One Last Crime

Kabanata 24

Celebrate

"The accident is planned. I suggest that Chantrea should stay inside the house. We don't know who they are and when they will attack her. It's much better if we hide her."

Nang malaman na sadyang sinira ang brakes ng kotse ay iyon agad ang sinabi ni Lendhel na magandang paraan para iligtas ako sa kapahamakan.

I admit I'm scared to death a while ago. I've never been so close to death. If Lendhel is not there I'm sure I'm dead now and I'm in hell with Mariya.

Malamang ay kinakaladkad ko na Ang pedophile na babaeng 'yon sa apoy at nakikipagbunuan na ako sa kan'ya. Pwede rin namang parehas kaming nasa apoy para mas masaya dahil parehas kaming nasusunog.

I know I'm not innocent. I killed someone, I killed Mariya. That's why I deserve these things that are happening to me.

Pero hindi ko masisi ang sarili na matakot sa kamatayan. Naniniwala akong marami pa dapat akong gawin.

Who knows if there's a child I could help from a pedophile like Mariya.

Baka marami pa akong gagawin dito sa mundo. Sana nga lang ay hindi masama. I only want goodness and that's what I'm trying to give but everything seems to be messing with me.

Now that I'm in danger and the possible stalker or killer of mine is dead I don't know what I should do anymore.

Dahil Ang boyfriend ni Mariya ang nanloob sa bahay ko noon. Now he's gone, Adrian took care of him but still I'm not safe from the death threats.

Hindi ko alam kung kanino nangagaling ang mga death threats dahil iisa lang naman ang pinaghihinalaan namin at wala na siya ngayon. Siya lang Rin Naman ang nakakaalam ng lahat noon.

Unless he told somebody about it, then I'm really in danger. I'm f****d up. My place in hell is reserved.

"Hide her?"

"Transfer her to a secluded and safe place where they cannot find her and send her these threats."

Nanatili ang titig Kay Lendhel.

He's so dedicated to my case. Heck he even said that he's willing to quit his job just to protect me. Who's detective is willing to do that? I mean yes I get it I'm pretty and amazing. I'm everything every guy would want but they don't know me at all.

As to what I said, behind every innocent and angelic face is a sinful secret they're keeping.

Skeletons in their closet.

But mine is different, I'm far from an angelic face. I'm just really gorgeous. So u guess, behind a gorgeous face is a monster waiting to be outed.

Am I really a monster for saving Adrian from a pedophile like Mariya?

Would Lendhel still like me if he found out about my sins, the crime that I commit?

Is he still willing to protect me after he found out about it?

"We have a safe house in Calamba--"

"I think she should stay here in Riqueza, she's not safe to travel. I know you have a lot of safe houses where you can live but I can suggest our safe house on the other island."

"Well assign bodyguards to make sure she's safe."

"I agree with you, Lendhel. Well then, let's do our best to protect her."

*******

"You need to go, Chantrea."

"Why? I'm not even invited Mom. It's their family celebration. I don't belong."

She sighed on the phone.

"Tingin mo ba ay papapuntahin kita doon ng hindi ka imbitado? Come on Chant, your living in their safe house, show some gratitude and pay respect."

I'm here because they agreed to this. We have our own safe house outside Riqueza but they want me to stay close. There's no doubt in the security of their safe house. It was at the end of the town, has a little lake and it's huge as well though it's far from other neighborhoods, the peace and aesthetic of the place is beyond .

"But it's unnecessary Mom. Why would they invite me in the first place? And what if the bad person follows me to that party? I would cause a lot of trouble---"

"We're talking about the Montallion's Chantrea. Lorenzo is the president of the country, they have high security."

"Mas lalong delikado Mom. Isipin mo na lang na baka ako pa ang makasira ng party ng presidente!"

Pangalawang araw ko palang safe house at gusto na nila ako pagalain sa mga Montallion. I don't know what's gotten into them. Did dad are to this?

"Is Lendhel there?" Nangunot ako ng hanapin nito si Lendhel.

Sinulyapan ko ito sa aking gilid ...

He never left my side since we got here but he respects my personal space. We sleep in a different rooms. Pero magkatabi lamang ang kwarto naming dalawa sa pangalawang palapag.

Sa tuwing dadaan ako ay laging bukas ang pintuan nito. I guess he never really locks his door. Sometimes I peak on him while his solving cases.

"Yes."

"Hand him the phone."

Wala akong magawa kundi sundin si Mom. They talk for a minute and Lendhel keeps on nodding his head.

Nilahad nito ang cellphone sa akin. Nanatili ang tingin ko sa kan'ya. Even though his face is serious Gus eyes are smiling.

"Chantrea?"

"Uh... Yes Mom?"

"See you at the party iha." My eyes widened.

"Wait Mom---" Before I could even protest, she hung up the phone, my eyes narrowed at Lendhel, "Did you agree to go to the party? I mean of course you can go because you're his son but I don't have anything to do there. I'm not part of the family--"

"You are now," he said.

My forehead creased. What does he mean by that?

He closed the distance between us. "If it's not clear to you yet Chantrea, I like you---" he paused, "It's... more deeper than that. The accident encourage me to speak up how I feel before it's too late."

I swallowed as he stared at me. His eyes are gleaming.

"That's why I wanna court you. Will you let me Chantrea?"