Chapter 23: Busted

~VICTORIA~

"N, halika rito."

Tumakbo ang bata tungo sa direksyon ng lalaking tumawag sa kanya. Agad siyang humawak sa kamay nitong nakalahad at sinabayan itong maglakad habang magkahawak-kamay.

"Malapit na ang ika-walong kaarawan mo, N," wika ng lalaki. Hindi man lamang masulyapan ng bata ang mukha nito.

"I'll be 8, Dad! What will I have on my birthday?" Excited na tanong ng bata.

"What do you want?"

"A tight hug and one more story at bedtime!"

"I can give that always."

"But that's what I want."

Yumuko ang lalaki upang magpantay ang mukha nila ng bata. "Think of something that you'll be able to live comfortably with when you grow up, Tart."

"Pero Daddy, iyon ang kailangan ko. I can live comfortably with that!"

Huminga ng malalim ang lalaki. "Daddy doesn't always have bedtime story, sweetheart. I will run out of all the stories in the world."

"E di ulitin mo na lamang 'yong mga naikwento mo na, Dad."

Mas lalong napabuntong-hininga ang lalaki. Hinawakan niya ang magkabilang pisngi ng bata. "Listen sweet tart, Daddy will not always be by your side."

"What?! Why is that?"

"Daddy have to go somewhere."

"I will go with you!"

Napabalikwas ako ng bangon sa kama. Hinablot ko ang tumbler na nasa gilid at agad na uminom. Heto na na naman ang panaginip ko tungkol sa mag-amang iyon. Dati ko pa iyong napapanaginipan mula pa noong bata pa lamang ako at hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa rin kilala kung sino ang batang iyon.

Sigurado ako na hindi iyon ako. Mahaba at tuwid ang buhok ng bata. Kahit anong isip ko rin sa mukha nito ay malayong-malayo kami. Sinubukan ko ring tingnan ang mga dating larawan nina Gia at ng iba pa naming pinsan ay wala rin akong makitang kamukha ng bata.

Minsan ko na rin na naisip na marahil ako ang batang iyon at nadisgrasya ako kung kaya't wala akong maalala tungkol doon. Kaya rin hindi ko makilala ang bata ay dahil napasailalim na ako sa plastic surgery kaya iba na ang mukha ko ngayon— pero hindi.

Wala man lamang akong kahit isang peklat sa katawan na nagsasabing nadisgrasya ako dati. Pinasuri ko rin sa eksperto ang mukha ko at ayon sa kanya ay walang palatandaan na dumaan sa kung ano mang surgery ang mukha ko.

Naisip kong marahil ay isa akong witness sa buhay ng batang iyon. Minsan ko ring napanaginipan ang bata na walang humpay na umiiyak. Sa ngayon ay kailangan kong alamin kung ano ang nalalaman ko tungkol sa batang iyon.

Dumako ang tingin ko sa relos sa mesa. Isasagawa na namin mamayang gabi ang aming proyekto na kung magagawa namin ng maayos ay magpapakilala na sa amin ang nasa 'taas'.

Tumayo ako sa kama at nagsimulang maghanda. Kailangan naming magtagumpay mamayang gabi. Kailangang-kailangan.

~SA-EL~

My eyes scanned through the blue print of the hotel na tinutuluyan ngayon ng pekeng Ambassadress. I have few things in thought, including our operation few hours. Matapos ang ilang araw na paghahanda at pagbubuntot kay Margaret, Mimo was able to identify her routines.

I already made manipulations with the hotel vents and other escape routes. For normal circumstances, I would have thought that our plan is flawless and success is guaranteed. In this case, I am not confident. We're not dealing with a normal person. Margaret Hakonsson aka Victoria is a burglar-murderer na namamayagpag sa larangan niya dahil hanggang ngayon ay kinikilala pa rin siya bilang si Margaret and no one stepped in para pasinungalingan ang kanyang pagkatao.

"Alam mo ba kung ano ang iniisip ko?"

Napalingon ako sa nagsalita sa gilid ko. Inihahanda ni Mimo sa kanyang backpack ang mga kailangan namin.

"What?"

