Just Like How the Night Falls (del Grico Series #1)

Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

Trouble

"Divulge: Famous actor Jericho Maon is discovered as a syndicate. See this? I did this!" Arnold looks so happy while telling me about his so-called achievement. Proud na proud siya habang ipinapakita sa 'kin ang headline ng gawa niyang news.

We're here at our school's lounge. Busy ako sa pag-examine ng ibinigay sa 'king folder ni Cecil nang lapitan ako ni Arnold para ibalita ang tungkol sa subject niya. He's my colleague under Divulge. He's just a grade 12 high school yet he has achieved so many things. Para na rin siyang nakababata kong kapatid.

"You did this?" kinakabahang tanong ko sa kanya. This is alarming actually. Why would he do that? If it's true that Jericho Maon is a syndicate and the news is published under our Agency's name then Divulge might be in danger.

"Yes! Ang galing ko, 'no?"

"But this is too much! Baka madehado ang Divulge dahil dito," seryosong litanya ko. Natahimik siya dahil sa sinabi ko.

Divulge is our family's news agency here in the Philippines. We only release information about famous individuals here in our country including actors, actresses, models, businessmen, and so on. Divulge media outlet has become famous for publishing controversial news that destroys one's name.

Many people are mad because of the news we usually publish. It is kind of our advantages as well dahil mas nagiging sikat ang aming agency sa pangbabash.

Us, who are working under Divulge, remain anonymous to the public for our safety. Marami kasi ang nagagalit sa 'min dahil sa mga balitang inilalabas namin na nakasisira ng pangalan.

"Hindi naman nila malalaman, Ate Ria. You don't have to worry," kampanteng aniya na ikinabuntong-hininga ko na lang. Bago pa man ako makapagsalita ay tumunog na ang bell, hudyat na tapos na ang klase. "I gotta go, Ate."

Tinanguan ko na lang siya bago nagpasyang lumipat din sa loob ng library. I need to continue my plan for my subject.

As soon as I entered the library, I chose the table at the far side. Mahirap nang may makakita ng nilalaman ng hawak kong folder. Nang nakampante na 'ko sa puwesto ko, muli kong binuksan ang folder.

Name: Zanrellius M. del Grico

Profession: Model, future heir of Lealde Records

Age: 22 years old

Course: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Father: Zandrius del Grico

Mother: Razelle Montriele del Grico

Siblings: Ranzellius M. del Grico, Ranziana M. del Grico

Last week's girlfriend: Danica Hernandez (dancer, famous model)

Current girlfriend: Deeanne Almera (famous actress)

When I turned to the next page, pictures of Zanrell while playing piano are printed on it. He looks really good. I wonder kung ano pa ang itsura niya sa personal.

I don't check people surrounding me unless they are suspicious or they are my subject. That's why I am not familiar with the famous students here at Arquero University. Niwala nga akong kilalang kahit isang del Grico rito. But a surname del Grico rings a bell. Sila rin kasi mismo ang may-ari ng Arquero University.

The next pages are pictures of girls that were linked to Zanrell. May kasama pa kung ilang araw niya lang nakasama. Hmm. With that, I can conclude that he's a womanizer. Well, maybe I can use that to destroy his name. Especially since his girlfriends are pretty famous.

When I turned to the very last page, it was a picture of a plate number of an expensive red Porsche convertible car. I guess it's his.

These are the only info about him. Naintindihan ko naman 'yon dahil masyado talagang pribado sa buhay ang mga del Grico. Ako na lang ang bahala sa ibang impormasyon.

"Excuse me." I immediately closed the folder I am reading when a guy talked to me. I rose an eyebrow while looking at him.

"What?" I asked using my usual cold voice. Ngumiti siya at bakas do'n ang pagkahiya niya. Isama pa ang pagkakamot niya ng kanyang batok.

Because of smiling, his eyes became smaller. Tingin ko'y may lahi siyang Chinese o Japanese dahil sa singkit niyang mga mata.

"Azria Sei Texon of BA Communication right? I'm Clerk Ramiro." Inilahad niya ang kamay niya sa 'kin na siyang tinitigan ko lang. I'm not found of formalities.

"What do you want?" His smile faltered when I didn't accept his handshake. Ilang segundo'y ibinaba niya rin ang kamay niya. Nakitaan ko rin ng pagkapahiya ang itsura niya.

"I just want to be friends with you. I noticed that you usually eat alone so—" Before he could even finish talking, I stopped him by standing up.

"I don't need friends. I have plenty of it," I said before I decided to leave. Istorbo.

I'm not dense. I'm very familiar with those lines and looks. Sad for them, I'm not fond of having any romantic relationships. Maraming mas importanteng bagay sa buhay ko kaysa ang pakikipagrelasyon.

