Under the Skin of a Platinum

One

Chapter 1 :  Re-assignment

I didn't think twice and packed my things up. Yun rin ang ginawa nina Inna and Clem. We are not safe in this place and we don't want other residents in the area to be affected by our problem. Buti naman at wala siyang nakuhang importanteng impormasyon tungkol sa organisasyon.

I'm still a little scared to be honest, not for me but for the life of my sisters. I know Inna can take care of herself but I'm still worried about her.

Sasakay kami ngayon sa sasakyan na pinadala ni papa. They are moving in more remote area in the Philippines. At ako naman ay babalik na sa Italy para makipag-usap kay papa para sa assignment ko. Nakarating na kami sa Aircore Airport. Ihahatid ko silang dalawa sa private plane para masigurado ko na okay silang dalawa.

"Ate, mag-ingat ka," alalang-alalang sabi ni Clem sa akin habang si Inna naman ay nakatayo sa likod niya. Inna and I do not have a very good bond. We are both competitive, kaya nagkasiraan kami nung pumasok kami sa organisasyon. I'm going to be honest it was partly my fault, if only I gave way to her magkabati pa rin kami ngayon. But back then I'm scared to lose to anyone since I'm the oldest and it would hurt my ego and pride if lose.

"I hate you but I still want to see you and I may be a b***h but I still care about you. Take care," simpleng sabi niya at na-unang sumakay sa plane.

I smiled at Clem and hugged her. Ngumiti siya pabalik sakin bago umakyat. I waved my hand as the engine of the plane started. Umalis na ako doon dahil magsisimula na ang take-off.

The plane ascended to the sky. The weather here is a little chilly, December na at ang nakakalungkot doon ay hindi ko sila makakasama sa pasko at bagong taon. Naglakad-lakad ako pabalik sa sasakyan habang hinihintay ang plane ko. Medyo natagalan ito dahil bumabagyo dito sa Pilipinas. I opened the radio in my car and started listening to the local news.

Napapa-iling na lang ako sa naririnig ko. Philippines is a really good place but as I stayed here for years, I saw how poor people became poorer because of how the government implements rules and regulations. Ang mga pera na dapat napupunta sa mahihirap ay napupunta sa mga bulsa ng ibang korap na politiko. Wala rin namang magagawa ang mga tao dito dahil kahit mag rally pa sila ay hindi sila pinakinggan.

I immediately alerted myself when my phone rang. Nung binuksan ko ito ay bumungad kaagad sa akin ang kaibigan kong si Winter.

"Yaeko, I'll give you the information through this call. I'll change my number soon so listen carefully. Alessandro's men are waiting for you. They blocked every airport and port in Italy." 

Aalma na sana ako pero hindi niya ako hinayaang magsalita.

"The plane will drop you to Barcelona, lay low for a while before coming here and if they catch you, put on your best skin. They do not know your face, only your name. I'll send an address for you. Burn every file that you have related to Alessandro. Everything that you need is in that place. I'll reach for you soon and stay vigilant." She immediately dropped the call before I could even ask any questions. Napatitig ako sa screen ng phone ko.

I took a deep breath because I hate putting up another skin. I didn't have much more time to feel things because my plane arrived. Inayos ko na ang ibang gamit ko at sinuot ang sunglasses ko.

I started walking towards the plane, while walking I felt like I'm being watch. For the last time before entering the plane I looked around. Hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ko pero patuloy akong pumasok sa loob. I sat inside and the stewardess immediately accompanied me. My face remained stoic because I don't like the environment and the people inside this plane. I sat down quietly and continued observing them. Hindi parin nawala ang pagiging seryoso ko habang nakatingin sa kanila.

Something is not right. Tumayo ako para pumunta sa lavatory. I remained stoic as I walked, I didn't show them any emotions and any suspicion in my side. Nung nakapasok ako ay kaagad kong hinubad ang sweatshirt na suot ko. I have a belly band holster beneath it. Kinuha ko ang pistol sa loob at inihanda ang sarili ko. I closed the lid of the toilet bowl and sat while I listen to the murmured outside. I heard a woman's voice saying that I'm a b***h. I rolled my eyes after hearing that.

Napapa-iling narin ako sa mga naririnig ko. Those people are not a very good actors. Sino ba naman kasi ang tanga na maghahanap ng papatay sakin yung bobo pa.

I slowly opened the door and immediately a lot of people welcomed me. Nakatutok ang baril ko sa isa sa kanila habang lahat ng baril nila ang nakatutok sa akin. We stayed in that position for a while, I didn't move at hinintay na meron magsalita sa kanila para makuha ang atensyon nila.

"Put your gun--."