"I don't think our plan will work," sagot ni Mimo. "Pero gawin pa rin natin, we'll take the contingency plan if this doesn't work."

Gusto kong sabihin sa kanya na ganoon din ang iniisip ko but I didn't. I believe in the law of attraction and I don't want to attract such negative thoughts. Ayaw kong mas lalo pang isipin na maraming butas ang plano namin.

The plan is simple. We didn't depart from the basics of burglary. Margaret knows the drill at malamang ay iniisip niyang mas magiging creative kami sa pagkakataong ito. We preempted such move from her kaya ang basic ang ginawa namin which we thought she wouldn't have prepared.

"Aalis na ako," wika ni V. Nakasuot siya ng normal lamang na damit but we know that she wore something for her to do her part easier.

Nang umalis si V ay sumunod naman kami ni Mimo. At gaya ng nakaugalian ay hindi namin kasama ang hacker which God knows wherever he is. May komunikasyon pa rin naman kaming apat and the hacker is probably doing his part while sitting.

Mag-aalas nuebe na nang gabi at bandang alas dyes namin balak na isagawa ang proyekto. Isinantabi muna namin ang pag-iisip sa Lupin III, ang mga impostor. The hacker said they probably know about us but they aren't taking actions. What they do is steal credits of our doings.

Pagdating namin sa hotel ay wala namang unusual na nangyayari. There were guards on the hallway, at iyon ay upang bantayan si Margaret na nananatili sa hotel na iyon.

Mimo and I checked in and we ignored the looks of other guests, probably thinking something lewd. Yeah, I can't blame them. Mimo is old while I am young and very handsome-

"Napaka-conceited mo talaga, Verona," Mimo whispered which caused my forehead to crease.

"What?" Natampal ko na lamang ang noo ko. I forgot Mimo is a mentalist and he can control minds. How come he could read minds? I don't think that's possible.

"There are factors that one can read minds," wika niya. "Even psychiatrists know how. Don't make it a big deal."

I gave him my poker face and checked my phone. The hacker gave a go signal to start our plan. Kapag nakatanggap kami ng go signal mula sa kanya, that means he already tampered with the hotel's security camera system and messed with the hotel's computerized transactions as well. That way ay magiging abala ang buong hotel at hindi nila mapapansin ang mga ginagawa namin.

Inayos ko ang suot na communication device. Doon nakikipag-communicate ang hacker sa amin.

"Aisle on the left, ang food cart na parating ay patungo sa silid ni Margaret."

Mimo smiled at the hacker's information. "Okay."

We checked the hallway sa magkabilang gilid at so far ay wala namang paparating. Sinalubong ni Mimo ang staff na may dalang cart at malawak na ngumiti.

"Hello, para sa akin ba ang cart na 'yan?" tanong niya rito.

"Sorry, Sir-" Hindi na nito natuloy ang sasabihin dahil inakbayan siya ni Mimo. He snapped his fingers in front of him at may ibinulong dito. After few moments, the staff opened a door on the side which was a room for cleaning materials. Umupo siya roon at niyakap ang mga tuhod.

"Anong binulong mo sa kanya?" tanong ko.

Mimo pushed the cart towards our room. "Sinabi ko lang naman na maglalaro kami ng tagu-taguan at hindi siya lalabas doon hangga't walang makakakita sa kanya."

"Good job, old man."

He cringed and change into a staff uniform. Ilang sandali lamang ay lumabas na siya ng silid at tulak-tulak ang cart patungo sa silid ni Margaret.

I reviewed the plan we have in mind. V is probably somewhere doing her part, samantalang nanatili naman ako sa silid at hinihintay ang senyas ng hacker. He's in control of everything dahil siya ang may access sa CCTV cameras ng hotel at maging sa ilang camera na nasa silid ni Margaret na in-install ni V kahapon, nang magpunta sa isang broadcasting station si Margaret para sa interview.

I checked the materials I have inside my bag. So far, nothing was missing pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasang kabahan. I waited more and few minutes later, I heard the hacker giving me the cue.

"Kumakain na ngayon si Margaret. I also alerted the management that she asked for a room service later."

