CALLUM''S POV (Empty)


    "You''re different now, huh. You look...in love"


    Napangiti ako habang umiiling. Hindi ko pinansin si Austine at nag patuloy ako sa pag pirma sa bagong project na gagawin namin.


    "Hindi ka pa nasanay kuya Austine," segunda ng kapatid kong si Ramon na hindi ko m kung bakit narito. "Sim no''ng mag buntis si Patricia, maslo siya''ng sumipag sa trabaho..." Kumunot ang noo ko.


    "Stop calling her just like that. Call her ''ate'', Ram" saway ko sa kapatid.


    "What''s wrong with that?" his lips lifted. "You''re 4 years older than her and she''s 1 year older than me..." he said teasingly.


    "I don''t care! Tawagin mo siya''ng ate!"? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    "Oh..." umawang angbi niya. "You''re a jealous pet!"


    He and Austineughed so I got annoyed.


    Maya-maya pa ay may tumawag kay Ramon kaya nag pam na rin siya''ng aalis. Si Austine ay nanatili parin sa office ko. He''s watching me like an idiot.


    "Wag mo naman masyadong galingan sa trabaho, bro! I noticed these past few days you''ve been so tutok sa trabaho," ani Austine habang naiiling. "Yung sipag mo sa trabaho parang may binubuhay kang limang anak hahaha!" I red at him. "Palibhasa kasi kahit girlfriend w ka,"


    His eyes widened and held his chest as if he was hurt. "Ang sakit. Foul yun, bro!"


    Natigil siya nang may kumatok sa pinto.


    "Come in," I said.


    I quickly stood up when I saw Peter. The investigator that I hired to investigate and gather information or evidence against the Laurier. He slightly nodded at me before offering a folder.


    "Maybe this time you have a positive report about them, Peter" Austine smirked.


    Kinuha ko ang folder at agad binut habang si Peter ay nakatayo sa harap ko.


    "It still doesn''t make sense, Peter" I said coldly. "What is this all about?"


    "Yung mga hawak natin na witness na nakakita kay Mr. Laurier na nakikipag-usap sa mga armadonglaki, patay na,"


    My jaw dropped and angrily stood up from the chair.


    I looked at him darkly. "What the fuck are you saying?!"


    His eyes flinched a bit. "T-They are shot to death yesterday when they just got out of the station, s-sir..."


    I clenched my fist and swallowed hard.


    "N-No way..." I said and shook my head. "How could that happen? Their security is too tight, right? But they still able to kill them?!"


    Sinipa ko ang upuan at tumalsik ''yon mpit kay Austine. Paano nangyari na naw agad ang witness namin? Paano na uusad ang kasoban sa mga Laurier!


    Austine cleared his throat. "It''s because Mr. Laurier is too witty and desperate. You know, they chose to fight in a dirty way,"


    "This is bullshit!"


    I promised Patricia that I will do everything just to send in prison the Laurier''s! At least in that way, she can feel that she''s safe. That ambush was so traumatic for her and I know that she is still afraid now. I brought her life closer to danger.


    "Our men didn''t do anything. Sniper ang pumatay sa kan..."


    Nanginig ang kamao ko sa sinabi ni Peter. Bumuga ako ng hangin at tumalikod paharap sa ss window ng office.


    I brushed my hair frustratingly.


    "W bang kahit anong bakas ng killer? Some suspicious person that time that we can use?" umaasa kong tanong. "How about the CCTV''s?"


    “W-W po, sir...” nangangambang sambit ni Peter. "But there''s something strange about Laurier''s minion and your ex, Zara Banner-"


    "She''s not my ex for fuck sake!" I shouted cranky.


    I heard Austin''s secretugh.


    Just hearing her name makes my blood boils. "What about her?"


    "It is not connected with our witness who was killed," I returned to the table when Peter sat down. "I reviewed some CCTV attached near Laurier''spany and saw some clips of that woman with Laurier''s minion..." Bumuhos ang pagtataka ko nang ibigay niya ang panibagong folder. I opened it and saw some photos of Zara talking to a man. Some photos show the man giving an envelope to her.


    "What did he give to Zara?"


    Dumilim ang mata ko at nalunod sa mlim na pag-iisip.


