ENRICO AND I decided to meet each other in the nearest mall in PUP. His class just ended late so when he saw me in the far corner of a Cafe, he gave me an apologetic look. Hingal na hingal itong lumapit sa'kin. Kitang kita nga ang pagod nito dahil tagaktak pa ito ng pawis.

"I'm really sorry, I arrived late. Hindi ko in-expect na magtatagal yung huli nating Prof sa Biology. Nag-feeling major na naman kaya hayun." Wika nito habang hingal na hingal pa nang makaupo sa tapat ko.

I put my Frappe on the table and gave him a knowing look. "Ayos lang ano ka ba. Naintindihan ko naman. Buti nga't sinabihan mo agad akong ma-la-late ka ng dating."

His eyes landed on the table. Nakangiwi akong nagwika muli sa kanya. "I hope a simple Cinnamon Danish will do and a cup of Frappe is fine? I don't know your taste so that's what I've ordered. Pero kung ayaw mo, we can—"

Mabilis na pinigilan ng binata ang kamay kong itataas ko sana para tawagin ang isang waiter. "Serena, these are all fine. Thanks for the food. Sa ginawa kong pagtakbo from PUP to here, I'd definitely eat anything."

Napangiti naman ako nang sinimulan na nitong nilamutak ang in-order ko. Halata ngang tinakbo ng binata ang distansya ng paaralan namin papunta rito. I was actually about to say na sana nag-jeep nalang s'ya but upon seeing the traffic building up outside, I stopped myself right away. Clearly, walking or running would be the best option or else, kung maipit man ito sa trapik baka sobrang gabi na 'tong nakarating.

And not for being so OA? But traffic here in Manila was really drastic and can cause emotional instability. Kaya kung malapit lang naman ang lugar, mas okay ngang lakarin nalang kesa ang maipit pa sa trapik.

"Have you eaten?" tanong n'ya sa'kin nang matapos itong uminom ng inumin na in-order ko. Medyo bakas ang pagkapahiya sa kanya kasi pinapanuod ko lang s'yang kumain. Nagmukha yata akong 'di pa kumakain.

Umiling ako at nginitian s'ya. "Hindi, nakakain na ako kanina."

He just shrugged at me. "By the way, ba't 'di ka pala pumasok? Tatlong araw na rin, ah. No'ng Friday, Monday at ngayong Tuesday." Takang tanong nito.

Nginisian ko naman s'ya while I'm sipping with my Frappe. "Are you stalking me?" I playfully asked.

Enrico manly rolled his eyes at me and said, "Kahit gusto kita, hindi ako mag-aaksaya ng panahon sa'yo. Man-hater ka kaya."

Nanlaki naman ang mata ko sa sinabi n'ya at mabilis s'yang hinampas sa braso nito. "Ang OA ng man-hater, ah! 'Di ba pwedeng wala naman akong time sa ganyan and besides, 'di pa ako maganda para magkarelasyon."

Another lie, Serena, maganda ka. Remember?

Nagsalubong naman ang dalawa nitong kilay sa'kin. "You don't need to be beautiful just to be in a relationship."

It was my turn to roll my eyes. "At talagang sumang-ayon kang 'di ako maganda."

Sunod sunod naman ang ginawa nitong pag-iling sa'kin. "No! That's not what I'm trying to say, Serena. Hey, guess what, you're beautiful. And you will be the most gorgeous woman that I have ever met if you'll remove that big glasses of yours. Why hide your true beauty? At do'n sa sinabi ko, tama naman ako. Naririnig ko nga sa mga chismosa nating classmate na may mga magagandang modelo raw ngayon na niloloko pa ng mga asawa o boyfriend nila. Maganda na ang mga 'yon nang pinakita nila sa'kin ah. Maganda na pero nagagawa pa ring lokohin. So, my point here was, wala 'yan sa mukha. Kung mahal ka talaga ng tao, tatanggapin ka n'ya at hindi s'ya magsasawa sa'yo."

