/36/
A Twinning Swindle

---

THE ATMOSPHERE inside Jarrell's vehicle was serious, but added with a deadly hint of determination that thrilled each of the six as they drove down the bumpy road, heading back to Castillo High with Jarrell steering the wheel. 

"We only have one shot if we want to bring Mayer straight to Principal Lilia." Rein muttered, who was sitting by the passenger's seat, glancing at the rearview mirror to see Ann, Sera and the twins who were sitting cramped at the back seat.

"At magagawa lang natin yun next week -- kung kailan gaganapin ang Foundation Week ng Castillo High." Tuloy ng binata habang napahawak sa roof handle grip ng sasakyan nang biglang kumaliwa si Jarrell.

"Everyone -- and I mean everyone -- the professors, the student council, the seniors -- lahat sila magiging busy next week dahil sa mga booths and activities, so no one will be focusing their attention on us for the time being. It will also be a perfect opportunity since Mayer would be busy as well, which means it'll be easier to catch him off-guard. So we have to grab that chance."

 "There's just one flaw to that," Quinn said in a warning tone. "Kung matatandaan ninyo, Mayer was suddenly there behind us with Professor Zaldiga while we set out the trap for Tyra. Now that we know he's the culprit, it makes sense that he appeared out of the blue. He was watching his own pawn from afar -- making sure that she would continue to pull the strings for him. Kaya niya tayo nakita. He probably tried charmed the professor to a conversation, guiding him until they both could see us to expose us of course."

He then adjusted his glasses. "But that's not important now. Ang ibig kong sabihin ay alam ni Mayer na okay na tayong anim -- that we're back to the investigation. Naalala niyo yung pagkatapos tayong kausapin ni Professor Zaldiga sa control room para i-check yung  CCTVs? Diba hinihintay niya si Ann nun? He saw the six of us together again. And with someone as smart as him, I'm sure Mayer has already deduced by now that we're back into action."  He then let out a huff. 

"What I'm trying to say is, now that Mayer knows we're back in track, how are we sure he's not setting out a trap for us?? And if we're really going to set him another bait like you've said Rein, pa'no tayo makakasiguro na hindi tayo magiging kahina-hinala sa mata ni Mayer? Because I'm sure he's watching our every movement now like a hawk after realizing we're back on the case again. To hell, baka nga sinusundan na niya tayo ngayon."

Quinn shuddered, the hair on skin rising at the thought. Napalingon ito sa likuran kung sa'n tinignan niya ang sasakyan na nasa likuran nila.

"He could be driving that car right now, following us." Quinn murmured, rubbing his arms up and down.

"That's true." Ann agreed quietly, glancing at the car behind them as well. "Pero wala na tayong magagawa. He has always been one step ahead of us."

"What we can do now is make him feel secured -- make him feel overly confident that he knows what we're up to." She smiled, the curve of her lips forming into a mysterious grin.

"That's a perfect idea." Sera nodded in agreement beside Ann. "Dalawa lang ang weakness ng mga lalaki: their balls, and their ego." She chuckled, wrinkling her nose.

"Hoy," Simangot ni Jarrell habang nag-dadrive. 

"Exactly." Ann replied, gesturing enthusiastically at Sera as they ignored Jarrell's complaints. "We have to make Mayer feel egotistical --- that he'll be able get away with his plan, before surprising him at the very last minute."

"Alright, but how are we going to do just that?" Queenie, who had been quiet all of this time, trying to regain her strength, asked the others. "Hindi naman pwedeng halukatin natin yung gamit nila at hanapin dun yung mga nawawalang--"

Napatigil si Queenie sa sasabihin niya ng bigla siyang niyugyog ng kaniyang kambal. "THAT'S IT!" He said in a hoarse whisper while shaking his twin who suddenly felt dizzy again.

"Wait, wait -- what do you mean 'that's it'?! Don't tell me gagawin niyo nga?!" She said in a horrified voice. "Magte-tresspass nanaman tayo sa dorm ng iba?? Maki-kick out talaga tayo ng wala sa oras nito." Queenie muttered, slipping her hands under her round eyeglasses and covering her tired eyes.

"No, no." Quinn shook his head. "Diba sabi ni Ann na kailangan nating iparamdam kay Mayer na matatalo niya tayo? Then what better way to do that than to offer ourselves directly to him... as bait!"

"Hmm." Rein muttered, rubbing his chin. 

"I like where this is going Quinn. What do you have in mind?" Ann said eagerly.

"Okay, ganto." sambit ni Quinn, adjusting forward in his seat as he rubbed his hands together, ready to lay out his plan. 

He then looked up at each one of them with a knowing look. We're going to be swindling Mayer in pairs."  

