One Last Crime

Kabanata 10

Attracted

"Magandang gabi po ma'am Chantrea, kanina pa po kayo iniintay ni Madam," saad ng kasambahay pagpasok ko sa bahay.

Bumaba ang tingin nito sa gazang nasa leeg. "Ma'am ano pong nangyari sa leeg niyo?!"

"Chant! Finally you're here! Kanina kapa namin hinihintay ng Dad mo." Her eyes gaze on my neck.

"Oh my God!" She rushed to me.

Napaigtad ako ng hawakan nito ang leeg ko. "Oh sorry Chant! What happened to your neck?!"

"Naholdap ako Mom," I paused.

"The thief cut my throat." I muttered.

"Oh my! Chant!" Bialingan niya ang kasambahay sa gilid ko. "Nora, call the family doctor. I need him now!"

Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya. "Mom hindi na kailangan, ayos lang ako. Nagamot naman na ito."

"Chantrea can you hear yourself? You've been robbed! That guy slit your throat that's not fine! Did you call the police?"

Tinapunan ko ng tingin ang lalaking katabi. Lumipat ang tingin ni Mom sa kan'ya.

"Uh... He's a detective." Umangat ang tingin ni mom. "Actually he's the one who save me from the thieves."

"Oh thank God!" she scream in relief.

She glance on him. "And thank you for saving my daughter!" she throw a glance on me.

"Good thing you did faint Chant?"

"You know detective, She used to faint a lot because of stress! Mabuti na nga lang at hindi na gaano ngayon."

"Anyways Mom, Hinatid niya rin ako pauwi dahil kinuha ng mga magnanakaw ang susi ng kotse ko."

My eyes widened when mom hug him. "Oh Thank you!"

"It's my duty Ma'am," pormal na saad ni Lendhel saka ngumuti.

Nagtama ang mata naming dalawa ni Lendhel. I awkwardly smile at him.

"Uh... Mom... you don't need to hug him. Thanking him is enough."

"Oh!" Kumalas ito sa pagkakayakap.

"Alright. Are you sure your fine Chant?"

Tumango ako. "Nagamot naman po ito sa presinto."

She smile at me but she still looks worried. "I'm gonna call your dad upstairs. Mauna kana sa hapagkainan."

"Ma'am I should go now. I just drive her here to make sure she's safe," si Lendhel.

"No, Stay here. You're going to have a dinner with us. It's my way of thanking you for saving my daughter."

Hindi nakatangi si Lendhel sa gusto ni Mom. I gaze at him. "I'm sorry. Mom's just thankful."

"It's okay."

"Wala ka bang importanteng gagawin ngayong gabi? Kung meron maintindihan naman siguro ni Mom. I'll talk to her so you don't need to---"

He cut me off. "No. It's fine. I don't have things to do for tonight," aniya.

"Ma'am handa na po ang hapunan," saad ng isang kasambahay.

We headed straight to the dinner table. Saktong pag upo namin dumating si Mom at Dad.

"Chantrea, you've been robbed? Are you fine?" tanong nito ng lapitan ako.

I nod. He grab both of my arms to look for scratch and cuts. "The doctor is on his way. I called the police too. I'll make those robbers pay! No one rob's a Calejo! Especially my one and only daughter!"

Bumaba ang tingin nito sa leeg ko. "Ang mga gagong yon! Gigilitan ko ang mga leeg nila! Sisiguraduhin kong hindi sila makakalaya sa kulungan!"

"Dad..." binalingan ko si Lendhel sa tabi.

Naningkit ang mata nito ng balingan si Lendhel.

His head tilted. "Mr. Montallion!"

"Good evening Mr. Callejo," si Lendhel.

Naningkit ang mata ko sa kanilang dalawa. Tinapunan ko ng tingin si Mom, naniningkit din ang mata.

"Oh! That's why you look familiar iho! Your detective Montallion!" she yelled.

Detective Montalion? It's sounds familiar to me too. Narinig ko na ito kung saan, hindi lang ako sigurado kung kailan.

"The son of Lorenzo Montalion," Dad continued.

Ngumit si Lendhel sa kan'ya. "Yes, Sir. He's my father."

"How is he? I heard he's running for president?"

Tumango ito. "Let's talk about that over dinner, shall we?" si Mom.

Mom cooked all my favorite dishes. The savory roared chicken and fresh veggie salad made me forget about the robbers. Though my throat hurts a little everytime I swallow, it's alright.

They talked about Lendhel's father. He's a business tycoon like Dad but he's over the top. Dad said Montallion and it's clan are powerful and successful.

I didn't know my parents know his family, they didn't just know, they're friends with them.

I also told them what happened to me. They're all horrified and furious to the robbers. Who wouldn't right?

I was just trying to help and they take advantage of it.

"Kinuha nila pati ang kotse mo Chant?"

Tumango ako. "And my vintage dior bag!"

