Chapter 30

"What time will your shift end?" I tried to hold the phone between my ear and shoulder as I listen to Ivo. I'm currently counting how many teabags we have left in the coffee shop so I can file for an order.

"At two pm, but I have a class. So, I'll probably get home late." I say as I rolled my eyes at my workmate Leah who is grinning knowingly at me.

'Boyfriend?' she whispered. My cheeks felt hot at the question. I told her no and turned my back against her, so she'll stop teasing me. It has been three days since I moved to Ivo's penthouse after the encounter I had with my Uncle. I don't think I can go back to his house after what he did to me.

For the past three days, since I moved, Ivo makes sure we eat dinner together. I find it thoughtful, and I told him the other night he didn't have to do it because I know he has things to do, and I don't want to be in the way of it.

I still don't know what Ivo is doing. I know he belongs in the Mafia, but he hasn't mentioned anything about it to me. I want to ask him, but at the same time, I do not want to be nosy. I want him to be the one to tell me. I trust him, so I decided to wait. I want to enjoy whatever this thing we have. I don't even know how to call it. I pray that everything's okay.

Unconsciously, my left hand touched my lips. I wonder how soft Ivo's lips will be if he kissed me. I didn't even realize that Leah is now in front of me, smiling evilly. I immediately acted nonchalantly.

"I see. I'm sorry, but I can't join you tonight for dinner. Something came up, and I have to meet the others." I can sense his regret, and I smiled.

"It's okay. I'm planning to eat with my friends tonight. I guess I'll just see you when I can?"

"Yeah, take care."

I nodded, "You too." I ended the call and placed my phone inside the pocket of my apron. I'm trying my best not to blush like crazy, but Leah is making it so difficult.

"OMG, Skyla! You're blushing like a tomato!" I immediately covered my face with my hands.

"Stop it, Leah! Papagalitan na naman tayo nito eh. Wala na raw tayo inatupag kundi ang mag-daldalan."

"Ano ka ba, Skyla! Okay lang yan, wala pa si boss saka yung feeling boss. Sige na, sabihin mo na sa akin. Sino yun?"

I removed my hands from my face and looked at Leah, "He's just a friend, okay?"

"Weh? Friend? Tapos kung mamula ka talo mo pa yung teenager. Jusko."

I feel like I'm talking to the other version of Alexavia, which is Leah. I think I need to consider the idea of letting them meet. Baka mabaliw lang ako if silang dalawa ang mang-aasar sa akin. Hindi ko kakayanin.

Leah was about to say something when the front door opened. A man probably around his late 40's or early 50's came. He's wearing a gray suit and holding a black suitcase.

"Ay nako mukhang turista yan. Hindi ako magaling sa English. Ikaw na bahala dyan, Skyla."

Leah then left me. I rolled my eyes at her and immediately smiled at the man as he approached my counter. "Good morning, and welcome to No-Doze Coffee Shop. Can I take your order?"

He smiled warmly at me, "Just black coffee, please."

"Alright, how about a slice of bread with cream cheese? It goes well with your black coffee, Sir."

He stared at me like he couldn't believe I offered him something so disgusting, but the internet says anything goes well with black coffee. There's this website that tells a slice of bread and cream cheese is a perfect combo, I was about to say that it's okay if he won't take my suggestion then he replied, "Okay, I'll take that too."

I smiled widely, "Alright, thank you, Sir. Please wait on your table, and we will deliver your order."

He probably didn't hear me because he remained standing there staring at me like he has seen a ghost. Now that I have a closer look at him. He looks tired, and the way he gripped the handle of his suitcase tells me he's agitated.

I can see the bud of sweats forming on his forehead, and now he looks nervous like he shouldn't be here ordering coffee.

"Sir, are you okay?" I asked gently.

He then laughed nervously, and his lips are forming a tight smile. "Yes, I just thought I saw ---" he didn't finish his sentence because his phone rang.

He excused himself and ushered himself to the closest table. His back against me, but I can see him rubbing the back of his head and keep repeating the word 'sorry.'

"Leah, one black coffee and a slice of bread with cream cheese, please," I yelled to the small window where I can see Leah cleaning the coffee table.

"Oki doki," she smiled giddily. Leah enjoys making coffee than I do. Mas gusto ko dito sa cashier kasi mas madali lang ang trabaho pero mabigat naman ang responsibilidad dahil pera ang hinahawakan ko.

It didn't take long for Leah to make the black coffee and the bread with cream cheese. She was about to deliver it to the man, but I stopped her. Sabi ko ako nalang ang magbibigay. Kibit-balikat nyang binigay sa akin ang tray.