---

It took the six the whole night to plan out their scheme -- with Quinn even drawing it out on a piece of scratch paper. It wasn't an elaborate plan, like some kind of heist that top-notch rogues would execute, but it was enough to make one feel nervous.

"Sigurado na ba kayo?" Ann asked them that Sunday night when they have all decided to meet again in secret, their clandestine meetings becoming harder to do with every passing night -- especially on the night of their big plan.

"Talagang kami talaga ni Rein ang magkasama?" She frowned as Queenie handed each one a small, makeshift earpiece that she and Quinn had fashioned only in one day. 

""Easy lang Ann, walang kayo." pang-aasar ni Jarrell sa dalaga, wriggling his eyebrows up and down while nudging Ann with his elbow.

Agad na tinulak ito ng dalaga. "Jarrell, nakatakas ka nanaman sa mental." She said sarcastically.

"Kailangan kayo ang magkasama para balanse ang plano." Quinn explained as he also handed the boys two small  earpieces. "Don't forget to wear these."

"It's the easiest mode of communication between us. Make sure to use it wisely and discreetly. Mayer should not know that we have devices connecting the six of us. And as much as possible, gawin natin 'to ng mabilis."

"I love the fact that I'm a student council officer and I should not be approving any of these --- and yet here I am." Sera grinned mischievously as she placed the earpiece in one ear. 

The six then stared down at the campus grounds. Kahit na gabi na at tanging ang mga ilaw na lang sa campus ang nakabukas, marami pang estudyante ang gising lalo na't ito ang gabi bago ang unang araw ng Foundation Week. Down below, students could be seen putting up streamers and other decorations. Various organizations and clubs were also building their tents for their booths. 

For a moment, they just stood there -- watching and contemplating -- like crows perched upon the railings of their school's rooftop, surveying the scene before the storm. t was only a few hours left before they can put their plan into action.

---

"WANT A GOOD SCARE? COME DOWN TO ABM SOCIETY'S DOLLHOUSE HORROR BOOTH!"

"Bili na kayo cupcake, 50 pesos lang isang pack na!"

"Marietta, papasa nung tape!"

Castillo High was a rupture of chaos on the first day of its Foundation Week. It was November 7, 2016; and the the early sun of the Monday morning welcomed the Castillian community in a warm light.

Alas nuebe palang ng umaga at kakatapos palang ang misa sa gymnasium na sumalubong sa selebrasyon ng academe. Right now, students, professors, employees, alumnis and visitors alike were all enjoying the lively grounds -- bubbles and confetti can be seen everywhere.

Kung titignan ay halos lahat ng tao sa loob ng campus ay nag-eenjoy. But despite the celebrations, the six had pushed through with their own agenda, sifting through the crowd and noise.

PLAY: "Outlaw" by Neoni

https://youtu.be/Mf0JsLHO70E

"Ready?" Quinn mouthed to his twin who was hiding behind a group of bushes near the guard's station by the main gate.

Queenie nodded immediately, and with Quinn's signal, threw three stink bombs and two foggers towards the guard's station. Pagkatama ng mga bomba sa sahig ay agad na naglabas ito ng malaking usok na agad na nagpaalarma sa mga guwardiyang naka-istasyon doon.

"Mayday! Mayday!" Sigaw ni Kuya Tino sa kaniyang walkie talkie habang tumatahol ang kaniyang aso na si Gustav. "Code red! CODE RED! MAY SUNOG!"

Quinn, who was close by behind a tree, was recording the Kuya Tino's shouts. Nang halos mapuno ng usok ang buong paligid ay agad ring tumakbo ang kambal papunta sa control room na malapit lang rin sa guard station.

The control room, as the twins had expected, was still as dark and as cramped since the last time they had visited it with Professor Zaldiga. The only difference was that the two seats for the two guards supposedly stationed there were nowhere to be found. Just like the twins had anticipated, the guards had ran out of the room for the fear of fire.

Agad na pumasok ang kambal sa loob, with Queenie locking the door behind themm as Quinn scrambled towards the cameras, searching for their friends.

Rein, who had just bought himself two sticks of barbecue from one of the booths, pushed the little button connected to his earpiece with one finger.

"Quinn? Queenie?" Mahinang bulong nito para hindi marinig ng ibang mga dumadaan at sabihing nababaliw na ang binata.

"Rein, nandito na kami sa control room. Based sa surveillance camera #6, wala nang taong nakatambay sa boys' dorm. Pwedeng-pwede na kayong tumuloy ni Ann. Just remember: huwag kayong magpapahuli kasi bawal tumambay sa dorms tuwing Foundation Week, alam niyo 'yan. Sera, Jarrell, be on the move too. Queenie and I have our eyes on you." Quinn said from the other line.

