3: Three shitty meetings in a row

SAM'S POV

Goodness.

Ngayon pa talaga?

"Akin na ang bag mo!" the man demanded and pressed the knife more to my side while his other filthy hand tightly gripping my shoulder to stop me from moving, making it a bit painful now as it start to dig into my skin..

Oh God. This man really want his death tonight.

Tired to even make a fight with him, I let out a sigh of annoyance and answered him with gritted teeth.

"You better take off that knife now while I'm still being nice---"

"Bilisan mo!."

When he snapped that in a shout sabay diin pa lalo ng kutsilyo nito sa gilid ko, my patience lossen out.

Heaving up a deep shaky breath, I prepared myself to give him what he want.

Glancing down at my side, I observed how his dainty hand holding the knife. Siguro nga hindi masyadong maliwanag sa parte ng parking lot na'to but I can still clearly how his hand was slightly trembling right now.

A first timer shit.

"Gusto mo ba talaga ang bag ko? Then I guess ibibigay ko nalang sa'yo 'to ng buo."

He was a bit alarmed with that but before he could even react by that, I swiftly twisted my body to the right sabay hawak ng mahigpit sa kamay nito na may kutsilyo then surprised him with a strikes in his neck using my bag.

"bwese---Ah!"he cried out with the impact. But before he could recover from that, binitawan ko na agad ang bag ko and then tightly hold his hand with the knife then strike my right elbow hard in his neck three times in a row. Causing him to cry out more as he staggered on his feet, letting go of his knife in the process habang napapahawak sa leeg nito.

"Hiningi mo yan sa'kin kaya ba't hindi nalang kaya natin 'yan doblehin?"

Pagkarinig sa'kin, he wasn't able to hide the alarm look in his face. But it was too late for him to run now. I'm just starting to warm up now.

With my tightly balled fists on my sides, agad ko ng sinugod ito and then hit him straight on his nose hard twice and then finished it with a hard kick on his balls. To cut off his future generation.

"ugh!" he cried out as he crouched down on his back with his both hands nursing his precious balls while his face scrunched up in total pain.

I felt so satisfied just seeing him now.

"Gusto mo pa ba ng bonus? Pwes, ba't nga ba hindi?" Then with that, agad ko na namang inundayan ng suntok ang mukha nito then throw him a flying kick on his head.

Smooth and with ease.

Tumba agad ito sa semento while loudly crying in pain.

Serves you right.

I inhaled a breath while smirking down at him on the ground.

Satisfied with the damage I've done to him.

"Next time, piliin mo ng maayos ang bibiktimahin mo kung ayaw mong tanggalin ko yang kaligayahan mo." Nakangising saad ko na rito before I picked up my bag on the ground and then his weapon.

My heels could've been so useful to make a deep hole in his empty head.

He just growled on the ground while still hissing in pain. Of course.. his balls must be burning up in pain right now.

"Punyeta kang babae---" his mouth clamped shut when I stepped closer to him with a promising smirk on my face.

"Eh kung butasan ko nalang kaya 'yang pagmumukha mo gamit ang heels kong 'to? Mas masaya 'yon hindi ba?" panunuya ko na rito while showing him my heels.

His eyes suddenly widened in alarm and fear saka taranta ng pinilit kumilos palayo sa'kin kahit hirap na hirap pa ito.

My smirk widened at the sight of him, liking the show so much that my desire to kill someone tonight ignited.

That's right. Matakot ka ulol. You have fortunately awakens my demons tonight so run.. Run while you still can...

When I stepped closer to his way and raised my heels to attack, mas lalo pa itong nataranta ngayon with his eyes tightly closed, probably waiting for the incoming pain that my heels would inflinct on him.

"Wag miss!! Maawa ka! Waaaag---"

"Sammy???! Anong nangyari dito?"

That made me groaned at the hear of Manny's voice from a distance. With a disapproval glare, I glanced at their way and found him and Bino with the other customers behind them came rushing to this direksyon.

I muttered a curse and put down my foot, annoyed na dumating pa ang mga ito but at the same time, grateful dahil kung hindi pa ito dumating... Hindi ko alam kung ano na sanang nagawa ko sa gagong 'to.

