#DS5Unbowed #EmbRace #PuppyCouple #DaggerSeries

CHAPTER 26: RUSES

EMBER'S POV

Our screams filled the car when we heard the gunfire rip through the silence. The sound was so close that it sounded like a canon was firing right next to us. Sa labas ay nakatayo pa rin si Cristiano sa harapan ng sasakyan habang hawak ang isang baril.

Is this why I saw him running towards the woods? This was his plan? To separate us from Warrick and ambush us?

Pilit na binitawan ko ang busog na mahigpit kong hawak at isinukbit ko iyon sa likod ko bago ako mariing pumikit. I tried to steady my breathing and calm my nerves, which were beginning to go haywire.

Cristiano has a picture of my mother that he says was drawn by his father. Ang sabi niya ay dating nanligaw ang tatay niya kay mama. His father died, and people could attest to that. But Carlos Gerona was the man that my mother was supposed to have an affair with.

So either Cristiano lied about his father being dead or his real father is Carlos Gerona. Would he really help his father murder people just because of their biological ties?

Another gunshot rang out. I'm sure that Dagger made the car bulletproof, and we're safe here, but we just can't stay here. "I don't have my phone with me, but Warrick probably called for help already—"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang bigla na lang bumukas ang pintuan sa gawi ko. A hand grabbed my arm tightly and wrenched me out of the car so hard that I winced in pain.

"Go!" I shouted at Miss Asencio. "It's me they want! Drive!"

Tinangka kong magpumiglas pero masyadong mahigpit ang pagkakahawak sa akin ng lalaki na natitiyak ko na si Carlos Gerona. I stumbled on the slip-ons I was wearing when they came off, but the man just kept dragging me. Ramdam ko ang pagguhit ng maliliit na bato sa mga paa ko.

I tried to look at the man, but for some reason, he forced me to face ahead, with his own body hidden behind me. Sa harapan namin ay humakbang palapit si Cristiano pero muling kumilos ang lalaki na nasa likod ko. I felt the cold mouth of a gun touch the side of my head, which sent the hair on my nape standing.

Pinanood ko kung paanong natigilan si Cristiano sa akmang paglapit sa amin dahilan para magsalubong ang mga kilay ko. Uncertainty colored his eyes, and there was also an unmistakable worry in them.

Sa pang-ilan na pagkakataon ay pumainlang sa paligid ang tunog ng baril habang unti-unting gumagapang ang lamig sa katawan ko. Rumaragasa sa utak ko ang mga senaryong nagdaan. It was like hitting rewind in hyper-speed mode.

There are five important things that occurred to me. Cristiano went to the woods and he might not be running away but running after someone, the way Carlos Gerona positions me seems like he's using me as a shield, Cristiano's gun blasted a couple of times but it didn't hit the car like it wasn't his target, the doors were supposed to be locked, and there's no sound coming from the engine.

Napaatras si Cristiano mula sa kinatatayuan niya. A stain is beginning to spread on his upper chest, soaking his shirt in red.

I suddenly remembered what Thorn Dawson told me. "In most situations when it comes to conspiracy crimes, one of the perpetrators is usually the one closest to the target. One of them is responsible for the movement, the other is in charge of providing information."

I was expecting the rush of anger to flood me or to be engulf in denial, but instead it was like I was frozen solid. I was just numb at the facts that were staring back at me.

"Lakad."

The chilling voice spoke directly into my ear, but I remained motionless. Marahas at pwersahan niya akong tinulak. Wala akong nagawa kundi ihakbang ang mga paa ko.

"Kunin mo ang baril." When I hesitated, I felt the end of the barrel dig into the skin of my temple. "Susunod ka o babaon sa'yo ang bala ng baril na 'to?"

I can feel my nails biting on my palm when I walk closer to Cristiano, who is now lying unconscious on the ground. Lumipat sa likod ng ulo ko ang baril na hawak ni Carlos Gerona nang yumuko ako para kunin ang baril. It was a warning for me not to do anything foolish.

Imbis na dumiretso kaagad ay hinawakan ko ang bandang leeg ni Cristiano. He's alive. I forced myself to speak. "He doesn't have a pulse."

