Caught In His Wife's Trap (Tagalog)

Kabanata 5

Hindi pa lang ako maayos na nagigising ay napabalikwas na ako ng bangon ng maramdamang may katabi ako. Agad kong kinapa ang salamin ko at tiningnan kung sino ang katabi ko at nagulat na malaman na si Draven iyon habang nakatingin sa pintuan na tila may hinihintay doon.

"Dra—"

Right before I could finish my sentence, he quickly pulled me back down onto the bed, his grip tight as he wrapped his arms around me. His embrace was forceful, yet strangely protective, like he didn't want me to go anywhere. Before I could process what was happening, his hand pressed firmly over my mouth, silencing any sound that might escape me. It was as if he feared my voice could betray us.

In that moment, my heart raced, a mixture of fear and something else—something dangerously close to excitement. My thoughts were a tangled mess, not fully understanding whether I should feel trapped or protected. His breath was heavy, warm against the side of my face, and I could feel his pulse, erratic and fast, as if he too was struggling to keep control. The weight of his body pinned me down, but it was more than just physical—it felt like the weight of everything unspoken between us was pressing in, making it hard to breathe, to think clearly.

"Shhh, mom is here," pagkasabi niya noon ay na-gets ko na agad ang gusto niyang sabihin, pero masyado akong naiilang sa posisyon namin. We are sharing a comforter, and he's holding my left hand by the side of my head. His body is pressed so close to mine, and his face is so near to mine. Hindi ko na nga alam kung humihinga pa ba ako ng mga panahon na 'yon.

Kamay lamang niya ang naging pagitan ng mga labi namin at kapag tinangal niya iyon ay alam kong hindi maganda ang kalalabasan. I was just staring at him. As he averted his gaze, it was as if he didn't want to look me in the eye. There was a sense of unease, a kind of silent distance between us. It made me wonder if something was wrong or if I had done something to make him uncomfortable. I couldn't help but feel a mix of confusion and vulnerability. My gaze lingered on him, maybe searching for answers in his eyes, wanting some connection, but all I got was distance.

Hindi ako mapakali dahil sa lakas ng t***k ng puso ko, naiilang ako na baka marinig niya iyon kaya ipinagdasal kong sana ay hindi. I get it, masyado talaga akong pangit sa paningin niya. Pero hindi naman ito ang tamang panahon para isipin ko pa 'yon.

"So-ow! Sorry! Hindi ko naman alam na gumagawa pala kayo ng apo ko! Go, my dear! Gusto ko ng twins ah! Sa baba lang ako!" f**k! That was his mother's voice, at kung titingnan mo nga talaga kami from my door, you would really think we were kissing.

Pakiramdam ko'y namula ako sa kahihiyan. Nang tuluyan itong makaalis ay malakas na napabuntong hininga si Drei at mabilis na bumagsak sa tabi ko.

"s**t! That was close! " He groaned, running his hand through his hair in frustration before quickly standing up. He glanced at me briefly.

"Mom, want us to sleep in the same room? She blackmailed me, so when she's here, I'll sleep here. I'm not letting her sleep in my room, so I'll sleep here instead." There was a mix of irritation and a touch of disbelief in his voice. It felt like he was caught in a situation he didn't want to be in, but also showing some resistance, maybe even frustration at being forced into it. Tumango lang ako dahil hindi pa rin ako makabawi, saka lang ako nakakilos ng tuluyan na siyang makalabas.

Mariin akong napahilamos sa mukha dahil pakiramdam ko'y pinagpawisan ako sa nangyari kanina. Hindi ako sanay na nagkakadikit kami, iba ang reaction ng katawan ko. Ilang minuto pa akong nagtagal bago naisipang maligo at magbihis, bumaba ako ng maayos at naabutan si Tita Reida na naghahanda ng almusal habang si Drei ay nakaupo lamang sa harap ng mesa at pinapanood ang ina.

"Good morning, Mavis."

"Good morning po," Magalang Kong bati pabalik.

