Chapter 2 - The Unlikely Partner

White crop top that fits perfectly on her slender waist, topped with an elegant cutout blazer that matches her white skirt. Her luscious soft pink curls bounced smoothly as she struts her killer legs along with her killer heels.

Walang kawala ni-isang mata—lahat ng masalubong niya ay napapatingin sa kanya. Bumukas ang pinto ng elevator sa may lobby at nag-uunahan pa na pumasok ang mga tao sa loob nito.

Papasara na sana ang ito nang makita nila ang magandang babae na papalapit sa kanilang direksyon. Mabilis pa sa alas-kuwatrong nagsipag-urungan ang mga kalalakihan sa loob saka pinindot stop button makasabay lang siya.

Halos mapunit ang mga labi nito kangingiti habang papalapit ang dalaga. Ngunit ngumiti lamang ito sabay liko sa deluxe elevator para sa mga VIP guests.

She swiped her golden card to gain access and the door immediately opened. Pumasok siya sa loob at kaagad pinindot ang close button.

Prente siyang sumandal at pinagkrus ang dalawang braso sa kanyang dibdib. Habang pinagmasdan ang unti-unting pagsara ng pinto. Ngunit bago pa ito tuluyang sumara ay isang kamay ang biglang humarang sa pagitan nito at muling bumukas.

Kaagad siyang napangiwi. Lalo na no'ng makita ang binatang biglang sumulpot sa kanyang harapan. Nakita palang niya ang ngiti nito, kumulo na kaagad ang dugo niya.

Pumasok ang binata at kaagad sumiksik sa tabi niya kahit napakaluwag naman espasyo sa loob ng elevator.

"Hi there, sexy," he whispered huskily with a naughty grin.

Kinilabutan tuloy siyang bigla, isama mo na rin ang pag-ikot ng sikmura niya—gusto niyang masuka. As in sukahan itong mismong kumakausap sa kanya.

 Asar siyang ngumiti. "I know right?"

She can't help but frown while looking at this young man standing beside her. He smoothed out his navy blue suit and adjusted his sleek black-rimmed glasses that somehow gave him a dignified look.

But no matter how serious his outfit may be, it can never hide those smile of a playboy.

Tahimik siyang nilingon ni Zea saka tinitigang mabuti mula ulo hanggang paa. "So, kapag naka-blue ako, naka-blue ka rin? Kapag naka-salamin ako, naka-salamin ka rin?"

"Ayaw mo ba?" tanong nito saka muling gumuhit nakakalokong ngiti sa mga labi nito. "Kasi puwede ko naman hubarin, kung ayaw mo—"

Lumaki ang kanyang mga mata no'ng bigla itong lumapit at akmang huhubarin ang suot nito sa harap niya mismo.

"Utang na loob!" pigil niya. "Ngayon ka na nga lang nag-mukhang tao, huhubarin mo pa?"

"Nag-mukhang guwapo?"

"Nagmukhang tao, bingi!" 

Natawa lang sa kanya ang lalaki. Napatigil silang pareho no'ng biglang tumunog ang bell at bumukas ang pinto ng elevator.

"Finally," sambit ni Zea sabay ngiti. "You don't know how happy I am knowing that I no longer have to work with you."

Pabirong sumimangot ang lalaki.

Zea flipped her hair and stepped out of the elevator. And the guy just stood there, with a naughty grin onto his face as he watched her strut into the hallway.

She entered a glass-paneled hallway and streak of blue laser lights scanned her from the head, the intricate pattern of her retina, and down to her toes.

"Access granted. Welcome, Agent Red Velvet." The steel door opened after the automated voice prompt.

Kaagad napangiti si Zea no'ng makita ang matandang lalaki na nakaupo sa desk. Kaagad siyang lumapit dito at sinalubong ito ng mainit na yakap. "It's nice to see you again, Uncle Ram. Kamusta na po kayo?"

"Mabuti. Lalo na ngayon at nakita ka." His gentle eyes smiled as he happily patted her shoulder. Like what he used to do when she's still a little child. "Have a seat."

Sabay silang naupo.

"How's your mission in Russia?"

"Everything went well Uncle. They already deposited the money thru your account," mabilis niyang sagot sabay ngiti. Tintigan niyang mabuti ang tiyuhin na tila nag-aabang ng magandang balita.

"Hindi ka makapaghintay ano?" sambit nito at sabay pa silang natawa. "Well... you just have to wait."

Kumunot bigla ang noo ni Zea. "Wait for what?"

"Oh! There he is..." nakangiting sambit nito sabay tingin sa direksyon ng pinto.

Kaagad siyang lumingon nang marinig no'ng may marinig na taong paparating.

A silhouette of a dashing man wearing a sleek blue suit walked towards them. And a familiar sexy smile crossed upon his lips.

