Montepalma Series 3: A Paradise Between Our Distance

Chapter 2

The very first thing I did in the morning was to work-out. Ayaw ko mabigla ang katawan ko kaya mabuti na lang may sako rito para gawin kong punching bag. I was catching my breath as I tried to give an uppercut to the punching bag that I made.

Nilingon ko si Hansen na nanatili pa rin tulog sa kaniyang kama. Napailing na lang ako. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ganiyan siya. He looks like he is sheltered and a spoiled brat. Isn’t he practicing for their organization or something? Their family is quite famous here in France. And also, they are the most dangerous family in the Philippines. I assume he must be good at fighting.

Biglang bumukas ang pintuan at bumungad si Uno. Tumikwas ang kilay ko habang pinagkrus ang kamay sa dibdib. He gave me a boyish grin then showed me the tray he was holding. I could smell the fresh baked croissant and hot chocolate.

“I’m surprised you’re gonna feed us. I thought Vivian won’t let us eat,” I sneered.

He licked his lips. “I insisted. After all, you both need to gain some energy.”

I did not reply to his remark. Nagpunta ako palapit sa kaniya para kumuha ng croissant at hot chocolate. It is a perfect combo for me in the morning.

“Your partner is still sleeping,” he noted. Tiningnan niya si Hansen na natutulog pa rin. “Goodluck with your mission.”

“Why is he even here, huh?” Kumagat ako sa croissant habang pinagmamasdan siya. “I guess he is not part of the mafia gang from their family.”

Uno smirked. “‘Cause he doesn’t know how to fight?”

Hindi ko pa rin maintindihan. I’ve seen Damon fighting against a mobster here in France. All of them are good at combat fighting but Hansen doesn’t seem to have any experience. Napailing na lang ako at nagpokus sa pagkain pero napansin ko na nanatili si Uno sa bartolina namin.

“Why are you still here? Are you gonna watch me eat?”

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Mas lalo siya ngumisi sa akin at naglakad siya palapit sa akin.

“Why? Are you bothered by my presence?”

I cackled. “Taas naman ng tingin mo sa sarili mo.”

Narinig ko na bumangon si Hansen sa kaniyang kama. His eyes grew bigger when he saw us both. Napailing na lang ako at lumayo kay Uno. I don’t have time for his s**t. I’d rather do this mission alone. f**k.

“Get up, Montepalma,” Uno barked.

Akala mo’y kanina hindi nakukuha makipagtitigan sa akin. Naglakad na paalis si Uno at nilock na ang pintuan namin. Tahimik siyang kumain ng croissant habang ako sumisimsim ng hot chocolate.

“Can you fight?” I beamed.

He looked shocked while gazing in my direction. I really wanted to do our mission properly. I mean, yeah he has a ripped body but can he execute his enemy properly? His eyes gazed at me darkly.

“I can fight even though I am not part of our organization,” he answered. He sounded so offended. “Don’t worry, I can protect you if that is your concern.”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t need some protection.”

“Then why are you bothered if I am not part of my family’s organization?” he snapped. Halatang inis na siya sa tanong ko. “It doesn’t mean I am not part of the organization, it doesn't mean I can’t fight. I know how to fight.”

“Bakit hindi ka kasali?”

The corner of his lips rose. “You seem interested, Ivory.”

Umirap ako sa hangin. Ayaw ko na nga magtanong. Akala niya ata interesado ako sa kaniya. Tumayo na lang ako para pumunta sa banyo. I need to take a cold shower. Iniwan ko na lang siya kumakain.

After thirty minutes of doing my routine, I left the bathroom. Napansin ko na naman na wala siyang damit pang-itaas. Iniwas ko na lang ang tingin ko sa katawan niya baka mahuli niya ako. Hindi naman ako interesado pero hindi ko naman sinasadyang tumingin.

“I’m done working out, too,” he informed me.

I gazed at him. “So?”

“Just informing you.” He was stifling a ghost smile on his lips. Akmang maglalakad na siya papunta sa banyo pero nilingon niya pa ako. “Don’t worry… I’ll tell you the story of why I did not join my family’s organization to feed your curiosity.”

My jaw dropped. He walked inside the bathroom in an arrogant way. The nerve of that man! Mas pinili ko na lang na humiga muna sa kama habang wala pa sumusundo sa amin. Naiinis pa rin ako kung paano ako makakatakas sa lugar na ito. Lalo na iyong nasa palapulsuhan ko. Paano ko ito tatanggalin without compromising my partner’s life?

