanks. See you when I see you." Umalis na siya.

Is he new here?

Tinungo ko na lang ang classroom at naghanap ng mauupuan. Wala naman kaming assigned seat sa subject na ito kaya okay lang kung kahit saan kami maupo.

Kumuha ako ng libro at hinanap ko na ang page kung saan nandoon ang topic para sa discussion ngayon. Mayamaya pa'y nag alert na ang phone ko. Wala pang masyadong tao sa classroom kaya binasa ko kaagad ang text message.

From Tito Eduard:

8PM

Viel Gluck

Naintindihan ko kaagad ang ibig niyang sabihin. I have to attend the party tonight.

'Schiesse!'

I cursed in my head. I don't really like parties.

Kaya kong takasan ang sarili kong party like I used to. But I have to attend tonight, because my next target is invited.

In every mission that I do, I keep getting more and more clues. But why do I feel I'm still far away from the truth? The person behind all this. The person who planned everything and killed my parents. I will definitely find him. Even if it means risking my own life. Gagawin ko ang lahat mahanap lang ang taong yun.

I closed my eyes as I remembered how my brother looked when I found him hiding in my closet. He got bruises on his face. His shirt was covered in blood.

FLASHBACK

"A-ate," He was trembling when he looked at me. "D-die haben sie getötet. (They killed them.)"

Para akong nabuhusan ng malamig na tubig.

"No." I blurted out before running towards my parents' room.

I saw them. Both my parents were lying on the floor.

END OF FLASHBACK

Bigla kong naramdaman ang panginginig ng aking mga kamay. Nagmadali akong hanapin ang aking gamot. Kumuha ako ng isang capsule at ininom kaagad ito.

I felt relieved after taking my medicine. I don't want to make a scene here.

Dumami na rin ang mga estudyante sa klaseng ito. Nagsimula na silang mag ingay dahil ang tagal ng professor namin. Mayamaya pa'y biglang natahimik ang buong klase nang bumukas ang pintuan at pumasok ang isang lalaki.

"Good morning, Class. Please take your seats." Naupo na ang iba kong kaklase.

"Shems! Ang pogi!" Bulong ng classmate ko na nasa unahan ko. Like what? Bulong pa ba ang tawag dun?

"I am Tristan Clyde Montenegro. I'll be your substitute teacher for your accounting subject." May binuksan siyang folder at binasa.

"You're all majoring in financial management, am I right?"

Tumango lang ang mga classmates ko. Na-starstruck agad?

"Yes, Sir." Ako lang ang bukod tanging sumagot.

"Good. Turn to page 257. We'll start discussing as Mrs. Ramirez told me you will have your finals this coming friday." Pag eexplain niya sa amin habang nag susulat sa white board.

"By the way, Ms. Chanelle." Nakatingin ang lahat ng classmates ko sa 'kin.

"Yes, sir?" Bigla siyang ngumiti.

"You're the girl who helped me out with directions just a while ago. Thanks again." Ngumiti ako.

"You're welcome po, sir." Tumalikod na siya.

Nagbuklat na ako ng notebook ko para sana magsulat nang matigilan ako sa sinabi ni Sir Tristan.

"Happy Birthday." Napalingon ulit ako sa kanya. Hawak niya ang index card ng buong klase.

"Ah, thank you po." Tumungo na lang ako at itinuloy ang pagsusulat.

Nakinig lang ako sa discussion habang nagnonotes.

                                                                        *********************

Pagkatapos ng klase, inayos ko kaagad ang gamit ko.

"How's your foot?"

Napalingon ako sa pinanggagalingan ng boses. Si sir Tristan lang pala.

"Okay lang po, sir." I answered.

Parang hindi pa siya kumbinsido na okay ako.

"Go to the infirmary and have it checked." tumango lang ako.

"I will, sir. Thank you." tinalikuran ko na siya at akmang aalis na, nang bigla siyang magsalita.

"If there's anything I can help you with, just let me know, Amarah."

Muli ko siyang nilingon. He gave me a smile before he continued.

"I hope you can trust me."

Those words seemed to have other meaning. I just shook it off from my head.

"I'm already used to it." huminga ako ng malalim bago ko siya muling tinalikuran. "I've got to go, sir Tristan. See you tomorrow."

                                                                 *********************

I was walking towards the parking lot when I heard the loud sound of sirens.

"Excuse po, emergency lang po."

"Si Ashley ba yun?"

"Ano daw nangyari?"

"Food poison? Pero bakit siya lang kung food poison yun?"

"Yun nga rin ipinagtataka ko."

"Baka naman yung pagkain lang na para sa kanya yung nakain niya? You know? Like someone might've given her a food as a gift."

