AVIATRICE 

I stormed inside a police station with my forehead knotted. Someone called me early in the morning that my appearance is needed for the crime I committed. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mararamdaman ko. Umuwi ako ng Pilipinas para magpahinga, hindi para ma-stress.

Ni hindi nga ako umalis ng bahay buong araw kahapon tas may krimen akong ginawa at may kasong haharapin? The fuck is that?

Naglalakad pa lang ako ay natanaw ko na mula sa malayo ang pigura ng isang lalaki na naka-business suit. His back figure was not familiar to me. But I am guessing he is responsible for reporting me.

"Excuse me?" Pagtawag ko ng pansin nila. One of the police officers turns his head in my direction while the other is scratching his head in confusion.

"I am Aviatrice Sachal Coronia. Under what law did I violate and what crime am I being jailed for?" Dire-diretso kong tanong.

Humarap sa akin ang lalaking nakaupo sa silya. Lalong nagkasalubong ang kilay ko dahil hindi pamilyar sa akin ang mukha niya. "Ma'am, how about you fix your lover's quarrel instead of messing with our work?" Tila pa urat na sambit ng isang officer.

"What do you mean?" Nginuso niya ang binatang kaharap ko. He looks pissed off. 

"He said inutusan siya ng boss niya para i-report ka at sampahan ng kaso kasi hindi mo raw ni-replyan ang email niya." Binalik ko ang pansin ko sa lalaking nakaupo.

His hair was styled like a curtain mullet. Itim na itim ang mga mata at may maalon na pili mata't matangos na ilong. His features looks like an Asian, but he had firm jaw like those of the Europeans. "Who did you say the name of your boss was?" Paninigurado ko. 

I got hundreds of thousands of emails from that viral Husband Application Form. Ang hirap naman isa-isahin kung sino sa mga yun ang may saltik sa utak para sampahan pa ako ng kaso dahil hindi ako nakapag-reply. 

He stood up and faced me with a small smile on his lips. "I am Keegan de Luca, mister Salvatore's personal butler." Kaagad na tumaas ang kilay ko. 

Salvatore? Him again? 

I took my phone and checked my email. I was already intrigued by him that why I made sure to reply to his email to meet. Hindi ba nag-send ang email ko? 

Nakagat ko ang labi ko nang mapansing hindi nga nag-send ang email ko. It was in the outbox. Mariin ko na lang pinikit ang mga mata ko. He could just email me again, can he? Bakit naman kailangan umabot sa point na sasampahan pa ako ng kaso para papuntahin lang ako? 

"Baliw ba 'yang boss mo? Ilang kilo ba ng usok nahipak niyan at malakas ang tama sa utak?" Inis kong atugal bago ibalik sa bulsa ko ang phone ko para harapin siya. 

I faced the officer and gave him an apologetic smile. "I aplogize for dragging you into this Officer. . ." Binasa ko ang badge na nakaukit sa uniform niya ". . .Officer Arellano." He just nods his head. Ginalaw-galaw niya ang kaliwang kamay niya na para bang pinapalayas na kami sa harapan niya. 

That was so embarrassing! 

Gigil akong napatigil sa paglalakad sa labas ng pinto ng police station. Marahas akong napalingon kay Keegan. "Where can I meet your boss?" Mabilis niyang sinipat ang relo niya. 

"He's currently under session with his psychiatrist," He paused and shrugged at me.

Psychiatrist? So may sa baliw talaga siya?

 "But I believe he is already in the meeting place. Shall we?" He flipped his car keys. May narinig akong sasakyan na tumunog. Nanatili lang akong nakatayo habang sinusundan siyang pumasok sa sasakyan. 

I lick my lower lip when the car stopped in front of me. Now that I have taken a closer look, I am sure that this car was one of the limited edition luxury brands. A fucking Rolls-Royce Phantom Sedan! Nakabayad na kaya 'to ng tax? 

Muli ay lumabas siya sa driver's seat upang pagbuksan ako ng pinto ng passenger's seat. He even handed his left hand to accompany me like a gentleman. I can say, he seems like a decent man. Pormal ito magsalita at makipagtungo. Professionalism was all over his demeanor. Even his perfume was pleasant to smell. 

"I hope this is not kidnapping." He chuckled and turned his gaze at me. "If I do that, he will bury me 6 ft under the ground in his garden." He replied shortly before maneuvering the car. 

