Chapter 35

Before Jake went to school, I borrowed his phone for me to call Detective Michaels' office. I was lucky enough because he picked up right away. It wasn't a good idea to talk on the phone, I told him that he and I should meet. I also texted Alexavia, at ngayon ang papunta na sya dito sa bahay ni Jake.

Nagpasalamat rin ako kay Jake at sa nanay nya dahil sa kabaitang pinakita nila sa akin. I will be forever in debt to them. I left their house early in the morning, which saddens me because I didn't get the chance to talk to Tasha.

I remember the words Jake's mom said, "Pwede kang bumalik kahit kailan mo gusto. Welcome na welcome ka sa bahay na ito."

I hugged her tightly before leaving. As much as I'd like to stay for more few days, I don't think it will be a good idea, especially with how things are going in my life right now.

Now that I know may chip sa loob ng katawan ko ay gusto ko agad itong matanggal. Ivo was supposed to help me, but I can't rely on him after what happened last night. I am just hoping na may kilala si Detective Michaels' para matanggal 'to.

I'm pretty sure Uncle Bern and Anthony are probably looking at whatever device they use to know where I am now.

I asked Alexavia to meet at 7eleven, where I met Jake and his friends. I am already inside, waiting, sipping my coffee. I didn't expect things to escalate this quickly.

I don't want to go back to my Uncle's house after his announcement at the restaurant. I still can't believe he said that Anthony and I are to wed. Ang malala pa ay sang ayon si Anthony.

What the hell are they thinking? They didn't even ask me if kung gusto ko magpakasal. I am only 21. Ang dami ko pang gusto gawin sa buhay ko.

Idagdag mo pa ang conference na pupuntahan naming ni Kev this Friday. I swear that once everything's settled, I'll go abroad and have a vacation.

Napatingin ako sa labas at nakitang palabas na si Alexavia sa pulang sedan nya. She looks excited and relieved to see me. It didn't take long for her to get inside the store at agad nya akong niyakap ng mahigpit.

"Skyla," I closed my eyes for a moment and hugged her back. "Where were you?! Halos libutin ko ang buong city noong bigla ka nalang umalis." Kumalas sya ng yakap sa akin.

"I'm sorry, Alexavia. I didn't mean to worry you. Hindi ko lang talaga makapaniwala sa mga sinabi ni Uncle noong gabing iyon." I replied, at the mention of my Uncle, Alexavia's face turned sour.

"Your Uncle is crazy, and Anthony is crazier. Who the hell marries someone you treat like a sister?!" She shouted, annoyance on her face.

Napatingin ang ilang customers ng store sa amin kaya hinila ko sya palabas, "Let's talk inside your car."

'It's safer inside her car anyway. You never know who is listening.' I thought.

"Did you bring my stuff, Alex?" I asked when I opened the passenger seat of her car.

"Yeah, they're inside. Your phone and wallet." She replied, her car is tinted, which is excellent, at least makakapag-usap kaming dalawa at malayo sa mga mapanuring mata nang kung sino man. 

She grabbed my stuff at the back and gave it to me. I still have my wallet, may konti din akong savings, which will help me for now. "You're not going back to your Uncle's house, right?" tanong nya sa akin.

"No! Kung babalik ako don baka hindi na ako makalabas ulit." I replied, napakamot ako sa noo ko. "I don't have anywhere to go. Nakituloy muna ako kina Jake." Dagdag ko pa.

"You can stay with me. I'm sure my parents won't mind, Skyla." I looked at her, yeah, I could do that pero I will be putting her on danger and her family. I can't risk it.

I shook my head, "I can't do that. I have some savings. I'll use it to rent somewhere close to University para madali lang sa akin ang pag-commute."

She frowned at me, "No, no, no. You can't be alone. Lalo na ngayong alam natin na fishy ang pagkatao ni Kev." Alexavia is absolutely right, but I do not want to include her on my problems anymore. It's too dangerous.

"I know you mean well and tama ka, I can't be alone, but I also can't afford to risk you, Alexavia. And Detective Michaels will help me for sure."

She sighed at sumandal, "Knowing you, I know I can't change your mind. So, how about we make a deal?"

"What deal?"

"You have to call me if something happens. Dapat laging full battery ang phone mo para kung tatawagan kita ay makakasagot ka agad. Another thing, you have to reply to my messages."

I smiled, "Of course, I promise."

Alexavia smiled brightly at me, "Good. Now, have you talked to Ivo? Nasabi mo na ba na yung siraulo mong Uncle ay ipinagkasundo ka sa lalakeng halos kapatid na ang turing mo?"

At the mention of Ivo's name, I looked away from her. I don't think I can tell her about that yet. Hindi rin alam ni Alexavia na kabilang si Ivo sa Mafia. I think the less she knows the better. I shook my head, "No, hindi ko pa nasasabi. Hindi pa kami nagkikita." I faked a smile.

