MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

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I AM JUST taking what's mine.

Iyon ang nakalagay sa isang papel na naabutan kong na nakalatag kasama ng mga bubog sa sahig ng condo unit ni Troy. Naabutan naming parang bagyong dinaanan ang buong area. Basag ang ilang mwebles, ang mga glass walls, mga vase, and even the appliances. I am worried that they might hurt Gabgab but remembering the message that has been left, at least I could hope that they did not.

I crumpled the paper, so it was Gab's parents who took the kid. But I wonder who they are? Troy mentioned that the baby was only left at his home on a Christmas night.

"Paraanin niyo ako! I own this place asshole!" nanggagalaiting sigaw ni Troy nang makarating ito at hinarangan ng mga pulis.

I looked at Maria and nodded at her. Maria, then, nodded to the policemen and they let the man pass through. Troy ran towards me and I only looked at him with cold eyes.

"W-What happened to him? Do you have any leads? Ano'ng sabi ng mga pulis?" halata sa tono nito ang pagkataranta dahil sa pag-aalala kay Gabriel. "Answer me!"

I hardly put the crumpled paper on his chest and pushed him so I could pass through.

"You better tell me who his parents are, Troy. Hindi ko man tunay na anak si Gabriel pero hindi mo ako mapipigilang tumulong sa paghahanap sa kanya."

Sa paglingon ko'y naabutan kong muling nilamukos ng binata ang papel na nakita ko at tinapon 'yon sa kung saan. "Huwag ka nang mangialam rito, ako nang bahala maghanap sa bata."

My anger was almost reaching the ceiling. I breathed in and then looked at the girls who were just standing somewhere. Nakuha kaagad nila ang tinging iyon at sabay sabay na umalis muna ng kwarto.

"Sa labas lang kami, ako nang bahala sa mga pulis. Yvette's calling her connections already." Tinanguan ko nalang si Maria before she tapped my shoulders at giniya sina Aurora at Jorgy na lumabas.

I tried to calm myself, even more, lalo na't kaming dalawa lang gagong 'to sa kwartong ito. I gracefully walked near the couch and sat there. If someone who will be looking at me, my face screams calmness but my inside? I only wanted to punch this man so bad. Galit na galit ako. Sobrang galit ako sa nangyayari ngayon.

"Huwag mo akong manduhan, Monteverde. Tell me what I need to know now."

He's just looking at me with the same intensity that I'm throwing at him. "Wala akong panahong makipagtalo sa'yo ngayon, Serena. You may leave. Ako nang bahala sa bata."

"Hindi ako nakikiusap sa'yo, Troy Davis. I am ordering you to tell me what's happening."

He scoffed as if he heard some joke. "At sino ka ngayon para manduhan ako? Ako ang may responsibilidad sa bata kaya labas ka na rito."

I felt a pang of pain when he said those last words. It was like he's reminding me that I'm not part of his life or at least considering what happened to us as a connection that I have a responsibility to the kid too.

"I own this building, and it's my responsibility to know what's happening."

Natawa naman ito ngayon at napailing iling sa'kin. "Then bring your personnels here. Sa kanila ko sasabihin ang nangyayari--"

I threw the knife that I got from the living room table and it almost reached the surface of his cheek. He's stunned.

"Every minute is important. Sana 'di mo nakakalimutang kinuha si Gabriel. The more you are being an ass like this the more the culprit is getting away. The next thing that I'll throw something at you? It will hit a spot for sure. Don't test me, I'm already beyond my sanity right now."

Nakipaglaban ito ng titigan sa'kin, he's appalled that I almost hit him with the knife. Isang bagay na hindi nito inaasahan.

Then, Troy's phone rang and my earpiece vibrated.

"Lady Elle, we got his coordinates." I heard Aurora on my earpiece.

"I'm on my way." Ani naman ni Troy habang natayo ako at kinukuha ang bag ko para maghandang umalis.

"Make sure not to lose the GPS the kid has. Meet me downstairs, give me the full report about the culprit." Wika ko habang naglalakad na palabas but I was stopped to touch the doorknob when Troy pulled me.

Confusion on his face was evident, clearly heard what I've said with Aurora.

"H-How did you--"

Marahas kong piniglas ang braso kong hawak niya at inayos ang nalaylay na bag sa balikat ko.

"To be honest, I realized that I don't need your cooperation," I said then graced myself to leave his penthouse.

