Ninth - Plan

“I'M SORRY, I'M LATE!”

I hurriedly occupied the seat infront of Marcus. Marcus is currently taking a scope of ice cream from the bowl infront of him. Now, he's wearing a plain dark blue shirt which is dissimilar from my white navy shirt.

“It's fine. I do actually enjoy eating these while waiting,” He answered and sign the food infront of him.

Wow, did he just swallowed all the inside of a couple of bowl infront?

“I woke up late, kasi..” I added and scratched the back of my head in sudden.

I remember what happened last night.  Dahil doon sa salitang sinabi saakin ni Xheidan, buong gabi ako napuno ng pag iisip kung paano siya iinisin kinabukasan. How dare him calling me ugly!

“Again, it's fine. Ice cream?” He offered me.

“Yes please,” I smiled timidly that makes Marcus chuckled for a bit. He then called for a waiter to come over.

While waiting for Marcus's order to get arrive, I just fixed myself and viewed him. I have just remembered what he have said to me yesterday.

“Ahm, about the website?” I asked in sudden. I watched how Marcus groan in a bit frustration while the spoon of ice cream is still inside his mouth. He look like a kid heared a command from his mother.

“Don't you see that I'm enjoying my ice cream here tapos ipa-aalala mo iyan?” He protruded his lips like a kid.

“Why? Hindi ba iyan ang pag uusapan natin?” I lift up my brows a little with my bottom lip arched up.

“Yes, but I was awfully daunted through it,” He sigh.

“Why? What's up?” I asked.

Marcus's order arrived as soon with a female waitress holding it with a huge smile plastered in her lips while eyes were in us. Nang makalapit siya at tumayo muna siya sa harapan namin at inilahad ang isang flyer. Me and Marcus's brows arched.

“Good morning, ma'am and sir! I'm Anne from the Ice Cream House's Team. We're offering a great experience for young couples for their anniversaries or special occasions to spend here in our houses, we also have a restaurant near the mall and using this coupon, you could get a nice discount if yo—”

“WAIT!” sabay naming sabi ni Marcus sakaniya bago kami mag katinginan.

We look at each other for a moment with a bugged eyes before suddenly grimacing to each other!

“WE'RE NOT COUPLE!” We said all together.

The waitress wen't out as a big question mark!

“E-Eh?”

My brows went aligned, dagdag pa nang biglang tumawa si Marcus. The the heck is he laughing at?!

“We're not couple, miss,” Marcus, holding his laughter.

The heck is this donkey laughing at?

“S-Sorry po! Sorry po! Last time ho kasi ay naka couple shirt kayo—”

“THAT'S NOT EVEN A COUPLE SHIRT????” I cut her yet Marcus laugh even louder!

Damn this guy! It's his fault! Ako ang naunang mag suot ng blue noong araw na iyon!

“Hala! Sorry po talaga ma'am! Akala ko ho talaga,” the waitress bowed her head. She apologized once again to us before even going back to the counter place with her face all red. I just sigh and lean on my chair as of that sudden.

I crossed my arms and look at Marcus who's still holding his laugh, he look like a kid! Next, my glance drop off to the ice cream just arrived. Masarap pero naburyo ako. Tamang hinala si ate!

“Do we look like a couple?” Marcus wondered and look somewhere..

I rolled my eyes. I pressed mg lips together and didn't reply. I took the bowl of ice cream instead.

“So, I'll meet your boss after this?”

I look at him. Why do he even keep babbling the word 'boss' as a pertain to Crizeliah? If Crizeliah is the boss, I'm the follower then?! A goddamn follower?! Well, it's halfly part of mg bad too for not telling him who's my 'boss' he use to called. He don't even know wether it's a guy or a girl.

“Yes, we'll go to her office in our University,” I answered.

Marcus's brows suddenly curved up. Without him uttering a word, I immediately prolong my utterance.

“In the university cause she do believe that this matter must be talk in private, ahm, knowing that she's the editor-in-chief, she had a nice office,” I added.

“Oh, it's a woman,”

I nodded and continue devouring my ice cream and merely watch him.