Rein took a casual bite from his barbecue before glancing up. Sa kabilang dako ay bumibili naman ng blue iced tea si Ann. At dahil konektado ang earpieces ng anim ay narinig rin ng dalaga ang sabi ni Quinn, dahilan para magtama ang tingin ng dalawa.

Napatango ang binata, nodding towards the right direction. Dahan-dahang naglakad ito, walking past the many students lining up to try out the different booths.

Nang nakalabas na ito sa grupo ng mga tao, ay saktong nakasunod rin sa kaniya si Ann -- sipping on her drink innocently.

"Let's go, Lobris. Napapasarap ka pa sa inumin mo." Rein muttered under his breath while holding onto his earpiece. Dire-diretso itong naglakad papunta sa boys' dormitory. 

"Says the guy with two barbecue sticks." He heard Ann respond through his earpiece, and he couldn't help but let out a chuckle.

He then surveyed the area. Unti na lamang ang mga booths malapit sa main gates at dormitory buildings. Halos wala ring tao dahil lahat ay nasa loob ng main campus grounds kung nasa'n ang sentro ng selebrasyon. 

"Come on, we'll make a run for it before any of the guards or professors see us." Rein told Ann who was now finally standing beside him now that the coast was clear. 

Before Ann could reply, agad na hinatak ng binata ang kamay ng dalaga -- sprinting towards the dormitories while pulling his rival behind him. 

"Kaya kong tumakbo sa sarili ko!" Ann shouted in a whisper, but Rein merely ignored her.

Nang nakarating na sa harapan ng building ang dalawa ay saka palang binitawan ni Rein ang kamay nito. 

"That was unnecessary." Ann snapped. "I swear -- once all of this is over, I'm staying far away from you as possible."

"What??" Rein chuckled amusingly. They then stopped and stared at the exterior of the boys' dormitory building. 

Napatingin naman ang binata sa dalaga, at napansin na mukhang kinakabahan at nag-aalangan itong sumunod at pumasok. "Wala ka namang makikitang kabastusan at kabalastugan sa loob kaya halika na." Ngisi ni Rein sa kaniya. Tinignan muna ni Ann ito at saka sinimangutan bago  pumasok sa loob ng building -- leaving her rival standing there.

"It's the truth!" Rein grinned in defense before finally following her inside. 

Ann was already running up the stairs as if she had already memorized the building -- which was an easy feat anyway since the boys' dormitory had the same layout as the girls.

"Remember, Mayer's dorm is Room 319." Ann remembered Quinn's reminder to them last night during their meeting, prompting Ann to stop at the third landing of the staircase.

With her feet swift and light on the carpeted hallways, agad na kumaliwa ang dalaga papunta sa kabilang hallway, with Rein following right behind her --- turning his head every now and then to ensure that no one was around.

"317, 318..." Ann whispered, counting off all the dormitory rooms that they passed by. At last, napatigil ito sa tapat ng isang pintuan with the gold-plated numbers "3", "1", and "9" engraved on the door.

Inilagay ng dalaga ang kaniyang tenga sa tapat ng pintuan -- trying to hear any signs of human presence on the other side. Ann heard nothing. 

Hinawakan naman nito ang doorknob at sinubukang ikutin. As expected, it wouldn't budge.

"Any experience with locked doors?" Rein asked her with a raised eyebrow whilst crossing his arms across his chest. 

Napakibit-balikat ang dalaga. "Just a few." She muttered, running a finger along the doorframe. 

Dahil dito ay saka naman lumapit si Rein, inspecting the door's hinges as well. "Lahat ng doorframe dito sa dorm ay kahoy. Sa inyo rin ba?"

"If my memory serves me right, yes." Ann responded.

"Then that's unfortunate. We won't be able to use the old ID trick." Rein muttered. "Mahirap gawin yun sa kahoy--" 

Napatigil ang binata nang lumingon ito para harapin ang kaniyang kasama, only to see Ann tying her hair up into a bun.

"W-What are you doing?" He asked in surprise, his question turning out a bit more flustered than he intended. Something about Ann Lobris pushing all her hair out of her face and tying it into a bun had caught him off-guard.

Hindi sumagot ang dalaga, kneeling down instead and facing the doorknob. Napasilip ito sa loob ng keyhole before chewing her bottom lip.

"Let's see if this will work. If hindi, try nating pumasok using the window from outside." Ann suggested, pulling one hairpin out of her hair that made her bun a little lose. She then the clip and inserting it inside the keyhole.

Rein couldn't help but watch her in fascination.

Habang pilit na binubuksan ng dalawa ang pintuan ay patuloy namang hinahanap ni Sera at Jarrell ang kanilang main suspect -- scouring through the different booths on the grounds.

"We've just entered the building." Narinig ni Sera na inanunsyo ni Rein mula sa kaniyang earpiece. "We're trying to pick the room's lock. Have you gotten hold of him? Sera? Jarrell?"

