One Last Crime

Kabanata 21

Haters

I throw the papers on his table. It certainly got his attention, so he grabbed one and opened it. I put my hands on my hips as he reads it. I don't need to take a look at the letters because I know damn well what is written on it.

It's been a week since that incident. Nitong mga nakaraang araw ay hindi rin ako mapakali. Nanatili lamang ako sa mansyon, sa bakanteng kwarto ako nag opisina. Nakatanggap ako ng mga text galing kay Lendhel pero hindi ko iyon pinapansin, puro lang naman pangungumusta. Hindi naman siya nangulit pa. For sure he's busy as well.

"This is impossible," he said, he opened another one, after he read it be shook his head.

"How did this happen?"

"I don't f*****g know! He's dead Adrian. He can't send these death threats anymore!"

Nanatili lamang ang tingin niya sa mga death threats na iyon. Most of the letters say that they know something that happened five years ago, that I should die and rot in hell... That they are coming for me.

"Then who the f**k is sending me this?"

I sighed. "I don't know what to do anymore Adrian. What if one day they just kill me?"

He rushed towards me and reached for my hands. "That won't happen, Chantrea. I'm here. I will do everything to keep you safe." He assured me.

"I'm glad that you came to me first about these death threats. You said there's a lot? Where's the others?"

"At home in my room," I answered.

"No one should know about this. It may be connected with his death. Malamang hindi lang siya nag iisa. Sinasabi ko na nga ba... Hindi ko alam ang gagawin mo kung may nangyaring masama sayo ng gabing 'yon, Chantrea. I told you he's trying to hurt you!"

I took a deep breath and sat on the sofa. "They keep on sending this to our mansion. "Good thing na ako ang nakakuha hindi sila Mom at Dad," I said and brushed my hands on my face.

"Why did you let that happen?"

He looked away.

"Bakit hindi ka nag ingat Adrian?" Aniya ko saka lumapit sa kan'ya.

"They knew who he was!" I slammed my fist on the door.

"Did you even know Mary's at the crime scene? She probably told them who he is!" I paused, reminiscing what Lendhel told me a few days ago.

"And she has this connection with the detective! He knew her... He cared for her!" Tears pooled in my eyes.

Nangunot ang noo nito. Tinalikuran ko siya at agad kong pinalis iyon.

I faced him. "He even told me that you're treating Mary bad which is odd because I witness how you f*****g care for that b***h sister of Mariya!"

"Don't talk to her like that, Chantrea," he said with a warning.

"She's protecting her the way you do, Adrian." My eyes remained on him. My chest tightened. I felt like something's gonna burst out inside me any minute now. I pressed my lips together trying to calm myself. "I told you to get rid of her from the first time!"

"And I already explained it to you. I want to protect her, Chantrea."

"Ano bang meron sa babaeng yon at awang awa kayo?! Bakit pinoprotektahan niyo siya?" I asked and pushed him slightly.

"There's nothing to protect her from! Shes not at risk! I am!" I couldn't held back my tears, it rolled down my cheeks as I throw daggers at him.

"Why can't you appreciate it, Chantrea? You're at risk that night and I protected you---"

"By killing someone who doesn't deserve it! He's trying to say something Adrian! He's trying to help us but you killed him..."

His eyes narrowed. "Are you blaming me?"

I closed my eyes tightly then took a deep breath. "I don't know Adrian," I shook my head, "I... I don't know what to do anymore."

"I will tell you what to do, Chantrea."

"Stay with me... Trust me," he said as he cupped my cheeks.

"You know that I love you Chantrea. I'm willing to do anything for you. I waited years to be with you... For your family to accept me. We could finally be together. You better be strong Chantrea. Don't you doubt me."

I bit my lips and nodded . As he pulled me closer to his chest.

"We will be together. I cannot wait to have you Chantrea." He wrapped his arms around me.

"Matatapos din ang lahat ng ito," he said and caressed my back, "Hush now... Chantrea."

"I miss you," he said and leaned forward. Iniwas ko ang mukha ng subukan niya akong halikan.

"What's wrong Chantrea?"

"N-nothing... I just... I don't feel good. This death threat is bad for my health."

Naninimbang ang tingin nito.

"I should go home."

He nodded. "You should, I'll drive you."

"Don't you have things to do?"

"Matagal na kitang hindi naihahatid sa inyo. I miss you driving you home." He smiled.

"Fine." I didn't have a choice but to let him drive me home. I felt so uncomfortable on the ride home. It must be because of his attempt to kiss me. It's not new to me anymore. He's my first kiss but Lendhel's kiss is permanent.

And one thing is that I felt like I cheated on him. I promised my purity to him when I left Riqueza and I lost it to Lendhel when I came back instead of him who waited, all of this just to not get in jail.