Closing my eyes while letting out a deep breath, I squeezed my eyes out while trying to control myself. Aware that people around us were giving me a weird look but I ignored that. Focusing myself on calming my self down.

Calm down, Sam.... calmn down.... Ikeep mumbling that while trying to have a hold of myself. But after a few seconds of just mumbling that to myself, I let out a deep breath when I felt slightly calmed now.

"Sammy, are you okay now?? Nasaktan ka ba ng tarantadong 'to?" came Bino's worried question which calmed me more down.

"I'm fine, Bino. I think you should ask that question to this idiot dahil kung hindi pa kayo dumating rito, I could've castrated his balls by now." I tried to joke sabay harap sa mga ito, causing them to chuckle at that.

"Kayo ng bahala sa gagong 'to. I'm going home now. By the way, ito nga pala 'yong kutsilyo ginamit ng gagong ito." Then I handed the knife to him na agad naman nitong kinuha 'yon and nodded with a grin at me.

"Sure thing, Sammy. We'll handle this from here."

I just nodded at him and then quickly bid my goodbye to them before I headed to my car.

Nakita ko pang dinampot nila ang lalaki before I drove off to my way. Nakangiwi parin ito hanggang ngayon. I must've done a good beating on him.

Shaking my head at that, I stepped on the accelerator.

Hindi ko na naman nacontrol ang sarili ko. Muntikan ko na namang gawin ang bagay na'yon kanina. And the worst was that thirst feeling to kill.

I could really be brutal once I lose control of myself.

Ito 'yong isa sa mga naging epekto ng trauma ko. Hindi ko agad mapigilan ang sarili ko dahil 'pag naiisip ko 'yong nangyari noon, I felt so useless and I don't want to be like that again. And because of my lust to have justice, I couldn't stop being violent sometimes.

You can call me brutal but I prefer the term suicidal.

I closed my eyes for a second then mentally shook my head to set aside that damn feeling.

I continued driving home, driving like a mad woman in a race.

That's right. Feel free Sam and calm yourself..

After a few minutes of driving, I calmed down more. And soon, nakauwi rin ako sa apartment ko habang humihikab na sa antok at pagod. Pagod because of all the events happened tonight and with this bloody heels!

I parked my car in front of my small apartment and quickly headed to the door. I opened it saka agad ng pumasok rito. I was greeted with my clothes scattered everywhere in my tiny living room. I was in a haste this morning kaya naman hindi ko na nailigpit ng maayos ito kanina.

Maliit lang ang apartment ko, may bathroom,small bedroom, maliit na kitchen at maliit na dining table good for me only. Medyo masikip but it was fine with me. I can afford to rent a bigger space than this, yes, but why waste my money kung pwede namang dito nalang ako. It was just all the same and this was way more economical. Dahil may mga bagay na dapat kong pag-iponan kaysa rito so that soon, magagamit ko 'yon sa tamang panahon.

And besides, I have no reason to enjoy such a luxury of life. All I need is to finish my mission here and maybe, go away after that or maybe...

Disappear....forever..

I shook my head when again, I thought about that. Agad ko ng hinubad ang jacket ko and then my shoes before I headed to my room and plopped down on my bed.

I furrowed my brows when no noise came from the people leaving next door.

Siguro tulog na. Then good. Almost every night at kahit early in a fucking morning kasi may mga milagrong nangyayari sa katabing apartment ko.

Sexual miracles to be précised.

Kaya nga halos late at night na'ko umuuwi rito to avoid hearing that damn 'happening' next door. Ganito talaga ang problema kapag nasa ganitong klase ng apartment ka. You can hear lots of 'unwanted' noise from your neighbors.

Pero dahil hindi naman ako naglalagi rito so it was fine with me.

Heaving up a breath, I shut my eyes closed, wanted to rest my mind now. Sleep is my priority for now kaya bukas nalang siguro ako magbibihis.

It didn't took me long before darkness claimed my consciousness together with that tragic memories in the past. After that traumatic accident years ago, hindi na'ko iniwanan ng mga alaalang 'yon. At first, halos mabaliw na'ko rito. Lagi akong binabangunot dahil doon but after a few years of having that with me, I became used to it and I'm practically living with that now. At hindi ko alam kung makakawala pa ba'ko sa bangungot kong 'yon.