"Ikaw?" Halos malaglag ang panga ni Zea no'ng makita muli ang binata.

Yumuko ito at bahagyang inilapit ang kanyang mukha sa dalaga. "You don't know how happy I am —knowing that you and I will work together again." pabulong na wika nito sabay ngiti. "Damn baby... we're so meant to be." 

Inis na napangiwi si Zea. Nakakainis talaga ang lalaking ito, ang sarap sipain sa bayag nang sampung ulit.

Mariing umubo si Uncle Ram. "Looks like you two don't need an introduction. Mr. Ethan Weiss, please have a seat." He tossed two envelopes on top of the table at mabilis naman itong kinuha ng dalawa.

"I believe you've been waiting for this job for a long time." Uncle Ram looked intently at her niece.

Humigpit ang pagkakahawak ni Zea sa papel na binabasa saka muling napatingin sa kanyang tiyuhin.

Her old smiled at her and nodded his head. As if he understood that look in her eyes.

"This is a highly classified mission, agents. The Government wanted to investigate this case for a long time. But due to the big persons involved. From high-ranking officials, both in the army and the police force, to prominent politicians that we have today. They decided to hire a specialized group that has entirely no connection with these people —that's us. And with that, both you will go on an undercover mission."

A picture of a well-known university flashed on the LED screen.

"As a professor?"  tanong ni Ethan.

"No—as a student."

An awkward silence ran in between them. Ngunit makalipas ang ilang segundo ay hindi na rin napigilang matawa ni Ethan. "Seryoso, Sir?—student talaga?" Halos maluha na siya sa katatawa. Ngunit unti-unti rin itong napatigil no'ng mapansin na hindi natutuwa ang matanda niyang superior niya.

"I'm not kidding, Ethan. Don't take this mission too lightly," patuloy ni Uncle Ram. "The reason why I hired you both is that we're not dealing with amateurs here. May mas malaking mga bagay na hindi niyo nalalaman na nagaganap sa loob ng university na yan."

A logo flashed on the screen. —SIBS

"I heard of that group before," mabilis na sagot ni Ethan.

"Yes, it is a well-known charity organization that operates inside the university. Para sa mga estudyante, isa itong fraternity. Pero ang pakay talaga ng grupo ay kumuha ng mga orphans, out-of-school youth, and street dwellers. They give them food, shelter and provide them with good education—sounds noble, huh?" Uncle Ram continued to the next slide.

"But little did they know is that they train them to be the best in their profession, so they can work for the organization. Out of their gratitude towards the organization. Naninilbihan sila sa samahan. Even if illegal na ang pinapagawa sa kanila. They got the best lawyers and connections sa mga pulis. Produkto ng SIBS ang mga yan. Their bond is so strong, tikom ang bibig ng mga ito. Ganito sila ka-solido." dagdag niya saka seryosong tiningnan ang dalawa.

"Your mission is to enter the university as a student and be part of this SIBS Organization. Zea will go undercover as a high school student and you, Ethan as a college student." Inabot ni Uncle Ram sa kanila ang ilang mga dokumento kasama na rin ang dalawang plane ticket. "You'll be flying to Manila first thing in the morning. So get ready."

Marahang gumawi ang mga mata ni Uncle Ram kay Zea. "I know you've been waiting for this case for a long time. But promise me that you'll not do anything impulsive." Inabot niya ang kamay nito saka mahigpit na hinawakan. "Minsan nang nawala sa akin ang Dad mo. Ayokong pati ikaw mawala rin sa buhay ko."

Muling niyakap ni Zea ang tiyuhin at paulit-ulit na tumango ito. "Pangako Uncle, magiingat ako."

"This case is highly dangerous. That's why I hired Ethan. I bet you already know what this guy is capable of," buong kompiyansang wika nito sabay tapik sa balikat ng binata.

Napasimangot na lang si Zea. "Wala naman po akong choice di ba?"

Buong tamis na ngumiti sa kanya si Ethan. "I told you it's a sign," wika nito sabay finger heart.

Ngumiti rin sa kanya si Zea sabay taas ng middle finger sa harap ng binata. "This is the only sign I know."

Mariing umubo ulit si Uncle Ram, matigil lang ang bangayan ng dalawa. "As I was saying, Ethan will lead this mission. You will report and follow direct orders from this man. But for now, I want you to review the files I gave you. I'll talk about the other details once you're already settled in Manila."

Uncle Ram immediately left after the briefing. Leaving them both inside the empty conference hall—staring at each other's face.

Zea looking totally pissed and Ethan looking overly excited —at her boobs.

Inis na napabuntong-hininga si Zea.

"Mukhang hindi naman mission ang aatupagin ng isang ito eh" inis na sambit ni Zea sa sarili.