Hindi ko na pinatapos ang babae. I kicked the stewardess in front of me. Nalaglag ang hawak niyang baril at nagsimula ng magpaputok ang mga kasamahan niya. Hinablot ko ang stewardess at ginawa siyang shield para saluhin lahat ng bala ng mga kasamahan niya. I heard a few more gunshot naging mabigat na rin ang babaeng hawak ko. After a few minutes the plane immediately shake. Napabaling ako sa likod ko at nakitang butas butas na ang cockpit. Napa-iling na lang ako at itinapon ang katawan ng stewardess sa kanila. Tumakbo ako papunta sa cockpit pero huli na. Umangat ang katawan ko at malakas na sumalpak sa taas ng eroplano. Yun rin ang nangyari sa lahat ng mga tao doon. The plane is going down and the pressure inside is increasing, kaya nahirapan akong gumalaw.

Kinuha ko ang isa ko pang hand gun sa belt at nagsimula ng magpaputok sa kanila. I didn't waste any bullets lahat sila ay natamaan ko. The gravity inside is sucking me u. I pushed myself to enter the cockpit only to see two dead pilots. Hirap na hirap ako habang nakahawak sa upuan ng piloto.

I'm sweating bullets and having a hard time when I saw the ocean in front of me. I remained calm and pulled every strength in my body to reach the woke and pulled it upward. I learned how to fly  an airplane before. I used to be a part of the air force kaya madali lang sakin ang pagpapalipad. When the plane is stable, I clicked the autopilot. Lumabas na ako ng cockpit  at tumambad sa akin ang katawan ng limang tao na sumugod  kanina. I took out my phone and saw a text message from a unknown number. Nareceive ko ata to bago ko i-airplane mode yung phone ko kanina.

It's an address in Barcelona. Bumalik ako sa cockpit at nagsimula ng inavigate ang plane papunta sa lugar na iyon. When I reached that place I saw a small airport in that area which shocked me. Ngayon ko lang nakita ang lugar na ito. When I landed the plane,  a car immediately welcomed me. Kinuha ko ang bag ko at pinunasan ang mukha ko na puno ng dugo. I wore my sweatshirt again to cover up the remaining blood in my white shirt and walked out of the plane like nothing happened.

Lumabas ang driver ng sasakyan at binuksan ang pintuan sa passenger seat. Kilala ko ang sasakyan na iyon kaya pumasok na kaagad ako. I didn't have much time to savor the air in Barcelona dahil mukhang nagmamadali ang lahat. My father is sitting inside the car. I kissed his cheeks and sat there quietly.

"How are you, Yaeko?" my dad said.

"I'm okay,"simpleng sagot ko sa kanya.

Tumango lamang ito. My dad and I have a lot in common he likes to hide in the skin that he made for himself. His face remain stoic and I know he already had an idea about what happened. Walang katiting na pag-alala ang mukha niya. Hindi na ako nagtanong pa at tahimik na ninamnam ang sakit ng likod ko.

"You'll meet Winter soon, she will going to tell you everything," sabi niya sakin, wala paring emosyon ang mukha niya.

I simple nodded and then rested my head in the backrest. After a few hours tumigil ang isang sasakyan sa isang abandonadong bahay sa gitna ng kagubatan. Kumunot ang noo ko dahil sa nangyari. Umahon ako at bumaling kay papa, yun parin ang mukha niya. Naramdaman niya ata na tumitingin ako sa kanya kaya napabaling kaagad siya.

"Go now," he ordered.

I nodded lazily before opening the door pero bago ko pa masira ang pintuan ay nag salita ulit siya.

"And by the way things will change so prepare yourself."

Hindi na ako nakapagtanong dahil pinaharurot na ang sasakyan. Na-iwan akong mag-isa sa harap ng isang malaking gate. Tinignan ko ang paligid, wala kang makikitang bahay o kahit tao dito. This place is remotely lonely to the highest level. Napapalibutan ng matataas na bakod na gawa sa concrete. It has a lot of green algae and dead vines. The gate is a little rusty but still very useful. Nakita ko  ang isang mala palasyong bahay, and I'm sure that this house is very old.  Based from the victorian style kaunti na lang ang mga taong gusto ang ganitong disenyo ng bahay at mabilis mo naman malalaman kung bagong gawa ang bahay o matagal na.

I was about to click the doorbell but the gate just opened. I smiled, mukhang may tao sa loob and I'm guessing that technology in this house is more updated compared to other companies, organizations and houses. Hindi muna ako pumasok dahil alam kong may security system ang bahay na ito and it is designed to destroy trespassers who attempt to steal something from this place.

Kaagad ako napapikit ng maramdaman ko ang puting lazer na dumaan sa buong katawan ko. It's almost invisible. After a few minutes I felt the ground shake. Unti-unting gumalaw ang malaking dingding sa gilid ng gate. Bumakas ito na parang pintuan at tumambad ang isang daanan doon. I picked up my things and went inside. Pagpasok ko pa lang ay kaagad na sumira na pinto sa likod ko. I just followed the path and it led me towards a room. Nung nakita ako ni Winter ay kaagad siyang tumayo at lumapit sa akin. I really don't trust anyone kaya piling pili lang ang info na lumalabas sa bibig ko.

