Chapter 60: Her Death

AMBER SISON

I frowned as I watched Jeremy shove a big slice of cake into his mouth. He said he will buy foods for us but ended up eating our shares. He stuffed his mouth with different foods, not minding our glares to him.

"Uh, heto pa Jeremy oh", Math said reluctantly as she offers the saucer with a slice of cake on it.

"Thanks Maya", Je said at nilantakan iyon. Oh yeah, he bought foods for us but ate it all by himself.

"So, nakuha niyo na ba ang results ng last philosophy quiz natin?" Math asked us.

Kanina lamang ay ibinalik na ng guro namin ang papel namin. It was some form of activity in which I got 89 points out of 100.

"Yup nhakuha kho nahh", Je answered with his mouth stuffed with food. Doesn't he know about 'Don't talk when your mouth is full'?

"I got 92 out of 100", wika ni Math. "That's higher than Amber's. I guess she only got 89, am I right, Amber?" She let out her usual cute smile.

Oh, why compare? It's not necessary. I don't mind getting lower scores than Math. Hindi naman maipagkakailang matalino talaga ito. Just then, Jeremy pushed the bread knife towards my direction.

"Saksakin mo Bestie, ngayon na agad", he whispered. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin ngunit parang wala lang iyon sa kanya.

"Uh, yeah. I'm not really good at it. And my penmanship is bad", sagot ko sa kanya. Yeah, that's really the problem with me. I have the worst penmanship among the four of us.

"Ah, I see. Ikaw Jeremy, ilan ba ang points na nakuha mo?"

"87", Je answered at hindi man lamang ito sinulyapan. I know he hates the way Math brag things. Too bad, that's natural for her.

"Pretty low", she said.

"It's not like it's the end of the world", sagot ni Je. "Bakit, mae-extend ba ng 92 mo ang furniture shop mo?"

"What?"

"Alam mo ba yung Sofa Math?", he asked.

"Of course, why?"

Je let out a smirk. "Special product mo yon eh. Kasi Sofa-yabang mo. Gets mo?"

Math frowned at him and rolled her eyes. Immune na yata ito sa pambabara ni Jeremy that's why she became used to it at hindi na lamang ito pinapatulan.

"Gray's amazing. He got 98 points", deklara ni Math. 98? Not surprising at all. I know he would excel. After all he's the guy who's good at everything. Maliban na lamang sa basketball. "He's good in attending the details and he thinks so deep, too. The typical perfect melancholic guy."

"Uh-oh. My temperament is Banana", Je declared. Sabay kaming tatlo na napalingon sa kanya.

"Banana?", we asked in unison.

"Sanguine. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAHA!", he said and his laughter filled the cafeteria. The hell? Saging and Sanguine? That's not funny at all.

"Ah puns", Gray said.

Je stopped laughing and faced us. "What? You don't find it funny?"

Sabay din kaming tatlo na napatango. "Yeah. Not at all."

"Whatever. Pang-higher level kasi ang puns ko. So back to the topic. I'm a popular sanguine", he said with a smile.

"You're not popular", bara ni Math sa kanya. Je just imitated her, exaggerating his head movements.

No doubt, he is a sanguine. After all, he is talkative and a storyteller. Usually when we gather, Jeremy is the loudest and he loves to tell stories. Sanguines do not possess talents than the other temperaments but they are the ones who usually have fun. It is said that sanguines are naive and child-like. They aren't dumb but they sometimes look that way. The typical Jeremy.

"Well, the most interesting temperament is Gray's. Aristotle said it himself that genius people are of Melancholy temperament", wika ni Math. She even put her arms around Gray's at isinandal ang ulo sa braso nito.

This time, Je shoved the bread knife along with a fork to me at muling bumulong.

"Saksakin mo ulit. The knife to her chest and the fork to her throat."

Mahinang siniko ko siya at sinamaan ng tingin. He ignored me and throw deadly glares to Math who's sitting beside Gray na katapat ko naman sa mesa.

"Melancholics are the serious people and they usually set long-range goals. Lucky is the girl that Gray will marry", wika ulit ni Math.

"Unfortunately, it's too early to set goals about marrying", wika ni Gray. "Anyway it doesn't matter how long you do it. What's important is the quality."