She arched her eyebrow at me, "Hmm, I don't know what's going on between you two pero I think you should tell him para hindi sya magulat. He obviously likes you."

I can feel myself turn red, "How can you say that?"

"I can tell. Psychic ako eh." ngisi nya sa akin. 

Does Ivo like me? 

I almost laughed at the thought. He was just nice enough to help a girl in trouble, that's all. I shook my head at her, "We're just friends." The truth is, I don't think he and I are still friends after last night.

She smiled at me knowingly, "Sure, suit yourself." Her expression turned serious, she grabbed my hand to hold it. "Promise me you'll be safe. Okay?" 

"Always, Alexavia." I squeezed her hand, "Pwede ba akong magpahatid? Late na kasi ako sa part-time work ko eh."

Hindi ako nakapag paalam na hindi ako makakapasok dahil sa mga nangyari. I'm sure kawawa si Leah ngayon dahil kulang sa man power yung shop. Nagulat sya sa sinabi ko, "Wait, wait, wait a damn minute." She raised her hands in a form of surrender, "You're working?" Alexavia asked, tinignan nya ako na para bang sinabi ko na buntis ako.

"Yes, I am. Sa may coffee shop. No-Doze Coffee yung name ng shop. Masarap kape naming don. Libre kita."

"What? When was this?" she bemused.

"Not so long ago. Tara na, baka ma-late ako at bawasan pa sahod ko." She looks so confuse pero agad nya rin naman pinaandar ang kotse. I connected my phone on her car gps para mapasa ang location ng coffee shop.

"You're making coffee?" she mumbled, hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa sinabi ko.

"Hoy, naiinsulto na ako ah. Bakit parang di ka makapaniwalang nagtratrabaho ako?" kunyari may tampo sa boses ko pero tinawanan lang ako ng bruha.

"Skyla, you're practically an heiress. Your douchebag of an Uncle runs one of the leading companies in the country and soon Vielle Hotels will enter the scene. At ngayon sinasabi mo sa akin na nagtra-trabaho ka sa isang coffee shop?" she half-shouted sabay halakhak nya.

Hindi naman kaila sa akin ang estado ng buhay ko. My Uncle is rich, filthy rich. I lived a comfortable life under his care. You can say na buhay prinsesa ako. I didn't need to work hard for something kasi nakukuha ko naman agad. Pag may gusto ako ay binibigay yun agad ni Uncle.

But that was all before. Now? I don't think I am lucky.

"That's his money, Alexavia." I countered, "At isa pa, working at the coffee shop was pretty fun for me kahit lagi akong napapaligatan." I pouted, remembering how many times the trainer yelled at me for wasting coffee.

"Right, I'm sorry. Pero kung saan ka masaya ay susuportahan kita basta lagi mo akong ililibre ng kape pagbibisita ako sa shop nyo." She grinned at me.

It didn't take long for us to arrive at the coffee shop, "Why don't you wear a face mask to cover your wounds. Ano bang nangyari dyan?" tanong nya sa akin. Nakalimutan kong mga mga kaunti pa akong galos sa mukha.

"May dala ka bang face mask?" tanong ko sa kanya, inaayos ko ang buhok ko sa rearview ng kotse. "Nadapa lang ako." I whispered.

"Swerte ka. Marami akong dalang face mask." She handed it to me at agad ko itong sinuot. "After your shift, saan ka?" she asked.

"I have classes then I'll meet Detective Michaels." At the mention of his name, Alexavia scowled.

"Tss," she scrunched up her face. Oh, no. This only happens when she dislikes someone. What did Detective Michaels do for Alexavia to turn sour at the mention of his name?

I chuckled, "What's wrong? You have this look on your face."

"It's nothing. I just don't like the guy."

"He's okay. I mean, he's extremely professional and good at what he does." Pagtatanggol ko kay Detective.

"Yeah, right. I'll just check the shop and head to class." Sabay bukas ng pinto ng sasakyan. Problema nun? Does she have a personal vendetta against Detective Michaels?

I followed after her. I am lucky today, I guess, dahil wala pa masyadong customers sa shop at mukhang wala pa yung boss namin. Alexavia opened the door, the aroma greeted us. I waived at Leah na nasa cashier ngayon.

Iniwan ko si Alexavia at dumiretso ako sa biometric attendance machine na malapit sa cashier counter. Lumapit si Leah sa akin, "Bakit ka naka-mask? May sakit ka ba?"

Umubo ako kunyari, "Oo, eh. Bakit bawala ba mag face mask sa loob ng shop?"

