A/N: Sorry For the delay update. Everynight kasi my slight fever ako tapos ang sama ng pakiramdam ko. Tapos sumabay pa itong mata ko na minsan ay sumasakit din. But anyways, i hope you enjoy reading.

CHAPTER 7

HUMINGA NG malalim si Ivy bago inilapit ang cellphone sa taenga niya. Dalawang beses lang nag-ring ang cellphone ng nasa kabilang linya at kaagad na sinagot ni Track ang tawag niya. Track is one of the most well known hacker. He's smart and he happens to know every language there is so its easy to communicate with him. But his origin is still unknown to his clients. He's good at making a profile and tracking people who doesn't want to be found. At may tiwala siya rito dahil ilang trabaho na rin ang ipinagawa niya rito na hindi ito pumalpak at tikom ang bibig nito sa lahat ng alam.

Hellion on the other hand is a brillian hacker as well. Nalaman niya lang iyon mula kay Moretti. Kaya sinubukan muna niya ang galing nito sa ibang bagay na wala naman talagang halaga sa kaniya. Hindi ganun kadaling makuha ang tiwala niya, lalo na sa uri ng negosyong mayroon sila.

"Do you have something for me?" Kaagad niyang tanong sa nasa kabilang linya ng sagutin nito ang tawag niya.

"Yes." He replied. "It wasn't a Colombian, Italian or Spaniard like you said. The Sniper was untraceable at first, I had to dig deeper to identify him. I hacked every CCTV in the area and it took me hours to pin point him and make a profile. Looks like he's a pro at hiding himself from the cameras."

Her eyebrow shoots up. "Him?"

"Yes. It's a male. Filipino. Late thirties. His name is Henri Ludwig. He's a hired assassin and he was hired by the rival syndicates of Madam Salazar to kill you so the nuptial between Salazar and Gonzagá won't happen. And the wrath of your father will fell on Madam Salazar knowing that she promised to keep you safe while in the country. I found all that from my Asset."

"Rivals, huh?" She tsked. "That's plural." She tsked again. "Nagkasundo ba silang patumbahin si Madam Salazar at ako?"

"Three big syndicates all over the country, and some in the neighboring countries as well. Nagtutulong-tulong sila para pigilan ang pagsasama ng dalawa pamilya."

Tumiim ang bagang niya. "Those mother fuckers..."

"Hindi puwedeng magsanib ang negosyo ng Papa mo at ina ni Andrius. Madam Salazar already built a name for herself, and she's already in the top of the food chain in Asia, at kapag sinuportahan pa siya ng Papa mo, maraming mawawalang negosyo dito sa Asya dahil sa pagsasanib ng dalawa."

Malakas siyang napabuntong-hininga. "Do you have the Sniper's location?" Tanong niya.

"Anong binabalak mo?"

Kumuyom ang kamao niya. "Wala nang mangyayaring kasal pero may atraso pa rin sila sakin. I don't play around, Track. And when someone owes me, I always make sure to collect their payment. One way or another."

"I don't have his location." Ani Track. "But my radars are on. The moment na makuha ng kahit na anong camera ang mukha niya, my sensors will pick it up. At sasabihin ko kaagad sayo kung nasaan siya." He paused for a moment. "But what are you planning to do?"

She shrugged. "I'll shoot him in the head, but I'll shoot his d-ck first to make him feel the pain I felt when he shot me."

Hindi nakapagsalita ang nasa kabilang linya, kaya naman tinapos niya ang tawag saka napatitig sa kawalan habang pina-plano sa isip niya ang gagawin sa mga taong nagtangka sa buhay niya.

They will feel pain. She'll make sure of that.

Mabilis siyang tumipa ng mensahe sa cellphone saka sinend iyon kay Track.

'Give me the name of the syndicates. I'll make sure to purge them one by one. Nobody messes with me and gets away with their lives still intact.'

Ilang segundo ang lumipas bago niya natanggap ang pangalan ng mga sindikatong nagtutulong-tulong para mawala siya.

She smirked. "Get ready, mother fuckers. I'm coming." Mabilis niyang binura ang text sa cellphone niya saka ibinalik sa pinaglagyan niya ang cellphone na hawak.

She was still planning on what to do when the door to her Hospital room opened and Andrius entered. May kausap ito sa cellphone habang naglalakad palapit sa kaniya.

"—okay. Tawagan mo ako kapag may update ka na kay Henri Ludwig— yes, yes, I owe you. I know."