I don't know why I did it, but there's something about this man. Hindi ko alam kung ano yun, maybe I just feel bad that he's old and mukhang pasan nya ang mundo? I wanted to make sure at least that he is okay. Yeah, that's probably that.

I walked to where he was sitting, when I got close, but not close enough for him to sense me. I heard him say, "The Costa's are moving. I just can't do it."

His voice broke, and he sounded so sad, "I'm running away."

Using his left hand, he rubbed his face, harshly, "They can't do that, right? I did everything they told me to!" he shouted.

Aware of his sudden tone, he glanced at his surrounding. When he turned his head to see me walking towards him, I smiled naturally at him like I wasn't eavesdropping at his conversation.

"Black coffee and a slice of bread with cream cheese." ani ko habang nilalapag sa lamesa ang order nya. He nodded nervously. "Enjoy, Sir." I said then I turned my heels to leave.

When I got back at the counter, Leah was there staring at the man. I stood next to her, "Medyo weird siya. Okay lang ba siya?"

"Baka nerbyoso lang." ani ko.

"Kape pa more."

"Ssssh. Baka marinig ka."

"Hehe. Sige maglilinis nalang ako ng lamesa." tumango lang ako kay Leah. Wala kami masyadong customers pag ganitong oras. Mas marami tuwing hapon.

Staring at the man won't do me any good so I kept myself busy with counting our stocks, but I can't focus because of the things I heard from him.

He mentioned the Costa's. He also said that he's running away. Running away from the Costa's? What is his connection with them? Is that why he is bringing a huge suitcase with him? I rubbed my temples.

I know I asked Detective Michaels for this undercover job, but I'm starting to doubt myself if I can really pull through this.

I fished my phone from my apron wallet and sent a quick message to Detective.

To: Detective Michaels

Hey, can I see you after my shift? I have at least an hour before my class. I have some information. 

It didn't take a while for him to reply. I received a simple "okay" when the sound of a broken glass startled me. I looked at the source, the man is standing now. He pulled some money from his right pocket and walked towards the counter where I am standing.

He didn't say anything. He didn't look at me. He simply placed the bill at the counter and left, but I didn't miss the scared look in his eyes.

Leah and I looked at each other when the man left. I didn't say anything, Leah, however, said, "Kape pa more." I smiled at her and whispered to myself, "Yeah, kape pa more."

At around 11:30, people are starting to flock at the coffee shop. Nasa locker room na ako and preparing to leave when I received a call from Detective Michaels.

"I'm outside, Ms. Vielle."

"Okay, just give me a minute and I'll be outside," I say and ended the call.

I rushed towards the door but before I could open it Leah came in. "Wow, sana all end of shift na."

Tinapik-tapik ko ang balikat nya, "Kaya mo yan. Four hours nalang."

"Yeah, yeah. Sige na bye bye."

"Alright, see you tomorrow, Leah!"

"Okaaaaaaay!" I only smiled and left.

Detective Michaels is standing near an electricity post when he saw me. I walked towards him and when I was at a close distance he walked to his car and opened the passenger seat for me. I immediately went inside and waited for him to be seated at the driver's seat.

He looks stressed out and tired. I wanted to ask him if he's okay and if I made a wrong choice of meeting him today because it looks like the guy needs a break.

There's a faint smell of smoke and cologne mixed in the air, but I ignored it.

"What information do you have Ms. Vielle."

Wala man lang 'how's your undercover job doing so far?'. Well, it's not like he's obligated to ask anyway.

"There was this man at the coffee shop earlier. Probably around the late '40s or early '50s. He was wearing a gray suit and he brought a black suitcase with him."

Detective Michaels is listening to me carefully as he writes in his notebook. "He ordered black coffee and I suggested it'll go well with bread and cream cheese. Nothing seems out of place at first, but then he started acting nervously. And then he looked at me like..."

I paused, remembering the way he looked at me like he can't believe he is seeing me. The way his brown eyes grew big and sweat started forming on his forehead. Do I know him?

"Ms. Vielle?" I snapped out of it when I heard Detective Michaels' voice.

"The man looked at me like he has seen a ghost. I don't know... I just can't shake this feeling that he knows me?" I continued.

"Do you know this man, Ms. Vielle?"

I shook my head, "No, Detective. It was my first time meeting him. Another thing, I was eavesdropping."

He raised his eyebrow at me and I rolled my eyes at him. "Don't worry. He didn't know that I was there listening to him."

"Continue, Ms. Vielle."

"He was talking to someone on the phone. His voice broke when he said, 'I'm running away', 'The Costa's are moving'."

Detective Michaels now looks more alert than ever. "The man said that?"

I nodded, "Yeah, verbatim. I didn't know who he was talking to, but he looks so scared especially after he dropped the bill at the counter."

