Chapter 41: Kidnapper, Gray Ivan Silvan

It's been a week since that incident happened at the laboratory. Nothing happened for the past few days maliban sa cold treatment ni Gray sa akin. I don't know if it is deliberate or not. Hindi niya kasi ako pinapansin; not that nagpapapansin ako sa kanya. I asked him something about our assignment and he just nodded at me without any other word.

During break time, he left immediately. Nang bumalik siya ay hindi man lamang siya kumibo. Ni hindi niya man lang ako sinulyapan. I don't know if he's ignoring just me or all of us. I figured out it was just me nang nakita ko siyang tumatawa habang kausap sina Marion at Marcus.

I was silently eating my snack nang bumalik si Jeremy at umupo sa tabi ko. He nudged my side kaya napalingon ako sa kanya.

"Are you in quarrel with Gray?" he asked in a low voice. Am I? Wala naman akong naalala na pinag-awayan namin. I don't even remember anything na sinabi ko or nagawa ko sa kanya to deserve such treatment.

"Wala naman. Ewan."

Jeremy thought for a while, he was pointing on his temple while thinking. Even without the nerdy look, he still possesses the nerdy gestures.

"Ah! I remembered! Nang pumunta ako sa kwarto nila upang manghiram ng libro, tila balisa siya. You sure you didn't fight with him?" he asked again and I gave him a deadly glare. Paulit-ulit?! "Okay, okay! Wala." Umayos na kami ng upo dahil pumasok na ang guro namin para sa susunod na period.

Nang sumapit ang lunch break ay umuwi muna ako sa dorm sa halip na dumiretso sa cafeteria at kumain ng pananghalian. I was lying on my bed when my phone rang. Nang makita ko ang pangalan ni Khael sa caller ID ay agad ko iyong sinagot.

"Moshi-moshi Special A."

I rolled my eyes. "Ano'ng masamang hangin ang nag-udyok sa'yo na tumawag?" I asked without returning his greetings.

"Ouch, masamang hangin talaga? Well I can say that the air is really polluted nowadays," he said and I can imagine his naughty face.

"I'm going to hang up now," I said.

"We-we-wait! Highblood mo naman. Meron ka?"

"My time is precious and I don't waste it on any nonsense call like this," I told him.

"Fine, tumawag lang ako upang mangumusta. I heard about what happened last week," he said.

"I'm fine now. Who told you about it?"

"Silvan, of course. We're best buddy, remember?"

"So if you are his best buddy, sinabi ba niya sayo kung bakit iniiwasan niya ako?"

"He's ignoring you? Oh, that's unrequited love. You should resort to me; I'm willing to be your rebound―"

"I'm really hanging up."

"Just kidding, hindi ka naman mabiro. Hindi ko alam bakit. Hindi ba kayo nag-away?" tanong niya and I mentally rolled my eyes.

"If we have been in a quarrel, I would have known why he is ignoring me," I said lazily. Uh, why would people think that we have a quarrel and then I won't realize that it's the reason why he is ignoring me?

"But I really don't know Special A," he said. Mukhang wala talaga akong makukuha na impormasyon dito kaya hindi ko na lamang pinilit ito.

"Okay. Ibaba ko na, I have to grab my lunch dahil may pasok pa ako," paalam ko sa kanya.

Hindi ko na hinintay ang sagot niya at agad ko na iyong pinatay. I went out of the dormitory and walked my way towards the cafeteria.

Papasok na sana ako nang marinig ko ang boses ni Gray mula sa gilid. Agad akong nagtago sa isa sa mga halaman doon at nakinig sa kanya. He was calling someone over his phone.

"Yes, boss. Papunta na ako," wika niya.

Boss? Who the hell is Boss? Saka ko lamang napansin na hindi na niya suot ang kanyang school uniform. He was on his usual get up, jeans and a poloshirt.

"Okay Boss, sa Mall?" wika niya at pinatay ang tawag. He immediately made his way towards Bridle's exit.