"I'll make a good wife", wika ni Math. Lumawak ang ngiti nito habang sinasabi iyon. Sa pagkakataong ito naman ay padabog na kinuha ni Jeremy ang bread knife at tinidor. Inilagay niya iyon sa babasaging plato at inilagay sa harap ko.

"Saksakin mo talaga, totoo na. The bread knife to her chest, the fork to her throat at basagin mo yang plato sa pagmumukha niya", bulong niya ulit sa akin.

I don't know if he's really a shipper of me and Gray or he's just jealous with Math clinging to Gray.

"Tell me Je, saan ka ba nagagalit? Is it because Math clings to Gray or because it's Gray whom she clings and not to you?", I whispered back. Nagmumukha na kaming timang sa kakabulong dito.

"Yuck! Maghunos-dili ka nga Bestie!", he exclaimed loudly na ikinapagtaka ni Gray at Math.

"What's wrong with the two of you?", she asked at parehas kaming napailing ni Jeremy. There's no way we will tell them how we devise Math's death in our imagination.

Just then my phone rang at rumehistro doon ang numero ni Daddy. The last time we talked, he told me that he wants to spend some time with me. He even told me na dadalawin namin ang puntod ng tunay kong Mommy. I excused myself from them at agad na sinagot ang tawag.

"Dad."

"Sweetie, I'm at Bridle's gate", he said. Just by hearing his voice, my mood lit up. I miss him already kahit ilang araw pa lamang ang lumipas. I know I am still supposed to be mad at him dahil nga bahagi siya ng organisasyon but I'll let it go for now. He already explained that it was family tradition and underground business is where their family is good at.

Nagpaalam ako sa kanila and ran towards the gate. Pagdating ko doon ay kausap ni Daddy ang guard ng Bridle. He was asking him to let me out for some reason. And luckily, the guard agreed and I found myself sitting inside his car. I don't mind ditching the class again just to spend time with him.

This day was amazing and well spent with my Dad. He brought me to the cemetery where Mom was buried and we spent the rest of the days talking with each other. I realized that I have been rough with him the previous day and I am truly sorry for being so. I know it's easy becoming a father but being one is tough. Hindi siya nagkulang bilang ama sa akin. It's just that he has his bad ways as a person and I cannot blame him kung iyon man ang buhay na kinamulatan niya. The only problem is that he chose not to go against that wrong doing. Pwede naman niyang pigilan iyon and correct them or he could just take his hands off that illegal thing. Ngunit nangyari na ang lahat. There's no point in stating what he should have done dahil hindi na maibabalik ang mga panahong iyon.

We were walking to the basement of his office. Ang maliit na kompanyang iyon, which engage in trading and services was the business that I used to know na bumubuhay sa amin. The company was small yet progessive at dahil iyon sa husay ni Dad sa larangan ng negosyo.

I was still laughing my heart out when he told me how silly I am when I was younger nang bigla na lamang sumeryoso ang anyo nito. He held my shoulders like he was really worried. Ang ngiti niya kanina ay napalitan ng pagkabahala.

"What's wrong Dad?", I asked him. Parang kanina lamang ay masaya kaming dalawa but his mood suddenly shifted.

"Amber, I know you have grown up into a strong woman", he said. One thing I love about him? He truly believes in me.

Napakunot ang noo ko. "Of course Dad. Why?" Hindi ko alam kung ano ang ibig niyang sabihin ngunit bigla na lamang akong sinalakay ng kaba. I remembered Cooler's text message yesterday saying that the organization had known about Dad's treachery.

I don't really agree with the word treachery. Kung pagtataksil man ang ginawa ni Daddy na pagkupkop kay Mommy, I mean Sweet Vander maybe it's because she's from a rival mafia. Why don't they look it in such way na tumulong lamang si Daddy sa taong nangangailangan ng tulong?

"You can go with your life without me right?", he asked.

"Dad!"

What the hell is wrong with him?! We just shared a happy moment together and now he's saying like it's the end of his life. What's wrong with him.

"Let's face reality Amber. We're not sure how long I can still live. Who knows I'll be dead any minute from now", wika ni Daddy. He is smiling but I know that he is sad deep inside. Did the organization already go after him?

"Dad!" I felt my limbs shake, my voice cracked and everything in me seems broken. Why does he have to tell me those things? I am still young and we have so much time to do the things we love together.