"Oh Chant..." malungkot na saad ni Mom.

"Bumili ka na lang ulit ng bago."

"There are only two of that! Now mine's gone! Gone! I told them to give it back to it they didn't! My phone, cheque, cash, and car is not enough for them!"

"Buy the other bag from the owner. Money is not a problem. You're alive and that matters."

"But I'm hurt! They cut me!"

"They're f*****g heartless! Those idiots! I hate them! I hate doing good deeds! I won't do that anymore!"

Binalingan ako ni Mom. "Oh Chant, I'm happy that you want to help but look what happened... I suggest you to donate in charities."

"I don't want to help anymore Mom. That's the first time and probably the last," mariin kong saad.

I sighed as I put down the utensils. I think I lost my appetite because of the topic. "I can't believe they get away with it. Papalagpasin ko nalang sana ang pang ho-holdap sakin kung hindi nila kinuha ang dior bag ko!" naiinis kong saad.

"Don't worry Chant, I will make them pay! No one steal's from a Callejo," si Dad.

Binalingan niya si Lendhel. "I'm sure detective Montallion will do his job to give you justice, Chant."

"I will sir. I'll find the thieves." aniya.

After dinner. Dad ask Lendhel something out of the blue. "Hindi ka ba pinagbawalan ni Lorenzo sa gusto mo? Hindi ka ba pinilit na nag asikaso ng mga negosyo lalo na't panganay ka?"

"Hindi naman po. I have two brothers who can take care of the business." aniya.

Mom left the dinner table to get some sweets at the kitchen while dad and Lendhel are still talking.

Nag paalam ako para mag banyo. I really can't believe that our families known each other. Montallion's are familiar to me but Lendhel's not. I know his brothers but not him. Maybe because his not into business.

"Chant, Can you help me with the sweets?" si Mom ng makita ako, hawak na nito ang isang cake at mga prutas.

Naguusap pa rin ang dalawa. Mukhang natutuwa si Dad kay Lendhel.

Tinulungan ko siyang dalhin ang mga iyon sa lamesa. "Oh! I forgot about the mango graham!"

"I'll get it mom," I volunteered.

Hindi naman kalayuan ang kusina, Nasa kabila lang, hindi ako mahihirapan bumalik. Binigay rin ng kasambahay ng hanapin ko.

Bago bumalik sa lamesa, nagbilin ako. "Nora, can you clean my room?"

"Yes ma'am! Ngayon mismo!" aniya saka umalis ng kusina.

"Didn't you work on the case of Manansala's maid before?"

"Oh yes, I remember! That's Adrian's babysitter." si Mom.

Nahinto ako sa paglalakad ng marinig iyon. Umatras ako pagilid para hindi nila makita.

"That's why you look familiar. Your the detective on that case. I remember you visited our mansion once then question every maid if they know her."

"You know the victim Ma'am?"

Shit! Then that day comes into my mind. s**t! Mom don't tell him about it!

"Yes," s**t!

Napapikit ako. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa tray kung saan nakalagay ang pagkain.

"She visited here once when Chantrea's with Adrian. Kakarating lang namin sa pilipinas ng araw na 'yon. Binigay namin ang pasalubong ni Chantrea pero ninakaw ng babaeng 'yon! Sinampal niya pa si Chantrea ng kunin yon sakanya! Malamang may nagawan ng masama ang babaeng 'yon kaya gano'n ang hinantungan."

Shit! She told him about it!

Nangunot ang noo ni Lendhel sa sinabi ni Mom. "That happened a month before the murder of course," si Mom.

"Anong nangyari sa kasong iyon iho? Nahuli ba ang pumatay sa kan'ya?"

"The case is not solved. No one saw what happened on the crime scene. There's no witness," si Lendhel.

I gulped. Thats why he look familiar, he's the detective on Mariya's case! I saw him interviewing everyone in the town! I always saw him here.

Bumilis ang t***k ng puso ko ng maalala ang nangyari sa nakaraan. Umakyat baba ang dibdib ko.

I can't believe it! He's the detective on that case and Mary's talking to him yesterday!

Oh s**t! I hope I'm wrong about what I'm thinking or I'll end up in f*****g jail.

"Chant, hindi kana bumalik kanina," si Mom ng makita ako sa sala.

"My throat hurts mom thats why I stayed here." I lied. I didn't came back because I was too furious on what they're talking about. My fist balled. They keep on talking about Mariya. Even though she's dead she still irritates me.

"I see. You should head upstairs and take a rest," aniya.

Lumingon ako sa likuran nito. Lumabas si Dad at Lendhel, nag tawanan ang dalawa. They seem to get along.

"Drive safely, Lendehl." Really? First name basis dad? Parang kanina lang Mr. Montalion ang tawag niya rito.

Sumunod ako sakanila patungong pintuan. "Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Callejo for a great dinner." aniya.

"And thank you for saving our daughter iho," si Mom.

