One Last Crime

Kabanata 11

Note

"Why won't you hear me out?!"

"Chant please..."

"Listen, I saw her talking to a detective. I don't know what they're talking about but I'm certain, it's about Mariya's case. Do you have any idea who's the detective she's talking to? It's the detective in charge of Mariya's unsolved case!"

"How did you know all of this?"

"I told you I saw her outside the precinct."

"Are you following her?"

"What?! No! Of course not!" I won't waste my precious time on that dumb and clumsy sister of a pedophile. Never.

He sighed over the phone. "Chant please stop this. I know you don't like her but don't go crazy like this. You want her fired and I can't do that Chantrea, quit this nonsense."

Quit? No, I won't. I can't help but wonder if this is the Adrian that I love that known me for years. The Adrian that I love knows I'm not a quitter.

Nonsense? No, it's not. This information will help me get rid of Mary and all of the problems that will follow as soon as she stays longer but she won't. I'll make sure of that. Whatever reason she have that's why she's hear will be gone in no time.

My head shaked. "No! I'm not making this up to make you fire her... but I do want you to fire her especially now that we know she's into something!"

"You're right Chantrea, she's into something."

I sighed in relief. Finally! "See? I knew you would notice, now fire her before she founds out--"

"She wants to earn money to live, Chantrea. Nag tatrabaho siya para maging maayos ang buhay niya, iyon ang dahilan kung bakit siya andito."

I put my hand on my head. I can't believe him! He's really falling for her stupid dramatic reasons.

Mag kapatid talaga ang dalawa, parehas paawa at madrama. Their doing it to gain sympathy from others.

Her sister used that line too. The 'gusto lang naman mag trabaho para magkaron ng maayos na buhay, wala akong masamang pakay' the last thing I know she molested him.

What happened to her 'gusto lang naman mag trabaho para magkaron ng maayos na buhay, wala akong masamang pakay aside sa sirain ang buhay niyo?' She's one hell of a pedophile. As if i didn't what's she's doing to him.

Adrian's handsome, intelligent and young. Every girl in Riqueza drool over him. I cant blame her because she liked him. I blame her because she ruined him.

And now her sister is into Adrian again. These bitches don't really know when to stop chasing their dreams.

"And you believe her instead of me?! Tell me, you have known her for how many years? Four? Six? Eight? Oh right, you just met her and you trust her that fast. How bout me Adrian? You've known me for eight damn years! Why don't you believe me? I'm telling the truth!"

"That's your truth, Chantrea."

"You used to believe everything I say, Adrian."

"I have known you for eight years but it doesn't mean that everything you say is truth. You could always lie, like what you did years ago to Mariya."

Nangunot ang noo ko. "What are you talking about Adrian?"

"You slap yourself Chantrea."

My eyes widened. He knows about it? How did he know about it?

Fuck!

"I don't know what your talking about Adrian." I tried to hide my shaky voice.

"There's no need to lie now Chantrea."

"Adrian..."

"Stop being paranoid, Chant. Shes here to work that's all. Don't bother yourself. I gotta go. I'm busy with my campaign."

I sighed. "Okay I love--"

Napasalamapak ako sa swivel chair ng babaan niya ako ng telepono. Nanatili ang tingin ko sa cellphone na hawak.

I'm sure his mad. He's not like this toward me. He's always sweet, he's the perfect boyfriend. I couldn't ask for more.

We're not officially together because Dad won't approved... He's running for mayor to make himself worthy for me. He's doing that for me not for anyone else. Not for that dumb Mary!

Maybe he's just stressed out. But how did he know what I did years ago?

Nag tanong pa nga ito kung ano ang nangyari noon. Humingi pa siya ng tawad kaya paanong...

I sighed heavily. I scanned my office. This office screams silence and emptiness. Rich's not here, he's busy with Kalilah's case.

I stared at pile of folder on my desk. I started analyzing and signing some of it.

Buong araw iyon ang ginawa ko, hindi ako umalis ng opisina. Pinahatid ko ang pagkain sa aking sekretarya. May sarili ding banyo ang opisina kaya hindi na kailangan umalis pa.

Dalawa na lang ang kailangan kong pirmahan at matatapos na ako. Alas quatro pa lang ng hapon, maaga akong makakauwi ngayong araw. Maganda iyon dahil makakapag pahinga ako.

I really need to rest and clear up my mind. I opened the last folder on my desk. My forehead creased when I notice a strange folded paper inside it. It implies that someone slipped it in. I grabbed and examined it. This is not part of the proposal.

Nanuyo ang lalamunan mabasa ang nakasulat sa papel.

KILLER. It's written in red.

Luminga ako ng paulit ulit sa opisina. Walang ibang tao dito kundi ako. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa folder, binuklat ko ang bagay pahina non. Walang nakatuping papel katulad nito.

Killer?! s**t!

If this is a f*****g prank. I will definitely kill who did this.

Killer, Killer.

