GULF POV

"I'm glad both of you are back, safe and sound." Nakangiting wika ko kay Boun at Hiter.

Kahit alam ko na safe sila parehas because HE assure me about it, iba pa din na makikita ko silang buhay at walang galos at nakabalik sila sa mansion.

These past few days, Prem and Megan are both in edge of breaking down, dahil wala silang balita about Boun and Megan. As much as I want to give them some information na alam ko, hindi ko ginawa. For sure they will give me  a lot of follow up question na hindi pa ako handang sagutin.

Tahimik lang akong tinititigan ni Boun at Hiter. I know they have a lot of question in their head at hindi nila alam kung saan mag sisimula.

They are anxious. I can see it. They want to bombared me with questions but they can't. Gusto ko din naman na sabihin sa kanila lahat ng nalalaman ko, pero hindi pa sa ngayon. Not now, but soon.

"Silverton. They start from the scratch and they are now on a pedestal. They have a lot connections outside." It's Boun breaking the silence.

Tumayo ako at tinalikuran sila. I stand beside the glass wall of the office at pinagmasdan ang kalangitan.

"I thought they will never be a threat to us. Not until the oldest Silverton died and the family head change." Sigunda ni Hiter.

"Hindi pa tayo tapos sa clan ni James and may bago na naman." Ani Boun. I can sense panic in his voice. I can relate. Kung kami-kami lang naman, two or more family against us are nothing. Pero may mga anak na kami. May mga batang madadamay. May inosenteng buhay ang maaring mawala.

Costavien is near to the end. After we killed James, their foundation crumbled. In span of 2 days, they declared five bankruptcy. Nagkakagulo sila as to who will be the next leader. Bloodshed is all over their family. Power struggle lead to killing.

"Costavien will retain as history." Wika ko habang nakatingin pa din sa kalangitan.

"Al will change it?" Tanong ni Hiter.

"Mm."

Nakausap ko kahapon si Al. The transfer of property are all done. Hawak na ni Al ang lahat ng natitirang legal na negosyo ni Costavien. He give me all the illegal business but he still have a shares on it. I make sure his share is still intact. In case he needs something in mafia, his shares will be a solid evidence that he is still part of this dark world.

Al wants a peaceful life. A normal life. And he want to lead his family in that way. Kung may aayaw daw ay free nan na umalis. For those who wants to remain as mafia, he will obligue them to swear a loyalty to me. Pag hindi pumayag, sya na mismo ang papatay.

He don't want conflict. Business conflict is enough to him already. He don't want to deal any other conflict unless it's needed.

"Costavien is going down the clean road." Bulong ko sa aking sarili.

I heaved a deep sigh tsaka ko muling nilingon ang dalawa na nananatiling tahimik.

"Tell Haii to tighten everything. Triple the kids security. If he can find a homeschool program, enrolled the kids immediately. We need to secure kids safety first. Adult can deal all the guns and bombs that will be thrown to us."

"Why?"

Nagulat kami ng biglang bumukas ang pinto ng opisina at pumasok si Hai na karga si Sunoo.

"Silverton." Simpleng sagot ko.

"We can easily deal with them. They are just throwing us peebles."

Umupo si Haii sa tabi ni Boun. Sunoo immediately sit on Hiter lap and rested his head to Hiter's chest. Sunoo's favorite uncle is Hiter.

"Soon they will throw bombs and bullets." Binalik ako sa aking swivel chair.

"How sure are you?"

Hindi ako sumaogt. I just look at him seriously.

Haii heaved a deep sigh at pabagsak syang sumandal.

"May balak ka bang magsabi sa amin?"

"Meron." Agad na sagot ko.

"When?"

"Soon. For now, just listen to me."

"How sure are you about this Gulf?"

"You always know how sure I am when it comes to this kuya."

For the first time, tinawag ko na kuya si Haii. Ganun ako kasigurado.

"Fine. Though I am still in doubt, I'll support you. I'll follow your instructions. But Gulf, don't give your 100% trust, please. Dahil baka sa huli, yung pinilit mo na binuo, ang madurog ulit to the point that it can't be fixed anymore."

Tumango nalang ako.

Nang makaalis sila Haii, Boun at Prem ay nagpakawala ako ng isang malalim na buntong-hininga.

I took a dangerous path. I took a risk. Kung ano ang kakahantungan nito, hindi ko alam.

One thing is sure. If this is a big mistake, I will be shattered into pieces.

I fished out my phone and call HIM. As if he is expecting my call, nasagot nya agad ang tawag ko after two rings.

'Hello'

I close my eyes. Hindi ko sumagot. Pinakinggan ko lang ang pag hinga nya.

His background is too noisy. Seems like HE is at the mall or in any places na na matao. But I can still hear his breath clearly.

I ended a call without saying any words and decided to go somewhere alone.

After few minutes of ride, nakarating na ako sa pakay ko na lugar. A place where I know I can confirm everything with a support of evidence.

Binati ako ng guard na naka assign sa entrance. Simpleng ngiti lang ang sinagot ko bago ako tuluyang pumasok.

The place is quite at tanging tunog lang ng manipis na takong ng aking sapatos ang maririnig. As for me, I can even hear my breath and my heart beat.

Pumasok ako sa pinaunang pinto and it lead me an office. Hindi na ako mag abala pang kumatok. Pumasok na ako sa loob and as expected Mawin is waiting for me.

His office is clean and organized. Katamtaman lang ang laki nito pero sapat na para sa lahat ng kanyang kailangan. One side of his office has a half glass wall at sa likod nun ang ang kanyang tinatawag na secret room. Room where all his expirements and test happened.

"Late?" Sinensyasan ako ni Mawin na maupo.

"Still contemplating."

"As expected."

"How was it?"

Hindi ako sinagot ni Mawin. Tinalikuran nya ako at may kinuha sa kanyang safety box.

"Negative. Confirmed. Check it ten times."

"Meaning?"

"It's not boss Mew."