    "Don''t tell me she''s in the side of Laurier-"


    "No, sir" agad na putol ni Peter. "I think they''re up to something regarding the incident of your wife..."


    My brows furrowed. "Then find it out-"


    "Isn''t it better if you''re the one who''ll approach Zara?" Austine suddenly intervened in our conversation.


    "Why would I?" I snorted and red at him.


    He raised a brow. "She''s in love with you so it will be easier for you to get information from her. Who would have thought that she knew some Laurier''s secret..." He had a point.


    Even though I didn''t want to and I was thinking about how Patricia would feel, I was forced to call Zara and decided to meet her at a café...


    "I was really expecting that you would take the initiative to meet me,"


    Zara smirked at me and crossed her legs in front of me.


    "I will be quick, then. What do you know about Laurier''s?" I seriously asked. "I know you have something in your pocket. Something about them..."


    I greeted my teeth when I saw herughed.


    "How smart and investigative you are," she chuckled.


    "Just answer my question, Zara," mariin kong sabi, nauubos na ang pasensya ko.


    "Why in a rush, Callum? You don''t want to see me?" saad niya sa mmbing na boses kaya mas nairita ako. "Yes, I know something that you can use against them..."


    "How can I be so sure that you''re telling the truth?" I asked harshly and watched her closely.


    She''s a maniptive so I somehow felt unsure.


    "You may know me as a liar but this time, I''m telling the truth. I hired some people to disguise as a trusted assets for Laurier''s. I knew a lot about them. One of it is the ambush in the car involving the your driver, maid and your wife," I frowned and looked away.


    "Oh, gosh" she gasped unbelievably. "Still not convinced, huh? Well, here''s my evidence..."


    Tahimik kong pinagmasdan ang ginagawa niya. She took out a small device on her bag, turned it on then I heard some familiar voice from it.


    Tumingin muna si Zara sa paligid bago ngumisi sa''kin at inpit ang device.


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    "Our n is not sessful!" I heard Mr. Laurier angry voice. "Bukod sa hindi si Callum Vsquez ang naroon sa sasakyan kundi asawa niya ay hindi niyo pa natuluyan! I heard she was confine in a hospital!" My fist clenched.


    Kung w ngang kami rito sa café ay baka kanina pa tumpon angmesa sa harap ko. So it''s really his n all along. They want me dead even my wife!


    He should be thankful that Patricia is alive because if not, I will really kill him!


    "What are we going to do now? Their security are too tight now and that Vsquez will probably suspect me! Make sure that the men who worked on the ambush will not be recognized!"


    He drop my name.


    "And also... make sure to block their supplies to other businesses abroad! Ayaw ko na nlamangan ako ng mga Vsquez!"


    I knew it. He also has something to do with why our other deliveries are not reaching our business partners.


    This will surely a big help and evidence against them.


    "Just so you know, I hired some assets to watch over them and they unexpectedly reported me about this," Zara revealed and showed me some pictures of Mr. Laurier talking with our witnesses who''ve just killed! Inilhad ko ang kamay ko. "Give me those then if you want to help me,''


    Tinaasan niya ako ng ky bago humkhak.


    "Do you think it''s just that easy?" she mocked. "This is a heavy thing, Callum. I have so many thoughts in my mind..."


    Parang umakyathat ng dugo ko sa ulo at masama siya''ng tinignan. Padarang kong ibinagsak samesa ang kuyom kong kamao.


    "What do you fucking need, Zara?"


    "Oh, it''s just so good to hear if you''re saying my name..." she bit her lips and looked at me maliciously.


    I suddenly think about Patricia. Her angelic face and sweet smile shed in my mind that was so different with Zara.


    I felt my phone vibrated and saw Patricia''s messages. She''s asking where I was because I promised that I''ll be with her checkup today.


    Bumaling ako kay Zara na mki ang ngisi ngayon.


    "Just give me those damn evidence-"


    "Date me first," she said that made my jaw dropped. "You just can''t force me, Callum. Kangan may kapalit din. Hindi naman porket mahal kita ay ibibigay ko na sayohat ito-"


    "Are you out of your mind?" I almost shouted. "I have a fucking wife and will have a child soon and you''re still thinking of that?"