I just ignored the commotion and went straight to where my car was parked.

Nasa dulo pa yun ng parking lot kaya walang masyadong nakakapansin. Sumakay ako sa kotse bago ko tinanggal ang aking salamin.

I suddenly remembered what happened this morning.

Nakasalubong ko siya kaninang umaga at siya din ang sumampal sa akin.

FLASHBACK

"Amarah," Ashley greeted me and smirked. "Such a lovely morning meeting you here."

Nakatungo lang ako. Alam ko kung anong gagawin nila sa akin.

"Today is your birthday, right?"

Hindi ako sumagot. She slapped me three times on my face.

"Happiest birthday to you, b***h!"

Narinig kong tumawa ang mga kaibigan niya.

I saw one of those girls smirked at me before following the group.

END OF FLASHBACK

"Tch. Angeber. (Tch. Show off.)" I scoffed. I started the engine and drove.

Dumeretso ako sa mansyon ni tito Eduard. Pagkatapos kasi ilibing sina mommy at daddy, si tito Eduard na ang tumayong tatay namin. Kaya dito kami ng kapatid ko nakatira ngayon sa mansyon ni tito Eduard.

"Uno, since when did you learn how to poison people?" I shouted.

Alam ko kasing nakasilip siya mula sa second floor ng bahay.

"Upsie! Ich wurde erwischt. (Oopsie! I got caught.)"

"Sie dachte, ich würde Drogen herstellen. Also machte sie ihre Klassenkameradin zu einer Laborratte. (She thought I was making drugs. So she made her classmate become a lab rat.)" I heard my younger brother's voice coming from the living room.

Nilingon ko siya at nakita kong may ginagawa na naman sa computer niya.

"Geez, nothing bad will happen. She deserves it anyways. I actually added some new formula to your 'drug'. Hahahaha tingin mo ba di ko alam kung anong ang laman nun."

"Ysabelle-"

"Whatever. You'll take over the lab anyways," Hindi pa rin lumilingon sa amin si Dustin. My eighteen year old younger brother. "Just make sure your plants are well kept at the greenhouse."

He suddenly closed his laptop and stood up.

"I'll see you at the party." Yun lang ang sinabi niya at umalis na siya.

"Send someone to bring the serum to the hospital. We need to get ready for the party." I ordered Ysabelle.

"Okay. Fine!" she surrenders.

Nag dial na siya sa phone niya bago niya ipinakita sa akin kung sino ang tinatawagan niya.

"Good. I'm going to my room. Follow me when you're done."

"Chanelle, minsan di ko talaga maalala kung paano kita naging bestfriend."

Napailing na lang ako bago ako umakyat sa hagdan at dumeretso sa kwarto ko.

Nang ibaba ko ang aking mga gamit, sumilip ako sa sariling bathroom ko. Naabutan ko ang lima sa mga kasambahay ni tito na nag aasikaso naghahanda ng tubig panligo ko sa bathtub. May naamoy pa akong rose scent na inilagay nila sa tubig.

"Ms. Chanelle, okay na po ang panligo n'yo. Naghanda na rin po kami ng mga bagong tuwalya at bathrobe n'yo." Tinanguan ko sila.

"Tawagin n'yo na ang makeup artist at stylist ko." Isa-isa silang lumabas ng banyo ko.

Alam na talaga ng mga maids ko ang gusto ko tuwing uuwi ako sa bahay pagkatapos ng klase ko.

I took off my clothes and had myself relax as I sat in the bathtub. I closed my eyes.

Don't do it, Amarah!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Blood?

I opened my eyes.

"Blood... Blood!" I looked at my hands.

There was blood covering my hands. Even the bathtub is flooded with blood.

"Aaaaahhhhhh!!!! B-BLOOD! BLOOD! BLOOD!" I heard someone rushing inside my bathroom as I covered my ears.

"Chanelle!" I was relieved when I heard that voice.

"Y-ysa. T-there's blood everywhere." Niyapos ko din siya. I feel so scared and weak. The same feeling I felt when I killed some of Leandro Buenavista's men.

I cried while hugging Ysabelle Alcantara.

"Sshh. Nandito ako, Chanelle. I won't leave you. I promise." I hugged her tight.

"*sniff* Don't ever leave me, Ysa." Umupo siya para maging magka level kami. Binitiwan niya ako saglit at tinitigan.

"Kahit hindi tayo magkadugo, itinuring na kitang kapatid. So I'm here to take care of you like a real sister does. I made a promise to your parents during the funeral. And I will never break that promise."

Binantayan niya ako hanggang sa matapos akong maligo.

Habang hinihintay kong matapos maligo si Ysa, dumating na ang make up artist ko at si ate Siara, ang fashion designer ng company namin. Siya kasi ang pumili ng susuotin namin ni Ysa.

