My PI Lady

45: The intruder

SAM'S POV

Naalimpungatan na lamang ako mula sa inuupuan ko when I heard a sudden creaking of some metals from outside.

I tightly squeezed my eyes out as I tried to take back my full senses. And then I glanced down at my wristwatch and turned its light on.

It says it was already seven in the evening.

I yawned and then stretched my arms out.

So I have slept more than a single hour---

I stiffened when again, I heard another creaking noise from outside.

No doubt. There was someone else outside!

At that realization, napaigtad agad ako sa kinauupuan ko and then silently ran to the door.

And then cautiously, I slowly twisted open the door of dad's office then peeked through it to the outside.

At kumpirmado. Mukhang hindi nga 'ko nag-iisa rito ngayon dahil mula rito, a shadow was moving at the window right beside the door. Add to the fact na may mga mumunting kaluskos na'kong naririnig ngayon.

With that, I suddenly felt alert. Lalo na dahil parang hindi ko nailock yong pintuan kanina pagkapasok ko rito.

Shit! Sino ba naman kasing mag-aakalang may magtatangkang pumunta rito??!

Muttering another curse, dali-dali ko nalang munang isinara uli yong pintuan as silent as possible then quickly searched for any useful thing na pwede kong gamiting sandata sa kung sinumang tarantadong nangahas na pumunta rito.

I may have abandoned this house for so long but that doesn't mean na pwede na'tong pamugaran ng kung sinumang adik o magnanakaw. This is my property kaya walang ibang dapat na maglabas masok dito kundi ako lang.

With cautious steps, I quickly took the flashlight from the table and then turned it on.

From the shelf, there were books. Sa kabila, may mga files. Sa table, may libro at mga papel na naman.

Bweset! Parang nang-aasar yata sa'kin ang mga papel nato ah!

This is all that bastard's fault! Kung hindi niya lang sana kinuha 'yong baril ko, then I wouldn't have to worry about defending myself now!

That shiiittt!

Kahit nagngangalit na'ko sa inis and even wanted to bit his head off now, wala nakong ibang nagawa kundi yamot na naglakad pabalik sa may pintuan.

I guess I just have to fight hand in hand then so---

I halted with my steps when my eyes caught something. Something inside the vase that was placed right beside the door. That vase with familiar umbrellas in it na pagmamay-ari ng dad ko. Pero ang mas pumukaw ng atensyon ko was that shiny silver thing na kasama ng mga payong na'yon.

Just looking at that thing, an evil smirk slowly appeared on my lips while I kept nodding with satisfaction.

Owwww.... Kung siniswerte ka nga naman ano..

A baseball bat! The same bat that I usually used to play baseball with my dad before.

Without giving it another thought, I quickly grabbed that thing then swung it on the air for a little practice. Medyo mabigat-bigat ito because it was made of metal alloy kaya sakto lang gawing pampalo.

And when I think tumba agad ang matatamaan nito, mahigpit ko ng hinawakan 'yon malapit sa'kin while hiding myself beside the door.

I heard the front door started to creak, an indication na papasok na ang taong yon. I heaved up a deep breath to calm myself and tightened my grip at the baseball bat as my heart began to thud wildly in my chest now.

And then I heard a low foot steps approaching to my way.

Oh geezz..

Naway nag-iisa lang ito dahil 'di ko alam kung anong mangyayari rito ngayon.

And when the foot steps stopped right behind the door na nasa tabi ko, I can't help but swallowed hard dahil in anticipation.

Naway hindi ko mapapatay ito.

At mga ilang sandali nga lang, napansin ko ng unti-unting bumubukas ang pinto sa tabi ko.

This is it!

And with that, before that someone could even take a step inside that room, I quickly swung the baseball bat to him into what I think his head.

"Holy s**t!" The intruder hissed out the moment I've hit him habang napapaatras ito palabas ng silid. 

Before he could even recover from that hit, hinambalos ko na naman ito kahit hindi ko man masyadong maaninag ito sa dilim. He grunted and muttered a few curses again, a sound that was music to my ears. 

I swung the bat again to hit him on his head but I cursed out when he was able to deflect that blow using his arms as his shield to save his darn head.

Disappointed with it, agad ko na namang hinampas ito habang tiim ang mga bagang. But to my utter disappointment again, he was able to deflect it and grab a hold of my bat.

Oh s**t!

Kahit madilim sa loob, I am very certain that this stranger has a large body built just looking at him closely and with his giant height. But there's no way I'd let him win this fight now.