    I nced at my phone again when I saw Patricia''s calling. She''s surely mad now.


    "Dump your wife today, then. Date me now, tomorrow and the other day-"


    "Shut up! You fucking desperate-"


    "We are both desperate here, Callum" she chuckled. "I''m desperate with your attention and you''re desperate with these evidence. Patasng tayo..."


    In the end, I just got forced to be with her today...


    Labag sa loob ako''ng nag text kay Patricia na hindi ko siya masasamahan dahil sa biang meeting. I lied to her.


    "Uh, give me that cake and one cappino..."


    Zara stared at me after she ordered. "What do you want-"


    "I''m full"


    Ngumisi siya. "You''re really rude. m mong yan ang pinaka-nagustuhan ko sayo..."


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    Humigit ako ng mlim na hininga at mariin siya''ng tiignan.


    "I don''t have time for your games..."


    "Sorry, but I love ying with you. If you don''t want any drink, watch me finish my food then..."


    W ako''ng nagawa. I''m just giving her a deadly stare the whole time and she seems enjoying it.


    After in the café, she decided to go at the mall and be with her while shopping. I tried my best to hide my face while we were roaming the mall. I''m worried that someone might see us and tell it to Patricia. "Ihatid mo ako sa condo..."


    I closed my eyes intently because of frustration.


    Mkas kong hinampas ang harap ng sasakyan ko dahil nag demand pa si Zara na ihatid ko siya sa condo niya. Kita ko ang gt at palaki ng mata niya sa ginawa ko.


    After I got tired the whole day with her! We went to the café, mall, some restaurants and boutique! Yet she had the guts asking me to take her home!


    "C-Callum, sige na. W ako''ng sasakyan ngayon..."


    I let out a heavy sighed before entering my car.


    "Faster!"


    Nataranta siya at mabilis sumakay sa passenger''s seat. Mabilis ako''ng nag maneho at nang makarating sa building, gusto niya pa na ihatid ko siya sa loob. Damn it! Nakita kong nginitian si Zara ng mga staff sa lobby bago lumingon sa''kin. Nag iwas ako ng tingin at halos gusto nang itk si Zara dahil sa pag yakap niya sa braso. "Removed your fucking hands on me," I said with authority when we reach the elevator.


    "S-Sorry...thank you nga p sa pag hatid..."


    Umismid ako. "You''re nothing to me so why the hell I need to send you here. You just forced me,''


    I suddenly felt guilty thinking about my wife, Patricia. She don''t deserve this. I didn''t apany her to her checkup but I''m with Zara the whole day.


    She got silent.


    Nauna siya pagbas namin ng elevator at tumigil sa isang pinto. I''m just standing behind waiting her to get inside but the next thing she did was too fast. She suddenly faced me and kissed me passionately. T pinitik niya na ang huling gatiilyo ng pasensya ko.


    I grabbed her by the shoulder and pushed her. She fell on the cold floor.


    "Y-You fucking disgusting!" I shouted and pointed her. "What the fuck are you thinking? Or you were even thinking? Do you even know the word ashamed?!"


    Her face turned to pale as I started looking at her darkly.


    Mabilis ang pag hinga ko sa sobrang galit at tinalikuran nang siya bago ko pa masaktan.


    Ibinuhos ko sa sasakyan ang galit ko ngunit ng mala na may asawang naghihintay sa''kin sa bahay, mabilis ako''ng nag maneho pauwi.


    I got homete so Patricia is already asleep. I felt a lot of guilt while seeing her peacefully sleeping.


    Ak ko mapapaikot ko na si Zara sa sarili kong pd pero hindi.


    She tricked me.


    She asked for another day being with her, bothers me and even call me in the middle of the night. The evidence in her hands are so important and I just can''t force her for that.


    But I didn''t expect that my good rtionship with Patricia would be destroyed because of Zara''s deceptions. I never thought that in every moment I''m with her, she''s taking advantage. Our pictures together especially the one she''s kissing me broke not only Patricia''s heart, but also her trust for me.


    "Just prayed that she still forgive you..." Zara''sst words before I knew everything she did.


    In just a snap, everything I thought would be my happiness suddenly gone. My wife, Patricia, our rtionship, our child and our future family...