I gawked at him as if he's not the Enrico that I've known. "Sino ka? Anong ginawa mo sa kaibigan ko?" tanong ko sa kanya habang seryoso s'yang tinitingnan. Sinamaan naman n'ya ako ng tingin.

"Funny, Serena. Funny."

Hindi ko na napigilan ang hindi matawa sa reaksyon n'ya at talagang humalakhak na ako ng todo. "Sorry, I just didn't know that you can really... give advices like that, huh. Love Guru ka ba?"

He just shrugged at me and sipped once again on his drink. "I'm a very lovable person. Hindi mo ba halata? And besides, I just know things. Kung tingin mo magaling ako sa ganyan, syempre mas magaling ako sa ibang bagay." He then winked at me matapos n'yang sabihin 'yon.

Binatuhan ko agad s'ya ng nilukot kong tissue sa mukha at inikutan ng mata. "Ewan ko sa'yo. Ikaw na ang gwapo."

Enrico posed a gwapo look where he put his hand gesture pogi sign beneath his chin. Then, winked again. Binigyan ko lang uli s'ya ng isang three-hundred sixty-degree na pag-ikot ng mata.

"Ewan ko sa'yo." Mas pogi pa rin s'ya, sorry ka.

"So," ani Enrico tapos ay naging seryoso ang itsura ng mukha nito. "Sa tawag natin kanina, when you said riddle... it's something to do with investigating right?"

Agad na umigkas ang isang bahagi ng labi ko pataas dahil sa ito na mismo ang nag-ungkat kung ano talaga ang pakay ng pagkikita naming dalawa.

"Hindi ka liliban sa klase ng gano'n gano'n lang. You're a freaking scholar. May nangyari ba sa kompanyang pinagtatrabahuhan mo?" He asked and probed.

"You're indeed an observant."

Mas naging seryoso ang mukha niya sa'kin. "I may not active in terms of handling my father's company but I know things. I already knew who you are... Serena Gabrielle Fontanilla."

Hindi na ako nagulat na alam na n'ya ang tunay na ako.

Enrico Villalobo wasn't just an ordinary Heir of the biggest plantation of sugarcane in Visayas part of the country. Their family's business was just a cover to protect their Security Agency.

"You're not here to study Business Administration, Enrico. You're here for my friend... Christina." I also did what he had done, revealing his alterior motive of coming here.

"What do you know—" I interrupted him.

"Christina's being part of human trafficking scheme and she's your only way to get the culprit? Not a nice idea especially if you are just using my friend... Enrico." Wika ko habang sinasabi sa malalim na tono ang mga huling katagang nasambit ko.

I saw him gritting his teeth that caused my grin to grew wider.

"I'm always ahead of things. Ika nga nila..." then I held my coffee and took a sip while looking at him. "... papunta ka palang, pabalik na ako."

"You are really indeed the Lioness," komento nito at umigkas ng isang malalim na buntunghininga.

I shrugged. "If you want to know your enemy? Think ahead of them by simply digging some information. At 'di naman ganoon kahirap na hanapin ka. Your last name says it all."

Ito naman ngayon ang ngumisi sa'kin. "Then if you really are ahead of things, why you are asking for my help then?"

Ako naman ang bumuntunghininga. "Well, katulad nga ng pabago bagong panahon at kalmidad? There are things that I can't control."

Mukhang nakuha naman niya ang ibig kong sabihin. Yes, I may be on top of things, pero hindi lahat kaya kong saluhin. Hindi ako superhero or what. Napapagod rin naman ako. At sisiguraduhin ko talagang makukuha ko ang pahingang kailangan after nito.

"So, what is it? This has to be something. I'm not wasting my time to finish my mission too." May pagkainip na wika ni Enrico.

"Someone stole a huge amount of money in MGC— Monteverde Group of Companies. It just happened yesterday and it will affect the business proposal of Troy— the youngest son of Don Alfonso Monteverde." I started introducing the people involve by giving him a folder of their pictures and few personal information.

"I accepted my father's request of pretending to be someone else to sabotage Troy's plan dahil sabi ng ama niya, it's a dead investment." I continued.

