“Mabuti at naisipan niyong maparito muna,” Chris said as he welcome us to his house.

Bago kami mapadpad dito ay binigyan kami ni Katy ng impormasyong tungkol kay Chris since Gazelle is very doubtful of this idea. She said they were schoolmates in highschool then later became blockmates in college. Hindi sila ganon kalapit sa isa’t-isa pero matagal na silang magkaibigan. Ngayon ko lang napag-alaman na medisina rin ang tinahak nito. Subalit dahil walang kinalaman ito sa negosyo ng kanyang mga magulang ay iniwan niya rin ito. Wala itong nagawa dahil nag-iisa lamang itong anak. Katy said his family holds multiple businesses, but she is not familiar with it. All she knows is that Chris left being a doctor and became a businessman instead.

Well, that explains why he is wealthy and generous. Though I’m still doubtful of his generosity to us.

“Pasensya na, Chris. Nakaaabala na naman kami sayo,” wika ni Katy pagkapasok namin sa bahay nito. He said it was just his rest house. However, from what I am seeing, it’s too spacious and almost mansion-like.

“No, it’s okay,” maagap na sagot nito sa kanya. “Sakto lang dahil may business transaction kaming magaganap dito kaya napaaga lang ang punta ko ng isang araw. I’m on my way here actually when you called, so everything is fine,” he said, assuring us with a smile. Tumango lamang ako ng mapatingin ito sa akin.

“Ah, ganon ba?” Katy seems happy with the news. “Nga pala, si Gazelle, ka…kaibigan ni Aurora,” pakilala nito at pawang hindi pa sigurado kung tama ba ang deskripsyong ibinigay niya. Agad namang naglahad ng kamay si Gazelle kay Chris na kanya ring tinanggap. I almost rolled my eyes at their formalities.

And before everything gets awkward, he guided us to his guest rooms. Ang mga gamit namin ay ipapasunod niya na lamang daw. I can’t help but to sightseeing the details of the house. It’s very modernize and elegant to the eyes. Sila Gazelle at Katy ay mukhang namamangha rin habang paakyat kami sa itaas na palapag.

“Ito ang kwartong gagamitin niyo,” sabay-sabay kaming pumasok. We abruptly saw a too huge bed that looks very comforting. It’s like larger than a king-sized bed. “Rest for awhile. After that, let’s all have dinner downstairs, alright?” he told us.

“Sige, Salamat,” si Katy ang sumagot. Gazelle just smiled and nodded while I remained emotionless. He then close the door and left.

The two almost run and jump to the bed. I just watch them as they both collapsed to it. It must been very tiring to them. Well, of course, we’re almost on a trip from one place to another.

“This house is huge! I’m impressed,” Gazelle exclaimed while staring at the white ceiling. That’s what I’m thinking, too.

“Oo nga,” wika ni Katy. “Hindi ko alam na ganito pala kataas ng estado ng kanyang pamilya,” dagdag niya. Naglakad ako palapit at umupo lamang sa kama.

We stayed like that for a few minutes. Gazelle and Katy busy chatting each other while I’m just their sitting, resting. Pag minsan ay nasasama ako sa usapan pero naging maikli lamang ang aking mga sagot. I know they can sense when I’m busy with own thoughts too so they won’t bother me that much.

Later on, we decided to go downstairs and have dinner. Nadatnan namin roon si Chris na kasamang nagprepepara ng lamesa. Dalawa lamang ang nakikita kong tagapagsilbi nito, pero marami itong gwurdiya sa labas. Marahil ay dahil madalang lamang siyang napaparito kaya hindi na siya kumuha ng maraming kasambahay para sa malaking bahay na ito. They just serve as the keepers of house.

“Sakto,” Chris said when he saw us. “Halina’t kumain.”

The table is full of mouthwatering foods and I can’t help but to feel hungry. We quietly sat and I’m next to Gazelle. Katy and Christ are in front of us. Walang seremonyas kong inumpisahan ang pagkain at sumunod na lamang sila. I’m hungry, anyway.

“Pasensya na talaga sa abala, Chris. ‘Wag kang mag-alala, baka isa o dalawang araw lang kami rito maninirahan,” wika ni Katy sa kalagitnaan ng aming pagkain.