Ako naman, instead of going inside the cafeteria and have my lunch, I just found myself following Gray towards the exit. Lunchtime at palitan din ng duty ang guard upang makapananghalian ang isa.

When we arrived there, eksaktong walang guard na naroon, Gray immediately ran and call a cab. Nang makaalis na ang taxi na sinakyan nito ay agad akong pumara ng taxi at pinasundan ang naunang taxi.

Huminto ang taxi na sinasakyan ni Gray sa harap ng mall. I waited for him to get off first saka ako bumaba. He called someone again but I cannot hear what he is saying dahil medyo malayo ako sa kanya. Gosh, masyado akong agaw-pansin dahil suot ko pa ang school uniform ko. Both Bridle and Athena's uniform are head turners since both schools are prestigious.

Kahit malayo si Gray ay tanaw ko pa rin siya kaya malaya ko siyang nasusundan. I saw him bumped into a girl, who was wearing a school uniform. If I'm not mistaken, it was Carson High School uniform. Nalaglag ang mga dala nitong paper bag at agad itong tinulungan ni Gray.

Wait did he do it on purpose? Gray flashed a sweet smile on the girl, at kinilig naman ito. Ang landi lang! Nabangga lang tapos ganoon?! Sana pala nagkabangga sila malapit sa escalator at natumba yung babae, then the escalator absorbs her hair! Ang landi-landi! Okay, that's too harsh.

Sana pala nauntog na lang ang pwet nito tapos hindi makalakad at wait― If that happens, Gray would be oblige to carry her?! No no no! Not that one.

Sana pala ay mabilaukan ito sa iniinom nito nang mabangga ito at si Gray and then it will spill all over her uniform and sandal, edi magbibihis ito, and worst magpapasama pa ito sa dressing room! Oh! Another no no! Fine! Nagbangga lang ang mga ito at ngumiti si Gray dito. Let's keep it that way.

I thought na kapag tapos na ang malanding ngitian nila ay aalis na ang babae, but to my surprise ay nag-shakehands pa ang dalawa! Maybe I should give Gray a lot of alcohol and hand sanitizer! Nagka-virus na tuloy ang kamay nito. Abot-tenga naman ang ang ngiti ng babae! Nagmumukha na itong payaso dahil sa mga kolorete nito sa mukha.

The next thing I knew was that Gray was carrying her paper bags for her! Don't tell me ihahatid niya ito kung saan man ito pupunta?! They went inside a fast food inside the mall.

Aba! Naisipan pa talaga nilang kumain?! Fine with me, hindi pa rin naman ako kumakain. Matapos nilang umorder ay pumwesto sila sa may patagong dulo. Abala sila sa pag-uusap kaya hindi ako napansin ni Gray nang umorder ako ng pagkain at isa pa ay nakatalikod siya sa akin.

After I got my food ay pumwesto ako sa mesa na 'di kalayuan sa kanila. They were talking about something at panay ang tawa ng babae with matching hampas pa sa braso ni Gray. Gosh, she's very annoying than Marion!

Bakit ba hindi naa-annoy si Gray dito like the way he did when Marion do the same thing? Not to mention that Marion is very beautiful and that girl is, uh, no comment.

I noticed Gray's phone on his side kaya naisipan kong itext siya. 'Class already starts. Where are you?'

After I pressed send ay inilapag ko sa mesa ang cellphone ko at tumingin sa direksyon nila. Maybe his phone vibrates kaya napatingin siya roon. He read my message but he didn't reply.

What the hell?! He ignored my message?! I tried calling him but he cancelled my call gaya ng inaasahan ko. What?! Pinatay niya ang tawag ko dahil lamang sa babaeng iyon?! I texted him again.

'I'm cutting all other subjects if you will not tell me where you are'.

After I pressed the send button ay palihim na sumulyap ako sa gawi nila. He picked up the phone and after reading it, he replied.

'Home. Gonna meet my mom.'