"Hulaan ko," pagsingit ng binata. "It's really not a dead investment?"

I nodded.

"I actually figured out the reason why Don Alfonso said that," then I helped him to turn a certain page in the folder. "It turns out, one of the investors that Troy will meet this week was one of the ex-boyfriends of Adrianna decades ago."

"Rolando Martinez," pagbasa nito sa pangalan ng nakalagay sa papel. "A half Filipino and half Spaniard?"

"A major fan of Capitalism and has a big connection towards to the Heads of State of Spain." I gave him the partial information of the man. "Adrianna and him had a thing for like ten years ago and no one knows the reason why they broke up."

"So, what are we getting into?" he asked, seemed not yet getting the whole actual point.

"I can smell a secret that shouldn't be unfolded. Troy might have the same thoughts with me that this is something about their family and ours. He's being too persistent to get the proposal but it seemed to me that it's not the proposal he wanted." I explained.

Naningkit ang mga mata ni Enrico sa'kin.

"You mean, Troy is also investigating something?" he probed and I gave him a nod. "So, how does this co-relate to the lost money?"

"I already know who that fucker is, but I need your help to get an evidence. Hindi ako pupuwedeng magturo ng pangalan without presenting a proof or at least a confession from that arse. I need to face that person to extract any information that will connect with Rolando and Adrianna. Or any secretive information that asshole can provide."

Medyo natawa ang binata. "You are giving me this information without my assurance that I'll help?"

Nginisian ko s'ya tapos may inilapag pa akong isang folder sa tapat n'ya. "You know who I am and yet you haven't researched what I could do?"

He eyed me suspiciously for about a few seconds before he looked the folder. Nang magpasyang buksan iyon at basahin ay mabilis na nalipat ang tingin n'ya sa gawi ko. "This is..."

"You are currently on the look out as to where would you find the man named Leopoldo Alcantara— the allegedly illegal recruiter of women for prostitution. Hindi na ako magtatanong kung ano'ng kinalaman ni Christina sa lahat ng 'yan just promise me that she will be safe. I'll hand over you the complete and detailed information of your suspect in exchange of your little help."

Hindi ito makapaniwala sa mga detalyeng nababasa sa folder. 'Di mo malaman kung natutuwa ba ang lokong 'to o hindi 'eh.

"How did you get these? This is high-profile and confidential files. Kakapasa ko lang ng request no'ng isang araw dahil may sinusunod kaming protocol."

I just shrugged. "Protocol is so... stereotype. I just pulled some strings."

He scoffed when he heard my answer.

"So, what now? Will you help or not?"

Nagbuntunghininga muna ito bago ako tiningnan. "Fine, I'll help. So, what do we do?"

I smirked when he finally said yes. Ang tagal pumayag, ah. Daming kuda.

I'll use this chance to get the bottom of this pit. I was being used, unfairly, by Alfonso and I hate being treated that way. I did their favor of doing their bidding but the tables have turned when my gut was telling me that they're all hiding something from me... Dad included.

"We'll start tomorrow morning."

I sipped my last few drops of my coffee before I remembered something that Adrianna had mentioned the last time we've crossed paths.

"That old man, he still really did that without my consent."

Clearly, she's not happy when she knew that his Dad approved Troy will handle that business project. What ironic with that fiasco was when Alfonso approved it but he wanted me to sabotage it?

What was it you're both hiding, Adrianna and Alfonso? You're both hiding it to Troy.

I'm going to make sure that you'll regret that you picked me on this situation.

***

"YOU better tell me what are you planning because clearly, I hate doing undercover, Serena." Enrico hissed at me when I pushed the gate buzzer.

I hushed him when someone had spoken on the buzzer's mini-speaker. "Sino 'yan?" tanong ng isang ginang.

"Pizza delivery po!" tugon ko sa tanong n'ya.

"Pizza? Wala namang pinasabi si Sir, ah." Rinig naming bulong ng manang sa kabilang linya. "Sige sandali lang!"