"Not yet." Sera muttered, speaking into the earpiece as she left the Senior High booths, not finding Mayer anywhere. "Medyo mahirap hanapin yung loko. It's like he disappeared. Marquez, please tell me you're having better luck than I am."

"Wala rin siya dito sa mga pagkain." Jarrell answered. Maingay ang static ng earpiece nito, causing Sera to flinch.

"Wait, we'll try to spot him from the cameras." Queenie said through the earpieces.

Sera pursed her lips, craning her neck here and there --- trying to look for a young man with dark hair and sharp features. "Jarrell, tignan natin sa boys' dorm, just to make sure he didn't see Ann and Rein--"

Napatigil ang dalaga nang nakita ang isang binatang naglalakad papasok sa The Spring Bean Cafe -- isang maliit na cafe sa loob ng campus that was situated between the dormitory buildings and the gymnasium.

"I found him!" Sera exclaimed in excitement, running towards that direction. 

"Yep, that's him." Queenie answered from her earpiece. "Jarrell, sundan mo na si Sera sa Spring Bean Cafe."

"Roger!" 

As Sera made her way out of the bustling crowd, she and Jarrell met halfway towards the cafe.

"Seriously?" Sera asked in annoyance when she saw that the young man was eating shawarma. "Ngayon ka pa talaga kumain??"

"You can't catch a culprit on an empty stomach, Sera." Jarrell said in defense as they walked side by side to the cafe. "'Yan ang pinaka-basic na rule ng mga imbestigador!"

Napairap na lamang ang dalaga habang itinulak ang pintuan ng cafe -- the small bell on top of the door rang cheerfully as they entered.

"Mayer!" Sera greeted the young man who had seated in one of the cushioned seats next to the cafe's large window.

"Oh! Sera, Jarrell!" Mayer said in surprise, and Sera wanted nothing more but to punch him across the face. Instead, Sera flashed him her usual, dazzling smile.

"Mind if we have a word with you?" Sera asked pleadingly, and Mayer immediately gestured to the seats in front of him.

"Sure, sure. Anong meron?" Curious na tanong ng binata. At that moment, a waiter had served a cup of latte on the table.

"Ay, coffee nga pala?" Mayer offered to the duo, the waiter who was wearing a fancy suit, looking at them both expectantly.

Tatango palang sana si Jarrell nang biglang kinurot ni Sera ang hita nito. "Oh no no, we're good." Sera shook her head.

"Sayang, libre sana." She heard Jarrell mutter under his breath, prompting her to pinch him once more. 

 Mayer then thanked the waiter before turning to face the two again.

"So, what brings the Seraphim Madrigal and Jarrell Marquez here?" Mayer grins, taking a sip from his coffee.

"Mayer, we were wondering if, you'd allow us to interview you." Sera explained in an innocent tone that made Jarrell want to break character and make a face. 

"Ah yes," Tango ni Jarrell. "Mayroon kasing united project ang student council pati na rin class officers where we'll be interviewing all honor students as part of an inspirational project to be presented at the closing of the Foundation Week."

"These interviews that we'll be doing will also appear on the Castilian Gazette, which means this interrogation is of utmost importance." The young Madrigal girl added with a knowing smile as she spoke. Everything that she and Jarrell had stated was a lie of course -- and if anything, Mayer Cortez will appear in the school paper not as a writer, but as a thief.

"So we're going to record this conversation... If you don't mind?" Sera asked innocently, and Mayer shook his head with a slight shrug and pout as he placed his cup back onto the table.

"Not at all." He grinned, the coffee's steam lingering as it sat in front of them, gradually covering the face of Mayer Cortez from time to time.

"Alrighty," Sera nodded with an unfazed expression as she pressed the recording button on her phone and crossed her legs. "Let's start."

Mayer opened both his palms and gave them a cheeky grin. "I'm an open book. Ask me away."

As Sera and Jarrell stalled their cuplrit, Ann and Rein on the other hand were still trying to pick the lock, much to their uneasiness. Ann had been fondling the lock for seven enduring minutes now -- with Rein pacing back and forth on the hallway, getting more and more anxious with the thought that a student might enter the dormitory building at every given minute.

Just when Rein was about to consider hitting the door, the both of them heard the click of the lock unlocking.

Click!

Agad na lumapit ang binata habang napatayo ang dalaga mula sa kaniyang posisyon -- her knees shaking a little from the anxiety that had built up. She let out a sigh of relief.

"You had me worried for a moment there, Lobris." Rein remarked as Ann twisted the doorknob, finally opening the door.

"Never doubt a woman's work, Maccio." Ann smirked as she stepped inside, her rival following right behind her.

---

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