"Sit down, it's almost ready," she said, and I was surprised by her invitation. This will be the first time Drei and I will eat together. I felt a bit nervous but also curious, wondering how this simple moment would unfold. Hindi ko alam kong paano kikilos at nang makita ang senyas ni Drei na sumunod na lang ako at ang matatalim niyang tingin ay mabilis akong napaupo.

"I'll be here for three days starting tomorrow, because Drei's father is having a business trip," huh?

Sinipa ako ni Drei sa binti, na kinagulat ko, nang tingnan ko siya ay sumenyas nanaman siyang sumagot ako.

"That would be great po t-tita," pilit ang ngiting pinakita ko dahil hindi pa rin ako nakakabawi.

"Oh, don't call me tita, just call me mom, okay?" She smiled at me. Akala ko no'ng una lalaitin nila ako. Pero hindi naman pala, they are so warm, and I just feel wanted. It's as if, in this moment, I truly belong to their family. There's a comfort in their presence, a sense of acceptance that wraps around me like a cozy blanket. I didn't realize how much I craved this feeling until now.

"Son, sa kwarto mo na patulugin si Mavis, ako na lang doon sa guest room na tinutuluyan niya."

"Okay naman na kami sa room niya—"

"Ayaw mo rin naman ako sa room mo, kaya roon ako sa room ni Mavis," s**t! Hindi pwede, pero hindi ako makatanggi.

"Mom?" pagrereklamo pa ni Draven ngunit tingnan siya agad ni tita ng masama.

"Draven?" nagbabanta ang boses ni tita.

"Fine." W-what the—so sa kwarto niya ako matutulog for two nights?

Natahimik na lang ako habang kumakain, si tita naman ay sige lang ang kwento sa amin, ngunit wala roon ang iniisip ko, kundi nasa gagawin ko mamayang gabi.

Tahimik ako sa loob ng kwarto habang inaayos ang mga gamit ko. Marahan kong binuksan ang maliit na case na kulay itim and then something unexpected appeared before me—someone could never think that I'd be able to handle. I was just about to touch it when I heard my door creak.

My heart skipped a beat. The sudden noise snapped me back to reality, and I froze for a moment, unsure of what to do next. I could feel a mix of curiosity and anxiety building up inside me. Mabilis ko iyong sinara at binalik sa ilalim ng higaan saka patay malisyang nilingon ang kung sinong nagbukas ng pintuan ng kwarto ko at nagulat ng si Tita Reida iyon.

"Ginawa mo 'to?" Tiningnan ko ang direksyon kung saan siya nakatingin at iyon ay sa malaking frame kung nasaan ang dream house na ako mismo ang gumawa.

"Yes—mom," hindi ako sanay.

"You're really good. Ang ganda nito. Kapag isa ka ng ganap na arkitekto ako ang unang client mo."

"Thank you, po." she smiled, as she glanced at me.

"H-hindi p-po ba kayo napapangitan sa 'kin?" ni-lock niya ang pinto ko at saka lumapit sa akin.

"Maganda ka Mavis," nahihiya akong napayuko, alam kong hindi gano'n ang itsura ko sa paningin ng lahat. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganito ako ituring ng mga magulang ni Draven pero alam kong may iba.

"Thank you..."

"P-po?"

"Thank you for protecting my son." Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi niya. Hindi ako makapagsalita, alam niya?

"We knew, Mavis."

"Paano po?"

"Because we are the ones who called for help."

"K-kayo ang nag-request sa—" hindi ko na dinugtungan ang sasabihin at nanahimik.

"Yes, we know our situation, especially Drei's. We can't just hire anyone to watch over him because we can't trust them. Sure, we have plenty of security, and we could even hire special agents, but this threat is different. So, we need people who can truly get the job done, someone who can go beyond the law, just to save my son. A friend of mine recommended someone named 'Red,' known for successfully completing missions for years. They gave us a card with your organization's logo. We didn't hesitate. And then we met you. From that moment, I knew you were the one they were referring to."