"Hindi no! Mabuti nga yan eh at tsaka protocol ng shop na pag may sipon or ubo ka ay dapat lagi kang naka-mask," napatingin si Leah kay Alexavia na nakatayo pa rin sa entrance ng shop with her arms crossed on her chest. "Sino yang babaeng yan? Mukhang may attitude."

I would probably think the same thing if I didn't know Alexavia. She has this resting bitch face na and she leaves a wrong impression at times, but that's how she rolls. "That's my friend." I announced.

Napatingin sa akin si Leah, "May kaibigan kang model?" natawa ako sa sinabi nya. Madalas rin pagkamalan na model si Alexavia. One, she's tall. Two, she has the face. Lastly, she dresses so well and knows how to carry herself. She's on her white jeans and yellow crop top. Her caramel hair on a ponytail.

"Hindi sya model. Mukhang model lang."

Leah's mouth fell open, "Ay nako, Skyla. Kung ganyan mukha at katawan ko baka nag-apply na ako sa lahat ng model agency."

Natawa ako sa sinabi nya, "You're pretty too, Leah."

Hinampas nya ako sa braso at napasinghap ako, "Ikaw charotera ka." sabay hawak sa pisnge nya.

Alexavia's heels grabbed my attention, she's walking towards us, "Are you heading to class?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Yeah, I'll come back some other time." She looked at Leah briefly before smiling at me. "See you at school." She added and left.

"Alam mo yung friend mo may attitude talaga." Leah grumbled.

"She's nice if you get to know her. Don't worry, I'll introduce you to each other next time." Her face contorted for a second before nodding at me.

           Mabilis ang oras pag marami kang ginagawa. Hindi ko namalayan na mag-aalasdose na pala. Nasa employee's locker ako ngayon at naghahanda ng umalis para pumasok sa Uni. I haven't checked my phone yet. Afraid of what I might read.

"See you tomorrow, Leah!" sigaw ko sa kanya at lumabas ako mula sa back door. Hindi ko na narinig ang reply.

I will be using the local transportation for the first time. Before I entered University, Uncle Bern immediately enrolled me in a driving school. He also bought me a car for my daily use at para na rin I can visit him anytime, but I don't have it with me now.

I think I have to get use to this now. Hindi naman kalayuan ang University pero kailangan ko pa rin maglakad mula sa bus stop. Halos lahat ng estudyante ng Welston ay mula sa mayayamang pamilya kaya most of the students are using their cars o kaya naman ay may taga-hatid sila.

Detective Michaels is waiting for me at the University gate na ikinagulat ko dahil sa message ko sa kanya ay sinabi kong I will meet him after my classes. I glanced at my watch, I still have 30 minutes. Maybe it will be enough.

He's leaning against the wall and reading his newspaper, "Detective Michaels,"

"Ms. Vielle, I know we're supposed to talk after your classes, but I am afraid I won't have any other time than this."

"It's okay. I'm asking to meet you without considering your schedule, but thank you for coming here."

He nodded at me, "Come on, and follow me."

We walked side by side. Tumigil kami sa di kalayuang poste para makapag usap. Hindi ko na pinatagal pa at sinabi ko sa kanya ang rason kung bakit gusto ko syang makausap, "Detective Michaels, I am chipped. Do you know anyone who can remove this for me?"

Detective Michaels was stunned at what I said. He frowned at me, "What? You're chipped?"

Tumango ako, "My Uncle did it."

"What?" His expression hardened, "Chipping someone is illegal. Why would your Uncle do that, Ms. Vielle?"

Kahit ako ay gusto ko rin malaman kung bakit ginawa ito ni Uncle, but if I ask him now then it would only mean I have to confront him, and I am not ready for that yet. I have a lot of questions to ask him, however, those questions have to wait for the meantime until I gather enough courage to face him.

"I don't know, but I want it removed. Immediately if possible." I replied I don't think I can go another day with this chip inside my body. This chip will allow my Uncle to know my location kahit saan ako magtago, and I don't want that. I want to run away from him, but it won't be possible if this chip is inside my body.

"Mr. Vielle seems to be taking the doting Uncle role to the next level." Detective Michaels smiled sadly at me. I know he's trying to sympathize, and I appreciate it. "We can have it removed today. I know someone. Are you willing to skip your classes for a day or two?"

My eyes are probably sparkling right now, but I am so happy to hear that I can have this chip removed. "Yes, I am more than willing to skip anything."

He chuckled, "It will be a long drive from here. Marami tayong pag-uusapan habang nasa biyahe tayo." Sabay bigay sa akin ng isang brown envelope. Bubuksan ko sana ito pero pinigilan nya ako. "Don't open it here, Ms. Vielle. Do it later. We never know who is watching."

I nodded, for all we know, someone could be following me. "Who is this person, you know?" tanong ko.

His jaw tensed for a moment before answering, "He used to be a doctor working for Costa Mafia." 

Well, that's not the answer I was expecting. 

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