Tangled With The Devils (Devils #2)

Chapter 6

__Victorique's POV__

KASALUKUYAN akong nagliligpit ng mga gamit ko, just sorting out some things I don't want wear anymore and the things I super love wearing. Ganito kasi ako, mga 10 percent lang ng clothes ko ang talagang nasusuot ko, the rest is history nalang sila.

Natigilan ako sa pagliligpit nang makita ko ang jacket na sinuot ko noong mabaril ako. Nandoon pa rin ang butad ng lumusot nab ala sa akin. The hole was big, so maybe I did survive that hell of a gigantic hole.

Madami na siguro akong nailabas na dugo n'on.

I shake my head as I folded the jacket until it formed a crease on it.

Past is past, bakit kailangan pang idiscuss—natigilan ako nang biglang may mahulog na naka-fold na papel sa sahig. Nakaplastic iyon.

Binaba ko ang jacket at pinulot iyon. I removed the plastic and unfolded the paper to reveal the familiar medicine, and I was like, 'hey, I know you!'

Nahawak ko ang ulo ko dahil mukhang sasakit na naman iyon sa unnecessary na mga memory kasama ang demonyong iyon.

I folded the paper once again and tossed it unknowingly at my drawer.

I forgot all about that as I busied myself in stacking my discarded clothes on a box. I just decided to put it our attic since I need to put out some things.

I carried the box downstairs were our attic is still a little bit faraway. I'll be needing more than twenty steps to get to the attic. And it requires more of my stored energy since stacking my pile of clothes in a box is a bad idea.

Mabuti nalang hindi naka-lock ang attic namin kaya madali akong nakapasok sa pamamagitan ng bahagyang pagtulak. Agad kong binaba ang kahon sa sahig nang sa wakas ay makapasok ako.

I took episodes of breaths as I scan the room swallowed in dark and covered by dusts. The only light that lit the room is the sunlight at the window which is a little bit far away for me to be able to reach it. The shelves were put side by side and all of it were worn out of papers and boxes. The rest are just things that we are not going to use anymore.

Come to think of it, It'a been a long time since I went inside here.

Nakakatakot naman kasing pumasok dito, baka may mga ipis at daga pa.

I stood up straight. Bilisan ko na nga at baka may lumipad pa na ipis at mapatili na naman ako.

Yumuko na ako at binuhat ang kahon na nasa sahig at binuhat iyon. I stand on tiptoe to reach the highest level of the shelf which is the only that had space on it. But, I suddenly lost my grip on the box that made the box I am holding to fall.

Halos mapatalon ako nang biglang may mahulog na malaking box mula sa itaas na pinaglalagyan ko ng mga gamit ko. Malakas pa ang impact niyon kaya naman kumalabog pati ang kahoy na sahig ng bahay namin.

I opened an eye to take a look at the scattered sheets of paper that went out of the box.

"No, no, no!" Halos mapasigaw ako sa sobrang inis.

Nagligpit-ligpit nga ako ng mga gamit ko para makagulo lang rin naman ng mga gamit dito sa basement namin! I am getting sick and tired of this cleaning thing!

Nilapitan ko ang mga papeles na nagkalat sa sahig at isa-isang pinagpupulot ang mga iyon. Sinilip ko na nga para hindi ako mabored sa pagliligpit.

Contract of Membership

Agreements

Allegiance

Wealth

Money Laundering Transactions

Natigilan ako sa pagliligpit. Muli kong kinuha sa inayos ko na mga papeles ang huli kong nakita. I reread the first letters in bold.

'Money Laundering Transactions'

Hindi nga ako nagkakamali, tama ang nabasa ko. I scanned the whole first page in letters and numbers I don't even recognized. Base sa mga category sa table na nabasa ko ay account ito ng mga taong kliyente niya. I turned the page around and saw the rest as the account number of the clients the amounts of the money they've ordered.

But this is possible to be owned by my father since he isn't running an illegal business.

Muli ay hinalungkat ko ang mga papeles na nasa box, then I grabbed the 'Agreements' in hand and scanned the pages to fetch for what I was looking for. Then at last I found it. My eyes may have been fooling me but I read it clearly that this 'Agreement' were approved by the owner in the name of 'Icell Dean Smith'

This can't be happening—no mabe I am overthinking—

"Victorique?!"

Napasigaw ako nang bigla kong marinig ang pamilyar na boses ni papa. Halos mapatalon ako sa sobrang gulat ngunit mabilis na kumilos ako upang iligpit ang mga papeles. I even suffered a paper cut at my left ring finger.