"At fingerprint mo ang makikita nila sa baril na hawak mo." The man nudged me with the gun. "Itapon mo sa malayo."

I bit down on my shaking lip, and I straightened to do what he asked. When I did, he made me walk forward again. Ramdam ko ang bahagyang pagdistansiya niya sa akin pero alam ko na hindi ko magagawang tumakbo dahil nakatuon pa rin sa akin ang baril niya.

Nilingon ko ang pinanggalingan namin. Where's Warrick?

"Huwag ka ng umasa na may sasaklolo sa'yo. Nauna ng binawian ng buhay ang bantay mo."

No.

Tanging ang liwanag lang na nagmumula sa sasakyan ang nagsisilbing ilaw namin at ang buwan na saksi sa lahat ng kaganapan at magaganap sa lugar na 'to. The pain on my feet became a memory, even though stones continue to bore into my soles. It was insignificant compared to the pain of betrayal. It was something that I couldn't bring myself to prepare for, despite the circumstances.

I can taste blood on my tongue when the realization of where they are leading me hits me.

"Why?" I whispered with a strangled voice.

I stopped at the edge of the path. Behind me was the cliff where my mother's car fell, causing her death. The same cliff that I have no doubt they want to take my life as well.

That's when I knew. They are going to pin everything on me. The package that was delivered under my name, the credit card, and now this. It would look like I took my own life to escape my crimes or out of guilt.

Humarap ako sa dalawang tao na nasa likuran ko. One is a stranger, and one is a person that I trusted with everything.

"Why?!"

My voice reverberated around us. I ignored the gun pointed at me by a man who could kill me at any moment. Instead, I looked at the woman, who might not be pointing at me with a weapon that could hurt me, but it feels like she already shot me.

That explained why the notebook was just lying on top of that box for everyone to see. The comforting words to lower my guard. It was to make sure that their game is still running and that I will remain clueless about them until they are ready to unveil the truth.

"Hindi kita gustong masaktan." Hindi karirinigan ng kahit na anong emosyon ang boses niya. Any indication of the woman who has always looked at me with compassion all this time was gone. There was no sign of the Miss Asencio I grew up knowing in her. "Noong una naaalala ko ang sarili ko sa'yo. Iyong may pamilya ka pero hindi ka magawang tanggapin. Pero nangako ako. Kailangan kong tuparin kung ano ang napagkasunduan."

"To kill everyone in my family?"

"Ang makuha kung ano ang nararapat na para sa akin."

I shake my head in confusion. "W-What?"

"Dating nagtatrabaho sa mga Estremera ang ina ko. Mahirap lang ang pamilya namin. Nabuntis siya at nagdesisyon siyang umalis sa pagtatrabaho sa kanila. Pagkaraan ay lumipat kami ng Maynila. Mas lalong naging mahirap ang buhay namin. Nagsumikap akong mag-aral pero hindi sapat ang kinikita namin sa pagtitinda para matustusan lahat ng pangangailangan namin lalo pa at nagkasakit ang nanay ko. Bumalik kami rito dahil umaasa si nanay na tutulungan kami ng ama ko. Pero alam mo ba kung anong ginawa niya? Pinakulong niya ang nanay ko at kinailangan kong magmakaawa para lang pakawalan siya. Kinailangan kong ipangako na hindi na kami magpapakita sa kaniya. Tandang-tanda ko ang araw na 'yon. Sa kabila ng malakas na ulan ay nilakad ko ang maputik na daan paalis sa impyerno na 'yon. Walang kain, walang pera, at inaapoy ng lagnat. Kung hindi pa ako tinulungan ng isang babae na nakita akong nakasalampak sa putikan ay baka hindi pa ako nakaalis sa lugar na 'yon." Mapait na ngumiti siya at pagak na tumawa siya. "Alam mo ba kung sino ang babae na 'yon?"

"My mother," I whispered.