Umupo na ako sa harap ng vanity table at sinimulan na akong ayusan ng make up artist.

Pagkatapos akong make up-an ng bading, ate Siara gave me the party dress I would be wearing.

It's a halter red dress na above knee length lang. Pumasok na ako sa loob ng walk-in closet ko. Isinuot ko muna ang underwear ko bago ang halter leather crop top ko at leather shorts. This is more comfy for me. Mas magagawa ko kasi ang misyon ko kapag ito ang suot ko. Saka isinuot ko na din ang red dress.

Pagkatapos kong isuot ang damit, I searched for my necklace. Isa itong infinity ring na ibinigay sa 'kin ni Lola nung 9 years old pa lang ako.

Sabi niya, balang araw makikita ko din ang kabiyak na singsing nito. Pero hindi na ako umaasa. I just wore it as an accessory without remembering the story behind it. Isinuot ko na din ang bracelet ko. One of its charms was a tracker.

Dadating si Walter Monteverde. I have to get ready. Isinara ko saglit ang pintuan ng walk-in closet ko.

I searched for my black briefcase. Nang mahanap ko ito kinuha ko agad ang gun pocket ko at ikinabit sa legs ko. Kinuha ko din ang isang .45 caliber.

Niready na ito kanina ni Dustin, kaya wala na akong dapat ayusin pa dito. Paniguradong may bala na din 'to.

Inilagay ko na sa gun pocket ang baril at itinago ko ang briefcase sa ilalim ng mga dress ko. May nakita akong isang maliit na blue box sa may tabi ng breifcase. Minsan iniisip ko kung careless lang ang kapatid ko o medyo lutang siya ngayon. Dito ba naman itago ang gift niya saken. *smile* Such a sweet kiddo. I opened the box. May note pa ito sa ibabaw.

To my dear sister,

I love you ate. This is my gift for you. Hahaha I know you loved treasure hunting kaya pinakatago tago ko pa 'to dito. Anyways, these earrings I created is for your own safety. At least kita ko kung nasaan ka at kung safe ka. It's like a CCTV. I'll explain it to you after your next mission. Viel Gluck.

~Dustin~

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Kinuha ko ang earrings at isinuot. Ibinalik ko kaagad sa box ang note at ibinalik ang box sa tabi ng briefcase.

"Amarah, is there any problem?" - ate Sara

"One sec. I was just looking for my accessories." Inayos ko na ang laylayan ng dress ko at kumuha ng isang necklace at isang pares ng dangling earrings.

Nagsuot muna ako ng black stilettos ko saka ako lumabas.

"Ysa, wear this." Nginitian ko si Ysa at ibinigay sa kanya ang accessories na dala ko.

"Whoa. I don't think those earrings are-" hindi ko siya pinatapos at pinaharap ko siya sa akin.

"Oh, come on, Ysa. It's just for tonight." Finally, she wore the accessories I gave her.

"Done." I heaved a sigh of relief.

"Well then, let's get this party started." Kinuha ko ang inabot ni ate Sara na pouch namin ni Ysa at nagpaalam na kami sa kanilang dalawa.

Nakarating na kami sa hotel at 7:00 pm.

Ito na, Amarah. You must enjoy this night. Dahil mamaya, you will have to look for Walter Monteverde.

I'm getting nervous though. Damn! I should be careful this time. Dapat walang makahalata na ako ang pumatay sa kanya.

"Miss Chanelle, we're here." Tumango ako sa driver ko at nagthank you.

Lumabas na kami ni Ysa. Nagulat ako nang lapitan ako ni Dustin na may kasamang lalaki. What are they planning?

"Ate, sabi daw ni mommy Reg, si kuya Tristan daw ang mag eescort sayo." WHAT?!

You can't be serious?!

Bakit siya ang pumunta?! Kaano-ano niya ba si mommy ninang?

"Tara, ate Ysa?" Napakinggan ko pa ang paghagikhik ni Ysa bago ito nag-cling sa kapatid ko.

"Lucky b***h. Pft! Laters guys." Umalis na sila bago pa ako nakaangal.

Natahimik kami ni Sir Tristan.

"Are you stalking me?" I asked him straight to the point. Kanina ko pa kasing napapansin.

"Nope. Mrs. Ramirez just asked me a favor. And my job is to keep you company just for tonight. If that includes protecting you then, I might as well be your bodyguard." Bahagya akong natawa.

" You've got to be kidding me. For sure mabubully ako niyan sa pasukan, Sir." Ngumiti siya.

"Come on. We can't let the guests wait any longer."

No! He can't!

Teka... why do I feel like I've known him for a very long time?