Weekends are spent on trainings and exercises if there's nothing new to report in the agency. Isa ang linggo na ito sa mga araw na iyon.

The second floor of the apartment that the agency provided was turned into a training area. Kumpleto ito ng mga gamit na kakailanganin. There's a treadmill, punching bag, training bench, stationary bicycle, and some weights here. Minsan, madaling araw o di kaya'y takipsilim ay tumatakbo ako patungo sa parke. It's a little bit far from the apartment but the jog is always worth it.

Maaga akong nagising para magensayo. I did my usual routine. Staying fit was never an issue for me. My body only needs a little excercise to retain its figure. Back in the academy, the only comment I got from our instructors was that I need to be more nimble on my feet.

That didn't stop me from getting the highest rank in our batch tho.

Tagaktak ang pawis ko nang magdesisyong tumigil. I hold the punching bag and let it steady. It's almost eleven o'clock now that means I spent six hours training. Not bad but not enough. I guess I'll ask Ido to spar with me later.

Kinuha ko ang cellphone kong nakapatong sa lamesita. It kept on vibrating hours ago. Alam kong hindi iyon importanteng mensahe galing sa agency. If they called, my phone will vibrate following a pattern designed for them.

Also, I have a guess who's calling me this time. Napatunayan ko 'yon nang makita ang pagkarami niyang missed calls at texts sa akin. Bago ko pa mabuksan ang texts niya ay muli na naman siyang tumawag. I sighed before accepting the call.

"Maldita ka!" Unang bungad sa akin ni Maurice.

Kahit hindi naka-loud speaker ay rinig ko ang matinis niyang boses. Matagal na akong natuto kaya't malayo na sa tenga ko ang cellphone.

"What?" I reached for my flask and drank from it.

"What, what ka r'yan! Ano, teh? Hindi marunong magbasa ng text!? 'Di marunong sumagot ng tawag!?"

"I was about to-"

"Tse!" He cut me off. Naparolyo ako ng mata pero agad din na binalik ang pokus sa kausap. "Pumunta ka mamayang gabi sa Milliamo's, huh!" Utos niya.

Milliamo's End is a private resort minutes away from here. It's one of the hidden gems of this small town. The hotel and resort was mentioned many times in big magazines and even prestigious ones. Blaze mentioned that to me twice, or thrice, before I accepted this assignment.

"Bakit? Anong meron?"

I went to my room. Nang makapasok ay sinalubong ako ng tahimik na paligid. Dumagdag pa na bigla rin nanahimik ang kausap ko. I thought the line was cut but the call's still ongoing.

"Hello?" Muli akong nagsalita.

I heared him exhaled deeply as if he's calming his self. "Maya, alam mo, minsan hindi ko na alam kung ano patutunguhan ng pagkakaibigan na ito."

"Do you want me to answer that for you?" I asked seriously.

"Gaga! I know what you'll say! Bakit pa ba ako nagtanong." Hindi ko man nakikita ay paniguradong nakairap na naman siya sa akin. Naupo ako sa kama habang hinahantay ang sagot niya pero ilang segundo pa at wala pa rin siyang sinasabi.

"Maurice, if you are not going to say anything, I'll end this call now. May gagawin pa ako." Sabi ko.

"You really don't know what today is?"

"It's Saturday." Sagot ko. Pagkatapos no'n ay bigla na lang naputol ang linya.

I looked at my phone and saw that the line's really cut. Napabuntong hininga ako bago humiga sa kama. I stretched my sore arms but stopped when my hand knocked over something. Naupo akong muli bago inayos ang regalo ni Maurice.

Today's his birthday. And Beatrice told me that we are going to surprise him later in his party. Well, demanded was the right term.

I have my reasons why I'm tagging along with this bs. One, because there's no order from the agency today. Pangalawa, kung hindi ako sisipot ay paniguradong magulo ang susunod na linggo ko dahil sa kanilang dalawa. Lastly, because Beatrice and Maurice together reminds me of an annoying little bitch back in the agency.

I cleaned myself and changed into a plain white shirt and black shorts before going downstairs. Naabutan ko si Ido na kakalabas lang galing kusina. His tall and lean frame is covered with a gray shirt and a jeans. He's talking to someone on the phone.