People say I look like my mom. I got her deep-set chestnut brown eyes paired with on-fleek eyebrows that made me look intimidating. I also have a thin nose and bow-shaped pink lips. I also got Mom's defined jawline and fair skin. The only thing that I got from Dad is my not-so-good attitude which annoys many people.

I was heading to our school's parking lot where I parked my motor when someone blocked my way. I was preoccupied that's why I was not able to notice him.

A tan guy blocked me. He's wearing a red shirt and faded shorts. His strong perfume enveloped my nose and I almost coughed because of its strong scent. Nakangiti sa 'kin ang lalaki habang tinitingnan ako.

"Hey, girl. I never saw a lady looking so hot with just a simple black shirt. May I know your name?" he asked. He even bit his lips, trying to look hot and perhaps, he's trying to seduce me as well.

I tucked my left thumb into the pocket of my jeans as I stared directly into his eyes.

I am not really familiar with the famous students in our University but he has that kind of vibes especially that he looks fine. Mas lalo pang lumakas ang hula ko nang mapalingon ako sa gilid nang may nagsalitang isa pang lalaki.

"Stop messing with her, Bryant." A guy that was sitting inside a gazebo went to us. Nanatili naman ang tingin ko sa iba pang lalaking nanatili sa loob ng gazebo at nakatingin sa banda namin nang mapansin ang isang pares ng kakaibang mata. Lahat ng lalaki sa loob ng gazebo ay nagkakantsawan habang nanatili namang seryoso ang lalaking may kakaibang kulay ng mata.

Hmm.

Hindi ako p'wedeng magkamali. The guy with a pair of amber colored eyes is for sure a del Grico. Sila lang naman ang may gano'ng klaseng mata sa buong University namin. Kailangan ko lang malaman kung sino nga ba ang del Grico na nanonood sa 'min ngayon.

"Don't be KJ, Gideon. Now tell me, Miss. May I know your name?" pagpapatuloy na pangungulit ng lalaki kahit na pinigilan na ng isa pang lalaking nagngangalang Gideon. Naibalik ko ang tingin sa dalawang lalaki sa harap ko ngayon.

"Stop it! Binabastos mo siya—"

"I'm trouble," sagot ko na nagpatahimik sa dalawa. Napansin ko rin ang pagkatigil sa tawanan ng mga lalaking nasa gazebo.

I glanced once again in the direction of the guys who are inside the gazebo. There, I confirmed that the guy with amber-colored eyes is fortunately my subject, Zanrellius del Grico.

Malamig kong ibinalik ang tingin sa daan bago nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Sinadya ko pang banggain ang dalawang lalaking nakaharang sa daan ko.

"Woah! Cool!" dinig kong kumento pa ng isang lalaki pero hindi ko na sila pinag-aksayahan pang lingunin.

When night fell, I proceeded to my plan, immediately. I waited outside the exclusive subdivision of del Gricos. Yeah. That's how filthy rich they are, they own a whole subdivision just for their family.

Del Gricos are known for being monsters in so many fields, say in business, in the army, in airlines, in sports, and even in law. They are also known for having a unique color of eyes.

A while ago when I went home, I did my research about the usual amber colored eyes. Napag-alaman kong ang mga mata pala ng del Grico ay 'yong rare na kulay pa. Ang sa kanila'y nalalapit sa kulay dilaw na mata ng pusa. So rare.

I have no assurance about Zanrell's night out but luckily, I saw his red Porsche making its way out of their exclusive subdivision. Kung sinusuwerte nga naman.

Ibininaba ko ang glass visor ng suot kong itim na helmet bago inalis sa pagkaka-stand ang dala kong motor. I brought my black Kawasaki Dominar 400. I also faked its plate number for safety. Nagtapal ako ng pekeng plate number para matakpan ang totoong plate number ng motor ko. I am also wearing a black leather jacket. Underneath it is a simple white camisole.

When I was about to follow Zanrell's Porsche, I saw two cars following him, perhaps his bodyguards.

Hmm. Mas kailangan ko palang mag-ingat. I can't just follow his car because for sure, his bodyguards will notice. I need to at least be distant from them in a way they won't notice my existence.

Gano'n nga ang ginawa ko. Hinintay kong maunahan ako ng dalawang sasakyan bago nagpasyang sundan ang bodyguards ni Zanrell.

The leather jacket I am wearing danced as the cold wind of the night blew it. This moment is perfect for road trips. Cold windblast, millions of stars gazing from above, and the luminous moon that makes the night so special. Kung hindi ko lang kailangang gawin 'to, baka nagliwaliw na 'ko.