Liar! At kailan pa niya naging bahay ang mall at naging nanay ang babaeng iyon?! Duh! Nilantakan ko na lang ang fried chicken na nasa plato ko. Nang matapos akong kumain ay tapos na rin sila. They both stood up at umalis doon. They went out of the mall at nagtungo sa basement na parking area rin ng mall.

Wait?! What are they supposed to do in the basement?! Oh no! I hope it's not what I'm thinking! That's too gross! Too immoral―

Biglang lumabas ang isang blue na convertible na kotse at lulan niyon si Gray at ang hitad, I mean the girl. Nagtatalo ang kalooban ko kung susundan ko ba sila o hindi.

In the end, I decided to follow them! Baka ano pa ang gawin ng babae kay Gray, no way! I was about to call a cab when a familiar Ford Shelby GT500 convertible model stopped on my side. Uh, what's with convertible cars?! Malanghap niyo sana lahat ng polusyon sa Pilipinas!

I frowned when I saw who was driving the car. Cooler. Cooler Vander. Cooler, aka Zeus!

"Are you lost?" he asked gently. Mainit ang araw but his roof is down.

I pretended to look around. "Haunted na pala ang basement ng mall? Hala! Maybe I have Schizophrenia because I'm hearing voices," I said, totally ignoring him. I'm not in the mood to entertain him! I want to take a break from the mafia as well as from X!

"You must have skipped school since class hours ngayon and you're still wearing that uniform," wika niya ulit.

"May multo nga yata. Makaalis na nga," I said and find a way to escape from the basement ngunit muli siyang nagsalita.

"You must be following my brother who was with another beautiful girl," wika nito and flashed a smile. Ngayon ko lang napansin na magkatulad sila ng ngiti ni Gray. The kind that makes your knees go weak. Wait, I've became creative in my choice of words these past few days, ew. So not me!

"What? Anong klaseng mata ang meron ka ba? You find that girl beautiful? Babaeng espasol! Siguro may bakery sila at ginagawa niyang face powder ang lahat ng flour nila! She's not beautiful. Not even an inch to Marion," wika ko.

If I would spell beautiful, it would be M-A-R-I-O-N. Maganda kasi ito. With or without make up. Pumapasok na kasi ito na naka-face powder lang and not a heavy makeup.

"Hmmm, yeah. They own large cake and pastry shops here and in abroad. Her name is Allison Easton. Heiress of Sweet Tooth Pastry Shop," Cooler said.

What the fudge! That's my favorite Pastry shop since I was a kid! Now I want to hate that shop! But if they own Sweet Tooth, she must be incredibly. They really are rich! And I don't care!

"Now if you want to follow my brother, hop in habang hindi pa sila masyadong nakalalayo," wika niya and he opened the shotgun ride.

I didn't hesitate at agad na sumakay doon at agad naman niya iyong pinaharurot. I wonder why he keeps on calling Gray as 'my brother' samantalang si Gray ay hindi man lamang masabi ang pangalan niya. He just keeps on addressing Cooler as 'that guy'.

Sinulyapan ko siya habang payapa siyang nagmamaneho. This is the first time I appreciate the swiftness of this car. Nang unang beses kasi akong sumakay rito ay noong galing kami sa party kung saan ipinakilala si Marion. Like what Ryu said, I ruined their million-dollar transaction that night.

"Now, will you answer me why are you following my brother?" he asked again at bahagya lamang akong sinulyapan.

"I'm not following him," I said at tumingin sa labas.

"Okay, why are you not following him?" he asked again and I prevented myself from wringing his neck dahil baka madisgrasya pa kami kapag nagkataon. Gosh, I just realized, simula nang na-involve ako sa mga iba-ibang kaso ay nagiging bayolente na ako. I gave him my deadliest glare and ignored his question.

"Will you put your roof on please? Baka makita pa ng mga kalaban niyo na magkasama tayo, baka mapahamak na naman ako."