May nakakita ba ng nangyari noon? May nakaalam?

Is there's a witness?!

My breathing hitched. Who did this?! I shaked the folder. Baka mayroon lang nakaipit ditong papel pero wala na talaga.

I scanned my office for the fifth time. There's nothing strange here. I stood up and checked every corner of my office even the bathroom. Still, nothing's strange except this paper.

Muli akong bumalik sa swivel chair at sumalampak doon.

I started at the paper on the desk.

Killer? I gulped.

This is not coincidence or mistake. Sinadya ito, kung sino man ang gumawa, sinigurado niyang makikita ko ang papel.

Base sa itsura ng papel, hindi nagmadali ang nag tupi, hindi iyon gusot naipasok sa folder. Maayos iyong nakatupi sa loob nito. Matigas pa ang papel, halatang bagong tupi lang ito.

Killer...

The scene played on my mind. How could someone know about that? I'm sure no one is there. Sigurado ako na walang ibang tao don kundi kami ni Adrian dahil kung meron, malamang nasa kulung--- no! I shooked my head.

Mariin akong napapikit. Paanong may nakakita no'n? Impossible. Ilang taon na ang nakalipas kaya bakit ngayon lang ito lumitaw? Bakit ngayon lilitaw ang testigo pagkatapos ng ilang taon?

What does he need? Justice? Money? Revenge?

"Seriously Aaliyah Chantrea Callejo?!"

Napaigtad ako ng pumasok ito sa opisina. Mabilis kong kinusot ang papel sa kamay at tinago iyon sa bulsa ng aking blazer.

I flashed a smile to her. She doesn't need to know about this. I know she's god at reading peoples actions and thought but I won let her know what's going in with me right now. I cant let her get into this mess.

"You didn't update me! Andito ka na pala, kung hindi ko pa nalaman sa kliyente ko baka hindi ko pa alam hanggang ngayon na umuwi ka na pala!"

Bumaba ang tingin nito sa aking leeg. "Oh my! What happened to you neck?"

"I was robbed, Emory."

Her eyes widened. She dashed to me. "You what? You get robbed? Thats ridiculous! How?"

Napahawak ako sa aking leeg, naandon pa rin ang gaza. "They almost slit my throat!"

"Oh my!" she shrieked.

"You should sue them, you know I can help you. Aanhin ang pagka abogada ko kung na a-agrabyado ang pinsan ko!"

"I'm so touched, Emory. I didn't know law school will make you soft hearted!" I giggled.

She glared at me. "What happened to you is karma, Chantrea. You didn't tell me your back! I should be the first to know that!"

Napailing ako. Karma? Karma for killing someone? I must have been a lucky b***h for only getting this instead of imprisonment... but we're not sure about that yet.

"It's unexpected Emory."

"Unexpected? You freaking walk a fashion show right after your plane landed! You didn't invite me, your unfair Chantrea! Now that I come to think of it... Your case won't be free anymore. You need to pay me."

"Money is not a problem, Emory!" I chuckled, "I'll pay you twice to put those thief in jail! They will rot in it. How dare them slit my throat! My body is f*****g precious! How can I walk on runways if I have a f*****g slit on my throat?! I'm doomed! My fashion career is over!"

"Wear a choker!" she suggested.

I sighed. "I can't always use that, Emory. But you know what's worst?"

"What?"

"They have my vintage dior bag! There's only two of that in the world!"

"Oh my!" She chuckled.

I glared at her. "You don't care about it do you?"

She giggled and wrapped her arms around me. " I miss you Chantrea!"

"Your so emotional for a lawyer Emory," I bantered.

She pulled away. "You never changed!"

"Why would I?" I smirked.

She rolled her eyes.

"How's Emil?"

"He's fine! He's busy with business too. Sayang hindi ko kasama si Kuya, hindi niya rin alam na nakabalik kana!"

"We could always have dinner."

"Yeah but maybe some other time.

Look at you! Your wounded! You need to rest. Did it hurt so much?! Hindi kana dapat pumasok pa sa opisina!"

"Callejo's don't waste time, Emory." I stated.

"But it wouldn't hurt if we eat dinner together right?" she grinned.

"I'm done with paper works, so its fine. How about your clients?"

"A dinner with my cousin won't put them in jail Chantrea," she joked.

"Then it's a dinner! Let go to our favorite restau!"

Umabot hanggang alas nueve ng gabi ang usapan namin ni Emory. We catch up with our lives. Inaya nito si Emil pero hindi nakapunta dahil may importanteng lakad.

Nothing's changed with Emory she's still determined and full of passion. Im glad she pursued her dream course. Tito wants her to take business management and study in America with me. But she insisted, now she's a successful lawyer. She became more pretty too. Things really have change huh?

Pumasok na ako sa shower. I need a warm shower to calm my body. This day is tiring with all the note thing.

For few hours I was able to forget about the note I found on the folder and now here I am worrying about it.