I thought back to the first time I saw his face in the website. I could still recall how dark his aura is and how cold it was while in there. I didn't foresee that he's like this, not that I abhor this personality of him, but what I have just presumed like he is a kind of cold guy comparable to Xheidan just honestly defy what he really is.

Marcus is nice, he's a happy living person, also keep on smiling and  his manner is well light.

Which oppose Xheidan. Tsk.

“I think we better should talk about the website in there?” Marcus asked.

“Okay lang naman,” I nodded.

Marcus nodded and continue depleting his bulk of ice cream.

“Stop staring, baka ako ang matunaw imbis ang ice cream,” he smirk.

I rolled my eyes from him.

“May tanong ako,” I emitted.

“May sagot ako,” He babbled.

I pressed my lips together. Parang timang.

“When I saw you in the website, bakit parang ang suplado mo? I mean, you're so dark in that time, you're face is blank and almost glaring. You're brows were also knotted, para kang nalugi but here, meeting you in person seems you oppose those what I've said. Palangiti ka pala,” I said, halfly laughing on way.

Marcus's nose wrinkled.

“Bawal ba maging masaya?” He laugh.

May sinabi ba ako?

“Ang pangit naman siguro kung habang nakaharap ako sa machine ko ag nakangiti ako? Edi inisip mong baliw ako?” He chuckled.

HE HAS A POINT.

“I'm alone in my room then I would smile all along, hello? Infact, you're face is what I have watched, do I suppose to smile?” he smirk.

“Hoy!” sita ko.

“In further, I'm not also having a good day during that time,” He added.

I pressed my lips together. Ang daming sinabi.

“Wait, are we friends?” I asked in sudden.

Marcus smirked like a dog, “Why, you want more than that?”

“I was just asking!” I rolled my eyes.

Marcus laughed at me.

We finished spending some of our time in the Ice Cream house, we have just left that place when Crizeliah ,slash my whatsoever boss, called me informing that she have already arrived in the University, in hence, we immediately head our way going to the campus. Surprisingly, Marcus brought his dark gray car. Timidly, I hopped inside it when Marcus pursued to use his car.

Nakarating kami sa office ni Crizeliah without wasting a long period of time,. It's a kind of nice that the traffic wasn't that heavy and Marcus took the nearest shortcut he have known for awhile.

“Good morning,” Crizeliah greet us.

Without any hesitate, Crizeliah stood up from her seat to greet Marcus who's now currently standing at my back. I step aside to gave Crizeliah a proper way to get through. I occupied the chair beside the table.

“It's nice to finally meet you,” I heared Crizeliah uttered.

I look around, it's literally quiet inside. Hindi na ako nag tataka dahil walang pasok sa araw na ito. I just look at them when they finally took their seat.

“Are we allowed here? Walang pasok, hindi ba?” I asked Crizeliah.

Crizeliah looked at me.

“Ofcourse, nakapasok nga kayo, diba?” She raised her brows.

I rolled my eyes.

“'Di wow,” I whispered.

“I guess we shall start?” Marcus uttered his words for the first time.

Slowly a bit, I nodded as agree in Marcus's words.

I hope this end well fast, I have something to do after this.

“I would love to, but sadly, may hinihintay pa tayo,” Crizeliah uttered while pressing her lips together.

Napatingin ako kay Marcus. He also glanced to me as of Crizeliah's answer. I just gradually nodded while he gave me a smile. After a bit, I just found him pulling out a cornetto from his small back he have been carrying.

Sana all may take out.

“By the way, my name is Crizeliah,” She offered a hand to Marcus who's now busy ripping off the cover of his ice cream. I giggled.

“Marcus,”

I look away. Maybe I should just let them know each other for a meantime. In instance, all I see myself if to wait this occurrence to be done, but maybe waiting isn't really nice accompanied with my history dahil kahit five minutes palang ang pag hihintay namin ay naiinis na ako. Who are even they to be awaited like this?! VIP?

“Sino bang hinihintay natin?” I asked Crizeliah.