"I only know that they stopped the experiment years ago because they weren't able to fund the following trials." He said.

Tumigil siya nang makita ako. He pointed on his phone.

"Meeting." he mouthed before heading straight to his room upstairs. Sa kakaunting linya na narinig ay napagtanto ko kung ano ang pinaguusapan nila.

It was the confidential case involving two known chemists. I only know bits about that case and two things are for sure, it involves tons of cash and lots and lots of danger. Seeing now that the agency's talking to Ido, it seems that things are escalating pretty quick. Paniguradong magtatagal ang meeting na iyon.

Nang makarating sa kusina, nakita kong may ilang sangkap na nakalabas at hindi pa nagagalaw. I see. Ido was about to prepare for our lunch when they called him. He cooks our meal because obviously, I don't know how.

Also, I prefer my knives cutting targets than meat and vegetables.

Now that he's in the middle of a meeting, I'll just buy some takeouts. Ganito kadalasan kapag natataon na may meeting si Ido. Pumupunta ako sa karinderya sa kanto at bibili ng ulam. I don't complain about that because the food there are actually good.

Kinuha ko ang wallet ko bago umalis. The sun's high but it's hidden behind these massive trees. Hindi ganoon kainit ang paligid dahil napapaligiran ng mga puno ang baranggay na ito. Luscious trees are in between houses that offers shade on practically all over the sidewalk now that the sun is almost on top of us. One can be at peace knowing that their skin won't be burnt during a noon walk.

I'm fair but I would love to have my skin tanned. Pero kahit na ilang beses na akong nabilad sa araw sa tuwing may misyon, mabilis na bumabalik ang kulay ko. I've long given up to change my skintone.

Ilang lakad lang ay nakarating na ako sa karinderya. They have chairs and tables inside for some people who wish to dine in. Iilan lang 'yon dahil pang take-out naman talaga ang karinderya na ito.

Medyo marami nang tao sa labas na namimili sa mga nakahilerang ulam. I patiently waited for my turn. Dahil do'n, hindi nakatakas sa paningin ko ang tingin na itinatapon ng ilang lalaki sa gawi ko. From my face, their eyes will travel downwards and remain there. My eyes went sharp.

One guy saw it and he looked away looking pale. The others didn't because their gaze remained looking where they shouldn't be.

I silently grit my teeth. Assholes everywhere. How I wanted to carve your eyes out and feed it to you.

"Anong sa'yo?" Tanong sa akin nang ako na ang o-order.

I calmed myself before answering. "Dalawang order ng kasola."

The lady looks up from her writing pad. "Ay, miss, wala pa. Pero kung gusto mo, hintayin mo na kasi malapit naman na 'yung maluto." She offered.

Sumulyap ako sa orasan nila at nakitang maaga pa naman. I said yes to her and she told me to wait inside after she wrote my name down. Tatawagin na lang niya ako kapag ayos na ang order ko. Nagmadali akong makapasok para maiwasan ang mga nasa labas.

Medyo maraming tao sa loob dahil oras na rin naman ng tanghalian. I manage to find myself an empty two seater near a window. Imbis na panoorin ang mga kumakain, nilibang ko na lang ang sarili ko sa pagtingin-tingin sa labas.

There are other stores outside that are just adjacent to each other. May tindahan ng damit, bakery, botika, isang maliit na sari-sari store, at isang repair shop. Nagtagal ang tingin ko sa huli.

Simple lang ang pwesto na iyon 'di tulad ng mga naunang tindahan. Wala itong masyadong kulay. It's unlike the repair shops I know. Medyo marumi ang sahig dala ng grasa na paniguradong mahirap linisin.

My eyes darted to a car outside the shop with its hood open. May katabi itong motor na mukhang flat ang isang gulong. Iyon lang ang naaninag ko sa labas at wala nang iba pa.

I pursed my lips.

"Dalawang kasola kay Maya!" somebody shouted.

Inalis ko ang tingin doon saka tumayo. My order would only costs one hundred pesos. Binuksan ko na ang pitaka ko para kumuha ng pambayad. I only see a five hundred and a one thousand peso bill inside.