Sa sobrang kaba ay hindi ko na naayos ang mga papeles at basta nalang iyon pinagsisiksik sa kahon.

"Victorique?"

Halos mapamura ako nang saw akas ay binuhat ko ang kahon na hindi ko pala kayang iangat dahil sa bigat. But well, it was my adrenaline that made me not mind the weight of the box.

Nang saw akas ay mailagay ko na iyon sa lugar niya kanina ay agad ko nang hinarap si papa na sakto ring lumitaw ang ulo sa nakasiwang na pintuan.

"Yes papa?" Tanong ko habang pinipigilan ang paghihingal ng mabilis at baka makahalata pa siya.

Nakakunot noo siyang tumingin sa gamit na ilalagay ko sana sa taas kanina saka niya binalik ang paningin sa akin.

"What are you doing?"

"Hah?" Napatingin ako sa gamit ko. "Ahh, nilalagay ko lang kasi dito yung mga hindi ko na gagamitin na mga gamit ko para mabawasan na ang gamit ko na hindi ko na ginagamit."

Para tongue twister naman yung sinabi ko kanina.

Nilapitan niya ako na agad na ikinakaba ko. Hinintay ko kung ano ang gagawin niya hanggang sa kuhanin niya ang gamit ko sa baba at siya ang nagtaas niyon. Lumunok ako habang nakatingin sa taas kung saan rin nakalagay yung box na nahulog ko kanina. Nanalangin ako na sana huwag iyon bumagsak.

"There, now follow me." He said and gave me his usual smile that somehow calmed me down.

Dapat talaga itigil ko na ang pagiinom ng kape dahil kung ano-ano na ang pinagiisip ko. Pati yung papa ko pinagiisipan ko na ng masama.

Bumuntong-hininga ako at sinundan si papa sa kung saan man niya ako tinatawag. Hanggang sa makarating na kami sa library kung saan siya naka-stuck pag may take home assignment siya sa trabaho.

"Don't tell this to your mother okay?"

Naintriga tuloy ako sa sinabi niya kaya tumango nalang ako ng mabilis para hindi na siya mag-ask pa ng 'promise?'. Syempre hindi ko sasabihin kay mama, sabi ni papa eh na huwag kong sabihin.

Pinapasok niya ako sa loob at mula sa kanyang desk ay may mga nakalagay na ilang mga papel. Doon ay may pinskita siyang isang naka-roll na blue print paper. Nagtataka man ay tinignan ko na rin iyon.

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita ang architecture ng isang greenhouse sa loob niyon.

Napanganga ako sa mangha dahil sa pinagsama-sama niyang design niyon na kinuha niya pa yata sa iba't-ibang kultura ng ibang bansa. From the bridges that was japanese featured, and the lily ponds by the pond beneath the bridge. The gazebo in the middle were breath taking. The print design of the walls were curves of elegance but with a touch of simplicity. It was made from precious limestones and igneous rocks that I couldn't help but to think that the place were created from the heart.

Napakunot ang noo ko sa naisip.

"Bakit ka gumagawa ng ganitong design papa?"

He winked at me as he presses his finger against his lips as if to keep this as our secret.

"I plan to remarry your mother."

Namilog ang mata ko sa sobrang gulat. "What?!"

"What?"

"Really, pa, that's too cheesy."

"Birthday gifts should be special." Parang wala lang na sabi niya.

Tinitigan ko si papa habang tinititigan niya ang blueprints na nasa kanyang kamay. It was like an important mission of his life that he would die if he fail to do so.

Talaga bang kinatakutan ko ang papa kong ganito kanina lang?

Maybe what I saw back at the basement was nothing at all, maybe it was one  of his pranks back at his highschool days. Kids at my age like to trip now a days.

Hanggang sa may naalala ako.

"Papa," Sabi ko, "Ito ba yung sinasabi mo sa amin na sisimulan mong assingment last week?"

He looked at me, "You got it right." Completely I forgot about what I saw earlier.

Napailing ako.

Sa totoo lang nga ni minsan hindi siya nagdala ng trabaho dito sa bahay, itong nakaraang linggo lang. Iyon pala ito ang inaatupag ni papa.

Nainggit tuloy ako.

Kailan kaya magplaplano ang future husband ko para sa wedding event namin?

Aasa pa kaya ako? Eh hindi pa nga ako nakakahanap ng taong mapag sabihan ko ng 'oo'.

"Oh yeah," Muli akong napalingon kay papa nang magsalita siya ulit. "You'll be celebrating your birthday this friday."

Ay oo nga pala, birthday ko sa friday na pala. I am sure that dad will be throwing another party, at a special occassion like this he would never forget how to make it special.