The weight of the situation hung in the air, each word full of urgency and desperation. The trust they were placing in me was immense, and I could feel the responsibility settling on my shoulders. There was no turning back now. Hindi rin ako makapaniwala sa nalaman. So his parents knew, siya lamang ang walang ideya sa kanilang tatlo. Kaya pala ang bilis ng desisyon nilang ipakasal kami. Kaya pala hindi sila nagreklamo kung bakit sa dami ng babae ako pa ang nagawang patulan ng anak nila.

They knew who I was. I never saw this coming.

A wave of disbelief washed over me. How could they know? I wasn't prepared for this. Is it good?

"Don't worry, we won't tell him until your mission is over. We're very thankful to have you." Hinaplos niya ang buhok ko na ngayo'y naka messy bun lamang. Natigilan ako sa ginawa niya, I feel a motherly touch.

"It's my pleasure, p-po."

Tulala ako sa kwarto ng oras matapos niyang magpaalam.

Hindi ako komportable ng may nakakaalam kung sino ba talaga ako bukod kay Amanda at sa kinabibilangan kong grupo. Kahit si Tiya Ysabella ay hindi alam ang bawat pagkilos ko, kahit si Kiara ay walang alam na hindi niya pa talaga lubos na kilala ang babaeng madalas niyang nakakasama. Naging kasangkapan siya sa isang plano ng hindi niya alam ang totoong dahilan, I made lies.

I am full of lies, I do both good and bad things. Just because I'm protecting Draven doesn't mean I'm a good person.

The weight of those thoughts lingered in my mind, swirling with guilt and doubt. I paused for a moment, the truth sinking in. I wasn't the hero everyone thought I was.

Then, I heard the ticking of the clock, a steady reminder of time slipping away as I moved toward the front of my closet. It felt like the world was moving in slow motion, and I couldn't shake the feeling that everything was about to change.

Pinili ko ang isang pang ordinaryong damit bago naligo at sinuot iyon. Muli kong pinuyod ang buhok ko sa madalas na style at kinuha na ang mga bagay na kakailanganin ko. I put a knife inside my shoes and a handy gun at my back. Mabuti nalang at medyo maluwang ang suot kong damit. I took my badge at saglit akong napatulala ng makita ang logo ng Red Society as Tita Reida's words flashes back.

The logo of the Red Society embodies secrecy, precision, and power. At its center is a sleek, crimson emblem set against a deep black background, symbolizing the organization's silent yet deadly nature. The emblem features a stylized phantom figure, its form wispy and ethereal, merging seamlessly with a sharp, dagger-like symbol—representing both stealth and lethal efficiency.

A subtle, blood-red mist swirls around the edges, reinforcing the enigmatic aura of the Red Society. It's overall design evokes mystery, dominance, and a chilling presence, ensuring that those who glimpse it understand. . .the Red Society is always watching.

Ipinasok ko iyon sa bulsa ko at naglakad na palabas ng kwarto. One last glance, and I quickly stepped out, slipping on a watch that could track Draven's location, no matter where he was.

A rush of urgency surged through me. The watch was more than just a tool—it was my lifeline, my way to make sure he was safe, but also a constant reminder of the responsibility weighing on me. I had no time to hesitate. Whatever happened next, I needed to be ready. Nakalock na ang kwarto nito, kaya sigurado na akong naroroon na siya sa bahay ni Jered.

Alas sais pa lang at naghintay pa ako ng ilang oras bago tuluyang umalis, nagcab ako papunta sa isang lugar na ako at si Amanda, at mga kasamahan ko lamang ang nakakaalam, my secret haven.

I quickly removed my glasses and faced the door's face scanner.

'Red Schneider—Owner'

The door slowly creaked open, and as soon as I stepped inside, it automatically shut behind me. In recognition of my presence, the lights flickered on one by one.

The room before me was a hidden arsenal. Different types of guns, chains, handcuffs, knives, suits—everything I've used in countless missions. It all stood there, cold and ready. The air felt heavier, and the reality of what I was about to do sank in. This was my world. But even in the familiarity, something felt... off.