Tahimik akong nakatingin sa bintana habang pinapanood kung paano manlaki ang mga mata ng mga taong nadadaanan namin. Some of them were even taking pictures and videos of the car in the street. Who wouldn't be? It's rare to find luxury cars in the Philippines, madalas pa dyan mga illegal. 

Napabalikwas ako ng upo nang may maalala ako. They called me Mrs. Salvatore way back when I was still in Kazakhstan. Binayaran niya lahat ng hospital bills ng mga pasahero pati accomodation ng mga stranded passenger. The only thing the airline shouldered was the flight back to their destination. Bukod doon ay wala na. 

Now that Kassidy's post went viral, he must've seen it. Pero isn't it much of a coincidence na nasa Pinas din siya ngayon? Is he a stalker or what? Bigla nanayo ang balahibo ko sa batok kaya napasinghap ako. Why do I feel like he got his eyes on me everywhere? 

I grabbed my phone and messaged Kassidy my location in case something bad happens to me. Dahil sa kung ano-anong naiisip ko ay hindi ko namalayan na naka-park na pala ang sasakyan sa labas ng isang coffee shop. 

"Cafe Lafrance?" Lalo ako nakaramdam ng kaba dahil pati meeting place ay alam niya ang preference ko. Alam niya na adik ako sa kape! 

"Miss?" Nabalik ako sa realidad nang dumungaw sa akin si Keegan, saka ko lang napansin na pinagbuksan niya na pala ako ng pinto. 

Bumuga ako ng malalim na hininga bago lumabas ng sasakyan. Hinubad ko ang itim na blazer na suot ko bago ayusin ang sleeve ng botton down shirt ko. Tinupi ko ito hanggang siko ko bago tanawin ang coffee shop. I thought my crime was something serious that's why I wore a casual business attire on slacks, ending joke time lang pala. Bwiset. 

Sa labas pa lang ay makikitaan mo kung gaano ito ka-elegante. From it's glass walls and carefully trimmed miniature bushes and potted wildflowers. 

"Welcome to Cafe Lafrance, madame." Two women greeted me as they bowed before opening the door. 

Pagpasok ko sa loob ay bumungad sa akin ang naglalakihang crystal chandeliers at mga paintings na nakasabit sa ere. There are white tulips in the table's vase and everything inside was in a minimalistic design. Napangiti ako. It gives a simple yet sophisticated aura. Classic and elegant. 

Nawala ang ngiti ko nang dumako ang tingin ko sa isang lalaking nakadekwatro habang prenteng sumisimsim ng kape. I instantly recognize him. But this time, instead of suit he wears a grey sweatpants and plain white shirt. 

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Wala sa sarili kong bulalas. 

"Oh," Binaba niya ang tasa ng kape bago tumunghay sa akin. "I missed you too, sweetheart." He continued playfully, his voice deep and low. I hissed in my mind. 

All along he was that lunatic? How can I be so dumb not to notice it? Panigurado ay lumapag din siya ng Kazakhstan at sumama lang sa kapatid ko pabalik ng Italy para maging abogado niya. Plus he was a consigliere! It all explains why he have all the resources to fund the bills and accommodation of the patients!  

But what kind of tactic is this? 

"You filed a case because I wasn't able to reply to your email." I stated before I placed my bag on the table. 

He nods his head, not denying his absurdity. "Are you out of your mind?" Patutsada ko. 

"I think I am, I just visited my psychiatrist." Lalong kumunot ang noo ko. Is he going to agree to whatever things I say? Trying to reason and argue with him is pointless! 

"Magkakaroon pa ako ng record sa police station dahil sa kabaliwan mo!" Singhal ko bago inumin ang nakalapag na kape. Wala na akong pake kung naiintindihan niya ba ang sinabi ko o hindi, pero nakakapikon talaga siya! 

"Ikaw nga naghanap ng asawa online, sino mas baliw?" My sharp eyes darted at him. His whisper was loud enough for me to hear, and now I was able to confirm that he can speak and understand my language. 

"Give me your bank account." Seryoso kong sabi habang nakatitig nang diretso sa mata niya. 

"What for?" Amusement was visible in his eyes.

"I will pay for the money you spent on the hospital." Matigas kong turan. 

"Are you sure?" He asked, leaning his arms on the glass table. "You won't be able to pay for it even if you work twenty years in Spirit Airline." I pursed my lips. My mind is starting to do the math. 