"Pare?"

Mula sa pitaka ay napaangat ang tingin ko sa tumawag dahil nangibabaw ang boses niya. I saw a guy who's about to sit on a chair while calling the attention of someone. Sinundan ko ang tingin niya. My eyes met with Reamo's dark ones. Halos mapatigil ako sa paglalakad.

He's wearing a black shirt and faded jeans today. Kita ang ilang mantsa at grasa sa kaniyang pantalon. Reamo is holding his chair as if he was just about to pull it but stopped midway. I did a quick glance and saw that there are some streaks of grease on his arms, too. Napataas ang kilay ko.

Tinanggal ni Reamo ang kamay niya sa upuan. Dahil do'n, napabaling ang mata ko sa mukha niya. Hindi pa rin natatanggal ang tingin niya sa akin. Nakita kong bahagya niyang pinasadahan ng tingin ang suot ko. His thick brows furrowed a bit and he stood straight after. Umiwas na ako nang tingin at diretsyong lumabas.

Halatang galing siya sa kanilang repair shop. Mukhang nakaorder na at magaantay na lang sa loob. I breathe deeply to calm myself.

Inabot ko ang bayad sa babae. She handed me the plastic with my order inside and went out to get my change.

"Hi, miss."

Binalingan ko ang lalaking tumabi sa akin. Akala ko ay titignan niya ang ulam sa kalderong nasa harap ko kaya bahagya akong lumayo. Turns out I'm wrong when he stepped to follow me. He's smiling from ear to ear.

"Maya pala pangalan mo. Ganda naman." He said. His eyes looked on my legs and stayed there.

A nerve twitched on my brow. Hindi ko siya pinansin at umatras pa ako nang kaunti palayo. Bilisan n'yo sa sukli ko kung ayaw n'yong mabawasan ang bumibili rito.

I guess this one's just too stupid to realize he's an asshole. Muli pa siyang lumapit sa akin.

"Saan ka ba nakatira? Ihahatid na kita."

When I did not answer his question, he moved even closer to me invading my personal space. He even dared to laugh as if what I'm doing is amusing.

"Sungit mo naman. Ano bang hinahantay mo r'yan? Tara na! Nandoon 'yung -"

"Mario," a sharp and cold voice called behind.

A shadow stepped over us. Bumaling ang tingin ng lalaki ro'n. I saw how he suddenly paled, paler than the guy before. Bahagya rin siyang umatras mula sa akin. The glint of confidence he had in his eyes were gone in a blink. Wondering why the guy's looking pale, I looked behind.

Reamo, still with his brooding dark eyes, stands behind me. His broad shoulder almost blocking the lights. From my perspective, his eyes seems to be a shade darker now. Idagdag pa na bahagyang magkasalubong na naman ang kaniyang mga kilay. His sharp jaw looked tense.

This is not his usual irritated look. He's pissed and beyond that.

Muli akong umiwas ng tingin. I can't blame this cowering guy beside me. Reamo looks scary right now.

"U-uy, Reamo, bakit?" The guy named Mario shifted on his feet.

Great! Nasaan na 'yung sukli ko?

"Kunin mo na ang motor mo." Reamo said. His voice's low. I also shifted on my feet.

"A-ah! Naayos na pala? S-sige, magka-"

"Hindi."

"A-ah?" Mas lalong napaatras si Mario. Natigilan dahil hindi naintindihan ang sinabi ng kausap.

"Hindi ko aayusin." Reamo added.

That was when the lady, who has my change, appeared. Finally! Mabilis ko 'yung kinuha at saka ako umalis.

Reamo wasn't even that close to me but he still moved away when I stepped out. Hindi ko siya nilingon. Dahil sa pagmamadali, halos isang minuto lang ang inabot bago ako nakarating sa apartment.

To say that I rushed the hell out of that place was quite an exaggeration but by the way my heart beats erratically, I could say that it was fitting. Nakaharap lang ako sa pintuan matapos ko itong maisara. I tried to calm myself. Kasabay no'n ay sinubukan ko rin na tanggalin sa akin isip ang madilim na mga mata ni Reamo.

