Chapter Four
Tinanggap ko ang trabahong inaalok sa akin ni Patricio. As the saying goes, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. To defeat your enemy you must learn their ways, study their movements. Fool the preys into thinking that you're one of them and when they least expect it, when it's good and ready, you attack.
I thought Patricio was a smart man but I was wrong. He was stupid for letting me into their lives. Wala siyang kaalam-alam na ako ang magiging dahilan ng pagbagsak niya. I would take back what was rightfully ours.
"I'm glad you've accepted my offer, Rigor." Sabi ni Patricio habang nag-uusap kami sa study room. "You're exactly what we need right now."
"Am I?" I said, a slight smile broke across my lips.
"Of course. It's rare to find people like you." Patricio lifted his small glass of alcohol and took a sip from it. "Alam kong nasabi ko na ito noon sa iyo at sasabihin ko ulit sa'yo ito. Napakalaki ng utang na loob ko sa'yo sa pagsagip mo sa anak ko. Lux is my only princess. I would've probably gone crazy kung nakuha siya ng mga lalaking iyon."
"It was the right thing to do, sir." Sabi ko.
I smiled to myself. His daughter was his weak spot and I'd use Lux to crush him.
"Rigor, take really good care of my Lux. That is your main job. Do you understand?" He asked.
I nodded my head. "Yes, I do."
I'd take really good care of her, alright. Si Lux, ang anak niya ang alas ko laban sa kanya.
"We'll have to prepare you first. You need an extensive physical and mental training para sa trabahong ibibigay ko sa'yo. Kailangan nandito ka sa tuwing kakailanganin ka. Habang nagtatrabaho ka dito, kailangan nandito ka. You're required to move in here."
"Move in?" My brows shot up.
"Yes. I hope that won't be a problem to you."
"No, not at all..." I said.
Lalo mo talagang pinadadali ang lahat para sa akin, Patricio. He had no idea who he was letting in. He had no fucking idea.
"Kuya, pag-isipan mo muna yang ginagawa mo." Nakatayo si Riel sa may pinto ng kwarto ko habang nilalagay ko ang mga damit ko sa isang lumang travelling bag. "Huwag kang padalos-dalos."
"Matagal kong hinintay ang pagkakataon na ito." Tiim bagang na sabi ko.
"Paano kapag napahamak ka sa binabalak mo? Isa ka lang, madami sila." Riel's voice raised along with his frustration.
"Wala akong pakialam. Ipinangako ko sa puntod ng mga magulang natin na bibigyan ko ng hustisya ang pagkamatay nila."
"Pucha naman, kuya! Wala tayong laban sa mga yun, mga Castellano yon." Galit na sabi niya.
My head snapped at him and I threw a glare. "At Miramontes tayo. Lahat ng meron sila ay dapat sa atin. Pinatay nila ang mga magulang natin, ninakaw nila ang buhay na para sa atin."
He marched into my room and started ripping off the pictures of the Castellanos from my wall. "You need to stop this! Tigilan mo na ang kahibangan na ito, kuya! Alam mo kung anong ginawa nila sa mga magulang natin at alam mo din kung ano ang kaya nilang gawin sa'yo." His face softened when he turned to face me, his eyes red with the tears swelling in the corners of it. "Nawalan na nga ang mga magulang natin pati ang lahat ng pagmamay-ari natin pero nandito ka naman at nandito pa rin ako."
I swallowed the lump starting to form in my throat. "Para sa iyo rin itong gagawin ko. Para sa buhay na ninakaw nila sa'yo."
"Ikaw na lang ang meron ako ngayon kuya. Pati ba naman ikaw magpapanakaw sa kanila." He said.
I took in a deep breath. Isinampay ko sa balikat ko ang travelling bag at tumayo mula sa kama. Lumapit ako kay Riel at parang batang ginulo ang buhok nito.
"Wala na silang mananakaw sa atin. Babawiin ko lahat ng kinuha nila sa atin." I promised him.
"Kuya, mag-ingat ka." His voice was weak.