Walang emosyon ang mukha na napatitig siya kay Andrius. Henri Ludwig? Hinahanap din nito ang Sniper? Pasimpleng kumuyom ang kamao niya. What is Andrius planning to do? Hindi ito puwedeng masali sa masalimuot niyang buhay.

"Bye. Call you later." Wika ni Andrius saka pinatay ang tawag at tumingin sa kaniya, "hey," his face softened. "How are you feeling?"

She forced a smile on her lips. "I'm okay. Ikaw? You look tired."

"I have to make sure you're safe here."

"Kaya ba hindi ka natulog kagabi para lang masiguro ang kaligtasan ko?" Though until now, she doesn't know his reasons or motive why he's being nice to her. "You don't have to do that you know. Nakagawa na naman ng paraan ang Papa mo na mapabantayan ako sa mga Pulis."

"Iba pa rin para sakin kung hands-on ako sa pagbabantay sayo." Umupo ang binata sa gilid ng kamang kinakahigaan niya saka hinaplos nito ang pulsohan niya na may nakatusok na IV. "It looks swollen. Are you sure you're fine? I can ask the nurse to get rid of it for the meantime."

"I'll live." She said nonchalantly.

His jaw tightened. "Hahanapin ko ang gumawa nito sayo at pagbabayarin ko siya. I promise you that."

"Huwag na." Nag-iwas siya ng tingin ng hindi makapaniwalang napatitig sa kaniya ang binata dahil sa sinabi niya. "Baka mapahamak ka pa." Pagdadahilan niya, "ayokong manganib ang buhay mo ng dahil sakin."

"It's okay." Giit ni Andrius. "This is what I do." May diin nitong sabi. "Protect the innocent civilian from being harmed."

Innocent civilian? Gusto niyang matawa ng malakas. She's far from being an innocent civilian. Her hands are already tainted by blood! Her innocent view of the world has already been strip off of her by the time she was twelve!

"Don't bother." Aniya sa malamig na boses. "I'll be gone in a few days anyway. Huwag mo nang alalahanin iyon. I'm going back to Bogotá and no one can harm me there." She lied. Mas maraming tao sa Bogotá na gusto siyang patayin. "So let it go."

"But, Ivy—"

"Andrius." She gave him a penetrating stare. "Just..." she sighed, "just don't bother anymore. Just walk away and pretend that you don't know me—"

Ilang segundo itong napatitig sa kaniya saka mapaklang tumawa. "Kung kaya ko lang magpanggap na hindi kita nakilala, ginawa ko na 'yon. But no," he gritted his teeth, "I can't fucking forget you." Kumuyom ang kamao nito habang masama ang tingin sa kaniya na para bang may nagawa siyang mali rito. "You, your smile, the way you call me corazoncito and the way you look at me... Its all in my head! I can't forget... And this is all your fault..." humina ang boses nito na para sumuko na ito sa laban at tanggap na ang pagkatalo nito, "why did you come into my life, Ivy? Why did you have to mess up my system?" He looked at her, confused. "Why?"

Her lips thinned. "Because I want to marry you." Mahina ang boses niyang sabi.

"Then why don't you want to marry me anymore?" He asked in a soft voice.

"Dahil..." Dahil ayokong mapahamak ka. Ayokong madamay ka sa gulo ng buhay ko. Dahil ito ang unang pagkakataon na inisip ko ang ibang tao maliban sa sarili ko at sa pamilya ko. "...dahil... ayoko nang magpakasal sayo. I'm not interested with you anymore. Nagsawa na ako sa kakasuyo sayo." Pagsisinungaling niya.

Tumiim ang titig nito sa kaniya, "paano kong ako ang sumuyo sayo, papakasalan mo pa rin ba ako?"

"Huwag ka ngang magbiro ng ganiyan. " She tried to smile, and even know she failed to smile brightly, she still manages to make it look genuine. "We both know you don't want to marry me. Proven and tested na 'yon."

Bumuntong-hininga ang binata saka napatingala sa kisame at bumulong, "looks like the bride is not interested in her groom anymore." Kapagkuwan ay bumalik ulit sa kaniya ang mga mata nito, "honestly, ayokong umalis ka. And if you ask me why, it's because..." he trailed as he looked at her softly, "...of you, I now know what its like to look at someone and smile for no reason." Pagkasabi nito niyon ay walang imik itong umalis sa Hospital room niya at naiwan siyang iniisip ang sinabi nito.