With gritted teeth, I twisted it out to take it off from his iron grip but I muttered a curse when I couldn't even take it. Damn it! 

Determined to win this fight, wala na'kong ibang maisip gawin ngayon but to use some dirty tactics.

With that thought, agad ko ng binitawan ang pamalo ko and then thrust my arm forward to give him a blow on what I think his face.

"Holyshit!!!"

Narinig kong galit na mura na naman nito. I smirked when he'd cried that out as it indicated that I made a good aim there.

Then good. Dahil hindi pa'ko tapos!

With that, agad ko ng iniangat ang kanang paa ko and then swung that for a kick on his family jewel. In short, I just wanted to say goodbye to his poor balls at gawin itong inutil FOREVER. As in in all capital letters.

But then again, to my utter aggravation, this giant s**t was able to grab and stop my foot.

Bwese----!

Hindi ko na naituloy ang iba ko pang iniisip when in a swift motion, he suddenly pulled my leg towards him and then tightly imprisoned me in his arms. An action that made my eyes widened in utter surprise for goodness sake!

Now, I became more unease being defenseless withh ow tight he was holding me right now. So tight that I couldn't even bloody move both of my arms para makatikim man lang ito ng isang dosenang magkakapatid na suntok sa mukha dahil sa mapangahas nitong pagyakap sa'kin ng ganito!!!

"Release me now you s**t!"

Nagpupumiglas kong sigaw rito while trying so hard to escape from his hold.

I'd rather die trying than die here doing nothing!

I was about to give him a headbutt but stops when his hold tightened.

"Don't even think about giving me a headbutt again woman!!"

That voice made me suddenly stopped struggling. 

Did I just heard that voice right now?

With heavy breathings, I looked up and closely studied his face with squinted eyes.

But it was just too dark right now so to make sure that it was really him, kinapa ko na ang mukha nito which caused him to make a disapproval groan.

"Are you really planning to break my head, Ms. Javier?!"

When he grumbled that, my hand froze and blinked my eyes a few times.

"Mr. Del Fuero?" I asked in disbelief.

I heard him groaned loudly sabay bitaw sa'kin. Siguro, dahil hindi na'ko nagpupumiglas ngayon and that his balls was safe now.

"Yes. Ako nga ito. Ang muntikan mo ng basagin ang ulo kanina at gawin akong inutil sa buong buhay ko!!" Halatang inis na inis nitong saad.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito? How did you find me? Sinong kasama mo?" Sunud-sunod na na tanong ko rito as I couldn't still believe he'd find me here.

"I have my ways woman! And I have came here to have a talk with you and it was so 'nice' of you to welcome me with a baseball bat!" He grumbled, making sure to emphasize the 'nice' part.

Kahit na madilim, I could still imagine how his face scrunched up in rage now. But heck, anong karapatan nya para sigaw-sigawan lang ako ng ganito!

I didn't back out and just blindly glared at him in the dark.

"Ah.. so kasalanan ko pa ngayon when you've just suddenly came here uninvited like a notorious thief? Should I have greeted you with warm hugs and kisses then imbes na pamalo, Mr. Del Fuero? Ang tanga ko naman ano kung ginawa ko yon! Eh di sana patay na'ko ngayon if you really were a thief!" Sarkastiko kong sagot rito with my hands rested on my hips.

For a few seconds, he just kept groaning habang nanatili lang na nakatayo sa may pintuan.

"Now what? Got your tongue tied now kaya hindi kana makaimik diyan ngayon?" 

I frowned when still, hindi parin ito umiimik. 

Oh as if I'd beg him just to talk with me now.

With a roll of my eyes, agad na'kong naglakad palapit sa mesa saka dinampot ang flashlight na nandun and turned it on.

Kahit na naiinis ako sa biglaang pagsulpot nito, I couldn't help but wonder why he came here.

Could it be because he had change his mind and he was ready to help me now?

Hopes bloomed inside me just the thought of that possibilities. But I quickly shrugged that thoughts off my head, not wanted to expect something that I'd possibly regret later.

Malay natin, nandito lang ang gagong 'to to pester me again.

"I've seen the footages---."

That made me snapped my head to his way and accidentally pointed the flashlight directly to his face, surprising him with the sudden light.

"You've seen it and then----"

"Pwede ba, Ms. Javier! Kailangan mo ba talagang itutok ang bagay na 'yan sa mukha ko??!" Pasigaw na reklamo nito while shielding his face with his hand against the burst of light with a grimace in his face.

