One Last Crime

Kabanata 28

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Kahit sinabihan ako nitong manatili sa itaas ay sinundan ko pa rin siya. I swallowed as the agony started to rise inside me.

My forehead creased as Lendhel opened the door. Niluwa ng pintuan ang nakangiting lalaki.

Umangat tingin nito sa akin na nasa hagdanan lamang.

"Ferguson?"

Why is he here? Sila Mom at Dad lang ang nakakaalam ng safe house. Kaya paano napadpad dito si Ferguson?

"How are you, Chantrea?"

"How did you get here? Paano mo nalaman--"

"Your mom gave me the address."

I can't believe Mom just gave away the address of our safe house! I mean he's a friend but what if someone followed him? Well be dead!

"I told your mom not to keep our address to themselves." He whispered.

"I was worried sick when I heard about the accident. I cannot believe the car crash was planned."

My eyes glanced on Lendhel beside me, his teeth gritted when Ferguson hugged me. I'd like to think he's jealous of Ferguson and smile at his reaction but Fergy's presence is bothering me. Does he have important things to say? Or something else?

"Pwede mo namang tawagan si Chantrea, hindi kana sana pumunta pa dito."

"I want to see how she's doing. I want to know if she's safe----" he cut him off. Pumagitna pa ito sa pagitan namin ni Ferguson.

"She is safe here," mariin niyang saad.

Ferguson gulped and stepped back. "Yeah, you're protective, I can see that... But I'm not the one you should protect her from."

Lendhel's eyes narrowed.

"Ferguson," I said.

"My rival ever since we're teens.. Is Adrian Manansala."

I sighed. There, he said it! Kahit kailan talaga ang bibig nito ni Fergy! I mean he's my friend but sometimes he's blurting out something that shouldn't be heard!

"M-maupo ka muna Fergy," aniya ko sa kanya. Dinal ko ito sa sala, kung saan nakaupo ito sa single sofa na malapit sa kinauupuan ko. Magkatapat naman ang upuan nila ni Lendhel.

"You don't know how happy I am when I heard you're engaged to this man."

Lendhel nodded like he accepted his compliment.

"I mean, hindi ako boto sayo dahil tingin ko ay mas bagay sa akin

si Chantrea."

Lendhel glared at him and Ferguson ignored it.

"Pero mas lalong hindi siya bagay kay Adrian. He's not good for her and his family is messed up too. Remember his Dad went to prison."

Tuwing babangitin nila ang pangalan ni Adrian ay laging nakakabit ang ginawa ng ama nito noon.

Why can't they just forget about it? It's all in the past now, he's not even a part of his father's crimes. He's good and way better than his Dad.

Even though he killed Mariya's boyfriend, it is reasonable because he defended me. Though I can't see that guys threaten me. After all, he's trying to help us.

But one thing is for sure...

"Adrian's different from Tito Adonis."

Lendhel's eyes remained on me. His expression is blank, tight lips. Ferguson is staring at me as well. I knew they're opinions about Adrian but they don't know him... I do.

"How's the car of the guy who lives near your mansion anyway? I can't believe time has passed. But the crimes are still the same! Can you believe it, Chantrea? The body is found on the same spot where Adrian's maid died."

Lendhel's eyebrows raised. "How did you know that?"

He rested his back on the sofa. "I was there. I mean I went there to look for Chantrea but she's not there so I stopped by the crime scene and it was the exact spot where Adrian's maid died."

My heart thudded on what he said.

This is why I'm bothered about Ferguson's presence here!

Sinulyapan ko si Lendhel sa gilid.

Mas lalo pa atang kumunot ang noo ni Lendhel sa sinabi nito. "How did you know that? Did you happen to pass by again?"

Mariin king tinitigan si Ferguson ngunit ang mata nito ay nanatili lang kay Lendhel.

Don't you dare say anything Ferguson!

"Yeah. The crime scene is near Chantrea's house. I went there to see my future fiance and bragged about our night in the lalandika falls because she ditched us."

I closed my eyes tightly.

Oh no Fergy, don't talk anymore!

I gulped as Ledhels eyes bore mine.

Agad kong iniwas ang tingin.