Nanatili akong nakatitig sa kalsada. Hinayaan lang rin ako ni Adrian ay hindi na nag salita pa. Gulong gulo na ako sa mga nangyayari.

I shouldn't have come back here to Riqueza. Hindi sana mangyayari ang lahat ng ito. Hindi mamatay ang ex ni Mariya at hindi magiging komplikado ang lahat. But come to think of it, if I didn't come back here... Lendhel and I will not slept together.

My thoughts faded when my eyes caught a familiar car parked in our mansion.

Pagkababa sa kotse ay nahinto ako ng magtama ang mata namin ni Lendhel na nasa pintuan. Kaya pala pamilyar ang kotse ng nakaparada dito.

Why is he here?

Lumipat ang tingin niya kay Adrian na hinapit ang bewang ko papalapit sa direksyon nila.

"Chantrea! Im glad you're home! Kanina pa namin tinatawagan!" bungad ni Mom na namumutla.

"What's wrong Mom?"

Sa halip na sagutin ako ay pinapasok niya muna kaming lahat sa sala. Naupo ako katabi ni Adrian, nanatili naman si Lendhel sa gilid.

"Kailan mo balak sabihin sa amin na nakatanggap ka na naman ng death threats? Kung hindi pa nakita ni Rich na nakakalat sa kwarto mo ay hindi pa namin malalaman!"

My eyes widened and my heart pounded. "Rich? He's here?"

"He is and I'm glad he came here!"

Sumulpot naman si Rich sa gilid nito. I don't know if you would be glad that he's here, if only he did not see these death threats but I knew that I cannot hide all of this from them.

"I told him to stay in your room and wait for you since ganun naman lagi but instead of finding you he found this death threats!" aniya saka inangat ang mga papel na hawak.

"Mabuti nalang at nasa malapit lang si Lendhel. Kailangan malaman natin kung sino ang nagpapadala sa iyo ng mga ito ng matigil na! This is not right Chantrea! You're life is at stake!" she furiously said.

"Calm down, Mom. We should be discussing this privately."

"This is not a private matter. We're talking about your life!"

I sighed. Wala akong nagawa kundi maupo ulit.

"Lendhel was on his way here when I called him."

Sinulyapan ko ito sa gilid, agad kong binawi ang tingin ng mag tama ang tingin namin. Pinagdiin ko ang labi.

"Pumunta rin po ako dito para balitaan kayo sa nalaman namin. Konektado ang mga natanggap na death threats ni Chantrea sa namatay na lalaki hindi kalayuan sa mansyon," pormal niyang saad.

"Do you mean it's connected?"

He nodded. "The DNA matched. He is identified as the thief who trespassed her house."

Nagtama ang mata naming dalawa ni Adrian.

"He's also the ex-boyfriend of Manansala's maid who died years ago."

Sumikip ang dibdib ko habang nakikinig sa mga sinasabi ni Lendhel. Huminga ako ng malalim. I fidget on my seat. I tied my hair into a bun then squeezed my fingers.

"The court would open her case again because his ex's crime resurfaces. Right now we don't know why he threatened Chantrea but it might be connected to the case years ago. And Mariya's sister wants to reopen the case because of the dead body."

"She has a sister?"

"Yes ma'am," aniya nito at tinapunan ng tingin si Adrian.

"Well then, it should be reopen para managot na ang dapat managot at matigil na ang panggugulo nila sa buhay ni Chantrea. Dapat lang talaga i-reopen, right Chantrea?"

I swallowed before I spoke. "I don't think it's necessary to reopen the case." I paused and stood.

"So what if the dead body is he's ex? It's been years! He probably moved on to another girl or went to the wrong side of the world." I tried to keep my voice as normal as possible so no one would suspect how f*****g nervous I am right now.

"And these threats are nothing alright? These are just my haters! They just envy me. Don't make a fuss about it. You're making fun of me if you will reopen the case just because of this nonsense death threats."

I reached for her hand. "I assure you that this is just nothing, Mom."

"I think Chantrea is right Ms. Callejo. She's a model. Of course, she will have fans and haters."

"Matagal ng model si Chantrea pero ngayon lang nag ka ganito," aniya naman ni Rich.

"Probably because she's so famous now."

"Even though they are just your haters. Wala silang karapatan na pag bantaan ka. I will make them pay for disturbing her peace. You will cooperate with the police about this. I won't let this pass," mariin niyang saad.

"But mom---"

She squeezed my hands. "No buts Chantrea. You're my only daughter. I can't afford to lose you," she said as tears pooled in her eyes.

I sighed in defeat. It pained me knowing that my mother trusted me so much she would be crushed if she knew the truth.