Ruthless Deception

Chapter 18

I was fiddling with my phone for almost an hour. And Lynch is very busy with his works. Ang daming paperworks na nakalagay sa kaniyang desk kaya hindi ko na siya kinulit pa. Until I felt my stomach grumbled in hunger. It's already 12 in the afternoon. Huminga ako ng malalim at tiningnan ko muna siya. Nakabukas na ang dalawang butones niya dahil sa stress.

"It's already lunch, Lynch. Let's eat together," I said. Tumayo ako at pumwesto sa likuran niya. Pinatong ko yung kamay ko sa balikat niya. "I'm already famish."

"We can call Miss Guiterriez for our lunch," he replied. Pinindot niya yung telecom sa kaniyang office desk. "Bring us our food."

"Okay, Mr. Scott."

Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang kabuuan ng opisina niya. Masyadong dark ang theme ng opisina niya. Napatingin ako sa isang litrato na nakapatong sa lamesa sa gilid. Nandoon yung family picture at ang picture ni Chloe. Matagal ko siya tinititigan. Muling bumalik sa utak ko kung bakit ko nga ba ito ginagawa in the first place.

I'm seeking for a revenge. And I need to hide all the truth from Lynch. I don't want him to unmasked what occured in the past. He doesn’t deserve to know who killed Chloe at that night. I must admit, I'm very afraid what will he do to me once he knew that I was the one who killed his beloved sister. Mapait ako napangiti nang titigan ko yung litrato ni Chloe.

"Sweetheart?" Lynch called. Bumalik nanaman ako sa reyalidad at nilingon ko na si Lynch. "Is there something bothering you?"

I shook my head. "No. I was just thinking how lucky I am to have you."

"You're so sweet, Gwen. I didn't you know you have this traits."

"I may be a cold woman but I could be the sweetest woman you'd ever known."

"That's why I'm in love with you. You're far different from any women out there. You're unique," he said, in a velvety tone. "Once we're married... I will make you the happiest woman on earth."

I chortled. "Oh, really?"

"Really," aniya habang mahina na natatawa. Hinatak niya ako palapit sa kaniya at pinaupo niya ako sa lap niya. "I can't wait to marry you. I will love you wholeheartedly."

"I'm sorry if you couldn't get the answers you've been waiting for. But someday... I will love you, Lynch."

"You're worth to wait," he whispered.

Napatingin ako bigla sa pintuan nang dumating si Ellisa. Mukhang nagulat siya sa nadatnan niya. Napangisi ako at umalis na sa pagkakaupo sa lap ni Lynch. Napalunok siya at nagpatuloy lang siya pumasok. Napapansin ko na wala masyadong manners itong si Ellisa. Kaya tumikhim ako para makuha ang atensyon niya.

"Miss Secretary," I called.

Tiningnan niya ako pagkatapos niya ilapag yung dalawang paper bags sa office desk ni Lynch. Lumapit ako sa kaniya at napatikwas ang kilay ko na tinititigan niya rin ako pabalik. Hindi ko alam kung saan kumukuha nang lakas ng loob itong si Ellisa. Hilarious.

"What is it, Dr. Dawson?"

"Do you know how to knock?"

She was shock upon my remark. Pinagkrus ko yung kamay ko sa dibdib. Nakataas ang nuo ko at hindi ko inaalis ang tingin ko sa kaniya. Kumikibot ang labi niya parang wala lumalabas na salita sa kaniyang labi.

"I-I know, of course."

I scoffed. "I think you don't, Miss Secretary. You must knock whenever you're entering his office. It's very disrespectful for me."

"Mr. Scott is already used to me by coming inside of his office without knocking."

"Then change your habit, Miss Secretary. What if he has an important person in his office and you're just going to barge in?"

She gulped and shook her head. "No, Dr. Dawson."

"Knock first before you come in. You got it?"

She nodded. "Yes. I'm really sorry, Dr. Dawson."

"Good. Mabilis ka naman pala makaintindi, e."

Tinalikuran ko na siya at kumain na kaming dalawa ni Lynch. Nagsisimula siya magkwento kung gaano raw ka-excite si Tita Lych para sa kasal namin dalawa. Tinatanong niya na ako kung ano ang gusto kong motif sa kasal namin at kung sinu-sino ang imbitado.

"I have three friends. We were friends since college. And they want to see you," he began. Umiinom na siya ngayon ng tubig. Tumayo na ako at niligpit yung pinagkainan namin at tinapon na sa trash can.