After I showered. I changed into my pink satin night gown with pretty laces.

I checked my phone before going to bed. There's no text from Adrian. I sighed and get to bed.

Killer...

Killer...

Killer...

Umalis ako sa kama at kinuha ang hinubad na damit kanina. Kusot na ang papel. Nanatili ang titig ko doon.

Killer... Mayroon nga kayang nakakaalam ng tungkol sa nangyari?

I shooked my head and out the note back on my blazer. Pumasok ang malamig na hangin sa kwarto ko kaya naman sinara ko ang bintana.

I turned off the lights again and went to bed. Ilang beses na akong nag pa ikot ikot sa kama, hindi pa rin ako makatulog. Pinilit kong ipikit ang mga mata pero hindi maalis sa isipan ko ang note na iyon.

Should I tell Adrian about it? I probably should. Pero paano kung hindi na naman niya ako paniwalaan?

There's an evidence, Chantrea. Papaniwalaan ka niya. He's your boyfriend after all.

Napabalikwas ako sa kama ng may kumalantsing sa labas ng aking kwarto. I remained silent while observing my surroundings.

Wala ng ibang tao dito sa bahay, maliban sa akin. Mom and Dad is in Riqueza. It's impossible that it's them, they would text me.

But who would break into my house in the middle of the night?

Lumipas ang ilang minuto, hindi na naulit ang ingay na iyon. Huminga ako ng malalim.

I'm being paranoid!

Binagsak ko ang katawan sa higaan. Napatayo ako ng kumalabog ang kung ano sa labas ng kwarto ko.

Mabilis kong pinusod ang buhok na nakaladlad dahil sa kaba. Sinuot ko din ang robe ko. Sinuksok ko sa bulsa non ang cellphone.

What the f**k is happening?! Im not being delirious because the sound if f*****g continuous!

Shit! Anong meron sa labas ng kwarto ko? I examined my room. I need something to hold into like... a weapon.

My eyes widened when the door knob starts twisting. f**k! Someone's trying to get in my room! But how?! Oh f**k!

Hindi ko ata sinara ang pintuan sa ibaba!

Magnanakaw ba ulit ang mga ito? Impossible! I'm in a village! Impossibleng makalusot sakanila ang mga magnanakaw!

Shit!

Ito naman ba?! Magigilitan na ba talaga ako ng leeg?!

Fuck no! No! That won't happen! I'm sweating big time! f*****g s**t! What's happening with my life?!

I grabbed the lamp shade beside me. I gripped tighter to it. Mariin akong napapikit. My heart is beating non stop! My knees is f*****g trembling too!

I gulped while staring at the door.

Ito ba ang nagpadala ng note sa akin? Siya ba ito? Andito na siya para patayin ako? Para bigyan ng hustisya si Mariya? Para ipaghiganti?

Fuck! This must be Mary! Siya lang naman ang nagiisang konektado kay Mariya! I will f*****g hit her with my lamp shade!

I can hear my own breathing in my room. Nangunot ang noo ko ng huminto ang pag ikot ng door knob.

Maingat akong lumapit patungo doon, hawak pa rin ang lampshade sa aking kamay.

My eyes widened when the door slammed open.

Mabilis kong hinampas ng lampshade ang pumasok doon. Hindi niya ata inaasahang gising pa ako dahil bumagsak ito sa sahig.

Is he dead?

Nanatili ang tingin ko sakanya ng ilang segundo, nanlaki ang mata ko ng muli itong gumalaw.

I raced down stairs. My breathing becomes fast and heavy.

Shit, s**t, s**t! Hindi ko sinubukang lumingon dahil sigurado akong kakabahan lang ako lalo! Patuloy sa pag kabog ang dibdib ko habang bumaba.

Shit! Naiwan ko pa ang lampshade sa kwarto ko!

Shit! Wala akong makita! Madilim ang buong bahay. Sinubukan kong puntahan ang switch at buksan iyon pero hindi gumagana. Luminga linga ako sa paligid.

Shit! Wag mo sabibing pinutol niya ang wire sa fuse box?!

His footsteps echoes in the house. Mariin akong napapikit. f**k! Napasabunot ako sa buhok. Kailangan mong mag tago!

Nanlaki ang mata ko ng may mag vibrate sa bulsa ng roba ko. Kasunod non ang malakas na tunog. Gumawa iyon ng malakas na ingay sa tahimik na bahay.

My f*****g notification!

Mabilis ko iyong kinuha at tinipa ang number ni Adrian, pero hindi ito sumasagot. Pasilip silip ako sa paligid habang iniintay siyang sumagot. Sinubukan ko rin ang kila Mom pero ganon din.

I was tapping on my foot. s**t! Sino pa ba ang pwede kong tawagan?!

Oh right! f**k! Bakit hindi ko agad naisip?!

I dialled his number. Nanatili ang titig ko sa phone screen. His phone is ringing!

"Hello?"