"Magpakabait ka. Mag-aral kang mabuti. Babalik ako."
"Paano kapag hindi na?"
I forced a smile. I knew the risk I was taking. Alam ko kung gaano kadelikado ang pinasok kong ito at posibleng hindi na din ako makalabas dito. Napaghandaan ko na ito, hindi lang para sa sarili ko kung hindi para na rin sa kapatid ko. "Lahat ng naipon kong pera inilagay ko sa trust fund mo. Makukuha mo iyon kapag may nangyari sa akin. Malaki-laki ang perang iyon kaya ingatan mong mabuti. Spend it wisely."
Tears started to flow down his cheeks. My brother was a softy. We were the complete opposite of each other but we balance each other out.
"Huwag ka ngang umiyak, para kang hindi lalaki niyan." I said, giving him a soft pat on the cheek.
I turned away from him and walked out of the door. I knew what the Castellanos were capable of. Pero itataya ko ang buhay ko para lang makapaghiganti sa kanila. Kung mamatay man ako dahil doon, mamamatay akong lumalaban.
Sa likod ng mansyon ay may isang bahay para sa security team. I was given my own room in there. The house had all the things we needed. There was a control room filled with monitors and with each screen was a view of rooms in the mansion in different angles. There was also a huge gym with high end work out equipments.
I was trained by the professionals that Patricio hired. It was a military style training and it was physically and mentally exhausting. The training begins before the sun rises and by the time it was done, I dropped to my bed and doze off.
After the third day of my training, I was allowed to make rounds in the mansion. I was glad because I knew I'd be able to keep a better eye on the enemies. Makakalapit din ako sa kanila, lalong-lalo na kay Lux.
Nag-iikot ako sa hardin ng mansyon ng makita ko si Lux na nakaupo sa veranda. She had a book in her hands and was so absorbed in what she was reading. I just had to stop and stare at her for a while. Her beauty was regal and breathtaking. It was enough to enslave the soul of any man... but not mine.
The hunger of the beast rumbled in my gut. She was my beautiful prey.
Patience. That was what I needed right now. Ilang taon kong pinaghandaan ito at hindi ko dapat madaliin. Mahirap pigilan ang sariling abutin ang isang bagay na nasa harapan mo na pero iyon ang kailangan kong gawin. Kailangan ko muna silang pag-aralan.
Her head lifted from the book as if feeling the weight of my stare. She smiled when she saw me. Lux had the most vibrant smile I'd ever seen in a woman. I took a sharp involuntary inhale when she did that.
"Rigor." Nakangiting sabi niya. "Kanina ka pa ba nandyan."
"Hindi naman." I answered.
"Come sit with me." She said.
I walked up to her and sat next to her.
"Kamusta ang training?" She asked, her full attention on me.
"It was hard."
"Sabi nga nila buong araw ang training. Buti ngayon nakapagpahinga ka." Sabi niya.
"I'm actually making rounds right now."
"Ganon ba? Good thing I saw you." She smiled.
"Yeah..." I smiled.
"I want to go out. Nabobored na ako dito sa bahay. Ayaw naman akong palabasin ni daddy."
"It's better for you to stay in here where your safe hangga't hindi pa nahuhuli kung sino ang nagtangkang kumidnap sa'yo."
"Pero pakiramdam ko para na akong nakakulong dito." She sighed and then her eyes glimmered. "Labas tayo."
"What?" My brows furrowed.
"Ilabas mo ako dito."
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"Sandali lang naman." Pilit niya. "Kakain lang tayo sa labas. My treat!"
"Baka magalit ang dad mo."
"Hindi niya magagawang magalit sa'yo. You saved our lives, remember?" She let out a delicious chuckle. "Sige kung ayaw mo, ako na lang ang aalis mag-isa."
"You're crazy. Alam mong hindi ka pa ligtas."
"Kaya nga samahan mo ako. You'll keep me safe right?" Tumayo siya mula sa kinauupuan niya at kinuha ang kamay ko. She pulled me up. "Come on, let's sneak out."