He chuckled but he followed what I said. "No one knows that I'm part of Vander Mafia. I'm the anonymous transactor!" wika niya.

"Really, eh bakit alam ko?" I said sarcastically.

"I mean sa mga kalaban ng mafia, as what you say," he said, laughing a little.

I remembered Ryu's skill. He's a known hacker. Ngayon ay nacu-curious na ako kung ano man ang meron kay Cooler.

"Hey, that devil cousin of you is a hacker, no, a famous hacker. How about you? Tell me at nang hindi na ako magulat kapag nagkataon," wika ko sa kanya.

He pouted and still focused his sight on the road. "Naaah, don't have any. That's why Cronus, our father is pursuing his genius son and that's Gray. He wants him to handle the mafia as early as now. I'm not a genius like him, or like you or Ryu. My IQ is on average level and I don't have any special skill that is useful to the mafia," wika niya. I felt his emotion when he said those.

"Oh well, here's their car."

Inihinto niya ang kanyang kotse sa gilid, hindi kalayuan sa nakaparadang kotse ng ano nga bang pangalan nung babae? Oh, nevermind. She's not important anyway. It was in front of a souvenir shop. I also noticed Gray calling someone over his phone. There was a black van sa di kalayuan at may mga lalaking nakasuot ng itim at bonnet, and he is also calling someone over his phone.

Is it possible that it's Gray whom he is talking over the phone? No no no! Gray would not skip class just to do anything stupid like that. Impossible. Nang lumabas si Gray at ang babae sa shop ay agad silang sumakay sa kotse. Nang makaalis sila ay sumunod din ang itim na van.

"No. Gray must not be doing what I am thinking," Cooler said at pinaharurot ang sasakyan. So we have the same thing in mind. Lumiko sila sa isang hindi mataong kalye, and I saw it with my own two eyes how Gray put a handkerchief on the girl's mouth at agad itong nawalan ng malay.

They immediately abandon the car and he carried the girl towards the black van. Sumama rin siya at pinaharurot na nila ang sasakyan.

Cooler was still in his astonishment. I punched his shoulders. "What are you doing?! Sundan mo sila, bilis! They're doing something bad." Nasa tamang huwisyo na si Cooler but he didn't move the car.

"Cooler!"

"No. We're not following them. I will. So get out and call a cab. I cannot risk your li―"

I cut him off by punching his stomach. He has abs so my knuckles hurt too.

"Aww! That hurts!" reklamo niya.

"That hurts too!"

"I told you to get off!"

"I'm not getting off."

"Wag matigas ang ulo Amber."

"Who's being hardheaded? I was the one who told you to follow them."

"Isa."

I rolled my eyes. "Dalawa."

"Amber!"

"Yeah, that's my name. Amber Sison."

"I'm serious."

"Hi Serious, I'm Amber," I replied sarcastically.

"I'm really serious Amber. Gey off."

"And you think I'm joking?"

"Amber, I'm getting pissed."

"Well I'm already pissed!" Ayaw ko ngang magpatalo!

"Amber Sison!"

"Cooler Vander!"

"Amber, please. I'm begging you to return to Bridle right this very moment."

"And Cooler, I am ordering you to follow them right this very moment!"

"Arrrgh!" he screamed at sinuntok ang manibela. "You're so stubborn!" Bigla na lang niyang pinaharurot ang kotse and I slammed on my seat. "Put your seatbelt on," he said at mas lalong nilakasan ang pagpapatakbo and that's when I decided to shut my mouth hanggang sa makarating kami sa paroroonan. Hindi nagtagal ay inihinto ni Cooler ang sasakyan sa isang two-way street. Nang ihinto niya iyon ay agad ko siyang pinagsisipa.

"Aray! A-a-aray! Para saan iyan?!" he asked habang panay ang iwas. Too bad, we're inside a car and there's only a little space there. I didn't answer him at patuloy lang sa pagsisipa.

"Amber, stop! Your pink underwear is showing," he said and that made me stop. What the hell!