I smirked when she bit the bait. I looked at Enrico who's now furious of what we are about to do. "Relax your tits, dude." I muttered before the gate has opened.

"Hi po, may pizza delivery po para kay Janus De Prado?" I joyfully introduced.

Tila nagulat naman si manang sa taas ng energy ko.

"W-Wala kasi s'yang hinabilin sa'kin pero pabalik na rin s'ya kaya siguro kakaorder n'ya lang?" wika nito na tipong 'di pa yata sigurado.

"Opo, Manang! Umorder po s'ya mga ilang minuto lang ang nakakaraan at since we want for the best para sa mga customer namin, we deliver as fast as possible." Pagsakay ko sa gusto nitong paniwalaan.

Magiliw n'yang inabot ang pizza na hawak ni Enrico habang nakangiti ito sa'ming dalawa. Then, I acted as if the heat from the weather was affecting me big time.

"Wala bang bagyo ngayon, Manang? Ang init ng panahon ngayon ano po?" I asked and continued with my act.

Mukhang naawa nga ito sa pagpapaypay ko dahil totoong tagaktak na ako ng pawis.

"Ay nako, oo nga sobrang init ngayon rito. Halika kayo sa loob, pasok muna kayo. Bigyan ko kayo ng malamig na tubig." She invited us.

Mabilis naman akong umiling iling. "Nako, h'wag na ho manang, nakakahiya naman ho. Bibili nalang ho ako sa may labasan ng tig-pipisong tubig. Salamat ho."

"Nako, gagastos ka pa, Hija. Kahit piso lang 'yan ay malaking bagay na rin 'yon. Halika na kayo, libre pa ang tubig dito." She insisted.

I elbowed Enrico right away. Mukhang nakuha naman ng binata ang gusto kong ipahiwatig. "Salamat ho, Manang. Ako na ho ang magbitbit n'yan kung ganoon." Walang nagawa ang matandang katiwala nang agawin na nga ng binata ang Pizza at ang isang malaking softdrinks.

"Salamat, Hijo. Sige halika na kayo sa loob."

Nang makapasok kaming dalawa ay mabilis na lumandas ang paningin ko sa kabuuan ng looban. The owner seemed to be a fan of symmetrical figures. TV was placed in the near center while there's two identical artificial huge cactuses on both sides. The red mat below was identical to the mural design of the ceiling. Sofas were placed the same with the cactuses— facing each other, as if the two objects were looking on their reflection in a mirror.

I'm impressed with his taste. That asshole even liked mural paintings. He has a total of six paintings hanging in each corner of the room.

"Who are you?" Napangisi ako nang may magtanong sa likuran ko. I heard a click of a gun that made my grin grew wider.

Itinaas ko ang dalawa kong kamay sa ere habang dahan dahang lumingon sa kanya.

"S-Serena?" Gulat n'yang tanong nang makilala ako.

I acted the same. "J-Janus?"

Nang mahimasmasan naman ang binata ay mabilis nitong binaba ang baril. Akmang itatago na n'ya ito nang mabilis akong kumilos at sinipa iyon palayo sa kanya.

Nagulat ito sa ginawa ko. Binigyan ko naman s'ya ng isang ngisi. I removed my pizza delivery cap and let my hair loose. I opened few buttons of this damn polo shirt to make myself more comfortable. Hindi na ako nag-abalang sabihan na umupo sa sofa. Umupo ako ng prente. Presko akong nakasandal sa sofa, idinikwatro ko ang mga binti ko at muli ko siyang nginisian.

I moved my right eyebrow to motion him to seat. Pero ang talimpadas ay 'di nakuha ang gusto kong gawin n'ya.

The culprit grunted when Enrico pushed him. Pumwesto si Enrico sa likuran ko at seryosong nakatingin lang sa lalaking pakay ko.

Janus looked at me with both shock and an unknowing stares. May he's still divulging on his pretty smart brain of him what am I doing here.

"You know what? You impressed me." Pauna kong wika. "Last week, Adrianna, wanted you to be gone in MGC and yet, I didn't expect that you're the culprit that I've been looking for."