"Come on, boys! Let's enjoy the night!" Raxen howled as he wrap his arms around the two women sitting beside him. He's clearly having fun. "Xandrov! Huwag ka ngang tumunganga riyan. Come on dude, drink up," aniya saka inabutan ako ng isang baso na naglalaman ng kaunting scotch.

I shook my head as I accepted his offer and drank the liquor. Narito kami sa isang bar ngayon, not too far from the military base. We just got permission to take a one-month vacation after fighting a war against terrorists in the south. Kaya naman hindi na kataka-takang tuwang-tuwa si Raxen.

Of course, he can have any women he wants and get laid for the whole month if he would like — his usual routine every time we're on vacation.

As usual, para siyang tutang nakawala sa kulungan.

I can't blame him, though. After more than six months on the battlefield . . . you would definitely crave freedom. The only thing we had as a source of communication was our phone. We were always on the battlefield to the point that we only went back to the campsite to rest. That's how busy we were.

"He looks like he's having the time of his life," Dior commented as he looked at Raxen who's all smiles at the women beside him.

"Yeah." I took the bottle of scotch and poured some on my glass.

"It's weird not seeing you with a woman tonight. You alright, bud?"

Ininom ko muna iyon bago ko siya sinagot. "Yeah. Just haven't found the right one for tonight," I said as I look around the bar, slowly shaking my rock glass in a circular motion.

There are a lot of women dancing and some are even approaching me but I just couldn't feel it. I know my target as soon as I lay my eyes on her.

I stopped playing with my glass when a woman entering the bar caught my attention. She's wearing a black tube top, black ripped pants, with some red stilettos. Her long light brown hair was in big curls and her lips were bloody red.

I smirked as I watched her walk with confidence.

That's the one.

Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo at nilapag ang baso sa mesa. I heard Raxen and Dior calling me but I didn't heed them any attention. My eyes were solely focused on the woman who was walking in another direction.

Sinundan ko siya, purposely bumping her so she would stop.

"Sorry." I smiled. The kind of smile that I always use to get women.

Tiningnan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa saka nagsalita, "Watch where you're going." Nilagpasan niya ako.

My lips parted as the woman walked away from me. Her eyes were red too. I saw it because we're near the dance floor. Mas malakas ang ilaw kumpara sa pwesto namin ng mga kaibigan ko.

I know it's probably contact lenses. . . But there's something about those red eyes. It's intriguing. It matches her bloody lips. It's turning me on.

I looked back and saw her still walking. Where is she gonna go? I advanced my steps and blocked her way. Her eyes held confusion and . . . irritation?

Who would be irritated with this face? I smirked. This woman is somethin' else.

"What do you want?" she asked sternly.

Nagpamulsa ako saka mas inilapit pa ang katawan sa kaniya. I leaned in a bit to whisper in her ear.

"We're in a bar, I'm a man, and you're a gorgeous woman. What do you think I would want from you?" I asked seductively.

Palihim akong napangiti nang maramdaman ang mga palad niya sa dibdib ko. But that smile was wiped off when she pushed me with full force.

If I was not strong enough, I would've staggered back. Good thing I was able to hold my ground.

"Sorry, mister soldier," she said while looking at my uniform. "But I am not interested." She gave me a fake sweet smile before she flipped her hair and walked away from me. Ako naman ay nakanganga lamang na pinagmamasdan ang papalayo niyang bulto na unti-unting nilalamon ng kadiliman.

Did that woman just . . . reject me? What the fuck?!

"Ma'am." Tinanguan ako ni Greco. "Nasa loob na si Mr. Chen."

I pursed my lips and took a deep breath. I'm sure Mr. Chen will be very furious if he finds out that my boss won't be here.

Greco opened the door to the VIP room. Iginiya niya ako papasok. Guards of Mr. Chen were scattered around the not-so-big VIP room of the bar. Nakatayo ang mga ito ng tuwid habang diretso ang titig at nakataas ang mga noo. They were like soldiers around Mr. Chen who's comfortably lounging on the long sofa while holding a cigarette.

Tumikhim ako para kunin ang atensiyon niya na kaagad kong napagtagumpayan.

I bowed down a bit. "I am called Clei. I am Mr. Ortega's right-hand woman. He sent me here for your transaction. We have all the guns you ordered," I introduced myself. My voice filled with professionalism.

"Where's your boss?" he asked with a thick accent.