GUSTONG KUTUSAN ni Andrius ang sarili ng makalabas sa Hospital room ni Ivy. Why did he have to say those cheesy things?! Gusto lang naman niyang sabihin dito na ayaw niya itong umalis, bakit ba iyon pa ang lumabas sa bibig niya?

Hinilot niya ang sentido saka napasandal sa hamba ng pinto ng kuwarto ni Ivy.

He wanted to calm and collect himself before he enters again. And this time, he won't say anything weird and cheesy.

Pero akmang papasok ulit siya sa kuwarto ng marinig niya ang boses ni Ivy mula sa loob. Mukhang may kausap ito sa cellphone.

"Papá..." halata sa boses ng dalaga na hindi ito komportableng makipag-usap sa ama. "I'm okay here."

Napakunot ang nuo niya. She's lying. Bakit ayaw nitong malaman ng ama nito ang nangyari dito?

"No, Papá, I, ahm, actually planning to return to Bogotá this week." A long paused. "I will explain my reason when I arrive—" paused, "yes, Papá. I understand. No, Papá... I will explain everything once we see each other."

Hindi na tinuloy ni Andrius ang pagpasok. Umatras nalang siya para bigyan ng privacy ang pakikipag-usap ng dalaga sa ama nito saka naglakad siya patungo sa waiting area na malapit lang sa kuwarto ni Ivy.

For some reason, he doesn't want to leave her side. He wants to protect her at all cost. Even if it means risking his life for hers.

This is absurd! Why would I risk my life for hers?! This is just insane! This is insanity!

Napailing siya saka natigilan ng makitang naglalakad si Yrozz palapit sa kaniya.

Kumunot ang nuo niya. What is he doing here?

"Hey, man." Kumaway ito sa kaniya ng makitang nakatingin siya dito, "I keep on calling you." Pabagsak itong umupo sa katabi niyang upuan, "pero hindi ka sumasagot. What happened?"

He stilled. He silenced his phone. Ayaw kasi niyang may maka-isturbo sa pag-uusap nila ni Ivy kanina— ipinilig niya ang ulo. Don't even dare to go there!

Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga saka bumaling sa kaibigan. "I silenced my phone." He said before returning his phone to loud ringing and all that shit that comes with it.

"Why? Alam mong tatawag ako."

He shrugged. "I don't know. I just did."

Napailing nalang ang kaibigan at salamat naman na hindi na ito nagtanong ng kung ano-ano pa, "whatever. Anyway, you told me to call you right away if I find something important and since you're not answering my call, here I am."

Napailing siya, "hindi na ako magtatanong kung paano mo nalaman kung nasaang Hospital ako."

Yrozz gave him a 'duh' look. "Your location in your phone is enabled. Madali lang kitang na track. But anyways, hindi iyan ang pinunta ko dito. Why I came here is because of your unwanted fiancé."

His curiosity instantly shoots up. "What about Ivy?"

May panunudyo ang naging tingin sa kaniya ni Yrozz, "so she's Ivy now? Not some girl you hate for wanting to marry an ass like you?"

He rolled his eyes. "Just tell me what you know."

Mahinang tumawa si Yrozz saka tumatawang napapailing-iling, "okay, well, Ivy is a—"

"Don't call her by her name." He cut Yrozz off. "Only I get to call her Ivy. Ikaw, call her Miss Gonzaga, hindi naman kayo close eh."

Yrozz tsked as he shook his head. "You got it bad, man." He tsked again, "anyways, while digging some information with our Sniper, I got bored a little and I roam around on the web. And then for some reason, I remember your hatred towards your fiancé so I look for some intel about her—"

"And?" He's getting impatient.

Yrozz chuckled before continuing, "nalaman ko na anak pala siya ni Felipé Gonzagá. One of the richest and most powerful and feared men in Colombia."

Napatanga siya sa nalaman. Richest? "T-then...why does she want to marry me?"

"Who knows." Yrozz shrugged then his face turns serious, "pero isa lang ang alam ko, hindi pera ang habol niya sayo tulad ng una mong akala."

Now his head is in chaos. "Bakit niya akong gustong pakasalan? Hindi sa ibinababa ko ang sarili ko pero bakit ako? Anong nakita niya sakin na ginusto niya akong pakasalan?"

"Maybe because you're an ass. That's one of your charms."

Tiningnan niya ng masama ang kaibigan, "lunatic. What else did you find?"

"That Iv—I mean, Miss Gonzagá has already been engaged once but it didn't go well so the wedding got canceled."

Just like ours? "Bakit?"