Though I wanted to smack his head for shouting at me, his face was just too funny not to laugh at it now. Causing him to groan more in disapproval.

"I said put it down now, Ms. Javier!" 

When he shouted that again, I put it down and then placed it back to the table in an upward position to let the light spread out towards the ceiling and so it could provide a small light around the room.

"Well, Sinisiguro ko lang naman kung ikaw nga talaga yan and not just some doppelganger. Uso pa naman yon ngayon lalo na't matagal-tagal naring walang nakatira sa bahay na'to. Malay natin, may namamahay na pala ritong mga masasamang elemento at baka isa kana dun."

Agad na umasim ang mukha nito when I'd uttered that in a matter-of-factly tone.

"Doppel-- What???!" Parang gulat na tanong nito with his nostrils started to flare out.

"Niloloko mo ba'ko, Ms. Javier?! A ghost? Hindi ako pumarito para paglolokohin mo lang kaya--"

"Kaya magsitigil ako. Yeah yeah yeah. Hindi ka nga isang multo...." I cut him off with a roll of my eyes before I continued.

"Dahil isa kang gago.."

"What??!"

"Nothing, 'Sir'! Sinasabi ko lang na isang karangalan ang bisitahin niyo ko rito, sir!" Pang-aasar ko pa rito while giving him a mocking smile.

And that made him growled loudly.

Growling like a wolf in heat..

Then I heard him grumbled some incoherent words. Something like ' Damn with this woman!'.

A reaction which made me smirked more in amusement.

Umupo na lamang ako sa inuupuan ko kanina and waited for him to talk now. Napansin kong nanatili lang itong nakatayo sa may pintuan as his eyes studied the insides of the office with obvious distaste in his face.

Ah-ah-ah. Wait till he'd get to meet my pets here. For sure ubos lahat ng dugo nito ngayon.

Just thinking about that, I can't help but mentally laugh at that.

And when his gaze landed on me, I quickly put up a serious as hell face. 

"Oh ano? Tutunganga ka nalang ba diyan o gusto mong makipagdebate muna sa'kin before anything else?" 

Hindi ito umimik and just stood there but after a few seconds, nagsimula na agad itong naglakad palapit sa'kin while still grumbling. At ng makalapit ito, he quickly sat at the vacant seat right before the desk.

"Don't you have any light other than this poor thing? Mas maliwanag pa yata tong mata ko kaysa sa bagay na'to." Maarteng reklamo nito while pointing at the flashlight before us.

"Well, unfortunately, 'yan lang talaga meron tayo rito, 'Sir'. Hindi naman kasi ito hotel 'Sir' kaya sana naman, makuntento ka nalang muna diyan." I answered acidly, making sure to emphasize the 'Sir' part which caused his face to darken in an instant.

"kung hindi niyo naman gusto ang bagay na yan 'Sir', pwede rin naman nating itapon yan and let's just use your goddamn eyes instead to light the 'WHOLE' f*****g world. What do you think about that sir? Madali lang naman akong kausap." I added, now starting to get irritated with him being so arrogantly picky!

"Enough with sarcastic remarks, Ms. Javier. I didn't came here para makipag-asaran lang sa'yo. I came here to talk." He growled out while throwing me a disapproval glare.

"Then why don't you state your business now nang matapos agad tayo rito? Have you finally made up your mind to help me with my case or what?" 

Agad namang umarko ang kilay nito but his face turned serious anyway.

"Give me all the details that you have gathered first before I'll decide kung dapat nga ba talaga kitang tulungan. Gusto ko lang makasiguro that you're worth for my help if I ever decided to help you."

It was my turned now to raise my brow to the east side.

"I thought you've already watched the footages? Ba't parang hindi ka parin kumbinsido sa---"

"I just wanted more assurances that I won't regret my decision, Ms. Javier. The footages wasn't enough to prove that our fathers were really into this case. Hindi ko nga alam kung ano ang meron sa file na'yon so why don't you make me understand about it now?"

With his demanding voice, gusto ko ng batukan ito pero dahil mukhang seryoso naman ito, I don't think I can just ignore him now. But then, telling all the informations that I had was quite a gamble for me. Maaaring masayang lahat ng pinagharapan ko sa kasong to once I'd disclosed this to the wrong person.

But since this bastard was different from them and I want his help to solve my case, so I hope tama ang gagawin kong 'to.

With that in mind, I let out a determined sigh before I slowly nodded my head.

"Fine."

"Good." Agad namang sagot nito.