But... But I'm wearing a cycling and my underwear is white not pink!

"Okay! I got you!" he said and chuckled. Naiirita ako sa pagtawa nito! Oh yeah, he really got me.

"Oh nasaan na sila?" I asked him at nilingon ang paligid. There were no abandoned warehouses there gaya ng mga pinagdadalhan ng mga kidnappers sa kinidnap nila sa mga palabas. Sa halip ay isang palayan ang naroon.

"I think we're lost," he said at napakamot siya sa ulo. Kumulo naman ang dugo ko! He drove that fast just to get us lost?

"Ugh! I want to slaughter you right now. You'd better drive me to Bridle bago pa magbago ang isip ko at itapon kita diyan sa palayan," I told him. Okay, I'm all words.

He chuckled again. "Really, you can do that?"

I sighed and rolled my eyes. "Just drive me to Bridle."

"Okay! If Gray did something like that, maybe he has reasons. Wait for him at your school," he said at mahinang pinaandar ulit ang sasakyan. Halos mag-iisang oras din nang makarating kami sa Bridle. Pinahinto ko kay Cooler ang sasakyan sa isang kanto, hindi kalayuan sa main gate.

"Don't expect me to say thank you," wika ko sa kanya.

"Well, you're welcome!" he said smiling at bumaba na lang ako ng kotse bago ko pa mahampas sa magandang sasakyan niya ang kanyang gwapong mukha.

Nang makababa na ako ay pinaalis ko na agad siya. Magni-ninja moves na naman ako sa pagpasok upang hindi ako mapansin ng guard.

Agad akong dumeretso sa dorm at natulog. Nagising na lang ako nang mahina akong inalog ni Therese.

"Amber, gising. It's already 8. Let's have dinner," she said at agad akong bumangon. I'm still in my uniform kaya nagbihis muna ako at gaya ng nakasanayan ay pinauna ko na sila. Matapos magbihis ay agad akong sumunod sa cafeteria.

Gray was there too and he was eating with our classmate, Marcus. I deliberately slammed the cafeteria's door to get his attention.

Well, I got everyone's attention.

Taas noong pumasok ako, not minding everyone's gaze at agad tinungo ang nakasanayan naming mesa. I was about to sit down when I realized it wasn't their table. Uh, damn! Ngayon pa talaga ako pumalpak?

"Psst, Amber! We're here!" I heard Andi called me. Great Amber, just great! Remind yourself to pull your hair for such stupidity.

When I look at Therese and Andi's chosen spot, parang gusto ko tuloy bumalik sa dorm. It was right beside the table where Gray and Marcus are sitting. Extra reminder, I'm going to give both Andi and Therese a good beating!

Ayaw ko mang umupo roon ay wala akong choice. I would look like a loser if I would make my exit. I took a deep breath at umupo. It was on the same side as Gray. Their table was on our right side. I don't know if I can digest or even chew my food if I'm sitting right beside a kidnapper. Or maybe an espasolnapper. Whatever.

Nang makaupo ako doon ay agad akong kinausap ni Andi. "Why did you go that way? Hindi mo ba kami nakita?" she asked.

Hindi dahil nang makita ko si Gray ay dumilim na ang paligid ko! That kidnapper— espasolnapper!

"I- I t-thought you're on the same spot," sagot ko at tiningnan ang pagkaing inorder nila. Fried chicken. The same viand I had during lunch. It's also the same viand that Gray and the Espasol Girl had.

"Let's eat," wika ko sa kanila at nilantakan ang pagkain though I doubt if I can really chew some.

"You look tensed. Ano'ng problema?" Therese asked at nabilaukan naman ako. She handed me the glass of water at agad ko iyong ininom. Yeah, I'm tensed. Our table is right beside an espasolnapper!

"Tensed? Hindi naman. Nabitin lang siguro ako ng tulog," pag-iwas ko. Muli akong sumubo but I'm careful this time.

