Two Of Hearts

3.2 - The Killer

"What are you doing?"

I turned to see her standing behind me, her presence a stark contrast to the quiet reflection I had been engaged in.

"Wala po"

At the end of the day, I went home without gaining anything.

Yes, there is this memory recollection, but what can a photographic memory do?

It captures everything in vivid detail, but sometimes, remembering isn't enough to solve the complexities life throws at you.

When I got home to the mansion, the maids cleaning outside were the first to greet me.

Their diligent work was a familiar sight, yet today it felt different, perhaps because of the weight of the day's events still lingering in my mind.

I furrowed my brow when I saw an unfamiliar car parked in the driveway.

It was sleek and expensive-looking, clearly not one of our regular vehicles.

As I entered the house, my eyes immediately caught sight of a pair of shoes by the door.

They were large, much larger than anyone in our household would wear.

"Manang Marie, kaninong kotse iyong nasa labas?" I asked our maid when I met her in the living room. She was dusting the shelves, meticulously ensuring every surface was spotless.

"Sa bagong boyfriend po ni Madame Azara," she replied. I grimaced at what she said. So, Azara had a new boyfriend.

This was news to me, and not particularly welcome news at that.

I was about to turn away, but then I remembered something.

"Where is Ate Elowen?" I asked.

"Nasa company pa po niya. Gusto nyo po bang ipaghayin ko kayo ng hapunan sa kwarto ninyo?" Manang Marie offered kindly.

"Has Ate Azara eaten?" I asked again.

"Nakakain na po siya kasabay ng boyfriend niya," she replied, and I couldn't help but grimace once more.

Azara hadn't even waited for her sister to come home before eating.

"I'll eat later when Ate Elowen is here. Just call me in my room," I said, smiling sweetly before making my way up the stairs.

As I walked down the hallway to my room, I passed by Azara's room and heard unmistakable moans.

"God, I hate living with her," I muttered to myself. Covering my ears, I quickly moved past her room, trying to block out the sounds.

When I finally arrived in my room, silence greeted me. It was a stark contrast to the chaotic thoughts in my head.

I took off my blazer and polo, dropped my things, and lay face down on the bed.

I groaned out of frustration into my pillow, my face buried deep into it.

I've only been a detective for nine days, and I've already faced two heavy cases.

These killers are incredibly skilled, testing my abilities as a detective to the limit.

I shouldn't bring work issues home, but I can't help it. The cases weigh heavily on my mind, intruding into my personal space.

In the end, instead of just lying down and resting, I found myself glued to my laptop, making a report.

The hotel owner has been complaining too, wanting to reopen their hotel because they might go bankrupt.

In fact, it's still prohibited, so here I am, writing a long essay that our team will submit to the government to determine if the business can be reopened.

While working, I felt thirsty.

Technically, I could ask any maid to get me something, but I didn't.

I just left my room and went to the kitchen.

Fortunately, I didn't hear any noise when I passed by Azara's room.

When I arrived in the kitchen, our chef greeted me.

I knew him because he had been our chef since we were kids.

"What are you cooking?" I asked the chef while looking for something in the fridge.

"I'm just cooking steak for your dinner. Would you like to eat now? We'll set the table for you," he offered. I smiled broadly when I found what I was looking for: lemon juice.

"No, thank you. Actually, I feel like helping out here in the kitchen," I said, watching the chef's assistant.

She was impressively skilled, slicing ingredients with speed and precision.

"No need, just go rest upstairs, Madame Seyren," the chef said, but I pouted and made a sad face.

I would rather help them than continue the work that I should be doing at the headquarters.

"I also want to learn how to cook. Honestly, since I lived in my condo until I left, I never stepped into my kitchen to cook. My friend was always there to cook for me, whether it was breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks." I approached our chef, putting my hands together and showing puppy dog eyes.

"Please let me help you guys," I pleaded like a child. The chef and his assistant smiled at me.

"Alright, you can join in. My apprentice will teach you how to cook," the chef agreed.