"Can you describe him to me?"

"As I said earlier, he was wearing a gray suit. He has a black suitcase with him. Probably around the late 40s or early 50s. He has a fair complexion. Brown eyes and a mustache."

He nodded, "Is that all, Ms. Vielle?"

I tried to scan my brain if I'm missing something but there's nothing that stands out other than his behavior. I shook my head at Detective Michaels, "That's all. I'm sorry. I was too distracted at the way he was acting. I could have missed something."

He smiled gently at me, "It's all right, Ms. Vielle. You did a great job considering this isn't your job in the first place."

"Thank you, Detective." I paused, I don't know if I should ask this but I did anyway, "Do you think the man will be okay? He looked so sad and scared."

"To be honest with you, Ms. Vielle. I can't say for sure. Looking at how things are with the Mafia, this man probably got himself into this without knowing the consequences."

I don't know what that man got himself into, but I'm sure it's dangerous enough for him to run away. I starting biting my right thumb's nail. A habit of mine when I'm anxious.

Detective Michaels saw the look on my face and tapped my shoulder. "Hey, it's okay. Don't worry about it." He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes.

Pinilit kong ngumite sa kanya. "Okay, I'll keep you updated. Any update about the thing I asked you?"

His expression changed. "I'm sorry, Ms. Vielle. I haven't found anything about your parents' death yet, but I assure you that I am trying my best."

The news saddened me. I know I shouldn't be impatient. It hasn't even been a month when I asked him to look for the truth about my parents' death, but still. I hate it feeling like this. I'm being too irrational.

I forced myself to smile, "Thank you, Detective."

             After meeting Detective Michaels, I attended all my afternoon classes. I tried my best to focus on things that actually matter which were my classes, but I couldn't. My mind was elsewhere.

The Costa's, the man at the coffee shop, the truth about my parents' death, and who is after my life. Idagdag mo pa si Kev Conti na kasama ko ngayon sa meeting room ng photography club.

"So Kev and Skyla will be our official photographer for the National University Conference. It was supposed to be a week, but for some reason, the committee changed its mind. The conference will be for four days." Tyrone says as he hands out the pamphlet for the conference.

'Four days with Kev Conti? Ridiculous. Someone wake me up from this nightmare.' I thought.

The sour look on my face was probably so obvious because Kev said, "Do you really hate me that much, Sky?" his tone is teasing, but something else is there.

"I am actually very excited." I tried my best not to be sarcastic but I sure did fail on that. Kev is smirking at me like he knows something that I don't.

I rolled my eyes at Kev and turned to Tyrone, "When is this again? I'm working part-time kasi. I have to inform them at least so that someone can cover my shift."

"Damn, it will be this Friday. I'm sorry, Skyla. I received the schedule for the conference last week, but I forgot to inform you guys."

Napakamot ng batok si Tyrone, "It's okay. I'll just call my manager after this meeting." ani ko sa kanya.

I have to inform Detective Michaels about this too. Kev is a person of interest in his investigations. I know it's dangerous, however, it will be a great opportunity to be close and observe Kev Conti's movements.

Initially, I planned to inform Ivo about Kev, but I changed my mind. Ivo probably has a lot on his plate now and I don't wanna add up more to that. I'll do this myself.

The meeting continued for about 30 minutes. Tyrone explained what are the dos and don'ts during the conference. He reminded us to report to him and Aoede every day, especially when a problem arises.

The food, accommodation, and transportation will be shouldered by our University. Other representatives from other big universities will be there too. It will be a huge conference for the next generation of leaders in the country.

"Kev and Skyla, your meeting place will be at the parking lot of the school with the student council president and vice-president. You guys should be there at 6 am sharp." Aoede reminded as she fixed her bangs. She smiled at us, "I hope you guys have fun. I'm sure you'll meet great people."

"Oh, I'm sure I'll have the time of my life," Kev said with a broad smile on his face. He then looked at me, pouting like a child, he then says, "I don't know about Sky tho. She seems cranky. Is it the time of the month again?"

I hate it when he calls me 'Sky. He and I are not even friends. He acts like we're close the way he says my name and it's frustrating.

"Whatever, Conti." I say, I grabbed my bag and walked towards the exit. I didn't say goodbye to Tyrone and Aoede because another minute with Kev will make me go crazy.

"Man, you gotta stop teasing her." ani ni Tyrone.

"You'll be together for four days. I hope you guys at least get along." Aoede says I sense the worry on her voice.

"Don't worry. After this conference. I'm sure Sky and I will be closer than ever." Kev says and I shivered. I didn't hear Tyrone and Aoede's reply anymore because I left the room immediately. Scared of Kev.

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