“No. No, it’s okay. You can stay here as long as you want. Wala namang gumagamit ng bahay, e,” maagap na sagot ni Chris.

“Nakakahiya naman sayo,” I can hear Katy was sincere about that.

“Sakin ka pa ba nahiya?” he chuckled before it slowly fades. “Pero maaari niyo bang sabihin sakin kung bakit bigla kayong umalis sa apartment? Nagulat ako ng malamang bumyahe na pala kayo rito. You’re both working on a restaurant, right? Nag-resigned na ba kayo roon?”

And then, silence. Napatigil sa pagkain ang dalawa, maski si Chris ay napasunod rin. Ako na lamang ang abala sa pagkain at munting ingay ng aking kubyertos na lamang ang naririnig. Ramdam ko ang paglingon ni Gazelle at Katy sa akin. Parehong hindi alam kung sasagot ba sila o hindi, sasabihin ang totoo o gagawa ng imbento. They were all waiting for my words. It was a few seconds of awkward silence. And, Christ chose to break the ice,

“It’s okay if you can’t tell me about it. I would completely understand,” he told us. I can still feel their stares at me while I’m busy looking at my plate, busy devouring the food. “Whatever your reason is, you could still stay—”

“We’re hiding,” I told him and gradually drink my water. I glanced at him over the drinking glass. He wasn’t that shock at my sudden statement. Hindi ko alam kung hindi talaga ito nagulat o magaling lamang siyang magtago ng emosyon. Katy and Gazelle look more blown than him. “We’re hiding and we need a safer place. Can your rest house do that?” dagdag ko.

It took him seconds to answer, “Yes, I think…I could increase the number of guards out there to make it safer. You could stay here and I’ll support you as long as you didn’t kill anyone, right?” he laughed and Katy joined him awkwardly. Napangisi si Gazelle samantalang nagkibit-balikat na lamang ako. The feast continued and they avoided the topic.

The dinner ended deliberately. After they bid their good nights, we went back to our room. Ang mga gamit namin ay naiakyat na rito. The three of us decided to take a shower to freshen up after this exhausting day before going to bed.

“Why did you tell him that we’re hiding?”

Napalingon ako kay Gazelle na nagsusuklay ng kanyang basang buhok. “So he wouldn’t allow anyone to know that we are here,” saad ko. Katy is now fast asleep behind her.

“Do you trust him?”

“I don’t trust anyone,” I said dismissively. They shouldn’t, too. Natahimik ito at napatingin lamang sa akin.

“I trust you,” she said later on and smiled at me. I rolled my eyes at her.

“The biggest mistake you’ll ever make,” I told her boldly and she just laughed. “By the way, I think you two should know that Dark Clan made a deal with me.” Kung hindi nila ito malalaman agad ay baka hindi sila makasunod sa magiging plano.

“Dark Clan?” nagkasalubong ang mga kilay nito na pawang inaalala ang organisasyong ito. “One of the rivals of Clementes in the line of firearms, right? What kind of deal? Do you need their guns?” nagtatakang tanong nito.

“No,” saad ko. “They’ll provide me better than just guns and bullets. They will give me my own army against Devon.”

Muli itong natahimik. She stares at me like she’s calculating my decision. My own set of pawns is the missing piece of my plan so I can end this little escapade between me and the Don. I want an end.

“I’m not really sure about your decision, but like what I said, I trust you,” aniya. “Ano ba ang plano mo?”

“I want an ambush. I want that as soon as possible,” I said firmly. She open her mouth like she’s going to say something, but held it. She just nodded instead.

Maya-maya ay nagpaalam na itong matutulog. Ako naman ay binuksan ang glass door at nagtungo sa balkonahe ng silid na ito. Malamig na ihip ng hangin ang agad kong naramdaman. Of course, I’m just wearing a black silk nighties that looks very fancy. My poor skin got all the privilege to feel the freezing wind.

I push all my thoughts about being cold away when I saw the city lights. It is a starry night, too. Now this is refreshing. I spent a couple of minutes just staring at it. Until,

“Kitten.”