"But first thing first, Mr. del Fuero. Gusto ko munang ipangako mo sa'kin that you should never disclose this to anyone. It would be very dangerous once anyone knows about this case. "

His brow arched up while giving me an 'Are-you-serious' kind of look in his eyes.

"Is it even worth to tell to anyone para maging ganyan ka Ms. Javier?"

"Just answer me and enough with smarty remarks kung gusto mong matapos agad tayo rito. I don't have a whole night for this."

Mas lalo pang umarko ang kilay nito when I'd uttered that.

"And now you're using my line."

"And now you're wasting my golden time, aren't you Mr. Del Fuero?" I seconded in annoyance.

He didn't answered right away and just gave me a look. For sure, studying me if I was really serious here.

And I'm pretty dead serious here.

But after a few seconds of his silence, he nodded in agreement anyway and then comfortably leaned against his seat.

"Start now, Ms. Javier. I'm all ears." He demanded with bored tone in his voice.

I groaned but then noddded at him anyway in agreement before I started my tale.

From my discoveries tungkol sa tunay na trabaho ng dad ko, the file and down to my most recent discoveries but except that voice I'd heard just this afternoon outside his building. I just wanted to keep that detail to myself.

"Hindi ko rin alam kung ano talaga ang meron sa bagay na'yon, Mr. Del Fuero. Ang tanging alam ko lang is that that file contains something that more interesting than what I've think it was.. Something that could end this case at sa taong may gustong kumuha nito." I ended with no nonsense on my face.

"At ba't mo naman nasabi yon, Ms. Javier?" Kunot noong tanong nito, now being piqued with it.

I just smiled bitterly then straightened up on my seat.

"I can say that dahil hindi naman sila aabot sa puntong pumatay ng tao just to get that file. Just to get that file from my dad. But fortunately, kahit nagawa man nilang patumbahin ang taong may hawak nun, they still failed to get that file-----"

"Your dad. It was your dad who had it that time,right?"

A disapproval groan escaped from me as I throw a pinprick glare at him when he cut me in.

"Am I right, Ms. Javier?" Ulit na tanong nito sa'kin which I just answered with a stiff nod but not without a glare.

"But unfortunately for them, they hadn't succeed with their plan because your father had hidden it so well kaya kahit nagawa man nilang patayin ang dad mo and possibly ...had tried to kill my father as well..... " then he trailed off as his lips pressed in a tight purse.

Withhow he had said that, alam kong nagngingit 'to ngayon sa galit just thinking that possibilities habang kuyom ang mga kamay nito.

I think we have the same predicament here.

"..they had failed to dispatch you, Ms. Javier. They had failed to kill you so I'm  certain that you will be their target now knowing that you can possibly find that file and use it against them.

Napabuga na lamang ako ng hininga and then nodded at him. Becasue he was right.

"You're right. Dahil mukhang hindi parin nila nahahanap ang bagay na'yon because if they had, wala sanang magtatangkang pumasok sa bahay na'to lalo na sa silid ng mga magulang ko."

Agad na kumunot ang noo nito as it obviously caught his attention.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?"

Sinabi ko na agad sa kanya ang naabutan ko rito the last time I've came here with papers scattered everywhere on the floor and then the open drawers sa may master's bedroom.

Ngayon, masasabi kong hindi lang simpleng pagnanakaw ang motibo ng taong 'yon. They were looking for something. At tiyak kung hindi pera o ano lang yon. But its something else.

"Are you certain it was them? Baka naman magnanakaw lang ang may gawa nun and you just assumed it was them, Ms. Javier?".

That made scowled at him. As if I was just bluffing on him.

"At sino naman kayang bobo ang magtatangkang magnakaw dito when they all know na wala namang mamahaling bagay na naiwan sa bahay na'to, aber?" Maanghang na sagot ko rito, trying to make this bastard understand it.

My lips pursed in thin line when the bastard just nodded saka nagkibit balikat.

"Okay. Let's say may pumasok nga rito para hanapin ang bagay na'yon--"

"May pumasok nga sabi eh."

A scowl instantly appeared in his face when I firmly insisted that. I just held up my chin and stared back at him, challenging him to say I'm wrong.

Hindi ito umimik and just stared back at me with a glare. I'm sure he was strangling me with his mind now. Oh as if I wasn't imagining killing him in my mind now. Naghuhukay na nga ako ng magiging libingan nito sa isipan ko.

"Okay. Fine. May pumasok talaga dito. " he gave in with a glare after a few seconds of his silence. 

