FRIEND OF MINE (2nd Generation HUGS)

Chapter 20 -Even More Complicated

Chapter 20 -Even More Complicated

Today is the day where I will meet Nicolas. Honestly, I really didn’t want to meet him pero para matapos na lang ang pangungulit niya and for my own benefit also ay pumayag na rin ako. I am on my way now to a secluded restaurant where we have met before. It is miles away from where ZG and I live. Ayokong may makakita sa akin because I know that it will cause speculations and gossip na pwedeng makarating kay ZG. And that’s the worst thing that I wanted to happen. 

Everything is set already. All are in their proper places. Naka-prepared na ang lahat for my most awaited day. All I am waiting for is the date itself where I will say the words that will make ZG mine forever. I love ZG so much. Of all the relationships I have had in the past, siya ang minahal ko ng sobra-sobra. I admit that I had some mistakes and flaws, it is normal because I am not a perfect person. Pero lahat ng mga mali na nagawa ko before ay pinagsisihan ko na. God knows that I have sincerely asked for forgiveness for all the wrong things that I have done and also made a promise not to do it again.

When I reach the restaurant ay nasa loob na si Nicolas. He immediately plastered a smile the minute he saw me. I heaved a sigh before walking towards the table where he is. 

“I thought you’ll never appear, Catherine.”

“I said I will come right?” 

“That’s what I liked about you. You are a woman of your word.” My eyebrow arch before sitting in front of him. “I took the liberty of ordering for the two of us. I hope you won’t mind.”

“I won’t be long Nicolas. I just came here to talk to you, that’s it.” I heard him exhale deeply. “What is it that you need to talk to me about?” He shakes his head with disbelief and annoyance. I cared less as I sip the juice that was laid in front of me.

“I just want to know if you are okay.” I chuckled loudly but laced with sarcasm. 

“I am fine Nicolas. I am perfectly fine.”

“How’s the kid?” I stare at him sharply which makes him laugh several times. “What? I am asking about him? Have I said something wrong?”

“Don’t you dare Nicolas. I’m warning you. Don’t you even dare.”

“I am not doing anything… Yet.” This man really makes me furious. I hate his guts and I also hate his presence. Mula pa naman noon ay inis na inis na ako sa taong ito. 

“What is it that you need this time?”

“Now we’re talking.” He smirks devilishly before taking a bite of his steak. I eyed him with dismay. “I need cash, Catherine. A huge sum.”

“How much?”

“A million dollars. By the end of this month.” My eyes literally pop open. 

“Are you out of your mind!” He just shrugs his shoulders and continues chewing his food.

“Where in God’s hand will I get such a huge amount? I don’t have work anymore, you knew that! You’re freaking crazy!”

“It’s not my problem I believe.” He leaned back comfortably. 

“I can’t help you with what you need Nicolas. I’m sorry.” I stood up and was about to leave when he said the words he always uses to blackmail me.

“Then I’ll tell him the truth.” I quickly stare at him before returning to my seat. He looked at me cockily and so full of himself. 

“You will not tell him anything. Do you hear me? Huh Nicolas.” 

“You see Catherine, in this world that we live in, it’s always a game of give and take. Give me what I need and I’ll give you the peace you want.” 

Naiinis na talaga ako sa lalaking ito. He always blackmails me. But what must I do? I don’t want to ruin everything in my life. It’s almost perfect and I can’t afford to lose everything that I have right now. Hindi ko makakaya na mawala ang lahat sa akin right now.

“I see what I can do.” his smile broadens before leaning forward. 

“Do it. You know I am not a patient man, Catherine.”

“I will kill you Nicolas if given a chance.” I gritted my teeth with rage and disgust.

“Your boyfriend will kill you first when he knows the truth.” Then he laughed consecutively, which made me freeze in my seat.

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I am frantic and ecstatic at the same dahil maya-maya lang ay malalaman ko na kung ano ang result ng pinapagawa ko sa private investigator ko. I knew that I have given this my all, in fact I have chosen one of the best investigators this country has, so I am really hoping for the best result there could possibly be. Malakas ang loob ko na today is the day where all secrets will be revealed. Na ngayon ang araw kung saan malalaman ko na ang baho ng babaeng papakasalan ng kuya ko.

Kanina ng umalis si Phoebe ay patay-malisya lang ako at the living room while reading. I didn’t even bother to lift my head nor utter a word when she said goodbye to me. But the minute she drove off ay mabilis akong sumilip sa window and saw my hired investigator followed her. 

Hours had passed and everytime I look at the clock ay naiinis ako. I tried to divert my attention in playing with my nephew then kapag bored na ako ulit ay nasa harap naman ako ng laptop ko or watching anything.

My excitement rises the moment I received an email from my private investigator. He told me to meet him at dinner later. May kailangan pa daw siyang i-research before facing me for the informations that I need. Mas lalo akong hindi mapakali dahil hindi niya ako binigyan man lang ng any infos whatsoever. 

I quickly hailed a cab the minute I went outside, heading to where I will meet my hired investigator. Hindi na ako mapalagay while waiting to arrive at my destination. The thrill is literally killing me. Kanina pa ako hindi patahimikin ng suspense na ito. I almost run pag-baba ko ng cab. I saw the person I am suppose to meet at the far end corner of the restaurant. 

‘What happened?” I said just right after I was seated. He handed me an envelope where I quickly opened and collected all the photographs in it. 

Almost all the pictures are photos of Phoebe at a table with a man whom I believed ay ang Nicolas na yun. It is taken from different angles kaya nakita ko rin ang itsura ng lalaki. He looks young, I think younger than Phoebe but almost at the same age as mine. 

“I’ve recorded their conversation, Ms. Reiz.” He placed a tape recorder on top of the table which I quickly played on. I listened to every words intently. It seems that this Nicolas knows a secret that Phoebe is hiding at ayaw na ipaalam sa iba. Dahil hindi malakas ang loob ng Nicolas na yun na humingi ng ganun kalaki na halaga kung hindi delicate ang sikreto na yun. Pero natapos na lang ang recorded conversation ay walang nabanggit if ano ba ang secret na pinag-uusapan nila. Ang pinaka-nakakuha ang attention ko was the line that Nicolas said to Phoebe. 

Your boyfriend will kill you first when he knows the truth.

“Anything else that I need to know? Do you have any information on who Nicolas is in the life of that woman?” 

“I did my assignments, Ms. Reiz.”

“So?” He placed a folder in front of me. Mabilis ko itong binuksan at sinimulang basahin. My eyebrow arch as my forehead creased the moment I read its content. “The f**k! Nicolas is not her lover! Is this even accurate? I mean, are you sure about this?” I can’t believe it. 

“You’ve read his information, Ms. Reiz. They are not lovers. Although they are connected with each other in some parts.” I close my eyes tightly. 

I know na mas mahirap ngayon na alamin ang totoo dahil hindi ito ang result na inaasahan ko. I am expecting kasi na may relasyon silang dalawa behind my brother’s back. Naisip ko pa nga na baka Third is not even my brother’s son. Mas naging complicated pa ngayon ang lahat. Things got even more complicated now knowing that what I am expecting doesn’t come to pass. Although it shows na may secret nga si Phoebe na obviously ay ayaw nitong ipaalam kanino man, pero ano ito? Ano ang secret na yun? And what I really can’t fathom is the fact that Nicolas and Phoebe are and were not sexually related, Nicolas is Phoebe’s half brother. 

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