Sumunod siya sa'kin dahil pababa rin ang tungo nito. Walang imikan kami sa loob ng elevator habang malamig lang ang tingin ko sa harapan. Malas pa nga at kita ang reflection naming dalawa but I maintained my composure and tried not to be affected by his short glimpses.

"I j-just want to let you know that--"

"Save your shits, I don't need that anymore. I've had enough." Pagputol ko sa gusto niyang sabihin. Kung anuman 'yon, wala na akong pakialam. "I'm done being used and being in the shadows anyway."

Nauna na akong lumabas ng elevator at naabutan ko pa ang kapatid kong si Travis na nakasandal sa kotse nito at may earpiece na suot. He's wearing something different na 'di ko pa nakikita sa kanya noon. Black military boots, camouflage pants partnering with a belt buckle that has gun slots. He's wearing a black cap and a leather jacket on top with a white t-shirt inside.

Bakas sa mukha nito ang pagkagulat nang makita ako. I ignored him and continued to look for the car kung saan lulan sina Maria. Hindi pa man din ako nakakalayo ay nahigit akong muli ni Troy.

"Just leave this to us, I'll take back our Gabgab." Wika nito na tila may pag-aalala sa mga mata.

I felt so disgusted sa sinabi niya at sa kung anong emosyon 'yang nakikita ko sa kanya. What? Our Gabgab? I scoffed and shooed his hand on my arms but he only tightened his grip that I hissed in annoyance.

"You don't want to cooperate right? So, I'll do what I need to do. Huwag mo akong pakialamanan." Angil ko rito at mas marahas na binawi ang aking braso mula sa kanyang pagkakahawak.

Nakapiglas naman ako at saktong tinawag ng kapatid ko si Troy. "Make it fast!"

I ignored the men and I was beyond relief when a car stopped in front of me.

"Let's go!" wika ni Maria sa loob, siya ang nagmamaneho. She's wearing a black mask.

Wala na akong inaksayang oras at agad na sumakay sa passenger seat. As soon as the belt was secured, I asked Maria who's now serious about driving with her usual sports car speed.

"Where's Aurora and Jorgy?" I asked her while checking her compartment. Two 9mm pistols were there.

"Inuwi na ni Aurora si Jorgy dahil anong oras na rin." Tugon nito habang chinecheck ko naman ang magazine ng dalawang baril, rear sight area, and its barrels.

"Yvette?"

"She's in our place. She will guide us from there. Wear your earpiece."

Agad ko naman iyong sinuot pagkatapos ma-secure that the two pistols are ready to use.

"Comms check, the first bitch has come, over."

'The comms are good." I heard Yvette's on the other line.

"Good, don't lose Gabgab's coordinate." Ani ko.

"On it,"

"Do you have any actual vision from the culprit's car, Yvette? Like a dashboard cam?" Maria asked while she's looking at the red dot on her map locator on her phone.

"Unfortunately, there's none," Yvette replied.

"Ang poor ng car," Maria commented on the side.

"Carnapped, I guess." Wika ko habang tinatali ko ang buhok ko patalikod at nagkabit ng black mask.

"Of course, what else right?" Maria hissed in irritation.

"Any leads kung sino ang kumidnap sa kanya, Vette?" I asked.

"He was not cooperative, I see." Tugon na tila alam kung bakit wala pa rin akong ideya.

"Oh please, save me from his shit just for tonight. Kung ayaw niya 'e 'di huwag."

"Based on the CCTV na na-retrieve ni Maria kanina bago siya pumunta diyan, they are just men who went up to Troy's condo." Yvette started to explain when she sent me the footage of the CCTV outside of the building and the CCTVs on the way to Troy's floor.

"Mabuti nalang tatanga tanga ang kinuha nilang magtatamper sana ng mga minuto kung kailan sila dumaan sa mga surveillance cameras and left a trace so I could retrieve it a while ago." Dagdag ni Maria sa tabi ko.

"All of them are wearing black shades, that's why it's taking a lot of time before we could identify their names." Pagpapatuloy ni Yvette. "But their belt is quite familiar to me."

I zoomed the screencap of what she's talking about. "Who are they? Are they the ones who attacked us in Palawan weeks ago?"

"I'm looking into that already. Tests are still running but while waiting, we can focus on tracing where they are heading."

Napatango tango ako at napabalik ang tingin ko sa kalsada kung saan busy si Maria magpasikot sikot. Nasa Boni na kami and the traffic are superb. Pero dito mas inaasahan ko si Maria. She knows every ins and outs of Metro Manila.