Siguro saka lang kapag wala na'ko.. Kapag tapos na'ko sa misyon ko rito.

Hindi ko nga alam kong makakahanap pa ba'ko ng ibang dahilan para mabuhay after I solve this case.

Pero ang malaking tanong, meron pa nga kayang ibang dahilan para mabuhay pa'ko?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I jolted from my sleep when my phone loudly vibrated at my bedside table. With a protest groan and with still closed eyes, I blindly took it from the table and answered it without even checking the caller.

"Javier speaking." I groggily answered with eyes still closed.

Goodness. Ang aga-aga, sino ba 'tong tatawag-tawag sa'kin nga------

"At mabuti naman naisipan mo ring sagutin ang tawag ko bata ka!"

My eyes instantly fluttered open when I heard that booming voice of my aunt. Feeling like my sleepiness suddenly jumped out of the window at the hear of her voice.

Shit! I should've check the caller first. Pero wala na, andito na kaya I have no choice now but hear her famous sermon than hear that later.

Clearing up my throat, I started to explain.

"I'm sorry aunt. Busy lang ako these past few days. Mahirap yung mga cases ko. You know---"

"And I know you're into that pretending to be an escort girl again kesyo it was needed to solve that full of shit cases! Don't even try to deny it in my face Samantha!" I winced out with how he had shouted that.

Nasabi ko na bang iba kung magalit 'yong auntie ko? Rose nga 'yong pangalan nito but her attitude? Oh no. That's another story to tell. Pare-pareho lang kami ng attitude nito so I know her so well kung pa'no ito magalit.

At dahil ginamit nito ngayon yung first name ko, then that means I'm totally in deep shit now.

"Yeah, yeah auntie. I won't even deny that. I just need to do that para isang move ko lang, tapos na agad 'yong case na 'yun. Alam mong ayokong natatagalan sa mga ganung kaso so I have no choice but to pull that act." I explained but my aunt will always be my nagging aunt.

"Ah yes. Madali mo lang nasosolve 'yong mga cases na 'yan but you didn't even visit me last week! Goodness graces Samantha!"

I can't stop but rolled my eyes upward in annoyance. Annoyed with how she had called me.

Oh God, Samantha again...

"Auntie! I know I'm at fault here pero can you please stop calling me with my first name? You know I hate to be called by that name. So please..." I plead to her but I just heard a scoff from the other line.

"And I will call you with that name hanggang pupunta ka rito, Samantha. Pinayagan na nga kitang once a week mo lang ako bibisitahin dito pero hindi mo parin nag----"

"Okay, okay, Fine! I'll visit you later this day since wala naman akong ibang gagawin today." I finally said so that she will stop pestering me to death about not visiting her.

My aunt suddenly became silent pagkarinig nya sa sinabi ko.

At kahit na tahimik lang ito, alam ko kung anong meron sa mukha nito ngayon.

I can even picture her out having that victorious smile pasted on her face right now. Victorious for making me give in to her.

At kahit naiinis ako sa kanya, I can't help but smiled at the thought of her. She really have this habit of her, nagging me to death kapag may gusto itong ipagawa sa'kin.

After a few seconds of her silence, I heard her cleared her throat before she talk again.

"Good. Hihintayin kita rito. And..."

I raised my brow when she trailed that off with a tone of her voice sounding..... different.

She's into something again.

I groaned when the thought of her setting me up with men, again. Kaya nga ayokong pumupunta sa Tagaytay minsan dahil sa bagay na'yon..

"Don't you dare to set me up on a date again Auntie because I swear, hindi kita pupuntahan diyan. I'm not bluffing when I say this aunt. Alam na alam mo 'yan....."

I heard her grunted when I throw that threat.

Gotcha. I know that tone so well.

"Yeah, yeah. Ang gusto ko lang namang sabihin eh you can bring your boyfriend here with you kung gusto mo...."

Aargh! Na naman!

"Wala ako no'n aunt and I won't find one, not ever." I said with finality in my voice.

I can imgine her now nodding her head with understanding and eyes full of sadness. Kahit na ayokong nagiging malungkot ito, I have to do it para hindi na nya ako kukulitin pa uli.

I've no interest on men. Nor having attached on them.