Mabilis kong tinungo ang paborito kong motor at sinuot ang helmet bago dumaan sa underground tunnel na ako mismo ang nagpagawa. Ang labas nito ay lugar malapit sa bahay ni Draven kaya ng makalabas ako ay mabilis ko na iyong pinaharurot sa address kung saan matatagpuan ang bahay ni Jered.

Ipinarada ko ang motor ko sa madilim na parte di kalayuan sa bahay. Nang masigurong wala sa aking nakakakita ay agad akong naglakad na parang wala lang at agad na inabot sa guard na nasa gate ang invitation. Agad naman ako nitong pinapasok kaya inayos ko ang salamin ko habang nililibot ang paningin.

Pool party.

Everyone is wearing their swim suits.

Muli kong nilibot ang paningin at mukhang pili lang talaga ang mga bisita. Karamihan ay mula sa Dastan, at iba ay nasisiguro kong kapamilya ni Jered.

'Di pa ako nakakakilos ay agad na akong nakarinig ng pagtawag. I was being careful not to show my face to Draven.

"Mavis! Thanks for coming."

"Ah sorry ah, 'di ko kasi alam na pool party pala," damn! sa susunod talaga mag a-audition na ako sa Star struck.

"Ano ka ba it's okay, I told you to wear whatever you wanted." Kung alam ko lang, gusto mo akong ipahiya, benta na 'yan dude. Kunwari pa'y nahihiya talaga ako pero kating-kati na akong makaakyat sa ikalawang palapag.

"Come, join us there."

"Uh, dito na lang muna ako."

"Come on, 'wag ka nang mahiya." f**k! Hindi dapat ako makita ni Drei.

"Kung si Drei ang inaalala mo nasa loob siya." Tumango na lang ako at sumama na.

"Guys, meet my special guest, Mavis."

"Heck?! May pa special guest ka pa Jered e hindi naman mukhang special 'yan!" Nagtawanan sila at alam kong natatawa na rin si Jered.

Gago! Kung wala lang akong pinangangalagaan kanina ko pa 'to nasapak.

"Nerd! Hindi ka ba na-inform na dapat naka pang swimming?!" wala naman akong balak makilangoy kasama ang mga palaka.

"Ooo baka 'di afford!" bilihin ko pa suot mo.

"Pooooor!"

"Booooo! Wala kasi siyang ilalabas kaya 'di na lang!" ikaw nga pilit nilalabas e wala namang nakikita, minsan nalilito ako kung nakatalikod ba siya o nakaharap.

"Pangit na wala pang curves!" ew. bodyshamer.

"Yuck! Don't let her swim here, mahahawa tayo ng germs." ikaw nga 'yong germs eh. Yumuko lang ako, hindi dahil naiiyak na ako ngunit dahil natatawa na ako at kapag hindi ko iyon napigilan ay baka maaga akong mabisto.

"Guys, be nice to her! " Sigaw ni Jered na halata namang nagpipigil lang nang tawa.

Fuck you all.

"What's going on here?" Damn!

"Drei, look at that trash! Ang lakas ng loob pumunta porket invited ni Jered!"

I saw the woman approaching me, holding a glass of mixed liquor in her hand. She was dressed in a black swimsuit, and her chest seemed to almost spill out, drawing attention in a way that felt both confident and deliberate.

There was something about her—her presence was undeniable, and for a moment, I couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity mixed with caution. What was her role in all of this? And why did it feel like she was sizing me up just as much as I was studying her?

Here comes a member of the zombie girls.

"Ano ba kayo, 'di ba sabi ni Jered be nice?"

"Hi, nerd!"

"Hello."

"You want some drinks?"

"Ah, mamaya na lang."

"Pero gusto na kitang bigyan." Magsasalita pa lang sana ako ng mabilis na niya akong binuhusan ng hawak niyang baso ng alak.

Shit!

Rinig na rinig ko ang halakhakan ng lahat maging si Jered ay hindi na rin napigilan.