I immediately changed into the service crew uniform at kumuha ng cleaning cart. Itinapon ko ang laman ng mga cleaning products at pinalitan iyon ng mga chemical na dala ko. We're planning to create a small explosion using this chemical in case the plan fails. The explosion won't be fatal and will only buy us time to escape using our emergency escape route.

I just hope everything turns out to be as planned.

~RYU~

Napasandal ako sa swivel chair habang minamasahe ko ang mga daliri ko. Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa mga monitor na nasa harapan. I have a lot of things in mind but I was feeling nervous all along. I've been to so many close to death situations but I have never been as nervous as this.

Halos isang taon ko na 'tong ginagawa kasama ang 'team' and I have shared with them all the sweetness of victory whenever we succeed. And if not- oh com'on. We have never failed a project even once.

Mula sa camera 12 na kuha ng hotel ay natanaw kong dumaan ang nakabihis na bilang hotel crew na si Mimo. I cannot see wherever V is at malamang ay nasa pwesto na siya. Hindi na rin kataka-taka na iba na naman ang ayos niya and if not because of the communication device she had, I wouldn't have known that it's her.

"Papalapit na sa silid si Mimo," wika ko upang marinig nina V at ng isa pang lalaki- whom I don't bother to know his name. He's annoying to the highest extent.

I don't know why I am sweating right now. Pakiramdam ko ay may mali. Pakiramdam ko ay may hindi tama. Kung pwede nga lang sana, ini-recruit ko na si Cooler sa team. He has a strong gut feel although the word itself gut feel is not reliable. For him, I don't think he solely base on his gut feel. Sa tingin ko ay ginagamitan niya rin iyon ng matalas na pag-iisip at pagtingin sa anumang anggulo. People of Vander Mafia may not see him as the genius that he is dahil nasa isip nila na mas mataas ang IQ ko at lalong-lalo na ng kapatid niya kaysa sa kanya. But for me? Cooler is the most reliable one when it comes to rational thinking, decision-making and other aspects na hindi kailangan ng bookish theory behind.

My notification rang, the one that I tapped from the hotel system itself. It was a request of room service from Margaret.

"Get ready, she asked for a room service."

Narinig ko ang pagkumpirma nila sa sinabi ko. Tiningnan ko naman ang display na nagmumula sa mga nakakalat na camera sa loob ng silid ni Margaret. I saw her take off the ring, put it inside the jewelry box and on the ceiling above is the vent system. I know V is up there, waiting for my go signal.

"I will take a bath, you all stay outside," narinig kong wika ni Margaret sa kanyang mga PSG, na agad namang tumalima. I can hear their conversations inside dahil hindi lamang camera ang naka-install doon kundi maging isang isang listening device. Isa iyong espesyal na listening device, one that was personalized into its special details. Isa iyong bagay na gawa ni Math, kaklase ni Amber. Minsan ko na siyang nilapitan upang sabihing huwag nang ipasuot kay Amber ang mascot, and to that she agreed- in one condition. Kailangan kong gumawa ng isang computer program, one that she design and I will run the app. It was an app that can identify fingerprints. Hindi man iyon perpekto pero hanggang 80% ang porsyente na mag-match nga ang fingerprints gamit lamang ang app na iyon. I recognize her ability- but she's a swindler. Isang araw lang pala isusuot ni Amber ang mascot. I was furious that time but when I came to see her, she was busy with her device, itong listening device. I took that opportunity and ask her for it dahil malaking tulong ito.

We cannot risk our identity by using devices that we purchased around the world. I'm afraid that the devices that we left during operations might incriminate us. May serial number ang mga devices na available sa market and even if it is specially purchased, the police might still trace us with it. Using Math's device is advantageous dahil hindi ito patented at walang serial number na maaring makapahamak sa amin.

Nang lumabas ang mga guard ay siya namang pagpasok ni Mimo na dala-dala ang cart ng pagkain. He stood near the alarm buzzer. He discreetly stuck something near it to stop it from triggering the alarm.

"Just place the food there," wika niya kay Mimo na nagpapanggap na hotel staff. Matapos magbigay ng tip ay agad na lumabas si Mimo.

"Room service now," I informed then.

"Got it," sagot ng ni Verona and few moment later, I can see him on the footage na tulak-tulak ang isang cart na naglalaman ng gamit panlinis.