There are five rules that my father commanded me to follow

Rule one: Don't trust anyone.

"How's the flight?" she asked.

"Delightful," sabi ko at puno ng sarkastiko ang boses ko. She chuckled and then guided me towards another hallway. I must say this place is amazing, the technology is more refined. I can see a few fingerprint detectors in each door. May CCTV rin doon.

The very bright white vintage hallway is endless. Hindi mo makikita ang dulo nito and from every now and then may nadadaanan kaming pintuan at mga paintings.

"What is this place?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"This is the 1950's headquarters, this place is equipped with nuclear, and advanced security systems and technology that even NASA or any famous security company couldn't procure. This is the second most secured headquarters of the Mancini Empire. This place is only used for the elite clients," she explained.

Napatango-tango na lamang ako habang ino-obserbahan ang paligid. Nagtataka lang ako kung bakit hindi ko ito nakita o nalaman noon. I used to handle high qualified mission and assignment pero ni isa hindi ako napunta dito.

"Only few people know that this place existed," sabi niya sakin nababasa ata ang reaksyon sa mukha ko. I smirked after realizing that she is studying my facial reaction and action to know what is happening in my head.

"Nice try, Winter."

Tumawa ulit siya ng malakas bago tumigil sa harap ng isang pintuan. Tumigil rin ako at tinignan ang sunod niyang gagawin. She knocked three times and then a big guy opened the door. The size of that man is the same as big door in front of me. Tiningnan niya ako ulo hanggang paa at bumaling kay Winter. He gave a look at Winter and then opened the door wider. I slowly walked towards the room at mabilis na napatigil ng may humarang sa aking dalawang babae. Tinaasan ko sila ng kilay at akmang hahawakan ako, ng hinawakan ko palapulsuhan ng babae. Nagulat ang babae sa ginawa ko at umatras naman ang kasama niyang babae.

"Who gave you permission to touch me?" I asked them and my face remained stoic to maintain the tension in the air.

Isa sa pinaka-ayaw ko sa lahat ang hawakan ako ng walang pahintulot. You can't just touch someone like that. Mas hinigpitan ko pa ang paghawak sa babae. I remained calm but I didn't let the woman recover.

"I'm asking a question?" kalmadong sabi ko sa kanya. Nakikita ko ang sakit sa mukha niya dahil sa ginagawa ko. I long silence covered the room. Humarap ako sa kasama niya at nakita ang takot sa mukha niya.

"I did," a strong baritone voice coming from the other side of the room. His voice screams authority at kahit ako ay napabaling rin sa kanya. Napakalas ang paghawak ko sa kanya dahil napabaling ako sa kung saan nanggaling ang boses. The man slowly walked through the light at habang papalapit siya ay mas lalo kong nakikita ang pagmumukha niya.

I stilled as soon as I saw his face clearly. A man that everyone feared. His hooded and cold eyes remained on me while he's walking. Tanned, well built guy and the aura of this guy is cold as f*ck. Hindi ko na naobserbahan ang dalawang kasama niya dahil nakatuon sa kanya ang atensyon ko. When he stopped in front of me, doon pa lang ako naalarma. I regained my posture and faced him equating the same coldness that he gives off.

"Alessandro Ricci," he said while reaching his hands. Hindi ako gumalaw at tinignan lang ang kamay niya bago bumaling sa mukha niya ulit. Hindi na ako nagpaligoy-ligoy pa at kaagad na tinanong kung anong ginagawa niya dito.

"What do you want?" I asked, leveling his coldness. I'm not scared if he will shoot me dead right here, right now. I hated his guts as soon as I saw him at alam kong hindi maganda ang pinunta niya dito.

"Cold. You don't have to be so rude, Miss Mancini. Are you not scared of me?" he asked as the side of his lip slightly rose.

I rolled my eyes in annoyance and faced him again.

"Look at my face.. and tell me if I look like I'm scared of you," I smugly said.

He smirked and moved forward. I looked at him calmly. I don't need to try to look like a b***h since I have a resting b***h face.

"I heard your previous assignment is to kill me. So what's your plan?" he said with an insulting tone.

I tilted my head and gave him a smug smile.

"Don't belittle me, Mr. Ricci. Maybe the next thing you'll know your men are already digging up for your burial," sabi ko sa kanya pero mukhang hindi siya natakot sa sinabi ko. Sa nakikita ko sa mukha niya ay tuwang tuwa pa ang gago.