I abruptly snapped back and shut my eyes close. The hell! Why did I just heard his voice at the back of my mind? I also feel like I can still feel his hand on mine and his dark eyes staring directly at me like he knows already all my plans. Damn! Why am I thinking him now?

“Go to hell, Devon Henderson,” I murmured to myself.

If I killed you successful, would these disturbing thoughts about you will disappear, too? Would this cut the connection between us? Would you stop confusing my mind?

Well, this should better be. I’ve been thinking of this plan for years. I’m hoping it won’t got into waste.

Hating-gabi na ng ako ay mauhaw at maisipang bumaba. Napansin kong receiving area na lamang ang may nakasinding ilaw. Dahan-dahan akong bumababa sa hagdan ng maaninag si Chris na naroon at nakaupo sa sofa. Nakasuot ito ng salamin habang may binabasang papeles. Ilan pang folders at isang laptop ang nakalatag sa harap nitong lamesa. He’s also topless, though still wearing a maong pants. He is probably working out in a gym since his body is well toned.

He must’ve sense my presence when he look at me since I’m not creating a sound while descending down the staircase. “Oh, Aurora,” bahagya itong nagulat at napatitig sa akin. “Do you need anything?”

“Just thirsty,” I answered shortly and went directly to the kitchen. Habang umiinom ako ng tubig ay napaisip ako kung ano ba talaga ang business nito.

After drinking, I decided to know his real business. I went back to the receiving area before I go upstairs.

“Done?” tanong niya ng makita akong paparating. Tumango lamang ako. “Hindi ka ba makatulog?” dagdag niya ng umupo ako sa sofang kinauupuan niya rin. Mukhang hindi niya iyon inaasahan.

“It looks like you’re very busy,” I said instead and look at the files scattered on the table. I’m not fond of small talks, but I just need to know something.

“Ah, yeah, I’m very busy right now preparing this coming event,” saad niya at ibinaba ang binabasang papel. “It’s exhausting, actually.” He chuckled.

Napakunot ang aking noo, “What event?”

“Our circle have this annual event that is very grand and we are the one assigned to manage it this year. All my co-businessmen were invited to attend for more possible transactions,” pahayag nito. Annual event? Kapareho ito ng sinabi sa akin ni Armand Sy patungkol sa dadaluhan nila at maaaring pati ang mga Clementes. Maaari kayang ito iyon?

“Tungkol saan ba ang negosyo mo?” tanong ko at pinagmasdan siyang sumagot.

“Ah, our company sell different kinds of guns and other security equipment,” saad nito. “But don’t worry, these are legal,” maagap nitong dagdag at ngumiti. Akala niya siguro ay mangangamba ako.

But he said legal. Well, Clemente Mafia do have few legal businesses at least that I can remember. I don’t specifically know their exact items, but of course, guns were included. This must be the annual event that Sy informed me about.

“You must really be busy and I’m now interrupting you,” wika ko na lamang.

“No, we’re almost done, anyway. We already have the draft of the invitation, so it’s almost settled,” aniya. Napatingin ako sa invitation na tinutukoy nito. Kinuha ko ito sa lamesa at agad na binasa. Halos lahat ng nakapaloob ay sinusubukan kong imemorya. Tama, ito nga iyon. Nakita ko roong nakasulat ang isa sa mga korporasyon ng Clemente Mafia, but the CEO’s name is not his. Ito ay magaganap dalawang linggo simula ngayon.

“Can you suggest a theme for this event? We are quite having a difficult time deciding.”

Napatigil ako sa pag-aanalisa ng magsalita ito. Napatingin ako sa kanya at dahan-dahang naibaba ang hawak kong invitation.

“Masquerade,” I answered after a few seconds of thinking. He quickly nodded. “Can I ask you a favor?”

“Yeah, sure thing. What is it?”

“Can you invite my…my friend,” I'm not even comfortable saying the word while pertaining to that man. “He’s a businessman too of this kind and I wanted him to come to this annual event.”

“Alright, no problem,” ngumisi ito. “So, this means you’re coming too since you have a friend to meet their. What is his name, by the way?”

“Devon...Devon Henderson,” I told him. “Write my name as the sender so he’ll surely come.” I held myself from smirking and just smiled sweetly.