"Tinulungan ako ni Callista na nang mga oras na 'yon ay kasama ang isang binatilyo. Nang mga panahon na 'yon ay sa tingin ko hindi alam ni Callista kung sino ako at kung ano ang nangyayari sa pamilya niya. Dahil siya ang prinsesa ng mga Estremera na pinoprotektahan ng lahat." Sa mga mata niya ay kita ang nakaraan na sinusundan pa rin siya hanggang sa kasalukuyan na mayro'n siya. "Ang tatay ng binatilyo na iyon ang sumama sa akin para sunduin ang ina ko at makaalis sa lugar na 'to. Ang pangalan niya ang natandaan ko. Alfonso Gerona."

"What—"

"Kapatid ako ng ina mo." Her eyes flashed with something close to envy. "Pero iba kami. Siya lang ang tinuring na anak. Ako iyong pagkakamali. Nabuntisan ng lolo mo ang nanay ko. Hindi masamang tao ang nanay ko at wala siyang balak na sirain ang tiwala ng lola mo pero pinagsamantalahan siya dahilan para mabuo ako. Pero tinupad ko ang pinangako ko sa lolo mo. Kahit piso ay hindi ko muling hiningi sa kaniya. Kahit nang mawala si nanay. Hanggang kamatayan ng ama na hindi tumanggap sa akin ay hindi ako nagpakita para maghabol."

"W-Were you behind my mother's death?"

Umiling siya bilang pagtanggi. "Nabalitaan ko lang ang pagkamatay ng nanay mo. Napag-alaman ko rin na wala na ang mag-asawang Estremera. Naisip ko no'n... bakit hindi? Bakit hindi pwedeng makuha ko ang dapat na sa akin? Anak rin ako ng isang Estremera? Bakit kailangan na patuloy ako na maghirap? Pero hindi ko alam kung paanong gagawin iyon. Lalo pa at nalaman ko na may anak si Callista. Lahat mapupunta sa'yo pero dahil sa edad mo ay ang ama mo ang may hawak ng lahat. Nagdesisyon akong mamasukan sa inyo. Kaya ko pang maghintay. Kailangan ko ng panahon para mag-isip. Para mag-plano." Nagbaba siya ng tingin. For a moment, I saw remorse in her. "Hindi ko ginusto na may masaktan. Hindi kita gustong masaktan."

"Then why? Why would you do something like this? How did you got involved with him?"

"Narinig ko ang usapan tungkol sa nangyari sa nanay mo. Ang mga usapan na may kinita siyang lalaki. Dati raw niyang kasintahan. Hindi ko alam ang lahat ng nangyari dahil nang pumasok ako sa inyo ay nakalipas na ang aksidente. Nang maging empleyado niyo ako ay hinanap ko kaagad ang listahan ng mga nagtrabaho para sa mga Estremera at itinago ko iyon. Dahil do'n ay nahanap ko ang pamilya ni Carlos na naging tulay para mahanap ko siya. Tama ang hinuha ko na siya ang laman ng mga usapan tungkol sa ina mo."

"The storage fire," I said.

"Hindi ako ang may gawa no'n kundi si Carlos. Kinuha niya ang ilan sa mga gamit ng mama mo." Huminga siya ng malalim. "Walang nakakaalam kung sino siya. Nang mangyari ang aksidente kung saan nawalan ng buhay si Callista ay matagal ng namayapa ang mga magulang ni Carlos. Hinanap ko siya at hiningi ko ang tulong niya. Nang mga panahon na 'yon ay nagtatago siya pero pasalamat na lang ako at natagpuan ko siya. Binigyan ko siya ng bagong identidad. Ang kapatid na kadalasang binabanggit ko sa'yo na dinadalaw ko at ang imahinasyong pamilya na meron siya. Ang kapatid na iba ang apelido sa akin dahil dala niya ang apelido ng ama niya. Habang si Carlos Gerona? Nag-iisa at nakatira katabi ang kinaroroonan ng mga taong may kaugnayan sa isa pang magsisigurong hindi basta-basta madidiskubre ang lahat na siyang magiging dahilan para mahinto ang plano."

"Si Cristiano."

Tumango siya. "Kahit paimbestigahan ako ay may makakapagsabi na may nakatira na mag-asawa sa bahay ng kapatid ko. Si Carlos na ang pangalan ay Jerome Ramos na doon talaga nakatira at ang asawa niyang nakikita ng ilang mga kapitbahay paminsan-minsan pero sapat na maging patunay na totoo siya. Pero sa katabi ng bahay ng kapatid ni Cristiano ay nandoon lahat ang katunayan ng pagkatao ni Carlos Gerona. Ang taong tinutugis niyo."