"Okay, I understand. I won't set you up this time. Just come here later okay? Careful with the driving." She finally said, giving up with her ideas in mind.

Good.

"Okay. Thank you auntie."

After we bid our goodbye, we ended the call. I quickly throw the phone back to the table and glancing up at the wall clock across me, I checked the time.

5:35 in the morning? Seriously? Gumising talaga ito ng ganito kaaga just to make that call??

Goodness!. Dapat 6:00 am pa'ko gigising for my morning jog but given that I am so wide awake now, why not just prepare myself para maaga na lang ring akong makakapagjogging ngayon.

With that thought in mind, Agad na'kong bumangon and headed straight to the bathroom to hit the shower.

I felt like shit dahil sa mga nangyari kagabi. And I need to regain myself dahil mahaba-haba pa ang magiging biyahe ko mamaya.

Geez, just thinking about driving for hours was stressing me out now.

I mentally shook my head at that and just continued my morning necessities.

After a few minutes, handa na'ko for my morning jog with me clad with my leggings and t-shirt. This is how I start my day everyday. This is the best way to warm me up before heading to the office and work with an active brain.

I was about to head to the door when again, I heard that very familiar noise every fucking night and morning from next door.

Remember those miracles I mentioned about last night? Yes. Ito na nga 'yon.

I groaned and tightly closed my eyes in annoyance.

Goodness with these people! Ke aga-aga!

"I love you, Jack..... Ahh.. faster Jack! Harder!" the woman loudly moaned that with a loud creaking of bed can be heard from here.

Holy shit!

"Ahh... You're such an impatient woman baby.. ahh.."

Then again, the moaning can be heard louder than before.

Bloody people! Kaya nga ayokong gumising before 6:00 in the morning eh! Dahil sa pesteng ingay na'to!

This is all your fault aunt Rose! Argh!

I quickly sprinted a run to the door and evacuated that blasted place.

Even in the hall way, the noisy moaning and grunting of the two can be heard by anyone. Kahit na ang ibang tenant sa room na katabi ng inooccupy ng dalawa ay napapalabas na rin gaya ko.

"Hindi na nahiya!" sabi pa nito while running away from her room. Running away to save her innocent ears.

Kahit na inis na inis na'ko, I can't stop but chuckled at her funny reaction and just followed her out of the establishment. Dumiretso na'ko kaagad sa park na malapit lang dito.

I put my headsets in my ears with no music then continued running to start my day.

Wonder why no music?

Well, dahil mas maraming news akong nakakalap while jogging 'pag ganito. Maraming tao ang nagpupunta sa park every morning to exercise. At mas madaling makinig ng usapan if they think na hindi ko sila naririnig because I have a bloody headset in my ears.

Tsk,tsk...Quite careless.

Useful ang ganitong strategy for some P.I. like me.

And yes, double purpose ang morning activity na'to. Almost lahat ng nagpupunta sa park na'to ay mga big time na tao from the other side of this city kaya naman mas mainam kung ganito ang gawin ko.

Not long, nakarating na'ko sa park at medyo marami-rami na nga ang mga taong nandoon.

Good. Time for me to collect infos then.

I started jogging around the park with my eyes observing the people seated on the benches for a rest while the other were just stretching their limbs.

But after just a few rounds of jogging around the park, nagpahinga na'ko. Wanted to start my other reason why I'm here.

I walked to the nearby bench and took a sit there. The bench next to me was occupied by the two old men and the other side of my bench are women with the same age as me.

I don't think may makakalap ako ngayon. Parang hindi naman interesting ang mga topics ng mga ito.

The old men just talking about their health issues and the women were just talking all about boys.

Goodness.

I took a glance at my watch, I still have half an hour to spend here bago ako uuwi sa apartment ko. I'm sure wala ng ingay sa mga oras na 'yon.

I got up on my feet to do some stretching but stop when I heard my phone started to ring on my hip.

I took it and then checked the caller. Mahirap ng si Aunt Rose na naman ito.

My brows furrowed nang masino ito.

Boss Michael calling....

I wonder kung bakit napatawag ito. Maaga pa naman to even call me to his office now.

Well, you will know it kapag sasagutin mo ang call na'to, Sam. With hasty motion, I quickly tapped the receive button then answered his call.