"He couldn't come that's why he sent me here instead."

Kumunot ang noo nito at bigla na lang sumigaw. "No! I want to talk to Henrick! He promised he'll handle the transaction himself! I don't need a lapdog like you!"

My jaw clenched after hearing what he just called me. "Do you want me to call Mr. Ortega so you could talk to him?" I calmly asked but my insides were shouting and begging to kill the man.

Pasalamat siya at binilin ni boss na huwag siyang gagalawin kung hindi, baka pinaglalamayan na siya ngayon.

Mr. Chen tsked. "No need. Just give me what I ordered."

Tinanguan ko si Greco at nilapag niya ang dalawang leather travel bag sa lamesang napapagitnaan namin ng lalaki.

"Your payment."

Mr. Chen remained unmoving, an evil smile plastered on his face. This motherfucker . . .

Pasimple kong pinakiramdaman ang paligid. Five men were all over the room at tanging kami lang ni Greco ang nasa loob. Our other men were outside, pretending to be normal people but actually surveying the whole premises. But it's okay.

I'm pretty sure Greco and I can handle them all.

Inilahad ko ang kanang kamay. "Give us the money," madiin kong bigkas at matalim ang matang nakatitig sa kaniya.

Mr. Chen laughed mockingly as he subtly ordered his nearest guard to do something. He thought I did not notice . . . but oh, how wrong he was.

Before the man took out his gun, I was quick to take Mr. Chen's guard that was close to me and took his gun. Tinutok ko ang baril sa likod ng lalaki at pinaputok iyon. Followed by four more shots from Greco, killing all the guards around the room.

Matalim ang matang sinipa ko padapa sa sahig ang lalaking binaril saka malalaki ang hakbang na nilapitan si Mr. Chen na halatang hindi inaasahan ang mabilis at alerto naming kilos.

"Men," I tsked. I gripped his collar tightly, lifting him in the air a little, and crumpled his tuxedo. "You think you can fool me just because I'm a woman? Think twice."

Pabagsak ko siyang binitawan saka binitbit ang isa sa mga leather bags. Habang kinuha ni Greco ang isa. Before I closed the door, I looked back at Mr. Chen who's being surrounded by his guards' dead bodies, and pointed the gun at him.

"P-Please! Don't kill me! I'm sorry! You can take the weapons again, I won't complain. Just spare me! Spare me!"

"Traitors like you don't deserve to breathe," I said coldly as I pulled the trigger.

"Boss said to not hurt Mr. Chen in any way." I heard Greco talking behind me. I looked at him over my shoulder.

"Balak niya tayong traydurin. Ibang kaso na 'yon. Boss told me to eliminate all possible traitors in the vicinity. Kabilang na si Chen do'n," ani ko saka nilagpasan siya. "Tell your men to clean that up."

"Yes."

Habang ako naman ay inilagay sa loob ng bag ang baril na hawak at pasimpleng binigay sa isa sa mga tauhan naming nagpapanggap na normal na customer. I went to the restroom to wash my hands.

I have killed two men today. Very unusual. Note the sarcasm, please.

As I washed my hands, I erased all the thoughts regarding why I felt nothing after killing those men.  I should get used to this — feeling empty after killing. It's my job after all.

Mabilis kong tinapos ang paghuhugas at pag-aayos saka lumabas na ng restroom.

Our expected transaction with Mr. Chen, a known drug lord in Luzon, ended earlier than expected. Kung bakit ba naman kasi binalak niya kaming onsehin. He should know that we are not to be taken lightly. My boss, Henrick Ortega after all, holds and sells the best quality of weaponry in the country. Pasalamat nga siya at nakikipagtransaksyon kami sa mga pipityuging drug lord na gaya niya.

Naupo ako sa isa sa mga bar stools and ordered a shot of tequila. I still have time. A drink or two wouldn't hurt.

The barstool beside me was occupied by a man. Kaagad na nanuot sa 'kin ang pamilyar na amoy na kanina ko lang din nalaman. I looked on the floor and saw combat boots.

This man again?

Pasimple akong umirap saka nagpanggap na hindi siya napansin. I smiled at the bartender when he gave me my order.

"You look prettier when you're smiling," I heard the soldier say.

Tumaas ang dalawang kilay ko. I badly wanted to scoff in front of him pero nagdesisyon akong sakyan ang trip niya.