"Lux..." This could fucking ruin all my plan.
"Please, Rigor. Sandali lang naman. Kakain lang tayo tapos uuwi na din tayo. Please?" She pouted like a cute little girl.
I sighed, feeling myself giving in. Damn! Why couldn't I say no to her? I knew this could potentially ruin everything I'd worked hard on but somehow, I found myself wanting to take her out.
"Okay." I said, defeated. "But we have to be back in an hour."
"Yay! Thank you, Rigor!" She threw her arms around my neck and her body pressed against mine. She felt so warm and soft... I liked the feeling of her agaisnt me that I was disappointed when she pulled away from the hug.
"Halika na!" She pulled me by my hand.
Pumunta kami sa garahe kung saan nakaparada ang mga. We went into my car and drove off. She let out a sigh of relief when we successfully got out of the mansion's gate.
"I'm free, at last!" She said, laughing. "Ang tagal ko nang hindi nakakalabas."
She rolled her window down and stuck her head out. I took a quick gaze at her before turning my attention back to the road. She looked so happy and so... well... lovable. She was different from all the women I'd been with. She didn't seem high maintenance even though she was rich. Siya yung tipo ng taong mababa ang kaligayahan. She seemed so care-free and grounded. In the magazines, she'd always look sophisticated and in every interview she answered with poise and elegance. I thought I already knew who Lux was but I was wrong. Ibang-iba siya sa taong nakikita ko sa tabloids at tv.
"Where do you want to go?" I asked, smiling.
"Kahit saan. Do you know a good place where we can eat?" Tanong niya.
I thought of taking her to an upscale restaurant we used to go to. Tumingin ako sa rear view mirror at nakita ang itim na kotse na kanina pang nasa likod namin. The glass were tinted so I couldn't see the person inside. My brows furrowed. I turned to see if it would follow us and thank God, it didn't.
Maybe I was just being paranoid dahil kasama ko si Lux. She was almost kidnapped at hanggang ngayon hindi pa din nakikilala ang may kagagawan nun. I knew I needed to be careful with her.
We were greeted by a nice receptionist when we got in and she gave us a nice spot next to the window. After a few moment, a waiter walked up to us.
"Ready to take your order, sir?" A man in white button down shirt asked.
Tumingin ako kay Lux. "Ano'ng gusto mong orderin?"
"Um..." Lux was still looking at the menu.
The waiter gave her a sideway gaze. I didn't like how he looked at her. There was something about his expression that seemed off... It was as if he was observing her. And then he took his gaze away from her when he noticed me looking at him.
He faked a cough and pretended to focus on the paper and pen in his hands.
"I haven't been here before. What do you suggest?" Lux asked.
"Try the wagyu steak." I answered.
"Sige, I'll have that na lang. Medium well."
"One middle well wagyu steak for her and a prime rib for me." Sabi ko habang matalim ang mga matang tinitigan ko siya. He listed our orders and walked away.
"Magkwento ka naman." Lux attentatively looked at me, resting her chin over her palm.
"Wala naman akong makukuwento sa'yo." Sabi ko habang sinusundan ng tingin ang waiter.
"Everyone has a story to tell." She said. "Ganito na lang. Magkwento ka tungkol sa family mo."
"I don't have one." I said, matter of factly. Hindi nila pwedeng malaman ang tungkol kay Riel. If something happened to me, baka idamay nila ang kapatid ko. Ginawa ko ang lahat para mapagtakpan ang totoong pagkatao ko. I changed my last name so Patricio wouldn't know I was a Miramontes. I didn't care about what they'd do to me once they find out my plan. All I cared about was my brother and his safety. I didn't want my brother to go through the same hell I did. I prayed to God every night that he wouldn't turn out like me.
"Wala kang pamilya?" A look of pity crossed her eyes.
"My parents died when I was seventeen." Kibit-balikat na sabi ko.
"I'm sorry..." Mahinang sabi niya.