Hindi naman nagtagal ay bumaba ulit ang magkapatid na si Uno at Dos. Uno is watching me with his hawk eyes. Sakto na tapos na rin si Hansen hudyat na handa na siya sa unang araw ng misyon namin.

“Let’s go to the armory,” Dos declared.

Tumayo na ako at masungit akong sumunod kay Dos. Napansin ko na sinasabayan ako ng lakad ni Uno kaya hindi ko na lang pinansin. Nakarating kami sa armory at nandoon si Vivian na nakangisi.

“How’s your first day here in our territory, Ivory?” si Vivian tila nang-aasar. “Well, goodluck with your mission. If you f****d this up, I’ll blow your bracelet.”

Hindi ako sumagot. I’d rather not waste my energy fighting her petty insults. Niready ni Uno ang earpiece namin ni Hansen at si Dos naman ay hinanda ang pistol namin dalawa ni Hansen. Napukaw ng tingin ko ang dagger kaya tinuro ko iyon.

“Can I have that dagger in incase of an emergency?” I said.

“Sure,” Uno replied. Kinuha niya iyong dagger at binigay sa akin. “Here you go…”

Vivian scoffed. “Here is your dress, w***e. Make sure to make him drool over you.”

“I can make that man drool over me effortlessly,” I teased. Hinubad ko iyong damit ko kahit ba nandito si Uno, Dos, at Hansen. I am wearing a black lingerie. Sinuksok ko ang dagger sa binti. “See? I can make them drool over me.”

Napansin ko na ang dilim ng titig sa akin ni Hansen habang ilang beses na napapalunok. Umiwas ng tingin si Dos tila naiinis. Habang si Uno ay nakangisi habang pinagmamasdan ang katawan ko. I am so confident to show them my body because I have perfect curves and my boobs are a bit big.

“w***e,” Vivian hissed.

“Boys… don’t stare at me too much. Someone is jealous,” I laughed. Sinuot ko na iyong dress at tumalikod na rin sa kanila.

Mukhang nainis si Vivian sa sinabi ko kaya pinaharap niya ang tatlong lalaki sa kaniya para magdiscussed ang gagawin. These men seem to crave for my body. I just proved to Vivian that I can seduce Hubert without making any effort. Jealousy is really her sickness.

I am wearing a black dress with a strap that can see my cleavage clearly. Inayos ko na rin ang weapon ko kung saan itatago. Sumama na ako sa kanila para alam ko ang gagawin ko rin. Para matapos na ang kahibangan ni Vivian.

“Hubert engaged in a yacht party in Marseille port. Hansen needs to help Ivory to get close with Hubert because he has four trained bodyguards,” Vivian explained.

“What should I do? What is the purpose of seducing Mr. Moulin?” I probed. Para naman maliwanagan ako. “I know we are gonna rob his gold bars but how?”

Uno seems amused by my questions. But Vivian was crossing her arms while looking at me in an annoying way. I gave her a sarcastic smile.

“Your job is to get close with her. Make sure to know what is the pin of his vault in a bank.”

Tumango ako. “Okay.”

“Dos, lead them the way,” Vivian ordered.

Tumango si Dos tila isa siyang puppet ni Vivian. Akmang sasama si Uno nang hawakan siya sa balikat ni Vivian. Nagulat si Uno sa inasta ni Vivian.

“You stay.”

I smirked inwardly. Tahimik naman si Hansen sa tabi ko kaya nilingon ko siya. Ilang beses siya napapalunok tila hindi makatingin sa akin. Nakarating kami sa garahe at may hinagis na susi si Dos kay Hansen.

“There is a monitor in a car that helps you to arrive at the port,” Dos explained. “Don’t ever dare to escape because we can monitor you without seeing you two.”

I rolled my eyes. “Fine.”

As if we have a f*****g choice, right? Pinindot na ni Hansen ang car key at nauna na ako pumasok. Naglakad na siya sa driving seat. Sinuot ko iyong seatbelt at sumandal sa kinauupuan ko. Mayaman lang naman ang pamilya ni Vivian dahil sa pagnanakaw.

“Do you usually strip in front of men?” he beamed.

Binuhay niya na iyong makina at na-on iyong monitor. May GPS kaya hindi maliligaw si Hansen. Nagtataka ako lumingon sa kaniya dahil sa tanong niya. Ano naman kung magbihis ako sa harap ng lalaki? As if they have the power to taste my body.