"Yes!" I exclaimed, my smile widening. "I promise I won't let you down." I moved closer to the chef's apprentice, introducing myself because she looked new.

"My name is Anita. Anita Shin," she introduced herself.

"Anita Shin, that's a Korean last name. Are you half Korean?" I asked, and she nodded.

"That's cool. I love Koreans, especially Korean men," I said, and she smiled at me.

Our cooking lesson began, and the first thing she taught me was how to chop an onion.

When she handed me the knife, I wasn't sure how to use it.

"Your knife is scary, it's too sharp," I commented, watching her demonstration. When I tried it, I did it slowly.

I'm scared of knives, but not to the point of anxiety. I just never held a knife before.

After almost an hour of teaching and helping, I finally finished a dish.

The food was requested by Ate Elowen because she had a guest coming.

Since I was avoiding going back to my room, I helped set the table for dinner.

My stomach even rumbled when I saw how much food there was.

I was tempted, but I held myself back because I wanted to eat with Ate Elowen, even if it looked like she had a guest to dine with.

Just as I finished setting the table, Ate Elowen arrived in her Lamborghini Aventador SV.

Detective Skyler was with her. I grinned because she was the guest I expected Ate Elowen to have.

Ate Elowen and Detective Skyler had been classmates since elementary school.

Ate Elowen always told me she liked Detective Skyler, and after they graduated from college, Ate Elowen started courting her.

Detective Skyler is the only person who knows my background story.

She is the only detective who knows that I am a Cameron.

That's why instead of getting police guards for Ate Azara, she assigned me.

"Ate!" Binati ko naman si ate Elowen pagpasok niya ng bahay.

He hugged me tightly, and I returned the embrace just as firmly. When we let go, I extended my hand to Detective Skyler for a handshake.

"Detective," I teased her with a mischievous grin.

"Ate Elowen, I cooked for the first time. Why don't you try my cooking in the dining room?" I suggested, hoping to give Detective Skyler and Ate Elowen some space.

"Really? Our baby is growing up so fast, huh. Sure, I'll try it," Ate Elowen said, heading to the dining room, momentarily forgetting she was with Detective Skyler.

When I turned back to Detective Skyler, I gave her a big smile.

"What's the score now?" I teased, lightly tapping her arm.

"Hey, you! You're so presumptuous. There's no score or whatever. We're just friends," Detective Skyler immediately denied, her face gradually turning red with embarrassment.

"That's where it's heading anyway. Just remember, I want to be the bridesmaid when you two get married," I said, making her blush even more.

Despite her tough demeanor at work, I knew Detective Skyler had a soft heart, especially when it came to Ate Elowen.

When it came to my sister, her bravado completely disappeared.

"Stop teasing me," she said, attempting to act stern, but she couldn't help but smile.

In the end, I felt like a fool, teasing her like that. When we reached the dining room, I saw Ate Elowen sampling all the dishes on the table.

"In all fairness, the food tastes better today," she remarked.

"Of course, I cooked it," I said, flexing my arm muscles playfully. My childish side always came out around Ate Elowen.

"Congratulations, baby. You know how to cook now," Ate Elowen said, clapping her hands, making us both laugh at our antics.

She was only a year older than me, but she always treated me like her baby.

When we started eating, even though there were just the three of us, the dining room was filled with chatter.

Ate Elowen was very talkative, and Detective Skyler and I were the listeners.

While I listened with a smile, Detective Skyler listened with a soft gaze fixed on Ate Elowen's face, giving her full attention.

Was I jealous? Not really. In fact, I was happy to see that Detective Skyler seemed to be falling for my sister.

I'm a keen observer, so I didn't miss even the smallest details.

We spent the evening together, with me becoming the third wheel.

When they watched a movie in Ate Elowen's room, I was there.

When they talked about our work, I acted as the narrator. And when they played mobile games, I joined in.

I didn't impose myself.

They included me, saying they didn't want me to feel lonely since both Ate Elowen and Ate Azara had guests.

