Sebastian

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"Madam, I will take legal action if you can't fix this mess! How did someone even access this file on your business system? What could this mean for our identity if they can easily obtain it? This is all fucked up!" I vent out angrily.

Galit ako at wala na akong nakikitang dahilan na sisihin kung 'di si Madam. Nasa pinirmahang contrata namin noon na safe kami sa lahat lahat. Sagot ng Rampage kung ano man ang mangyayari. But they assured us that our identity will be safe forever.

What had happened to that now? This is bullshit!

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Grayson. Our system was down four days ago. Matibay naman ang sistema namin, pero noong araw na iyon ay may nakapasok na hacker sa system."

"What the hell..." Face down, I swore while holding the phone.

Kausap ko si Madam sa kabilang linya. Matagal na akong wala sa Rampage. I cancelled my membership after Eva left. I did it on my own accord. I could no longer tolerate the lifestyle and want to change for good. Kaya simula noon ay tinutukan ko na ang negosyo at nagka interest na ako sa mundo ng politics. Pumasok ako, kasama si Papa at nakilala ang mga importanteng tao sa mundo.

"Why didn't you tell me, Madam? I could have helped."

"The system was fixed an hour ago after that incident. Hindi naman napasok ng hacker ang database dahil iba ang system holder nito. It has a solid software. Ang CCTv lang na recorded ang napasok at nagkataon lang na ang taon at araw na iyon ay hindi pa nailagay sa bagong sistema."

"What? So, you mean there is more to that?"

"No, Mr. Grayson. We have everything else secured, and I assure you that there's nothing more to it. I apologize once again. I will accept full responsibility for this."

"And how do you plan to achieve that? How will you safeguard Eva's reputation in this matter, Madam? Are you aware of what it signifies for her? Damn this." I shut my eyes, wanting to tear my hair for this mess.

"I'm so sorry again, Mr. Grayson. I'm really sorry. . ."

"Damn it..." 

Pinatay ko na ang tawag. Nag iisip ako ng tamang plano para masulosyonan ang problemang ito. I don't want to circulate this. It will be devastating for Eva. Ang layo na nang narating, at kapag nasira ulit siya ay hindi na niya kakayanin ito.

It will be her end, and I don't want that to happen. 

"What do we do then?" Graham sighed as he looked at me.

I ended up telling him about this, but I did not disclose everything to him. I'm problematic as hell, and Dahlia wants two hundred million this Sunday. I have a surprise proposal for Eva this Saturday, and I don't want to change my plans for that.

Ayaw kong bumigay sa gusto ni Dahlia, pero wala akong option sa ngayon. I don't want to see Eva in this shame because she doesn't deserve this.

For years, she has put in her best efforts and transformed into a remarkable individual. She diligently works for her achievements, relying solely on herself. I can't fathom the stress that this situation may cause her. It will kill me if that happens. I know it will break her for good. 

I have to stop this. I'm the only one who can prevent this from happening.  

"But you know, Gov. Hindi naman klaro ang nasa litrato. Sa tingin ko ay kuha ang litratong ito mula sa CCTv."

My brows furrowed. "You think so?" 

"Yes, Gov. Have a look?" Lumapit si Graham sa akin at pinaliwanag ito.

"As you can see on this side that's your back, right? That alone is so blurred. Now, there are girls on the stage. Malinaw ang nasa gitna pero sa bawat dulo ay hindi na klaro ang mga mukha nila. Magkapare-pareho ang mga mukha nila, Gov, at ang damit. Halos parehas ang mga desenyo. Paano iyan mapapatunayan ni Dahlia na si Eva ito?" Itinuro niya ang dulong bahagi.

I gritted my teeth. I know that's Eva, but the image was blurry. Graham was right. It was like a screenshot from CCTV. 

Tama nga siguro ang sinabi ni Madam sa akin kanina. Ang CCTv file database lang ang nakita ng hacker. Ang iba ay nawala na. 

"Have you called the Rampage owner, Gov? Do you want me to do it? Kilala ko si Madam."

I nodded and sighed. 

"Are you a member there?" Nagtagpo ang kilay ko. Nagkukunwari ako na hindi ko alam, pero alam ko na dati siyang myembro ng roon. 

"I used to be, Gov, but I stopped two years ago," he smiled.

"So, you just disclose your identity to me?" I scoffed.

"Well, I assume that you were also a member before, right?"

"At hulaan ko...isa ka sa mga VIP, Gov, ano? You've got the highest prevelage when it comes to this." Pilyo siyang ngumiti.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Graham," I smirked, and he laughed.

"Don't worry, Gov. Hindi ako traydor. Mukha lang akong ganito, pero hindi ko tipo ang mga tipo mo. I give my heart already to someone and we're planning to move abroad next year. Kaya hayaan mo na ako, Gov. Gusto kitang tulungan sa bagay na ito... trust me."

My jaw tightened. I'm having lots of trouble, and I won't let Dahlia ruin Eva's reputation just like this.

"She wants two hundred million."

"What? Shit, ang laki, Gov?" Graham's eyes widened. "I know you can easily afford it, but my, oh my... I don't think that's a good idea, Gov."

"What if, after a year, she wants more again? She will never stop threatening you. Dahlia knows she can easily milk you for money."

"And what do you want me to do, Graham?" I looked at him sharply. 

"Hindi ko hahayaan na masira si Eva. She will release this to the public. What do you think will happen? I can't afford to lose Eva..."

"P-Pero, Gov..."

"Damn it. I have to go. I can't think straight." I walked past him and exited the room.

Tumunog ang cell phone ko nang makababa ako at nasa harapan na ng kotse. Dinukot ko ito sa bulsa. . . si Eva. 

"Where are you? What time are you coming home?" Malambing ang boses niya, at saglit akong napabuntonghininga.

"I'll be home in fifteen minutes, love..."

"That's good! Food will be ready then. Don't buy any desserts, okay? May dessert ka na rito." She giggled. Her voice was covered in thrill and pleasure. 

I know the dessert. It's simply her. 

I bit my lower lip and dipped my head a little bit. 

My poor Eva. I want to tell her about this, but I don't think I can. I will solve this on my own and protect her with my life. 

"Okay...I will see you soon."

"Okay. I love you!"

"I love you."

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c.m. louden

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