One Last Crime

Kabanata 13

Signal

"How does my ass look?"

Her forehead creased. "What?!"

"What do my ass look like from the back?" I mumbled.

She rolled her eyes. "Your ass is perfectly round and perk Chantrea. Hindi mo na kailangang ipaalala na mas sexy ka sa akin!"

"What?! I'm not trying to boast alright?! I just want to check how do my ass look like but it would be weird if I put a mirror at my back."

"Go to the bathroom Chantrea."

"Dad's still delivering his speech. I can't just walk out he will notice it."

"Whats the matter with you and your ass Chantrea? Epekto ba iyan ng panloloob sa bahay mo?"

"You're ass is worth saving."

Gosh! Why do I keep on hearing his damn sexy voice?!

"What?! No... No it's not! I just want to look perfect. It's Dad's day I don't want to look unpresentable. He's business partners are here. If they find me pretty they'll invest in our company." I gigled.

"I don't think thats how it works Chant."

"Thats how it works Emory, trust me." I smirked.

It's been a week now after the trespassing incident in my house. I'm back in Riqueza and everything seems alright. There's no strange things happening and no death threats.

Mom and dad won't let me do a shoot in Manila. They say it's too risky to go back that early. I worked at home, my secretary emails me the files so I could still work.

Habang si Daddy naman ang pumupunta sa manila para mag asikaso ng ibang meetings. Sa buong linggo ko sa Riqueza, hindi ko sinubukang lumabas.

Who knows what the hell may happen if I go out there and it's been years since I've been here so I'm not familiar with the places and directions anymore.

I scanned the garden. Mommy decided to do the party here since it's spacing and gorgeous. She's eight though. The garden is enchanting with all those pretty lights around. The gowns and suits of the visitors add elegance to the place.

I never knew moms garden would be this elegant and beautiful place to host a party. I mean... I didn't celebrate my birthday's in our house. It's always hotel or out of the country.

I glance around for the third time. Daddy's right. You won't really notice my bodyguards, it's like they don't really exist.

They're discreet, I didn't see one in a week. I wonder if they're really doing they're work If I couldn't see them.

He said he'd be here... So where is he?

"Chantrea what are you doing?"

"What?" I asked.

"You keep on glancing around. who you're looking for?" She started glancing around too.

"Nothing."

Her eyes narrowed. "Are you sure?"

I nodded.

"If you feel something strange, tell me alright? Baka magilitan kana naman!"

"It's not going to happen anymore, Emory. Daddy doubled my bodyguards too."

Instead of answering me she clapped her hands. Binalik ko ang tingin sa unahan.

Daddy's done with his speech already. I applauded him. He deserves it.

Sa kabila ng nangyari sa akin. He closed a deal in Japan. We are double celebrating because I'm back in Riqueza too.

"Ang galing mo Tito Miguel!" Puri ni Emory ng makalapit si Daddy.

"Thank you, iha. Where's Soledad and Estefano?"

"They're around Tito, I'm not sure where exactly."

"Balae, Congratulations!"

Nilingon ni Daddy ang nga ito. "Ferdinand! Francia!" nasa likuran nila ang mga anak.

Tumama ang tingin ko kay Ferguson na nakangisi.

"Both families are here, we can finally talk about their wedding!" I sighed. I knew Daddy would brought this up.

Tito Ferdinand laughed. I guess they didn't noticed my sighed except Ferguson who's grinning right now.

"Walang kupas ang kagwapuhan ni Ferguson oh! He's hotter now!" Emory whispered.

I rolled my eyes at her. "Oh come on, Emory. It's not like you've never seen him for years."

"So? Ikaw lang ba ang pwedeng manibago sa Riqueza at sa mga tao dito?"

"Emory, you live here."

"Oo pero lagi akong nasa Manila!"

Hindi ko natapos ang sasabihin ng marinig si Daddy. "Chantrea's not getting younger anymore. I want her settled before I die."

"Daddy! Don't say that!" I exclaimed.

"Nothing's wrong with that Chantrea. I want you to settle with the right man... and that is Ferguson.

"I'm flattered you trust me with your only daughter Tito," si Ferguson.

"Oh Ferguson, mga bata palang kayo e gusto na ni Miguel na mag katuluyan kayo!" si Mommy.