"Why did you even come?" Umalingawngaw ang boses ni Drei na kinatigil ng lahat. Napuno ng katahimikan ang buong area. I felt my heart beating fast as I looked up at his face. He was mad. I can see his jaw moving aggressively, like he wanted to hurt me.

"I j-just can't turn down Jered's invitation."

"And you think Jered really invited you just like that? You're just a toy here! A source of entertainment, can't you understand that?!" Draven's words hit me like a slap, sharp and biting. There was no mistaking the venom in his tone, the way he looked at me—as if I were nothing more than a fleeting distraction. Anger rose within me, but so did a strange feeling of clarity. Alam ko. 'Di ako bobo, pero dahil iba ang pakay ko nandito ako ngayon at nakikisakay sa mga katarantaduhan ng mga naririto.

"S-sorry."

"Umuwi ka na," malamig na sabi niya.

"P-pero—"

"I said go the f**k home!" nangilid ang luha ko sa sigaw niya, iba pa rin pala kapag si Drei. Masakit. May kumawalang luha sa mga mata ko at nakayukong tinahak ang daan paalis.

"Booooo! Ayan kasi napapala mo!"

"Drei, baby ang harsh a!"

"Witweeew! Bye! Nerd!"

Pagtalikod ko'y saka ko binitawan ang isang ngising kanina ko pa itinatago kasabay ng pagtulo ng mga luha ko.

This is just a f*****g excuse for me to execute my side mission.

Nang makalabas ay agad ko nang ginawa ang dapat kong gawin. Dahil nakapasok ako kanina at nalibot ko ng paningin ang bahagi ng bahay alam ko na agad kung saan dapat ako magsisimula.

One of the skills I've mastered is my ability to calculate things easily. It's something that comes almost instinctively now—a quick mental math that helps me assess situations, risks, and outcomes in a split second. It's not just numbers, either. I can read people, predict movements, and anticipate consequences. In this world I navigate, where danger and strategy are always close, it's a tool I rely on more than anything else.

Bumalik ako sa motor ko at nagpalit na ng damit. I slipped into my black-and-red suit, the fabric fitting like a second skin, and placed my silver mask with the red lining—our organization's logo shining brightly. The cold metal felt familiar, a constant companion in my line of work.

I pulled out my mini laptop from the sleek, black tactical bag slung over my shoulder. Its weight was light in my hands, but the power it held was immense. The screen flickered to life, and within seconds, I was already connected to the home's network, my fingers dancing over the keys with practiced precision.

The first thing I did was bring up the security system, a sophisticated network of cameras scattered throughout the house. I navigated through the system's backdoor, bypassing firewalls with ease, a skill I had honed over the years. With a few rapid keystrokes, I accessed each camera's feed—monitoring every corner of the house, the hallways, the staircases, and even the rooms where the most private conversations took place.

I worked methodically, shutting them down one by one, each camera blinking off without a sound, leaving no trace of my movements. My heart rate didn't change, though. This was routine. The house's security had always been strong, but not nearly as strong as my skills. As each camera powered down, the feeling of control surged through me.

Once the surveillance network was neutralized, I grabbed my micro USB drive, a small, unassuming device that contained everything I needed—data, encrypted access codes, and a backdoor into other systems if things went sideways. I slipped it into my pocket, the cold metal pressing against my leg. Along with it, I tucked my earpiece into my ear, securing it gently but firmly, adjusting it so it wouldn't slip during my movements. The earpiece was the only thing connecting me to the outside world, a lifeline that could provide me with instructions or status updates if necessary.

I also checked the rest of my gear. The small gadgets I carried were essential to my work—lockpicks, a micro-drone for surveillance, a signal jammer, and a few small tools that could help me disable any security measures that might still be active. Everything was neatly packed and within reach, ready to be deployed at a moment's notice.

I double-checked my timer, setting it with a precise tap. The timer would light up when it was time to leave, its glow a silent signal to move. With all systems green and everything in place, I felt a brief sense of calm. But I couldn't linger. There was still work to be done, and the clock was ticking.