My butt seems felt the hot and itch of the soft chair I was seated, although the thought of five minutes was just up. If Marcus is to be tell, I could say that waiting is fine for him, he has his ice cream so I think he's really cool with waiting. Kahit kanina nang late ako ay ayos lang sakaniya dahil may nalalamon siyang pag kain.

“Speaking of who. Here they are,”

Crizeliah's eyes were occupied at the back of us. Her eyes weren't even screaming of pleased but a kind of infuriate cupped it. Without any hesitation, I looked at my back and so what Marcus did to see who have just arrived.

Bahagya nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makita ang mga pumasok. My eyes were bugged and my brows went align while watching them walking towards us. I coulnd't believe that I'm seeing them here.

Like, BAKIT NANDITO KAYO?

“What in a freaking hell does that two doing here?!” I rapidly looked at Crizeliah.

I was seriously pertaining to Tax and Xheidan! They were those who entered Crizeliah's office without any mark of hesitance in their eyes. Baka sila nga talaga iyong tinutukoy ni Crizeliah. But in my head is a question of a big WHY! I mean, I have known that I've suggested to Crizeliah to include Xheidan to us, I was still confused why he is here—well, although the answer is already known in my head, I was complete confused! We both know Xheidan, kahit gustuhin pa ni Crizeliah na isama si Xheidan, Xheidan won't concede dahil hindi niya naman gusto ang mga ganito.

In Tax's case. WHY THE HELL IS HE HERE? Kung kay Xheidan ay may maiisip pa akong rason, in Tax's case, I don't know anymore!

HELLO? BAKA TUMAWA LANG SIYA RITO????

“Si Xheidan. I thought we don't need him? Bakit nandito 'yan?” I lift off my glare to Xheidan who's just silently watching us. Nang mahuli niya ang tingin ko ay umirap siya.

Tsk! Akala niya ba ay nakalimutan ko na ang sinabi niya saakin kagabi? I'm telling you Xheidan, I'll get back to you.

“Yeah, we don't really but the jerk have BUGGED into my phone AGAIN and heared us talking about THIS ang then blackmailed me that he WOULD told the committee about my edict on you to investigate him IF I won't include him. I told you, he's an ASS,”

Crizeliah glared at Xheidan.

Blackmailer huh?

“Eh si Tax?” I added.

Crizeliah breathe. “Would you please quit asking?” She rolled her eyes.

TANONG LANG NAMAN!

I glanced at Xheidan. He's finely leaning his back in his chair with his arms crossed. What comes into his mind to blackmailed Crizeliah just to include him? Speaking of Xheidan, he have just caught me looking at me dahilan para mataray niya akong pag taasan ng kilay.

TSK!

“Ayaw mo ba akong kasama, Asthreittle? Akala ko pa naman friends tayo,” Tax groan dramatically and held his chest infront of me.

I rolled my eyes and look away.

“We must start!” Crizeliah declared.

Umayos ako ng upo habang ang mukha ko ay busangot. I know I should not feel so bad today but seeing Xheidan and remembering what happened yesterday, I'm still pissed off.

“So, the main purpose of this what I could called team up is to find out who's the person behind this website.” Crizeliah placed a paper which showing the website. “I know that each of us have an idea what's up with that website so I hope that there would be no questions of why ahead”

“Are you paying them too?” I asked with my arms crossed.

“Up to them,” Crizeliah's glance drop to the three guys.

I look at Marcus. He is just silently listening around with his face now turned serious.

“Marcus..” I called him making him look at me and slightly raising his brows.

Makahulugan kong itinaas ang kilay ko sakaniya. I was wondering of he would like to be paid. Mayaman naman siya.

“Magkano? Ako, ayaw ko! BWAHAHAHAHA,” Tax laugh.

We all looked at him.

See, all he would probably going to do is to laugh!

Crizeliah raised his brows to Xheidan who have just gasped.

“I don't even need your money,” Xheidan said scarcely to Crizeliah.

“I don't even need you here,” Crizeliah shot.

We all cupped by a silence.

But innerly, I was like...