I tried to calm myself but when he cried, pakiramdam ko ay pinagsakluban ako ng langit at lupa.

He sat down on the floor and cried like a kid. Nagmukha itong bata na naiwan ng mga magulang na papunta sa amusement park. I watched this film where a mentally illed father was sentenced to death for a crime he never committed leaving his daughter alone. That film really touched me at kahit paulit-ulit na panoorin ko iyon ay naiiyak pa rin ako. But that was a film. Iba ang pakiramdam kapag nakita mo ang iyong sariling ama na umiiyak. He sat on the hard ground, kicking and crying. I don't know how to feel. Masakit na masakit iyon sa pakiramdam.

Once you have experienced it, you don't feel sad with your dad, instead you will be mad. Why is he crying like that. Mad because he showed you how weak he is when you thought he was tough.

I swear that you'll be mad rather than sad once you see your Dad in his weakest state.

"Tumayo ka diyan Dad!!", I shouted at him. I'm so mad. So furious. I have never been as angry as this.

"A-anak...." His sobs filled the basement and gladly no employee was there to witness their boss pours out all his tears. "Patawarin mo ako."

"Tumahimik ka Dad! Get up there now!", I shouted again. Nanginginig ang mga kamay ko dahil sa tindi ng galit na nararamdaman ko.

"I'm sorry for all my lapses as a father to you-"

"SHUT UP DAD! PLEASE SHUT UP! PLEASE....", this time ay hindi ko na napigilan ang mga luha ko. For the first time today, I showed my father how weak I am. That I cannot bear to see him cry and devastated.

"Please Dad... Just please shut up..." My knees shook as I slowly get down to the floor. Nawalan ng lakas ang mga tuhod ko and I felt like I have no remaining strength at all. The only thing that could be heard in the basement is my weep at ang paulit-ulit na pagsabi ko ng please.

Ilang saglit na ganoon lamang ang nangyari but then we heard footsteps approaching. Kalma lamang ang mga yabag na iyon and then it stopped right in front of us.

"Copper", wika ng lalaking huminto sa harap namin. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makilala ko ang boses na iyon. Boses ng isang taong inaakala kong kakampi namin sa kabutihan.

"B-brain..." Dad said at umisod upang tumabi sa akin. His voice was alert and he tried to hide me behind him.

So I just met the infamous Brain. A crafter of evil and a wicked one. I raised my face to see that person and I curse him to death as I stared at his smirking face.

GRAY IVAN SILVAN

Shortly after Amber left, everything was gloomy. I may not be expressive but she's the one who lights up my day. I always look forward to class because I know that I will see her and she will sit beside me. Makikita ko na naman ang blangko nitong ekspresyon. She isn't the kind who easily gives her smile to every person she meets. You have to work hard for it or if you're lucky enough, she'd voluntarily grant you a smile that will surely make you go on and be inspired.

I may sound so cheesy but she occupies a special spot in my heart next to my mom. I have always been a chivalric guy and I believe that girls are the most beautiful creation of God. They meant to be thanked to God for and they should be taken care properly.

"Hoy!", Math said and waved her hands in front of me. Ibinaling ko ang atensyon sa kanya. Je just left upang pumunta sa CR and now there's only the two of us.

"Ayan ka na naman, spaced out kapag wala si Amber", she said and chuckled. Math knows that I like Amber. She asked me about it when she just transferred. Naging malapit kami noong mga panahong iyon and Amber was always sulking during those times. She asked me if I like the girl beside me and I cannot lie. Since then, Math becomes clingy whenever Amber's around but not when Amber's not around. She said that she'll help me with it because I do not know how. She started acting weird since then. She even kissed me on the lips. I told her that the kiss isn't necessary ngunit sinabi niyang epektibo daw iyon.

When Jeremy and Amber were transferred to Athena, Math has been a good friend. No awkwardness between us since she made it clear that she doesn't like me romantically at sa halip ay tutulong siya sa akin to win Amber. She said she'll do things that will force Amber to confess to me and we'll live happily ever after. (Yeah, she's kinda hopeless romantic). But after everything she did, we got no confession from Amber. What she's doing good is pissing Jeremy off.

"I was thinking of some things. I-I have a bad premonition", sagot ko sa kanya.