His gaze and presence is really something. I have established in my mind that I should be wary of him and study him to know his motives. But his dark eyes and equally dark presence will always stop and mess my plans. Malakas akong napabuntong hininga.

This is frustrating.

Napabaling ang tingin ko sa hagdan nang mainig kong sumara ang pinto sa itaas. Ido came rushing down the staircase after. He's sliding his arm onto his jacket in a hasty manner.

"What's with the rush? Is everything alright?" I asked.

Ido stopped on his track and faced me. His face is void of emotion - as usual. "The agency ordered me to visit a site today."

A site visit?

"Is this related to our mission?"

"No." He said. Inayos niya ang suot na itim na jacket. Because of that, I saw a glimpse of his gun hidden on his side. He zipped his jacket close. "It's just a little side job."

Sinundan ko siya palabas ng apartment. Binuksan niya ang bintana ng sasakyan nang mailabas niya 'yon sa kalsada. He gestured me forward. Lumapit ako nang sa gayon ay kaming dalawa lang ang magkakarinigan.

"I will be back tomorrow. Lock every window and door. Call me if something happens." He said.

I frowned. "You know how capable I am to protect myself, Ido."

"Are you disobeying orders?"

"I am merely stating a fact."

Tinitigan niya ako bago bumuntong hininga. "Very well."

Lumayo ako sa sasakyan. Ido did not waste a time and drove the car instantly. Pinagmasdan ko siyang makalayo. That must be a hell of an important site visit for them to order it to him.

Ido is four years ahead of me. He graduated as the top of his batch and he is very skilled at almost everything. Almost.

Let's just say that he's not very fond of people he isn't familiar with. Good thing that it isn't a critical requirement in the environment we are in.

I spent the afternoon making the presentation for my project. Hindi ako nagtagal dahil kaunting research at pagsasaulo lang ay tapos na agad ako. Sapat lang ang natirang oras para makapag-ayos ako bago ko kitain si Beatrice.

I wear a black spaghetti strap dress and partnered it with a black ankle strap heels. Hinayaan kong bagsak ang aking buhok at sinimplehan lang ang paglalagay ng makeup. Lastly, I wear the silver necklace I got from Blaze.

Isang shed ang napili naming pagkitaan ni Beatrice. Dala ko ang regalo ni Maurice at isang clutch bag. Sa kabilang kalsada ang shed na ito, hindi kalayuan mula sa entrance gate ng Milliamo's pero hindi rin naman malapit para makita kung sino ang narito.

A small gate of Milliamo's is near from where I stood. Medyo madilim sa bandang iyon. Kanina ko pa napapansin ang paglabas at pagpasok doon ng ilang tao. Mostly are men who take out trash bags or new arrivals who wore the same attire as them.

My wristwatch shows that it's a minute past eight. Maingay na sa loob nang makarating ako rito. Wala pa rin si Beatrice. She specifically pointed that I should not be late today and must go here before eight. What could have caused her to be late?

I took my phone out. Ang huling reply niya sa akin ay paalis na raw siya sa kanila.

That was sent twenty minutes ago.

My eyes darted to the small gate when it opened again. May lumabas ro'n pero nanatiling hawak ang gate dahil may kinausap at tinanguan pa sa loob bago 'yon isinara. He's wearing the same attire as the others who went out before him, a white long sleeved polo and black slacks, only that he's missing his black tie.

Nang tumapat sa ilaw ay saka ko lang nakilala kung sino 'yon. I see. That's why I thought his massive physique is familiar.

It's Reamo.

He's opening the cuff of his sleeve, the other was already rolled up to his elbow. Mukhang may pupuntahan o 'di naman kaya'y pauwi na base sa kaniyang ayos. So, he works at Milliamo's too?

Nang sinimulan niyang buksan ang pang-itaas na butones ay biglang napabaling ang tingin niya sa gawi ko.

Our eyes met.

I immediately looked away. Just how creepy is that for him!? Here I am in a dark corner, watching him undress like a creep. Shit! I stared longer than needed.

How did he even noticed that I'm here? Ilang tao ang lumabas ro'n at mas nagtagal pa kaysa sa kaniya pero hindi nila ako napansin. For fuck's sake! I wore my black dress for a reason and that is to blend well in the dark.