The coincidence would be too big and Dagger will end up suspecting Cristiano. She was that woman too. Siya ang babae na paminsan-minsan nakikita ng mga tao na nasa bahay kung saan nakatira si Jerome Ramos. It was a meticulous plan. They made sure of that.

"May kailangan ako sa mga Estremera at may galit din si Carlos sa kanila at kay Emmiliano Calderon. Napagkasunduan namin na makukuha ko ang lahat basta makuha niya rin ang katarungan na kailangan niya."

"Katarungan? He killed people and you helped him. You're his accomplice! This is not justice! Ang kailangan ng hustisya ay ang mga taong nawalan."

"Bakit? Hindi ba ako nawalan?"

I looked at her straight in the eyes, and I could see how she really believed what she was saying.

"Don't ever think for one second that you can compare your loss to those who are grieving their families because you helped a person end their lives. What happened to your mother was wrong, but it doesn't make what you're doing right. Ang hustisya ay hinihingi sa taong nagkamali. Hindi sa mga inosenteng tao na walang kinalaman sa mga nangyari."

Her face hardened with indignation. "Katulad ng sabi ko sa'yo ay iyon ang napagkasunduan. Hindi ako ang pumatay sa mga taong iyon. Impormasyon lang ang binibigay ko kay Carlos. Siya ang may gusto na maghiganti. Ang gusto ko lang para sa akin ay hindi na maranasan lahat ng hirap na pinagdaanan namin ni nanay."

"J-Just tell me one thing... what's my sister have to do with this? Bakit pati siya? She was getting married. She was happy. Hindi niyo siya kailangang idamay."

Guilt colored her eyes, and I know the answer to my question even if she doesn't give it to me.

They became greedy. She became greedy. Kapag nawala ang ama ko ay mahahati sa aming magkapatid ang lahat. Pati na sa asawa niya. With all of them gone, everything will be left to me.

"I could have given it to you." Nangilid ang luha sa mga mata ko. "I would have given you what's supposed to be yours. You could have taken it all, and it wouldn't matter to me. Because you do. Nakita mo kung ano ang kinalakihan ko. You're one of the few people who stayed. You could have asked me to give everything that I have, and I would have understood."

Kita ko ang pagdaan ng kalituhan sa mga mata niya. She might be his accomplice but she's not a killer.

"Nangako ako," kuyom ang mga kamay na sabi niya. "Hindi ako pwedeng umatras, Ember."

Because he would kill her too.

I turned my eyes to the man beside her. As if feeling my gaze, he raised his head and took off the black cap he was wearing. The moon illuminated his face, making the scar that ran from his hairline down to his chin evident.

If fear could be expressed in a visible form, the feeling that I got from the smile that spread across his lips would have been it. There are people who live in the dark, but there are also those who thrive in it, such as him. That much is clear. He was far gone from the person he once was... whoever that is.

"Ang tagal nating hindi nagkita. Sinong mag-aakala na lalaki ka na kamukhang-kamukha ni Callista?" Nang manatali lang akong nakatingin sa kaniya ay lumawak ang ngiti niya. "Nakalimutan mo na ba ko, Ember?"

I did. For years I did. Maybe it was my mind's way to protect me from the horrors of that day.

"Kung... kung mahal mo si mama... kung totoong importante siya sa'yo, bakit mo gagawin 'to sa sarili niyang anak?"

"Dahil kasalanan mo kung bakit siya nawala sa akin."

"N-No—"

"Hindi mo na ba talaga naaalala? Kung bakit namatay ang ina mo?"

According to the police reports, what happened was an accident. There are no tracks to indicate that another vehicle pushed the car my mother was in off the road and over the cliff. She was found dead in the driver's seat.

People said that it was just an unfortunate event. She was running away to meet the man she's having an affair with, and she got into an accident on the way.

But there was more to it.