"Since when did you become a psychic?", she asked with a grin. "Well kung nag-aalala ka talaga, why don't you follow her?"

"How?"

She gave me a "leave-it-to-me" smile. She got her laptop and tracked something. Tinipa niya ng ilang beses ang laptop at ilang saglit lamang ay nagsalita na ito.

"Greenhills Cemetery", she said at hinarap sa akin ang laptop. There was a map there and a red blinking light on the spot where it says Greenhills Cemetery.

"You tapped her?", I asked surprisedly. Math being a tech geek is totally surprising. She doesn't even look like she's capable of it.

"Sinong tinap nyo?", Jeremy asked. Kadarating lamang nito mula sa banyo. Gross. He ate a lot and after it, he went to the toilet where he stayed long. I know we all know what he did there.

"Wala", Math answered. "Anong ginawa mo sa CR bakit ang tagal mo?"

"Natulog", Jeremy answered with a frown. They both love to piss each other, don't they?

Just then, I felt a negative air filled the cafeteria. Nang tingnan ko ang pintuan, pumasok ang tatlong tao. Perfect. They just completed my gloomy day.

"Silvan", wika ng isang lalaki which was Detective Adler. I find his presence so annoying. Very annoying.

Tinapunan ko lang siya ng tingin and then ignored him. That's where I am good at. I can easily ignore people around me unlike Amber who wants to ignore the people around her yet she just can't. Kasama nito ang dalawang pulis na lagi niyang kabuntot. Inspector Boom and Fenris.

"Hey, where's the Vander?", he asked and looked around. I know that he's looking for Amber.

"Right in front of you", I answered. It took me time to accept that I am a Vander. I hate their wrong doings. But then I realized I am Iverone's son and just like my mom, I don't bear grudges. I have accepted my name but still used Silvan, my adoptive father's last name.

"I don't mean you. I meant the girl", wika niya sa akin.

"Sorry to disappoint you but I am sad to inform you that there isn't a young girl from the Vander", sagot ko sa kanya. He was stunned for a while. Yeah, he wasn't informed about Amber not being a Vander but Zywon. And what does he have to do about it anyway? He's got nothing to do about it so it's right not to disclose such information to him.

Saglit lamang ang pagkagulat niya. Then he displayed an inquisitive look in his eyes.

"So, care to tell me why you keep on asking Tross to come here huh? Hindi mo kami pinagkakatiwalaan sa kaso ng Bridle?"

Galit ang boses nito and I am surprised with his question. Detective Tross is here in Bridle?

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play fool kid. I know you asked Tross that's why he keeps on lurking here around Bridle High School!"

Hindi ko na agad na narinig pa ang sinabi ni Detective Adler. My mind's questions during the Raven Case were all answered. As far as I can remember, there's something off with our investigation back then. Pakiramdam ko ay mali ang gjnawa namin- no. Not really wrong but it seemed superficial. Back then, Amber was attacked with some gases and she said she saw a blurry silhouette back there.

Wala siyang planong sabihin iyon sa akin dati but I was able to convince her to tell me. At sa pagkakaalala ko ay kasama niya doon si Detective Tross while we all left to find Marilyn.

I grabbed Math's laptop. "Let me borrow this for a while", I said at nang tumango siya ay tumakbo na ako palabas ng cafeteria, totally ignoring those people who called for my name.

I was near the gate when I bumped into a familiar guy. It was my cousin Ryu. Bahagya siyang tumango sa akin at lumapit. This guy isn't the smiling type so I also just nodded at him. I wonder how he was able to pass through the gate since it's still closed from the outsiders. He's been doing it ever since. Para itong VIP ng Bridle, he easily enters the gate. I wonder if he do coercion, bribery or whatever way it is.

"Where's Amber?", he asked when he approached me. He's also looking for Amber. Kung iba pang pagkakataon ay maiinis ako dahil hinahanap nito si Amber. I know he has a special eye for him although he's in denial and doesn't show it like how Khael does. But it seems like he's here for an urgent matter.

"I was about to find her. I think she's in danger", sagot ko. I am the kind of guy who's always composed but when it comes to Amber, I lose my composure. Natataranta ako and I am being paranoid.