Our night ended with laughter. I woke up the next morning to the sound of my alarm.

Realizing it was still early, I decided to exercise first. I did push-ups, planks, burpees, pull-ups using the bar I set up in my doorway, and other exercises until I was drenched in sweat.

I wanted to become more muscular than I currently was.

When I looked in the mirror, I saw myself wearing only a sports bra and boxer shorts.

They were soaked with sweat, revealing the outline of my male genitalia, which was bulging.

My genitals were a source of insecurity for me because they were unusual. I was a woman, but I had a male's genitalia.

I liked my body, though. My hands were veiny, my fingers long, my skin fair, my height tall, not hairy, my voice not too girly, and I could say I was both beautiful and handsome.

I could be feminine or masculine, depending on the clothes I wore.

I had a nice V-line and toned abs.

I could say I was a hot woman.

I took a shower and changed clothes.

I wore a white polo tucked into black trousers, with a belt holding my gun and badge.

I also wore suspenders to give the appearance of wearing a jumper.

When I left my room and headed to the kitchen, I saw Ate Azara and her boyfriend in the living room.

They were sitting on the couch, flirting with their foreheads touching and noses rubbing together like children, with Azara sitting on Alcantara's lap.

They were more nauseating to look at than the corpses I usually saw.

When I arrived at the dining room, Ate Elowen was already there, waiting for me. We ate together and chatted.

Afterward, I told her I was leaving. Unexpectedly, I found myself leaving the house at the same time as Mr. Alcantara.

Ate Azara gave me a dirty look. I wanted to roll my eyes but refrained.

"You're a detective, right?" Mr. Alcantara asked as we both put on our shoes in the open space near the entrance.

"Yep, you're a basketball player, right?" I asked, and he nodded, smiling broadly at me.

"Congratulations on getting Azara," I said, smiling back at him.

"Thank you, I've been waiting for this for 10 years," he said, and I nodded disinterestedly. My eyes fell on his shoes.

"What size are your shoes?" I asked, noticing how large they were.

"27.6 cm, a normal size for basketball players with a 6'5 height. Does it look weird?"

"Yes," I replied simply, and we stepped outside. I heard him laugh.

As I headed to the garage, Mr. Alcantara and Ate Azara followed, still finding time to kiss in front of me.

Fortunately, I focused on my moped to avoid watching them.

Kadiri ampota

Parang walang ginawang milagro kagabi.

Ang lalandi.

I ignored them, focusing on my own tasks.

Having already said goodbye to Ate Elowen earlier, I left the mansion with my moped, riding away from the suffocating atmosphere of the house.

My first stop was the church.

Attending mass was my way of finding a moment of peace and clarity before diving into the chaos of the day.

The serene ambiance of the church, the soft murmurs of prayers, and the faint scent of incense helped me gather my thoughts and fortify my resolve.

After the service, I made my way to work.

The familiar sights and sounds of the city buzzed around me, a constant reminder of the endless battles that lay ahead.

Each new day brought its own set of challenges and tribulations, a seemingly endless cycle of struggles.

But I was determined to face them head-on, to endure and persevere no matter the cost.

This is my dream.

I had always wanted to be a detective.

The desire to cleanse the world of its evildoers burned within me.

I had seen the darkest sides of humanity, and it fueled my drive to protect the innocent and bring justice to the wronged.

My past encounters with malevolent individuals had left a deep mark on me.

I was resolved to prevent future generations from experiencing the same horrors.

No child should have to face such vile people.

It was my mission to hunt them down and make the world a safer place.

As I approached the precinct, I mentally prepared myself for the day ahead.

I knew it would be filled with paperwork, investigations, and possibly dangerous confrontations.

But this was my calling, and I wouldn't let anything deter me from my path.

I parked my moped and took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever awaited me inside.

With a determined stride, I entered the building, ready to tackle the day's challenges and continue my fight against the darkness that plagued our world.

I will f**k that killer, I swear.