Sinundan ko lang sila hanggang sa nakita kong tumigil ang sasakyan nila sa labas ng isang high-end bar. Hmm. Maybe, this time I can finally go inside and be near him. They won't notice. I just hope they won't.

When I was sure that he's staying, I brought down the stand of my motor and turned the engine off. I removed my helmet as well, revealing my braided hair. Nang muli kong ibinalik ang tingin sa sasakyan ni Zanrell, isang babae kaagad ang lumapit do'n. Lumabas na rin nang tuluyan si del Grico at inakbayan ang babae. Nakilala ko naman kaagad ang babae dahil sa kasama ang litrato niya sa folder na ibinigay ni Cecil. She's Deeanne Almera, Zanrell's current girl.

This is a big thing. Deeanne's a famous actress and has a loveteam that is admired by so many people. Paniguradong kapag nakita ng iba na si Zanrell ang kasama ng babae ngayon, maba-bash siya ng mga fans nito.

Pumasok na 'ko sa loob ng bar noong makita kong tuluyan na nga silang pumasok. I acted as if I am a normal customer. Hindi rin naman ako nakasuot ng kahina-hinalang damit.

I am actually wearing black fitted jeans and white high-cut shoes. The camisole that I am wearing is white while my leather jacket is color black. Though when I entered the bar, I saw that almost every girl is wearing flirty outfits.

Kaagad din naman akong pinapasok dahil kilala ako bilang parte ng Ace na madalas mag-perform dito.

So... I just need to catch Zanrell and Deeanne making out. That's easy.

The smell of liquors and smoke mixed in the air as soon as I entered the bar. Loud noise filled my ears and there are lots of people having fun, dancing, singing, making out, and so on.

Hindi pa man ako nakatatagal sa loob, may nakakilala na sa 'kin.

"Woah! Am I too drunk to see my crush here?" A guy went near me. Kaagad ko namang nakilala 'yon dahil kanina lang sa school ay isa siya sa mga lalaking humarang sa 'kin sa daan. He's Gideon, if I remember it right. He's one of Zanrell's friends.

I just looked at him using my cold stares. Aalis na sana ako para hanapin ang subject ko nang hawakan niya ang braso ko.

"Wait. I am Gideon Torio, by the way. I know that your name is not Trouble. You're Azria—" He wasn't able to finish talking when I harshly pulled my arms away from his hold and focused on searching for Zanrell.

Sorry for him, I am not here to enjoy. I have works to do.

I almost lost Zanrell and Deeanne. Sa dami ba namang tao at sa nakahihilong pailaw nila. Mabuti at noong nag-angat ako ng tingin, nakita ko ang dalawa sa second floor na naghahalikan.

There you guys go.

I simply brought out my camera then took pictures of them. I did it carefully. Sinubukan ko ring picture-an ang ibang bagay para hindi halatang sila lang ang kinukuhanan ko ng litrato. Marami akong kinuhang litrato para maraming pagpipilian pagbalik sa bahay.

Natigil ako sa pagkuha ng litrato nang makitang may lalaking nakatingin sa 'kin gamit ang seryosong tingin. Oh. I guess, that's Zanrell's body guard. I'm doomed if I'm right.

"Ria?" Mabilis akong lumingon sa gilid ko nang tawagin ng familiar na babae. Kira waved at me as she walked toward me. "I thought you won't come with us tonight? Change of mind?"

An angel sent from above! Naalala kong may performance pala dapat kami ngayon dito!

"Yeah. Can I still perform?" I asked immediately. Mawawala ang suspetsa ng bodyguard ni Zanrell kung makikita nila 'kong nag-pe-perform sa stage.

Mabuti na lang at may performance ngayon ang Ace dito. Eis, ang founder ng banda namin ay niyaya ako kanina na sumama rito para mag-perform. Hindi ko naman alam na rito rin pala ang punta ni Zanrell kaya tinanggihan ko.

"Sure! I was planning of multitasking tonight but now you're here, I don't have to play the electric guitar. Come on. Tayo na ang sunod na mag-pe-perform." Hinatak ako ni Kira. Hindi naman na 'ko umangal pa at sinubukan na lang na tumingin sa direksyon ni Zanrell sa second floor.

My heart jumped slightly when I caught him watching me.

Oh no. I think, his bodyguard told him already about what I've been doing a while ago.

The way he looks at me... it's different. I never felt conscious of other people's stares. Is it because of his rare eyes?

Deeanne's trying to get his attention but his eyes never left mine. Sa huli, ako na lang ang nag-iwas ng tingin dahil sa mas lalong bumibilis na pagtibok ng puso ko.

This is a sign... that I'm in trouble.