"Hey Amber! You're not around by the whole afternoon. Saan ka galing? Nagdate na naman kayo ni Gray ano? He's not around too!" Marcus said kasabay ng nakakalokong ngisi.

Kahit anong pagdahan-dahan ko sa pagsubo ay nabilaukan pa rin ako! I immediately grabbed the almost empty glass of water. Another extra reminder, KILL MARCUS!

But to answer his question, I went following a kidnapper while Gray dated and kidnapped an Espasol girl. Duh.

Nilingon ko siya at binigyan ng matamis ngunit pilit na ngiti. "I witnessed a crime that's why I'm not around." Dinaanan ko rin ng malamig na tingin si Gray at agad itong napakunot-noo.

"Really Amber? Anong krimen?" tanong ni Therese.

"Kidnapping," simple kong sagot at muling binigyan ng malamig na tingin si Gray. Mas lalo namang kumunot ang noo nito.

"Ini-report mo ba sa pulis?" Andi asked.

I shook my head. "Nope. I just followed the kidnapper."

"Ano?! Delikado yang ginagawa mo! Oh, tapos ano'ng nangyari?" Marcus asked. Napalingon na rin ang mga katabing umuukopa sa mga mesa.

"No. We lost track of him because the kidnapper is so cunning and evil and he—"

Nabitawan ni Gray ang mga kubyertos at naglikha iyon ng ingay. Maging ang pagtayo nito ay biglaan, his chair made a noise. Lumapit siya sa akin at marahas na hinila ako sa braso.

"Aray! Ano ba!" I hissed at him. Napatingin na ang lahat ng naroon dahil sa malakas kong boses.

"We need to talk," he said with a very serious face.

"We're talking!"

"Privately!" apela niya.

"I'm eating!"

Pumikit siya ng marahan at kinagat ang ibabang labi, tila nagpipigil. Aba! Siya pa ang may ganang magpigil?!

"That can wait."

"Ayoko nga! I'm so hungr―"

Nagulat na lang ako ng binuhat niya ako, in a bridal style! Oh no! This is so embarrassing! Nagsigawan ang mga naroon, tila kinikilig!

"Mabuhay ang bagong kasal!" I heard someone shouted. Urgh, there's no way I'll be marrying a kidnapper! No as in no!

Nagpupumiligas ako upang bitawan niya. "Put me down, criminal!" I hissed at him. "Ayaw kong makipag-usap sayo!"

He smirked at me. "We're talking." I want to roll my eyes. He's using my line's kanina!

"I'm not talking to you in private!" sigaw ko sa kanya.

"Yes you are," he said. Someone opened the door for him. What the hell?! I have to put that person in my death note, isali na rin 'yong sumigaw kanina ng mabuhay ang bagong kasal!

"I said put me down!" wika ko at patuloy pa rin sa pagpupumiligas upang ibaba niya.

"If I were you, I wouldn't move. Natatabig mo ang tama ko and it hurts like hell but I'm enduring it so that you wouldn't fall, because believe me, you wouldn't like to fall," wika niya.

May tama siya? Tama ba ang narinig ko na may tama siya?! Well, I don't want to fall kaya hindi na ako gumalaw pa. He brought me in front of the admin building.

"Spill it," he said ng ilapag ako. Wow! Ako pa talaga ang may ilalahad? Ako ba ang nang-kidnap?

But fine. I'll spill it! "Sinundan kita!"

"I saw no one!" wika niya.

"That is what you may expect to see when I follow you," sagot ko sa kanya.

He massaged his forehead. Nauubos yata ang pasensya niya sa akin. "I said I saw no one but Allison noticed a girl with a long hair wearing Bridle's uniform," wika niya.

"Ah, Allison, the espasol girl," I said in low voice.

"Ano?"

I rolled my eyes. "Wala."

He sighed at inilagay sa bulsa ng pantalon ang mga kamay. It wasn't the clothes he was wearing kanina. "Why did you follow me?"

