Sebastian

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I park my car close to the hospital's main entrance. The security guard approached, smiling when he recognized me.

"Gov, good evening, Sir!"

Inihagis ko agad ang susi sa kanya. Wala na akong oras na e-park ito ng maayos, dahil nataranta at nag aalala na ako kay Eva.

"Can you park this for me, Tony? Thank you."

"No problem, Gov."

I went inside the emergency area, right through the attending nurse.

"Eva Serino? Where she was taken?"

"Ah, si Atty. Eva, Gov? Nasa pinakadulo na ward, Gov."

"Thank you."

Mabilis ang hakbang ko, at abot-abot ang kaba sa puso. I attempted to call her, but there was no response until a stranger picked up. It turned out to be an emergency ambulance staff member on call. Eva was dispatched here, and it happened that she had left her phone inside the ambulance.

Tinawagan ko agad ang isa sa mga security ko para e-monitor ulit ang paligid sa bahay. Napasok daw kami ng magnanakaw?

"Eva," I lean down to check on her and damn it.

"Seb. . ."

"What the hell happened? What happened to your head?" I embraced her tightly.

"I'm alright. Buhay pa naman ako at hindi pa patay." She giggled.

"Damn it. It's not funny to say that. What happens? Who did this to you?" I swallowed hard and leveled my eyes into hers.

The bandage was secured around her forehead, and her left eye appeared red.

Lumingon muna siya sa paligid, at magsasalita na sana. Pero hindi natyuloy dahil nandito na si doctora.

"Governor, Eva..."

"Hi, Doc Sam!" Eva greeted her lively.

"Nothing to worry about, Eva. You are okay. It's just that the bruises will last probably more than two weeks. Hindi ko tinahi ang sugat niya sa ulo, Gov, kasi hindi naman malalim at maliit lang ito. Pero malaki ang bukol niya sa noo. Kaya medyo matatagalan pa bago mawala ang pasa niya."

"I see..." That gave me an air of relief. "What is her left eye red, doc?"

"Ah, it's because it was close to that part. It's the bruise too. Don't worry. She will be okay."

"I told you I'm good as gold!" si Eva sa akin. "Puwede na akong umuwi, Doc Sam?"

"Yes, you can go home now. Just don't forget to clean your wound, okay? May mga gamot na akong naisulat na pwede mong bilhin sa pharmacy. May pharmacy tayo sa baba."

"Thank you, doc."

"Not a problem."

Doc Sam glanced at Eva and me, then Eva and she shared a laugh.

"Have a good night, Atty."

"You too, doc. I will visit you here again or I will call you, okay? Salamat talaga, doc."

"All for you, Atty."

I took Eva's hand and led her. Some of the staff who know me glanced our way. I overheard them gossiping, asking their colleagues if Eva was my girlfriend.

"Hala! Iyan ba ang girlfriend ni Gov? Hindi ba si Atty Eva Serino 'yan?"

"Ba't may bandage sa noo? May sugat? OMG!"

"Baka na aksidente?

"Hindi baka na-sobrahan sila at nahulog si Atty sa kama!"

"Gaga! Nakita ko kaya na unang dumating si Atty kasama ang mga medical staff ng ambulance. Tumahimik ka nga!"

I heard Eva giggle when she heard it. She just shook her head.

Nang makalabas kami ay nasa harapan na ang sasakyan. Agad na pinarke ito ni Tony, ang isa sa mga security guard ng hospital. Ibinalik niya sa akin ang susi at binigyan ko siya ng tip. Ayaw nga niyang tangapin ito. Pero ipinasok ko sa bulsa niya. At least pandagdag sa snacks nila.

Eva remained quiet the entire time, which made me anxious. As I drove, I noticed her eyes were closed. She must be exhausted, or perhaps the medication is taking effect and making her drowsy.

"Ruby..." she hugged Ruby the moment we stepped inside the house.

"Are you okay, baby? Wala bang masakit sa 'yo. Hindi ba masakit ang gilid ng tiyan mo?" Kinapa niya ang tiyan na bahagi ni Ruby bago tumayo.

"What do you mean by that?" I looked at her, worried. Manong June, one of the guards, takes over and takes Ruby back to her cage.

"Ruby was kicked on her stomach. Kaya nagpaka-kero ako," she rolled her eyes at me. "Let's talk inside."