"Pa, sabi ko kahit huwag ka nang mag-throw ng party." Sabi ko sa kanya.

"Hey kid," He just said. "don't you know how to appreciate things?"

Of course I appreciate what my father always does to our family.

Sometimes I don't know how to repay mom and dad with their kindness. I don't know what I should do in order for them to be proud of me. I don't know why but I want them to think that I am capable of something bigger than what they thought of me, I know someday they would stop treating me as a small child and they'll be proud of something special I'll do.

GABI na nang maalimpungatan ako n'on. Dahil sa tunog ng phone ko na nagiingay malapit lang sa akin. I grab my phone and answered the call as I got up from the the chair.

Pero nang sagutin ko iyon ay wala namang sumasagot sa kabilang linya. Wala pa naman sina papa. Nakakatakot tuloy kasi gabi na, paano kung may multo na pala sa paligid. Bakit hindi pa kasi ako sumama sa kanila at naisipan pang manuod nalang dito.

Well, anyways, the caller were still oddly quiet so I just turned it off instead of waiting for the caller to say something. Tinignan ko ang registered name, pero hindi naman iyon naka-save sa phone ko.

Tumayo ako at nag-stretch. Niligpit ko ang mga gamit ko sa lamesa at dumiretso na sa kama para ipagpatuloy ang pagtulog. Pero nakakabwisit lang kasi muling tumunog ang phone.

"Ano ba, sino ito!" Naaasar na bulyaw ko pero wala pa din talagang sumasagot. At line nalang ang maririnig. "tignan natin kung makapag-prank call ka pa sa akin!" Nanggigigil na saad ko saka kinall back ang hudyo.

I was tapping my finger as I waited for the ringing at the background. But I eventually stop when I heard a ringtone from somewhere.

Napatayo ako bigla sa higaan at lumingon-lingon sa paligid upang alamin kung saan nanggagaling ang kantang iyon. Then the ringing at my phone and the ringtone stopped at the same time.

"Weird...," I muttered and redialed the number once again to check if what I thought is right.

Muli ay tinawagan ko ang nasa kabilang linya.

There was it again the ringtone...

Tumayo ako mula sa kinahihigaan at hinalughog ang damitan ko sa isang gamit. Hindi ko alam kung nandito pa ba iyon, pero sana nandito pa. Nang sa wakas ay makita ko na ang baril na nasa damitan ko ay hinawakan ko iyon.

But then I stopped when some images flashed back inside my head and suddenly I let go of the gun.

What the heck!

"What am I supposed to do!?"

Bahala na nga si batman! Kinuha ko ang baseball bat ko nalang at lumabas ng aking kwarto.

Saka ako tumakbo papunta sa labas ng bahay namin upang alamin kung saan nanggagaling ang cellphone na iyon. Kaso lang nga namatay na ang ringtone na iyon.

Nagtagis ang bagang ko at muli sana iyon tatawagan nang biglang tumunog naman ang ringtone ng cellphone ko.

I answered the phone, irritated, I shouted. "What the heck, anong trip mo! If this is a prank call--"

"You're looking well."

Kumunot ang noo ko nang mahimigan ang boses ng lalaki sa kabilang linya.

"Sino ito?" Tanong ko, lumingon-lingon rin ako sa paligid dahil pakiramdam ko ay may mga matang nakatingin sa akin.

"Never mind who I am," The voice spoke once again. "so Victorique, how's that surprise I gave to you?"

"Stop that pep talk, why don't you just show up and stop being mysterious!" Nanggigil na saad ko habang palingon-lingon pa rin sa paligid.

Bigla naman itong tumawa sa kabilang linya, "What can I say? You're Victorique Smith." He said. "Well, you should know by now that I am the one who sent that hit man to kill you."

Natigilan ako sa sinabi ng kausap ko nang maalala ang nangyari noong nakaraang linggo.

"You're the one...," Nanlaki ang mata ko sa nalaman, hindi ko inasahan nang biglang manginig ang magkabila kong tuhod. "why did you..."

"Let's just say that I am an insane person."

"What are you going to do?" Tanong ko.

"Let's just talk."

Muli akong lumingon-lingon sa paligid. Ngayon ay parang gusto ko nang makita kung nasaan siya. i don't know why but when I am scared, I still want to go on to see for myself what extraordinary things I can do.

"Talk to me now." I urged.

"Firstly, I want you to know that I was after your life."

"Are you trying to threaten me?"

"No, but I could kill your parents and your brother anytime."

Bigla akong natigilan sa pananalita ngunit patuloy pa rin ako sa paghahanap.