BURN, SUNOG! 911, THERE'S SOMEONE BURNING IN SAVAGE RIGHT NOW!

“Tss..”

Crizeliah's eye now drop off to Marcus. Hindi na iyon matalim kumpara kay Xheidan kanina.

“I'm not interested in money,” Marcus said with a small curve in his lips.

Napatango tango ako. All of they weren't interested to receive any payment from Crizeliah, ofcourse except of me who have already gotten a weeks ago.

Ganito nga siguro kapag mayayaman. Kahit pera na ang lumalapit, hindi sila interesado dahil marami na sila nito. Sana all.

After Marcus's words, no one uttered any single word again. Even Tax who keep on smiling zipped his mouth and carry on the silence around. Hindi lamang maiwasan ang pag tatama ng mga mata namin ni Crizeliah. Well, she don't even know how to start.

“Ehem,”

We look at Xheidan as of his sudden loud hem. I knit my brows when our eyes met.

“Are we only gonna act grieving here?” He asked grumpily.

I was already about to utter a word to shot on Xheidan because I was currently thinking to continue teasing him till now but sadly, Crizeliah seems to do it first.

“Only if you're the one that dead,” Crizeliah shot to Xheidan.

“Guys, kalma. Kung mag aaway lang pala kayo rito, dapat hindi nalang kami pumunta,” I said.

I look at Xheidan. He lean straightly this back over the chair.

I protruded my lips. The atmosphere inside this huge room isn't really not that nice, kung papipiliin ako if I would rather go home of stay here, I was probably already in my apartment unit.

“Whoo,” Marcus let out a breath.

“Okay, sorry for that.” Crizeliah “I'm not going to blabber any nonsense anymore, let me discuss it directly to the point but first, I want to make sure that all of you were all fine doing this. I want to asked, why you accepted my offers,” She looked each of us.

I look over lower to think of it. Why do I accept this offer? Well, I don't even accept it in the first place but the money is the one I've accepted, so maybe my reason is feeling the oblige to do this. Such a shallow.

“Ahm, cause I'm oblige,” I uttered.

We look at Marcus who's now protruding his lips.

“I find this interesting. Infact, I would like to find out who's the person behind that website too, although I know that I could do that alone,” Marcus answered.

I watched Marcus, he just looking at us and conveying our inner soul by his words. I bit my lower lip. Why do we even have to find out who was it. I know Crizeliah have already told me her reason, still, I do believe that she has deeper. After all thing that have happened, I could never sure that this thing would work out like what we're imagining. If we knew who's the person behind that website, what would it benefit to us? Are we going to feel the secure we were aiming in the first place? Will everything would turn out well after we knew it? Is our government would would now be fair in on a right hand any more? What if doing all these thing would just open another door of nuisances and burden to us? What if we found out that the whole government is all awful? What would happened?

I hardly closed my eyes. I think that I should calm myself.

I looked and watched them, now Xheidan is the one who's looking at but as usual, ofcourse, Tax would not let us made him as last.

“Ako, I'm here cause you guys are here. Ang sweet ko 'no?” He said, smiling.

We all just look at Tax, hugged by a silence before dropping off our glance to Xheidan. He crossed his arms while Tax looks betrayed.

Iyak ka muna.

“I want to help,” Xheidan uttered casually.

“I don't believe you,” Crizeliah said.

Napatingin ako sakaniya. I just literary watched them while silently hoping that they won't argue once again.

“I'm not asking you to believe,” Xheidan replied.

Crizeliah's eyes fixed to Xheidan for a second before finally looking away heavenly.

“How about you? What's your reason?” Xheidan firmly asked Crizeliah. His eyes were devouring and confusing the whole system around. His usual eyes and dark aura sa is hugging the entire room.

I watched how Crizeliah's eyes went dept to Xheidan. Parang ang mga mata nila ay nag uusap ng sarinlan.

“BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

We all looked at Tax with a huge question in our face. What the fuck?

“Tax!” I said.

“Sandali! Ang seryoso niyo kasi? Huwag kayong mag away,” Tax continued after messing in the middle of stare fight between Crizeliah and Xheidan.