"Because you're acting suspicious! You're even ignoring me the whole morning!" I hissed at him. "Tapos malalaman ko na lang na nangingidnap ka na lang? And that stupid brother of yours! Halos mamatay ako sa bilis ng pagpapatakbo niya tapos mawawala lang kami?!"

Napatingin siya sa akin. "Wait, you're with that guy?"

"His name is Cooler, just so you know! Yes, I saw him at the mall to and we followed you! Both of us witnessed your crime!" wika ko sa kanya.

"Let me explain―"

"What? Sasabihin mo na hindi mo pala bet ang maging detective kay you resorted to being a crimina―"

This time, he cut me off. "I said just listen!" his voice was full of authority and I was compelled to listen as he told me everything that happened.

***

Kasalukuyang nagbabasa si Gray ng tumunog ang kanyang cellphone at rumehistro roon ang pangalan ni Detective Tross.

"Hello, Silvan?" bati ng detective.

"Yes? Napatawag ka? Let me guess, it's a case?" Gray said at isinara ang libro.

"A case assignment to be exact," wika niya.

"About what?" Gray asked. He's interested in a case.

"A kidnap-for-ransom group. May nagtimbre na dudukutin daw ang anak ni Alfredo Easton," Detective Tross said.

"You mean the owner of a known pastry house?" Gray asked.

"Yeah."

"And? What happened?"

"Our informer sent a cryptic message about who was behind it. He also gave the name of the group, it's the Tarantula Gang," the detective said.

Gray chuckled. "Pathetic criminals! Ang pangit ng naisip na pangalan! And then? What else did that informant of yours said?"

"He said nothing more because he was killed."

"Who killed him?" Gray asked.

"We don't know. And we still have the message here. We haven't deciphered it yet. Can we meet?"

"Yeah sure."

Nagkita na si Gray at Detective Tross sa piniling lugar nila. The detective brought some police files and showed them to Gray.

He showed him a photo of a girl. "This is the target, Allison Easton, 17 years old at nag-aaral sa Carson High School."

Sunod niyang inilabas ang litrato ng isang lalaki. "This is one of the goons. The head goon. All you have to do is to join the gang. The late informant said that they're looking for a handsome member so that they can lure out the girl."

Nagulat si Gray sa narinig. "What? You want me to become an undercover and infiltrate their gang? Why not Khael? He always claims to be more charming than me."

Umiling si Detective Tross. "No. He's known as chief Alonzo's son kaya we cannot ask him for help. The police cannot trust this to anyone but only to the two of you, but since Khael cannot do it, we only have you."

"Fine," pagsang-ayon ni Gray. "Where can I find this guy?"

All they have to do is to capture him. Sinaulo ni Gray lahat ng napag-usapan nila ng police detective and went back to Bridle.

By the weekend, they began their operation. He did as he was instructed. He bumped into the man in the photo and dropped his things which are biodata and other application requirements.

"Pasensya na po, nagmamadali po ako. Ilang linggo na akong naghahanap ng trabaho," wika niya sa lalaki. Nakasuot siya ng mga kupasing damit. Detective Tross prepared everything to make him look like a poor job-hunter.

Tinitigan siya ng lalaki saglit at tinapon nito ang sigarilyong hawak. "Gusto mo ng trabaho? Mabibigyan kita."

"Talaga po?" he acted happy by the guy's offer.

"Oo, sumunod ka sa akin."

Sumakay sila sa itim na van at dinala sa isang abandonadong bahay. It was a big house ngunit hindi inilawan ang buong kabahayan at sira-sira na iyon. Pinaharap si Gray ng lalaki sa mga kasamahan nito. They were large guys with tattoos and piercings on the different parts of the body.

"Solve na tayo!" the guy said to the other goons.

"Aba, bossing. Mestiso! Papatok 'yan doon sa babae," wika ng isa.

"Teka, saan mo naman nakita iyan?" another goon said.

"Nakabangga ko. Naghahanap ng trabaho kaya bibigyan ko," sagot ng lalaki.