"Send my regards to Lorenzo, iho. I hope you'll serve justice for my daughter," si Dad.

"I will, Sir. I should go now. Thank you for welcoming me to your home Mr. and Mrs. Callejo."

"No need for formalities, it's tito and tita for you. Para namang hindi ko naging barkada ang papa mo!" Halakak ni Dad.

Tinapunan ako nito ng tingin saka ngumit kila Dad. "Sure, tito."

Naunang pumasok ng mansyon sila mom and dad. Hinatid ko hanggang kotse niya si Lendhel.

"Thank you," aniya.

"I should be the one thanking you, you save me," I paused. "I'll save the thanks for now. You still need to find the thieves and get me back my dior vintage bag." ngiti ko.

He chuckled. I stare at his lips. Why does he look handsome when he smile?

Fuck! Chantrea, get your s**t together! He's the detective on Mariya's f*****g case! Do what you need to do!

"Dont worry I will."

"Good, because with don't want my case end up like Mariya's unsolved case."

Nawala ang ngiti nito. "What's wrong? Did I said something wrong? I-Im sorry." I pleaded.

"Nothing. I just remember something."

"Do you want to tell me about it?"

"Do you want me to?"

"I-i mean it's just okay for me."

"You need to rest."

Shit! Im missing my chance to know about the case!

"I-im not! I'm really not!" My voice croaked. Gumuhit ang sakit sa leeg ko. s**t! I yelled too much.

Hinawakan nito ang magkabilang braso ko. "Are you alright?"

"Y-yeah." I almost whispered.

"See? You need to rest."

No I can't! And I won't! Not until you tell me why Mary is talking to you!

"I'll go now. It's lat and you need to rest. Your throat is hurting. If you continue to talk it might bleed more."

"N-no!" I tug his polo shirt when he tried to turn around on me. His standing close to me and his hands is still on both of my arms.

Nangunot ang noo niya sa ginawa ko.

"I... I want to know you..." I mumbled. That came out so natural. I didn't even fake it. I think I'm a good actress.

His cold eyes stared at me. That cold eyes that I saw the first time we met on the fashion show.

Tinatantya nito ang tingin ko sa kan'ya. Hindi ko iniwas ang mata kahit may kung anong elektrisidad na gumagapang sa katawan ko dahil sa titig at hawak niya sa akin.

Dahan dahan kong nilayo ang mukha sa kan'ya. It's too awkward. Too close.

"I-its fine if you... don't want me to know about it. You don't know me at all so it's really---"

"It was my first case as a detective. I was young back then. There's no evidences to solve. There's no witnesses. I didn't solved it. That's the only chance I have to prove my dad that I'm good at what I love but I prove him right. I was not good at it because u didn't solve my first case."

My mouth gaped. But he said his father didn't push him to do business... So what happened?

"I didn't listened to my dad when he told me to stop it. He want me to manage the business but I don't want it. So I push trough it. I solved every case since I became a detective but not that one. My first unsolved case." Mapait itong ngumiti.

"Please dont add stealing of my vintage dior bag on that unsolved case."

He chuckled. "You love that bag so much to even notice the thief cut your leg."

"That's vintage, alright. The most valuable and expensive bag in the world." Saad ko.

Napailing ito. "I'll find it for you."

"Thank you."

Shit! Chantrea! Stop babbling! Focus on the case!

"I hope you hand me my dior bag the way you hand the yellow sling bag when you mistaken me for someone else."

Iniwas niya ang tingin sa akin. Namuno ang katahimikan.

"Kamukha ko ba talaga yung babae?" I asked.

Nagtama ang mata naming dalawa.

He stared at me like he's memorizing every detail of my face.

"No." He finally speak.

Bumaba ang tingin nito sa labi ko. "No, you don't look the same."

I gulped. What's with me today?! I keep on gulping like a thirsty athlete. Muli niyang inangat ang tingin sa akin.

"S-sino ba ang babaeng 'yon?"

"She's actually the sister of Mariya," he stated.

"Oh!" I try to ack like I was shock about the revelation.

"Why did she..."

"She reached for me about the case. She says she got a lead about the murder of her sister but then she just... Don't want to open the case anymore."

Shit! I know I was f*****g right! Shes knows something! She plans to tell it to the police!

"Dont worry I'll open the case about my dior bag. You should dedicate your life on solving that case," nakangiti kong saad, pilit na tinatayo ang galit na nararamdaman sa loob ko.

I leaned over him. "Because if you don't solve it... I will hate you for your whole life and I don't want that."

"You won't," aniya. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa labi nito. s**t! Chantrea focus! You're mad! Remember? Your f*****g furious!

Don't look at his luscious lips! Even though it looks so sweet! Just don't! He's the detective on Mariya's case! He might put you in jail so don't f*****g desire him!

Of course not! This is just an act, I need information about Mary and he's the only one who could give it to me, I need to act like I'm attracted to him even though I am...

Not.