The plan is easy. Verona who will disguise as a service crew will destruct Margaret while V will steal the ring passing through the ventilation system of the hotel. Naghanda kami ng isa pang plano, and that if Margaret will ask for a room service and she really did. This way ay mas magiging madali dahil nasa loob si Verona.

Nang makapasok si Verona sa silid ay agad niyang inilabas sa cart ang mga gamit panglinis. Nanatili akong nakatutok doon, upang makapagbigay ng senyales kay V. I saw Margaret opened the wine na dala kanina ni Mimo, nagsalin siya ng inumin sa dalawang baso.

Dalawa?

Dalawang baso ang sinalinan niya at kapagkuwa'y nilapitan si Verona na dala-dala ang isang wine glass.

"Hey, handsome," tawag niya. "You know what, I think I know you." She winked Verona and the m*ther f*cker swallowed hard. What the fuck, don't tell me he's swayed with Margaret's seductive voice? Now that I noticed it, she was only wearing a silk robe. I don't know if she's wearing anything beneath it.

Verona's expression was beyond shock. I have a hunch that it was more than being swayed. There's more to it.

"You're too handsome to be a service crew," she said to Verona, handling him the glass. Nag-aalangang napatingin naman sa glass si Verona, I know he's hesitant and that will make him suspicious.

"H-hindi po kami pwedeng uminom habang nagtatrabaho, Ma'am." He finally found his tongue.

Margaret laughed. "One sip wouldn't kill."

"Pero-"

"I hate being turned down."

"Hindi po talaga-" She cut him off.

"I will cancel the room service that I asked if you will not accept it," wika niya. She winked at her like she really liked him.

"Accept the glass, f*cker", I said and from the footage, I saw Verona cringed when he heard me.

He took a deep sigh and accepted the glass. Margaret raised her glass. "Cheers." Pinagdikit niya ang mga baso nila at naunang uminom si Margaret. Verona hesitated in drinking but I spoke again.

"Drink it, f*cker."

I saw him gritted his teeth at ininom ang laman ng baso. She smiled at inilapag ang baso sa gilid. She started flirting with him to which Verona just go along. Why didn't we think of it from the beginning? The flirting became useful, nakatalikod si Margaret at malayo sa kama kung nasaan ang bedside table na pinatungan ng jewelry box.

Malaya kong nakikita ang bawat galaw ni Margaret dahil maliban sa tatlong spy camera na nasa silid niya, mayroon ding camera na nasa suot na nameplate ni Verona.

Margaret was carried away into drinking with him at nagiging mapangahas na rin ito. This isn't as what we planned but this is a good opportunity. Mukhang natitipuhan nga siya ni Margaret and if they will go all the way tonight, it will be easier for us.

"She likes you. If you will go all the way, don't bring her on the bed. F*ck her near the door's floor."

Muli ay hindi maipinta ang mukha ni Verona. Why do I see a deeper meaning behind his worried look? What now? Does he have an erectile dysfunction? Can't he do it?

Panay pa rin ang pagsasalita ni Margaret at sinasagot naman siya ni Verona. Margaret is really interested with him and then she suddenly grabbed him, kissed him hungrily. I whistled and I can hear Mimo's laughter from our communication device samantalang wala akong naririnig na reaksyon mula kay Victoria.

"V, do your part now."

"Okay." Narinig kong wika niya at ilang saglit lamang ay napansin ko na ang mahinang paggalaw ng nakatakip sa vent system ng kisame. She must have unscrewed it beforehand and she hung herself down to reach down.

Nagulat na lamang ako nang mula sa paghalik kay Verona ay bumaba ang mukha ni Margaret sa hidden camera na nasa nameplate. She smiled sweetly like she's looking at me.

"Bah! Hello, hacker," she said and winked. Kasabay ng ngiti niya ay ang paghigit niya ng baril sa loob ng kanyang suot na roba. She looked behind and fired without creating any sound. Akala ko ay binaril niya si V but it was the wire that V used to hang. Agad na bumagsak si V sa sahig ngunit agad rin naman itong nakatayo.

Shit! We're busted!

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