Not because I wanted to act like a creep!

Muli kong binuksak ang cellphone ko, naghahanap nang mapagkakaabalahan. I didn't even noticed that I was standing so stiff until I heared his footsteps nearing. Walang sasakyan na dumadaan at tanging ingay lang mula sa loob ng Milliamo's ang maririnig sa paligid ngunit nangibabaw sa pandinig ko ang lakad ni Reamo.

I gave up and closed my phone. The light might give way for him to see my red face because of embarrassment. Lumingon na lang ako sa kung saan manggagaling si Beatrice.

Reamo stood under the shed with me. I initially thought that this has a big space but the moment he occupied the left corner, the space suddenly shrunk. Tahimik lang siyang nakatayo samantalang halos mabali naman ang leeg ko kakatingin sa kabilang dako ng kalsada.

"Are you alright?" Reamo suddenly broke the silence.

Is he talking to me? Hindi agad ako lumingon sa pagaakalang hindi ako ang kaniyang kausap. But who am I kidding?

I glanced at him and saw that he was already looking at me. My assumption that the space shrunk is correct but there's still a huge space between us. Halos dumikit na rin si Reamo sa dulong poste ng shed na ito.

"Are you alright?" He repeated the question more clearly now that I'm paying attention.

"I am fine." Sagot ko.

He frowned a bit. "Humingi dapat siya ng patawad sa'yo. Hindi tama ang ikinilos niya kanina."

Oh. He was talking about the incident earlier.

"Ayos lang. It's my fault anyway." Umiwas ako ng tingin nang biglang tumalim ang mga mata ni Reamo. He clearly didn't like what I just said.

What? It's true. Instead of brushing off the man harshly, I remained silent simply because I don't want to gather more attention and paint the walls and floor bloody red. So yea, it's my fault why he pestered me. I am undercover and so I have to always remain low profile.

Besides, I have more than one way to get back to that asshole.

Honestly, I was more concerned about Reamo's actions a while ago rather than that asshole guy. I can't even remember his name.

Reamo shifted. Napabaling ang tingin ko sa kaniya. His body is angled towards me. Nanatili siya sa kaniyang pwesto pero ang atensyon ay kumpletong nasa akin.

The mixed emotions in his eyes are dimmer than the lamp post near us. Frustration, rage, and a glint of something darker. Halos mapaatras ako. 

"It is not your fault." Reamo's voice was dangerously low. "What you wear isn't his business to mind nor it may be an invitation to treat you like what he just did. You are not to blame for the actions of that asshole."

He stopped and looked deeply in both of my eyes as if telling me to listen very well.

"It is not and will never be your fault." He emphasized every word slowly and firmly.

Kung kanina ay halos mapaatras lang ako, ngayon ay natuluyan na. Reamo said that with so much firmness, frustration, and anger that I had to step back to ease the pressure I felt.

He is almost fuming mad. Nagpabalik-balik ang mga tingin ko sa madilim niyang mga mata. Reamo looked like he's ready to find that man anytime now after he thought I was blaming myself for being harrased because of dressing that way.

My heart thumped. I gulped. What is this?

Light shone from behind me followed by a honk. Agad akong napabaling do'n. It's Beatrice who's driving. Mula sa loob, kita ko kung gaano kalaki ang buka ng bibig niya nang makilala ang kasama ko sa shed. Bago pa man siya mag-isip na bumaba, ako na ang umalis sa pwesto ko at lumapit sa kaniya.

"Let's go." Agad kong sabi nang makapasok sa sasakyan.

"What is that?" Beatrice slowly asked.

"It's nothing. Let's go, Beatrice." Inayos ko ang regalo ni Maurice.

"Don't tell me it's nothing! Look! He's still looking here!"

I mistakenly looked back to Reamo. Dapat hindi ko na ginawa. Lalo na't kumabog na naman ang dibdib ko nang makita ang mga mata niya. Still with that dangerous look on his eyes. Frustration and rage. Such a dangerous combination.

That is almost the same dark look I saw on people who wanted blood to shed.