"Hindi pa naman huli ang lahat hindi ba Diñana?" si Tita Francia.

"Of course! Iwan na muna na rin ang mga bata ng makapagusap."

"Ferguson, entice my daughter!" Daddy laughed.

"Kung ireto ka ni Tito, parang single ka! Kala mo talaga single!" Emory teased.

"Adrian's not even here!" she added.

Luminga linga ako sa paligid. There's no sign of Adrian. I don't know if he heard what happend to me. I don't want to bother him, I know he's busy with the campaign.

Ayoko rin itong kulitin.

I'm a Callejo. I don't beg for attention they shower me with it.

Sa ngayon ako muna ang aayos mg mga problema. I sighed. I miss Rich too. I hope his here.

"Chant! We heard what happened..." bungad ni Fahara.

I expected this question when daddy's speech ended. Who wouldn't know what happened to the only daughter of Miguel Callejo right?

Ilang araw din akong naging laman ng balita! As if those people who would hear it, cares. I'm sure they're glad that happened to me. For all I know they only want to talk about my misery.

"I was worried sick when Dad told me about it. I visited you at the hospital but you're not there then Dad informed me that you fly back here in Riqueza! I was so tired flying from Riqueza to Manila and vice versa! Pero ng andito na ako hindi naman kita nabisita, ngayon lang!"

"Sabi ko kasi sayo, jowain mo na si Kuya!"

"Shut up Fahara, parang hindi mo naman alam kung sino ang gusto ko." I gigled.

She rolled her eyes. "The Adrian? Alam mo ang mga balitang kumakalat tungkol sa kan'ya?"

"I don't care about the rumors, Fahara. Let's not talk about it."

"It's like you were never held captive by a criminal in your own house Chant, you don't seem traumatize! "

"Why would I be?" There's something more traumatizing that happened to me in the past which is hunting me now.

She rolled her eyes. "Of course you're a Callejo, nothing can make you traumatize because you're not afraid of everything!"

Nagkibit balikat ako saka ngumiti.

"Nothing's really changed huh? You're still stunning, bold and confident as ever! Oh I really miss you! I'm glad you're back in Riqueza!"

"I miss you too Fahar--"

"How about me? Did you miss me too Chantrea?" he grinned.

"What about me?" sabay naming nilingon ni Fahara ang nag salita.

"Did you miss me too?" he grinned.

He hugged me. Ginantihan ko ito ng mahigpit na yakap.

I miss them.

"Alam mo Chant iisipin ko na talagang gusto mo ako at nag papakipot ka lang dahil sa higpit ng yakap mo sakin!"

I rolled my eyes. "In your dreams Ferguson!"

"Higit pa sa yakap ang ginawa natin sa panaginip ko Chantrea!" he laughed.

"Eww Kuya gross! I ship the two of you but please--"

"Hindi kana nasanay sa kuya mo Fahara."

"Where's Emil, Emory?"

"There he is!" she gazed in the back of Fahara.

"Aaliyah Chantrea! You've grown so much! You're as all as me now! Huli ko na pagkakaalala, hanggang bewang lang kita! Pumapak kaba ng cherifer sa America?!" bungad ni Emil.

I rolled my eyes. "Of course not! You're still mean Emil!

"And you're still not calling me Kuya, Chantrea. How disrespectful!" He laughed.

"You're only two years younger than us so why would I?"

Napailing na lang ito.

"You won't win against Chantrea, Kuya." si Emory.

"Pero pumayat ka ata Chant?"

Nangunot ang noo ko. "You think so?"

"She's not thin, Emil. She's sexy!" si Ferguson.

Emory rolled her eyes while Fahara laughed.

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa katawan. Pumayat ba ako?

My hands stayed above my buttocks. "You're ass is worth saving."

Shit! Why do I keep hearing his voice! I shook my head and take off my hand on my waist.

"A detective saved you?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"Your ass is worth---"

Nope. Nope. Nope. Im not gonna think about that again.

"Oh my gosh! Ang gwapo naman niyan!" mahinang tili ni Fahara. Sinundan ko ng tingin ang mga mata niya.

Oh no, Fahara. Not that guy.