"What are their names?" I asked.

"Nemesis Mercedes, Sancho Monteveros and Demetrio Beckett. They're lunatics," he responded. Napatingin siya sa kaniyang orasan at nilingon niya ako. "I have a meeting for this day. Okay lang ba sa'yo na maiwan ka? I can ask Ellisa to tour you around in this company."

I frowned. "No need. I can handle myself."

"Are you sure?"

"Very sure. You can go now."

"Alright. Take care. I'll give you a message when my friends come here already."

Nakarinig ako ng katok mula sa pintuan. Napangisi ako dahil natuto na rin sa wakas si Ellisa. Hindi dapat siya masanay na sobrang luwag sa kaniya ni Lynch. Naiitindihan ko na mabait si Lynch sa mga trabahante niya pero kailangan pa rin nila matuto kung paano makitungo sa kanilang boss. Bumungad sa harapan namin si Ellisa.

"Mr. Albarron is waiting for you at the conference room, Mr. Scott," si Ellisa. Hindi siya tumitingin sa gawi ko. Just because I was hurling a deadly glare at her directions.

"I see. Tell him that I'm coming in 5 minutes," si Lynch.

Tumango si Ellisa at lumabas na ulit. Tumayo na si Lynch at naglakad siya papunta sa akin. Sinakop niya yung buong mukha ko at mapupungay siya nakatingin sa akin. Hinagkan niya ang noo ko.

"Wait for me, okay?" he muttered. "Just ask Ellisa anything you want."

"I know. Just go."

"I'm very sure that I'm going to think about you throughout the meeting. Damn it."

I chuckled. "Silly. Don't let your investor wait for you. You must go now."

"You're right. I'll be back soon."

Humiwalay na siya sa akin at inayos niya na yung saliri niya bago lumabas ng opisina. Ako nalang naiwan ngayon sa kaniyang opisina. Naglakad ako papunta sa office desk niya. Umupo ako sa swivel chair at pinikit ang mga mata ko. Siguro ganito rin ako kapag sinunod ko ang gusto ng mga magulang ko. But I refused them and told them that I want to be a doctor.

Oh, God. Bakit ba ang hilig ko mag-reminisce ng nakaraan. Biglang nagvibrate ang phone ko at sinagot ko nalang 'yun kahit hindi ko pa alam kung sino ang caller.

"Hmm?" I crooned.

"Where are you?"

Napadilat ako ng wala sa oras at napatingin sa caller. Nakita ko na si Lourd pala ang tumatawag sa akin. Naalala ko na may gagawin pala kami. Bumuntong hininga ako. Nakalimutan ko magpaalam sa kaniya kanina.

"In his office. What did you call?" I asked.

"Your mess is clean now. Walang alam si Damon sa nangyari," he replied. "I just want to remind you that we have a task tomorrow."

I huffed. "I know. Hindi ko naman makakalimutan 'yan."

"So... ano sabi ng fiance mo tungkol sa akin?"

"He's jealous. Ayaw niya na may lumalapit sa akin na lalaki maliban sa kaniya."

"Possessive..."

I fought the urge not to roll my eyes. "Whatever. Are you bored? Why are you calling me?"

"I just want to hear your voice, Cypher."

"Now, you're satisfied?"

"You bet," he said, grinning. "I'll fetch you tomorrow, okay?"

"Yeah. What does Roberto told you about us?"

"Nothing. Just relax and let me do the rest."

Huminga ako ng malalim at pinutol ko na yung linya. Sumandal ako sa swivel chair at tinitingnan ang mga nakapatong sa office desk ni Lynch. Nagsimula ako buksan yung drawer at may napansin ako na isang papel. Kinuha ko 'yun at binuklat.

Mr. Scott,

I think I'm so near to unmask who's the killer of your sister. I'm going to underground and I need to follow her. She's a female, sir. A dangerous woman.

Nanlamig ang kamay ko dahil sa nabasa. Mabilis ko rin binalik yung letter sa drawer. Kinakagat ko yung labi ko dahil napaisip ako kung sino na ba ang hinire niyang investigator.

Pakiramdam ko nanuyot yung lalamunan ko. Bakit ganito ngayon ang reaksyon ko? Alam ko naman may ideya na ang mga detective ni Lynch kung sino na ako kasi nakuha nila ako sunduin. I was gritting my teeth and I couldn't take off my eyes at his drawer. I want to rip off the paper so he doesn't have a clue who am I. Tiningnan ko muna 'yung kabuuan ng opisina at hinahanap kung may hidden camera ba.