Being a pilot is one of the most high paid job, and yet he claims hindi ko mababayaran sa loob ng twenty years? Ilang milyones ba ang ginastos niya? 

"Kahit ilang taon pa ako mag trabahao para bayaran ka gagawin ko. I don't want anything to do with you." Muli ay tumango na naman siya. 

"I understand." He replied shortly. "I will send you the receipt of the bill through email." Dagdag niya pa. 

"Is there anything you like to clarify?" Pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay. Why does it look like parang ako pa yung may higit na nangngailangan makipagkita sa kanya? 

"If you don't have anything to ask, hear me out." Napatingin ako sa muffin na nasa table. He even knew I love pairing black coffee with a muffin. 

"If you want to pay for the bill, I will let you. But in case you changed your mind, you can be my wife and you're free of charges." I smiled at him as I lean my back on the chair and looked around. 

"You reserved the place?" Out of topic kong tanong. "Yes, I reserved it for three hours to give us some privacy." Napailing na lang ako. Kaya pala walang kahit isang tao rito kahit na sobrang ganda ng lugar. 

"Alam mo, hindi kita sinisi sa nangyari sa eroplano. No one wanted that to happen. Pinalagpas ko rin ang pagtawag sa akin ng nurse na asawa mo. I was even thankful you defended my brother, and I heard you did not let the company pay you?" I crossed my legs and leaned my arms on the table. 

"We both know you are not just a country bumpkin or a normal lawyer earning a living," He stared at me deeply, as if he was trying to figure out what I'm thinking. 

"You probably knew everything about me and my family. That my grandfather was a retired Admiral, and my father works as an agent, that my twin serves the navy, and I was a former air force pilot." Tumayo ako. 

"If you plan to marry me to hide the truth behind the hijacking incident, and the fact that a high profiled Sicilian Mafia was in the Philippines, I suggest you find another solution to your problem." I purred before giving him a small smile. 

"Will you believe me that I was insanely, passionately, and extremely in love with you that I have to see a psychiatrist to get you off my mind?" Napilpilan ako dahil sa sinabi niya. His jade eyes lingered on mine, seeking an answer to his profound confession. 

Sincerity. But who knows if he's just good in acting to fool people? 

Nang makabawi ako sa sinabi niya ay pinulot ko ang bag ko na nakalapag sa mesa. I gave him a smug look. "Try harder, Salvatore." He snickered and touched his lips using his index finger. "I will at a heartbeat, sweetheart." Tinalikuran ko siya at lumabas na ng Lafrance. 

Keegan offered to give me a ride home but I refused. Sumakay na lang ako ng taxi pauwi na may hindi maipintang mukha. I took my phone to read his email once again. 

Dearest Wife, 

Regarding your recent inquiry for a husband, while I find the method unconventional, allow me to forgo pleasantries and address the matter directly. I am already present, as indicated in my prior correspondence. Further search is unnecessary. Let us convene at Cafe Lafrance tomorrow at 8 o'clock in the morning. I anticipate your presence for further discussion. 

Your soon-to-be Husband, 
Arlecchino Kage Salvatore 

Maisip ko lang na sinampahan niya ako ng kaso dahil sa hindi ko pag-reply ay kumukulo na ang dugo ko. I turned off my phone and bit my lower lip in annoyance. 

Hindi ko man lang namalayan ay nakauwi na pala ako ng bahay. "Ma'am sa inyo po 'tong buong lote?" Tanong ng driver bago ko i-abot ang bayad ko sa kanya. 

"Ah, opo." Tinanaw ko muna ang lokasyon ng bahay namin. "Ayaw kasi ni papá na may kapitbahay kaya binili niya ang ibang lote para walang tumira sa side na to kun'di kami lang. Kaya malayo pa  po kapitbahay namin." Sagot ko. 

Halata naman ang pagkamangha nito sa sinabi ko. "You can keep the change." Nanlaki ang mga mata niya, he tried saying no, but I insisted kaya wala na siyang nagawa. 

When I entered the house, naabutan ko namang nanonood ng Top Gun si Distaunce habang kumakain ng butter cookies. I attempted to hit him by throwing my bag in his direction, but he avoided it by grabbing the remote on the ground. 

"Where's dad and papá?" Tanong ko bago buksan ang fridge para kumuha ng makakain. 

"Dad went with papa for his monthly general check up. They will be back in the afternoon." Walang nilong-lingon nitong wika. 