"If my assumption is right, they are currently on the way to the Port of Manila."

Napakuyom ako ng kamay dahil nakikita ko na kung saan ang tungo nila. "They plan on taking the kid on a sea trip."

"Figures," Maria agreed.

"Do you need us to alert some back-up?" Yvette asked.

Napatingin ako kay Maria, even if she's wearing her mask, I can figure that he's smirking beneath it. "It's been a while so I guess, there's no need?"

Napaangat ang isa kong kilay to agree. "Besides, I know that my brother and the asshole are tailing us now." Wika ko habang napatingin sa rear-view mirror.

"Are you sure it's okay to have them with you two? Baka makagulo lang yang dalawa, lalo na 'yang hambog mong kapatid na 'di marunong maligo sa tamang oras."

Nagkatinginan kami ni Maria at sabay na napaikot ang mata dahil sa insultong binigay ni Yvette sa kapatid ko. As much as I want to tease her, I ignored that for now dahil mas kailangan kong mag-isip ng paraan kung paano mababawi ang bata nang hindi masyado nagamit ng dahas.

"I don't mind," I replied. "I don't mind being seen kicking some asses. Nang magkaroon siya ng ideya kung sino ang ginago niya."

"Maganda ka sa part na 'yan, teh." Natatawang reaksyon ni Maria and I only flipped my hair.

Kasabay no'n ang nakakabinging ringing tone ng cellphone ko. Troy's on the register.

"Pustahan tayo, Yvette. Marupok 'to."

"Kailan ba hindi naging marupok 'yan matapos makatikim ng sex?" napapailing iling nalang ako sa kanila habang si Maria naman ay natatawa.

"Nasira lang ang entrada naging marupok na? Weak." Maria said and I scoffed at her.

"Excuse me?"

"Oh 'di sagutin mo, tingnan natin kung totoo bang 'di ka marupok."

'Di ko alam kung nakailang ikot ang mata ko sa hamon ng babaeng 'to. Pakiramdam ko naging wiper ng kotse na 'ata itong mata ko.

Isang nakakainis na buntunghininga ang binitawan ko at sinagot na ang tawag ng lalaking 'to.

"Problema mo?" bungad ko habang natatawa sa tabi ko ang gagang si Maria.

"I told you to stay away from this mess! 'Di ka ba talaga marunong makinig?!" sigaw nito sa'kin na kinailangan ko pang ilayo ang cellphone sa tainga ko.

"Sige sumigaw ka pa nang hindi ako lalo makinig!"

"Just turn your car and go home!"

"Ano bang pakialam mo? I am helping here!"

I heard his deep breathing na animo'y pinipigilan lang nito ang galit. Hala sige magalit ka, tangina ka! Kanina mo pa ako ginagalit, buti nga sa'yo!

"You know what, I don't care if paano ka nakakuha ng lead about Gabgab but if you're planning to go there without any authorities, you are just putting yourself in danger!" angil nito habang ako, tinitingnan tingnan lang ang mga kuko kong masisira mamaya. Mukhang need kong sabihan agad si Aurora na i-schedule ako sa isang nail salon.

"As if you're with authorities right now? You know that I can see you from behind right?" wika at tanong ko sa kanya habang nakatingin sa rear-view mirror. Travis car is almost reaching our car.

Ilang segundo ito natigilan at muling umikot na naman ang mata ko sa irita. "Look, you've given me enough stress and bombs today, okay? Give me this because right now? Mind you, I'd prefer to release my anger towards Gab's kidnappers rather than staying at home and cursing you were in fact won't help me to sleep at all."

"C'mon, Troy. Serena's a black belter--"

"This is not some kind of a tournament, Travis. We are dealing with kidnappers!"

Rinig kong palitan nila ng salita ng kapatid ko. Mukhang kanina pa sila nagbabangayan.

"Troy, I can always show you a ton of certificates on how to handle a gun either. Do me a favor and spare me with your pretentiousness as if you're just worried about my welfare. You know what? Why don't we just do this since I know for sure that you're the one who gave the GPS tracker on Gabgab? Ang ingay ingay mo, mas nakakainis ka pang pakinggan kesa sa mga kidnapper na kukuda mamaya."

"You--"

"Travis, ikaw ang tumawag sa'kin kapag nakapag-isip na ng tama 'yang tropa mo. I don't mind moving on our own without you both."