The second floor was eerily quiet, no one in sight. I quickly scanned the area, my senses alert. It wasn't secured as tightly as I expected. The silence echoed around me, but that gap in security? It was an opportunity I couldn't afford to ignore. Every step from here would be crucial.

Deretso ang naging galaw ko hanggang sa makarating sa third floor. Pumunta ako sa balcony and luckily, the door wasn't locked, marahan akong pumasok. The room was dimmed. I was wearing my contacts, so my vision was crystal clear without the need for my eyeglasses. But these weren't ordinary contacts. They were specially designed—advanced tech, built for precision. They had night vision capabilities, allowing me to see through complete darkness with ease.

So where is it?

Nasaan ang pakay ko?

It wasn't in the most obvious place, I know. Kaya ang hinanapan ko'y ang mga bagay na hindi agad napapansin. Isang kahina-hinalang built-in closet sa gilid ng kama ang napansin ko. Maliit lang iyon at nasa lower part ng wall. Maihahalintulad ko ang sukat sa isang medium-sized box, mas tulad ng isang medium-sized vault.

It was odd—its placement, its size, everything about it seemed out of place. The closet didn't match the rest of the room's decor. It was almost as if it had been purposely designed to blend in, to remain unnoticed. The small, discreet size and the fact that it was tucked away in such an unexpected spot made me curious.

As I knelt down to examine it, I could feel the subtle vibrations of the air around me, telling me this wasn't just an ordinary storage space. Something told me it held more than clothes—perhaps secrets or something far more dangerous. I couldn't ignore the feeling that it was waiting for someone to uncover it. And in this moment, that someone was me.

Locked iyon kaya agad kong kinuha ang isang pin, saka iyon sinubukang buksan. It took me 2 minutes to do it. Bumulaga sa akin ang isang vault.

I knew it.

My instinct was right. I turned the combination dial, silently running calculations in my mind. Every number felt like a puzzle piece falling into place. Within three minutes, the vault's heavy lock clicked open with a satisfying sound.

Inside, I found a black envelope and a laptop—exactly what we had been after. I couldn't resist the urge to glance at the envelope briefly. As I expected, it contained what we needed. With a quick motion, I slipped it into my suit and grabbed the laptop. My heart was pounding in my chest.

I opened the laptop, just as the sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway. Panic surged, but I focused. I checked my timer—it was blinking red, and I had only one minute left. My hands flew across the keys, navigating the system faster, pushing past the anxiety clawing at me. Sweat trickled down my forehead as I transferred the data, praying it would load in time.

The progress bar raced ahead, but as it reached 90%, it suddenly slowed. Time seemed to stretch, every second feeling like an eternity. The footsteps were getting louder, closer, and I could feel the tension mounting. My timer was flashing urgently, its light growing brighter by the second.

Shit! Come on.

My breath quickened, every nerve on edge as I waited for the last bit of data to transfer. The footsteps were almost at the door. It was now or never.

The moment I heard the doorknob click, I knew I was running out of time. Just as the door creaked open, the progress bar on the laptop hit 100%. Without hesitation, I yanked the micro USB out of the laptop and stuffed it into my pocket.

I quickly closed the laptop, my hands moving with the precision of someone who had done this a hundred times before. I returned the laptop to its place inside the vault, alongside the blank black envelope. I made sure everything was exactly how it was when I found it—no sign of tampering, no indication that anyone had been there. Every movement was calculated, done with speed and care. Mabilis akong lumabas sa balcony at tumalon pababa saka umakyat sa padir papunta sa kabila nito, sakto namang malapit na lamang roon ang aking motor, nang makasakay ay mabilis na akong nagmaneho paalis ng may ngisi sa labi.

Jered Levis, remember the night that you made fun of me? That night will be the beginning of your downfall.

The words echoed in my mind as I stood there, every part of me calm but filled with a simmering rage. That night, when they had belittled me, treated me like nothing—they didn't know how much that moment would come to haunt them. I wasn't the person the thought I was, and starting now, they would see the consequences of underestimating me.

Jered would learn that the game had changed. The clock was ticking, and his time was running out.

. . .