"However, I am planning to spare your life since you are useful."

"Now, you're planning to use me? How sick can you be?"

"Depends. If you won't listen then you'll have to say goodbye to them."

Nagtagis ang bagang ko.

"Obedient, I like that." He said. "Now, I want you to know who I am."

"How would I know who you are?!"

"I'm Alex, maybe that would help you?"

Tumigil ako saglit sa paglalakad nang maalala ko siya. "You're that guy in the mask." I concluded.

"Good memory."

"F*ck you! Why do you want to kill me?! Is it because that devil failed to do his job?!" Pasigaw na tanong ko.

"I really want to tell you everything, darling. But I'm afraid I can't."

"Everything?" Tanong ko.

"If you're so curious, then why don't you start noticing around you." he said. "don't you notice anything? How danger always seem to come to you? Why was your boyfriend shot that time? Why was Spencer there? Why would you be kidnapped? Why was someone after your life? Why? Why? Why?"

Bigla akong naguluhan sa sinabi niya. It is the exact questions that have been running inside my head. Ruining every sense there is.

"Is it just coincidence?" He added to my curiosity. "if you found out, then you would recognize me. I'm just close to you."

Pagkasabi niya n'on ay pinatay na niya ang tawag. I tried calling him again but there were no one to answer. So I just followed where the ringtone lead me. Hanggang sa tumigil ako sa isang malaking puno, ang nakalay doon ay ang isang phone na nagri-ring at ang isa pang phone na katapat nito. The ringing phone was clearly used to contact me and the other one is the one being called by the man called 'Alex'. A perfect way for untraceable call.

I picked both of the phone and put it at my jacket. Kahit pa na gustong-gusto ko iyong itapon, nanggigil kasi ako kasi naisahan ako ng lalaking iyon! I hate this!

Naglakad ako pauwi, medyo malapit lang naman sa bahay ang puno. Which means that Alex were just somewhere. And he could still be here watching me. And if it's that the case, why is he still not killing me.

Oh yeah, he said that i could be useful, that's why he is sparing my life now.

Pero alam kong pwede niya akong patayin kaagad, anytime na magkamali ako. It felt like every move I make now had to be the biggest decision I should make, I have to gamble with something. But not to win, to live.

Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay bilang na ang araw ko, kahit pang sabihin ni 'Alex' na may plano siyang buhayin pa ako.

"Victorique?"

Natigilan ako sa paglalakad nang may tumawag sa pangalan ko. I look up to see Spencer walking towards my direction with a food in hand. I stared at him, like he was one of my unfinished bussiness. He is someone I should sort out my relationship to.

"What are you doing walking around with a...bat?"

Aniya habang nakatingin sa bat na hawak ko. Looking at him, I could see the way his hair have been freshly stroked in a style, his lips that would be in thin line as he smiles and his eyes that expresses adoration to me. Gentle, and I think I might regret it if I did not get the chance to be with him.

Binitawan ko ang hawak ko at bigla nalang siya sinuggaban ng yakap na ikinagulat niya.

"Victorique?" He called slowly. Are you okay? What happened?"

"Nothing..." I said as I snuggled closer into his chest. Warmth was all I could feel but still I couldn't be filled with something I was searching. A missing piece.

"Nothing? But you're trembling."

Oo nga. Nanginginig nga ako. I don't know the reason why I was, but I knew that there was some emotions I want to pull out but I will never show it to him.

"Nothing really." I said. "let me just hold you."

He chuckled. "If you missed me this much and want to hug me you'll have the obligation to marry me." He threatened.

For a moment there, I think I know something I should do.

"I'll marry you." I said, even if it felt like it was hard pulling those words out.

Naramdaman ko ang paghiwalay niya sa akin bigla. He held me by my shoulders and looked me straight in the eyes.

"Say that again?"

Napangiti ako. "Yes?"

Noong una ay hindi siya nakahuma sa sinabi ko. Then he shouts and punched something on the air. The next thing I knew is that he was already spinning me in the air.

This decision I hope is something I would not regret.

THEY are happy that moment, slowly savoring the moment. But they did not notice the man beside the tree that was watching the rejoicing couple.

For a moment there the stranger he thought that Victorique were just kidding but it turned out that the two were really engaged this moment.

Napailing ang lalaki at tinapon ang hinihithit na tabacco at inapakan iyon sa sahig.

"Tsk, tsk, nakow sinasabe kow na ba eh!" Tumalikod na siya at tinahak na ang lugar kung saan nakaparada ang kanyang kotse. "Naownahan na ang alaga kow! Mga towrpe nga naman!"