"Malay ko. The reason wasn't publicly announced but some rumors said that Miss Gonzaga did not agree to the marriage."

Just like now. With me. She doesn't want me anymore. "So what? Pagkatapos ng hindi natuloy niyang kasal, sakin naman siya pumunta?" May iritasyon sa boses niya. "Bakit ako? Dahil gusto niya akong paglaruan tulad ng ginawa niya sa una niyang fiancé?"

"Malay... but don't be too self-centered. Her first engagement happened five years ago." Wika ni Yrozz na nagkibit-balikat pa. "Basta ang sigurado ako, hindi pera ang habol niya sayo. Mayaman sila eh. Mas mayaman pa nga sila sa inyo eh. And her twin is also married to a very wealthy man in Italy. See? Anong laban mo sa kayamanan nila? Tapos sinabihan mo pa siyang mukhang pera."

Natahimik siya. He expects Ivy to be somewhat rich or in the middle class, but not this rich!

Holy fuck!

"Then why did she choose me of all people?" His mind is in chaos! "Why me?"

"Why ask me?" Yrozz glared at him, "ask her, moron."

Iritado siyang tumayo saka akmang pupuntahan si Ivy ng magsalita ulit si Yrozz.

"And by the way, her father's job is like your mother's job. You know...those illegal things that you hate..."

Namimilog ang matang napabaling siya kay Yrozz. "A-ano? P-pareho ang Mommy ko at Papa ni Ivy ng ginagawa?"

Yrozz nodded. "Though Miss Gonzaga's father is way way on top of the food chain, unlike your mother who's beneath him. He is after all one of the powerful Drug Barons in America and Europe."

He's still in shock. "A-and Ivy?"

Yrozz shrugged. "Lalaki ka at ayaw mo sa ginagawa ng Mommy mo, I'm sure Ivy hate what her father does as well. At babae siya. Women are emotional and all that. They always choose the right path..." then he grinned. "Or not. Look at your mom for instance." He shrugged at her, "Ask her to make sure."

Napasabunot siya sa sariling buhok saka malalaki ang hakbang na pinuntahan ang kuwarto ni Ivy. And when he entered her room, Ivy looked at him with innocence in her eyes.

He felt something struck his chest.

No... she can't be connected to her father illegal schemes. Siguro pareho kami na hindi gusto ang ginagawa ng mga magulang namin pero wala naman kaming magawa kasi baliktarin man ang mundo, magulang pa rin namin sila at mahal namin sila.

That's it. Ivy is too innocent for that dark cold merciless world. She's not that kind of a woman.

"What?" Ivy asked her after a long minute. "Bakit nakatayo ka lang diyan at nakatitig sakin ng ganiyan? Miss mo na ako kaagad?"

Alam niyang biro lang nito ang huli nitong sinabi pero tumango pa rin siya. "Yeah. I missed you."

Nawala ang ngiti sa mga labi nito, "don't kid around, Andrius, its not funny."

Hindi niya pinansin ang sinabi niya, sa halip ay lumapit siya dito saka umupo sa gilid ng kama nito.

"Ivy."

Tumaas ang dalawa nitong kilay. "Ano?"

Nakabuka na ang bibig niya pero hindi niya magawas sabihin dito ang gusto niyang sabihin na hindi ito gunaya sa ama nito.

"What?" Ivy asked again.

"Ahm, I just want to—" his phone rang. "Fuck."

Her innocent eyes looked deep into his. "You want to fuck?"

He gaped at her. "What? No. I ahm, just, just you know...cursing."

"Ahh... I thought you want it."

Napailing siya saka kinuha ang cellphone na nag-iingay sa bulsa saka sinagot ang tawag. "Who are you—"

"Lieutenant Colonel."

Bigla siyang tumayo ng tuwid at naging pormal ang boses. "Salute. Sir."

"In my office the day after tomorrow. 13:00 sharp. Urgent meeting."

"Yes, Sir."

Nang mawala ang superior sa kabilang linya, napaupo ulit siya sa gilid ng kama ni Ivy saka humarap sa dalaga. "Where was I?"

Ivy strengthen her body while lying down. "Salute! Sir." Panggagaya nito sa kaniya saka mahinang tumawa. "That was cool."

Napatitig siya sa dalaga saka napailing. He's decided. There's no need to tell her not to be like her father. Nakikita naman niya sa mukha nitong hindi-hindi ito gagawa ng makakasama sa kapwa nito.

He's sure of that. 

#Question: What are your thought?