"Tingnan mo ang balat, mukhang mayaman. Sigurado ka bang naghahanap 'yan ng trabaho?" wika ng kalbo na may tatlong piercings sa labi.

"Tingnan mo ang damit! Diyan nakikita ang lahat! Kita mo nga yung kapatid ko diba? Ang puti pero ang hirap namin!" sagot naman ng isa.

"Oh, tisoy anong pangalan mo?" tanong ng isang lalaki.

Inalala ni Gray ang pangalan na napagkasunduan nila ng detective. "Marlon po."

"Bosing iharap mo na 'yan kay Supremo si Marlon," suhestiyon ng isang lalaki. May tinawagan naman ang lalaki sa cellphone nito.

"Hello, supremo. May na-recruit na kaming tisoy. Chat ka na sa amin at nang makita mo," he said at agad na binuksan nito ang laptop.

Nakikita ni Gray ang sarili niya ngunit itim lang nakikita niya mula sa kabila.

He was ordered to get along with Allison Easton. They didn't expect that it would work that fast. Sa unang araw pa lang ay nagawa na ni Gray na nagpakilalang Marlon ang iniutos sa kanya. They bought him good clothes upang pamorma. Allison Easton is known to be easily dragged by handsome guys kaya iyon ang napili nilang stratehiya.

Marlon did his duty, right on the very first day at agad na natangay ang babae. He made her unconscious using some chemicals provided by the gang. They plotted everything and it turned out to be successful. Agad nilang dinala si Allison sa kanilang hideout kung saan naghihintay ang mastermind na si Snake whom Gray decoded the real identity.

Just as expected, it was that man that Gray deciphered. The known fugitive convicted for murder, rape and kidnapping. Solomon Guevara. They were about to call Allison's parents when the police made their entry. Agad na nagkagulo doon.

"Police Asset! Traydor!" he said and shoot Gray. Daplis lamang ito ng tama nito sa gilid ng tiyan. The gang was outnumbered by the police kaya agad nahuli ang mga ito. After some medical attention, Gray went back to Bridle.

***

"Now, would you still call me criminal?" he asked matapos ikuwento ang mga nangyari. I was hoping he would detail especially during her date with that Espasol, uh, I mean Allison Easton.

"Sorry, I'm not sorry unless you would tell me why you are ignoring me kanina," I asked him at naghalukipkip na naghintay sa kanyang sagot. He sighed. I don't know kung ilang beses na ba itong bumuntong hininga habang kausap ako.

"I know you would tag along if you would know so I decided to ignore you instead," wika niya. Hinampas ko siya sa gilid at napangiwi naman ito sa sakit.

"I told you, I have a wound there!" wika niya at inangat ang suot na shirt at pinakita ang sugat nito na ginamot kanina.

Nakonsensya naman ako sa ginawa ko. "Now, I'm really sorry. Ihahatid ba kita sa boys' dorm?" tanong ko sa kanya. Sasagot na sana siya nang lumapit ang guard sa amin.

"Gray," tawag ng guard sa kanya nang makalapit ito. Inabot ng guard sa kanya ang isang envelope. It was color black and there was a big X on the back. "May nagpapabigay sa'yo, pina-mail kanina," he said at inabot naman iyon ni Gray.

"Teka, kuya Guard, para po yata iyan sa akin," I said referring to the envelope na iniabot niya kay Gray.

"Sabi noong nagbigay kay Gray daw eh. Naka-address din sa kanya," the guard said at nagpaalam na.

When Gray opened it, there was a small piece of paper together with a photograph of me and Gray. It was when we had our snack at the cafeteria the other day. Ginupit iyon dahil kalahati na lamang ng katawan ni Marion ang naroon and there was a hand on my left that was probably Jeremy's.

In the piece of paper was another line from Holmes' book but it was a line of Dr. Watson:

"To Sherlock Holmes she is always the woman. I have seldom heard him mention her under any other name."