“Whew, I though I'm going to film a live boxing,” Marcus commented.

“Hindi na ako mag papatumpik tumpik pa. We're all here to dicuss our plan on how to find out the person behind that website,” Crizeliah said and lean off her back over her chair. “Our only lead and thing could be use to find out who was it, is only that website. It's either we'll hack it or find the location of the device used in website,”

“The programmer is genius. When Asthreittle and I tried to access the font camera on the website, it just navigate us to each other. Ang problema rito, hindi tayo diretsong madidivert sa programmar, instead, just to the person viewing the website the same time with you,” Marcus said.

Napa tango tango ako. That was exactly what happened to us.

“In tracking the location of the device used to program the website, we couldn't be sure. Baka idivert lang rin tayo sa ibang device. I have already tried a lot to track the programmer's IP address, mahirap cause there's no other option shown in the website,”

I bit my lower lip and think of something could suggest.

Crizeliah let out a sigh. “If that's so, I think hacking that website is our only way,”

I shift over my position and look at Crizeliah with a bit confusion in my eyes. I just contemplate for a meantime to find a moment to utter my words.

“I think hacking that device would define us as an antagonist for whoever that person if they knew what we're doing. Pwede nilang isipin na tuta tayo ng politikong napabagsak niya dahil sa ginagawa natin. In that case, I do think that it would be such a dangerous,”

I saw Marcus nodded, I also saw Xheidan lightly nod.

“May tanong ako,”

They all looked to me.

“So what if we find out who's the person behind that website? What are we gonna do? I know hindi na iyon sakop ng bayad ko, but this case is too risky. I want to know kung ano ang mapapala natin after nito,” I continued.

We all looked at Crizeliah as she cleared her throat and seated straightly.

“We would help him or her to deal with this,” She raised her chin. “I'm willing to help that person na mapabilis ang pag papakulong sa mga politikong makasalanan. Think it was shallow but it is really is,”

Matiim ang pag kalabigkas ni Crizeliah ng mga salitang ginamit niya. I just couldn't stop myself from thinking that Crizeliah still have something that she's holding on too. Whatever it was, I hope it would not bring any scourge to us cause I trust her, she's the editor-in-chief so I'm expecting the best of her.

I hope so..

I couldn't tell.

“Do you think they even need our help?”

We all looked at Xheidan who's now firmly seated in his seat.

Ano na naman ba ang chika niya?

“We're not even sure if the person behind that website is alone. We can't tell. There are probably a group of people or team working and dealing with that website. Do you think a one single person could execute that kind of thing? Like what Asthreittle have said awhile ago, this is too risky, no crazy person would fearlessly faced that alone. Think of it, that website is silently working againts those powerful politicians. Do you think someone would face that as brave as you can imagine?” Xheidan said while firmly and calmly seated in his chair.

I slightly rolled my eyes when he mentioned my name. I just pressed my lips together para hindi maipahalata ang maliit na ngiti na kumurba sa labi ko.

That's his first time calling me by my name.

But..

PAKE KO???

“I do agree to him. He has a point but we can't also said lalo na't wala tayong lead na kung ano,” Marcus commented.

“Ako rin agree,” Tax said.

“And also, helping is not well understandable. Do you think that if we knew who they are, they would let us help them? Like what Asthreittle have also said awhile ago, if they knew what we're doing, they would probably think that we are a politician's or government puppet,” Xheidan added.

I knitted my brows to Xheidan who was just firmly looking at the piece of paper in the table. When he raised his glance, it met mine. I just look away and bite the insides of my cheeks.

Why do he keep uttering my name?!

I sigh. If Xheidan keeps on opposing all Crizeliah's word, I won't be surprised if Crizeliah would kicked him out of this office sooner or later. Bakit pa niya ginustong isama siya rito kung ganito siya?

“So what do what to happen?” Crizeliah raised her brows to Xheidan.

Crizeliah's firm tone way of words brought a different atmosphere inside the whole office. The tiks of the clock went too audial around. Parang mag kakonektado ang mga mata nilang dalawa.

“I have plan,”