"Thank you." I smiled sweetly but fakely.

Sumimangot siya. "Don't give me that fake smile. It's annoying."

"And you think you're not?" I retaliated.

"I just want to get to know you, that's all."

I twisted the stool I'm sitting on to properly look at his breathtaking face. Wondering why a handsome man like him keeps on pestering me while all women around us were ogling at him.

Tinukod ko ang siko sa counter at pinagmasdan ang kabuuang hitsura niya.

His brown hair, defined jaw, thin red lips, but what actually caught my attention was his violet eyes. I haven't seen eye color like that. Ngayon lang.

And looking at him now, I'm sure he's mixed raced. Fil-Am, maybe?

"You rejected me earlier but the way you're looking at me now, I'm feeling that you like me too."

Tumaas ang dalawang kilay ko. "I am just observing your appearance. Don't be too confident."

"Why not? I have all the reasons to be confident." He smirked sexily.

A man who knows how to use his looks and is very aware of his effect on women. Napatango-tango ako. A womanizer, huh?

"Alam kong kahit itanggi mo, you're attracted to me, yeah?"

I bit my lower lip as I slowly put down my shot glass. Bumaba ako sa stool at lumapit sa kaniya.

"You're handsome, that's a given . . ." I drawled as I trace his jaw with my fingers. My smile widened when he closed his eyes like he was savoring my touch. I hovered my lips over his, just centimeters away for us to almost kiss.

"Too bad, you're a rake," I whispered over his lips and walked away.

I shook my head while chuckling lightly. Gwapo sana, gago nga lang.

"Man, you alright?" natatawang tanong ni Raxen matapos tapikin ang balikat ko. "That woman really rejected you, huh? I guess there really is a first time for everything." He chuckled.

I sneered at him. "Shut the fuck up." I clenched my jaw.

"Ano ka ba, parte lang 'yan ng buhay. Minsan nasa taas, minsan nasa baba--"

"Seal your mouth, Raxen. You're talking bullshit again."

Instead of being affected by my words, tinawanan pa ako ng gago. "Bad trip ka lang kasi tinanggihan ka no'ng babae eh."

"Bakit niya ba kasi ako tatanggihan? Sa gwapo kong 'to, tatanggihan niya ako? Doesn't she know how many women want me here in the bar alone? Ang dami nilang nakapila pero siya ang pinili ko. Yet, she rejected me!" reklamo ko. Iniwas ko ang paningin kay Raxen at naiiling na tumingin sa harap.

At hindi niya lang ako basta tinanggihan. Binitin niya pa ako! That woman!

If we see each other again, I'm gonna punish you real good and I'm going to make you regret you said no to Flint Alexandrov Sentinel. No one says no to me!

"That's what you get for being a womanizer."

"And you're not?!" I snapped.

Tinawanan niya lang ako saka umorder ng panibagong inumin sa bartender. While I watched Dior walking towards us. Nagtaas ako ng kilay as a sign of curiosity at inginuso niya ang entrance ng bar.

Five policemen entered the premises. The same time Dior stopped in front of us.

"What happened? Bakit may pulis?" usyoso ko.

"Six men were found dead in the VIP room upstairs. Isa si Aiguo Chen sa mga napatay at ang limang natitira ay hinihinalang mga tauhan niya," Dior informed us.

Raxen frowned as he sip his whiskey. "Aiguo Chen? Hindi ba, isa 'yon sa mga hinihinalang drug lord? Iniimbestigahan siya ng kakilala ko sa DEA."

Dior nodded. "Yep. They also found two attache cases na naglalaman ng mahigit tatlong milyong piso."

I massaged my nose bridge. "Habang tumatagal, parami nang parami ang mga nagbebenta ng droga sa bansa."

Dior nodded in agreement. "Pero katakataka na matagpuang patay ang isang hinihinalang drug lord sa loob ng isang VIP room ng bar."

"Baka, may operasyong nangyari?"

Umiling si Dior. "No. The police were not even aware that Chen was in this place."

"Kung gano'n, malaki ang posibilidad na kalaban niya sa negosyo 'yon."

I shook my head and did not listen to Rax. He has a point. But I don't want to be involved. Hindi na lang ako nagbigay ng kumento. That is not our job. I don't want to comment on something that does not interest me nor part of my work.

My job is to fight against terrorists. Not drug lords.

✨GraciousVictory✨

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