"Just as I thought", Ryu said. "I have snooped the site that she asked me. It's the organization and I found out that a certain Robertross Delano is behind all of this. Do you know that man?"

Napabuntong-hininga ako. "I don't only know him. I am the one who introduced Amber to him."

Everything was so fast. I just found myself driving Ryu's car while he faced Math's laptop. Wala na sa sementeryo si Amber. She's at a certain building kanina and then the red dot on the map disappeared. She must be somewhere we cannot trace the wireless tap Math put on her.

"I really cannot find her. Does this thing really work?", Ryu asked as he hit Math's laptop few times. Well this Vander does have a thin patience and he doesn't mind destroying things that doesn't belong to him.

"Please handle that with care. That isn't mine."

"I don't care."

"Where's her last location?", I asked.

"Sears Building", he answered.

"She must be in the basement of that building. Let's hurry", wika ko and drove faster.

While on our way, my mind is all about Amber. Ahh! That girl! She's not the damsel in distress type but I still want to be the knight that saves her.

We entered the basement of the building. We moved stealthily and careful with every step. I can hear loud sniffs and cries of a girl at positibo akong si Amber iyon. Tumakbo kami ni Ryu patungo sa direksyong iyon and found Amber covered with blood. On her lap was a man, his father. Bernard Sison.

"Amber!" I rushed towards her side and checked if she's fine but it seems like she doesn't have any wounds on her. Ang dugo na nasa damit niya ay mula sa ama niyang may tama ng baril sa puso and he isn't breathing at all.

"Amber, okay ka lang ba?", puno ng pag-aalalang tanong ni Ryu. He looked around the area looking for people to help us but it seems that there's only us there.

"I-I'm dead", she answered between her sobs. She's a total mess and I cannot bear to see her in such form. It hurts me to see her like that.

Paulit-ulit niyang sinabi na patay na siya but that was nonsense. She's still alive and breathing. Maybe she meant that she's dead because she lost her father.

"It's Detective Tross who's behind all this", wika ko sa kanya but she doesn't seem surprised about it. Patuloy lamang siya sa pag-iyak and she keeps on saying she's dead.

Just then someone appeared from behind a car. It was Detective Tross. "Surprise! I'm kinda disappointed why it took you so long to figure out it was me who's behind all of these. I have this game controlled from the very beginning. Pinaglalaruan ko lamang kayo sa mga palad ko."

Bumangon ang lahat ng galit sa dibdib ko. I'm fuming mad at him because he took lives of innocent people and used them as human carriers. And anger for myself for not seeing his game from the very start. We've been friends for years!

Napansin nito ang pagtiim-bagang ko. Even Ryu on my side was frozen. He got a gun while we don't have any.

"Why Gray? You're not expecting it? I really liked you from the very start. With such intelligence you'd be a great asset to our organization", he said at bumalik sa balintanaw ko ang unang pagkakataon na nakilala namin siya ni Khael. He was assigned for a case in Athena and we helped him. Since then we became good friends. How silly for us not to see through his charade.

"You got me fooled", sagot ko sa kanya

"Too bad. Do you hate me?", he asked with a smirk. The smirk seems to be telling me how stupid I am.

"I don't hate you. I hate myself for not seeing this side of you. And I hate how you turned out to be like this. We thought you're an ally. Magaling. Napakagaling. You really got us."

He laughed devilishly. "Your fault."

In the corner of my eye, I saw Ryu moved and tried to attack Detective Tross but even before he can move, pinaputukan na siya nito. He fell on his knees when the bullet hit his leg.

"Stop right there Vander", wika niya. "I can't just kill you yet. I want you to witness how Vander Mafia will fall into slums."

"Like we would let it happen!", Ryu shouted at pilit na iniinda ang tama niya sa binti.

"We'll see to that", he said and left.
He left us there with a shocked girl, dead man and wounded guy.

"You all stay here while I ask-"

"Ryu I need to see Cronus", I heard Amber said firmly. Her eyes were swollen dahil sa pag-iyak but it was burning with rage.

"Cronus? Why?", Ryu asked and Amber's answer left us stunned with our mouth gaped open.

"I want to be a REAPER."

#

End of Detective Files (File 2)
Next book: DETECTIVE FILES (File 3)

10/10/17edited

-Tammii/Shinichilaaaabs♥