"But then, have you even tried to search that file sa mga gamit ng dad mo, Ms. Javier o baka hinayaan mo lang na maunahan ka pa ng mga kalaban?" Pagpapatuloy nito which caused me to scowl and glare at his way.

"I tried to find it okay...Pero hindi ko pa nahahalungkat lahat ng gamit niya pero hindi ko naman hahayaang maunahan nila ako---"

"Such a lame excuse you have right there, Ms. Javier."

That made me glare at him when he cut me off.

This s**t!

"Dapat ginawa mo na yon noon pa man before you even thought about asking my help. How careless of you." pailing-iling pang saad ng gago as he comfortably leaned against his seat. Halatang gustong asarin ako.

And the picture really ticked me off.

As if nagpabaya talaga ako. This maggot!

"FYI bastard, hinanap ko talaga ang bagay na'yon but then, I couldn't find it here!" I pointed out with gritted teeth.

"Ow.. okay. If you insist..." he answered with a nonchalant shrug, causing my annoyance at him intensifies.

"Hinanap ko nga 'yon, Okay?! Bakit? Ikaw ba hinanap mo rin ba ang bagay na'yon sa mga gamit ng papa mo? It was your dad's file kaya posibleng nasa mga gamit niya lang 'yon all this time!"

"It was indeed my dad's pero hindi ibig sabihin nun, alam ko na kung saan nakatago 'yon---"

"Because you haven't tried to search for it. Oh! How nice of you to even give me your famous lecture, Mr. Del Fuero. So f*****g nice..." I retorted, wanted to annoy him which I did.

Dahil agad na umasim ang mukha nito when I cut him off.

"It wasn't like that!"

"It wasn't like that! Tse! Tigil-tigilan mo ko ah!" I snapped at him as I mimicked him in a girly tone na syang mas itinigas pa lalo ng mukha nito ngayon. Veins seems ready to burst out in his temple.

"Pwede ba------"

Pak!

I was suddenly interrupted nang biglaan na lamang nitong tinampal ang sariling mukha nito then cursed under his breath.

"f*****g mosquitoes!" he hissed out before he rubbed his face with his pursed lips.

"I think we'll just continue this talk tomorrow, Ms. Jav-----Goddammit! Another's biting on my legs!!!" he cursed out while scratching his legs.

The indications na kanina pa pala ito nagtitimpi sa mga alaga kong lamok dito at ngayon.

"I have to leave now----f**k it!" Mura na naman nito habang napapatayo na mula sa kinauupuan nito, now slapping his arm then scratched it.

Seeing his funny face, I quickly bit the inside of my cheeks just to stop myself to burst out into laughter. So amused with him cursing the poor insects. And I think he had caught me silently laughing at his predicament dahil pinukulan niya'ko agad ng masamang tingin.

"Stop laughing, Ms. Javier! Hindi ito nakakatawa!" He angrily shouted with eyes glaring at me distastefully.

"AHERM AHERM! Sinong tumatawa, Mr. Del Fuero? Nakita mo bang nakatawa ako? Hindi naman di ba? Ang swerte mo naman yata kung ganun." I feigned innocent while trying to look as serious as hell.

"Wag mo ng ikaila pa, Ms. Javier! I think it would be beeter if we'll just resume this talk tomorrow without these f*****g pests kept biting me to death. " Yamot paring saad nito saka dali-dali ng naglakad patungo sa pinto.

I just followed him with my amused gaze and a smirk in my mouth.

"I'll come back here tom---"

I quickly hid my smile when he suddenly turned to my way and said that.

"What was that?" usisa agad nito with his furrowed brows and a suspicious look.

Probably catching me smiling at his expense.

"What was what? Anong ibig mong sabihin?" 

He didn't answered right away and just gave me that suspicious look. But after a few seconds, agad naman itong napailing-iling then opened the door. Pero bago ito lumabas, he turned to my way again.

"Are you planning to stay here tonight?"

"Ahuh. Wala na'kong ibang mapuntahan that were safe for me to hide---"

"It's not safe here."

That statement made my brow to shot up.

"Why? Nag-aalala ka na ba sa'kin ngayon, Mr. Del Fuero? Do you want me to stay in your house then  just to keep me safe?"

"Huh! Keep on dreaming, Ms. Javier. Not ever going to happen." the bastard said with a shook of his head.

"Just try not to die here until tomorrow. I'm leaving now."

Then with that, agad na itong umalis without even looking back at me. Leaving me wanted to throw the baseball bat at his retreating back.

Naway madapa ka sana gago ka! As if I dreamt about staying in one house with him! Never gonna happen!

~~~~~~~~