"It's okay. Matagal na yun." Sagot ko.
Hindi humiwalay ang tingin ko sa waiter. I noticed the waiter whispering something to another man. The man looked powerful, dressed in a dark coat and tie. He was staring intently at us as the waiter was whispering something to him. My gut feeling told me something wasn't right. He caught me looking at them, his eyes were sharp and dark. Kaswal na naglakad siya. He seemed to be walking towards us.
He slipped his hand into his pocket and my heart started beating loud. It was as if I went on hyper-focused. Surely, he wouldn't shoot us here. Not in front of all these people. He'd probably threaten us. Patago niyang tututukan ng baril si Lux at uutusan na sumamasa kanya.
"Lux..." I leaned closer to her. "We need to get out of here."
"Huh?" Her brows furrowed.
I grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her up. Bumilis ang paglakad ng lalaki papunta sa amin. I dragged Lux as we ran out of the restaurant.
"Ano bang nangyayari?" She asked.
I didn't answered. I shoved her inside the car and slipped into the driver's side. Nang nasa loob na kami ng kotse, nakita ko ang lalaki na nakatayo sa labas ng pinto ng restaurant. Nagtama ang tingin namin. He just quietly looked at me and a smirk appeared on his lips.
I thought we were already safe. Nang tumingin ako sa rear view mirror, nakita ko ang parehong itim na kotse na nakasunod sa amin kanina. My heart raced, I could feel it thumping against my ribcage.
"Rigor, what is happening? Bakit tayo umalis?" She asked.
"Lux, magseat belt ka." I said in a firm tone.
"B-bakit?" There was worry in her voice.
"Just put your fucking seatbelt on!" I demanded.
Napakurap siya pero mabilis din na sumunod sa sinabi ko. I floored the accelerator and Lux screamed nang bumilis ang takbo ng kotse. Tumingin ulit ako sa rear view mirror at nakita kong bumilis din ang takbo ng kotseng nasa likod namin. It didn't take long for the car to catch up to us.
There was a loud thud when the front of that car hit against the back of ours. It was definetely after us. I took a sharp turn and it still followed us.
"Oh my god!" Lux voice shook. Pumihit ang ulo niya para tignan ang kotseng sumusunod sa atin. "Rigor, sino yan? What do they want?"
"I don't know!" Tiim bagang na sagot ko. I tried to focus on the road. Kailangan ko silang mailigaw. I didn't even know where exactly we were going, all I knew was that I needed them to stop following us.
I took another sharp turn. Hanggang sa mapunta kami sa isang mapuno at liblib na kalsada. Nakasunod pa din ang kotseng iyon sa amin. For the second time, the front of that car bumped into the back of ours. Lux face was pale as she held unto her seatbelt. I knew what I would do would be dangerous but I wouldn't let that fucker catch us. I drove off the road and into what looked like the woods. Ipinasok ko ang kotse sa malagubat na lugar.
I drove deeper and deeper into it. Nang hindi ko na marinig ang ugong ng kotseng sumusunod sa amin at ng hindi ko na ito makita, hininto ko ang kotse sa likod ng isang malaking puno. It was already getting dark and we were in the middle of God knows where.
I turned my head to Lux. She looked at me, her face pale and her eyes clouded with tears.
"I... I'm scared." Humikbi siya kasabay ng pagpatak ng mga luha niya.
She looked so vulnerable. It made my heart beat like crazy. And even faster than when we were being chased earlier. I remember being that vulnerable. I remembered feeling weak. I remembered the helplessness I felt when I lost my parents. Was that how I looked like before?
I felt the need to comfort her. I took my seatbelt off and wrapped my arms around her. She buried her face into my chest and began to sob.
Tumingala siya sa akin at ikinulong ang mukha ko sa mga palad niya. She crashed her lips against mine. I was surprised at first but found myself answering her kiss.
I shouldn't be doing this. I didn't want to grow any feelings for her. I didn't want to get attached. It would ruin everything. But I couldn't stop kissing her even if I wanted.
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