"Sir."

"Javier, are you free today?" I furrowed my brows at his tone. Parang urgent kasi ang tone ng boses nito.

Oh God. Just let this be a good news. I took a deep breath before I answered.

"Yes sir. I'll be free this morning but not later this afternoon."

"Good. I want you in the office at 7:30 am. This is urgent."

That picqued my curiosity more.

"Is this about with my new case sir?"

Say yes please.

"Yes. Come here on time., Javier." When he confirmed that, hindi ko na mapigilang mapangiti. And since he said this 'urgent', then this means na interesting ang kasong ito.

"Sir, yes sir! I'll be there on time." I happily answered him. After the call has ended, tumakbo na'ko agad pabalik sa apartment ko. Excited to hear that news and to get to the office.

I still have an hour to prepare before going to the office so pwede pakong magluto for breakfast. I hope wala ng maingay sa apartment ko ngayon dahil ewan ko nalang kung anong magagawa ko sa kanila.

At 'yon nga, a few minutes later, I was thankful na tahimik na nga sa tabi ng apartment ko.

I quickly cooked for my breakfast. Wala naman akong maraming groceries stored in my ref so egg and hotdog will do.

If I haven't mentioned yet, great cook nga pala ako. Great cook 'pag prito-prito lang. Considered na luto parin naman yun 'di ba?

Well I guess so. Niluto nga sa apoy so it was still considered cook.

By the time na tapos na'kong kumain, I immediately wore my gray shirt and black jeans then partnered it with my sneakers. Why not wear my comfortable outfit para diretso na'ko agad ng Tagaytay mamaya after this meeting?

Tama..

I took my brown leather jacket from my wardrobe then rushed out of my room and off to my car. Not long, I am driving close to our office now. I quickly parked my car in front of the two-storey building I worked in. It was just actually a 10-15minutes drive from my apartment so I came here just on time.

It wasn't that big but a well known agency for reliable P.Is . I got out of my car then headed straight to the entrance of the building.

Konti lang ang present sa office today, the guards on duty at ibang PIs na nag-oovertime for their cases na kailangang matapos agad.

I ran to the 2nd floor and to my boss' office. I only have a few minutes to spare kaya halos tumatakbo na'ko. I don't want to be late kapag ganitong may mga cases na excited ako.

When I came at the main office's door, I took a deep breath before I knocked twice and pushed open that door to get inside.

Nang makapasok na'ko, I found Michael on his desk while talking with someone on his phone. He quickly ended his call pagkakita nito sa'kin. Agad na'kong lumapit sa mesa nito without even sparing a time to look around his big office.

"Sir."

"Javier. You're just on time."

Yes, indeed.

He got up from his seat at saka naglakad palapit sa'kin with a small smile on his face.

I wonder why he had that face right now. Hindi naman palangiti ang taong 'to so why now?

Oh, never mind. Basta maganda lang ang case na ibibigay niya ngayon, he can smile whenever he want.

"By the way Javier, I have someone here na ipakikilala ko nga pala sa'yo. He's our new client with a case na ihahandle mo. A special case to be exact."

Oh, special case.

Just hearing that, excitements bloomed inside me.

"And who could be this new client, sir?" I asked him with a small smile, hiding my excitement.

My boss smiled at me then tumingin sa may receiving area sa gilid ng office nito. Sinundan ko naman ang tingin nito. And there, the man sitting like a granite statue on the couch with his head bent down while seriously reading some newspaper in his hand.

Just looking at him, power radiating from this man just the way he sat. Sitting like he own that damn couch and this building.

May tao pala rito? I didn't even noticed that until now.

"Javier, I want you to meet our new client. He's here to hire a new P.I for his company and I think you are perfect for that job."

Hearing that from my boss, the man's head snapped up and then his bloody dark eyes landed on me.

And the instant our eyes met, a look of recognition quickly flickered on his eyes and an aggravated groan instanly escaped from me as my memories having a good spat with him last night came back.

"YOU!!" napapatayo pang saad nito while pointing his darn hands at me. As if I had owed him big before.

"Yeah, ako nga ito. Your badluck at your service." wala na sa sariling pang-aasar ko rito, can't still believe I am meeting him again three times in fucking row!