"Yvette's driving?" rinig kong tanong ng kapatid at nagkatinginan agad kami ni Maria at parehas na nagtaas ang isa naming kilay.

"Huwag kang lumandi ngayon, badtrip ako. Bye!"

Napailing iling nalang ako nang binabaan ko na sila ng tawag. Instead of worrying kung ano na ang nangyayari sa bata, na-divert lang ang atensyon ko sa inis sa Troy na 'yon.

"Wow, may isang tahong naman pala ang makakain mamaya." Maria commented and it's directly intended for Yvette.

"Tigilan mo 'ko Maria at baka masabunutan ko 'yang bulbol mo."

"Excuse me, always shaved 'to."

Napailing iling nalang ako sa naririnig ko sa kanila.

"Pero let's congratulate naman ang ating bida today. Strong independent woman naman pala. 'Kala mo 'di niya iniyakan kanina."

"That's what you called Tularan-si-Serena. Be me, bitches."

We stopped in an area where no one would notice our car near Fort Santiago. Katulad nga ng sapantaha ni Yvette, sa Port Manila nga dinala si Gabgab. Maria and I fixed our guns, put a silencer, and put it in our holster. We made sure that our faces are covered properly by our black mask.

"Pier 3, may isang Roro ang paalis fifteen minutes from now." Rinig kong wika ni Yvette and I relayed the information to Travis and Troy.

"There are a total of twenty-one men surrounding Pier 3 and Pier 5. We'll handle Pier 3, clear Pier 5." Mando ni Troy sa'min but I dared not to interfere and make a rebuttal. "Every second is important and we have to rescue Gabgab before the departure of the RoRo."

We didn't get to see each other since we are all conversing using our earpiece. The men parked somewhere not too far from our car. When we started to move, Maria and I moved faster but with carefulness and attentiveness. Ngayon nalang uli kami nagkasama uli ng ganito ni Maria but I'm pretty much that we are the perfect match to handle this instead of Yvette. Yvette knew that too.

A few more hurdles and I saw the visuals of the enemies. I immediately pointed out my pistol and signaled Maria. She nodded at me and she went to the other side of the alley. May dalawang nakatayo 'di kalayuan sa pasilyo rito and we padded across their blindspot and pointed our gun to their neck. We both shot them. We immediately held their body so no one would notice their disappearance. Hinila namin itong dalawa at isinandal sa kung saan.

Maria checked their breathing and made a signal that they are fine. These men should be thankful that our guns are just loaded with tranquilizers.

"Enemies got our visuals." Rinig kong anas ni Troy sa earpiece and multiple gunshots enshrouded the pier.

I hissed in annoyance but it's our signal to finish off the men in Pier 5.

Maria and I moved quickly and started to shoot enemies while they were running towards Pier 3. Some of them noticed us. Maria ran towards them and I served as her look-out. She punches and kicks their asses while I smoothly shoot them aimlessly.

We sometimes changed our maneuver. Kapag may nakakalampas sa kanya ay hindi ako nangingiming atakihin rin sila gaya ng ginagawa ni Maria. The reason why Maria chose to be here than to be our Eye is that Yvette's more merciless than Maria. That Lawyer has a tendency to be savage sometimes.

Mabilis kaming nagpunta ni Maria sa Pier 3 when all men in Pier 5 were taken care of. Napatigil lang kami sa paglalakad nang matanaw na kaharap ng dalawang binata ang isang babaeng nakatayo sa gitna ng Pier 3 dock.

She's wearing an all-white get-up with a black inner blouse inside of her white collared long-sleeves. She's smirking at the men while she has underlings on her back pointing their rifles to Travis and Troy.

"B-Buhay ka?" nasa tono ni Troy ang pagkamangha at pagkagulat. "P-Papaano? I've s-seen you were... shot."

Naramdaman ko nalang ang muling paghinga ko when I felt Maria held my clenching hand. Napatingin ako sa kanya bahagya at bakas sa mata nito ang awa at lungkot para sa'kin. She probably knew who that woman was at kahit hindi nito sabihin ay nagkaroon ako ng ideya kung sino ito. I clenched my fists even more. That familiar pain lingered on my chest once again. It's ripping every piece of my heart's nerves and it's so fucking awful.

I heard a static sound on my earpiece coming from Yvette. "That's your older sister, Lady Elle. The eldest of the Fontanilla-- Helena Danielle Fontanilla."