I bit my lower lip. “Are you aroused?”

I heard him groan. His knuckles turned white as he gripped harder against the steering wheel. Halatang hindi niya nagustuhan iyong tanong ko. I saw him clenching his jaw while driving sternly beside me.

“Why? You seem bothered as well.”

Ako naman ngayon ang napapangisi. Kahit kailan talaga ay hindi kami magkakasundo. Alam ko na iyon at wala naman ako plano na makipag-kaibigan sa kaniya.

“I’m not,” he barked. “Alam kong iniinis mo si Vivian pero huwag mo na lang ulit iyon gawin.”

I crossed my arms. “It’s not your business, Hansen. This is my body.”

“If that is what you want, then be it.”

He looks like an angry beast driving beside me. Nagkibit balikat na lang ako sa kaniya. Hindi ko hahayaan na may mag control sa akin na lalaki. Men are bullshit to me. I really hate them how I hate Raphael.

I pouted. “Are you gonna be mad while I’m doing my mission to seduce Hubert?”

“Why would I be mad?” he growled. He glanced at me while giving me a sharp look. “Why, huh?”

“I don’t know. You tell me.”

Ngumisi ako sa kaniya. I saw him use his tongue to graze his lower lips. His eyes slowly watched my body but then he drifted his eyes back to the road. Like I said, I can seduce any man effortlessly. My partner seems affected by what I did earlier.

Nakarating kami sa port. Maraming mga sports car na nakaparada at mga babae na naglalakad papasok sa isang yacht. Bago kami bumaba ay sinuot na namin dalawa iyong earpiece. I turned it on then I heard Uno’s voice.

“Have you arrived at the port?” he asked, in a baritone voice.

“Yeah,” I replied. “Bababa na kami.”

Nauna na ako bumaba para maglakad papasok sa yacht. Mabuti na lang ay nakasuot akong dress so I would be able to blend in. I was walking confidently while swaying my hips. Iniwan ko na si Hansen pero hinahabol niya ako. Mukhang mas lalo siya nairita.

He leaned in and whispered, “We both have lethal bracelets. Huwag ka lumayo masyado sa akin.”

I chortled. “I’m sorry. Sanay na ako mag-isa.”

I gave him a teasing smirk. Para mas lalo siya maasar. Ngayon ay naririnig ko na ang mga boses ng tao habang may flute ng champagne sa kamay nila. I grabbed a flute of champagne while I was trying to blend with people.

“Have you seen Hubert?” Uno inquired.

I licked my lips. “Not yet.”

A man shot his eyes at me then I gave him a smile then showed the champagne on my hand. Hindi na ako sinasabayan ni Hansen baka may makahalata sa amin dalawa. Hinahanap pa rin ng mata ko si Hubert. I already saw his face from the portfolio that they gave me.

Hanggang sa tumingala ako at nakita ko si Hubert na nakasuot ng shade habang may bodyguard sa paligid niya. He was watching from the second deck like a boss. I brought the flute of champagne on my lips to take a sip while smirking.

“I already spotted the target,” I whispered.

Pasimple ko na tiningnan si Hansen kasi narinig niya ako sa earpiece. Tumango siya sa akin. Umaakyat na ako paakyat sa second deck at may isang bodyguard na biglang humarang sa akin. Hinarangan ako ng dalawang bodyguard gamit ng malalaki nilang katawan.

“You’re not allowed here, Miss,” the bodyguard said.

I pouted cutely. “Oh, too bad. I just wanted to have a chit-chat with him.”

Nakita ko na tumayo si Hubert at pinasadahan ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. Hinawakan niya ang balikat ng kaniyang bodyguard at binulungan. Tumango sa kaniya ang isang bodyguard at kalaunan ay tumabi sila sa gilid.

“Bonjour, mademoiselle. How may I help you?”

Taas noo ako naglakad palapit sa kaniya. I saw his eyes drifting on my neck. The lust is dancing through his eyes. Nilahad niya ang kamay niya para hawakan ko iyon. Nakangisi ako.

“I saw you from downstairs and I’ve heard about your party. I wanted to know about a gentleman like you…”

Nilingon ko si Hansen na nakatingala sa akin habang nandidilim ang kaniyang mata. He was clenching his jaw but he decided to avert his eyes from me. He seems annoyed and bothered at the same time.