Nagtitipa ako ng message kay Lourd para may papatingin ako sa kaniya. Ayaw ko naman na mahuli ako ni Lynch.

To: Lourd

I have a favor to ask you. Kindly hack any CCTV's and hidden camera at his company. I need to get the paper from him.

From: Lourd

I'm on it.

Napatingin ako sa wristwatch ko at ala una ng tanghali. Siguro matatapos ang meeting nila ng alas dos. Kailangan ko talaga makuha yung papel at itapon para wala clue si Lynch. I need to hide those evidence. I will not let him get justice for his sister. Over my dead body.

Nakatanggap ulit ako ng message kay Lourd. Medyo nanginginig pa ang kamay ko habang binabasa ang mensahe niya para sa akin.

From: Lourd

I've already hack the CCTV'S throughout the building. There's a hidden camera near the table. I think it's etched on the picture frame. Check it.

Tumayo ako lumapit ako sa picture ni Chloe. May isang maliit na lens na nakadikit sa gilid ng picture frame. Lourd is right. Mabilis ko tinanggal 'yun at kinuha 'yung SD card.

Binalik ko maayos yung picture frame para hindi halata. Tapos kinuha ko na yung papel at pinasok ko sa loob ng bag ko. Nakahinga na ako ng maluwag at nagvibrate ulit yung phone ko.

From: Lourd

Did you get the evidence already?

To: Lourd

Yes. Thank you so much.

From: Lourd

Just seeing you tomorrow would be my welcome, young lady. :)

Mahina ako natawa sa kaniyang text. Pinasok ko na 'yun sa bag ko at kailangan ko pumunta sa restroom. I need to retouch my make up. Masyado ako na tense kanina. Nakakainis talaga. Gusto ko malaman kung sino ang bago niyang tauhan para hanapin ako. Pumasok na ako sa loob ng cubicle.

Tapos may narinig ako nang yabag papasok. May naririnig ako na pamilyar na boses. Tahimik ako dito sa loob ng cubicle.

"Nakakainis talaga yung fiance ni Mr. Scott. Pinahirapan niya pa ako kanina. Pero hindi niya alam nagtitimpi lang ako, e."

"Mukhang wala ka na pag-asa kay Mr. Scott. Ikakasal na pala siya."

"Duh!" Ellisa beamed. "Kung ang asawa nga naagaw sila pa kaya? Alam ko naman may nararamdaman 'yan sa akin si Mr. Scott. Sadyang higad talaga 'yang si Gwen."

"Oh, what's her name again?"

"She's Gwen Dawson. Nakakainis talaga 'yang babae na 'yan. Alam ko naman na gold digger lang naman siya, e."

"Paano mo naman nasabi?"

"Duh! Halata naman, e. Mr. Scott has been single for 5 years. Alam ko na puro trabaho lang siya tapos paano niya makikilala si Gwen, diba?"

Padabog ko binuksan yung pintuan ng cubicle at pumagitna ako sa kanilang dalawa. Nilabas ko yung lipstick sa purse ko. Napansin ko namutla yung mukha ni Ellisa sa salamin.

"I must say that you like to talk behind me, Miss Secretary?" I started. Nakangisi ako sa kaniyang gawi. Mukhang natauhan ang kasama niya kung sino ako. "For your information... I strive hard to be a doctor and to run my own business. I cannot fathom your statement. How did I become a gold digger if I already have the gold itself in my bank account?"

"G-Gwen..." Ellisa babbled.

"Didn't I told you to address me properly, Miss Secretary?"

Napalunok siya. "I'm sorry, Dr. Dawson."

Pagkatapos ko maglagay ng lipstick sa labi ko ay hinarap ko na kaagad si Ellisa. Taas nuo ko siya hinaharap ngayon at mukhang 'di niya na ako matingnan sa mukha.

"I'm deeply sorry to burst your ambitious to take Lynch away from me... but he didn't even see you as a woman," I said, arrogantly. "Look at yourself first before you compare yourself to me and accuse me for chasing him for wealth. Lynch will never love you the way he love me. Stay on your ground, Miss Secretary, if you want to keep your job until now."

"We're sorry..." sabi ng isang babae. Nakatungo na rin ito sa akin. Napangisi ako at tiningnan yung suot niyang ID.

"Hmm... I'll remember your names, ladies." I flipped my hair before I left them dumbfounded inside the restroom. No one else dared to hit my nerves but they've tried me. Look who's speechless?