"What are you talking about Ferguson? I didn't ditch---" Fergy cut me off.

"You did! Para lang sa Adrian na iyon! I asked you to go with us for a swim but you choose to be tutored by that guy. I was worried all night because that's the night where Adrian's maid got killed and you two are together so I come by to see if you're alright."

Lendhel's eyes narrowed at me, for the second time I looked away and out my gaze on Ferguson.

I swallowed, composing myself. "W-why wouldn't I be alright? Gosh Fergy. You're just obsessed with me before."

Hindi ko na magawang sulyapan si Lendhel sa gilid ko. I was scared to met his blank eyes. I knew he has a lot of question in mind and I don't wanna mess everything.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Well that was before. Now... I can see you're happy with his guy."

"Anyways I gotta go." No! Don't freaking go away Ferguson! Yore the reason why he found out I'm with Adrian the night before the murder. For sure hes gonna think about something else!

"Y-you can stay Fergy."

"It's alright Chant. Pumunta lang talaga ako para makitang okay ka. Mukhang okay na okay pa nga." He chuckled.

He hugged me again. Wala akong nagawa ng kamayan na nito si Lendhel bago lumabas.

"So... I think I'm sleepy... I'm gonna go to my room now," I said and rushed to my room without looking at him.

Kinabukasan ay natagpuan ko siya sa kusina na nagluluto.

"Good morning," he said with a sweet smile.

He has a sincere smile that mad me smile back. The whole morning he's not distant with me. Hindi nagbago ang pakikitungo nito sa akin.

Maybe I'm just overreacting?

I sighed... Siguro nga.

Pinagpatuloy niya ang pag solve ng ilang mga kaso. Habang nakatulala lang ako sa picture ng kasong napagusapan namin kagabi.

Maraming picture ang asawa na suspect at ang kaibigan nito. Most of the pictures are the hanging out, hugging and kissing. These are sweet moments.

Kung hindi ko lang alam ang kwento ng mga ito ay iisipin kong may nararamdaman ang kaibigan niya sa asawang suspect.

Nakuha ang atensyon ko ng isang katok sa pintuan. Sinulyapan ko si Lendhel.

He shrugged and opened the door.

My eyes widened when she entered the house.

"Good morning, Detective." I glared at her irritating smile.

"Come in," aniya naman nito.

I ignored when she smiled and passed at me.

I dashed towards Lendhel. "Why is she here?"

"She's here for the evidence, Chantrea," he said.

"So how can this house be safe from threats if she's here?"

"Calm down baby. We're engaged alright?"

I sighed. Una ay si Ferguson, ngayon naman ay ang Rochelle na ito!

Kahit hindi ko matiis kasama sa isang lugar si Rochelle ay hindi ko hahayaang mapag isa sila ni Lendhel.

Inaayos nito ang mga folder na sala niya sa sala habang nakaupo ako sa isang sofa na katapat sa kanya at si Lendhel naman ang nasa gitna, katulad ng posisyon namin kagabi ng bumisita si Ferguson.

"Well it seems that she's right." Sinulyapan niya ako.

"The evidence is valid. She's the suspect."

My eyes remained at the evidence she's presenting.

"She admitted the crime but she's silent why."

Inangat ko ang kamay, hindi ko napansin hawak ko pa rin pala ang picture nilang dalawa. I stated at the picture of them, I know that kind of look she's giving to her friend that is married.

"She's probably his mistress as well." aniya ni Rochelle.

I shook my head.

"She loves her... That's why she killed the mistress. So it would be blamed on his husband but it backfired on his wife and now she couldn't be with her..."

Nanatili ang tingin nito sa akin bago tawagan ang kapwa detective na naroon.

She smiled as the phone call ended. "Well, that is a nice observation Ms. Callejo. You're right. She's busted, that's why she confessed."

"She's good at it huh."

Sinulyapan ko ang nakangiting si Lendhel sa gilid. I can tell how proud he is.

"Just like me." He chuckled.

"Anyways, Congrats to your engagement. And thank you for cracking the case." nilahad nito ang kamay sa akin, inabot ko naman iyon.

"If you weren't a model you could be an awesome detective."

Mapait akong ngumiti.

If they only know...