"Hmm... Oo nga no ang gwapo! Mas hot pa sa kuya mo!"

He's talking with the investors. They knew him? Girls circled around him that made me rolled my eyes. Ama ang kaibigan nitong detective, habulin siya ng babae.

"What are you guys talking about?"

Mabilis na inalis ni Fahara ang tingin doon.

"Nothing." She blushed.

"Back to my question, who's the detective that saved you?" si Emil.

Sinulyapan ko ang direksyon ni Lendhel. My heart pounded when our eyes met.

Shit. Is he staring at me or its just a coincidence? Why he's here? Why do I ask myself if I already know the freaking answer?! I'm sure he's here to update my case.

"Chant!"

"What?!"

"Adrian's here!"

Inalis ko ang tingin kay Lendhel. Nilipat ko iyon sa papalapit na si Adrian.

"Good evening." He greeted.

Emory and Fahara, smiled to him while Emil nodded. Ferguson glared at him.

"Adrian..."

"Can we talk Chant?"

Binalingan ko sila.

"Excuse me." Nahagip pa ng mata ko ang pag iling ni Ferguson at pag irap ni Emory.

Adrian and I entered the mansion. We stayed on the balcony. Mula rito ay kita ang party sa ibaba.

"How are you Chantrea?" Panimula niya.

He have the guts to ask me if I'm okay?! Do you think I'm okay that he's doesn't care about me?!

"What do you think Adrian?"

He reached for my hands. "I'm sorry Chant..."

"Adrian---"

He cut me off. "I know I've been busy with the company. Inintay kitang makabalik ng Pilipinas pero ngayong nakabalik kana hindi kita binigyan ng oras. Patawarin moko Chantrea

"I understand Adrian, your campaign is not my problem. It's you and whatever is going on between you and Mary. Didn't you even notice? She's like her sister she's trying to get to you!" she's revenging on us! On me!

Hinapit nito ang bewang ko. "Shhh... I only want you Chantrea. I'm sorry for making you feel like this. I just really want to help her. I feel bad for what happened years ago. My conscience is killing me. I need to make things right and that's what I did. I will send her off to a university and after that I will let her live in her own alright?"

I nodded.

"I will make us a priority. Now that you're back you should give me your promise."

"I wi--" my phone ring and cut me off from answering Adrian.

I rolled my eyes ang answered it. Its my secretary. This should be f*****g important or I will fire her! She ruined our moment!

"Uh... Adrian I'll go downstairs. There's no signal here. I'll comeback after the call." paalam ko. Tumango naman ito.

"I told you not to call me today! Why didnt you keep that in mind?!"

"I'm sorry po Ma'am, importante lang kasi."

"If it's important tell it to me now! You're wasting my time! Daddy's having a party and I'm missing all the fun because you disturbed me!"

There's no freaking signal in the mansion so I have to walk few meters away from it. Hindi ko na alam kung nasaan ako ngayon. Napalayo ata ako ng todo sa mansyon. Well atleast I have a signal.

"The Bernal's want an immediate response to their proposal as soon as possible."

I examined the place. s**t! Why am I in the freaking street? Did I walked too far?! I didn't notice! s**t. I need to go back in the mansion now!

My eyes narrowed on the street. There's something strange... I don't know what it is but my heart starts pounding like crazy.

Shit! This is the same feeling when someone broke into my house!

I glanced sideways. Where the f**k is my bodyguards? I'm sure they're just around right?

"They are building their company at the fast pace so they want--- Ma'am Chantrea are you still there?"

Shit. I forgot I'm still on the phone with her.

"Yes continue." Utos ko.

My eyebrows furrowed when someone blocked my way. I gazed to who it was. My body stiffened when I met his eyes.

I can't forget those eyes! He's the one who broke into my house! He's the suspect!

I manage to take a step back.

Where the hell is my bodyguards?! I definitely need them now!

"Ma'am Chantrea? Are you still there? Hello ma'am?" bumaba ang tingin nito sa cellphone na hawak ko.

"Help! Im in trouble, call my dad--" hindi ko natapos ang sasabihin ng hablutin niyo ang kamay ko dahilan para mahulog ang cellphone. Inapakan niya iyon hanggang sa mabasag.

Fuck!