"Hindi ka ba nagsasawa kakapanood?" He shook his head repeatedly. Kumuha ako ng isang chocolate bar bago umupo sa tabi niya sa couch. 

"You look stressed, nakatapak ka ng tae 'no?" I rolled my eyes at him. Binalatan ko ang chocolate na hawak ko at tinapat ito sa bunganga niya. Dahil naka-focus siya sa pinapanood ay sinubo niya ang balat kaya uubo-ubo itong napatingin sa akin nang masama. 

"Hey!" Angal niya na ikinatawa ko. 

"How was it?" His forehead knotted upon my question. 

"What?" 

"Flying in the air with three SU-57 targeting you?" He smirked. "It felt ecstatic! I never felt alive in my whole life! If I was given another chance to do that again, I will, even if I'd end up in jail!" He laughed and pointed at the screen. 

"I finally get to experience a life threating experience like Maverick!" I stood up and took a bite of my chocolate bar. I decided to get upstairs to change my clothes. Pero parang may kung anong nagtutulak sa akin na lumingon sa glass walls sa sala. 

When I turned my gaze, I blinked an eye. Bigla lumakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko. "D-Distaunce?" Mahina kong tawag sa kanya. 

"Hmm?" 

"W-what is that?" I whispered almost breathless.

"What—" Naramdaman ko ang paglingon niya sa tinitignan ko. I felt him froze from his seat. Tulad ko ay mukhang nagulat din siya sa nakita.

From the glass walls where we can see our garden, there was a flying drone that is seemed to be equipped by magazines of bullets. Nakatapat ito sa aming dalawa. Just as it was about to fire bullets, Distaunce managed to pull me to hide under the couch. 

Sunod-sunod na putukan ang narinig, pero sa hindi malamang dahilan ay walang kahit isang bala na tumagos sa loob. Dahan-dahan ay tumunghay ako upang makita ang kasalukuyang sitwasyon. My mouth gaped open in shock and amusement. 

"The glass wall was bulletproof?" I asked as I cursed. How can that be?

"Sarado ba lahat ng pinto sa buong bahay?" Distaunce nods his head as an answer. 

Muli ay nakarinig na naman kami ng sunod-sunod na putukan pero sa pagkakataong ito ay hindi lang ito nagmula sa glass wall, kun'di sa ibang parte ng pader. We are probably surrounded by drones in every corners of the house outside. 

"The whole house is bulletproof?!" I heard him exclaimed in disbelief. Kahit ako ay hindi rin makapaniwala. 

"All this time this was the house renovation they've been working on every year?" Bulalas pa nito. 

Every year dad and papá would give us a vacation out of the country for a house renovation. Dati ay akala namin adik lang silang dalawa sa pag-aayos ng bahay kaya hindi namin kinuwestyon ang pagre-renovate nila, but now, it makes sense. 

"We need to move Via, I don't think the walls can hold much longer." Napatingin ako sa apat na sulok ng bahay. The glass walls on the left side of the house was already cracking, dents and minimal ruptures were visible on the three sides of the concrete wall. 

"Who the fuck authorized this unmanned machine gun type of drone? They should be banned!" Habang abala sa pagmumura si Distaunce ay kaagad kong dikunot ang phone ko para tawagan si dad. 

"No! Don't call them, they will worry! I'm sure they installed devices here, maybe there are hidden guns and. . ." Nanlaki ang mata ko nang may makita akong granada na tumilapon sa bandang glass wall. 

"Heads down!" Tinaob ko ang couch. Pagdaan ng ilang segundo ay isang malakas na pagsabog ang aming narinig. The glass walls were broken into pieces. 

Sabay kaming nagkatingin ni Distaunce nang makitang may nakadikit na smoke bombs, handguns at sniper sa ilalim ng tinaob naming couch. I gritted my teeth. This happened right after I meet with that lunatic! He's probably the reason why!

"Their target is probably me." Confused, he grabbed the sniper and handed me two guns. He gave me a determined look, as if he was ready to get nearly killed again just to save my ass. 

"There are four drones, and we're only exposed to one. Try to distract it." He commanded serious with conviction. Mariin kong pinikit ang mga mata ko bago ikasa ang baril na hawak ko. 

So much for being the target, damn that consigliere. 

𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐎 𝐀 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐄
ᴮʸ ᴳᵒˡᵘᶜᵏʸᶜʰᵃʳᵐ