Sumenyas na ako kay June at napatango siya. Gusto ko rin na ma re-view ang CCTv monitoring mamaya. Gusto kong makita ang pangyayari sa loob ng pamamahay ko.

"Here, have this first." I gave her a cold drink, followed by the pain reliever tablet that the doctor prescribed.

"Salamat..." She swallowed them in one go and sighed.

Nasa loob kami ni Eva ng library room ko. Medyo magulo nga ito, at nagkalat ang iilang papelis sa sahig. Nakita ko rin ang baseball bat at nagtagpo ang kilay ko, dahil may bakas ng dugo ang sahig at hindi pa ito nalinis.

"I'll clean this up." She stood up, but I stopped her.

"No. Sit down there, Eva. I will do it. But before that. Tell me what happened?" I sighed, feeling frustrated already.

It disappoints me that I couldn't protect the woman I love, even in my own home. This is unacceptable. How did this happen?

"Have a look at the CCTv first of the main gate. Hindi ko maisip kasi kung paano siya nakapasok sa loob? At paano rin siya nakapasok rito sa library mo? Eh, wala naman siyang susi. This room is locked, Sebastian," she looked at me in dissapointment.

I gritted my teeth.

Yes, it's true. This room is always locked, and I happen to be the only one with the key. I have all my important papers here in every aspect. I also have a safety locker box storing all my important documents.

Fireproof ito, at hindi basta-basta nabubuksan. Ito muna ang una kong sinuri at bunuksan gamit ang coding at thumb print. Bumukas ito, at kompleto naman ang lahat sa loob.

The bullions remain untouched. The papers, cash, and gold are in good condition. It appears that no one has disturbed them. I've secured them once more.

"No. I don't think she's after the money inside that, Seb... maliban na nga lang kung bobo siya, which is bobo nga naman."

Nag play ang recording review ng CCTv. Makikita rito na bumukas ang maliit na gate sa gilid at nakapasok siya. May susi siya at gayon din sa library room na parte.

"It was Dahlia..."

"What?" I looked at Eva. She looked disappointed in me.

"Look, Seb, hindi naman ako magagalit kong nagpupupunta pa siya rito."

"No, she isn't! She has no right to be here. She doesn't belong here after our divorce seven years ago!" I exclaimed, exasperated.

"Damn her..."

"So, where did she get the key? At dito na parte!" Tumayo siya Eva. "This part here. She's looking something at this part. It seems like she knows everything. Alam niya kung saan dadaan o kung saan papunta. Hindi ba ito ang bahay ninyo noon? I mean..."

"No, Eva. This house solely belongs to me, and it's brand new. Dahlia has never stepped foot in this place!"

Her mouth fell. "Oh, then, who helped her?"

"Fuck." Napayuko ang ulo ko at naisip si Rose.

"It's from Rose. She's got access to this house and the key to this room, too."

"What!? Who's Rose?" Tumaas ang boses niya, at kinabahan na ako. Hindi ko kailanman sinabi kay Eva ang tungkol kay Rose.

I didn't tell her that she was once my one-night stand and happened to be the sister of Dahlia and worst? She worked in my company as my personal secretary.

"She's my secretary and Dahlia's sister," I said, clenching my teeth and trembling in fear.

Eva blinked and looked surprised at this. "I-I didn't know this. . . You didn't tell me..."

Damn it.

"Look, Eva. It's just work. She's good at her work and she's been working in my company for more than twenty years. She's married now and also has kids... I trust her, but I've been suspecting her lately because Dahlia seems to know all my whereabouts. And now. . . It makes sense."

"I'm sorry, baby..." Hinaplos ko ang gilid ng mukha niya.

It's heartbreaking to see Eva in this state. Dahlia threw a large stone at her, and it struck her forcefully. I'm just relieved it wasn't worse.

"Okay... I-I can't argue with that. She's doing her job, but. . ."

"Yes, I know. I already called her earlier, and she's worried about it. I will talk to her tomorrow and give her the punishment she deserves."

"Huwag mo naman sibakin. Hindi naman niya suguro kasalanan..." She pouted.

"Damn, Eva. . . You can't imagine how I felt upon hearing you were in the emergency area. In those moments, it felt like my world had come crashing down. I was utterly devastated, scared..." I hugged her.

"Kaya huwag mo akong pangunahan sa magiging desisyon ko sa mga employees ko sa mga mali nila... they have to face the consequences of their mistakes, and I will take no mercy for it," I said, gritting my teeth.

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