"Kami dapat ang magkasama. Kami dapat ng bumuo ng pamilya. Pero dahil sa mga tauhan ng lolo mo na pinasundan kami ay nalaman nila ang tungkol sa relasyon namin. Nagkahiwalay kami at nawalan ang mga magulang ko ng trabaho. Napag-alaman ko na lang isang araw na kasal na siya sa ama mo."

"Kung totoong hindi siya masaya kaya siya sumama sa'yo, bakit siya nawala pa rin sa'yo? Why did she die?"

"Dahil sa'yo!"

I looked at the gun on his hand when he gripped it tight. Pilit na pinatili kong kalmado ang sarili ko. I'll be okay. It's okay.

"Handa akong itakas siya sa ama mo pero dahil sa'yo ay ayaw niyang iwan ang ama mo. Ilang beses akong pumunta sa mansyon pero pinagtabuyan niya ako. Alam ko... alam ko na hindi iyon ang gusto niya. Napipilitan lang siya dahil may anak sila. Kaya kinuha kita mula sa bahay niyo. Naglalaro ka no'n sa labas. Tinawagan ko si Callista para makipagkita sa akin kung hindi ay hindi ka na niya makikita. Kailangan ko lang siyang mailayo sa rancho at pagkatapos no'n ay sisiguraduhin ko na hindi ka na makakagulo sa amin. Makakalimutan ka rin niya kapag bumuo na kami ng sarili naming pamilya. Makakalimutan niya rin kayong mag-ama kapag napalayo na siya sa inyo."

He was planning to kill me. He used me to get my mother, and he will dispose of me soon after.

"Pero tumawag ang ama mo. Nakikiusap na ibalik ka. Na bumalik siya. Inagaw ko sa kaniya ang cellphone pero ayaw niyang tigilan na kausapin ang peste mong ama." Inangat niya ang mga kamay niya at sinapo niya ang ulo niya na para bang gusto niyang pisikal na alisin sa utak niya ang mga alaala na dala niya. "Aksidente kong nabitawan ang manibela. Parehas kayo no'n na nasa harapan ng sasakyan kasama ko. Para masiguro kong hindi niyo ako matatakasan. Huli na para mabawi ko iyon. Huli na nang makita ko."

The car was running too fast. The view outside was a blur from how fast we were going. I felt my mother's hands pin me down on the seat while she covered me with her body. When I awoke, everything was excruciatingly painful... dark and cold.

Carlos Gerona was in that car. Somehow he survived, and he pulled my mother into the driver's seat so that it would appear that she was driving.

"Kung hindi ka niya pinrotektahan dapat nandito pa siya. Kung hindi dahil sa'yo dapat buhay si Callista at masayang kasama ako!"

"She wouldn't have been happy. Naging importante ka man sa kaniya pero hindi ibig sabihin ay ikaw lang ang minahal niya. My mother loved me. She loved my father. For years, I forgot about everything. Now I know that she didn't abandon me. You took her away from us!"

"Hindi niya mahal si Emmiliano!"

"My little firey girl, it will be okay. Mama's here." Kita ko ang pagdaan ng gulat hindi lang sa mga mata niya kung hindi maging kay Miss Asencio. "That's right. I remember." I took a step closer to them. "Your mama and papa loves you so much. I love you both so much. Always remember that."

"Tumahimik ka!"

"She didn't love you anymore. She wasn't having an affair. She was trying to make you leave us alone. She chose us!"

Gerona raised his gun, and the sound of gunshots cracking echoed, but it wasn't me that screamed in pain. A pool of blood gushed from where Carlos Gerona's hand had once been fully attached but now looked like a mangled piece of flesh. Nakita ko kung paanong mabilis na tumakbo palayo si Miss Asencio pero napahinto siya nang mapuno ang lugar ng ingay na nagmumula sa humahagibis na sasakyan. It screeched loudly and stopped near us.

"Do you know what Dagger's area of expertise is?" Inignora ko ang patuloy na pagsigaw ni Carlos Gerona habang hawak ang duguang kamay. "As bodyguards, they will put themselves in danger just to save their client. As detectives, they're experts in ruses and schemes. This is just child's play for them. They've done this before and this won't be the last."