Hindi na kami nagsalita pa. I will not lose to an asshole like him. Nagkatitigan  kaming dalawa. Walang magpapa-awat at walang magpapatalo. Tahimik ang buong kwarto at walang nagsalita ni isa. Finally, after a few minutes someone opened the door, napabaling ang lahat sa kaniya pero hindi parin maalis ang mga mata ko sa lalaki sa harapan ko.

"Are we just going to stare at each other?" tanong ng lalaking kakapasok lang.

"Well, can someone already explain to me why is this guy infront of me?" tanong ko at ngayon ay tinignan ko ng maigi lahat ng mga tao sa kwarto. Some of them looked away immediately habang ang lalaki na kakapasok lang ay ngumiti.

"Well everyone was right when they said the oldest is the scariest," sabi niya at tumawa pa. I looked at him flatly kaagad rin ito napatigil.

Winter handed me a  folder at kaagad ko itong kinuha at binuksan. It contains a few information about my new assignment. Nang matapos kong basahin iyon ay napabaling ulit ako sa kanya.

"Wait wait, you called me and told me that the men of this asshole." sabay turo kay Alessandro ".. is looking for me and is threatening to kill me. Tas ngayon siya ang bagong client? wait wait I'm confused," naguguluhang tanong ko.

"The call is recorded and we are letting the target to think that we are on his side. We can get a lot more information about him that could pushed him to the edge." Napatanga ako sa sinabi ni Winter. Bumaling ako sa binabasa ko at bumaling kay Alessandro at mukhang aliw na aliw sa reaksyon ko.

"You want me to kill your opponent in your illegal business? Are you f*****g kidding me?" inis na tanong ko sa kanya matapos kong basahin iyon.

"Philip Sven Cortez, he killed more than 100 of his workers and sexually assaulted and raped women. He has 10 cases way back in 2015 but he immediately got away from it. He is one of the most dangerous men in the world, more dangerous than I am," he said nonchalantly.

I rolled my eyes again. This guy is unbelievable, does he really think he can fool me?

He will let the organization kill that man so that there will be no enemies or potential competitors in his business. Tas pag napatay na siya, the people of Mr. Cortez will blame the organization and they will take their revenge on us. Specifically to the person who killed him, which is me. He could easily get away with this because who would think someone like him can be part of this organization. Yes, some will suspect him but the blame will be put on us.

"Are you that desperate that you have to ask the organization for a job that you can't do?" I asked.

Kaagad na dumilim ang mukha niya dahil sa sinabi ko, mas lalong lumapad ang ngiti sa labi ko. I knew it. This guy is really something. He moved much closer and leaned to whisper in my ears.

"Don't tease me a lot, Ms. Mancini. You might regret it," he whispered sensually. Tumaas ang balahibo ko at may kiliti akong nararamdaman pero hindi ko iyon ipinakita. My heart is beating so fast but I managed to hide it.

"I get that a lot, Mr. Ricci and those people who said those things are now dead. Do you want to be part of them?"

He chuckled lightly before moving away. Hindi na ulit siya nagsalita, tinalikuran niya ako at umupo sa isa sa mga upuan sa kwarto. The room looks like a conference room. Naghanap ako ng upuan na malayo sa kanya. Hindi ko na siya tinignan pa at nagsimulang basahin ang papeles sa harapan ko. My father is a very smart human, I know he has reasons why he trusted this jerk. Hindi ko parin maibibigay ang tiwala ko sa mga tao dito. I alerted myself and didn't let anyone, even Winter to know that about it. Natapos ko ng basahin ang nasa loob but I'm still not convinced. I know his up to something at alam kong may kinalaman siya sa nangyari sa eroplano at sa pagsugod sa amin sa Pilipinas. Tumingin ako sa kanya at nagulat ng nakitang nakatingin din siya sa akin.

This is f****d up ngayon pa lang nangyari sakin to. I was supposed to kill this guy pero ngayon tutulungan ko siyang pumatay. I mean okay lang naman sana dahil masamang tao rin ang patutumbahin pero ang problema masamang tao rin tong lalaking to. He killed a lot of people as well, malinis man ang record niya tungkol sa s****l assault at rape pero alam kong may tinatago siyang hindi maganda.

"Mr. Ricci already signed to a contract containing an agreement, that he would stop his illegal business and help the organization." Sabi nung lalaki na secretary ata ni Alessandro. Naiinis ako sa mga naririnig ko. He deserves to take some time in jail hindi dahil na marami siyang pera at gwapo siya hindi na niya pananagutan ang mga illegal na ginawa niya. This just show how f****d up the system is when it comes to the poor.

"And also..," the guy trailed off. Napatigil ako at napatingin sa lalaki. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay, nang binigyan niya ako ng kakaibang tingin. Alam ko na hindi maganda ang sasabihin niya kaya inihanda ko na ang sarili ko.

"Mr. Ricci requested the queen to stay with him while the assignment is still on-going," he said with a hint of fear in his voice.