Amore’s Hidden Identity(English)

Chapter 8

(1:1 Aspect Ratio Format – Text Only)

DINDO TRIED to escape from his captors. He’d spotted a chance to slip out when the guards left their post, so he hurried into the hallway and scanned his surroundings. With guards patrolling outside, he ducked into a dark corner to hide. His heart hammered against his ribs—he nearly screamed when a hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder. Panic surged through him; he was certain it was one of his abductors.

He turned slowly, his face pale with fear.

To his surprise, the figure was a woman in a black mask and dark clothing—similar to his captors, but something about her felt different.

“Who—who are you? What do you want from me?” he stammered, trembling.

“Nothing. You’re Dindo Ruiz, right? Why are you here? What are you running from?” she asked, her voice steady.

“Have mercy on me—I’ve done nothing wrong! I’m just an ordinary doctor. I have no enemies!” he pleaded, feeling lightheaded with dread. He wasn’t ready to die—not when he still had his family and girlfriend to care for.

“All right. Go back to your room—follow me calmly. If you don’t, I won’t hesitate to shoot you in the head with this,” she said, pointing a gun at him.

Terrified, Dindo obeyed without argument. They reached the small room where he’d been held, and she guided him to sit in a wooden chair.

The woman stood before him, and he could see the faint curve of a smile beneath her mask—even a hint of natural red lipstick on her lips.

“Who are you? Why do you and your comrades wear masks?” he pressed, fighting to keep his voice steady.

“It’s to hide our identities,” she replied simply.

He let out a short, bitter laugh. “Really?”

“Yes. Call me Jasmine—that’s my code name. None of us show our faces, and each of my colleagues has their own alias. Our leader is Sapphire—she’s away on leave right now. The masks are our only protection. Are you satisfied with that answer?”

“Really?” he repeated sarcastically. “That’s a pretty shallow reason. Let me out of here—I’m sick of being locked up.”

“Mr. Ruiz, don’t try to run again. You’re not safe anywhere right now—Regor Marcial is looking for you. He wants to know what you know about your friend Amore,” she said, and Dindo’s confusion deepened.

“Huh? Why should I believe you? You’re probably working with him—you’re all animals! You’ll hand me over to him, won’t you?” he snapped, his fear turning to anger.

“Stubbornness will get you killed. We’re not Regor’s allies—we see him as an enemy, too. We’re only here to keep you safe,” she said, raising her voice slightly in frustration.

“Safety or imprisonment? I don’t trust you! Who do you think you are?” he scoffed, dismissing her words.

“Tsk. You’re impossible, Dindo. We’re not here to hurt you—Amore ordered us to get you out of harm’s way. She’s your friend, and she cares about keeping you alive. Regor will kill you the moment he gets what he wants from you.”

“Am really ordered this? Then where is she? I want to see her now—where is she?”

“She’s not in Manila yet, and I don’t know her exact location. She hasn’t contacted me, either. Haven’t you heard from her?”

“We talked a few days ago. She said they were safe, but she didn’t say where she was—then the call cut out. I think she’s far away.”

“I see. I hope she comes back soon. When she does, we’ll need your help. We’re going to take down Regor Marcial—he’s a plague on this city.”

“Take him down? That’s dangerous. Regor forced me to tell him about the man Amore helped—I made a mistake, and I won’t put her in danger again.”

“Regor’s responsible for drug trafficking, and the exploitation of women and children. If you were in the shoes of those he’s hurt, would you stay silent? Amore has her own reasons to stop him—those are her business, so don’t ask more than I can tell you. Is that clear?”

“Okay. But how long will I have to stay here? I have work to do. Can’t I just hire my own bodyguards? This doesn’t feel like a real solution.”

“Stop fighting it. Stay here until Amore returns. I’ll send a letter to your parents so they don’t worry. Will that work?”

“Bu—but… I’m not comfortable. This place is full of women—I know it sounds strange, but…”

“We don’t care about your gender—only your safety. We’re not here to cause you harm.”

“I didn’t mean it like that! I just meant the room is small and not well-equipped. That’s all.”

She let out a sharp breath, clearly frustrated. “I understand. Tell me what you need—I’ll make sure you get it. Just make a list.”

“Sure. I’ll write down everything I need, including my personal things. Okay?”

“Fine. I’ll leave now—my colleagues will watch over you. Don’t even think about escaping again. You’ll regret it if you do. Understood?”

“Sure!” he said, forcing a laugh. The doctor was clearly still stubborn.

Scarlett left the room and found the guards posted outside. Her expression was tight with irritation.

“Astra—did you see what happened? He almost got out while you were gone.”

“I’m sorry, Jasmine. We thought he was asleep, so we stepped out for a minute. But he won’t get past us now—I promise.”

“It’s okay—just don’t let it happen again. Keep a close eye on him. Regor’s still looking for him, so do your jobs right.”

“Yes, Jasmine. We won’t fail you.”

“Here’s the list of things Dindo asked for. Have the team that didn’t help abduct him go buy them—less chance of anyone recognizing them.”

“Right away. Again, we’re sorry.”

“All right. I have to go—my other work is waiting.”

“Understood,” Astra nodded.

After giving her instructions, Scarlett left the hideout. She went to one of her safe houses first to change clothes—part of her routine to avoid being followed.

When she reached her home, she spotted her phone lying on the table. She picked it up and saw a text from an unknown number. Her heart leaped—she knew it was from Amore.

Hello Scarlett. When you read this, please call me. I have something important to tell you.

A wide smile spread across her face. Just knowing Amore was safe lifted a weight from her shoulders. She tried to call back immediately, but the call wouldn’t go through—Out of Coverage Area. She sighed and put the phone down, grateful just to have heard from her friend.

Meanwhile, Dindo sat alone in his room, replaying his conversation with Jasmine over and over. He still wasn’t sure if he could trust her words. The idea that Amore had ordered him to be hidden felt impossible.

“How could she? I won’t let them use her name to trick me. I won’t let anyone hurt her again… I’m so sorry, Amore,” he murmured to the wall, his voice thick with guilt. “I was trapped—please forgive me for putting you in danger.”

He fell silent when someone knocked on the door. A woman entered carrying a large bag filled with the items he’d requested.

“Here’s your stuff,” she said, handing it to him.

“Thank you. Can I ask you something?”

“What is it? I don’t have much time,” she replied sharply.

“Who was the masked woman earlier—the one I talked to?”

“That’s Jasmine. She’s Sapphire’s second-in-command. Is that all? Now, don’t try to run again—if you get caught by Regor, we’ll all answer to her. Clear?”

Dindo just smiled and nodded. He couldn’t ask more—Astra had already turned to leave. She carried herself with a boyish confidence that made her seem even more serious than Jasmine.

He set his new things down and sank back into the chair, still wondering what he’d gotten himself into.