Nanlilisik sa galit ang mga mata na umuklo ang lalaki at akmang kukunin ang baril gamit ng isang kamay pero muli akong nagsalita, "Gusto mo ba talagang mawalan ng isa pang kamay? Gusto mo bang malaman kung ilang baril ang nakatutok sa'yo ngayon? I was never in danger."

As if on cue, the back of the Ford Raptor opened, revealing where the gun that shot Carlos Gerona came from.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. "Why did I expect it to be anyone else but him even if I told him to freaking take a rest?"

Miss Asencio, out of the corner of my eye, grabbed Cristiano's gun as if to defend herself. I don't think she ever shot anyone, but seeing her point it in that particular direction—at the person standing at the back of the pickup car, whom I don't want to see get hurt anymore—opened the gates of anger I was trying to reign in.

I reach for the bow hanging from my back, load the arrow, and then release it. A move I've done a million times.

I never missed. And I didn't tonight as well.

Her shrill voice tore through the air when the arrow pierced her hand. Mula sa sasakyan na huminto malapit sa amin ay bumaba ang ilang mga tao. I saw Coal and Domino, but it wasn't them that first got near to where I was standing.

It was my father.

Bumagsak sa sahig si Carlos Gerona nang tumama sa kaniya ang kamao ng ama ko. My father did not relent. Not even when blood ran from the man's nose when he broke it.

Emmiliano Calderon was always in control. Iyon ang laging nakikita ko sa kaniya. But now the wrath vibrating around him is not something I have ever seen in my life.

"Nawala ang asawa ko dahil sa'yo pero hindi mo makukuha ang anak ko!"

Lumapit sa ama ko sina Coal at pinigilan siya nang tuluyan ng mawalan ng malay ang lalaking duguang napasadlak sa lupa. Mula rin sa pinagtataguan nila ay lumabas ang iba pang mga Dawson at maging si Warrick na nakabukas ang suot na polo kung saan kita ang suot niyang bulletproof vest sa loob. Cristiano was long gone from where he was lying. Mukhang kinuha na nila ang binata kanina pa habang nasa akin ang atensyon ni Miss Asencio at Carlos Gerona para madala siya sa ospital.

Nagtama ang mga mata namin ni Miss Asencio— ni Fidela Asencio. I would have taken pity on her after what she and her mother had been through. I would have understood that she was also fearing for her life, which Gerona could easily end. Pero kahit kumbinsihin ko ang sarili ko na naipit lang siya, na hindi niya hahayaang makita na masaktan ako... alam ko na hindi iyon totoo. She already watched Gerona kill people without mercy. She knew his plan to kill me and my family. In the very first place, she was the one who searched for him. Ano bang inaakala niyang gagawin ni Gerona para makaganti? She knew what she was getting into, even if she said otherwise. She's not stupid for her not to know that lives will need to end for her to fulfill her own revenge.

I do believe that a part of her cares for me. It's only natural after being with me all these years. But it wasn't enough for her to choose a different path. Hindi sapat para sabihin niya sa akin ag katotohanan. She knew very well that my family could protect her from Gerona. Kung sasabihin niya lang lahat ay makakawala siya sa kung anuman na kasunduan nila kung iyon ang gugustuhin niya.

She's no better than Gerona. There's nothing that can excuse her.

I stood my ground despite the agony building inside me, and when I spoke to her, my voice was devoid of emotion. "That's right. Everyone that you conspired to kill with Gerona is still alive. This day too will pass, and we will move on. But not for you two. This is your turn to be trapped in a nightmare you can't get out of. "

Even though we were looking for a definite answer, we prepared for other possibilities. But I wasn't lying to her earlier today. The victims' families will finally get the justice that they deserve, and Rancho Callista will regain its peace. It was a promise I made to myself.

Sa matagal na panahon ay para bang nakakulong kami ng ama ko sa bangungot na nagsimula sa araw na mawala ang ina ko. The pain became our prison, the fear turned into shackles, and the guilt was the weight that forced us not to emerge back to freedom.

This time, it will be those that truly deserve it who will be trapped inside high curtain walls. Never breathing free again as they carry the burden of the results of their choices. While the rest of us will break down every stone of the wicked tower that has no power against us now.

_________________________________End of Chapter 26.